On the 24th, half a year has passed since Russia began its military invasion of Ukraine, and the Ukrainian army is embarking on a reversal offensive, mainly in the southern part, with military support from Europe and the United States.
On the other hand, the Russian military is believed to be using the nuclear power plant it has seized as a shield to intensify its attacks as the war situation continues to stalemate.
In Ukraine, where Russia has continued its military invasion, the war situation is stalemate in the eastern part, but in the southern part such as Kherson province, the Ukrainian army effectively utilizes the weapons supported by the West, and the Russian army's ammunition depot and replenishment. We are strengthening our reversal offensive, such as destroying roads.
Earlier this month, an explosion occurred at a Russian military base in southern Crimea, which Russia unilaterally annexed eight years ago.
On the other hand, Russia continues to launch missile attacks not only on Ukrainian military facilities but also on urban areas, and it is believed that Russia is intensifying its attacks by using the Zaporizhia nuclear power plant in the southeast, which it controls, as a shield.
It has been pointed out that there is a serious shortage of soldiers in the Russian military, but the Putin administration is said to be recruiting soldiers in rural areas of Russia and dispatching them to the battlefields, while avoiding all-out mobilization, which is expected to cause a strong public outcry. I'm here.
In addition, the Russian side is strengthening its control over the eastern and southern provinces of Kherson and the southeastern Zaporizhzhya provinces, which it claims to have taken control of, as a fait accompli. It is believed that preparations are underway to hold a referendum.
On the 24th, it will be half a year since Russia began its military invasion of Ukraine, but the degree of tension is increasing, including concerns that the fighting will be prolonged and a large-scale nuclear accident will occur.
Ukrainian military expert: Peace talks never end
In an interview with NHK, a Ukrainian military expert said, ``This war will not end with peace negotiations.
In an interview with NHK, Ukrainian military expert Mikhailo Samus commented on the current war situation, half a year after the invasion, saying, ``Since July, when Ukraine began to use the High Mobility Rocket Artillery System (Himaas) in earnest, Russian forces have been deployed in various places. Ukrainian forces are attacking Russian supply routes and hindering their advance.”
In addition, regarding the series of attacks and explosions in southern Crimea, which Russia unilaterally annexed eight years ago, he said, "The drone attack on the headquarters of the Russian Black Sea Fleet overcame the Russian air defense system. In other words, it means that the Ukrainian side is carrying out effective intelligence activities,” he said, adding that an attack on the headquarters would have a major psychological impact on the Russian military.
On the other hand, regarding future developments, he said, "This war will not end with peace negotiations," and it is expected that the fighting will continue for a long time because it will be difficult to negotiate a ceasefire under the situation where Russia continues to occupy some areas. showed.
Russian diplomatic commentator Putin is heading for a complete break with the West
Fyodor Lukyanov, a Russian diplomatic commentator, told NHK that President Putin has decided to completely break away from the West as the military aggression prolongs. He showed the view that he is shifting his focus to strengthening relations.
Mr. Lukyanov noted that Putin's recent speeches focused on "particularly the complete denial of Western rule. It has happened before, but now it does not allow any counterargument." It has become firm," he said.
"The post-Soviet goal was to find a place for Russia in the Western-led world system, but it failed for a series of reasons. Now the decision has been made that that goal does not exist," he said. pointed out that relations with Europe and the United States have been in a state of intense confrontation since the Cold War era.
In addition, he said, "Russia will not return to 'Western-centrism.' Now, not only China, but the whole of Asia is becoming the center of world affairs." He expressed the view that he is shifting his focus to strengthening relations with countries.
In addition, Mr. Lukyanov mentioned the expression "historic Russia" as another word that is attracting attention in President Putin's speech. He didn't conquer, he got his territory back."
As a background to this remark, Mr. Lukyanov cited the collapse of the Soviet Union 31 years ago, saying, "Russia is based on the theory that it must regain some of the territory it unjustly lost. Ukraine, which was the region that was in the past, is a major part of it, ”said President Putin, who linked the idea of ``historic Russia'' to the legitimacy of the invasion.
On the other hand, Mr. Lukyanov said that the military invasion lasted for half a year was a miscalculation for the Putin administration, and pointed out that ``there may be no concrete military goals.''
He then analyzed, "We are slowly taking over the territory, but we are moving forward ferociously and bloody. There is no clear understanding of where the line is to be reached, and we are moving as far as we can."
Regarding the impact of the economic sanctions, he said, "The short-term impact was smaller than expected." was representing
Mr. Lukyanov also expressed the view that the Putin administration is avoiding the issuance of a general mobilization order and not drawing as many people into the military operation as possible, but instead gaining support from the people for the operation and allowing the invasion to continue. .
After that, he showed a pessimistic outlook, saying, "Both Russia and Ukraine believe that the situation can be changed by force. We cannot expect peace in the future at all."
Japan continues to impose sanctions on Russia and aid Ukraine
Amid concerns that the situation will be prolonged further, the Japanese government plans to continue sanctions against Russia and support for Ukraine.
Concerning the situation in Ukraine, the government held a meeting of related ministers on the 23rd and shared information such as the latest war situation and the status of diplomatic negotiations by the countries concerned.
After the military invasion, the government strongly condemned Russia, saying, "Any attempt to unilaterally change the status quo by force is unacceptable." have imposed sanctions such as freezing their assets and restricting imports and exports.
In addition to promoting economic support and restoration of destroyed infrastructure for Ukraine, we have accepted more than 1,700 evacuated people and are supporting their lives.
Amid concerns that the situation will continue to prolong, the government plans to continue sanctions against Russia and other countries and support for Ukraine in cooperation with the international community, including the G7.
On the other hand, the soaring prices of energy and food caused by the invasion of Ukraine are spreading the impact on the domestic economy and people's lives.
The government has decided to put together support measures such as keeping the selling price of imported wheat unchanged and increasing the amount of temporary subsidies for regional revitalization by early next month, and will continue to implement additional economic measures based on the actual situation. We would like to take steps to minimize the domestic impact.