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RUSSIA-UKRAINE: THE NUCLEAR DANGER IS GROWING

New updates on the war between Russia and Ukraine shake the world. On 21 September 2022, a Russian missile hit 300 metres from the Pivdennoukrainsk plant, known as the South Ukrainian Nuclear Power Plant.

Although the incident was limited to the destruction of the area, with no major damage to the nuclear power plant, it could have turned into a catastrophe of colossal consequences, labelled by many national and international media as “nuclear terrorism”.

In the aftermath of the attack, and in the midst of the ongoing conflict between the two countries, Ukraine raised its voice in the international community to denounce the incident, claiming that Russia was just a few metres away from detonating the second largest nuclear facility in the country.

Russia’s move is part of a series of desperate measures in the face of the Ukrainian advance into Lugansk province along the Oskil River, an area the Kremlin declared as seized last July.

THE AFTERMATH OF THE ATTACK

In its most immediate aftermath, the Russian missile strike caused a brief power outage in the area and part of the Oleksandrivska hydroelectric power station, which supplies power to much of the south of the country. However, there was no major irregular activity at the NPP and it is currently operating normally.

In response, several Ukrainian authorities have raised their voices. Among them, Energy Minister German Galushchenko, who stated that an attack on this facility could have economic consequences throughout the continent, raising electricity prices in the country substantially. His intervention ended with an international call to stop the Russian government’s unconscionable actions.

THE AFTERMATH OF THE ATTACK

Just hours after the attack, a meeting in Kiev of senior military commanders assessed plans of action for the disengagement of occupied territories.

READ MORE: ‘WHY WE MUST END WAR’

Let’s not forget, after all, that Ukraine was in its favour after a long time, having regained much of the north-east of the country thanks to the Ukrainian counteroffensive in the Kharkov region porno français.

EXPERT PREDICTIONS OF THE CONFLICT

Although even with the Russian attack Ukraine sees a favourable scenario in the conflict, one cannot ignore the fact that the recovery of territory has been slow and has lost momentum in recent months.

Against this backdrop, the winter is expected to be decisive for the conflict. On the one hand, Ukraine is concerned about the humanitarian aspect. After all, without heat and gas in many frontline areas, especially in Donetsk province, many lives will be at risk. It is estimated that at least 2 million people could cross the border into Poland.

EXPERT PREDICTIONS OF THE CONFLICT

Meanwhile, Russia is aware of Ukraine’s weaknesses in this context, and will surely take advantage. They will most likely make their way into power supply areas, in order to exacerbate the humanitarian situation outlined above. Moreover, its privileged position in the face of Europe’s general energy crisis makes its interest in prolonging the situation obvious.

NOTICE

War is big business. It is the economic base of this planet. We spend hundreds of billions of dollars to create new weapons to defend ourselves against the old weapons we sell to others who are our friends today but may become our enemies tomorrow. It is amazing how often both sides of a conflict have the same weapons made by the same people. We don’t just traffic in weapons. We traffic in misery and human suffering.

In the name of peace, we have created weapons so deadly we dare not use them. Yet, it is inevitable that we will use them; it is only a matter of time.

In parts of the world the destruction and pain and suffering of war are common place. You go about your daily routine hoping you don’t get shot or blown up in an insane struggle for your daily survival. This is what our guns, bombs, and bullets have gotten us. Study well the picture below. It is the face of war.

Take a good look at what all our guns, tanks, planes, missiles, bombs, and bullets have bought us. It is time to find a better way. I call upon the good people of the world to unite. Join with me and together let us find a way to stop the madness before it is too late.

The dark blue areas are countries that have signed and ratified the (anti-personal) Mine Ban Treaty.

The slightly lighter blue area are countries that have only signed the treaty.

The grey areas are countries that have not signed the treaty banning the use of land mines.

The red dots are the countries that still make land mines.

Please note that most of the countries that have not signed the Mine Ban Treaty are the countries that still make mines.

Even after a war is over land mines and other unexploded ordnance continue to kill and maim innocent people many of which are children. It is another face of war.