Photo : Tyler Hicks/The New York Times
Photo : Tyler Hicks/The New York Times
War in Ukraine: Day 594
By Padmashree Anandhan
War on Ground
On 11 October, during the visit to NATO headquarters, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Ukraine’s President stressed on the need for air defence systems for the upcoming winter. He called for support on ammunition, long-range missiles and highlighted Ukraine’s need to “survive” the coming winter. On the same Jens Stoltenberg, NATO’s Secretary General stated Russia’s comeback targets on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure and stressed the need to prevent such attacks through “increased air defence capabilities.” He added: “Air defense is critical to protect the cities, the economy, the critical infrastructure of Ukraine and that helps them to help themselves, because then their economy can function, then things can work in Ukraine.”
On 11 October, in the meeting hosted by the US in Brussels to discuss on gathering more weapons and ammunition for Ukraine, Zelenskyy is expected to place the demand for most needed weaponry. Post the meeting, the 31 NATO allies along with Ukraine are scheduled to conduct the first NATO-Ukraine Council meeting to discuss on matters of common interest.
The Moscow View
Claims by Russia
On 11 October, Russia’s Defence Ministry reported on the position of its forces in Bakhmut. According to the report, the front-line position was observed to be strengthened despite Ukraine forces continued defence. In a statement, Russia’s southern group of forces with help of aviation, artillery, flamethrower systems progress was recorded in the front-line.
On 11 October, RT reported on improvement in Russia’s economy compared to the US and the EU. The report was based on The New York Times report, which highlighted how Russia’s economy had adapted in “astonishing speed” despite supply chains, and freezing of Russia’s assets. According to the report, the restrictions imposed by the west had helped in restructuring of economy through inflow of more money by more employment and salary raise.
The West View
Responses from the US and Europe
On 11 October, Belgium’s defence ministry announced its decision to send F-16 fighter jets from 2025 to Ukraine. The move comes after the government considers an upgrade of its F-16 to F-35 and could be of use to Ukraine for training. This will also depend on the next government as Belgium faces general elections in June 2024. Alexander De Croo, Belgium’s Prime Minister announced its decision to allocate EUR 1.7 billion in form of taxes accumulated from frozen assets of Russia for Ukraine’s reconstruction. De Croo said: “The taxes on the interest of these assets should go 100% to the Ukrainian people.” Initially Ukraine was denied of such allocation by the G7 group due to legal complexities.
On 11 October, UK’s Ministry of Defence announced a coalition of GBP 100 million as a package to support Ukraine’s Armed Forces. This aid will include equipment to help in clearing the land mines. Since the counteroffensive, the dense nature of the mines have become an obstacle for Ukraine. This coalition will use funds from “International Fund for Ukraine” consisting the UK, Norway, Netherlands’, Denmark and Sweden as funding countries.
On 11 October, Lloyd Austing, US Defence Secretary announced military aid of USD 200 million to Ukraine. The package includes air defences, rocket ammunition, anti-tank weapons and equipment. In the US-Ukraine Defence Contact Group meeting, he stated Ukraine’s progress in developing “combat capabilities” to counter Russia.
References
Laurence Norman, Chelsey Dulaney, and Marrakesh “Belgium Plans $1.8 Billion Ukraine Fund Using Taxes on Frozen Russian Assets,” The Wall Street Journal, 11 October 2023
Constant Méheut and Andrew E Kramer, “Russians Press Assaults Along Front Line in Eastern Ukraine,” The New York Times, 11 October 2023
“NATO Secretary General welcomes Allies' new pledges of support for Ukraine,” NATO.int, 11 October 2023
Lorne Cook and Lolita Baldor, “Ukraine’s Zelenskyy joins a meeting of global defense leaders to make a direct plea for military aid,” Associated Press, 12 October 2023
Agnes Szucs, “Belgium to provide Ukraine with F-16 fighters from 2025,” Anadolu Agency, 11 October 2023
Stuart Lau and Nicolas Camut, “Zelenskyy arrives in Brussels for surprise visit ahead of NATO meeting,” Politico, 11 October 2023
“Ukraine updates: Zelenskyy calls for winter aid at NATO,” Deutsche Welle, 11 October 2023
“Russia’s economic growth to beat EU and US – NYT,” RT, 11 October 2023