Ukraine Disrupts Russian Forces By Taking Control Of The Oskil River
Russia retaliates and launches missiles at the Pivdennoukrainsk nuclear power plant
As I write this today, it is the funeral of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, and it should be a day of respect and mourning. Many heads of states have gathered to pay their respects to her Majesty, Russia and several other authoritarian states did not receive invites. The war in Ukraine continues and with the strong Ukrainian counteroffensive, there is a glimmer of hope that Russia will be defeated. However, overnight Russia bombed another nuclear power plant in southern Ukraine. The attack was so close to the plant that it could've caused a radiation incident. This is how Russia is choosing to engage in war and are willing to risk the lives of millions in order to seize Ukraine.
What is the answer here? Ukraine wants Russia to get out of the land which is understandable and they have every right to tell them to get out, while Russia believes that they have a right to take Ukraine. Meanwhile, the West is trying to support Ukraine without getting too involved so that Russia won't come after them. This is what happened in previous wars and eventually those other countries had to engage directly before the aggressor was finally defeated.
The current world leaders hope that with advanced technology that they can win this war for Ukraine without having to be directly involved. The problem is that the hopes have led to the deaths of thousands maybe even millions for we shall never know what the total death toll will be after the conclusion of this war. We know that bodies have been cremated to hide evidence, while Russia claims that they have not carried out any war crimes, and the mass graves recently found or fake. How many more lives can be risked in the hope that Russia will voluntarily retreat in the Ukraine?
Day 207 (18 September)
In Zaporizhzhia, power was been reconnected after one of the main external powerlines had been repaired. The IAEA still stating that the situation at the power plant is precarious and is still at risk but that conditions are better than they were prior to the IAEA team arriving.
The EU president has called for an international tribunal for war crimes to be set up after the Izyum mass grave site was discovered after the Ukrainian troops liberated the region. In addition, there have been at least 10 torture rooms discovered, reminiscent of the discoveries in Bucha earlier this year.
While Germany hasn't been ready to supply weapons to Ukraine as quickly as other countries, they have provided resources for wounded soldiers to be flown to Germany and to be treated in hospitals. At least Germany is providing aid, however it is preferable for weapons to be provided to avoid the soldiers being killed or injured in the first place.
In Luhansk, two Russian factories that manufacture ammunition have relocated the personnel back to Russia. This appears to be a move because they do not believe that the Russians will regains control of the region.
Zelenskyy has been adamant that Crimea will be returned to Ukraine, and has hinted that this may arise through diplomatic means. What he is hinting that we are unsure, but he is opening the door to diplomacy.
It remains to be seen what negotiations can take place, because Russia states that they are not interested in discussions unless Ukraine cedes land to them. In his evening address, he restates his pledge to liberate more Ukrainian cities which is a reminder that support from the west in terms of weapons and eight is still necessary.
The counteroffensive carried out by Ukrainian troops in Kharkiv has seriously disrupted the supply chain for Russian troops. In addition by taking control of the Osil River, it has pushed Russian troops back and has put a halt on the transit of supplies for their troops and passage for new troops to replace those who have been killed or injured.
In particular, Belgorod (and the railway lines running through the area) was an essential hub for the Russians as it was on the border of Ukraine, and the region was
recently hit by missiles as a legitimate military target.
The Baltic states are said to have closed the borders to Russian tourists from the 19th of September. This includes Poland, Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania. Only family members and those with EU residence permits will be permitted to enter the countries
Olena Zelenska has met with the Princess of Wales in the UK as she arrived in London to represent Ukraine at Her Majesty's funeral on 19 September 2022.
Russian state TV has been spreading propaganda again they claim, "…the West is waging a war in Ukraine war… against Russia. The general aim is Russia's collapse." It seems that they wish to blame the West for the war, claiming that the West is urging Ukraine to fight. They fail to state that Ukraine wishes to fight, but they didn’t have sufficient weapons until the West donated and supplied Ukraine with the equipment they needed. It was the West that was trying to prevent Putin from invading Ukraine in the first place though, and who are still asking him to leave Ukraine…
Zelenskky has stated that Ukraine has captured hundreds of Russian prisoners of war. This is so that they have more to exchange to get their people back.
In Kharkiv, the recently liberated residents in Kupiansk have talked about the torture tactics used on them, including making them walk through minefields and to kill their family if they did not confess. These will be investigated as war crimes.
Day 208 (19 September)
Russia launched several missiles overnight at the Pivdennoukrainsk nuclear power plant, ( Mykolaiv) causing damage and there was a danger of a radiation incident if the missiles had been 1000 feet closer to the nuclear reactors. The Ukrainians have called this nuclear terrorism.
In Mariupol, the Russians have increased the filtration procedures were residence in the occupied territory have been arrested, and are subject to identification checks in a bid to uncover any resistance fighters, and persuading the locals to report any Ukrainian nationalists. What they are doing is trying to detain any loyal Ukrainians who might be part of the resistance. By doing so, they hope to eradicate those who may assist the Ukrainian troops in any counter offensive action that is probably been planned.
In Luhansk, a Russian military base has been destroyed in the occupied territory overnight. Reports claim that in Novoaidarsk equipment and troops had been hit
.
The fact that President Zelensky is mentioning diplomacy and being open to reaching an agreement with Putin implies that he is confident that he has leverage to negotiate without ceding land. Is he allowing Putin to save face? Or is Zelensky fearful of a desperate Russia causing a nuclear catastrophe, which will endanger millions as you have stated, Ex Libris? I am interested and have speculated, however, admit that I am a layman or rather laywoman.
On this day, when those of us invited, watched the majesty of the HM The Queen’s funeral, I am incredibly proud that the wife of the leader of Ukraine was invited to the funeral and met by the Princess of Wales. That, to me, is a huge statement.