Zelenskyy warns Europe what is to come as Russia turns gas off
Ukraine’s president claims that Russia wants to undermine the normal life of Europeans and intimidate all countries on the continent.
In his latest message, Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy detailed Putin’s plans for this coming fall, with a special warning to all citizens of Europe. Zelenskyy claims that Russia is preparing a “decisive blow” in its energy offensive against Europe, while also trying to further increase energy pressure on the continent.
Nord Stream 1 stopped “indefinitely”
“The delivery of gas through Nord Stream 1 has completely stopped,” Zelenskyy said in his daily video message. “Russia wants to destroy the normal life of all Europeans, in all countries of our continent,” with the aim of weakening and intimidating European countries, he argued. Instead of tanks and missiles, Russia is using energy as a weapon. And it is doing a lot of damage, especially to countries that are dependent on them for energy, like Germany.
Since last Wednesday, gas has not flowed through the Nord Stream, a conduit of more than 1,200 kilometers that transports this hydrocarbon from Siberia directly to the German coast through the bed of the Baltic Sea. The country is prepared, they have gas reserves at 85%, and the authorities assure that, however, they ask citizens and companies to make a greater saving effort. The country has also modified its energy supplier.
From depending 55% on Russian imports in February, since June it is only 26%. Most of the natural gas it receives now comes from Norway, the Netherlands and Belgium. If the gas cuts continue, and if the offensive does not stop, autumn and winter will arrive with the pockets of European citizens depleted.
Russian casualties mounting
According to the UK Ministry of Defense, Russian forces continue to suffer from morale and discipline problems in Ukraine. In addition to combat fatigue and high casualties, one of the main complaints of deployed Russian soldiers remains their salary.
The issue is that the low salary is compensated with bonuses, and during the conflict in Ukraine, there have been no bonuses - not even the combat bonus. “The Russian military has consistently failed to provide basic rights to troops deployed in Ukraine, including adequate uniforms, weapons and food rations, as well as pay. It is almost certain that this has contributed to maintaining the fragile morale of much of the force,” the MOD added.