Russia's military invasion of Ukraine continues.
Russian and Ukrainian forces continue to fight in various parts of Ukraine, and many civilians have fled the country. We will keep you updated on the developments surrounding the situation in Ukraine on the 21st (Japan time), including the situation of the battle and the diplomacy of the countries involved.
(There is a 7 hour time difference between Japan and Ukraine, and a 6 hour time difference with Moscow, Russia)
President Putin “seize control of Audi Ivka, an important victory”
On the 20th, Russian President Vladimir Putin received a report from Defense Minister Shoigu at the Kremlin that the Russian military had taken control of Audiiivka in eastern Ukraine's Donetsk Oblast, and state TV reported on the situation.
On the 20th, Russian President Vladimir Putin received a report from Defense Minister Shoigu at the Kremlin that the Russian military had taken control of Audiiivka in eastern Ukraine's Donetsk Oblast, and state TV reported on the situation.
President Putin praised the incident, saying, ``I would like to give the highest honor to all soldiers.This has become a special page in the history of Russian military operations.''
He then stated, ``It was definitely a success, so congratulations. We need to build on this success. We must prepare enough troops, weapons, ammunition, etc.'', indicating his intention to push forward with a military invasion.
Ahead of the two-year anniversary of the invasion of Ukraine on the 24th of this month, there appears to be a plan to appeal to the people by calling the capture of Audi Iuka an important military achievement.
President Putin also claimed that the Russian military had regained control of the village of Klinki, a stronghold on the east bank of the Dnipro River in the southern Kherson region, which the Ukrainian military claimed to have recaptured last year, and repulsed a reverse offensive by the Ukrainian side. I emphasized that there is.
Meanwhile, U.S. media reported in February that the Biden administration had received information citing multiple sources in Congress that Russia may bring nuclear weapons into outer space and target artificial satellites. However, President Putin denied this, saying, ``Despite the recent uproar from the United States and other countries, we firmly oppose the deployment of nuclear weapons in space.''
U.S. presidential aide Kirby: ``Russia has had difficulties with supplies since the beginning of the invasion''
Regarding the Russian government's announcement that it had taken control of Audi Ivka in eastern Ukraine, U.S. White House White House aide Kirby told reporters on the 20th that the Russian military had confirmed that Audi Ivka was in charge of military operations in eastern Donetsk region and other areas. He expressed the view that they had strengthened their offensives because they thought it would become a base for supplies and command.
He also pointed out that ``Russia has been struggling with supplies since the beginning of the invasion. Even if we take control of Audi Ivka, we cannot say that we will succeed in maintaining our troops on the battlefield.''
``President Zelenskyy's decision to withdraw was a wise decision, allowing the Ukrainian military to protect valuable resources,'' he said, adding that the withdrawal from Audiiivka meant a change in the entire military operation for the Ukrainian military. He expressed the view that it was not something that would be forced upon him.
However, he criticized the opposition party, the Republican Party, for opposing an emergency budget bill that included military aid to Ukraine, saying, ``The withdrawal was not because Ukraine was not brave, but because the U.S. Congress did not take action.'' .
Navalny's mother demands handover of body
Russian authorities have informed the mothers of opposition leader Alexei Navalny, who was announced to have died in prison on the 16th, that the body cannot be handed over for an additional 14 days for testing. It is being
On the 20th, Navalny's mother, Lyudmila, released a video taken in front of her prison, saying, ``It's been five days since I haven't seen her son. We don't even know where her body is.'' I appealed.
"Putin, it's up to you to resolve this issue. It's time for you to meet your son. I ask for the early handover of his body so that he can be buried like a human being," she said.
Russian human rights groups have received more than 70,000 complaints from citizens asking the Federal Investigative Committee to return the bodies.
Meanwhile, Navalny's wife, Yulia, said in a video message released on the 19th, ``The reason we are not handing over the body is because we are waiting for the traces of poison to disappear,'' accusing the Putin regime of being involved in Navalny's death. I strongly criticized it.
On the 20th, Russian Presidential Spokesperson Peskov criticized this, calling it ``a completely baseless and shameless accusation against the head of state.''
Sweden's membership in NATO expected to be approved on February 26th
Regarding Sweden's membership in NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization), on February 26th, the parliament of Hungary, the only member country that has not yet recognized it, voted to approve it, making it likely that membership will become a reality.
In May 2022, Sweden and neighboring Finland, which shares a border with Russia, applied to join NATO in response to Russia's military invasion. Finland has already become a member, Sweden was approved by Turkey's parliament last month, and Hungary is the only country that has not yet become a member.
The delay in approval is said to be because the Hungarian parliament has taken issue with Sweden's concerns about Hungary's political situation.
Under these circumstances, Hungarian ruling party officials announced on the 20th that they have requested the chairman to hold a vote on February 26th to approve Sweden's membership.
The ruling party has a majority in parliament and has announced its policy of supporting recognition, and membership is expected to be approved in parliament on February 26th, making Sweden's membership in NATO a reality.