Photo : Bartek Sadowski/Bloomberg
Photo : Bartek Sadowski/Bloomberg
War in Ukraine: Days 569
By Rishika Yadav
War on the Ground
On 15 September, Ukraine’s government approved a draft budget for 2024 with a deficit of over USD 40 billion. The budget allocates around USD 45.6 billion for security and defence, constituting over half of all planned expenditures. The budget aims to support economic recovery, with an estimated short-term recovery cost of USD 10-15 billion in 2024.
On 15 September, the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported on recapturing parts of Bakhmut in the ongoing offensive operations. It confirmed partial success in the Klishchiivka area. According to the report, Russia’s forces continue to breach Ukraine’s defences in Bohdanivka, a village in the east of Kyiv facing strong resistance.
On 15 September, UNESCO added Kyiv’s Saint Sophia Cathedral, the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra, and Lviv’s historic center to its list of endangered World Heritage sites. The decision was made during a UNESCO World Heritage Committee meeting in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, cites the threat posed by the war, despite efforts by the Ukraine’s government to safeguard these sites. Saint Sophia Cathedral, Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra, and Lviv’s historic center contain significant cultural and historical value, making their preservation a global concern and a deterrent against potential harm during the conflict.
The Moscow View
Claims by Russia
On 15 September, Ministry of Defence of the Russia’s Federation, reported on Russia’s forces thwarting attacks in Donetsk. According to the report, Russia’s forces, supported by aviation and artillery, thwarted four attacks by Ukraine’s troops near Klescheevka and Mayorsk. In South Donetsk, Russian units defended against Ukrainian attacks, causing over 175 Ukraine’s casualties and destroying equipment. The Black Sea Fleet destroyed Ukraine’s unmanned vehicles.
On 15 September, The Moscow Times reported on Kremlins rejection of claims over investigation into the plane crash that killed Yevgeny Prigozhin, Wagner leader, has been delayed, despite no recent updates on the incident’s cause for over three weeks. Dmitry Peskov, Kremlin spokesman, said: “No, I absolutely do not think that,” when asked if the Prigozhin crash investigation was slow, emphasizing its complexity.
On 15 September, Sergey Shoigu, Russia’s Defence Minister, announced the development of innovative concepts for the Navy, including multipurpose nuclear submarines, unmanned underwater vehicles, and robotic systems. Shoigu inspected state procurement progress at the Zvezda submarine shipyard and the progress helicopter plant in Russia’s Far East zone.
The West View
Responses from the US and Europe
On 15 September, Antony Blinken, US Secretary of State, and Annalena Baerbock, German Foreign Minister, reaffirmed their support for Ukraine in its counteroffensive. Blinken also highlighted the importance of private-sector investment for Ukraine’s long-term economic success. They also discussed the Black Sea Grain Initiative and its impact on global food security due to Russia’s actions.
On 15 September, Politico reported on European Commission’s decision to lift the ban on Ukraine’s grain imports, despite pressure from Poland to impose a unilateral ban. The ban had blocked Ukraine’s grain from entering Poland, Hungary, Slovakia, Romania, and Bulgaria, protecting their farmers from cheap Ukraine’s produce. Valdis Dombrovskis, the EU Trade Commissioner, stated that market distortions were not observed in these countries, and the ban was meant as an exceptional safeguard.
On 15 September, according to the UK’s Defence Intelligence update on Ukraine, a missile strike targeted Russia’s Sevmorzavod shipyard at the Black Sea Fleet (BSF) Sevastopol naval base, on 13 September. The Minsk landing ship and Rostov-na-Donu Kilo 636.3 submarine, undergoing maintenance, were hit. The dry docks used for repairs may be out of operation for months, challenging fleet maintenance.
On 15 September, according to InfoMigrants, Nancy Faeser, Germany’s Interior Minister, advocated for an EU-wide extension of special protection status for Ukraine’s refugees who fled Russia's invasion. This status, which grants rights similar to recognized refugees, may expire in March 2024 if not extended. Faeser emphasized the need for continued support as long as the war persists.
On 14 September, the US imposed sanctions on over 150 entities and individuals across several countries, including Russia, Turkey, the UAE, and Georgia, as part of efforts to curb evasion and deny the Kremlin access to technology and finances fueling its war in Ukraine. The sanctions package, one of the largest by the State and Treasury departments, targets companies in NATO member Turkey that supply Western technology to Russia. It also aims to disrupt Russia’s energy sector and cash flow from Arctic natural gas projects. While sanctions have impacted Russia’s wartime production, some analysts believe it may still access technology in small quantities.
