Photo : Zakon.kz
Photo : Zakon.kz
War in Ukraine: Days 603
By Rishika Yadav
War on Ground
On 19 October, Ukraine’s parliament members passed a legislation that aims to ban the Moscow-linked Ukraine’s Orthodox Church (UOC). The proposed ban is supposed to go through a second reading before becoming law. It has sparked controversy, with some Ukrainians supporting it, while others oppose it, citing violations of religious freedom. The move comes amid escalating tensions over Moscow’s ties to the Church.
On 19 October, in a series of missile attacks, a Russia’s missile struck a warehouse in Mykolaiv. It led to a fire in an unused warehouse building, damaging nearby apartment buildings. In another attack, pieces of a Shahed-136/131 attack UAV caused a fire on a warehouse roof in the Stepove hromada. Other attacks targeted water areas in Ochakiv and Kutsurub hromadas.
The Moscow View
Claims by Russia
On 19 October, Aleksey Miller Gazprom CEO revealed that Russia’s pipeline gas supplies to China were poised to reach volumes similar to those sold to the EU before energy sanctions. This signified that only exports to China can replace EU-rejected volumes due to Ukraine-related sanctions. In January 2023, Russia became China’s primary natural gas supplier. Through the Power of Siberia pipeline, exports surged by 50 per cent in 2023, and it anticipated a 43 per cent increase, totaling 22 billion cubic mete's. Russia has planned to expand gas exports to Asian markets, including through the Power of Siberia 2 pipeline via Mongolia.
On 19 October, RT reported that during a significant two-day visit to Pyongyang Sergey Lavrov, Russia’s Foreign Minister stated that Russia’s relations with North Korea have reached a new, strategic level. North Korea’s Foreign Minister, Choe Son-hui, echoed these sentiments, referring to the partnership as “invincible relations of comrades-in-arms.” Lavrov expressed concerns about the US, Japan, and South Korea’s military build-up on the Korean Peninsula and their strategic deployments in the region.
The West View
Responses from the US and Europe
On 19 October, Reuters reported that Biden will ask Congress for USD 60 billion in aid for Ukraine, with half allocated to modernize US weapons stocks. Additionally, USD 14 billion will be earmarked for Israel following an attack by Hamas militants on. A USD ten billion humanitarian aid package, USD 14 billion for border security, and USD seven billion for the Indo-Pacific region are included in the request. Biden has aimed to swiftly pass a supplemental spending bill as Congress controls spending.
On 19 October, Olaf Scholz, Germany’s Chancellor reiterated the importance of European financial aid for Ukraine but stressed it is not a long-term solution. He criticized Putin for condemning civilian casualties in Gaza while overseeing the Ukraine’s invasion, calling it “cynical.”
On 19 October, Associated Press reported that Alsu Kurmasheva US journalist has been detained in Russia and charged with failing to register as a “foreign agent.” She was working for Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL). She is the second US journalist detained in Russia in 2023. The charges against Kurmasheva are deemed “spurious” by media rights organizations, demanding her release. Kurmasheva, living in Prague with her family, was stopped at Kazan International Airport after travelling to Russia for a family emergency.
The Global Fallouts
Implications of the War
On 19 October, Kairat Torebaev, Kazakhstan’s Vice Minister of Trade and Integration announced the suspension of exports involving 106 military goods to Russia. The move is aimed to align with Western sanctions against Moscow’s actions in Ukraine. Kazakhstan has faced criticism for allegedly aiding Russia in obtaining sanctioned goods that could bolster its military efforts. The products include drones, electronics, and specialized components. Despite historical ties with Russia, Kazakhstan seeks to comply with sanctions. The country has also refrained from recognizing Ukraine’s occupied regions as part of Russia.
References
“Ukraine Moves To Ban Moscow-linked Orthodox Church,” Barron’s, 19 October 2023
Olena Roshchina, “Russians hit warehouse in Mykolaiv at night causing fire at warehouse in oblast,” Ukrainska Pravda, 19 October 2023
“China will soon fully replace lost EU markets – Gazprom,” RT, 19 October 2023
“Russia-North Korea relations have reached ‘strategic level’ – Lavrov,” RT, 19 October 2023
“Lavrov recommends Russian tourists to vacation in North Korea,” TASS, 19 October 2023
“Biden to seek $60 bln for Ukraine, $14 bln for Israel - source,” Reuters, 19 October 2023
“Scholz supports continued European aid for Ukraine,” Deutsche Welle, 19 October 2023
“Russian-American journalist charged in Russia with failing to register as a ‘foreign agent’,” Associated Press, 19 October 2023
“Kazakhstan Says Blocked Export of 106 Military Goods to Russia,” The Moscow Times, 19 October 2023
“Kazakhstan stopped supplying hundreds of goods to Russia,” zakon.kz, 19 October 2023