Day 190 (1 Sept)
Mikhail Gorbachev is denied a state funeral, and Putin has stated that he will not attend because he's too busy. A state funeral would've entailed inviting world leaders to attend and as many have been sanctioned it means they are barred from entering Russia. It would've been rather embarrassing with so many being denied attending the funeral, and obviously there are safety concerns too. Many believe that Putin has chosen not to attend because he disagreed with Gorbachev’s policies as he wanted to open up Russia, and Putin has spent the last 20 years undoing all of Gorbachev's work.
The IAEA has managed to inspect the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant after delays of three hours, and were unable to visit due to shelling in the area. The team wanted to wait until it was safe due to shelling, however they still queued at the checkpoint to gain access as shelling continued. Russia has stated they expect the report to be unbiased, and that the UN inspectors have no remit to judge which party is at fault. They further stated that they will show evidence of Ukrainian hostilities.
The team of 14 inspectors headed by Rafael Grossi are aware that they are in a war zone and that the task is a dangerous one. The plan is for a team of 5 inspectors to remain there permanently after the initial inspection. During the visit, one of the reactors was deactivated due to Russian mortar bombs, but was reactivated when the area was safe. The team was accompanied by Russian soldiers and Russian media and are expected to stay until 3 September when discussions will be held for a team to remain permanently.
The war is getting very bloody and many Ukrainians or sacrificing their lives in this war. The media doesn't appear to be reporting on this however there are many ambulances arriving into Odesa from Kherson which indicates that the Ukrainian counteroffensive is indeed a battle where many lives are being lost on both sides. It is hard to report on real life events without compromising the security of the Ukrainian army in particular, but we should not forget that many soldiers are sacrificing their lives in order to the liberate Kherson. While the media reports are encouraging, we must remember that many die each day or are injured fighting for freedom. Some may pat themselves on the back for sending weapons and aid, but it takes bravery, dedication and courage to defend your country.
Zelenskyy has been thanking informants in Crimea for coming forward with information to help the Ukrainian troops. What this indicates is that there are many collaborators and proxies that are betraying Ukraine, and that this needs to halted in order for Russia to be ousted.
In Mariupol, the Russians are intending to destroy an archaeological site that dates back to 5000 BC. This is so that they can build on the location even though the site had received protection due to its heritage. There is another example of Russia destroying anything Ukrainian.
Putin has allegedly ordered his troops to occupy Donetsk by the 15th of September. Perhaps this is propaganda again for the Russians to counteract the news that is stating daily that the Ukrainians have blocked off the Russians in the Donbas, and that Russian command centres have been bombed.
The chairman of Lukoil (second largest oil company in Russia), Ravil Maganov has mysteriously died after falling out of a hospital window. His suspicious death is not the first of were there have been other suspicious deaths including the vice president of Gazprombank who was found dead with his wife and daughter in April. He had previously criticised the war in Ukraine and he did not support Putin's war and had expressed sympathy for the victims (the Ukrainians that Putin calls Nazis). We all know it is dangerous to oppose the Kremlin, and that people die suddenly or disappear, which is why many have left Russia but that does not mean they are safe.
The Nord Stream 1 pipeline had been closed again, shutting off supplies to Europe for alleged maintenance. Russia blames sanctions imposed on it for the necessary maintenance.
Day 191 (2 September)
The Energoatom nuclear plant plant in Enerhodar,Zaporizhzhia visit is the main news in this war as the UN attempt to stay neutral. Grossi, heading the inspection has said the ‘plant and physical integrity of the plant had been violated clearly several times’. He also has stated that the UN presence will be staying there. Quite how he can determine that without putting his team in danger I do not know, and what guarantees are there for their safety?
Zelenskyy has stated that he hopes that the IAEA can come to some objective conclusion, but criticised the fact that independent media reporters were not permitted to accompany the inspection team which was part of the agreement. It seems that all these agreements appear to appease Russia, and Ukrainian ones are put to one side. Both Grossi and Zelenskyy agree that demilitarisation of the area is necessary for safety, but the truth is that is is now a Russian military base.
The IAEA team are working under restrictions and wish to speak to the workers without the Russian soldiers present, but that has not happened so far. Therefore, how can the staff speak freely and honestly as to the conditions in the plant? Locals are being intimidated by the Russians and have been forced to lie to the IAEA team when interviewed. None of this was unexpected, and that is why the team must read between the lines as the locals do not have UN protection.
The aims of the IAEA inspection is to ensure that the plant is safe, ensure that the technicians are being allowed to work in safe conditions, and to retain a presence there for safety reasons and to prevent possible radiation leaks. However, the Russians will object to the latter as having the UN watching them was not part of the agreement, and there is no doubt things have been cleaned up of the inspection.
Gorbachev’s funeral will be held tomorrow, and Russia has stated that there will be elements of a state funeral, but it will not be state funeral. How Russians have reacted to this is unknown, because many will be thankful for him for opening up Russia and giving a generation opportunities that they may never have had. For a country that celebrates such occasions it appears to be sending a message to the world that the Russia Gorbachev encouraged is not the one that Putin is pursuing.
The weapons that arrived in Crimea over the Kerch bridge are now making their way into mainland Ukraine. Russia is not showing any indications of leaving Ukraine. I feel it will have to be by force.
Russian vessels have allegedly been transporting weapons via the Black Sea. Ukraine has reported this and has urged Turkey to block the vessels. A freighter bought a S-300 anti-air system through the Bosphorus Straits to a Turkish port that came from a Russian base in Syria.
Denmark has offered to provide the Ukrainian army with winter gear, as it seems this war will be continuing. While there are calls for the rebuilding of Ukraine now, it seems counterproductive to use funds when any infrastructure could be destroyed immediately, and causes more security risks and gives Russia more targets to aim at.
The people of Russia will join the resistance against Putin's regime with the death of Gorbachev and the reminder of life when he was president. I just hope there is a leader in the resistance of the calibre of Zelensky. Thank you TriciaH2K, 'stoicism' is what we all need and it reminds me of past generations. Hopefully, in the difficulties ahead for Europe and the world, we will be stoic alongside the Ukraines.
Thank you EL for all your painstaking work distilling down what is going on daily. It must be a heartbreaking and deeply depressing task. It is devastating to read of all the wickedness and suffering, whilst appreciating greatly the courage and stoicism of the Ukrainian nation, its soldiers, citizens and leader. Bluntly, as we all know in reality, nothing regarding any hope of peace or even ceasefire will take place whilst that evil man and his followers remains in power in the Kremlin, and whilst the west remains divided and vacillates as to how to deal with him.