Lithuania, one of the three Baltic states, has begun restricting rail freight transport between Russia and its outlying Kaliningrad.


On the other hand, the Russian side is strongly opposed to taking countermeasures, and there is concern that tensions will further increase between the EU = European Union and Russia.

According to Reuters and other sources, Lithuania, one of the three Baltic states and a member of NATO, will ban trains loaded with EU sanctioned cargo from mainland Russia into Kaliningrad. Announced.



Kaliningrad is Russia's westernmost, so-called "exilave", surrounded by Lithuania and Poland, and can only be brought in by train from Russia via Lithuania.

Governor Arihanov of Kaliningrad, on the other hand, argues that coal, metals and construction materials are targeted, and up to 50% of the cargo carried can be affected.



The Russian government has also been strongly opposed, and a spokesman for the presidential palace, Peskov, told reporters on the 20th that it was "unprecedented and illegal," and the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs protests against a representative of the Lithuanian embassy. At the same time, he suggested that he would not hesitate to take countermeasures.



On the other hand, according to the Associated Press and other sources, the Lithuanian government has said that it is a measure in line with EU sanctions, and EU Senior Representative Borrell said on the 20th, "It is not a blockade. The transportation of goods is continuing."



Russian authorities are planning to strengthen sea shipping via the Baltic Sea, but there are concerns that tensions will further increase between the EU = European Union and Russia.

A fierce battle continues over the "Black Sea Maritime Key Point"

On the 21st, the Ukrainian army posted on SNS about the island of the Black Sea, Zmiinyi Island, which the Russian army occupied in February, "attacking in various ways and causing enormous damage."



Zmiinyi Island is an island off the coast of southern Odessa in southern Ukraine, a strategic maritime hub that Russian troops use as one of the bases of their attacks.



Maxar Technologies, an American company that operates artificial satellites, released satellite images of Zmiinyi Island on the 17th and 21st of this month on the 22nd.



In the satellite image taken on the 21st, you can see traces of charred ground in three places, the northern part, the central part, and the southern part of the island.



The satellite image taken on the 17th does not show any traces of charred ground, suggesting that there was an attack by Ukrainian troops during this period.



In addition, the British Ministry of Defense announced on the 21st that the Ukrainian army has succeeded in attacking one Russian tugboat that was carrying weapons etc. to Zmiinyi Island with an anti-ship missile provided from Europe and the United States.



Fierce battles between the Russian and Ukrainian troops continue over the Black Sea's key points.