Russia's military aggression against Ukraine continues.
Fighting between Russian and Ukrainian forces continues across Ukraine, forcing thousands of civilians to flee the country.
We will keep you updated on the developments surrounding the situation in Ukraine on the 2nd (Japan time), such as the battle situation and the diplomacy of the countries concerned.
(There is a time difference of 6 hours between Japan and Ukraine and Moscow, Russia)
``Opinions split between continued invasion and peace talks'' Russian public opinion poll
After the Russian military invaded Ukraine, Russian pollster Levada Center conducted face-to-face polls of more than 1,600 people across the country late each month.
On the 1st, the results of the August survey were announced, and in response to the question "Should we continue military operations or start peace negotiations?", 48% answered "Continue military operations." 44% of respondents said that "the start of peace negotiations" was almost evenly divided.
Of these, the majority of those under 40 chose "peace negotiations," suggesting that younger generations want a transition to peace negotiations.
In particular, 30% of young people between the ages of 18 and 24 answered that they "do not support the actions of the Russian military," indicating that about one in three people oppose the invasion even as information control is strengthened.
The "Levada Center" has been designated as a "foreign agent", which means a so-called "foreign spy", and continues to conduct its own opinion polls and analyzes under pressure from the administration.
Putin Justifies Military Invasion Against Children
Russian President Vladimir Putin held a special class in Kaliningrad, an enclave in western Russia, on the 1st of the new school year.
In addition to students from all over Russia, students from Donetsk in eastern Ukraine were also gathered for the class, and President Putin went back 100 years, saying, ``Ukraine never had its own national system before the establishment of the Soviet Union.'' He unilaterally claimed that eastern Ukraine was once a key Russian territory.
“Today, everyone thinks that the invasion is coming from Russia. We have justified our previous military invasions.
On the other hand, Russian media reported that on the 1st, many schools in the controlled areas of eastern and southern Ukraine welcomed the new school year with the Russian flag, and about 36,000 teachers dispatched from Russia began classes. I told you.
In response, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky posted on social media, "Russia tried to steal our history, culture, and knowledge, but failed. We will learn and become stronger." Posture emphasized.
Face-to-face classes resumed under wartime conditions: "shelter"
In Ukraine, the new school year began on the 1st, and some schools resumed face-to-face classes for the first time since Russia's military invasion in February this year.
Among them, at a school in Irpin near the capital Kyiv, which was once invaded by the Russian army and fiercely fought, progress was made in repairing the damaged school building, and about 60 new students and their parents attended. The entrance ceremony was held.
At the ceremony, representatives of new students and current students rang the bell, which was once used to signal the start of classes, and rejoiced in reuniting with friends.
However, in order to resume face-to-face classes, it is necessary to prepare an underground shelter where children can evacuate in the event of an air defense warning on the school grounds or within a 10-minute walk.
According to the Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine, of the approximately 3.9 million children and students attending school, only about 2.7 million and 70% can attend face-to-face classes, including the use of online classes, and the rest. 1.2 million people, which is 30% of the total, will only take online classes.
President Zelensky wants objective findings
IAEA = Regarding the investigation at the Zaporizhia nuclear power plant by the International Atomic Energy Agency, President Zelensky criticized on the 1st that the Russian side tried to deceive the expert team and did not allow the independent media to accompany him, and said, "Still, objective investigation results were obtained. I hope you will.”
"The important thing is the demilitarization of the nuclear power plant, and I discussed it with Director-General Grossi before the investigation, but it's not good that we haven't received an appropriate explanation from the IAEA yet," he said, expressing his displeasure. He reiterated the importance of demilitarization and full transfer to Ukrainian control.
Researcher at Fukushima University "IAEA Survey: Crisis Situation Send to the World"
Mark Zheleznyak, a researcher at the Institute of Environmental Radioactivity, Fukushima University, who is familiar with nuclear power plants in Ukraine, responded to an NHK interview about the danger of an accident at the Zaporizhia Nuclear Power Plant, saying, "Nuclear facilities were attacked, external power sources and emergency Losing power could make it impossible to cool the reactor and spent nuclear fuel, which could lead to a major accident."
In addition, he expressed concern that in a harsh environment where fighting continues, ``There is a risk that operators working at nuclear power plants will make human errors due to fatigue and stress, leading to serious accidents.''
Regarding ensuring the safety of residents in the surrounding area, he said, "In the event of a nuclear power plant accident, there is absolutely no prospect of who will take the lead in evacuating. It will be extremely difficult to evacuate residents appropriately." was talking
Furthermore, regarding the IAEA team of experts starting an investigation at the Zaporizhia nuclear power plant, he said, "I don't think the IAEA investigation will prompt the withdrawal of Russian troops, but from a professional point of view, it will convey the critical situation to the world. I want you," he emphasized.
IAEA Investigation Team Starts Investigation of Nuclear Power Plant Focus on whether shelling continues smoothly
At the Zaporizhia nuclear power plant in southeastern Ukraine, which is controlled by the Russian military, a series of shelling has damaged some facilities, raising concerns that it could lead to a serious accident.
Aiming to ensure safety, a team of IAEA experts led by Director-General Grossi, who entered Ukraine, arrived at the Zaporizhia nuclear power plant on the 1st and began an investigation.
Director General Grossi stressed that "preventing nuclear accidents is the main objective, and we will do everything possible to find consensus among all parties involved."
Officials from the Russian state-owned nuclear power company Rosatom also accompanied the investigation. I was able to see things," he said.
He then said, ``The most important thing is to have IAEA experts permanently stationed at the nuclear power plant,'' reaffirming his view that it is necessary to have a permanent presence at the nuclear power plant to grasp the current situation.
On the other hand, the nuclear power plant and surrounding areas are believed to have been bombarded and battled one after another on the 1st, and the Ukrainian nuclear power company "Energoatom" said, "There was an artillery bombardment by the Russian army, and the safety device was activated and Unit 5 stopped. ' said that one of the two operating reactors was shut down by the Russian military attack.
In response, the Russian Ministry of Defense claimed on the 1st that ``Ukrainian military operatives are trying to recapture the nuclear power plant.The plan was to use Director General Grossi and IAEA experts as ``human shields''. .
According to "Energoatom" and other sources, Secretary-General Grossi and some IAEA experts left the nuclear power plant after staying for several hours, and the remaining experts planned to conduct an investigation until the 3rd, making the situation tense. As it continues, the focus is on whether the investigation can be carried out smoothly.
French President Emmanuel Macron stresses the importance of European unity over sanctions against Russia
French President Emmanuel Macron gathered French ambassadors stationed in various countries at the presidential palace in Paris on the 1st and gave a speech on future foreign policy.
In this, President Macron said, based on the telephone conversation with President Putin of Russia regarding the dispatch of a team of experts from the IAEA = International Atomic Energy Agency over the nuclear power plant in Ukraine, "When the expert team comes back, I will speak with the Russian side again," he said, indicating that he would continue to make efforts to break through the situation through dialogue with Russia.
After that, he pointed out that "we must prepare for a prolonged battle," and said, "One of Russia's goals is to divide the countries of Europe, so unity among countries will be important." He stressed the importance of uniting with sanctions.
President Macron is believed to have called for Europe's solidarity not to be disturbed by Russia's use of energy as a weapon before the winter, when energy demand is on the rise.