Day 251 (1 November)
The Black Sea Grain Initiative continues despite Russia claiming they have suspended their participation for the time being. They are keen to point out that they are not ending the role, but claim that they need assurances that Ukraine will not target their vessels in the grain corridor. The UN has confirmed that there are actually no Russian vessels in the grain corridor. This is obviously a tactic to try to get sanctions lifted, and so far, vessels have been able to breathe Ukrainian ports. The concerns raised by the UN and other world leaders is that food prices will rise and affect the entire world, and also countries that rely on aid such as Ethiopia may end up starving due to Russia suspending the role in the agreement.
Putin has said:
Ukraine must guarantee that there will be no threats to civilian vessels.
However, Russia has no civilian vessels in the Black Sea, only military vessels. Therefore, there is no threat to civilian vessels. Putin wants assurances that Russian vessels in Crimea will not be attacked. However, it appears that Putin is making up rules again claiming that the military fleet in Crimea are civilian vessels. This could be linked to the effort to repair the Kerch Bridge, where ferries are transporting lorries from Russia to Crimea, but these are loaded with military supplies which makes them legitimate military targets.
The damage to the energy infrastructure is in Ukraine have left pockets of the country without electricity and water, yet the Ukrainians are not complaining as they know this is the price they need to pay to retain their freedom. However, as winter is upon us there are many people that may become ill or die from a lack of heat. The Russians must bear responsibility for their deaths too.
A Russian oligarch, Oleg Tinkov has publicly announced his Russian citizenship.
I can't and won't be associated with a fascist country that started a war with a peaceful neighbour. It is a shame for me to continue to hold his passport. I hope more prominent Russian businessman will follow me, so it weakens Putin's regime and his economy and eventually put him eventually to defeat. I hate Putin's Russia but love all Russians who are clearly against this crazy war.
Russia has again accused the UK of been behind the explosions on the Nord Stream gas pipelines. They claim that there is evidence that the UK was party to the alleged sabotage and have called it a terrorist attack on an international scale. This seems to be Russian propaganda to try and turn countries against the UK. Given that the UK has an unstable Government at present, the Russians appear to be using that to their advantage.
France has responded to the recent Russian missile attacks in Ukraine, and have offered for military support and anti-air defences. It's about time Macron acted in a proactive manner—it’s only taken several months.
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The US military has been carrying out inspections in Ukraine to ensure that the weapons that have been supplied have not been used outside of Ukraine as agreed.
British intelligence have noted that to MiG – 31K foxhound interceptor jets we are parked in Belarus on 17 October 2022. Satellite images show that the Jets were present at the Machulishchi Airfield
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There is a lot of speculation about Putin, his health and if he will survive this … whatever it is, I call it WAR!
People are beginning to question and speak out, at what may be great personal cost to them, if what they are saying is true, and not to get assets released, then they deserve our support.
I feel for the families in Ukraine who are without power or water, especially in the coming cold months, it puts our higher costs into perspective, at least we have both and can cook hot meals, go to bed in a safe bed and keep warm.
I couldn't get passed the beginning of your article; President Putin demanding the Ukraines not attack Russian 'civilian' vessels. Is hypocrisy becoming the norm? It is a pity the UN didn't use this opportunity to warn Putin about aggression and destruction of civilians; especially if the concern is death from starvation and the possibility of price rises for grain.