Category: Conflict

YouTube: my channel arrest for “intentions”?!

Politics, World, Conflict, Human rights, International, Blog, freedom of speech

Brussels 23.09.2026 Today I received an answer from YouTube support which remained vague. The relation between my announcement of death of the boss of the “criminal organisation”*, and the accusations of the Community Rules violations are not established. All the other announcements of the same event stayd on display on YouTube. The event was reported globaly considered of pulibc importance.
YouTube answer: “We understand your concerns regarding the recent policy action taken on your video, especially given your long-standing career in international journalism and the presence of similar reporting across major news outlets.

Content intended to praise, promote, or aid violent extremist or criminal organizations is not allowed on YouTube. These organizations are not allowed to use YouTube for any purpose, including recruitment. In some cases, we may make exceptions for content with educational, documentary, scientific or artistic context, including content that is in the public’s interest.

We may terminate your channel or account for repeated violations of the Community Guidelines or Terms of Service. We may also terminate your channel or account after a single case of severe abuse, or when the channel is dedicated to a policy violation. We may prevent repeat offenders from taking policy trainings in the future. Learn more about channel or account terminations.

I understand your frustration, but please know that we have thoroughly investigated your request and, I’m afraid there is nothing more I can add at this stage. ”

My answer today:
“Thank you for your answer.
However it doesn’t contain specific information about the grounds of the measure taken against me.
You write: ““Content intended to praise, promote, or aid violent extremist or criminal organizations is not allowed on YouTube”, pointing to three unacceptable intentions:

Intention to praise criminal organizations
Intention to promote criminal organizations
Intention to aid criminal organizations

Which of them did you apply to my video?
Taking into consideration the gravity of the stigma YouTube cast on me as a journalist, these accusations can not be taken lightly.

YouTube CEO Neal Mohan has already made a number of public promises to improve the system, and I count on his promises.
So far I haven’t received any explanation how the rule you have quoted correlates with the information I had released on the death of the boss of the criminal organisation on August 23, 2023 three years ago.

It was reported on a global scale, and all the other announcements of the same event are left on YouTube display unhindered. I have already sent you a list of the TV channels presented on your platform with exactly the same information.”

Please find the information in my preiouvs posts.
Those who would like to stand for freedom of speech, can sing a petition below:
https://www.change.org/p/stop-neal-mohan-from-being-ceo-of-youtube?source_location=topics_page

Общая ситуация со свободой слова в Европе – описание здесь:

Putin: was it an assassination attempt?

Blog, Conflict, Europe, Politics, Russia

Brussels 26.05.2025 A Russian military commander of its air defense division claimed that President Vladimir Putin’s helicopter was “at the epicentre” of a Ukrainian drone attack on May 20, while travelling in Kursk oblast.

https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js

“We were simultaneously engaged in an air defense battle and ensuring airspace security for the president’s helicopter flight. The helicopter was effectively at the epicenter of the response to the massive drone attack” Yury Dashkin said.

The claim, made five days after the alleged incident in Kursk Oblast, has not been independently verified. Dashkin provided no evidence to support the claim, and Russian authorities have not released further details.

https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js

Putin’s visit to Kursk marked his first public trip to the region since Russian forces reclaimed most of the territory from Ukrainian control which was established there in August last year.

The incident raises question of the respect of the international law by Ukraine while attacking military target – the helicopter – in Kursk oblast, which is undisputable Russian territory. In international law, self-defense is the right of a state to use force in response to an armed attack. This right is recognized under Article 51 of the UN Charter and customary international law, which permits the use of force in self-defense when an armed attack occurs, according to the ICRC online casebook.
However the response must be necessary and proportional to the attack.

