Turning Point

Day 15 of Ukrainian Resistance 💥The Russian forces made no significant advances during the past 24 hours, but continue to bombard relentlessly encircled Ukrainian cities. On the Southern Front, Russian forces have bypassed the city of Mykolaev, after failing to enter the city last week. The South Ukraine (Konstantinovka) nuclear power plant (NPP). The nuclear power plant of Enerhodar/Zaporizhzhia has already been occupied, and reportedly Russia has set defensive positions around the plant and mined the river bank. Ukrainian NPP's, as key infrastructure, are strategical points of occupation. 📣Today for the first time during the invasion, the foreign ministers of Ukraine and Russia held direct negotiations in Turkey. According to both sides, the meeting ended fell short of reaching agreement. The Ukrainian foreign minister Dmytro Kuleba says Russia is pushing for surrender, not agreement. 📈More than 30,000 people continue to cross from Ukraine to Poland every day. Buses and private cars move continuously from Poland to other EU countries. The future of non-Ukrainian refugees in Europe remains highly precarious due to the racist immigration regime of Polish government and Schengen. Despite Polish government propaganda, refugees are mostly taken care of by volunteers and self-financed grassroots efforts by the Polish people, NGO's and EU countries.

In the middle, Russian advance around Mykolaev. Right up corner, Zaporihzhia nuclear power plant.

DAY 14 of Ukrainian Resistance Due to technical problems we couldn't post yesterday. We apologize for that. ✈️Poland offered to transfer its MiG-29 fighter jet fleet to the US for delivery in Ukraine. The Pentagon, though, believe the proposal is not "tenable" as it might escalate tension between NATO and Russia. The Ukrainian air space remains contested, but Ukrainian air defense is heavily limited since the missile strike wave of the first day. ❗️The Chernobyl nuclear power plant facility has lost power. This is a huge security issue. According to the Ukrenergo officials, power cut happened because of Russian troops in the area. Repair work seems impossible as in for now. 📈According to the UN more than 2 million people have left Ukraine. More than half of them crossed into Poland. ✊The Russian invasion in Ukraine has provoked discussion among struggling people and movements around the World. The Zapatista Sixth Commission shared their positions regarding what is happening in Europe. "It is the peoples of Russia and Ukraine (and soon, perhaps, the people of other geography near or far) who are suffering because of the crazed delusions of some and the cunning economic calculations of others. As Zapatistas, we do not support either state but rather those who are struggling for life against the system." Read the full statement here.

Kharkiv train station 8.3. Civilians fleeing bombarded city.

Day 12 of Ukrainian Resistance ❗️Russian invasion in Ukraine has serious consequences for the rest of the world as the Spring cultivation season approaches. Ukraine is one of the major global grain suppliers and its cargo ports are vital for Europe, North Africa and Middle East. Many countries rely on Ukrainian wheat, corn, barley and sun flower seeds. ✊Demonstrations continue daily in occupied Ukrainian cities and even smaller towns, such as Chaplynka (~9,500 residents) and Novotroitskoye (~7,000 residents) in Kherson region, resulting in clashes between civilians and occupying troops and tying Russian forces. 📝According to U.S. intelligence sources, Russia is recruiting Syrians with urban combat experience to fight in Ukraine. Meanwhile, the Russian military convoys have not advanced for days in Kiev countryside and the main effort has focused on closing the evacuation route from Kiev through Irpin. Pre-assigned manpower is probably not enough to confront the level of resistance in and around Kiev without reinforcements from other fronts or from previously unutilized sources.

Ukraine is a major agricultural exporter. Data: International Food Policy Research Insitute (IFPRI).

Day 11 of Ukrainian Resistance ❗️According to reports from Kiev, all essential infrastructure is still largely working and the Russian troops have not so far managed to encircle the capital. In Eastern cities, however, there have been disruptions in internet connectivity, and some areas have lost heating, electricity or water. While there have been no significant advances of front lines, heavy bombardment of cities continues and the so called humanitarian corridors are reportedly not operational due to strikes on announced evacuation routes. ✊In Almaty, Kazakhstan, a large protest took place against the Russian invasion in Ukraine. Kazakhstan is a member of the Russia-led Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) but has refused to participate in the war in Ukraine. In the beginning of January, Russian paratroopers were mobilized through CSTO to crush uprising in Kazakhstan that was ignited by sharp increase in gas prices. Almaty was one of the epicenters of the uprising. ✊In Russia, anti-war protests have been organized in several cities during the weekend. The total number of arrested protesters has climbed to 12,825 since the beginning of the war. There are also lot of reports of home searches of known political activists. There are also increasing reports of active and passive resistance in Belarus, up to sabotaging railways that are used for troop transportation and war logistics.

Almaty, Kazakhstan

Day 10 of Ukrainian Resistance 👮‍♂️On Friday, a new law was passed on Russian parliament that criminalizes "sharing fake information", especially regarding the invasion war in Ukraine. The new law makes possible to fine people for up to 45,000$ or imprison dissidents for up to 15 years in penal colonies. During the past days, several foreign media, domestic independent media and social media have been blocked in Russia, or access to them has been heavily restricted. ✊For tomorrow, the 6th of March, another wave of protests has been called in Russia. Feminist Anti-War Resistance, an anti-militarist coalition of feminist groups in Russia, calls for women to join the rallies: "Over the past ten years, the feminist movement has gained enormous media and cultural power. It is time to turn it into political power. We are the opposition to war, patriarchy, authoritarianism, and militarism. We are the future that will prevail." ❗️In Ukraine, humanitarian corridors were opened today to besieged cities of Mariupol and Volnovakha. In Mariupol, evacuation of civilians was reportedly stopped after continued Russian strikes close to the evacuation routes. Following possible evacuations, beware of increased violence and Russian propaganda justifying strikes against remaining civilians. In Syria, strikes of Russian Air Force often increased after "humanitarian" evacuations as Russia blamed every civilian who refused to leave their homes to be a "militant", "civilian dressed fighter" or "rebel" while in reality they were indiscriminate civilian casualties.

