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 7-hour time difference between Japan and Ukraine, and a 6-hour time difference with Moscow, Russia.)
Former Commander of Russian Private Military Company Wagner Testifies
A former commander of the Russian private military company "Wagner", which has applied for asylum in Norway in Northern Europe, responded to an interview with the local public broadcaster NRK and testified about the situation of the Russian side of the unit.
The testimony was Andrei Medvedev (26), who contracted with Wagner and participated in the fighting in Ukraine for four months from July last year. , has applied for asylum.
In an interview, Medvedev explained that the unit he commanded had at most 30 men, including prisoners, but that soldiers were dying or joining the ranks almost every day.
In addition, he revealed the actual situation that he could not disobey orders, including himself, saying, ``Two Russian soldiers who refused to fight were shot dead by Wagner in front of many soldiers,'' as an event that he actually witnessed.
When asked why he signed with Wagner, he said, "Growing up as an orphan, I really believed in the propaganda that Russia was right. I want to apologize to the people," he said, expressing his intention to cooperate with the investigation of war crimes in the future.
Russian court sentences journalist who criticized military invasion to 8 years in prison
A prominent journalist who has criticized the military invasion of Ukraine has been sentenced to eight years in prison by a court in Moscow on Monday for spreading "false information" about the Russian military. .
Mr. Alexander Nevzorov, who was sentenced to prison, is known as a reporter critical of the Putin administration, continuing to disseminate information using YouTube from outside Russia.
According to Russian state news agencies and other sources, Nevzorov accused Russian forces of deliberately attacking a hospital in Mariupol, eastern Ukraine, on YouTube and other media last year, and was prosecuted by Russian authorities for "false information." about it.
The court said that Mr. Nevzorov would be imprisoned if he returned to Russia, but Mr. Nevzorov posted on SNS on the 1st that he had no intention of returning to Russia, indicating that he would continue to work outside the country. I'm here.
According to independent Russian media, 180 criminal cases of spreading "false information" about the Russian military had risen to 180 by December 1 last year, making Russian authorities wary of critical rhetoric. I can see that.
German defense minister inspects tanks to be delivered to Ukraine
German Defense Minister Pistorius visited the tank unit based in Augustdorf on the 1st and confirmed the performance of the tank "Leopard 2" to be provided to Ukraine at the training ground.
Currently, about 20 "Leopard 2" are deployed in this unit, and 14 of them are scheduled to arrive in Ukraine at the end of March.
The state of Defense Minister Pistorius confirming the performance of the tank was also shown to the press, and the two "Leopard 2" ran at high speed on the vast training ground, shooting using blank guns, and seeing the enemy's vision. I was putting out a smoke screen to block it.
The German government has moved the tanks of this unit to another military facility in the country and will soon begin training Ukrainian soldiers.
After completing the inspection, Defense Minister Pistorius said that he was discussing the use of tanks with the Ukrainian side, and that he was rushing to coordinate with the "Leopard 2" provided by other countries to form a tank force. I explained.
On top of that, he changed his cautious stance and decided to provide it, saying, "It is Germany's duty to do everything for Ukraine to survive. I respect the opposing opinion, but not providing it will produce bad results. So I want you to accept the judgment," and asked the public for their understanding.
Belarus Ministry of Defense deploys short-range ballistic missile "Iskander"
The Defense Ministry of Belarus, which is allied with Russia, announced on the 1st that it had deployed the short-range ballistic missile "Iskander" that it had purchased from Russia.
"Iskander" is a missile developed by Russia that can be equipped with a nuclear warhead, and President Putin said in June last year, after the military invasion of Ukraine, at a summit meeting with President Lukashenko of Belarus, the idea of prompting deployment to Belarus. was showing.
The Belarusian Ministry of Defense said, "After the Belarusian soldiers were trained in Russia, practical training was also conducted at the Belarusian training ground. It can hit any target with a range of up to 500 kilometers." flaunting.
In Belarus, which borders northern Ukraine, joint exercises between the Russian and Belarusian air forces were also held from January 16 to February 1, continuing the military shakeup against Ukraine.
By announcing the deployment of "Iskander" and showing off their nuclear capabilities, the two countries appear to be aiming to check the Western side, which is stepping up military support for Ukraine.
Director General of Intelligence, Ministry of Defense of Ukraine “I want to recapture Crimea”
In an interview published online by the Washington Post on the 31st, Budanov, head of the intelligence department of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine, said: We should do whatever it takes," he said, emphasizing that he would like to recapture Crimea by receiving military support from the West.
Russian President Vladimir Putin, who annexed Crimea in 2014, said in a speech last September that Russia would use all possible means to protect its state and people in the event of a threat to its territorial integrity. , shows a willingness to use nuclear forces depending on the war situation.
When asked if the Ukrainian military's invasion of Crimea would trigger Putin to use nuclear weapons, Budanov said, "Russia is not a completely stupid country. "They will not only be defeated militarily, but the state itself will collapse, and they know that very well."
Budanov seems to have a desire to seek further military support for the recapture of Crimea by denying the possibility of Russia's use of nuclear weapons, which is a matter of great concern to the West.
Ukrainian military may have used anti-personnel landmines, human rights group calls for investigation
Human Rights Watch, an international human rights group headquartered in the United States, announced on the 31st that the Ukrainian military may have used anti-personnel landmines, which are prohibited by international treaties, and investigated Ukraine. I asked for
According to that, as a result of interviewing more than 100 people, including citizens and doctors, in Izyum, Kharkiv Oblast, in eastern Ukraine, it was found that during the period until September last year, when the area of Izyum was occupied by the Russian army, Ukraine It is possible that the military used airborne anti-personnel mines.
It has been confirmed that 11 civilians were injured in nine areas in and around Ijum.
Regarding anti-personnel landmines, the Anti-Personnel Mine Ban Convention, which came into force in 1999, completely bans the use and manufacture of anti-personnel mines, and more than 160 countries and regions, including Ukraine, have signed up so far.
A Human Rights Watch official accused Russia of repeatedly using antipersonnel landmines in Ukraine, but added: This is not justified," he said, asking Ukraine to investigate.
In response to this, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine issued a statement on the 31st, saying that "an investigation will be conducted by the department in charge."