October 5, 2023 will forever be remembered in Ukraine. That day, a Russian attack hit the village of Groza, killing 53 people. Ukrainian intelligence services have since identified two suspects accused of informing Russia and enabling the tragedy.
Faced with escalating tensions with Russia, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky traveled to Brussels to meet NATO members. During this meeting, he expressed his desire to request more munitions to counter Russian strikes expected this winter against the country’s energy infrastructure.
The support of the international community is crucial in this critical situation. Volodymyr Zelensky met the American Secretary of Defense, Lloyd Austin, who assured him of constant and uninterrupted support from the United States. Discussions also focused on strengthening Ukraine’s defense capabilities, particularly in terms of drones and missiles.
Unfortunately, despite these diplomatic efforts, violence continues on the ground. Recently, a Russian missile strike hit a school in the town of Nikopol, killing three people and causing widespread damage. This tragic attack once again reminds us of the need for international action to put an end to this spiral of violence.
At the same time, Ukraine received financial aid of $1.15 billion from the United States via the World Bank. This aid aims to support the social and humanitarian development of the country, but must not make us forget the urgency of strengthening Ukraine’s security and defense.
On the legal front, an international team of prosecutors has mobilized to bring to justice the senior Russian officers responsible for the invasion of Ukraine. Thousands of pieces of evidence of the crime of aggression have already been collected, constituting an unprecedented quantity. This determination to prosecute those responsible for these barbaric acts shows that justice will not remain silent in the face of such crimes.
Finally, the conviction of the head of the Russian human rights NGO Memorial, for having criticized the offensive in Ukraine, caused many human rights defenders to react. They denounce an illegal and unjust verdict, highlighting the repression rampant in Russia.
Faced with this escalation of violence and tension, it is more necessary than ever for the international community to remain mobilized and united to support Ukraine and confront this crisis. The security and defense of civilian populations must be a top priority, and justice must be served so that those responsible for these atrocities are brought to justice.