Day 9 of Ukrainian Resistance 🙅The martial law of Ukraine forbids men aged between 18 and 60 to leave country. This has created a hihgly gendered flow of refugees as it is the women who accompany elderly and children out of the conflict. However, news reports from European countries say that after getting their children to safety many Ukrainian women are returning back to Ukraine to combat the invasion. ✊In the occupied cities of Kherson and Melitopol, hundreds have protested against the invading troops and harassed their patrols. Unverified reports claim that Russian military is bringing civilians from Crimea and DPR-LPR regions to occupied cities in order to stage pro-Russian demonstrations on coming days. ✈️According to reports, the Ukrainian state has received an extra-ordinary shipment of Turkish Bayraktar TB2 combat UAV's. The Bayraktars have reportedly been used to destroy Russian military columns and artillery. An anarchist combatant comments the use of Turkish technology: "These drone technologies were developed to fight against Kurdish revolutionary guerrillas and we are well aware of what they are capable of. However, it is the will of people that will determine the outcome of the war. With right tactics and will to resist, determined people can defeat even technologically superior enemy. Now NATO has already refused to close the Ukrainian air space, but we don't rely on them. People from all around Europe are already coming to support us and bring material aid, and this international solidarity is one of our main pillars to continue resistance under any conditions."

Melitopol

DAY 8 of Ukrainian Resistance ⚠️According to the mayor of Kherson, the Russian forces took control of the city last night after 7 days of heavy fight. Home to closely 280,000 people before the invasion, Kherson is one of the major port cities. A strict curfew was immediately imposed on the population and the city remains heavily damaged by the fights. ‼️Remark that the color codes of the map are only illustrative. Russian troops have advanced mainly on major roads and highways, secured key logistical routes and hubs, but the countryside has remained largely uncontrolled. While fast and effective in terms of penetration, unsecured flanks and rear leave Russian forces vulnerable to civilian resistance and partisan tactics. Several videos show defenders exploiting this weakness by aggressively assaulting Russian forward troops and their supplies. 📈According to Ukrainian officials, more than 16,000 foreigners have enlisted in the Foreign Legion of the Territorial Defense Forces. The Resistance Committee is calling especially comrades with combat experience to come and train fighters. According to their latest call, transportation for volunteers will be organized within two days. 🔫It came to our attention that you can play for Ukraine online. Popular game 2048 is now turned into a cyber weapon: every move in the game helps to attack Russian governmental, military and financial servers that are used to support the invasion. Already 153,852,044,584 attacks launched by playforukraine.life players.

DAY 7 of Ukrainian Resistance 💥Kiev is under heavy shelling. Yesterday, the main TV transmitter of the city was hit with missiles and TV broadcasts interrupted. The advance of the Russian main column towards Kiev has slowed down significantly close to 20 km to the city amid reports of widespread logistical problems. ✊On social media, videos are circulating of popular resistance against Russian troops. Streets are being blocked with improvised barricades, Russian soldiers and vehicles attacked with molotovs, and civilians expropriating abandoned military gear, including tanks and air-defense systems. Russia still unable to take ground in major cities such as Kharkiv, Mariupol and Kiev. 📣Comrades on the ground ask for international support and solidarity. Follow the Resistance Committee channel for updates. Civilian initiative "Operation Solidarity" collects humanitarian aid and fundraising in favor of territorial defense fighters and in support of all grassroots initiatives that unite people in confronting a common threat. They also plan to help refugees, host social events and spread the practices of equal decision-making and direct democracy. Follow their channel Operation Solidarity and see instructions for donations.

👮‍♂️According to OVD-Info, a Russian association monitoring repression and political persecution, 6495 anti-war protesters have been arrested in Russia since the beginning of invasion. Protests have taken place in more than 50 cities. The Russian people are paying heavy price for Putin's war as both the rubble and the Moscow Exchange are falling. In Moscow, people are lining at ATM's to withdraw their money.

DAY 6 of Ukrainian resistence 💥Russia is bombing the city of Kharkiv with ballistic missiles and cluster munitions and hitting civilians in residential areas and the city hall. It is a clear change of tactics by Russia, after infantry failed to advance inside the city. In the Syrian civil war (2012->), the Russian Air Force demolished entire suburbs of Syrian cities such as Aleppo, Ghouta and Idlib in order to crush the rebellion. The aim of indiscriminate bombing is to crush the will of the people and wipe out the urban strongholds. 📣 More than half a million people have fled Ukraine towards neighbouring European countries. Poland has been documented to refuse entry for non-Ukrainian nationals, especially of non-European origins. Pressure is needed for open access to take refuge regardless of nationality. ✊More and more people are joining the Territorial Defense Forces, even from all over Europe. In some regions TDF is reportedly fully staffed and cannot take more fighters. It is important to point out that while there are extreme right wings units, many anarchist and left-wing have also joined the resistence.