Zelenskyy Requests An Urgent UN Security Council Meeting
Russian missiles target hospitals in Ukraine as the entire country loses energy
Day 272 (22 November)
The UK is to send advanced Brimstone missiles to Ukraine. Turkey has also delivered additional heavy weapons to Ukraine including MLRS, mortars and ammunition.
Ukrainian energy company Ukrenergo say that rolling blackouts will continue until March 2023 as they try to repair the damage and provide energy during winter. Every thermal hydro station and power plant has been damaged, and much of the damage will require extensive repairs. They have stated that they cannot supply energy to the entire country on a consistent basis as the government sets up warn shelters for residents.
The NATO Parliamentary Assembly in Madrid has recognised Russia as a terrorist state. This did not stop them attacking Ukraine the next day, causing civilian casualties and deaths.
In Kyiv, the Pechersk Lavra monastery the SBU carried out a counter intelligence raid as they suspected Russian spies were using the World Heritage site as a base for intelligence and weapons. The church was previously under the control of the Russian Orthodox Church, but ties were severed when Patriarch Kirill publicly supported Russia’s special military operation.
Other similar raids were carried out at the Koreas Monastery and other Ukrainian Orthodox Churches in Rivne Oblast, which is in the north west of Ukraine.
Day 273 (23 November)
The UK is to send three former Sea King helicopters to Ukraine. Few countries have sent manned aircraft to Ukraine, despite the requests. Soldiers from Ukraine have been trained to fly the helicopters over the past few weeks, and these will be used for search and rescue operations. Wallace, made the announcement in Oslo at the Northern Group meetings, a UK initiative to discuss cooperation and defensive measures between the northern European countries. To date, the UK is the second largest supplier of military aid after the US.
Today saw more than 70 Russian missiles attack Ukraine, targeting hospitals now that most of the energy plants have been damaged. A newborn baby died, and other babies barely a few days old were also victims of the missile attacks. During the day, the entire country lost power, and gradually some areas got water back and some energy. Kyiv is black, with no power as I write. The attacks today caused significant damage as the snow in Ukraine begins to stick.
A maternity hospital in Vilniasnk in Zaporizhzhia killed a newborn baby and injured doctors
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Apparently, the US (CIA) are looking to recruit Russian spies, targeting Russians who do not support the war. Obviously the danger in that is taking on spies who would be double agents.
The Ukrainian Prosecutor General’s Office has opened an investigation into the killing of Russian soldiers who claimed they were surrendering to Ukrainian troops until one Russian began firing on the Ukrainians. The claim is the potential POW were suspected of perfidy, and did not become POW until they had been searched and were handcuffed.
Allegedly, the Russians have kidnapped mayors in Kherson and have detained them at their new base by the Dnipro river.
Moldova is suffering from power cuts as a knock on effect from the Russian missile attacks as they are connected to the Ukrainian power grids. Lviv was hit again, and air raid sirens sounded over Kyiv. Both were left without power throughout the day. Odesa has also been hit, while the grain exports continue under the Black Sea Grain Initiative.
Three power stations have been disconnected (for emergency purposes) from the Ukrainian network including Khmelnytskyy power plant in Netishyn. There was no heating, water, or electricity after the power plants were disconnected.
Zelenskyy has requested an emergency UN Security Council meeting through the Ukrainian UN Ambassador, Sergey Kyslytsya. The meeting will be held shortly at 23:00 Ukraine time.
The US announced a further $400 million in defence aid to Ukraine. The question is whether the US are providing the equipment that Ukraine has requested and needs?
There has been another successful prisoner swap with 36 Ukrainians including those detained from Mariupol and also Chernobyl.
Life in Russia is getting more oppressive, of course they back Putin, they know nothing else, and if they do, they won’t say for fear of what may happen to them and their families.
There is no freedom, they are back as they were just after the deposing of the Tsar, but with a slightly better standard of living.
Russians who have travelled and seen life outside must be very afraid, but with no criticism allowed, government controlled TV and radio, they mainly know what they hear and see, which is nothing. When and if they can travel again, they will find themselves pariahs in most of the western world and wonder what it’s all about
Russia is worried about getting enough ships to export oil, while everyday Ukrainian families are trying to cook food for their children and stay warm with most of Ukraine in blackout waiting for reconnection. The ABC in Australia remarked the only blacker is the Black Sea. We see doctors in hospitals trying to save newborns. Do we care about Putin's shipping problem and the possibility of damage to oil and gas pipelines, as well as, Russia's loss of revenue? As stated on the ABC, Putin is barbaric! Maybe if everyday Russians suffer a little of what their President is subjecting civilianstoo in the Ukraine, they'd pressure Putin to retreat!