The Wagner Group Prepares To Hand Bakhmut To The Russians
The US warns that no weapons they provide can be used on Russian soil
The main issues over the last few days have been Bakhmut (Ukraine is holding a few patches, but admits that the Wagner group controls the majority of the city), where the Wagner group says it will handover the city to Russian troops.
In Belgorod, the Russian paramilitary groups (Russian Volunteer Corp and Free Russia Legion) continue to raid the border city. Ukraine has stated it has not provided any military aid but were aware of the groups crossing the border, and the only aid provided were food and humanitarian aid. The groups call them ‘raids’ rather than attacks as they claim to be liberating Russia from Putin.
The US repeats that it is not at war with Russia, but is assisting Ukraine so that they can win the war against Russia. It depends on how you wish to view this, but the statement is an unwise one because the US admits it is providing weapons that will be used against Russians, but just not on Russian soil. Are you still attacking Russia if you attack Russians that aren’t on Russian soil? If we look at other wars, soldiers of all nationalities were stationed in countries other than their own—that was the purpose of the allied forces, to work together. One gets the impression that Russia is waiting for a slip up so they can point the finger at the US.
Another disturbing agreement is the transfer of nuclear weapons from Russia to Belarus, where the weapons will be stored in Belarus. Why? It’s closer to Ukraine, plus it is a propaganda tactic to try and scare the West. Either way, it is unsettling for nuclear weapons to be moved around and closer to Ukraine.
The fighter jet coalition continues to discuss logistics, and where the training of the F-16s will take place. What it indicates is that the war is entering another phase, and that means Russia will respond with more lethal weapons.
Day 455 (24 May)
Ukraine confirms that no Ukrainian soldiers entered Belgorod on 22 May when there was an incursion. They were aware of the actions of the paramilitary groups, and only protected the border in the event of a counter attack and provided medical aid and food as required.
The group has claimed the raid on Grayvoron was successful.
The US has authorised the sale of a $28 million NASAM air defence system to Ukraine, in order to help them strengthen their defences. They could have done with this a year ago and saved many lives.
Latvia has pledged €2 million to help reconstruct Chernihiv.
The Prosecutors General Office is investigating whether Belarus has been actively assisting Russia in abducting children. This is the illegal transfer and deportation of children in occupied regions to Russian territories.
From 1 September 2023, the Orthodox Church of Ukraine is to begin using the new Julian calendar in line with Europe, rather than to follow the Russian Orthodox Church which uses the old Julian calendar. This means that Ukraine will celebrate Christmas on 25 December and not 7 January as the country distances itself from Russia.
UK Defence Secretary, Ben Wallace made an unannounced visit to Kyiv where he met with his counterpart, Reznikov, where there were discussions on providing military aid and NATO membership
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The WHO has officially condemned the Russian war against Ukraine. However, Russia claims that a neutral organisation should not get involved in politics, especially as they have been attempts to relocate the WHO’s Moscow office.
Day 456 (25 May)
The head of the Wagner group has stated that their troops will leave Bakhmut by 1 June 2023, and transfer power to the Russian army. The mercenaries began to move out around the outskirts, allegedly to rest and to retrain.
This has been a bloody battle with many Ukrainians sacrificing their lives to hold a city that is rubble. Why couldn’t Ukraine do more? A lack of weapons was a major factor as tanks have only just started rolling in, and having to spread the troops across the Donbas and also to keep Kyiv safe.
Under a confidential agreement, South Korea will supply Ukraine with hundred of thousands of artillery rounds.
The EU has extended the duty free tariffs for Ukrainian goods until June 2024. This means that there will be no custom duties payable on Ukrainian exports to the EU.
Another prisoner swap has taken place with 106 POW being returned to Ukraine in exchange for Russian POW. Some had been listed as missing, and the bodies of 2 foreigners and a woman were also returned.
Russian Foreign minister Sergei Shoigu, and his Belarusian counterpart Viktor Khremin signed an agreement to store non-strategic nuclear weapons in Belarus.
The EU has approved the Paks-2 project in Hungary, where the nuclear power plant is to be extended, and is owned by Rosatom, which is owned bythe Russian state. Hardly a good look for the EU, with Hungary trading with Russia, and the EU permitting a Russian state owned company to build in the EU. Have they forgotten what the concept of sanctions are—to prevent an aggressor country from being able to trade in order for them to stop the war?
Crimea, which is currently occupied by Russia, has decided to nationalise 58 properties that are owned by Ukrainians. One of these apartments, belongs to Olena Zelenska the First Lady of Ukraine, but it seems to be a move to prevent Ukrainians from returning to Crimea.
Day 457 (26 May)
The US has reiterated it is not at war with Russia, and that no weapons that they supply to Ukraine can be used on Russian soil. This comes after Russia has claimed that US vehicles were found in the Belgorod incursion, however, the images appear to be fake and were used for propaganda purposes.
We have a 10 made it very clear to the Ukrainians, what our expectations are about to tuck in Russia – we don't want to encourage or enable that, we certainly don't want any U.S.-made equipment to use to attack, Russian soil. (John Kirby spokesman for the National Security agency.)
Kuleba continues his Africa tour and visits Ethiopia and Mozambique. He is there to gain support and also to highlight the ‘Grain from Ukraine’ to help bolster trade.
The Caspian Sea was probably used for Iranian ships to transport drones to Russia, which includes the Shahed kamikaze drones. It was observed that a number of Russian and Iranian vessels would switch off the tracking from time to time, indicating that they were concealing part of the journey.
NATO seeks to offer Ukraine an alternative to membership via a NATO-Ukrainian Council as an upgraded relationship package. The suggestion is that Ukraine has a seat at the table and that they can call meetings, but no Article 5 protection.