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 28th (Japan time), including the status of the battle and the diplomacy of the countries concerned.

(There is a 6-hour time difference between Japan and Ukraine and Moscow, Russia)

Near Kyiv Houses reconstruction not progressing, volunteers work on demolition

In the area near Kyiv, heavy fighting between Russian and Ukrainian troops approaching the capital in February and March last year destroyed many houses. Even now, more than a year later, the demolition and removal of damaged houses has not progressed, and rebuilding the lives of people who have lost their homes has become a major issue.

In Khorenka, a village near Kyiv, about 2 volunteers demolished a house on the 3th at the call of Ukrainian civil society groups.

Some of the participants came from the United States, Australia, and other countries, and they picked up scattered bricks and knocked down some of the remaining walls with hammers, carrying out debris one after another.

Hannah Kostova, who lived in the house where the work was carried out, had evacuated the day before the shelling hit and was safe, but is still sheltering at a friend's house in Kyiv, saying, "All my husband's childhood photos were burned, and I want to return here with my family as soon as possible."

A volunteer from the U.S. said, "I have seen a lot of videos of attacks on the front lines, but I learned that this activity has caused great damage in these residential areas, and I want to help as much as possible."

【Click here for the war situation map and commentary article】Ukraine situation special site

Zaporozhye nuclear power plant: "Russia prepares to attack on its own" and Ukraine

The General Directorate of Intelligence of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine announced on the 26th that "Russia is preparing to hold the Ukrainian side responsible for the leakage of radioactive materials after attacking the site itself" regarding the Zaporozhye nuclear power plant in the south that the Russian army continues to occupy.

Although it does not provide a specific basis, it is wary of Russia's provocations, saying, "It aims to provoke the international community to conduct a detailed investigation and reorganize its forces in the meantime to prevent Ukraine's reversal offensive."

Regarding Ukraine's reversal offensive aimed at retaking territory, Commander-in-Chief Zarginy of the Ukrainian Armed Forces posted a message on SNS on the 27th saying that "the time has come to retake it," and it is believed that the Ukrainian army is already conducting military operations in Zaporozhye Oblast.

Russian FSB: "Threat intensifies by sabotage on the Ukrainian side"

Regarding the successive attacks in western Russia, which borders Ukraine, a senior official in charge of border security at the Russian security agency FSB = Federal Security Service claimed in an interview reported by the state-run TASS news agency on the 27th that "the threat is increasing due to sabotage on the Ukrainian side."

He said that more than 2,2000 attacks on transportation and power infrastructure have been recorded since February last year, and emphasized that measures are being strengthened under the direction of the president, suggesting that the Putin administration is nervous about a series of attacks on the border.

German Ministry of Defense "Ukraine Asks for Cruise Missiles"

A spokesperson for the German Ministry of Defense revealed on the 27th that Ukraine is requesting the provision of cruise missiles with a range of about 500 kilometers due to Russia's military invasion.

The company is being asked to provide a cruise missile called "Taurus" that is launched from the air by the German army. A spokesman did not say whether he would comply with the request.

For Ukraine, the United Kingdom has provided the Storm Shadow, a high-precision cruise missile with a range of more than 250 kilometers.

Germany has stepped up its military support, including the provision of the Leopard 2 main battle tank to Ukraine, but Chancellor Scholz declined to say at a press conference this month whether it was ready to provide cruise missiles, and is expected to carefully consider Ukraine's request.

Mediator in Ukraine Presidential election in Turkey

In Turkey in the Middle East, which is increasing its presence by buying a mediator in the situation in Ukraine, a runoff election for the presidential election will be held on the 28th.

Mr. Erdogan, who received more than 1.49% of the vote, close to a majority in the first round of voting, has been touting the achievements of his 5 years of administration, including his time as prime minister, including an agreement on the export of agricultural products from Ukraine, where Russia continues to invade militarily, and boasting the achievements of mediation diplomacy.

On the other hand, Mr. Kılčídalu, who received more than 20.44% of the vote, criticized the economic policies and authoritarian political methods of the Erdogan administration in response to currency depreciation and soaring prices, and called for a change of government.

Voting will be held from 8 a.m. local time on the 28th and 8 p.m. on the 28th in Japan time, and the votes will be counted on the same day, and attention will be paid to the future of the election, which may affect the international situation.