EU further restricts freedom of speech

Blog, Conflict, EU

Brussels 24.02.2025 The EU Commission cheered the Council’s adoption of the 16th Russia sanctions package aligned with the III year anniversary of the Russia-Ukraine war, including ban of a number of Russian mass media outlets.

https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js

“As Russia’s illegal aggression enters its fourth year, this package is designed to further ramp up pressure on the aggressor and is part of the EU’s unwavering commitment to a just and lasting peace for Ukraine” reads the official text.
“In the 16th package, the EU has extended the prohibition to broadcast content to 8 Russian media outlets (EADaily, Fondsk, Lenta, NewsFront, RuBaltic, SouthFront, Strategic Culture Foundation and Krasnaya Zvezda) because these are under the permanent control of the Russian leadership and systematically participate in spreading misinformation and propaganda, which constitutes a threat to the Union’s public order and security” the reads the text of EU Commission Q&A page.
The explanation resonates with the words of the U.S. Vice-President J.D.Vance at Munich Security Conference: “…Now, to many of us on the other side of the Atlantic, it looks more and more like old, entrenched interests hiding behind ugly, Soviet-era words like “misinformation” and “disinformation,” who simply don’t like the idea that somebody with an alternative viewpoint might express a different opinion, or, God forbid, vote a different way, or, even worse, win an election”.
However the acknowledgment of mistakes, and admitting the failures are the most complicated mechanisms of human psychology, often causing well-known effect of “continuation of investment in failure”, which is both costly, and irrational waste of precious resources, including time.
The initial decision to cut off Russia Today TV channel in breach of the Lisbon Treaty Article 11 (
https://fra.europa.eu/en/eu-charter/article/11-freedom-expression-and-information)
was a precedent to open the gates into Soviet-like era of repression of freedom of speech, which later became normalized, and shifted from periphery to the centre, becoming the major instrument of dealing with the opponents – shut down. Unfortunately the pattern causes the irreparable damages to the EU project, indicating to lack of arguments, and deficiency of moral high ground.

Russia breaks CITES Convention and indulges in wildlife trade

Blog, Conflict, Russia

Strasbourg 23.10.2024 The atrocious death of Taigan safari-zoo keeper Leocadia Perevalova, 41, mauled by lions on October 16 caused serious concerns about the “pocket of lawlessness” in Russia-controlled Crimea, where along with the breach of security, sanitary norms, the illegal trade in big cats flourishes, breaching Russia’s government obligation imposed by the CITES Convention. Apparently after the second death of an employee of the safari-park in suspicious circumstances, the catastrophic lack of security measures came to public attention, leading further to a shocking discovery of the intentional character of the irregularities, covering the shady wildlife trade.

The founder, and the owner of the parc Oleg Zoubkov, who at times claimed that he is just an ordinary guide in the parc, attempting to avoid the responsibility for the systemic neglect of public safety, has already announced that the death of Perevalova was a result of omitting the rules, and “forgetting” to close the lock of the lion’s cage. However the animal rights activists have pointed to many contortions in Zoubkov statement, which contradict the official information from the ongoing investigation, namely five hours pause between discovering of a dead body of the keeper to calling police.

The activists, and civil journalists confirmed that they have been attempting to draw the attention of the authorities to the catastrophic situation in the parc for many years. The breach of basic safety rules is obvious, so is the total neglect of sanitary obligations: in the park hosting around 1500 wild animals there is no one single veterinary specialist!
The only vet, visiting park upon request, comes from the city of Simferopol – 50 km away, and offers services free off charge, being a founder of animal charity “Fauna Blago” to help animals in need.
Furthermore there is nobody monitoring the health of animals, and even their numbers are kept unknown to facilities the illegal trade. The activists were raising the issue of uncontrolled animal reproduction, and vanishing of lion’s and tiger’s cubs used for adverting of the park.

