WAR IN UKRAINE: September 22, 2022
Several protests broke out across Russia after the first mobilization since WWII was announced. Police responded with harsh tactics
LATEST DEVELOPMENTS: Day 211
US President Joe Biden tells the UN general assembly that Russia's invasion of Ukraine is a shameless violation of the core tenets of the UN charter. He urges the world to see Russia's outrageous acts for what they are - saying no one sought conflict apart from Moscow. Earlier today, President Putin announced military reservists are to be sent to Ukraine as part of a partial mobilisation of Russian forces. In a televised address to the nation, he said this was a necessary step to ensure Russian territorial integrity. He accused the West of "nuclear blackmail" and said a threat to retaliate was "not a bluff.” Moscow has also announced plans to hold referendums on joining Russia in parts of Ukraine that are currently under Russian control - BBC
More than 1,000 people have been arrested in Russia during protests in several cities against the partial military mobilisation, RFE/RL reported. Demonstrations broke out in Moscow and St. Petersburg and more than 30 other Russian cities after Putin announced the mobilization, OVD-Info said. By 10 p.m. Moscow time nearly 1,000 people had been detained at protests in the Russian capital and St. Petersburg, the human rights project said. A total of about 200 people were arrested in other cities, including Chelyabinsk, Yekaterinburg, Krasnoyarsk, Ufa, Krasnodar, and Irkutsk. Video broadcast on social media and major western media outlets showed brutal pushback by Russian police. One unconscious female protester was carried away by Russian cops.
Ukraine and Russia did complete a major exchange of prisoners of war on Wednesday. 215 fighters were returned to the Ukrainian side, including 10 foreigners - while Russia received 55 soldiers and the pro-Russian politician Viktor Medvechuk, who faced treason charges in Ukraine - BBC
Volodymyr Zelensky at the UNGA (via video link): “Ukraine wants peace. Europe wants peace. The world wants peace. And we have seen who is the only one who wants war. Russia wants war. But Russia will not be able to stop the course of history. Mankind and the international law are stronger than one terrorist state. Russia will be forced to end this war. The war it has started. During the session of the UN General Assembly, I’ve presented a formula that can work and bring peace not only to us.”
Zaporizhzhia is reported to have been struck by Russian missiles Wednesday, the lights went out. Civilian infrastructure was hit, said the secretary of the City Council. People are injured.
Required reading…
Weaponizing education: Russia targets schoolchildren in occupied Ukraine
Ukraine began a new academic year on September 1 with the country still engaged in a fight for survival against Russia’s ongoing invasion. For millions of Ukrainian schoolchildren, this meant a return to the classroom with the prospect of lessons being regularly interrupted by air raid sirens. Schools without adequate air raid shelters were unable to open at all.
For those living in Russian-occupied regions of Ukraine, the situation is far worse. Schools under Russian control are being forced to adopt a Kremlin-curated curriculum designed to demonize Ukraine while convincing kids to welcome the takeover of their country and embrace a Russian national identity. Teachers and parents who dare to object face potentially dire consequences.
Read the full Atlantic Council analysis here