The first week of August was characterized by nuclear set-ups of the Russian army at the Zaporizhzhya NPP. However, the representatives of the RF in the UN reject the presence of troops at the nuclear power plant. At the same time, they declare they took the Zaporizhzhia NPP under protection in order to prevent any nuclear provocative acts by nationalist formations.
The Russian side yet again spoke of a diplomatic settlement of the war, but on their own terms and conditions.
Statements about peace provoked many negative reflections of the Ukrainian side. Volodymyr Zelenskyi warned about the impossibility of negotiations in the event of referendums in the occupied territories of Ukraine.
At the same time, the occupiers are developing the phobia of HIMARS. They are trying to go all lengths to disrupt the supply of Western weapons. The situation in the energy market remains dangerous due to the gas blackmail of Russia. In fact, they resorted to burning the blue flame gas in order not to supply it to Europe.
Nuclear crimes and set-ups of the Kremlin army
Since the beginning of the full-scale war, Russia has been posing a nuclear threat to the world. Back in February, Vladimir Putin gave an order to transfer the Russian deterrent forces to a special combat duty regime. In addition to constant threats about the use of nuclear weapons, Russia violates the rules of peaceful uses of atomic energy by seizing Ukrainian nuclear facilities. However, on the eve of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) Review Conference, the Russian side suddenly began to publicly state the need to preserve the security of the world community.
"There can be no winners in a nuclear war and it should never be unleashed. We stand for equal and indivisible security for all members of the world community," Putin said.
At the opening of the 10th NPT Review Conference, the representative of Russia, aleksandr trofimov, said that the Russian Federation was not going to use nuclear weapons.
“We strongly reject the totally unfounded, delusional, and unacceptable speculations that Russia is allegedly threatening to use nuclear weapons, in particular in Ukraine. We do not exclude the scenario that this was done intentionally, to incite anti-Russian hysteria, "he said.
However, the representative of Ukraine at the conference, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mykola Tochytskyi, stressed that Russia had grossly violated all three "pillars" of the Treaty — nuclear disarmament, nuclear non-proliferation, and the peaceful use of nuclear energy.
The seizure of Ukrainian nuclear power plants created real nuclear threats due to the lack of proper control over the functioning of hazardous facilities. The current state of affairs at Zaporizhzhya NPP proves that all possible risks are real. It was a matter of concern to IAEA Director General, Rafael Grossi. However, the Russian side denies any problems with the operation of the nuclear power plant.
"We reject the unfounded accusations that Russia prevents IAEA inspectors from visiting Zaporizhzhya NPP, and especially, the absolutely absurd assumptions that a military base is allegedly located there," the Russian mission to the UN said.
Besides, as it turns out, Russian troops do not seize nuclear facilities but take them under protection. This was emphasized by Russia after the seizure of the Chernobyl nuclear power plant, and Zaporizhzhya NPP was taken under protection "solely in order to prevent the organization of nuclear acts of provocation by nationalist formations and foreign mercenaries".
As you can see, the "security services" include shelling by Russian troops. As a result of the pre-designed provocation on August, 5, at Zaporizhzhya NPP, the power lines were damaged, and the 4th power unit of the station was disconnected from the power system and transferred to the back-up.
"Today, the occupiers created another extremely risky situation for everyone in Europe — they shelled Zaporizhzhya NPP, two times in a day. This is the largest nuclear power plant on our continent. Therefore, any shelling of this facility is a blatant and audacious crime, an act of terror. Russia should be responsible for the very fact of creating a threat to the NPP, " Volodymyr Zelenskyi commented in relation to the provocation.
As soon as on August, 6, the Russian occupiers fired missiles at the city of Energodar, hitting the ZNPP site directly next to the station's dry storage facility for spent nuclear fuel.
The Energoatom believes that the Russian military are shelling the ZNPP in order to destroy its infrastructure and unlock it from the power system of Ukraine.
"Acts of nuclear terrorism at the Zaporizhzhya NPP, the artillery shelling at it, are aimed at destroying the infrastructure of the station, at damaging all power lines distributing the electricity to the power system of Ukraine, and at de-energizing the south of the country. With such actions, the Ruscists moved to a new scenario, a scenario of destruction, the creation of a nuclear and radiation accident at the ZNPP. Therefore, the shelling of the station is likely to continue", the state enterprise reported.
