Photo : PAVEL MIRNY FOR LE MONDE
Photo : PAVEL MIRNY FOR LE MONDE
War in Ukraine: Day 636
By Padmashree Anandhan
War on Ground
On 22 November, Ukraine’s air force reported on Russia’s attack through drones and cruise missile. According to the report, the barrage was launched from southeast Russia with a combination of air defence units in central regions. It claimed on destroying all 14 Shahed-131/136 drones targeted. In a statement: “The X-22 cruise missile failed to reach its target and landed in Zaporizhzhia region in an open area, and the blast wave damaged private homes. There were no casualties.” On the same Ukraine authorities from Odesa claimed shooting down an Iran designed attack through Mohajer-6, a reconnaissance drone, which has a range of 200 kilometers.
On 22 November, Ukraine’s custom authorities reported on long queues near Hungary’s border due to diversion of trucks from Poland and Slovakia. The Zagony front experienced long queues as Polish truck drivers had blocked the roads and are observed to restrict the number of Ukrainian trucks to enter the EU. Slovakia’s haulers union similar to Ukraine has blocked its border for Ukraine. According to Ukraine officials close to 3000 trucks are stuck in the border.
The Moscow View
Claims by Russia
On 22 November, RT reported on Russia’s budget deficit to be lower due to its recovery in energy revenue and economic recovery. The estimate of the gap is expected to be one per cent of the GDP.
On 22 November, in the virtual G20 summit, Vladimir Putin, Russia’s President denied the accusation on war in Ukraine and stressed that Russia had never cancelled peace talks. Putin highlighted the change in leadership in Kyiv in 2014 after the Euromaidan protests and called it “bloody coup” acting as trigger for conflict.
On 22 November, Russia’s defence ministry claimed on destroying four naval drones of Ukraine that was targeted towards Crimea in the Black Sea. It also claimed on bringing down three aerial unmanned vehicles that were found near the region.
On 22 November, Russia’s defence ministry reported on an injury of a reporter from the Rossiya 24 state channel due to Ukraine’s drone attack. In response the reporter was given medical assistance and accused Kyiv for targeting the reporters. According to the report close to 15 media workers have been killed due to assault in Ukraine.
The West View
Responses from the US and Europe
On 22 November, presidents of Czech Republic, Poland, Hungary, and Slovakia reiterated their support to Ukraine. During the annual meeting of the Visegrad Group, the presidents discussed on opening border to Ukrainian refugees and donating other aid. On the same, Hungary’s prime minister refused to provide military aid to Ukraine and warned on vetoing from EU’s financial aid package to Ukraine.
On 22 November, Deutsche Welle reported on Russia’s parliament federal budget that aimes to increase 25 per cent in defence. The budget was adopted by the Federation Council through a unanimous vote and will be sent to Putin to turn it into law. This budget will help Russia’s military and waiver the sanction impact on Russia. According to the report, Russia’s defence expenditure is expected to supersede social spending in 2024 for the first time.
On 22 November, Poland’s intelligence office announced charging 16 individuals for spying for Russia. This resulted in preparing for sabotage, gathering information on military aid to Ukraine. In a statement: “Charges have been filed against 16 foreigners accused of conducting espionage activities on behalf of Russian intelligence services on Polish territory and participating in an organized criminal group.” According to the investigation, the charged individuals were found to be monitoring, documenting the train transport of military, humanitarian aid. The office disclosed the acceptance of the charged for committing and in engaging in propaganda. Zbigniew Ziobro, Justice Minister stated on 10 years of prison for the charged.
References
“Queues of trucks formed in Hungary after the blockade of the Ukrainian border in Poland and Slovakia,” tsn.ua, 22 November 2023
“Leaders of 4 Central European states disagree on military aid for Ukraine but agree on other support,” Associated Press, 22 November 2023
“Ukraine says downed Russian barrage, 'rare' Iran drone,” Zawya, 22 November 2023
“Russia reveals lower-than-expected budget gap,” RT, 23 November 2023
“Russian journalist dies after Ukrainian drone attack – media,” RT, 23 November 2023
“Ukraine: Putin says Russia has never refused peace talks,” Deutsche Welle, 23 November 2023