Recently the fate of a lion’s cub Sherkhan attracted attention of the activists: “…Let us recall that the cub Sherkhan was transferred to Crimea by a businessman from Donetsk in mid-November. The lion cub was given to him as a birthday present. A whole room was set up for the little predator. He was kept in excellent conditions, grew up affectionate and friendly. But at one fine moment the man realized that the king of beasts is not a house toy, and brought his pet to “Taigan” writes Russian tabloid KP.ru (VIDEO of Zoubrov advertising Sherkhan lion cub below)

In spite of being from unknown origin, Sherkhan was sold to notorious Harbin Zoo, China, in breach of the CITES convention. The activists point at the bragging of Zoubkov, being proud of responding to high demand for “Russian lions” internationally for private zoos, and circuses, advertising, photo-shooting etc. Animal welfare groups demand the independent investigation of the situation, claiming that the local authorities in Crimea are totally corrupt, and enjoy their “fair share” in illegal big cats trade. The workers of the park, tell stories of cruelty, and also inbreeding of lions, and tigers, describing the safari park as a cover for illegal farming and trade in big cats. So far the demands of the activists have fallen on deaf ears. Local authorities, and law enforcement simulate activities, in reality allowing the big cats farming to prosper, transforming Crimea into a platform for illegal wildlife trade.
(VIDEO of Harbin zoo lions in winter below)

The Russian Federation joined CITES in January 1992 through the continuation of its membership as part of the former USSR and was elected to serve as a regional member on the CITES Standing Committee at CITES CoP17.

Ukraine: accession and hurdles

Blog, Conflict, EU, Human rights, Politics

Brussels 25.06.2024 The EU today held the first Intergovernmental Conference at ministerial level to open accession negotiations with Ukraine.

This follows the decision by the European Council on 14-15 December 2023 to open accession negotiations with Ukraine, and the approval by the Council of the Negotiating Framework for the negotiations with Ukraine on 21 June, in accordance with the revised enlargement methodology.

The EU delegation was led by Hadja Lahbib, Minister of Foreign and European Affairs of Belgium, accompanied by Commissioner for Neighbourhood and Enlargement Olivér Várhelyi. The delegation of Ukraine was led by Deputy Prime Minister Olha Stefanishyna.

The EU reiterated its resolute condemnation of Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine and stated its readiness to continue to support Ukraine and its people against Russia’s ongoing war for as long as it takes and as intensely as needed.

The EU underlined that Ukraine is already a close partner of the EU.  Its Association Agreement with the EU, which also includes the far-reaching Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area, entered into force in 2017 and has been provisionally applied since 2014. It is the basis for extensive cooperation between the EU and Ukraine in a broad range of areas. The EU and Ukraine are closely aligned on foreign and security policy, and the EU encourages Ukraine to continue its positive trend towards full alignment with the EU Common Foreign and Security Policy.

The EU has now invited the Commission to continue to assess the state of preparedness of Ukraine for opening negotiations in specific areas and identify the issues that will most likely come up in the negotiations, starting with the fundamentals’ cluster which, in accordance with the Negotiating Framework, will be opened first.

As a future member state, Ukraine will be expected to continue to adhere to the values listed in Article 2 of the Treaty on European Union, namely the respect for human dignity, freedom, democracy, equality, the rule of law and respect for human rights, including the rights of persons belonging to minorities.

At present there are a number of questions regarding the human rights, namely the
The Treaty on European Union sets out the conditions (Article 49) and principles (Article 6(1)) to which any country wishing to become a member of the European Union (EU) must conform.

Certain criteria must be met for accession. These criteria known as the Copenhagen criteria were established by the Copenhagen European Council in 1993 and strengthened by the Madrid European Council in 1995.

They are:

    • stability of institutions guaranteeing democracy, the rule of law, human rights and respect for and protection of minorities;
    • a functioning market economy and the ability to cope with competitive pressure and market forces within the EU;
    • the ability to take on the obligations of membership, including the capacity to effectively implement the rules, standards and policies that make up the body of EU law (the ‘ acquis ’), and adherence to the aims of political, economic and monetary union.

Ukraine faces unprecedented challenges affecting gender equality and the enjoyment of equal rights and opportunites by women, particularly those facing multiple forms of discrimination. Structural discrimination of women persists in both the public and private spheres to varying extents in the country. The roots can be found in patriarchal attitudes and stereotypes, as well as deeply entrenched systemic gaps.

