The Russian attack on Poltava is one of several signs that the war has entered a new, bloodier phase.
And now criticism will grow against the US’s decision not to allow Ukraine to use US long-range robots, writes foreign reporter Johan Fredriksson.
I hate to sound cynical. But it will only continue like this. Everything points to the fact that both North Korea and Iran, with China’s good memory, supplied Russia with new deadly robots.
Putin seems encouraged by the US refusal to allow Ukraine to use the long-range weapons donated by the Biden administration. Now the criticism against the US decision will increase in strength.
This shows the absurdity of giving the green light to knock out the very rockets the Russians are sending in – but denying Ukraine the right to pre-emptively attack the aircraft and launch pads that conveniently fire the deadly missiles.
New violent phase
I fear that the war has entered a new violent phase. Last Monday we saw the most comprehensive Russian attack on Ukraine in the entire war; over 230 robots or attack drones attacked.
Me and TV4 Nyheterna’s photographer Anders Ekert were forced to seek safety in the shelter several times. It was an intensity I had never experienced during my many trips to Ukraine. Many Ukrainians saw it as Putin’s “answer” after Ukraine suddenly marched in at the beginning of August and conquered over 1,000 square kilometers of the Russian Kursk region. An unexpected and daring operation that the Moscow regime was unable to manage.
Then followed the attacks on the hotel in Zelensky’s hometown Krivyh Ryh. And the massive attacks on Kharkiv the other day. Ukraine’s counterattack last Saturday when several hundred drones were sent in to knock out several Russian key energy facilities should also be mentioned.
2.5 years after Russia launched this bloody large-scale invasion, we see no signs of slowing down. On the contrary.
The West stands in despair
The UN International Criminal Court (ICC) has indicted the Russian president for war crimes. But despite that, today he was able to stroll around Mongolia’s capital, Ulan Bator, without being arrested. Despite the fact that Mongolia promised to follow the ICC’s regulations. Of course, Putin knew that gas-dependent Mongolia did not dare to detain the wanted war criminal.
Today’s two news events: a smiling Putin welcomed in a country that signed the Rome Statute, and the ruins after Russian bombs in Poltava evoke the feeling that the democratic West stands in its hands as yet another dictator wants to dictate and dominate the world around him by force.
My thoughts also go to the mother of five, Anastasya, whom we met in Sumy on Thursday. She fled to Poltava because “it was safer”. Terribly tragic. Ukrainians are not safe anywhere in their country.