Ukraine war: Europe closing border as Russians flee conscription to Ukraine
Europe will block Russians from entering after thousands poured across the border to flee military service in Ukraine, where the Kremlin began ‘sham elections’.
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Countries in Europe will begin to “significantly restrict” Russians after an influx flowing over the border following Vladimir Putin’s orders to mobilise the country.
It comes as Group of Seven (G7) industrialised nations condemned annexation referendums areas of Ukraine as a “sham” with “no legal effect or legitimacy”.
“We will never recognise these referendums which appear to be a step toward Russian annexation and we will never recognise a purported annexation if it occurs,” the G7 leaders said in a statement.
Moscow’s partial mobilisation and elections follow Ukraine’s successful counteroffensive in the north and east, with Kyiv announcing it had recaptured more villages in the Donetsk region even as the independence votes were being held in the currently Russian-controlled parts of the region.
“The Ukrainian army has retaken the village of Yatskivka in the Donetsk region,” a senior army official told reporters, adding that Kyiv’s forces had “also regained control over positions to the south of Bakhmut.
As thousands of civilians attempted to flee orders to reinforce Russia’s military in the Donbas, Finland announced anyone only on tourism grounds would be “barred from entering”.
Foreign Minister Pekka Haavisto said the ban applies both to Russians travelling on tourist visas issued by Finland and tourist visas issued by any other Schengen country.
The government’s Ministerial Committee on Foreign and Security Policy also concluded that granting new tourist visas would be restricted.
As a justification, Finland cites “serious damage to its international position”, in contrast to the Baltic countries which have classified tourism from Russia as a security threat.
“We have taken as our starting point the practice made possible by the Schengen system of refusing entry on the grounds of endangering international relations,” Haavisto said.
The number of Russians entering Finland has doubled -- with more than 6,000 Russians entering on Thursday -- since Moscow announced a mobilisation for the Ukraine war, a border agency spokesman said.
UKRAINE WAR CRIMES REVEALED
UN investigators said on Friday that war crimes have been committed in the Ukraine conflict, listing Russian bombings of civilians areas, numerous executions, torture and horrific sexual violence.
“Based on the evidence gathered by the Commission, it has concluded that war crimes have been committed in Ukraine,” Erik Mose, the head of the investigation team, told the UN Human Rights Council.
The categorical nature of the statement was unusual.
UN investigators typically couch their findings on international crimes in conditional language, referring the final confirmation of war crimes and similar violations to courts of law.
The council was set up by the Commission of Inquiry (COI) – the highest-possible level of investigation – in May to investigate crimes in Russia’s war in Ukraine.
The team of three independent experts was presenting their first oral update to the council, after it launched initial investigations looking at the areas of Kyiv, Chernihiv, Kharkiv and Sumy regions, and said it would broaden the probe going forward.
Speaking a day before the seven-month anniversary of Russia’s invasion of its neighbour, Mose pointed to “the Russian Federation’s use of explosive weapons with wide area effects in populated areas,” which he said was “a source of immense harm and suffering for civilians.”
He highlighted that a number of attacks the team had investigated “had been carried out without distinguishing between civilians and combatants,” including attacks with cluster munitions in populated areas.
The team, he said, had been especially “struck by the large number of executions in the areas that we visited,” and the frequent “visible signs of executions on bodies, such as hands tied behind backs, gunshot wounds to the head, and slit throats.”
Mose said the commission was currently investigating such deaths in 16 towns and settlements, and had received credible allegations regarding many more cases which it would seek to document.
The investigators had also received “consistent accounts of ill-treatment and torture, which were carried out during unlawful confinement.” Some of the victims had told the investigators they were transferred to Russia and held for weeks in prisons. Others had “disappeared” following such transfers.
“Interlocutors described beatings, electric shocks, and forced nudity, as well as other types of violations in such detention facilities,” Mose said.
The commission chief said the investigators had also “processed two incidents of ill-treatment against Russian Federation soldiers by Ukrainian forces”, adding that “while few in numbers, such cases continue to be the subject of our attention.”
The team had also documented cases of sexual and gender-based violence, Mose said, in some cases establishing that Russian soldiers were the perpetrators.
“There are examples of cases where relatives were forced to witness the crimes,” he said.
“In the cases we have investigated, the age of victims of sexual and gendered-based violence ranged from four to 82 years.”
The commission had documented a wide range of crimes against children, he said, including children who were “raped, tortured, and unlawfully confined.”
JOHNSON MISTAKENLY THANKS PUTIN
Boris Johnson made an embarrassing mistake after praising Vladimir Putin instead of Volodymyr Zelenskyy for his “inspirational leadership”.
