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Tag: Ukraine conflict

  • Ablakwa gains uncommon access to Ghana’s two detainees captured in the Ukraine conflict, advocates for their release

    Ablakwa gains uncommon access to Ghana’s two detainees captured in the Ukraine conflict, advocates for their release

    Ghana’s Foreign Affairs Minister, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, has gained uncommon access to two Ghanaians captured in the war in Ukraine, calling the visit an important diplomatic achievement in the ongoing process to secure their freedom.

    He revealed that he was allowed to enter a heavily guarded detention centre where the two men are being kept. He expressed gratitude to Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Ukraine’s Foreign Minister, Andrii Sybiha, for approving what he described as an unusual request — believed to be the first time such access has been granted to an African foreign minister.

    “I can confirm that our citizens are alive and well. Their rights under international law have been commendably respected by Ukrainian authorities,” Mr Ablakwa stated.

    He said the decision by the Ukrainian authorities to allow the visit shows the strong and friendly ties between Ghana and Ukraine. According to him, the gesture also increases hope that the ongoing talks for the men’s release will end successfully.

    “This significant gesture gives me more confidence that our negotiations for their release will be successful,” he said.

    The names of the two detainees have not been made public for security reasons. Still, the minister shared that both men are determined to use their experience to help others avoid similar situations.

    “It is refreshing to hear our two compatriots say that they are determined to become advocates against the modus operandi of trafficking networks and willing to devote the rest of their lives educating vulnerable Africans how to avoid such predicaments,” he added.

    Mr Ablakwa’s trip to Kyiv was part of broader diplomatic discussions between Ghana and Ukraine. During the visit, he also met with President Zelenskyy. The talks reportedly focused on cooperation between the two countries and humanitarian issues concerning the detained Ghanaians.

    This latest development represents meaningful progress in Ghana’s efforts to bring its citizens home safely and highlights the government’s resolve to protect Ghanaians affected by conflicts abroad.

  • Ukraine cyber-conflict: Hacking groups promise to end the cyberwar in Ukraine

    Ukraine cyber-conflict: Hacking groups promise to end the cyberwar in Ukraine

    The two biggest hacktivist groups involved in the Ukraine conflict have promised to reduce their cyber-attacks and follow new rules set by a war watchdog organization.

    On Wednesday, the Red Cross made a list of rules for civilian hackers.

    It was called the “Geneva Code of cyber-war”, but at first people said it wouldn’t work.

    However, right now hackers from Ukraine and Russia are saying that they will follow the guidelines.

    Since Ukraine was invaded, there have been many cyber-attacks that have disrupted public services in both Ukraine and Russia, causing different levels of damage.

    Hacktivist groups have been using basic methods of cyber-attack, but they have managed to temporarily disrupt banks, companies, pharmacies, hospitals, railway networks, and government services for citizens of Ukraine and Russia.

    Hacktivists on both sides have been enjoying causing problems for regular people because there aren’t many easy targets in the government or military. They often gather angry messages from people who have been affected by their attacks on social media.

    Hacker groups promise to follow the ICRC rules, so they won’t harm innocent people with cyber-attacks.

    Talking to the BBC, the head of the well-known pro-Russian hacking group Killnet stated that he agrees to the conditions and regulations set by the Red Cross. This is considered as Killnet’s first move towards achieving peace.

    Killmilk, also known as Killnet’s founder, created a Telegram group right after his country was invaded. Currently, he has 90,000 people following his group.

    Killmilk has shared videos of himself peeing on the flags of Ukraine and Nato. The group he belongs to has been known for frequently causing small disturbances and attacking Ukrainian targets.
    The group has been accused of being closely connected to the Kremlin, but they have always said that this is not true.

    In April, the National Cyber Security Centre in the UK warned that groups like Killnet are a new threat to Ukraine and its allies. They also told UK businesses that these groups are increasingly launching attacks.

    If Killnet does what it promised, then the cyber-attacks on civilian targets will stop, including those of Ukraine’s friends.

    The IT Army of Ukraine also mentioned that it will obey the ICRC’s eight guidelines.

    The group, which has 160,000 people on its Telegram channel, also goes after public services like trains and banks.

    The group’s spokesperson said they will try their best to follow the rules, even though it might put them at a disadvantage compared to their opponents. The spokesperson also mentioned that attacking healthcare targets has always been deeply unacceptable.

    This news suggests that there might be a big decrease in the number of cyber attacks since groups will focus on attacking only official or military targets.

    However, other hacktivist groups supporting different patriotic or ethical causes worldwide informed the BBC that they would not comply with the rules in any way.

    The ICRC made eight rules to stop the chaos that has gotten worse during the cyber conflict in Ukraine. They said that many people are joining cyber-gangs that support their country, which is something that has not happened before.

  • Turkey to ‘step up’ its diplomacy in Ukraine conflict

    Turkey to ‘step up’ its diplomacy in Ukraine conflict

    Turkey’s leader, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, says he will increase his efforts to bring an end to the war.

    He explained that Turkey has been working to continue discussions between Russia and Ukraine since the war started. But now, Turkey will increase its efforts even more, focusing on Ukraine’s independence and keeping its borders intact.

    Erdogan and Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky plan to meet in New York during the UN summit.

  • Democrats withdraw their call for Biden to reverse his position on Ukraine

    A group of left-wing Democrats in the United States Congress has withdrawn a letter calling for a negotiated settlement to the Ukraine conflict.

    According to the Progressive Caucus, the message was misinterpreted as aligning with the Republican Party’s growing reluctance to continue sending aid to Kyiv.

    Chairwoman Pramila Jayapal stated that it was written “months ago” and that it was released without being “vetted.”

    The memo sparked intra-party backlash before the US midterm elections next month.

    The letter to the White House was made public on Monday and was signed in June by 30 of President Joe Biden’s fellow Democrats in the House of Representatives.

    Its call for the US to negotiate directly with Russia was seen as undermining the Biden administration, which has repeatedly said Moscow is not interested in diplomacy.

    White House officials said in response that diplomacy is only possible when all sides are prepared to negotiate, and that is not currently the case.

    Massachusetts Democratic congressman Jake Auchincloss denounced the letter as “an olive branch to a war criminal who’s losing his war”, in reference to Russian President Vladimir Putin.

    Another Progressive Caucus member, Ruben Gallego, responded: “Russia doesn’t acknowledge diplomacy, only strength.

    “If we want Ukraine to continue as the free and democratic country that it is, we must support their fight.”

    Ms Jayapal, a Washington state congresswoman, said on Tuesday that she still supported an end to the war “with diplomacy”.

    She said the timing of the letter’s release meant it had “been conflated with [Republican] opposition”.

    Ms Jayapal continued: “It is a distraction at this time.”

    She accused Republicans of planning to withdraw financial and military support for Ukraine if they win a majority in Congress next month.

    Republican congressman Kevin McCarthy warned earlier this month that if his party takes power in November there will be no “blank cheque” for Ukraine.

    Other signatories to the letter included New York congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, a leading figure in the party’s socialist wing, and Maryland congressman Jamie Raskin, who has taken a lead role in the Democrats’ efforts to investigate former President Donald Trump.

    Mr Raskin disavowed the letter on Tuesday in a statement condemning Russia as “a world centre of antifeminist, antigay, anti-trans hatred”. He praised the Ukrainian armed forces for recruiting women and “sexual minorities”.

    Ms Ocasio-Cortez has faced pressure over Ukraine at recent public appearances.

    One heckler at a town hall-style event accused her of voting for nuclear war with Russia and China, shouting: “Why are you playing with the lives of American citizens?”