Tensions are increasing on an international scale as all nations are being wary of declaring Russia a terrorist state after the Olenivka prison attack. No one wishes to officially point the finger at Russia because that would escalate matters of the West versus Russia, but the evidence shows that Ukraine probably did not have anything to do with the attack
.
In satellite images, there are images of freshly dug graves on the outskirts of the former penal colony. The Russians can hide the evidence, but they cannot control satellite images. This incident could alter the positions of many other countries who have remained neutral before, and it probably doesn’t help with Nancy Pelosi visiting Taiwan during her Asia tour. Other US representatives have visited earlier in the year without incident, but China deems it a provocation if Pelosi visits. Why? Because China has recently passed a law allowing them to use military force and resources outside of a war. Why they needed a law I do not know, because they do what they want regardless. Perhaps it was an attempt to appease the international community to look as if their actions are legitimate? This also comes after the recent NATO directive (Strategic Concept) stating that the members of NATO see China as a threat to democracy, and was not acting in good faith.
While the UN continues to keep going on about the grain deal, they are failing to address other issues that could save lives. There is a difference between feeding people who will always be hungry as they live in a poor country with few crops, and people are are being murdered by the Russians. The UN was not created to be a food bank for the world, but exists to prevent war and to broker peace in areas of conflict. Experts say that the grain blockade will not make much of a difference to the food shortages as the process is slow, and it has been 5 months since grain has been legally shipped, and this was during a drought period.
Russia has declared it is at war with the West, and anything democratic is deemed to be ‘Nazi’, so we must accept that Russia does not wish to negotiate at present, but are silently escalating the war. This then involves the governments of the international community, for we are in an era where a country must choose a side or remain neutral and be damned in the history books for failing to do their part to halt a world war. We have gas and grain as the commodities that the world needs, and that Russia holds as a hostage to try and get their way. Winter will be upon us soon, and for countries where the temperatures dip and where energy supplies will be needed, how will Russia respond? Will they supplying gas to European countries because they support Ukraine?
Day 159 (1 Aug)
At 6.30 a.m., the first cargo ship of 26,000 tonnes (the Radoni) of grain left Odesa and is a Sierra Leone flagged vessel that is headed for Lebanon. This was the first shipment of grain that has left Ukraine since Russia blocked the Black Sea in February 2022. It is still early days, and while this is a step forward one must remember that all parties stood to benefit from this agreement and I don’t think easing the food shortage was high on Russia or Turkey’s list of reasons to cooperate
.
The cargo of barley and grain that was aboard the Laodicea, that docked in Lebanon in July, is confirmed as stolen Ukrainian grain. The ship was a Syria flagged vessel that had departed from Crimea.
Macron from France has repeated his support for Ukraine, and France has sent experts to help with the investigations into the alleged war crimes. They have also donated a mobile DNA testing laboratory.
At last, Macron seems to have got the message and is providing support rather than pledging it. It is 5 months late, but let us hope he has stopped his appeasement nonsense.
The Ukrainian post office has halted postal services in occupied regions of Ukraine.
Ukraine has been exporting electricity to the EU via a connection with Romania, and has earned $20 million in a month. This is another reason why Russia is intent on taking control of their power stations to deprive Ukraine of their resources for the citizens and also as a commodity. Ukraine must also be a viable and functioning independent state to survive and that means encouraging countries to invest in Ukraine despite the war.
The Ukrainian troops are slowly reclaiming the smaller villages around Kherson. Kherson is in danger of being annexed by Russia as the occupiers are moving swiftly to oust any Ukrainian nationalists, and to create a Russian infrastructure in the city.
The Olenivka prison attack has not been investigated, but a US analysis claims that Ukraine did not attack the facility with US HIMARS. There has been no news that the ICRC has been given access to the site, but the Russians have stated they will only release the bodies after an investigation has been completed. They have also refused to give the ICRC the names of the victims, stating that only the relatives will be informed. This is not in line with the Geneva Convention, as the ICRC serves as a conduit between the families of the victims and the other parties involved.
Three more British born men will face trial in Donetsk accused of being mercenaries. John Harding, Andrew Hill, and Dylan Healy face possible life sentences or the death penalty. Men from Croatia and Sweden will also be tried at the same time.
Russia has imposed travel bans against 39 more Britons, and include politicians (David Cameron, Kier Starmer, and Liam Fox) and journalists, Piers Morgan, Robert Peston and Huw Edwards.
Day 160 (2 Aug)
Taiwan is bracing itself for an attack from China, as China has been carrying out military drills close to Taiwanese borders. Given that the US has declared support for Taiwan should there be an attack, it has pushed China to issue warnings for other countries not to interfere. This is a similar situation to Ukraine and Russia.
The US released another $550 million aid package to Ukraine to help them defend themselves.
The evacuation of Donetsk has begun today with trains transporting the elderly children, women, and those whose mobility is impaired leaving for other parts of Ukraine that are not affected by the war.
To prepare for a energy crisis, people are stockpiling wood in Ukraine, while Germany is estimated to have three months supply of gas left since Russia reduced the supply of gas to Germany.
The UN has not responded to Ukrainian requests to comment on the Olenivka
The UN is failing in not brokering peace when people are being murdered by the invading force.