On my IPhone when I use a Belarus 🇧🇾 flag on Telegram. It automatically turns it into the white and red flag of protest against Lukashenko. Interesting…

I went to the Zaporozhye Nuclear Power a few days ago. The general feeling is that destroying one of the reactors is difficult due to the robust containment structures. The fear is of damage to fuel storage, causing radiation leaks.

The Russian appointed Governor of Zaporozhye, Evgeniy Balitskiy tells me he believes the plant is secure. But that he thinks NATO would have no moral qualms in attacking it.

The Mayor of the neighbouring town of Enerhodar also believes the plant is secure. But he thinks Ukraine may attack it in order to “destabilise the situation” and make “external interference necessary.”

“We don’t want to quarrel with anyone here. We want it to be peace and quiet.”

Pretty standard and sobering view of a woman living in the ‘shadow’ of the plant. Her apartment block was shelled last year. Russian? Ukrainian? People here just want peace.

“Why do you have grenades in your office?”

As the Ukrainian counter offensive is failing 70 kms to the north. A look inside the underground “bunker,” of the Russian Governor of the Zaporozhye region, Evgeniy Balitskiy.

“We will go further. Our border is Lvov.”

He tells me a Russian offensive is being planned. And he he gives his views on why the Ukrainian counter offensive is failing.

He also tells me how he plans to win over pro Ukrainians in the region. And that he has sympathy for Ukrainian soldiers being slaughtered to the north.