“Ukraine is paying for the authoritarian ambitions of a sick Russian leader who wants to recreate the Soviet Empire,’ Ukrainian Chargé d’Affaires in Egypt, Ruslan Nechai, told Daily News Egypt commenting on the Russian offensive against his country.
When asked if his country is paying the price of the power struggle between the US and Russia, Nechai said that this narrative was produced in the Kremlin.
“This war is against Ukraine and its people,” Nechai said, “Russia is an aggressor who has already seized territories in independent states; Moldova and Georgia.”
“There are no signs that Russia would cease its attempts to seize other independent countries elsewhere in Europe. It has also politically occupied other neighbouring nations, putting them under the Kremlin’s total influence. Moscow tried to do the same with Kyiv. But Ukraine is a free country, with more than 1,000 years of nation-building preserved in historical documents since Kyiv became the capital in the 9th century,” he said.
He added that the US is Ukraine’s strategic partner and Joe Biden has been a friend and supporter of Ukraine long before becoming in charge of the White House.
“The sick Russian leader does not care about anyone but his authoritarian ambitions to recreate a Soviet Empire and rule it. Only together we can stop Putin. We hope for the support of the Egyptian leadership!”
Last Thursday, Russian President Vladimir Putin launched a military offensive in Ukraine and warned foreign powers of “unprecedented consequences if they interfere.”
Mr . Ruslan Nechai mentioned that for three days, a full-scale war launched by Russia against Ukraine continues at the very heart of Europe.
He pointed out that Russian troops entered Ukraine from Russia, Belarus, and the occupied parts of Ukraine’s Donbas and Crimea. Simultaneously, Russian airstrikes continue on Ukraine from the east, south, and north.
He added that Russia uses all its military potential to attack Ukraine and has begun redeploying reserve units on the border with Ukraine. It launches cruise and ballistic missiles on cities, attacks with aviation, tanks and artillery, sends subversion and reconnaissance groups, which mark civilian dwellings to prepare them for air attacks.
Nechai said that for two nights, Russian missiles kept dropping on civilian areas, as Russian tanks try to force their way into Ukraine’s capital.
He added that the Russian army used ballistic missiles, Grad and Smerch multiple-launch rocket systems, tanks, helicopters, warplanes, battleships, and submarines in their attacks on Ukrainian cities.
“They intentionally target civilian infrastructure to cause panic among the Ukrainian people and force them to surrender. You can always verify this information online. Don’t trust Russian propaganda. Check out the situation with your own eyes, read Ukrainian free media, and ask friends in Ukraine what is really happening,” he said.
“This is the most horrific time for Kyiv since 1941, when it was attacked by Nazi Germany,” he noted sadly.
However, “the Russian invaders’ blitzkrieg has failed,” as they thought they would control Kyiv and all cities in a day or two, Nechai added.
“Ukraine will resist. The Ukrainian army took the fight. Ukraine stands with both feet on the ground and continues to defend itself.”
Nechai added that the Ukrainian president has called for the mobilisation of all citizens who can take arms. Within only three days, the Ukrainian army, with the help of civilian volunteers, women ach man, young and old managed to neutralize “3,500” Russian soldiers, who came to Ukraine to kill them, according to the Ukrainian diplomat.
Nechai said that fights against Russian tanks and sabotage groups are taking place on the streets of Kyiv.
Russian troops took control over Chernobyl Nuclear Plant and plan to use it for blackmailing the entire Europe. The radiation level has extremely increased since Russian invaders took over the Chernobyl.
He said that the territorial defence units in the city of Chernihiv are preparing to fight on the streets against the “aggressing troops.”
“Kharkiv is still subject to shelling, and many people have lost their homes. Kharkiv was a home for hundreds of Egyptian students who are forced to hide now. Till now all cities in Ukraine are under the control of Ukraine’s armed forces,” Nechai explained.
He affirmed that Russia targeted both military and civilian infrastructure, attacked Serpent Island in the Black Sea, seized the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Station, and a part of the southern Kherson region, including the North Crimean Canal.
Nechai explained that due to the active moving of Russian heavy militaries through the Chernobyl exclusion zone, the radiation level has increased rapidly.
“On 25 February, Russian war ships deliberately attacked two civilian vessels under third country flags (Panama and Moldova) in the Black Sea approaching Ukraine, which constitutes a flagrant violation of International Maritime Law,” according to Nechai.
Fierce clashes are going on between Ukrainian and Russian troops in several cities in Ukraine.
