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 in the Ukraine situation on the 9th (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.)
Ukrainian Defense Ministry: Russia will focus on attacking Bakhmut and other targets
Regarding Bakhmut, one of the Ukrainian bases in Donetsk Oblast in eastern Ukraine, the Ukrainian Ministry of Defense posted on SNS on the 8th, "The Russian side is aiming for complete control of Donetsk and Luhansk Oblasts, and will focus on attacks on Bakhmut and other areas. I am," he said, revealing that the battle is intensifying.
In an interview with Reuters on the 7th, Danilov, secretary of the Ukrainian National Security and Defense Council, said, "Russia needs to show the people something on February 24th, when it launched its invasion. I have a desire to achieve great things, ”he said, analyzing that the Russian army will launch a large-scale attack before the one-year milestone from the invasion, and emphasized the idea of thoroughly resisting.
Russian Foreign Minister visits Africa Strengthening cooperation with developing countries to compete with Europe and the United States
Russia's Foreign Minister Lavrov has been visiting African countries, and after visiting Mali in West Africa on the 7th, he met with the president and foreign minister in Mauritania on the 8th.
At a press conference after the meeting, he emphasized, "Our friends are interested in the supply of fuel, food and fertilizer from Russia. We are ready to meet the demands of Mauritania and other African countries."
Foreign Minister Lavrov just visited four African countries, including South Africa, in January. It seems to be aimed at fighting back.
British government imposes additional sanctions on Russian military companies
On the 8th, the British government imposed additional sanctions such as asset freezes and travel bans on Russian military companies, etc., in line with Ukrainian President Zelensky's visit to the United Kingdom.
Additional sanctions were imposed on seven groups, including manufacturers of drones and helicopter parts manufacturers in Russia, and eight representatives of companies alleged to have been involved in funding the Putin administration.
Since Russia's military invasion of Ukraine, the British government has said it has imposed sanctions on more than 1,300 individuals and entities that "cannot access their frozen assets until her threat to Ukraine's territorial sovereignty is completely over." ,” he emphasizes.