References
“Kyiv, Berlin strike twin town deal as Mayor Klitschko visits,” Deutsche Welle, 14 September 2023
Dinara Khalilova, “Government approves half of 2024 budget to be spent on defense, security,” The Kyiv Independent, 16 September 2023
“Over 20,000 pilgrims arrive in Uman to mark Jewish New Year under boosted security,” The Times Of Israel, 14 September 2023
Iryna Balachuk, “Ukraine's Armed Forces storm and liberate Andriivka, have successes near Klishchiivka in Donetsk Oblast – General Staff report,” Ukrainska Pravda, 15 September 2023
“Russian Defence Ministry report on the progress of the special military operation,” Ministry of Defence of Russian Federation, 15 September 2023
“Kremlin Denies Prigozhin Plane Crash Probe Is Too Slow,” The Moscow Times, 15 September 2023
“Russia developing new nuclear submarines, underwater drones — Shoigu,” TASS, 15 September 2023
“Secretary Antony J. Blinken and German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock at a Joint Press Availability,” U.S. Department of State, 15 September 2023
Bartosz Brzezinski, “EU lifts Ukrainian grain import ban; Poland vows to go it alone,” Politico, 15 September 2023
“Latest Defence Intelligence update on the situation in Ukraine – 15 September 2023,” UK’s Ministry of Defence, 15 September 2023
“German interior minister pushes to extend protection status for Ukrainians,” InfoMigrants, 15 September 2023
Emma Burrows, “New US sanctions target workarounds that let Russia get Western tech for war,” Associated Press, 15 September 2023
Elena Goukassian, “Unesco adds sites in Kyiv and Lviv to list of world heritage in danger,” The Art Newspaper, 16 September 2023
IN BRIEF
By Sreeja JS
LATVIA
Evika Siliņa to become the new prime minister
On 15 September, the parliament voted 53-59 to approve the new government led by Evika Siliņa following the surprise resignation of Krišjānis Kariņš, the former Prime Minister in August 2023. Siliņa, is a former lawyer and welfare minister who became the second woman Prime Minister of Latvia, following Laimdota Straujuma in 2014-2016. The new government would be led by a three-party coalition consisting of Siliņa’s New Unity (JV) party, the Greens, and Farmers Union (ZZS) and the social-democratic Progressives (PRO. Kariņš would take on the role of minster of foreign affairs. His New Unity Party won the elections in October 2022 and formed a coalition with the National Alliance and the United List controlling 54 seats in the Parliament. The coalition was in power for less than a year before collapsing in August 2023 over a planned cabinet reshuffle and attempts to broaden coalition. (Claudia Chiappa, “Evika Siliņa is Latvia’s new prime minister,” Politico.eu, 15 September 2023)
POLAND
Pressure mounts on government as cash for visas scandal escalates
On 16 September, BBC reported that Tomasz Grodzki, Speaker of the Senate (upper house of the Polish Parliament) called upon the government to reveal what it knew about the cash over visas scandal. He said that the scandal is tarnishing the country’s international reputation as a responsible democracy. According to BBC, the government has released a few details, but the media reports suggest that the migrants paid up to USD 5,000 each to accelerate their work visa applications. Seven people have been charged so far. Earlier, Deputy Foreign Minister and the director of legal services were dismissed following a search by the Anti-Corruption Bureau in the foreign ministry. The ministry said that it would terminate all the contracts for outsourcing companies handling visa applications since 2011. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki accused Donald Tusk, leader of the opposition Civic Platform Party for causing problems for his PiS (Law and Justice Party) and denied that there is a huge issue. (Kathryn Armstrong, “Poland: Government under pressure over escalating cash for visas scandal,” BBC News, 16 September 2023)
REGIONAL
Finland joins Baltic states to ban Russia-registered vehicles
On 15 September, Finland joined its three Baltic neighbours to ban vehicles with Russian license plates form entering its territory. This is in accordance with the recent interpretation of the sanctions imposed by the EU (on 08 September) on Moscow over its aggression in Ukraine. Earlier on 13 September, Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania banned Russian-registered vehicles in a similar move. According to AP News, Russian citizens living in Kaliningrad, would be able to continue transiting through Lithuania via train. Also, Russian-registered cars with passengers less than ten would no longer be permitted to enter Finland from Russia, even though some exceptions are likely. Under EU’s decision, Russian-registered motor vehicles are no longer allowed to enter the territories of 27 member states of EU, including the Baltic states which are among the most vocal European critics of Russia and Vladimir Putin, Russia’s President. (“Finland joins Baltic neighbors in banning Russian-registered cars from entering their territory,” AP News, 15 September 2023)
European Commission to lift ban on Ukraine’s grain imports
On 15 September, the European Commission said that that it would not extend the ban on Ukraine’s grain imports despite continuous lobbying from the eastern EU countries. Meanwhile, Poland’s government threatened to impose its own unilateral ban on the imports. This move would violate EU's single market rules and break solidarity with Kyiv. Imports of grains from Ukraine was blocked in five eastern EU countries (Poland, Hungary, Slovakia, Romania, and Bulgaria) following an agreement with Brussels in early 2023. Only transit to other countries was allowed. Vladis Dombrovskis, the EU Trade Commissioner stated that there no market distortions and Ukraine would have to take measures now to ensure that it’s grains are not creating any market distortions. Also, the EU executive would refrain from imposing any restrictions if measures by Ukraine are in place and fully-functioning. The decision follows months of lobbying by Janusz Wojciechowski, EU Agriculture Commissioner and Poland’s government to keep the restrictions in place at least until the end of 2023 and to extend their scope to other products. (Bratosz Brzezinski, “EU lifts Ukrainian grain import ban; Poland vows to go it alone,” Politico.eu, 15 September 2023)
MIGRATION
Italy to rush the relocation of newly arrived migrants in Lampedusa
On 15 September, Deutsche Welle reported that Italy is rushing to relocate thousands of newly arrived migrants in Lampedusa to other parts of the country. Rosario Volastro, Italy’s Red Cross director said that around 700 people left the island on ferries and police vessels to Sicily and mainland Italy. Meanwhile, Matthew Saltmarsh, UNHCR’s director urged the government to hasten the relocation as the resources and the capacity of the island is limited to accommodate the huge numbers of migrants. Saltmarsh also added that calm sea conditions and suitable weather coupled with economic and social and economic turbulence in Tunisia, Libya and the conflict in Sudan could be the contributing factors. Giorgia Meloni, Italy’s Prime Minister called the influx of migrants “unsustainable” and pointed out that the EU should intervene. Immanuel Macron France’s President said that he would work with Italy to muster support from the other EU member states to resolve the issue. He also signaled devising a scheme, all EU members could take part in to help Italy. (“Italy rushes to relocate thousands of new Lampedusa arrivals,” Deutsche Welle, 15 September 2023)