The former British prime minister was making a speech in the House of Commons in his first real address as a backbench MP.
During debate on the war in Ukraine, the 58-year-old touched on the success for Kyiv’s resistance.
“Thanks to the heroism of the Ukrainian armed forces, thanks in part to the weapons that we are proud to be offering, I congratulate my right honourable friend (James Heappey, Britain’s Minister for State of the Armed Forces) on his description of the work of the UK armed forces, the weapons that we’re sending, the huge list …
“Thanks also, of course, to the inspirational leadership of Vladimir Putin…”.
The blunder sparked coughs and laughs among other politicians before Mr Johnson realised he had made a mistake and quickly corrected himself.
“Thanks also of course to the inspirational leadership of Vladimir Putin ... The inspirational leadership of Volodymyr Zelenskyy, forgive me, the Russian forces have, in recent days been expelled from large parts of the northeast of the country around Kharkiv.
“And they are under increasing pressure in Kherson in the south, and I have no doubt whatever that the Ukrainians will win.”
RUSSIA STORMS OUT OF UN
Russia’s foreign minister Sergei Lavrov stormed out of the United Nations Security Council meeting after being widely condemned for the invasion of Ukraine.
Mr Lavrov dramatically left the chamber soon after laying the blame for the conflict in Europe on Ukraine and the west’s attempts to “impose on us a completely different narrative about Russian aggression”.
As his British counterpart, foreign secretary James Cleverly, began to respond directly following Russia’s claims, Mr Lavrov turned heads as he stormed out mid-address.
Mr Cleverly was taken aback at the major snub during his speech as he charged Russia with “distortions, dishonesty and disinformation” in its attempts to “lay the blame” on everyone else.
“He’s left the chamber,” Mr Cleverly said.
“I’m not surprised, I don’t think Mr Lavrov wants to hear the collective condemnation of this council.”
“But we saw through him then, and we saw through him again today,” Mr Cleverly said.
Mr Cleverly said the UK would support Ukraine all the way and for as long as it takes.
He said Russia had tried to “lay the blame on those imposing sanctions” and that “every day, the devastating consequences of Russia’s invasion become more clear”.
"He has left the chamber, I'm not surprised, I don't think Mr Lavrov wants to hear the collective condemnation of this council" says Foreign Secretary James Cleverly, following Russian foreign minister Sergei Lavrov walking out of the meeting.https://t.co/X3flQUCiPZ
— Sky News (@SkyNews) September 22, 2022
📺 Sky 501 pic.twitter.com/8pymw5lIqw
Before storming out, Mr Lavrov said he was concerned about Russian soldiers taken prisoner by Ukraine and that he has “no confidence” in the work of the International Criminal Court
UN chief Antonio Guterres began the session of the UN Security Council by saying the discussion of nuclear conflict was “totally unacceptable”.
“Russia’s war on Ukraine shows no sign of letting up,” he said.
US secretary of state Antony Blinken told the UN Security Council said Putin chose to escalate tensions rather than ease them.
“He is adding fuel to the fire he started,” Mr Blinken said.
Chinese foreign minister Wang Yi said the UN must get parties to resume dialogue “so talks can produce results and bring about peace”, adding on the sidelines that he “hoped the “flame of war” will go out as soon as possible.
THOUSANDS FLEE AS PUTIN SIGNS ‘SECRET LAW’ FOR CONSCRIPTS
More than 1300 people were arrested in protests and thousands more were fleeing Russia overland amid reports Vladimir Putin planned to conscript “up to one million” to fight in Ukraine.
Queues began backing up at border crossings from Russia to Finland and Georgia while Russian authorities cracked down on demonstrators in at least 38 different cities, according to the OVD-Info monitoring group.
The protests, the largest since the conflict began, broke out amid reports that Vladimir Putin had passed a secret law allowing him to conscript up to one million Russians,
The Kremlin denied claims that one million reservists could be conscripted, more than three times the current official figure of 300,000.
Novaya Gazeta Europe quoted a source in the presidential administration saying that point seven of Putin’s decree allowed the armed forces to draft a million personnel.
In Russia, all men aged between 18 and 27 are required to do a year’s military service.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov called the report “a lie”, according to state-owned news agency RIA.
The Russian military claimed at least 10,000 volunteered to fight in Ukraine in the 24 hours since Putin announced the country’s ‘partial mobilisation’.
“During the first day of partial mobilisation, about 10,000 citizens arrived at recruitment offices of their own accord without waiting for a summons,” Vladimir Tsimlyansky, a military spokesman, told Russia’s Interfax news agency.