Clearly at present the human rights in Ukraine are not respected as declared by the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights which guarantees the EU citizens’ rights. The Charter lays down the fundamental rights that are binding upon EU institutions and bodies. It also applies to national governments when they are implementing EU law.

Ukraine faces unprecedented challenges affecting gender equality and the enjoyment of equal rights and opportunites by women, particularly those facing multiple forms of discrimination. Structural discrimination of women persists in both the public and private spheres to varying extents in the country. The roots can be found in patriarchal attitudes and stereotypes, as well as deeply entrenched systemic gaps.

Russia IL-76 crash under scrutiny

Blog, Conflict, Europe, Politics, Russia

Brussels 26.01.2024 In case the use of an U.S. or a German surface-to-air missile systems for the deadly attack on Russia’s Il-76 plane (pictured) is confirmed, Western countries will become complicit in the crime committed by the Kiev government, Russian First Deputy Permanent Representative to the UN Dmitry Polyansky said.

“According to preliminary investigation, Ukrainian armed forces carried out this terrorist attack using an anti-aircraft missile system. The missiles were launched from the village of Liptsy in Kharkov region,” the Russian diplomat said. “These could have been either American Patriot or German-made Iris-T missiles. If confirmed, this will make the Western suppliers of this ammo complicit in this crime. Just as they are complicit in shelling of peaceful neighborhoods of Russian cities that Ukrainian armed forces carry out with Western weapons.”

On January 24, Ukrainian forces shot down a Russian Il-76 military transport aircraft that was carrying Ukrainian prisoners of war (POW) for exchange. All 74 people onboard, including 65 Ukrainians perished in the incident. The Russian Defense Ministry called the catastrophe a terrorist act and said Kiev authorities knew about the transportation POWs for an exchange that was planned at the Kolotilovka checkpoint.
In his video address late on Wednesday, President Zelensky said it was “obvious that the Russians are playing with the lives of Ukrainian prisoners, with the feelings of their relatives and with the emotions of our society”.

The Ukrainian leader, who has cancelled a planned regional trip linked to his birthday on Thursday, stressed that “all clear facts must be established”.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov condemned the downing of the plane as a “monstrous act”, according to Russian news agencies. He told reporters that if Mr Zelensky meant an international inquiry into “the criminal actions of the Kyiv regime”, it was definitely needed.

EU establishes Russia Crime Centre

Blog, Conflict, EU, Human rights, International, Politics, Russia

Today, the International Centre for the Prosecution of the Crime of Aggression against Ukraine (ICPA) started its operations in the Hague, hosted by the European Union Agency for Criminal Justice Cooperation (Eurojust). The newly established Centre will be key to investigate Russia’s crime of aggression against Ukraine and facilitate case building for future trials. It will provide a structure to support and enhance ongoing and future investigations into the crime of aggression and contribute to the exchange and analysis of evidence gathered since the start of the Russian aggression.

The Centre will begin operating as of today. Eurojust will work closely with the Commission and the members of the Joint Investigation Team to ensure that the Centre can provide the best possible support to national authorities.

The International Criminal Court (ICC) is competent to prosecute the gravest international crimes (genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes and the crime of aggression). However, at the moment, the ICC cannot prosecute Russia for the crime of aggression, since Russia is not a State party to the ICC. To close this gap, in November 2022 the Commission presented options to the Member States to guarantee that there is full accountability for all crimes committed in Ukraine. These options explored the possibility of establishing an accountability mechanism to allow the prosecution of the crime of aggression.

While discussions continue, in particular within the Core Group on the establishment of the Special Tribunal, it is crucial to ensure that the relevant evidence is properly secured, and that investigations can begin within the existing legal frameworks.

The evidence collected by the Centre could be used before other jurisdictions, including national and international courts, including a possible tribunal for the crime of aggression or the International Criminal Court (ICC) for crimes within its jurisdiction.

Prosecutors from the members of the Joint Investigation Centre will be relocated to Eurojust, where they can work together on a daily basis. The prosecutors will be supported by legal and analytical experts from Eurojust. Evidence identified can be stored securely in Eurojust’s Core International Crimes Evidence Database, established following the changes to the Eurojust Regulation based on the Commission’s proposal to amend Eurojust’s regulation.

