Wagner Group Set Up A Base In Belarus
The Kerch Bridge in Crimea is damaged in another incident
The Black Sea Grain Initiative ends today, and Russia sees no reason to cooperate and to renew it because they haven’t got what they wanted which is sanctions lifted. In reality, they hadn’t really cooperated because they refused vessels signing in and held up the process in place causing delays. How the UN can claim it is a win when one party doesn’t actually adhere to the agreement I do not know. For them and Turkey, it’s about what they believe they got Russia to agree to, yet Russia doesn’t act accordingly and they know no one can stop them either.
The Kerch Bridge that links Crimea to Russia has suffered another attack, but no one has claimed responsibility. Some say it is the Ukrainians and others say it is Russian false flag, however, Putin has stated that there will be retaliation for the attacking the bridge again.
The Ukrainians advance on Bakhmut, and the US finally agrees officially to permit pilots to be trained on F-16 jets. In years to come, people will wonder why it took nearly a year to give Ukraine some tanks, and 18 months into the war before jets were made available to Ukraine. How many lives were lost while the political wrangling went on?
Day 507 (15 July)
Wagner troops are confirmed to have arrived in Belarus (Osipovichy) from Russia as previously expected. A convoy of 60 Wagner vehicles (with DPR/LPR) entered Belarus from Russia, claiming to be training the Belarusian army.
Belarus has announced that the Wagner group will operate in cooperation with the Belarusian army.
Ukraine is considering an evacuation program for those in Sumy, which would mean that the government would pay all costs and be given financial assistance and housing. While costly, it saves lives.
The leaked message from General Popov who has now been dismissed, adds substance to the reports that the Russian army is in chaos. While it indicates that the Russians are suffering losses and have a lack of strategy, it doesn’t mean that they will stop or can be stopped without more weapons, and weapons that don’t take 6 months to be delivered.
The South Korean president Yoon Suk Yeol and the First Lady Kim keon-hee made an unannounced visit to Ukraine and met with Zelenskyy. They visited Bucha and paid their respects and also confirmed a military aid package to assist Ukraine.
Day 508 (16 July)
Russia has taken control of the Russian branch of Danone and Carlsberg (Baltika Breweries) under a new law which permits them to ‘manage’ the companies on behalf of the state, and seize the assets of companies in unfriendly countries who seek to exit Russia.
Both companies had been trying to sell off the Russian businesses, but now the state has transferred the holdings to Rosimuschestvo, a Russian property agency. The companies were unaware of the situation and Danone is investigating matters. Why does this matter? It means that Russia can run the ‘stolen’ businesses and profit from them which will fund the war. Both companies are seeking ways to protect the companies and their rights. The German energy company Uniper, and Fortum of Finland had been taken over by the Russian state earlier this year already.
Day 509 (17 July)
A third unit of the Wagner group was seen entering Belarus. It appears that Russia will formally control the Wagner group now, and this understandably is a concern for Poland what shares a border with Belarus, especially as it is is a transit country for many of the weapons being delivered to Ukraine.
Two explosions on the Kerch Bridge have damaged one of the roads and killed a Russian family who were making their way to Crimea for a holiday. Russia has blamed Ukraine and the intelligence agencies of the US and UK through participation. They offered no evidence to support either of the claims.
Russia advises Russian stranded in Crimea to drive through occupied Ukraine to leave the region.
Allegedly water based drones were used, but has not been verified .
The Black Sea Grain Initiative ends today, but Ukraine says it can continue without Russia if Turkey offers to escort vessels. Russia has stated that they will not renew the agreement.
The battle for Bakhmut continues with 18 square kilometres liberated in a week.
The US formally agree to the training of F-16 for Ukrainian pilots. It’s only taken all year to decide, and now it will take months to train them.
In occupied Zaporizhzhia, Ukrainians are being forced to take Russian citizenship or they will be refused subsidised medication. It’s a case of die if you refuse to become Russian.
Tragic and dreadful loss of lives as the political wrangling goes on. And, by refusing medication to Ukrainians, the death toll will surely rise.