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 on the 5th (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)
More than 100 detained in protests calling for Navalny's release in Russia
More than 100 supporters have been detained in protests across the country calling for the release of imprisoned opposition leader Alexei Navalny, known as a leading critic of Putin's regime in Russia.
The protest was held on the 4th to coincide with Navalny's 47th birthday at the call of supporters.
Supporters appealed for his release with a piece of paper with words such as "Freedom for Mr. Navalny," but security forces detained him one after another, and according to Russian human rights organizations, more than 5 people were detained in 6 cities, including the capital Moscow, as of 24 o'clock on May 100, Japan time.
On the 4th, Mr. Navalny reiterated his stance of fighting against repression on the part of the regime by saying, "The day will surely come when telling the truth and upholding justice in Russia will no longer be dangerous as a matter of course."
Mr. Navalny has garnered a certain amount of support, mainly among young people, as a quick critic of the Putin administration, and continues to criticize the regime even after he was arrested and imprisoned for past economic incidents. In addition, Putin's government seems to be nervous about the spread of support for Mr. Navalny, having repeatedly condemned the invasion of Ukraine and strongly urged the immediate withdrawal of Russian troops and the need for regime change.
"The plan loves silence," posted on the Deputy Minister of Defense of Ukraine on SNS
On the 4th, Deputy Minister of Defense of Ukraine Mallar released a video on social media of soldiers wearing masks and sunglasses making a gesture of putting their index finger to their mouths, along with the text "The plan loves silence, there is no declaration of its start."
Local media reported that the message was about a massive reversal offensive that the Ukrainian military is about to launch.
Ukrainian President Zelensky has said he is "ready" for a large-scale reversal offensive that the Ukrainian military is about to launch, but did not specify a specific timing.
U.S. Think Tank "Ukraine's Armed Forces: Thorough Information Management?"
The Institute of War, an American think tank, analyzes that "the Ukrainian side may be trying to thoroughly manage the information of the operation."
On the other hand, Ukraine's Defense Minister Reznikov stated in an exclusive interview with NHK on the 4th that the introduction of F-16 fighter jets, which Western countries have expressed support, would be after autumn, stating that "all equipment on the ground will be used this summer."