Borrell: EU €3.5bn military support to Ukraine

Blog, Conflict, EU, Russia

Luxembourg 26.06.2023 “Today, the Foreign Affairs Council is approving a new top-up of our military support to Ukraine: €3.5 billion [for the European Peace Facility]” said the EU top diplomat Josep Borrell at doorstep of the EU Foreign ministers Council.

“I think that it is more important than ever to continue supporting Ukraine, because what has happened during this weekend shows that the war against Ukraine is cracking Russian power and affecting its political system”.

“We are certainly following closely what is happening, but now is the moment to continue supporting Ukraine more than ever, and that is what we will do”.

“Today, the Foreign Affairs Council is approving a new top-up of our military support to Ukraine: €3.5 billion [for the European Peace Facility]” the diplomat concluded.

Sudan: Russian diplomat calls for cooperation

Blog, Conflict

Brussels 28.04.2023 Russia calls for national consensus in Sudan — deputy foreign minister.
The situation in Sudan escalated amid disagreements between the army chief, Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, who also leads the ruling Sovereignty Council, and the top commander of the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo widely known as Hemedti, who used to be al-Burhan’s deputy on the Council. (Image: Nile, sunset)

Russia is calling on the belligerent sides of the conflict in Sudan to reach a national consensus and cooperate, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov said on RT television on Thursday, April 27.

Bogdanov, who is also the presidential Special Envoy for the Middle East and Africa, added that Russia and Sudan always had friendly relations.

“Our minister [Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov] was on a visit to Khartoum. There were very good communication, meetings and negotiations with both the Foreign Minister and the military authorities. We have always been in favor of national consensus and cooperation between the forces in Sudan – the military and civilian ones,” Bogdanov clarified.

The conflict in Sudan occurred as a result of disagreements between the army chief, Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, who also heads the ruling Sovereignty Council, and the head of the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces, Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, named Hemedti, who is al-Burhan’s deputy on the council.

On April 15, armed clashes between the rival military factions erupted near a military base in Merowe and in the capital, Khartoum. According to the country’s Health Ministry, more than 600 people have been killed since the conflict broke out. The World Health Organization reported that the conflict had claimed more than 450 lives with more than 4,000 people suffering injuries.

Thousands of foreign nationals have been evacuated from Sudan in recent days. Spain, Italy, the Netherlands, and France closed their Embassies in Khartoum. Many other countries are reducing their diplomatic presence or relocating diplomatic missions to nearby states.

Ukraine: Zaporozhye activates emergency diesel

Blog, Conflict, Europe

Brussels 09.03.2023 Ukraine has cut off power to the Zaporozhye Nuclear Power Plant in the city of Energodar, Chairman of the “We Stand With Russia” movement Vladimir Rogov told TASS on Thursday, March 8.

“…[Ukraine] cut off the supply through the last remaining power line to the Zaporozhye NPP at 4:53 a.m. The nuclear power plant is currently disconnected from external power sources,” Rogov explained.

“It has nothing to do with shelling attacks, nothing happened in the area that could have led to the power cutoff. It is just an act of pure spite on the part of Kiev,” he continued noted. He added that the nuclear power plant had been switched to diesel generators.

The Zaporozhye nuclear plant, located in the city of Energodar, is the largest in Europe and has a capacity of about 6,000 MW. Russian troops took control of the facility in late February 2022. Since then, the Ukrainian military has been shelling both Energodar’s residential areas and the premises of the Zaporozhye nuclear station, using drones, heavy artillery and multiple rocket launchers.

An IAEA mission led by Grossi visited the facility in early September 2022 and two of its members remained at the site as observers. The IAEA later published a report calling for the creation of a safety zone around the plant to prevent any calamities from the ongoing military activities.

“It has nothing to do with shelling attacks, nothing happened in the area that could have led to the power cutoff. It is just an act of pure spite on the part of Kiev,” Vladimir Rogov noted