According to reports in Russian state media, the Russian forces continue to shell the areas of Luhansk and Donetsk, with 58 shellings coming from weapons banned under the Minsk agreements. Belarusian troops are receiving orders from the Russian political decision-makers, but the state media tightly controls the message it broadcasts to millions of Russians. However, many people remain naive about the Russian military’s actions.
58 of the shellings were from weapons banned under the Minsk agreements
More than 60 reports of shelling have been reported in recent days, including 58 from weapons prohibited by Minsk.
The shelling increased sharply across the separatist line on Thursday. A Ukrainian president called the shelling “a big provocation.” The separatists used mortars, heavy artillery, and a tank to attack more than ten settlements. The Russian defense ministry said several mechanized infantry units returned to their bases in Dagestan and Chechnya. The Ukrainian government disputes this claim.
While the fighting has been a tense and protracted conflict, the recent ceasefire agreement is a great victory for the Ukrainian government. The deal was the first step toward resolving the conflict. The ceasefire was aimed at implementing an immediate ceasefire, but the fighting continued for several days. The separatists then captured the town of Debaltseve, shifting the line of contact.
The OSCE coordinates the Trilateral Contact Group, composed of representatives from Ukraine, Russia, and the separatists. Her successor is Martin Sajdik.
According to them, the drone fired a guided missile.
Russian forces continue to mercilessly shell areas of the Luhansk region to make their advance into Donetsk.
Despite their efforts, Russian forces have not managed to capture all Ukrainian regions in the Donbas conflict. As a result, both sides have been locked in increasingly heavy street fighting. russia ukraine news has been advancing more aggressively, concentrating its offensive on the region surrounding the city of Sievierodonetsk, which is home to Ukrainian troops. Ukrainian forces have also retreated from central Severodonetsk, with Russians now occupying roughly three-quarters of the city.
The Ukrainian National Guard has released footage of the devastation caused by the fighting, which has left many streets and houses shelled out. One of these new weapons is an M777 howitzer with a kangaroo on the barrel.
With the overwhelming firepower of the Russian army, the Western world must now prepare for a long and grueling war. As the situation worsens in the eastern part of Ukraine, tensions in the Taiwan Strait have also been aggravated. While the Russian military has only taken Luhansk, the entire region of Donetsk could soon fall to them. In addition to Luhansk, Kramatorsk, and Slovyansk, just 50 miles south, have also been hit by Russian shelling. These cities have also suffered dozens of civilian deaths.
In light of this, the United States and other Western nations have decided to engage in this war. It is an unpopular war, with far fewer resources and friends than the United States’ wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. The authoritarian nature of the Russian government also makes it challenging to gauge the popular mood. A flagging public spirit in the home could translate into a lack of morale at the front.
Belarusian troops are receiving orders from Russian political decision-makers
It appears that the Russia-backed authoritarian regime in Belarus is not about to let go. Despite their close relationship with the Kremlin, Belarusian troops were not involved in the conflict. But their presence is a sign that the Russian military is not far away. Several reports claim that Russian troops have crossed the border into Ukraine. A video circulating on the internet purports to show these soldiers.
A large amount of public opinion in Belarus does not support the sending of Belarusian troops to Ukraine. Polling shows that the majority of Belarusians do not support this move. However, opinions vary from person to person. More than half of Belarusians believe the country should remain neutral in the conflict.
The poll also found that 74% of Belarusians had an anti-Russian attitude toward the war in Ukraine. However, despite this, the government has been unable to convince the country to leave the conflict. In addition, the situation has become even more complex, with thousands of political prisoners and dozens of opposition leaders detained. The problem is only likely to become worse unless human rights are improved.
In the meantime, the West has no concrete evidence that Minsk is independent of Russia, and it is unclear what the future holds for the country. It may even become the next target of US sanctions. The European Union has condemned Russia’s military aggression in Ukraine, and the Belarusian government has done nothing to prevent them from supporting it. It has also provided refueling points and storage facilities for Russian weapons and military equipment.
The State Security Committee of the Republic of Belarus (GoB) has designated two officials who are part of the government in charge of the country’s defense sector. The two officials have close ties with the Lukashenka regime and continue to serve their interests by promoting Belarusian industrial products throughout the Middle East and Africa. Neither has a clear intention to take Belarus’ military to war in the future, but they may act as proxy agents in that regard.
Russian state media tightly controls the message it broadcasts to millions of Russians.
The restrictions on independent news outlets in Russia are becoming more severe daily. As a result, the number of independent outlets has decreased, and they are censoring their content. Finding uncensored information in Russia is still possible, but it is becoming increasingly difficult. For most Russians, television remains their primary source of news. The Kremlin controls what is shown on state television, so any criticism or debate is swiftly suppressed.
Independent media in Russia struggle to find a voice, but the state-controlled media tightly controls the message they broadcast to millions of citizens. In a recent survey by the Levada Center, 50 percent of Russians said they trusted the TV newscasters’ messages. While social media such as Twitter and Facebook are partially blocked in Russia, Russians use Telegram and other platforms to spread propaganda.
They are no longer free to report on the war in Ukraine, as the Russian government has banned them in the past.
The Kremlin has also passed laws that make it illegal for journalists to report on the conflict in Ukraine. They are now subject to 15 years in prison if they publish false information about the Russian army or government. These laws and sanctions may be the most effective means to disseminate information that contradicts Kremlin narratives. The Kremlin has ensured that the state media is strictly following the Kremlin’s script. It means that journalists are not reporting on the war but on a particular operation. Furthermore, many news organizations have been shut down, making it more difficult for them to reach the Russian people with any news.
China and Russia have developed a close strategic relationship in recent years. As a result of their shared friction with the West, both countries have become increasingly close. As a result, both countries need to control public perceptions of Russia. Several foreign countries, including Russia and China, have launched English-language news brands in recent years, attempting to shape public opinion on the war despite their differences.