UKRAINE PLEADS FOR HELP
Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelenskyy demanded the world punish Russia in a dramatic video address to the UN General Assembly.
Laying out what he called his conditions for peace, Zelenskyy called 15 times for “punishment” of Russia over its invasion.
“Ukraine demands punishment for trying to steal our territory. Punishment for the murders of thousands of people. Punishment for tortures and humiliations of women and men,” he said in English in a prerecorded video.
Zelenskyy received a rare standing ovation in the General Assembly, which has returned in person after two years of pandemic restrictions.
He called for a special tribunal to hold Russia accountable, saying it would be a “signal to all would-be aggressors.” He also demanded a compensation fund, saying Russia “should pay for this war with its own assets.”
BIDEN: ‘THAT SHOULD MAKE YOUR BLOOD RUN COLD’
It comes after US President Joe Biden has denounced Russia for invading Ukraine, just hours after Russian President Vladimir Putin threatened to use nuclear weapons against Kyiv.
“Russia has shamelessly violated the core tenets of the UN charter — no more important than the clear prohibition against countries taking the territory of their neighbours by force,” Mr Biden told the United Nations General Assembly in New York on Wednesday.
“If nations can pursue their imperial ambitions without consequences, then we put at risk everything this very institution stands for.”
In a roughly 30-minute address, Mr Biden said Russia’s war on Ukraine was about “extinguishing Ukraine’s right to exist as a state … and Ukraine’s right to exist as a people”. He also warned that Mr Putin was making “irresponsible nuclear threats”.
“Whoever you are, wherever you live, whatever you believe, that should make your blood run cold,” Mr Biden continued.
“A nuclear war can never be won and must never be fought.”
Mr Biden’s speech came one day after Mr Putin warned he is prepared to use all the weapons Russia has as he accused the west of trying to “destroy” his country.
WONG ATTACKS PUTIN’S NUKE THREAT
Australian Foreign Affairs Minister Penny Wong blasted Mr Putin’s nuclear threat as “unthinkable and irresponsible”
“His claims of defending Russia’s territorial integrity are untrue — no sham referendum will make them true,” she said.
“Russia alone is responsible for this illegal and immoral war and peace must first lie with Russia withdrawing from Ukrainian territory.”
Speaking in New York, where she is attending the United Nations General Assembly, Senator Wong said the Australian government was continuing to consider what further support could be provided to the Ukrainian war effort.
Asked whether more Bushmaster vehicles would be sent, she said: “I’m not in a position to respond today. We have made substantial contributions and we will continue to do what more we can to support those brave men and women who are fighting for their freedom.”
Senator Wong also confirmed the government was working through the security and logistics of reopening Australia’s embassy in Ukraine.
PUTIN’S WARNING ON LIVE TV
Mr Putin issued his chilling warning during a televised address where he announced reserve troops were being called into his faltering war in Ukraine.
“When the territorial integrity of our country is threatened, we will certainly use all the means at our disposal to protect Russia and our people. This is not a bluff,” Mr Putin said on Tuesday.
President Biden: "The United States wants this war to end of just terms, on terms we all signed up for; that you cannot seize a nation's territory by force. The only country standing in the way of that is Russia...We will stand in solidarity with Ukraine." #UNGApic.twitter.com/bGSGalusYu
— CSPAN (@cspan) September 21, 2022
Australia condemns President Putin’s threats to use “all means" at his disposal. Claims of defending Russia's territorial integrity are untrue.
— Senator Penny Wong (@SenatorWong) September 21, 2022
Russia should immediately withdraw from Ukraine and cease its illegal, immoral aggression against Ukraine.
So Putin announces a "partial mobilization" calling up Russians (up to 300k) who have previously served in the military (they don't have a reserve force), give them 2 week of training, & send them to die in Ukraine. This will have little impact. It is a major sign of desperation.
— John Spencer (@SpencerGuard) September 21, 2022
He accused the West of trying to “weaken, divide and ultimately destroy our country”.
Mr Putin announced “partial” mobilisation in Russia, in an escalation of what Moscow calls its military operation in Ukraine.
“I consider it necessary to support the proposal of the Defence Ministry and of the General Staff to conduct partial mobilisation in the Russian Federation,” he said, confirming that a relevant decree has already been signed.
“I stress it is partial mobilisation. Only those who are currently in reserve will be conscripted and also those who have served in the army and have certain military professions,” he said.
Mr Putin also falsely accused Western countries of trying to “block” the independence of the so-called people’s republics in eastern Ukraine.
“In order to force their will in brutal ways to other people. The aim of the West is still weaken and destroy, they are openly saying that,” he said.
“The politics of terror and intimidation against Russia becomes more and more barbaric.”
