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 3rd (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.)

Russia's New Law Might Strengthen Information Control

In Russia, a new law came into effect on December 1 to strengthen surveillance of individuals and groups who claim to have ties with foreign countries as relations with the West worsen.



Since 2012, Russia has designated individuals and groups that do not comply with the government's wishes as ``foreign agents'', which means foreign spies, and the authorities have put pressure on them, such as restricting and monitoring their activities.



The new law also covers “foreign agents”, including individuals and entities deemed by the authorities to be “under the influence of a foreign country” even if they are not directly funded by a foreign country.



On November 30, the UK Ministry of Defence said that being appointed as a foreign agent could expose personal information, such as addresses, to the public, and "almost certainly puts you at risk of harassment". points out.



In addition, the security agency FSB = Federal Security Service issued an order document in accordance with this law on the 1st.



The document lists 60 items of "information that is prohibited from being provided" to third parties as a threat to national security.



In addition to "evaluation and prediction of the military and political situation", this includes "information on military mobilization and training" and "information on the mental atmosphere within the military", mainly related to the Russian military.



Lawyers engaged in activities to protect human rights are concerned that Russians who provide such information to foreigners or disseminate it on SNS may be designated as "foreign agents."



"The new law will further strengthen the power of the state to suppress society, a trend that has accelerated dramatically since the invasion of Ukraine. I guess they want to prevent it," he analyzes.



The Putin administration seems to be aiming to strengthen its control of information, especially regarding the Russian military, as independent media report the inferiority of the war situation in Ukraine and the poor environment in which Russian soldiers are placed.

President of Moldova: 'Ukraine defends our free world'

President Sandu of Moldova, who has been in Japan since the 1st, responded to an NHK interview in Tokyo on the 2nd, saying, "If we join the EU = European Union, we will be safer and have greater opportunities for economic development. It will spread. EU membership is the only way for us to survive," he said, emphasizing his desire to quickly join the EU.



On the other hand, President Sandu touched on the continued stationing of Russian troops in the eastern Transnistria region, which has unilaterally declared its independence from Moldova, and said, It is the presence of Russian troops that is in the air," he said, adding that joining NATO would be difficult at this point.



He also expressed his intention to seek further financial support from Japan, citing the pressure on people's lives in Moldova as energy prices soar as Russia cuts its supply of natural gas to Europe. rice field.



And President Sandu said that Ukraine, which is at war with Russia, "is protecting not only its own territory, but also Moldova and our free world," and that each country will continue to support Ukraine, thereby failing Russia's military invasion. He appealed that it is important to end it and suppress its power.