Russian war against Ukraine: Present situation (Ukrainian Embassy in Tunisia)
RUSSIAN NEOCOLONIALISM IN AFRICA
On July 27-28, the Russia-Africa Summit is held in St. Petersburg.
Despite the lengthy preparations and expectations, the Russian summit has a low level of representation. A total of 17 out of 54 countries are represented by first persons. 5 countries ignored the invitation.
African guests at the summit in St. Petersburg are given a passive role of actors in the performance called “breakthrough of international isolation” by Russia.
Putin’s promises to supply 6 African countries with free grain is another populism of Russia. The declared volumes do not compensate for the deficit that arose due to the naval blockade of Ukraine.
The Russian pattern in Africa is manifested through cruel mercenaries who carry out coups d’état, impose pro-Russian regimes, exploit the continent’s natural resources, and commit atrocities against African peoples.
The appearance of the leader of the Wagner PMC Prigozhin at the Summit testifies to the main dimension of modern Russian-African relations, based on mercenarism, violence, and weapons.
RUSSIA-UKRAINE WAR UPDATES
Counteroffensive operations continue: in some segments of the front line, Ukrainian troops are moving forward.
The advancement on the battlefield is seriously complicated by intensive mine-laying and multi-layered Russian defense. As a result of counteroffensive operations 9 settlements and >227 km2 were liberated.
Russian occupiers are bombarding Odesa region with rockets of various types and the Shahed-136 drones. Significant damage was caused to the infrastructure of the ports, the buildings of the Chinese and Greek Consulates General and the historic center of Odesa protected by the UNESCO.
THE WAR ON RUSSIAN TERRITORY
Russia has unleashed a full-scale interstate war. It is naive to hope that this war will not affect its territory.
Dissatisfaction with Putin’s regime has already led to the emergence of internal armed resistance on the territory of Russia.
Ukraine does not claim a single hectare of Russia and is fighting exclusively for the de-occupation of its territories within internationally recognized borders.
Ukraine committed not to use weapons received from the Western allies on the territory of Russia. But this restriction does not apply to weapons of Ukrainian production.
The temporarily occupied territories of mainland Ukraine and Crimea are not subject to any restrictions on the use of conventional weapons.
ATTACKS ON THE BLACK SEA PORTS OF UKRAINE
On July 24, Russia attacked the Reni port in Odesa Oblast with drones.
Russia is trying to destroy the port infrastructure of Ukraine, make it impossible to export Ukrainian grain to global food markets.
The Russians do not hesitate to attack the Danube ports which are located close to Romania – a NATO country. Putin is testing the West’s reaction to aggression near NATO’s borders and is ready for further escalation unless properly repelled.
To neutralize Russian attacks, Ukraine needs modern air defence systems, as well as F-16 fighters to protect airspace and sea routes in its territorial waters.