Ukraine is fighting back, and they are targeting Crimea and Kherson, the regions that the Russians have occupied. This comes after the Russian airbase experienced a series of explosions, followed by similar explosions in Belarus.
One must read between the lines as the Ministry of Defence of Ukraine warns the occupiers to leave Ukraine.
Day 169 (11 August)
Russian troops have been sentenced to 10.5 years imprisonment for war crimes in Chernihiv. This leads the way to more convictions once the guilty have been identified and then detained. The detained troops had targeted civilians, and that is what they have been convicted of.
Such a decision was made by Chernihiv Desnyanskyi District Court. The senior sergeant of the Russian armed forces Mykhail Kulikov was found guilty of the crime under Article 438.1 of the CCU (violation of laws and customs of war) and was sentenced to 10.5 years in prison.
The basis for the indictment is the evidence collected by the Security Service of Ukraine.
It has been established that a Russian tank crewman of Russian 35th separate guards motorized rifle brigade crossed the state border of Ukraine from Belarus on February 24. Advancing in the direction of Chernihiv, his tank fired at populated areas.
On February 26, 2022, following the commander’s order, the sergeant fired at an 11-story residential building in Chernihiv, which was not a military target, but on the contrary, was inhabited exclusively by civilians.
The direct hit of a 125 mm high-explosive tank projectile destroyed several apartments.
Shortly after this episode, the Armed Forces of Ukraine hit the enemy tank and captured its crew.
Now, sergeant Mykhail Kulikov will serve a fair sentence.
The SSU will continue to investigate crimes committed by the occupying forces in Ukraine in order to bring to justice all Russian soldiers who committed crimes against civilians.
The pre-trial investigation was carried out by the SSU Office in Chernihiv Region under the procedural supervision of Chernihiv Region Prosecutor’s Office.
Reports claim that Ukrainian Special Forces carried out the attack on the Russian military base in Crimea. The Defence Ministry of Ukraine continues to issue warnings to the occupiers in Crimea, advising them to leave
As satellite images emerge, the destruction of the military base appeared to be precise, indicating that the incident was not ammunition being stored that had detonated.
Scholz of Germany has publicly stated that the war in Ukraine is ‘criminal’ and that the alleged war crimes carried out by Russian soldiers will be investigated. This is important to repeat, as Germany are vulnerable as 55% of they gas is supplied from Russia, and there are factions within Germany that support the former Communist regime
Russia continues to target residential areas, here in Pisky, the Russians appear to have boasted about the attack on social media
The Latvian Parliament has declared Russia as a ‘state sponsor of terrorism’ and added that it is ‘targeted genocide against the Ukrainian people.’ What this means is that specific laws and sanctions can be imposed against such states that are considered state sponsors of terrorism, and who carry out acts of terrorism, and the hope is that other countries will adopt the declaration which will then force the UN to act and curtail Russian activities, or suspend them from the UN
Reports from NORAD (North American Aerospace Defence Command) have stated that two Russian aircraft were identified near Alaska, but they did not enter Canadian or American sovereign territory, but were in the ADIZ zone. It looks as if Russia is testing the waters or trying to intimidate the US
Belarus has reported a number of explosions in an airfield which Russia has used to launch aircraft, which is on the border with Ukraine. Few details have been released except an aircraft had caught fire
Switzerland has been asked to potentially represent Ukrainian in negotiations with Russia. This has been rejected by the Kremlin who state that they no longer consider Switzerland as neutral, perhaps because Switzerland has imposed some sanctions against Russia and has shown vocal support for Ukraine.
The Donetsk evacuation continues, and as a mandatory evacuation this means the government will provide the civilians with free housing and benefits. This also means that when there is fierce fighting, that civilians are out of harms way and troops can focus on defending the land and not have to save civilians, who may be used by the Russians as human shields.
Denmark is also sending military instructors to the UK to help train Ukrainian soldiers and has added another aid package to include weapons. The US and the UK have also announced further measures to help assist Ukraine defend itself including long range missiles.
Sham trials are to be held in occupied Mariupol for the Ukrainian POWs on 24 August, which is the Ukrainian Independence Day
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Zelenskyy continues his nightly addresses to the people, and urges them to safely inform the authorities if they have knowledge of the movements of the aggressors, and to also inform the authorities of any proxies that aim to harm the country. He speaks of the liberation of the occupied regions and remind the people that some places have already been liberated, and that Crimea is Ukrainian and it always will be
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Hopefully other countries WILL follow Latvia's lead and declare Russia a sponsor of terrorism, which SHOULD force the UN to suspend Russia from the UN.