Developments related to Zaporozhe nuclear power plant
Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky said that the Kremlin’s efforts to take over a massive nuclear power plant was “terror at an unprecedented level” and again called for NATO to implement a no-fly zone over his country.
Russian forces have now “occupied” the Zaporozhe nuclear power plant in Ukraine. Earlier, a fire broke out at the facility, according to Ukrainian nuclear authorities. The blaze had sparked fears of an accident.
“The Russian tanks knew that they were firing with a direct fire at the station,” Zelensky alleged. He drew parallels with the 1986 disaster at the Chernobyl nuclear power plant, the world’s worst-ever nuclear accident, but there is no indication that any of the reactors at Zaporozhe have been affected by the shelling.
Russia sued by Ukraine at The Hague
Ukraine filed a lawsuit against Russia at the International Court of Justice following Moscow’s invasion of the country. It asked that Russia must be held accountable for manipulating the notion of genocide to justify aggression.
Prosecutor Karim Khan said his office would be examining possible war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide - the offences under the court’s jurisdiction - by all parties in the conflict. “Any side that targets, directly targets, civilians or civilian objects is committing a crime under the Rome Statute and under international humanitarian law. That much is clear.”
Zatoka no longer only beach for Moldovans
According to the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, the enemy continues to prepare for the landing of an amphibious assault in the areas of Zatoka, Chernomorsk.
To suppress the anti-aircraft defense system of Ukraine on the Black Sea coast, the involvement of Su-24M bombers was noted and the disposable bomb cartridge RBC-500 bombs were recorded. The cover was provided by Su-30CM fighters.
It should be noted that the Convention on Cluster Munitions took effect in 2010. It prohibits under any circumstances the use, development, production, acquisition, stockpiling and transfer of cluster munitions. Starting with 2013, 113 states have signed the Convention, while 84 have ratified it. Russia didn’t sign it.
Bridge blown up, Transnistrian separatists isolated
The railway bridge on Ukraine’s territory that connected Odessa Oblast and the separatists in Moldova’s eastern district was blown up by unidentified persons. Dumskaya of Odessa reported that the unrecognized pro-Russian entity will exist like on an island.
While Brussels is considering Moldova’s application to join the EU, the de facto leaders of the Transnistrian region called on the Moldovan side “to initiate a dialogue with Transnistria so as to discuss a final civilized settlement based on peaceful and good neighborhood coexistence of two independent states by signing a comprehensive interstate treaty”.
UNIAN reported that the armed forces of the so-called republic are on full alert.
“Russians drink vodka, Americans drink whisky, but not wine”
NATO reiterated that it will not set up a no-fly zone over Ukraine to stop the Russian air strikes, arguing this would result in the war triggering a broader conflict and potentially risk spreading it to more European countries.
“NATO is slightly different than we thought,” said Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba, commenting on the Alliance’s refusal. According to him, before the war the Ukrainians believed that NATO was strong, while the EU was weak and undecided.
If the West allows Russian President Vladimir Putin to oppose the principles of the world order with impunity, this will open Pandora's box of problems for the whole world, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said ahead of an extraordinary meeting of the EU Foreign Affairs Council in Brussels on Friday.
Opinions of Uncle Sam and White House are differing
Approximately 74% of Americans think the United States should stop buying Russian oil and gas and work with NATO to set up "no-fly zones" to protect Ukraine from Russian air strikes, according to a Reuters/Ipsos poll completed on Friday.
Resistance continues
The Minister of Defense of Ukraine Oleksiy Reznikov said the situation is the worst in the south where the enemy attacked the Zaporozhe nuclear power plant, Kharkov, Sumy and Chernihiv.
“The Russian army’s losses have exceeded 10 thousand killed and wounded. The elimination of at least one Russian general was confirmed has been confirmed. Russian society is beginning to feel and realize these losses,” the minister wrote.
Earlier, the General Staff reported that the Russian armed forces focus on the besieging of Kyiv and weakening of resistance in blocked localities.
15 years in jail for dissidence
The State Duma adopted a law criminalizing the distribution of "false news" about military operations amid a crackdown on independent media outlets covering Moscow's ongoing, unprovoked invasion of Ukraine. The penalty for the distribution of "false news" about the Russian Army that leads to "serious consequences" rose up to 15 years in prison. Those who intentionally disseminate false information will be fined.
What do Russians get from war in Ukraine?
Russia’s media regulator Roskomnadzor stated for RIA Novosti that the websites of BBC, Voice of America, Deutsche Welle, Meduza, Radio Liberty (and their projects) were blocked for what it alleged was false information about the military operation in Ukraine. Znak.com and Kommersant were also affected by the ban.
The sanctions will end if Putin ends this war, and helps rebuild Ukraine and reestablishes peace and recognizes the country’s sovereignty and territorial integrity and right to exist, , Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs Victoria Nuland said.
Also, the Russians learned that Germany started to buy gas bypassing Russia, but also receives Russian energy sources. Chancellor Olaf Scholz said former chancellor Gerhard Schroeder should leave his posts at Russian state-owned companies.
S&P estimated that the international sanctions halved Russia’s available currency reserves. It also decreased Russia’s credit rating from BBB- to CCC-.
NATO has gloomier forecasts for Ukraine
NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said a new escalation of the Russian aggression against Ukraine is expected.
“The days to come are likely to be worse. With more death, more suffering, and more destruction, as the Russian armed forces bring in heavier weaponry and continue their attacks across the country,” stated Stoltenberg. “We call on President Putin to stop this war immediately, withdraw all his forces from Ukraine without conditions, and engage in genuine diplomacy, now”.
Nikolaev regional state administration Vitaly Kim reported that the Ukrainian armed forces managed to drive away the invaders from Nikolaev and got back the Kulbakino airdrome in Nikolaev.
Disaster in Mariupol
Russian troops have surrounded Mariupol and are attacking it brutally to destroy it or compel its capitulation. The mayor of Mariupol Vadim Boychenko told the local TV channel that the city is close to a humanitarian disaster. The city has no water, heat or electricity and is running out of food, as forces battling a Russian onslaught warned they needed reinforcements to help avoid losing control of the strategic port city. The mayor appealed for military aid and the creation of a humanitarian corridor to evacuate the residents.
