Russian Troops Looting Ukrainians For Food
Several reports of Russian soldiers looting civilian establishments have been appearing on social media. People arriving from Russian-controlled areas described how hungry and undisciplined the Russian troops were. They raided shops, supermarkets, and people’s homes for food and valuables.
“They just brazenly come in, without any shame, and take whatever they want,” said 64-year-old Valentyna Khodus to WSJ, who shared how Russian soldiers went door to door to pillage homes in their small village of Myrne.
Faced with logistical problems, 🇷🇺Army has legalized looting, Defence Intelligence of 🇺🇦reports: https://t.co/q4KOcD5lpa
Videos showing 🇷🇺soldiers looting stores & offices in occupied territories spread on social media. First episode shows tank "liberating" a chicken store pic.twitter.com/tFhmhpn4Rj
— Euromaidan Press (@EuromaidanPress) March 13, 2022
Another report by The Guardian revealed that Russian soldiers took over a farm in Kherson, which was now under Russian control. Dairy farmer Andrii Pastushenko reported that Russian soldiers came to his farm to set up a base and stated that it was “nationalizing” the farm and proceeded to take two cars and food from them without paying.
The aforementioned request raises questions about the preparations made by Moscow for the invasion and possible logistic and supply issues that some claim to be the issue behind Russia’s laggard advance into Ukraine. This, combined with bad weather, ill-planned advances, and allegedly lying to their troops about the true nature of their advance, made the invasion all the more difficult for the Russians. This led to Russian generals being sent to the frontlines to improve morale and jumpstart the invasion once more, leaving 4 Russian generals dead in three weeks of fighting.
According to Pentagon Press Secretary John Kirby, a hundred percent of Russian troops mustered for the invasion were already inside Ukrainian territory. However, said forces were facing supply shortages and stiff resistance from the Ukrainian Armed forces.
“We do believe… that they are having morale problems. They are having supply problems. They are having fuel problems. They’re having food problems. They are meeting a very stiff and determined Ukrainian resistance,” Kirby said.
One official said that the request came after the invasion started last February 24. That same official also claimed that the Chinese government had responded but did not give further details regarding the nature of the response. Both Russia and China had denied that the requests were ever made.
Several sources have said that the Russian invasion of Ukraine has not gone according to plan despite Putin’s claim that they were on schedule and that the so-called ‘special military operation’ was shaping up to be a success.
“And we still maintain that they are several days behind what they probably thought they were going to be in terms of their progress,” Kirby added.
What will happen to China if it helps Russia?
The possibility of China aiding Russia in its invasion of Ukraine will prove to be a significant turning point of the crisis. Depending on China’s response, this could lead to Russia’s troops being bolstered with renewed morale as they wouldn’t be starving anymore.
However, China granting support to Russia will put itself at risk of receiving the same harsh sanctions the Kremlin got from the West.
“To do so (provide support) means China would open itself to substantial sanctions and make itself a pariah; to refuse would keep open the possibility of at least selective cooperation with US and West,” wrote Council on Foreign Relations President Richard Haass on Twitter.
The potential of economic downfall associated with backing the Kremlin is likely in the mind of Chinese President Xi Jinping, who is expected to secure his third term during the Chinese Communist Party’s (CPP) 20th National Congress.
The Chinese government will also be cautious about triggering such harsh sanctions from the West in a period of historically slow economic growth for the past three decades.
News of said request from Moscow came before White House National Security Adviser James Sullivan, and Chinese diplomat Yang Jiechi met in Rome. It could be remembered that Sullivan had directly told Yang that there would be consequences if it were to help Russia during their meeting.
When Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Zhao Lijian was asked about the request, he stated that the US was being malicious in spreading the disinformation.
“China’s position on the Ukraine issue is consistent and clear, and we have been playing a constructive role in promoting peace talks. It is imperative for all parties to exercise restraint and cool down the tension, rather than adding fuel to the fire; it’s important to push for a diplomatic solution, rather than further escalating the situation,” said Zhao.
A group of China experts called for the White House to maintain diplomatic ties with Beijing and tell China that supporting Russia would ultimately hamper its long-term goals.
“By using diplomatic outreach to Beijing… the US will be able to lay the groundwork for more effective pressure against China if Xi more openly supports [Russian President Vladimir] Putin’s brutal aggression,” wrote the group that was assembled by UC San Diego’s 21st Century China Center and Asia Society’s Center on US-China Relations.
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