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 19th (Japan time), including the battle situation and the diplomacy of the countries concerned.
(There is a 7-hour time difference between Japan and Ukraine, and a 6-hour time difference with Moscow, Russia.)
Is the defense strengthened in the Russian military-controlled area?
As the Ukrainian army recaptured Kherson, a stronghold in the south, and strengthened its reversal offensive, Mr. Aksyonov, who is the top Russian side in southern Crimea, which Russia unilaterally annexed eight years ago, said on the 18th, "Ensuring the safety of the residents. We are proceeding with the construction of defense facilities to protect it," he posted on SNS.
Independent Russian media have released a video purporting to have been taken near the border between Crimea and Kherson province, showing a timber-dug dug as deep as an adult and reinforced with timber, along with tanks and other vehicles to block the advance. A row of concrete blocks is shown.
The British Ministry of Defense, which analyzes the war situation, pointed out on the 18th that the Russian military is prioritizing defense preparations in various parts of Ukraine.
He added, "Russian military units are building bunkers near the borders of Crimea, as well as in the eastern regions of Donetsk and Luhansk. There are places that have retreated up to 60 kilometers from the current front line, and will be greatly broken through by the Ukrainian side." It can be considered that they are preparing for a situation," he said, analyzing that the Russian military is trying to strengthen the defense in the controlled area.
Ukraine prepares to remove Russian emperor's statue
The southern port city of Odesa is preparing to remove a statue of the Russian emperor as Ukraine's military aggression prompts the country to question its former Russian and Soviet history.
In Odesa's central square is a statue of the 18th-century Russian emperor Catherine II, who once ordered the city's construction.
However, in the wake of the military invasion, there was growing public demand for the statue to be demolished or removed. covered with a board.
At the site, wooden boards about 7 meters high were erected around the statue so that the statue could not be seen.
The board says that the city authorities have issued a guide board and are preparing to remove the statue and move it to another location.
A 36-year-old woman living in Odesa said, "We should build an animal statue in this place."
A 21-year-old man said, "Ekaterina II is a symbol of Russian rule, so it's only natural that the statue should disappear."
Russian and Turkish presidents talk on the phone
Russian President Vladimir Putin and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan had a phone call on the 18th.
According to the Turkish president's office, Erdogan said that the agreement on the export of Ukrainian agricultural products, which was due on the 19th of this month, was extended for another 120 days, saying, "President Putin has shown a constructive attitude. It is to say that I conveyed my gratitude as ".
In response, according to the Kremlin's Office, Putin said, "It is important to remove obstacles to the export of Russian agricultural products and fertilizers to the world market and carry out comprehensive exports as a package." In addition, he emphasized that it is necessary to export Russian agricultural products as well.
On the other hand, according to the Turkish presidential office, President Erdogan mentioned that on the 14th of this month, in Ankara, the capital of Turkey, there was a meeting between US CIA Director Byrnes and Russian Foreign Intelligence Service Director Naryshkin. , ``I played an important role in preventing the war between Russia and Ukraine from getting out of control,'' and said he would continue to actively mediate.
Swedish Security Agency Says “Pipeline Explosion Is Sabotage”
Swedish security officials, who are investigating a major gas leak on the Nord Stream natural gas pipeline linking Russia and Germany, said they had found part of an explosive device near the site where the pipeline collapsed. It was announced that it was concluded that it was sabotage by someone.
After two gas leaks were confirmed in the country's exclusive economic zone, Swedish security officials said on the 18th that after analyzing seized items at the scene, some of the explosives were found, ``serious sabotage. I have concluded,” he said.
Swedish security officials said last month that an explosion was the cause of the Nord Stream gas leak, but after it was determined to be sabotage, they are now working with relevant countries to identify the suspect. I am going to continue
Regarding the announcement by the Swedish security services, Russian Presidential spokesman Peskov said on the 18th, "Russia already has information that supports sabotage and terrorism, and it has been confirmed again. It is important to stop here. It's about finding out who did it," he said.