NU.nl regularly gives you an overview of the situation in Ukraine. This time: the self-proclaimed Donetsk People’s Republic (DNR) will soon organize a referendum on whether the population wants to officially become part of Russia. Ukraine also hopes to have the first grain ship set sail this week.
According to documents handed over to Ukrainian investigative journalists, the separatists expect 70 percent of the remaining population in the eastern Donetsk region to choose to join the Russian Federation. Residents of Donetsk were already able to apply for Russian passports in the state.
The separatist DNR, led by Denis Pushilin, is said to have already started preparations for the referendum. For example, election commissions are set up and attempts are made to register voters. The referendum should take place on September 11.
Many Ukrainians fled Donetsk because of the war. Mostly pro-Russian separatists and ethnic Russians still live in the state.
US weapons destroy Russian weapons depots
Ukraine has destroyed 50 of Russia’s weapons depots with HIMARS missile systems, Defense Minister Oleksii Reznikov said. The Russian Defense Ministry, for its part, reports that the Russian army has successfully attacked an ammunition depot for US precision weapons in Ukraine.
The ammunition depot was located in western Ukraine, in the Khmelnytsky region, according to the Russian ministry. Earlier, Russia stated that it had destroyed multiple Western-supplied HIMARS systems, which is denied by the government in Kyiv.
The advanced missile systems from the United States are very accurate and offer a longer range than other artillery systems.
First grain ship has to leave port this week
Ukraine hopes that the first ships with grain can leave the country this week. A senior government official says the port of Chornomorsk, next to Odesa, is targeting next Wednesday. Exports from all Ukrainian ports should be able to resume within two weeks.
Last Friday, Ukraine and Russia signed a deal with Turkey and the United Nations to resume grain exports through the Black Sea. According to Ukrainian Infrastructure Minister Oleksandr Kubrakov, the port of Chornomorsk will be ready to execute the deal within 24 hours. According to Kubrakov, there would be “no limit” to the amount of grain exported.
The Russian missile attack on Saturday will not affect the grain deal concluded with Ukraine, according to Russia.
Eurovision Song Contest definitely not in Ukraine
The 2023 Eurovision Song Contest will definitely be held in the United Kingdom. British broadcaster BBC and Ukrainian broadcaster UA:PBC are joining forces to work on the shows scheduled for May.
Earlier, organizer European Broadcasting Union (EBU) announced that it is impossible for Ukraine, which won the last edition with Kalush Orchestra, to organize the Song Contest.
Due to the war in the country, the safety of the participants and delegations cannot be guaranteed. The unsafe situation in the country would also hinder the preparations.