NIAS Europe Studies

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30 September 2023, Saturday | NIAS Europe Daily Brief #634

War in Ukraine: Day 583

War on the Ground
On 29 September, according to Ukrinform, the Ukraine’s Air Force issued a warning. It was regarding the launch of groups of Shahed one-way attack drones. The attacks were from Crimea’s Chauda training ground, which is currently under Russia’s occupation. The message advised citizens to remain vigilant and seek shelter immediately when an air raid alert was sounded. This warning comes after Russia’s drones targeted areas in the Dnipropetrovsk region.

On 29 September, Russia’s forces conducted an airstrike on Kherson. It was confirmed by Roman Mrochko, the head of the Kherson city military administration. The attack targeted the Dniprovskyi district, and details regarding casualties and damage are currently being assessed. On 28 September, Russia’s troops shelled the Kherson region extensively, resulting in three fatalities and five injuries.

The Moscow View
Claims by Russia
On 29 September, TASS reported on Vladimir Putin, Russia’s President, meeting at the Kremlin. The meeting was held with Colonel General Yunus-Bek Yevkurov, Russia’s Deputy Defence Minister, and Andrey Troshev, a retired Colonel who was a senior fighter in the Wagner Group. He discussed the establishment of volunteer units for various combat tasks, particularly in the special military operation zone. Putin mentioned Troshev’s experience in such units and assigned him to organize this military effort effectively.

On 29 September, Zawya reported on Ukraine’s drone attack on a substation in Belaya, Russia’s village near the border. Roman Starovoyt, Kursk’s regional governor, said: “It disrupted power to a hospital.” Previously, Russia reported destroying two Ukraine’s drones over the Belgorod region.

The West View
Responses from the US and Europe
On 29 September, Jens Stoltenberg, NATO Secretary General, expressed confidence in Poland and Slovakia. He emphasized that both countries would maintain their support for Ukraine after their upcoming elections. Despite recent tensions, particularly over arms deliveries and grain imports, he believes both countries will continue their military assistance to Ukraine. Slovakia, in particular, has been a steadfast ally, but potential changes in government leadership may affect this support.

On 29 September, Norway’s Government Security and Service Organisation announced that it will ban Russia’s registered passenger cars from entering the country. The ban will exclude diplomatic vehicles and cars owned by Norway’s citizens. It will also exclude Russia’s resident family members, as well as those needed for humanitarian reasons. The measures will commence on 02 October, impacting Russia’s passenger cars with nine or fewer seats. Anniken Huitfeldt, Norway’s Foreign Minister, said that Norway shares a border with Russia in the Arctic region and stands with its allies in reacting to Russia’s aggression. The ban is mirroring the EU’s sanctions against Moscow due to the war in Ukraine.

On 29 September, the UK imposed new sanctions on Russia’s officials involved in recent sham elections in Ukraine’s regions and Crimea. It was announced by James Cleverly, UK’s Foreign Minister. This move comes one year after Russia’s illegal attempt to annex Kherson, Zaporizhzhia, Donetsk, and Luhansk through falsified referendums. Cleverly said that the UK will not recognize Russia’s claims to Ukraine’s territory. He emphasised that these regions are part of Ukraine. The sanctions target the Central Election Commission of Russia and senior officials responsible for organizing the sham elections.

On 29 September, Germany’s football officials defended UEFA’s decision to allow Russia’s under-17 team to participate in international competitions. This comes despite boycott threats from several countries. The decision has been made to let children participate without national symbols, as they are seen as innocent victims of the war. However, senior teams remain banned as long as the invasion continues. England, Poland, and several other countries have declared they would not play against Russia’s players, while Ukraine’s football association has criticized UEFA’s decision.

On 29 September, the UK’s Ministry of Defence gave its update on Ukraine. According to it, in recent weeks, possibly hundreds of former Wagner Group fighters have likely redeployed to Ukraine. These redeployed individuals may have joined official Russian Ministry of Defence forces or other private groups. Reports suggest a concentration of Wagner veterans in the Bakhmut region. Their experience is valuable given their knowledge of Ukraine’s tactics and terrain.

On 29 September, IAEA reported that the Zaporizhzhya Nuclear Power Plant (ZNPP) in Ukraine is preparing to resume using reactor unit 4 after repairs. The unit had been out of action for several weeks due to a water leak. Ukraine’s national regulator had ordered all six units to be in a cold shutdown state. Furthermore, the IAEA had urged ZNPP to find an alternative source of steam generation. The IAEA is awaiting approval for access to turbine halls and rooftops of reactor buildings for monitoring compliance with safety principles. ZNPP has also completed drilling groundwater wells to secure water supplies for safety functions.

The Global Fallouts
Implications of the War
On 29 September, the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) voted against a full ban on Russia. Russia’s athletes will be able to compete as neutrals at the 2024 Paris Paralympics. The decision allows Russia’s athletes to participate without national emblems, flags, or anthems. Russia’s and Belarus’s athletes must also adhere to the IPC Code of Conduct and not express support for the war in Ukraine. The IPC members voted 74-65 against fully suspending National Paralympic Committee (NPC) Russia for constitutional breaches. The International Olympic Committee will also discuss Russia and Belarus’ participation in the Paris Olympics.

14 May 2024, Tuesday | NIAS Europe Daily Brief #833

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