Russian politicians were not particularly worried about the actions of their military. However, they did have not forgotten to remind them of the anniversary of the use of nuclear weapons by the United States. viacheslav volodin accused the United States of killing thousands of civilians and said that "August, 6, and August, 9, should be days of repentance of Washington to humanity for crimes committed against civilians."
russia announces negotiations with Ukraine that purportedly stays "under the external control of Western countries"
In the first week of August, Russia yet again raised the topic of negotiations. Kremlin spokesman, dmitry peskov, said that Russia is ready to settle the "Ukrainian problem" diplomatically, but on their own terms and conditions.
"Russia has been ready to solve the Ukrainian problem diplomatically — on our own terms and conditions. Here, it would be appropriate to recall that these conditions have been agreed in Istanbul. Moreover, they were agreed by both sides, the negotiators of Russia and Ukraine," — he said. " Our conditions are perfectly known to the Ukrainian side. In any case, they will be ensured, "added peskov.
In turn, the Ukrainian side cannot trust the aggressor in the face of an increasing number of hostile troops in the south of the country and openly genocidal terrorist actions.
“There is nothing more cynical than Putin's supporters saying that Russia is ready for peace talks. We hear and see this "readiness" every day: artillery strikes, rocket terror against civilians, mass crimes. Russia remains focused on the war, everything else is just a smokescreen ", — said the head of the Ukrainian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Dmytro Kuleba.
Volodymyr Zelensky drew attention to the impact of Russian propaganda in African countries. During an online meeting with African journalists, he said that statements about reconciliation were bogus stories.
“It's not a dialogue, it's not reconciliation, it's an ultimatum from their side, which is, 'If you don't do what we want, we'll kill you,'” Zelensky said.
In addition, the President stressed that if a referendum is held in the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine, Russia will close all opportunities for negotiations.
The trip of a German Chancellor, Gerhard Schröder, to russia to see putin triggered a number of reactions from the Ukrainian side. The former chancellor said the Kremlin wanted to reach a negotiated solution. The Office of the President of Ukraine commented on this news as follows:
"Schroeder is an experienced mouthpiece of empire and the voice at the Russian-Tsarist court. If Moscow wants dialogue, the ball is in their court. First - the ceasefire and withdrawal of troops, then — constructive proposals,"— said Mykhailo Podoliak.
According to him, the correct position in negotiations with Russia has four components: MLRS and ATACMS, ASW/ABM, attack drones, and armored vehicles for counterattacks.
At the same time, the aggressor continues the narrative about the loss of sovereignty by Ukraine, and that the West is using it as a tool in the fight against Russia. The Russian leaders have already repeatedly demonstrated the inconsistency in their positions. While peskov and putin mention the possibility of negotiations, the spokeswoman for the foreign ministry, maria zakharova, argues that Ukraine has been transformed into a West-dependent neo-Nazi state, which seems to confirm the correctness of the tasks of the "special military operation."
"Russia's accusations about the intention to destroy the statehood of Ukraine are extremely cynical. The Kiev regime itself has been doing this for a long time. It was the West that destroyed them in their own interests, so that it would be easier to control the mechanism created to counteract Russia," said zakharova.
It is worth adding that the russians also found the real cause of all the troubles in the world — this is the 2014 Revolution of Dignity.
"The real threat to the world order and the situation in the world and in our continent, that is, in Europe, is probably the coup that took place in Ukraine in 2014, and was carefully staged, including by NATO member states," — said peskov.
"HIMARS-o-phobia" of the occupiers and "special operation" against the supply of Western weapons
Th rf troops do not like high-precision Western weapons, so the Russians are trying to disrupt their supply to Ukraine in various ways. The HIMARS MLRS turned out to be especially painful for the enemies, and the Ministry of Defense of the rf keeps reporting about their destruction:
"As a result of a high-precision strike in the city of Kharkiv, on the territory of the Ukrainian Energy Machines plant, two American launchers of HIMARS multiple launch rocket systems were destroyed."
Later rf also announced "the destruction of six launchers and more than 200 rockets of HIMARS MLRS".
"The enemies say they destroyed them, as many as six pieces. They are so afraid that they are ready to fall victim to their own lies. However, every day, the reality revisits them with high-precision HIMARS blows that were "destroyed" in their cowardly dreams. Impressive efficiency, disrupted military logistics of russians, and stable work of our Armed Forces — this is the reality. The reality, which name is HIMARS," Andrii Yermak commented on the "destruction" of weapons.
The sound of the HIMARS volley was a hit this summer on the front line.
"The word 'HIMARS' has become almost synonymous with 'justice' for our country, and Ukrainian defenders will do their best to make the occupiers suffer more painful losses every week inflicted by these very effective systems," said Volodymyr Zelensky.
