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 13th (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)
French President Emmanuel Macron suggests Ukraine's military reversal offensive will be prolonged
French President Emmanuel Macron said on the 12th that the Ukrainian army's reversal offensive "has begun, which has been planned for the past year or so, and will unfold over several weeks or even months," suggesting that it may be prolonged.
"We hope that this reversal offensive will succeed and that we will proceed to the negotiation stage under good conditions," he said, emphasizing that Japan will continue to provide assistance such as the provision of weapons and training of soldiers as long as necessary, with a view to the start of peace negotiations in the future.
Dam collapse, flood damage spreads, 10 dead, 42 missing
In Ukraine, the damage caused by large-scale floods caused by the collapse of the dam of the Kahouka hydroelectric power plant in the southern Kherson Region is spreading, and the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Ukraine announced on the 12th that 10 people have died and 7 people, including 42 children, are missing.
On the 11th, Ukrainian President Zelensky said that Russian forces were attacking boats carrying evacuees, and strongly condemned them, saying, "Three people were killed and 3 were injured in one of the attacks, and they were about to evacuate the Russian-occupied area."
Ukraine announces the recapture of 7 villages Full-scale reversal offensive continues in various places
The Ukrainian army is in a counter-offensive and is believed to be conducting full-scale operations in at least three areas: around Bakhmut in eastern Donetsk Oblast, western Donetsk Oblast, and western Zaporozhye Oblast.
Deputy Minister of Defense of Ukraine Malyar announced on the 3th that a total of seven settlements have been recaptured so far, including the area around Belika Novosilka in western Donetsk Oblast and the front line in Zaporozhye Oblast.
In addition, in Zaporozhye Oblast, a pro-Russian leader posted on SNS that there were explosions and shelling in Tokmak, a stronghold occupied by Russia, and Melitopol, a major city, and it seems that the Ukrainian side is proceeding with the operation.
IAEA Director-General confirms the impact of dam failure on the Zaporozhye nuclear power plant
Grossi, Director General of the IAEA = International Atomic Energy Agency, which is headquartered in Austria, announced on SNS on the 12th that he was heading to Ukraine to check the impact of the dam failure of a hydroelectric power plant in Ukraine on the Zaporozhye nuclear power plant.
In addition to holding talks with President Zelensky, he will visit the Zaporozhye Nuclear Power Plant to check the situation.
The IAEA explained that although the water level of the reservoir that supplies cooling water to the nuclear power plant has dropped due to the collapse of the dam, several months' worth of cooling water has been secured in another pond used as an emergency, and Director General Grossi intends to visit the site himself to confirm the impact on the safety of the nuclear power plant.
Toward a stable food supply Meeting of international organizations in the UK to discuss assistance to Ukraine
At the meeting of IGC=International Grain Council, an international organization and international organization aimed at stabilizing global grain trade that began in London, England, where the headquarters are located on the 12th, Parliamentary Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs Takagi, who holds the G7 chair and Japan, gave a greeting at the beginning of the meeting, saying, "Russia's invasion of Ukraine has caused a serious food crisis in Africa and the Middle East. I called out.
Representatives of the Ukrainian government also participated online in the session that followed, thanking the construction of temporary storage facilities by Japan and other means to support overland grain exports, but also stressing the need for free import and export from three ports facing the Black Sea and the removal of landmines buried in farmland.
Furthermore, he expressed concern about the long-term effects of the dam failure in the southern Kherson Region, such as a shortage of irrigation water and soil contamination, and called for broad support from the international community.
In addition, on the first day of the meeting, each country discussed the realization of free and open trade and the improvement of productivity through technological innovation in order to respond to climate change.
The IGC will meet until the 3th.
Pakistan to start importing crude oil from Russia Closer to Russia
Pakistan, which is facing a shortage of foreign currency due to continued economic turmoil, is approaching Russia, which has started importing crude oil from Russia and is subject to Western economic sanctions over its military invasion of Ukraine.
On the 11th, Pakistani Prime Minister Sharif posted on Twitter, "The first crude oil from Russia has arrived, and it is the beginning of a new relationship between Pakistan and Russia," and announced that the first tanker has arrived at the port of the southern city of Karachi, which has started importing crude oil from Russia.
He did not disclose a specific price, but Prime Minister Sharif explained that it was "cheap oil."