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Russia's Invasion of Ukraine: A Grim War of Unstoppable Resilience

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

As day six of the Russian invasion of Ukraine dawns, the world is witnessing a brutal conflict that has left widespread destruction, death, and displacement in its wake. Prime Minister Boris Johnson has condemned Russia President Vladimir Putin's actions, saying that he is using "barbaric tactics, bombing civilian areas" and that such actions could be used in a future war crimes trial at The Hague.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Russian military convoy, with a miles-long stretch of tanks and armoured vehicles, is inching closer to the Ukrainian capital of Kyiv, with fears of a barrage of rockets and shells causing huge numbers of civilian casualties.
  • Ukraine has accused Russia of war crimes over the bombing of Kharkiv, with at least 11 people killed and scores wounded in shelling there on Monday.
  • Ukrainian authorities say Russian forces have blocked Kherson, a major port on the Black Sea, and made significant gains along Ukraine's coast in an apparent effort to cut it off from both the Black and the Azov seas.
  • The International Criminal Court's chief prosecutor, Karim Khan, plans to open an investigation "as rapidly as possible" into possible war crimes and crimes against humanity in Ukraine, both alleged crimes committed before the Russian invasion, but also any new crimes that either side might have committed since the invasion started.
  • UN High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi says more than 520,000 refugees have fled Ukraine, with the number "rising exponentially, hour after hour".
  • UK Deputy Prime Minister Dominic Raab rejects Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky's call for a complete no-fly zone over Ukraine, saying it would risk widening the war by putting the alliance in direct conflict with Russian forces.

Statistics:

  • More than 520,000 refugees have fled Ukraine, according to UN High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi.
  • At least 102 civilians, including 7 children, have been killed in the Russian invasion, and 304 others wounded, according to UN human rights chief Michelle Bachelet.
  • The Russian military convoy is approximately 17 miles from the city centre of Kyiv, according to satellite imagery from the Maxar company.
  • Over 200,000 Ukrainians are eligible under an expanded route for people to bring family members to the UK, according to Prime Minister Boris Johnson.

Sources:

  • Boris Johnson, via official government statement
  • Karim Khan, via International Criminal Court
  • Dominic Raab, via official government statement
  • Filippo Grandi, via UN High Commissioner for Refugees statement
  • Michelle Bachelet, via UN human rights chief statement
  • Maxar company, via satellite imagery
  • AP, via news reports and images

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