Russian war against Ukraine: Present situation (Ukrainian Embassy in Tunisia)

ACHIEVEMENTS OF THE DEFENCE FORCES OF UKRAINE

• Ukrainian defenders are actively dismantling Russia’s military machine. In August alone, Russia lost 220 tanks, 668 artillery systems and 38 anti-aircraft systems.
• Intense defensive and offensive operations take place on the front line. Ukrainian defense forces gradually move forward. 12 settlements and ~250 km2 were liberated since the start of counteroffensive operations. In some areas, the armed forces of Ukraine broke through the first line of defence of the Russian military in the south.

RUSSIAN PSEUDO-ELECTIONS ON TEMPORARILY OCCUPIED TERRITORIES

• On September 8-10, the Russian occupation administration will hold pseudo elections in the territories of Ukraine under its control. Russian pseudo “elections” on the territory of Ukraine are illegal, criminal, and invalid. Luhansk, Donetsk, Zaporizhzhia, Kherson regions and Crimea are integral parts of the sovereign territory of Ukraine. Only Ukraine has the right to hold elections to government bodies here.
• Russia’s pseudo-elections are accompanied by terror against the occupied population, who are forced to play a part in this propaganda show. The main purpose of the Russian pseudo-elections is to create a propaganda picture of alleged support of the population of the occupation regime
• Any declared pseudo-election results are void. They will not be recognized by anyone.

FUNCTIONING OF THE ‘GRAIN CORRIDOR’

• Four bulk carriers have already used the new sea corridor to leave Odesa ports.
• Ukraine remains faithful to its obligations to food importers, despite Russia’s numerous attempts to disrupt supplies. The successful passage of vessels through the new sea corridor shows that the grain initiative can exist without Russia. Russia has failed to resume its naval blockade of Ukrainian ports to the extent it had before the grain deal.
• Ukraine is strengthening its presence in the Black Sea, and this is beneficial for global food security.

BLINKEN’S VISIT TO UKRAINE

• On September 6, US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken visited Kyiv. This is the third visit of the head of the US State Department to Ukraine after the start of the full-scale invasion.
• The visit is dedicated to discussing the course of the counterattack. The USA sees significant progress and is ready to continue investing in Ukraine’s victory. Blinken has announced a new aid package with a budget of more than $1 billion.
• The USA declared its readiness to hand over confiscated Russian assets to Ukraine, which is a precedent and a signal for other partners.