Back Story Newsletter
Good morning,
The Queen
Queen Elizabeth has begun her final journey as her body is being moved from Balmoral castle where she passed away, to Edinburgh the Scottish capitol.
We are on the verge of a funeral not the likes of which we have never seen, as world leaders will soon gather in London to honour the Queen in a once in a lifetime moment of mourning.
There hasn’t been a state funeral since that of Winston Churchill January 30th 1965. This funeral will be bigger and felt worldwide.
The Queen's coffin will remain at Holyroodhouse overnight.
On Monday afternoon, the coffin will process to St Giles' Cathedral, accompanied by the King and other members of the Royal Family. The coffin will remain under continuous vigil for 24 hours, with the public able to pay their respects.
A service will be held at the cathedral in the evening.
The following day, Princess Anne will accompany her mother's coffin as it travels from Edinburgh Airport back to Buckingham Palace via RAF Northolt.
The Queen’s state funeral will take place at Westminster Abbey at 11am on Monday 19 September.
Flights into London are said to be difficult to get, hotel rooms impossible.
The out pouring of grief is exceptional, for a woman who gave her life to public service and at 96 yrs old was celebrated the world over as the peoples Queen.
One story leads to another of her generous public appearances and humility. And of course there are those who wonder if King Charles III can ever be anything like his mother, at a time when many are questioning the future of the monarchy in Britain and in Commonwealth countries like Canada and Australia.
The Queen had to meet with all kinds of people - including Russian leader Vladimir Putin who kept her waiting 14 minutes in 2003.
David Blunkett, who was Home Secretary at the time, and with the Queen says that his dog reacted defensively towards Putin.
He said: “My dog barked very loudly”“I don’t think I am giving anything away when I said, ‘Sorry your Majesty about the dog barking.
“She said, 'Dogs have interesting instincts, don’t they?’”
Russia-Ukraine
Russia’s Putin will likely say little about whats happening in Ukraine, because none of it is good for his war efforts.
Ukraine has launched a lightning counter strike in the north east retaking over 3,000 sq km (1,158 sq miles).
The remarkable advance, if confirmed, means Kyiv's forces have tripled their stated gains in little over 48 hours.
On Thursday evening, President Zelensky put the figure at 1,000 sq km, and then 2,000 sq km on Saturday evening.
Russian commanders seem to have been caught by surprise believing Ukraine would attack in the south, instead of the north.
Key towns and cities including Izyum which are major transportation hubs have been retaken by Ukrainian forces using artillery and fast moving tank units to over run Russian positions.
Is it a partial collapse of the Russian army? Analysis needs to be cautious here as Russia still controls 1/5th of Ukraine, but clearly this is a huge set back for Russia.
For Ukraine it bolsters those who say Ukraine needs more weapons because it CAN ultimately defeat Putin’s reckless and brutal invasion. In fact predictions are Ukraine will even retake Mariupol and even push into Crimea which was seized and annexed by Russia in 2014.
The timing of this matters, because Putin sought to declare the Donbas, certainly the Donetsk region conquered by Sept 15, leading to votes of annexation to Russia.
All of that is now in serious doubt. as it appears Ukraine can fight and possibly win this war against a superior invading force.
Russia has lost its momentum and in turn Ukraine is now the dominant force on the battle field, or at least certainly in the Kharkiv region as Putin’s Generals now hope to defend Kherson and were caught off guard by the counter offensive in the Kharkiv.
Make no mistake say experts, Ukraine was well prepared for this attack with supply lines and troops in place with Russia completely caught off guard thinking. an attack would occur elsewhere.
Winter is coming and Russia forces will be frozen in positions without hopes of advancements. Ukraine will continue to batter their positions with artillery such as the American supplied HIMARS.
How does Russia counter attack and where does it find more forces to do so while refreshing its troops already in place, some already abandoning the fight?
This was a critical few days for Ukraine to show it could attack and win. Mission phase accomplished and more to come.
Dana Lewis