Photo : Lehtikuva/Jussi Nukari/ Reuters
Photo : Lehtikuva/Jussi Nukari/ Reuters
War in Ukraine: Day 637
By Padmashree Anandhan
War on Ground
On 23 November, in a virtual meeting, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Ukraine’s President appreciated the West’s move to form a “air defense development coalition.” Previously, Germany’s defence ministry announced its decision to form a coalition led by Germany and France aimed at boosting Ukraine’s air defence. Zelenskyy added: “Not everything can be disclosed publicly at this time, but the Ukrainian air shield is becoming stronger every month.” On the same day, Zelenskyy also remarked on the Ukraine’s difficulty in carrying out defence operations on the Lyman, Bakhmut, Donetsk, Avdiivka front. Although the offensive continues in the south it experiences a harsh weather as the temperature is expect to drop from minus five degrees Celsius.
On 23 November, Ukraine’s Ukrenergo raised concerns over its reduced capacity to produce electricity to meet the energy demand for heating. It reported increase in the electricity consumption and the existing deficit in the energy system. Operators in the Romania, Slovakia, and Poland have been requested for “emergency assistance.” According to Ukrenergo, 409 settlements run without electricity due to Russia’s attacks.
The Moscow View
Claims by Russia
On 23 November, Vladimir Putin, Russia’s President visited Belarus for the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) summit. Leaders from Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia and Tajikistan are expected to take part except Armenia. The session focused on improving collective security system, strengthening cooperation between the intelligence agencies and expanding military-technical cooperation.
On 23 November, Russian government spokesperson claimed on Russia’s success in selling its oil above the price cap fixed by the West at USD 60 per barrel. According to Vladimir Furgalsky, a Russian energy ministry: “Even unfriendly countries note that the so-called price cap has not worked. More than 99% of oil traded well above the $60 a barrel ceiling.” When the cap was introduced, Russia was pressured to cutdown its exports of oil and oil products and faced challenges in finding ships to transport its output.
The West View
Responses from the US and Europe
On 23 November, the UK Ministry of Defence in its intelligence update reported on recognition of the Wagner personnel by Russia as veterans. It observed that the veterans had received identification documents indicating the incorporation to give bonus under a new system.
On 23 November, EU’s border and coastguard agency, Frontex announced to send 50 border guard officers to Finland. The move comes as Finland decided to close down four border crossing point out of nine with Russia as migrants from Yemen, Afghanistan, Kenya, Morocco, Pakistan, Somalia and Syria began to surge. Frontex confirmed to help in surveillance, support in registering the refugees, to uphold the fundamental rights “of all the people.”
References
Mattha Busby and Warren Murray, “Zelenskiy hails air defence coalition formed from Ramstein group – as it happened,” The Guardian, 23 November 2023
“CSTO summit,” Kremlin.ru, 23 November 2023
Constant Méheut, “Ukraine Heads Into Winter With a Fragile Power Grid,” The New York Times, 22 November 2023
“Kremlin starts to rehabilitate some groups of Wagner PMC – British intelligence,” Interfax, 23 November 2023
“Zelenskyy warns of ‘difficult defence’ in east as cold sets in,” Euractiv, 23 November 2023
“A regular meeting in the Ramstein format was held, there are new packages of support for Ukraine and our warriors – address by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy,” President.gov.ua, 22 November 2023
“Ukraine updates: Zelenskyy thanks allies for air defense,” Deutsche Welle, 23 November 2023