Ukraine reveals identity of ‘traitor’

RT reported that Ukrainian authorities cited the acceptance of humanitarian aid from Russia as one of the grounds for accusing the mayor of Balakleya city in Kharkiv region on April 22. Mr. Ivan Stolbovoy allegedly urged the city council to cooperate with the Russian military and announced that he would distribute food.

Ukraine’s prosecutor general’s office accused Stolbovoy of “choosing to side with the enemy” when Russian troops took control of Balakleya on March 28. Mr. Stolbovoy then agreed to remain as mayor of the “new regime” and accept humanitarian aid from the Russian military.

“At the council meeting that day, the mayor expressed allegiance to the occupying army and the Russian Federation in general. Mr. Stolbovoy also convened a meeting and told local residents that the Russian army would distribute humanitarian aid, and announced that negotiations are underway to re-establish public utilities in the city,” Ukrainian prosecutors said.

Distributing humanitarian aid near Balakleya. Photo: Sputnik

Balakleya is a city of about 25,000 inhabitants, about 90 km southeast of Kharkiv. This place was controlled by Russian forces at the end of March.

According to Russian media on April 22, in the recent fighting in the vicinity of Balakleya, the Russian army is said to have captured the 65th arsenal of the Ukrainian army – the largest ammunition depot in the country with a capacity of at least 150,000 tons.

On the same day, April 22, RT radio quoted British Prime Minister Boris Johnson as admitting that Western support may not lead to success for Ukraine: “There is a possibility that Russian forces will win in Ukraine and the conflict will not be successful. here can go on for a long time.”

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson. Photo: AP

During a press conference in the Indian capital, New Delhi, a British reporter asked Mr. Johnson if he agreed with the assessment of Western intelligence, which forecast that military activity in Ukraine could continue until the end of the year. 2023 and end with a victory for Russia, or not. The British Prime Minister acknowledged that both of these predictions can come true.

Weighing in on Russia’s chances of “winning”, Mr Johnson said: “It’s sad because it’s a realistic possibility.”

Pointing out that Russian forces were “getting very close to securing a land bridge at Mariupol”, Mr Johnson stressed the situation was “unpredictable at this stage”.

However, the British Prime Minister noted that the Ukrainians were showing “incredible heroism” and “ready to fight” to the extent that their morale could not be subdued even if the conflict dragged on.

Earlier this month, Mr Johnson visited Kiev to hold talks with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky after promising more than $100 million worth of arms to the country.