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 30th (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)
Ukraine Ministry of Defense Opens Telephone Consultation for "Mobilization" Calls for Surrender
Ukraine's Ministry of Defense has set up a hotline for telephone consultations as Russia moves to forcibly recruit local men into the Russian army in the eastern and southern parts of Ukraine that it unilaterally annexes. We are calling on them to surrender to the Ukrainian army as soon as they are mobilized.
This is what the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine calls for through its homepage.
In it, he said to those mobilized by the Russian army, "Your superiors will run away soon anyway. Survive for yourself and your family. Don't fight for the interests of others." It calls on them to surrender themselves to the Ukrainian army if they do.
And it has posted a hotline number for telephone consultation, and it is said that the person in charge of the Ministry of Defense will respond.
Regarding this, Danilov, secretary of the National Security and Defense Council, who is in charge of security policy in the Ukrainian government, said in an NHK interview, "The mobilized Ukrainian people know what to do. The most obvious action is the Ukrainian army. Surrender," he said.
'Better go to prison than join the Russian army' men from Kherson
While there is a movement to forcibly mobilize local men to the Russian army in the eastern and southern parts of Ukraine, which Russia has unilaterally annexed, a resident from southern Kherson responded to an online interview with NHK, saying, "My men are my friends." says that it is better to go to prison than to join the Russian army," he said, describing the situation in the field where opposition to Russia is growing.
The interviewee was a 29-year-old female therapist who was evacuated to Odesa from Kherson in the south, which was seized by the Russian army in a military invasion.
Speaking about her family remaining in Kherson, the woman said, "When I called my mother on the phone, I didn't say much because I was wary of wiretapping, but I had no choice but to laugh." We all know the outcome will come.”
On top of that, regarding the movement to forcibly mobilize local men to join the Russian army, he said, ``The men seem to be unable to escape from Kherson. Even if I am about to be mobilized, I will not join the Russian army. I would rather go to prison."
She then said, "They absolutely do not want to fight against the same Ukrainians," emphasizing that local opposition to Russia is growing stronger.
On the other hand, the Ukrainian army is continuing a counteroffensive to recapture Kherson, and the woman said, ``According to the mother, the explosion sound was heard not from the center of the city, but from the periphery. I've heard it, but it seems to have been a fight between Russian soldiers."
President Putin "correction if there is an error in the target of mobilization"
Russian President Vladimir Putin said at a security conference held in the capital Moscow on the 29th, regarding the partial mobilization of reserves, which is underway throughout the country, "If there is an error in the target etc., it must be corrected, and it is justified. Those who were mobilized without good reason must be sent home," he said, admitting that there were mistakes in the process of mobilizing.
Regarding the mobilization, it is reported that even those who are not eligible, such as the elderly and students, are being called out, and protests are taking place in various places, and citizens are flocking to neighboring countries to avoid the call, leading to widespread opposition and confusion. It seems that President Putin wants to suppress social unrest by showing consideration for public opinion.
``Russia annexes 4 provinces'' Putin to sign document on 30th
Russian presidential spokesman Peskov announced on the 29th that President Putin will hold a ceremony related to the annexation at the Kremlin in Moscow at 3:00 pm on the 30th (9:00 pm Japan time).
Putin has said he will meet with pro-Russian officials from four states to sign documents on Russia's annexation, and he is expected to address the annexation at a ceremony.
In addition, Russian media reports that after the ceremony, events related to the annexation will be held in various places such as the center of Moscow.
Ukrainian President's Advisor: 'It doesn't make any sense legally'
Regarding the Russian presidential office's announcement that President Putin will hold a ceremony related to the annexation of the four eastern and southern states of Ukraine on the 30th, Advisor to the Ukrainian President Podlyak posted on SNS, "The Kremlin show house. It has no legal meaning," he criticized the move by the Russian side.
Putin emphasizes the legitimacy of activities that he calls a referendum
According to the Russian Presidential Office, President Putin said in a telephone conversation with Turkish President Erdogan on the 29th that the activity, which was forced to be a "referendum" in four eastern and southern Ukraine provinces, was "in line with the norms of international law." "It was done in a transparent manner, in full accordance with the principles, and the local residents exercised their right to decide for themselves."
President Putin plans to unilaterally annex four provinces by signing a document at the Kremlin in Moscow on the 30th. It seems that he emphasized the legitimacy of his activities.
Pipeline gas leak NATO ``resolutely responds to infrastructure attacks''
Swedish authorities announced on the 29th that there was another gas leak on the Nordstream gas pipeline, a gas pipeline in the Baltic Sea that connects Russia and Germany, bringing the total to four.
On the European side, there is a growing view that the gas leak was due to sabotage. "We will take decisive action against any intentional attack on the nation's critical infrastructure."
In addition, Commissioner Johansson, who is in charge of internal affairs in the EU = European Union, told the German media on the 28th that "we must be aware that a new attack may be carried out tomorrow," and that critical infrastructure is sabotage and terrorism. We have clarified the policy to check whether the situation can withstand such threats.
"It is an unprecedented event and appears to be a kind of terrorist attack on a state level," said Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov.
In addition, in response to some US media pointing out the possibility that the Russian military was involved, he denied involvement, saying, ``This area is the Baltic Sea, where there are many ships and aircraft of NATO member countries, and it is ridiculous.'' did.