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 developments regarding the situation in Ukraine on the 24th (Japan time), including 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)
mothers who gave birth prematurely
Lyubov Teteruk (23 years old), who lives near Kyiv, the capital of Ukraine, gave birth to his eldest son, Mikhailo, in March, one month after Russia's military invasion began.
She was born prematurely, more than three months before her due date, and believes that the stress caused by the military invasion was the cause.
Teteruk received regular check-ups during her pregnancy and was doing well, but the situation changed completely when the military invasion began.
“For the month leading up to the birth, I didn’t have a single good night’s sleep,” Teteruk said. “Every night I heard explosions. '' he said with tears in his eyes.
He said that he had spent several days in the shelter in the basement of his home.
Under these circumstances, Ms. Teteruk gave birth at a hospital in Kyiv in late March, amidst ongoing fighting in the surrounding area due to signs of childbirth.
The eldest son, Mihailo, was born at 26 weeks of gestation and weighs 900 grams, which falls under the category of "ultra-low birth weight baby".
After his birth, Mihailo was placed in an incubator and was examined every 3 hours.
Mihailo is currently growing well, and Teteruk said, ``I don't think this would have happened without the Russian military invasion.I want our son to grow up in a free and prosperous country. I hope for you."
Kyiv Premature births up from pre-invasion
At a hospital in Kyiv, the capital of Ukraine, that specializes in perinatal care, such as dealing with premature births, the number of babies born prematurely from March to April after the military invasion by Russia increased from before the invasion. It means that
On the 21st of this month, when NHK visited the hospital for coverage, there were three babies who were born underweight in August, and doctors and nurses were working around the clock.
According to hospitals, "low birth weight infants" weighing less than 2,500 grams have insufficient lung function, making it difficult for them to breathe on their own. This means that thorough medical care, such as the use of incubators, is essential.
Akimova, a doctor at the Kiew Prenatal Center, said, "Amidst a series of attacks and explosions that caused people to panic, maintaining the physical and mental health of pregnant women was a serious issue." and condemned the military aggression by Russia.
The number of premature births at the hospital has returned to normal in recent months after Russian troops withdrew from the outskirts of Kyiv in March.
Ukraine “Referendum does not reflect public opinion”
The Ukrainian side has strengthened its criticism of the activities that are being held in eastern Ukraine and other places, which are said to be "referendums", saying that they "do not reflect the will of the people."
Of these, the governor of the eastern Luhansk province, Haidai, said on the 23rd that when the Russians let residents vote at home or at work, they said, "A person carrying a weapon accompanies the residents and threatens to break the door if the residents do not open it. Yes," he posted on SNS.
On top of that, he emphasized that if you mark the column against the annexation on the ballot, your name will be recorded, and it is not a situation where you can vote freely.
In addition, Mayor Fedorov of Melitopol, in the southeastern Zaporizhia province, posted on social media on the 23rd that Russian officials began visiting residents' homes at 8 am with a person carrying a gun.
A photo posted by the mayor shows a man in camouflage and a gun walking with two suspected Russian officials.
Mayor Fedorov accused the Russians of putting gun-toting people along and pressuring residents, accusing Russia of what it calls a "referendum" that "did not reflect the will of the people." increase.
Russian Government Explanation of Targets for “Partial Mobilization”
The Russian government has posted a description of partial mobilization on its public website, which it launched in March shortly after it invaded Ukraine.
In this, it is explained that the subjects to be convened are reserves and "priority is given to those who have military expertise and experience in actual combat".
And although it varies depending on the class, "up to the age of 55 will be preferentially convened."
Regarding the mission, it is limited to the explanation that "after receiving combat training, it will be dispatched to the military unit and follow the decision of the headquarters."
On the other hand, regarding cases exempted from the call-up, while Russian nationals permanently residing abroad are not subject to the call-up, ``Reservists who are only abroad for a short period of time and have a residence in Russia cannot be called-up. There is a possibility that it will be convened, ”he said.
In addition, students are basically not subject to convocation, and those who are judged to be ineligible for military service due to health reasons and those who have family members who need nursing care are exempted. increase.
Other exemptions include those who have four or more children under the age of 16, those who have a wife who is at least 22 weeks pregnant and three children, and those who work for an organization such as the military-industrial complex. , are given a grace period for mobilization, etc.”
Russia “Attacking annexed territories is an attack on Russia”
Peskov, a spokesman for the Russian Presidential Office in Moscow Nezu, said on the 23rd that if the result of the "referendum" being held in eastern Ukraine and elsewhere comes out, the procedure for annexation will be "implemented immediately." showed.
When asked by reporters, "If Ukraine attempts to recapture the eastern Donbass region after Russia annexed it, would that be considered an attack on Russia?" The Russian constitution will be applied immediately," he said, putting a check on Ukraine and the West.
China's Foreign Minister Wang Yi holds first meeting with Ukraine's foreign minister after military invasion
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi met with Ukrainian Foreign Minister Kuleba in New York on the 22nd for the first time since Russia's military invasion of Ukraine.
According to the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Wang said, "China's basic policy on the Ukraine issue is that it should respect the sovereignty and territorial integrity of each country and support all efforts to find a peaceful solution." It's a policy," he said, showing a certain amount of consideration for Ukraine.
On the other hand, he also mentioned that "each country's security concerns should be emphasized," and showed understanding to Russia, which opposes the expansion of NATO = North Atlantic Treaty Organization.
"Ukraine attaches great importance to China's international influence and expects it to play an important role in alleviating the crisis at hand," Kureba said. about it.
Kureba also reaffirmed that China respects Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity and refuses to use force as a means of resolving differences.