Photo : AP Photo/Craig Ruttle
Photo : AP Photo/Craig Ruttle
War in Ukraine: Days 594
By Padmashree Anandhan
War on Ground
On 10 October, Ukraine’s Air Force reported on destroying 27 Shahed-136 drones in Southern Kherson, Mykolaiv, and Odesa. On the same day, Ukraine’s military claimed destroying 27 of 36 Russia’s drones in Southern Ukraine.
On 10 October, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Ukraine’s President arriving in Bucharest to talk with Klaus Iohannis, Romania’s President. According to Zelenskyy, the discussion is expected to revolve around security cooperation, aviation, coalition, boosting air defence, and Black Sea security. Romania which has supported Ukraine since the war began has allowed its cargo ships to pass through Romania’s Black Sea to reach Bosphorus Strait.
The Moscow View
Claims by Russia
On 10 October, Russia’s court announced the extension of “pre-trial detention” of the US reported Evan Gershkovich once again till November after being arrested for spying. Gershkovich, a US journalist who was arrested on 29 March was charged under espionage. He will be the first to be arrested since the Cold War and the charges can result in 20 years of prison.
The West View
Responses from the US and Europe
On 10 October, Germany’s government announced EUR one billion of new defence aid to Ukraine to counter Russia’s attacks in winter. The package includes air defence weapons, Patriot air defence missile system, three Geopard armoured anti-aircraft tanks, and long, short IRIS-T guided missile systems. Announcing the package, Germany’s Defence Minister assured continuity of Germany’s support to Ukraine along with additional declaration of body armour, weapons of EUR 20 million support to Ukraine.
The Global Fallouts
Implications of the War
On 10 October, Deutsche Welle reported on Russia’s losing of vote to join back UNHCR. Against the voting held in 2022 by UNGA to suspend Russia, it was competing for one of the seats give for eastern Europe. In the voting, Russia received only 83 votes against Bulgaria and Albania, thereby losing to rejoin. According to Louis Charbonneau of international NGO Human Rights Watch: “UN member states sent a strong signal to Russia's leadership that a government responsible for countless war crimes.”
References
“Ukraine: Russia loses vote to rejoin UN Human Rights Council,” Deutsche Welle, 10 October 2023
“Wall Street Journal reporter loses appeal and will stay in a Russian jail at least through November,” Associated Press, 10 October 2023
“Russia loses vote to rejoin UN’s top human rights body despite Putin’s charm offensive with stolen grain,” Independent.co.uk, 10 October 2023
Lain Rogers, “Germany Announces Ukraine Air-Defense Package Worth €1 Billion,” Bloomberg, 10 October 2023