In addition to constant claims of destruction, in order to disrupt the supply of Western weapons, russian terrorists could strike Olenivka — believes the Chief Recon Department of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine.
"From the beginning of this terrible tragedy and terrible farce that we have seen from the Russians, it has been the fake-making. From the first reports on the use and deliberate firing of high-precision weapons HIMARS — it was a special operation against the supply of Western high-precision weapons to Ukraine ", the CRD said.
Despite all the obvious facts of the terrible tragedy, russian propaganda presents these events as the destruction of Ukrainian defenders who started to offer "testimonies".
"They began to testify, tell about their atrocities against the civilian population of Donbas, they began to reveal the facts (with numbers, dates, and locations). These prisoners of war now threaten the Zelensky regime with becoming living witnesses to the crimes. According to the Kyiv regime, the dangerous witnesses as they are shall be subject to destruction. Therefore, they simply pressed the "launch" button and fired from the American weapons at their information guidance ",— says the spokeswoman of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, zakharova.
"russia's by far the most important task is to undermine the supply of weapons to Ukraine. The KGB's favorite toolkit is to fragment society, sow doubt and mistrust through misinformation and manipulation. Do we have to play this game? Definitely not.” The partnership between Ukraine and the West is stronger than ever, "commented Mykhailo Podoliak.
However, russian terrorists on Ukrainian soil should be upset, because propaganda does not work. Instead, a third type of MLRS, similar to HIMARS, came to Ukraine.
"The third brother in the Long Hand family arrived in Ukraine, the MARS II MLRS from Germany. I thank Germany and personally to my colleague Christine Lambrecht for these systems. Our artillerymen welcome German partners!", — said the Minister of Defense of Ukraine, Oleksii Reznikov.
Energy and food front: Ukrainian grain export started, and russia burns gas
In the first week of August, the export of Ukrainian grain from the deblocked ports began. Ukraine is fulfilling its obligations to ensure food security in the world.
"A day of relief for the world, especially for our friends in the Middle East, Asia and Africa, when the first Ukrainian grain leaves Odessa after months of russian blockade. Ukraine has always been a reliable partner and will remain one if russia respects its part of the deal, " said Dmytro Kuleba.
Continuity and regularity should be important principles of Ukrainian grain export. The more Ukrainian grain there is on the world market, the smaller the harvest of political chaos is in many countries.
"Ukraine remains an important player in the world food market. We contribute to world food security. We are a reliable partner, and our allies around the world providing us with weapons and finances, appreciate our work in this area," stressed the Prime Minister of Ukraine, Denys Shmyhal.
The aggressor has repeatedly demonstrated their unreliability, so Ukraine should prepare for provocations aimed at disrupting exports. According to Volodymyr Zelensky, Ukraine has no illusions that russia will not attempt to disrupt the exports.
"russia has consistently provoked famine in countries in Africa and Asia, which traditionally imported significant volumes of Ukrainian food. And now, in the extreme heat of this year in Europe, some European countries also face the threat of price crisis and a certain food deficit," said the President of Ukraine.
The opposite situation has developed in the energy market, where russia artificially creates a deficit and speculates for a raise in prices for political concessions. Even with the transferred turbine for gas pumping, russia finds ways to blackmail. Kremlin spokesman, dmitry peskov, said that it is important for Gazprom to obtain legal documents stating that this turbine is not under sanctions.
“Words alone are not enough in this case,” he said. — The EU can claim certain things but there is the UK, and service maintenance on an ongoing basis is carried out by the British daughter of the Siemens company from British law, from British jurisdiction. Therefore, certainly, in this case, in the context of the sanctions imposed on Gazprom, on our country, Gazprom simply has to secure themselves; they have to secure their property, and the turbine is the property of Gazprom. "
Therefore, russia has not invented anything better than just burning blue flame fuel.
"Instead of supplying gas to the territory of Europe, according to contracts, russia even goes for burning it — and they have been doing it for weeks now. Why do they do it? To provoke more increase in prices in Europe, so that ordinary Europeans suffer even more, and so that it gets even more difficult for everyone on the continent to prepare for winter, "said Volodymyr Zelensky.
The situation in the energy market remains dangerous due to russia's cynical and pre-designed gas blackmail.
"Gazprom, russian gas pipelines bypassing Ukraine, are the same weapons for russia as tanks, or as artillery; each of us is their target, each person in Europe," emphasized the President of Ukraine.
Original article: Ukrainska Pravda