Ukraine Guards The Border With Belarus
The country prepares itself as blackouts continue as energy grids remain damaged
Day 256 (Nov 6)
A German company (Wintershall Dea) has been suspected of supplying materials that create jet fuel that could have been used in Russian jets to attack Ukraine. This seems to be a case of any company assisting Russia in any manner will be held accountable for the deaths of Ukrainians. If anything, it will serve as a deterrent hopefully to other companies and countries that allow goods to be shipped through their countries as a conduit for Russia.
Ukraine has estimated that Russia has caused $37 billion of damage to the environment, including marine life and woods. The damage to the cities and towns will exceed this, but how will any international body enforce payment from Russia?
It’s all well and good saying Russia must pay, but as we have seen the UN can’t even enforce their charters, so how will they enforce payment from a country that doesn’t believe they have done anything wrong?
Ukraine has reinforced their defences near the borders of Belarus and Russia. They expect further attacks and is being made public to serve as a deterrent. At recently liberated villages, troops remain to watch the borders to prevent the Russians returning
Reports claim that the US had been urging Ukraine to open the lines of communication for a peace deal. This has angered Ukrainians and quite rightly so, as the US publicly states they will support Ukraine and their right to territorial integrity, but want them to negotiate. The problem is that they are asking the wrong side to negotiate, as it is Putin who refuses to negotiate. Putin claims he is open to talks, but that means he talks and you agree to what he says. That is not a negotiation, and Ukraine has made it clear that they will fight to remove the occupiers. Any sign of backing down or ceding land is a signal for Putin that he can invade and take what land he wants.
Kyiv continues with rolling power cuts to conserve energy, and some residents are being asked to evacuate the city to other parts of the region to relieve the pressure on the energy grids. Without power, there is no water or sewage system and the city grinds to a halt. The city has heating shelters in place when the blackouts occur and people are stocking up on supplies again. It is now winter and the temperatures will be below zero, and the plans are contingent on no further attacks or damage to the power grids.
Day 257 (Nov 7)
Mass graves have been reported via satellite images in Mariupol. The mass graves in Staryi Krym, Manhush, and Vynohradne have increased by 1,500 new graves since June. That is more than 4,600 graves dug according to a Panorama report, and there might be a number of bodies in each grave. Many, we assume will be unidentified and some won’t be in body bags either. The Ukrainian government estimates that at least 25,000 people died in Mariupol. When people got missing, it is assumed that they are either dead or have been captured and detained by the Russians.
Reports claim that the new conscripts in Belarus are plagued with illnesses such as bronchitis and other infections due to poor living conditions. Most will be sleeping in tents and without adequate sanitation .
The EU has opened a hotline to report sanction evasion. Hopefully, this will deter companies and countries from breaching the sanctions in place.
IMO, the US wanting Ukraine to "negotiate" is nothing more than political posturing because of the elections tomorrow. It's insensitive, irresponsible and freaking ignorant! Unfortunately, so much hinges on the elections tomorrow, as to how the US proceeds with the Ukraine. It's not all entirely up to the POTUS. Really unsettling times here and not the time to be letting down our guard with Russia and our assistance to Ukraine. Sad commentary when politics wins out over human compassion.