The major address to the Russian people is his first since Russia invaded Ukraine in February.
Russia had been in a state of bewilderment after his expected address to the nation was “delayed” without explanation.
Western countries are trying to keep their supremacy at all costs and they’re trying to block and suppress any independent centres of development,” Mr Putin said in the prerecorded address, broadcast and translated on Sky News.
“In 1981, they managed to split the Soviet Union and now is the time for Russia itself, that Russia will have to fold into many regions and areas, which are fighting each other to the death.”
As part of Mr Putin’s strategy to overtake at least parts of Ukraine, the Russian-occupied areas of four Ukrainian regions have set out plans for referendums on joining Russia.
Voting will take place between September 23 and 27 in the Luhansk, Donetsk, Kherson and Zaporizhzhia provinces, representing around 15 per cent of Ukrainian territory or an area about the size of Hungary.
Their integration into Russia would represent a major escalation of the conflict in Ukraine as Moscow would be able to say it is defending its own territory from Ukrainian forces.
“The People’s Council ruled … to set the days of the referendum for September 23 to September 27,” separatist official Denis Miroshnichenko said as cited by the Lugansk news portal.
Ukraine dismissed the plans as a stunt by Moscow to try to reclaim the initiative after crushing losses on the battlefield.
“The Russians can do whatever they want. It will not change anything,” Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba said in response to the referendums.
Sham referendums have no legitimacy & do not change the nature of #Russia’s war of aggression against #Ukraine. This is a further escalation in Putin’s war. The international community must condemn this blatant violation of international law & step up support for Ukraine. pic.twitter.com/NdcN3tO6Sy
— Jens Stoltenberg (@jensstoltenberg) September 20, 2022
Meanwhile Russia’s parliament rushed through a bill on Tuesday that introduces stricter punishments for desertion, failure to follow orders, surrendering to the enemy, and refusal to fight in the time of martial law, the clearest sign yet that the Kremlin may be considering declaring a general mobilisation.
The bill now needs to receive the upper house’s approval and then be signed by Mr Putin to become law — steps that are considered to be formalities.
‘I WON’T DIE FOR PUTIN’: RUSSIANS ATTEMPT TO FLEE
Protests broke out in at least 15 different cities for the first time since the invasion of Ukraine while one-way flights out of the country sold out.
Hundreds of Russians were arrested as protests broke out across 15 cities for the first time since Mr Putin launched his invasion of Ukraine.
More than 1000 people in 37 cities across Russia have been detained following protests against mobilisation.
Moscow cracked down on demonstrators captured in footage declaring they “won’t die for Putin” and carrying anti-war slogans after Putin announced the mobilisation of 300,000 reserve conscripts to fight in Ukraine.
The cost of flights out of Moscow to Istanbul or Dubai skyrocketed within minutes of Mr Putin announcing Russia’s first mass-mobilisation since World War II, reaching AUD $13,650 for a one-way economy fare.
Air Serbia’s tickets for the Moscow-Belgrade flights sold out for several days, as did direct flights from Moscow to Yerevan in Armenia, according to data on Russia’s most popular flight-booking site Aviasales.
NOW: Protestor in Novosibirsk shouts in the face of the Russian Authorities "I do not want to die for Putin or for you" later gets arrested and taken away. #PutinIsaWarCriminal#NoWarpic.twitter.com/nrYEqy9Hjw
— Anonymous Operations (@AnonOpsSE) September 21, 2022
Tatyana @Stanovaya whose predictions of the war have sadly for all of us been consistently true says the Kremlin with the Duma vote today and referendum announcement is gearing up for an "all-out war" unless Ukraine and the West back down.
— Nataliya Vasilyeva (@Nat_Vasilyeva) September 20, 2022
While no restrictions have yet been placed on Russians leaving the country, including on national carriers Aeroflot and S7, fears that borders could soon close have led to a massive Google Trends data spike in flight searches on Aviasales.
Russians remaining in the country have begun demonstrating in the streets for the first time since the start of the invasion, when Moscow passed draconian new laws to crack down on protests.
With unsanctioned rallies deemed illegal, at least 109 people have been arrested, according to the independent OVD-Info protest monitoring group
Footage emerging on social media that shows protesters confronting authorities in the capital of Serbia, with the unrest said to be spreading to Moscow and St Petersburg.
“I am not going to die for Putin, or for you!” one protester was filmed shouting as he was detained in Novosibirsk. ‘You know too well everything is f---ed up!’
“Are you animals?” one protester is heard saying, as another says, “They are [protesting] so as not to be sent there (to the war in Ukraine).”
- Reporting with AFP
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