Russia's military invasion of Ukraine continues.
Russian and Ukrainian forces are fighting in various parts of Ukraine, and many civilians have fled the country. We will update the situation in Ukraine from time to time on the 17th (Japan time), including the status of the fighting and the diplomacy of the countries concerned.
(There is a 7-hour time difference between Japan and Ukraine, and 6 hours from Moscow, Russia.)
UN Commission of Inquiry "Confirms Russia's War Crimes"
The Commission of Inquiry established by the United Nations Human Rights Council on the human rights situation in Ukraine, where Russia's military invasion continues, released a report on the 16th that confirmed that Russia has committed war crimes such as attacks and massacres on civilians, and the abduction of children.
The investigative committee conducted field surveys in Ukraine and other countries and interviewed 595 people, but said that it had not received cooperation from the Russian side.
The report confirmed that 65 men, two women, and a 2-year-old boy were executed in areas of Kyiv, including Bucha, as well as attacks on civilians, as well as bodies with their hands and feet bound and shot in the head at close range.
It also points out that sexual violence against people aged 14 to 4 and the abduction of children amount to war crimes.
In addition, Russia's attacks on energy-related facilities since October last year may have been "crimes against humanity" due to the inability of many people to access electricity and heating in the bitter cold, and further investigation is needed.
On the other hand, the report points out that violations of the alleged war crimes by the Ukrainian side, such as shooting at Russian prisoners, were also identified.
Polish President "Provision of Fighter Jets to Ukraine"
Poland has indicated its intention to provide Ukraine with the former Soviet-made MiG-29 fighter jets, but President Duda announced at a press conference held in the capital Warsaw on the 16th that he would deliver four MiG-4s in the coming days, saying, "We will deliver four fighter jets in the next few days."
Western media are reporting that if realized, it will be the first NATO member to provide fighter jets.
President Duda also hinted at the possibility of providing more than four aircraft.
Poland, which borders Ukraine, is actively promoting military support to Ukraine, and the German tank "Leopard 4", which was decided to be provided earlier, was also announced as soon as possible to provide its own tanks, followed by Germany and others.
Regarding MiG-29, Slovakia, another neighbor of Ukraine, has also shown a positive attitude toward the provision of MiG-4.
On the other hand, the United States, a major donor, is cautious about the provision of F-2 fighter jets requested by the Ukrainian side.
Chinese Foreign Minister Holds Telephone Talk with Ukrainian Foreign Minister "Hopes to Resumption of Peace Talks"
China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced on the 16th that Foreign Minister Qin Gang and Ukrainian Foreign Minister Kuleba held a telephone talk.
According to China's Foreign Ministry, Qin said at the meeting that he was "concerned that the crisis will escalate and get out of control" and that he would play a constructive role toward a ceasefire with Russia, saying, "We hope that the countries concerned will resume peace negotiations as soon as possible."
On the other hand, Foreign Minister Kuleba posted on Twitter on the 16th, "We exchanged views on the importance of territorial integrity, and I emphasized the importance of President Zelensky's policy toward peace."
President Zelensky has expressed his appreciation for the document released by China last month calling for dialogue and ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine, and has indicated that he intends to meet with President Xi.
The electronic version of the Wall Street Journal, a leading American newspaper, reported that President Xi is planning an online meeting with President Zelensky, and it is possible that arrangements have been made for the meeting.
Bahumt in fierce battle Slowing Russia's advance
In Bakhmut, Donetsk Oblast, one of the bases on the Ukrainian side, fierce battles are continuing between the Ukrainian army and units of the Russian private military company Wagener.
As the Ukrainian army builds a defensive line and fights thoroughly, the American think tank "Institute of War" analyzed on the 15th that the Russian side is making it difficult to encircle Bakhmut or seize the center due to the loss of troops and shells.
Citing Ukraine's announcement that the number of attacks by Russian troops on the eastern front has decreased significantly since the beginning of this week, he said, "The pace of Russian advances seems to have slowed down compared to the previous week," and expressed the view that the advance was slowing.
In addition, the British Ministry of Defense pointed out on the 16th that the number of attacks last week has clearly decreased due to repeated failures in the resistance of Ukrainian troops while Russian forces have launched attacks over the past three months in Bufredal, another fierce battle site in Donetsk Oblast.
Under these circumstances, Peskov, a spokesman for the Russian President's Office, told reporters on the 3th that it will be nine years since the Putin administration annexed Crimea in southern Ukraine, and that "related meetings will be held online on the 16th and 18th."
On the same day last year, President Putin gave a speech at the event venue and appealed to the people for the legitimacy of the military invasion of Ukraine, but Russia's leading newspaper Bedomosti said on the 9th that a similar large-scale event is not expected to take place, and that "it is not appropriate to indulge in the joy of that time while there are mobilizations and other factors."