“The false image of the almighty army of Russia has vanished in clouds of smoke resulting from destroying 536 armoured vehicles, 102 tanks, 14 planes, 8 helicopters, and 15 howitzers in just 3 days in Ukraine. And more to come,” he promised.
“Those are the biggest losses the Russian army has suffered in its modern history. I am wondering what Russian diplomats will tell the mothers who lost more then 3500 their sons in Ukraine?” said Nechai.
“Kremlin calls its ‘invasion’ in Ukraine an ‘operation’ and is afraid to call it a war. Putin’s regime officially forbade its media to call the assault in Ukraine a war because they are afraid of their people, who sooner or later will topple him for war crimes in Ukraine. The Kremlin has [Ukrainian] blood on its hands, all over” he said.
He stressed that Ukrainians will no longer forgive and will never forget.
“We want the free Egyptian people to know the truth,” he said.
“We will spare no life to protect our motherland. We will destroy as many Russian invaders as we can! We are already destroying their helicopters, planes, tanks, soldiers and solidity on our land,” he stressed.
He mentioned that Russian troops motivation is very weak. They don’t understand what they are doing in another country. Those who have been captured say that they were told they go to drills at the border and later with no information were sent to die in Ukraine.
Russians have attacked kindergartens and orphanages, thus committing war crimes and violating the Rome Statute.
“With the Office of the Attorney General of Ukraine, we are collecting this and other evidence, which we will immediately transfer to The Hague. Responsibility is inevitable,” according to Nechai.
“The Russian military attacked an ambulance in the areas of Zaporizhia and Kyiv, as well as emergency medical care providers and hospitals.”
Furthermore, Nechai revealed that as of 26 February, 198 persons were killed — including three children — and 1,115 were injured, including 33 children, in Ukraine during the days of the Russian “invasion.”
“Russian troops are suffering heavy losses, with 200 soldiers having been taken as POW,” Nechai claimed. We treat them in hospitals respectfully.
Notably, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Friday that he wants to negotiate with Russia over its military offensive. Zelensky made the remarks in a televised address, according to a statement published in the president’s official website.
Nechai said that his president remains open for negotiations to save human lives.
“The world supports Ukraine. The International Coalition for the Defence of Ukraine and Peace continues to grow. Yesterday, it included 58 countries and 6 international organisations. As of now, there are 73 countries and 9 international organisations,” he said.
Furthermore, he mentioned that the Russian population is actively protesting against Putin’s “insane decision.” He further explained that thousands of Russian citizens in more than 50 Russian cities have already been detained for participating in peaceful assemblies.
He also expected that the EU and the US would impose the toughest sanctions on Russia. Europe already closed its airspace for Russian planes. 50% of the civilian air fleet will be lost for Russia because of the sanctions. They will be deprived of the ability to maintain Airbus and hopefully Boeing planes.
As of now the unanimous decision has been made that “SWIFT” will be switched off for Russia. The Russians must not be allowed to travel to the EU. We expect all EU, British, and American visas issued to Russian nationals to be withdrawn. We expect to receive more weapons to resist Russian invaders. The stingers to demolish Russian attack helicopters and planes that destroy our cities are on the way”
In terms of how Nechai expects Moscow to respond to the US and EU’s sanctions, he said: “We cannot predict what is in the sick head of the contemporary Russian Hitler!”
“We call on our partners to follow our example as well as to expel Russian ambassadors immediately. We deem it unacceptable to maintain diplomatic relations with the aggressor state, which openly attacks its neighbour without any reason. International organisations must consider banning Russia’s membership for flagrant violations of international law,” Nechai requested.
He urged the international community to show solidarity with Ukraine by immediately imposing severe coordinated sanctions against Russia; Russia’s isolation in all possible international forums; the introduction of a full-flagged trade embargo on Russia — including in the gas sector; supporting Ukraine with weapons, protective equipment, ammunition, fuel, and whatever else necessary to counter the biggest army in the continent; and providing Ukraine with financial support.
Concerning the impact of the Ukrainian crisis on the security situation in Europe, Nechai said that it has already affected the situation.
“Millions of refugees, ruined lives, and what is the most important: If Europe, the US, UK, and our other allies do not stop Putin now, the next target in a few years might be an EU member.”
He mentioned that the Russian ambassador in Cairo recently threatened, during an interview with Daily News Egypt, that the whole civilized world would be the next target of the Russian army if they don’t learn the lesson around ukraine. “We have been warning that if Ukraine falls, the newly-minted Hitler will proceed further!” Nechai concluded.
Read the DNE interview with the Russian Ambassador in Egypt.
