Photo : AP Photo/Karl Ritter
Photo : AP Photo/Karl Ritter
War in Ukraine: Day 654 & 655
Padmashree Anandhan
War on the Ground
On 10 December, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Ukraine’s President reported on the situation in Avdiivka. According to him, the Ukraine forces are “holding ground” in the frontline and appreciated the unity in the defence. Vitaliy Barabash, Avdiivka’s mayor claimed on repelling all attacks launched by Russia and expressed the continuing tense situation and large offensive in the town for third consecutive day.
On 09 December, Ukraine’s parliament approved four bills to initiate the EU accession talks. This includes national minority rights, discussing Hungary’s demand which opposed Ukraine’s bid to EU. The same was confirmed by Zelenskyy on signing the bills into law.
On 09 December, Ukraine reported on Russia’s cruise missile attack towards Kyiv and claimed destroying 14 out of 19 missiles resulting in injury of six and death of one person. On the same day, Ukraine’s military spokesperson reported countering 32 attacks in Avdiivka town. According to the spokesperson, Russia’s forces were observed to be concentrating on the defence line across the town to push forward to cutdown Ukraine’s supply lines.
On 09 December, one of the charity organisation called the Kolo Foundation which helps Ukraine in supplying military and ammunition reported on the never ending border blockade with Polish truck drivers. The block which began on 06 November has continued to three weeks expanding to 19 miles has resulted in delay in delivery of tech componenets to make drones and communication equipment to Ukraine. According to the report, the 200 pickup trucks which were scheduled to transfer ammunition and help in evacuation is reportedly stopped. While the Polish protestor have argued on not blockading the military transfers or humanitarian aid but criticised for affecting their businesses with low prices in Poland market.
The Moscow View
On 10 December, during the ceremony to award gold star medals, Vladimir Putin, Russia’s President addressed the Russian troops in the frontlines as the future of the country and highlighted how their combat actitivties are key deciding factors.
On 09 December, Russia’s defence ministry reported on countering five attacks in the Donetsk area launched by Ukraine’s troops in the past 24 hours. According to the report in TASS, more than 200 have been expected to have killed and wounded. In the attack, 22nd, 93rd mechanised and 79th air assault brigade have been reportedly targeted.
The West View
On 10 December, Romania reported on discovery of an impact crater which is observed to have been a debris from a drone explosion. The crater was located three kilometers from the west of Plauru across the Danube River from Ukraine’s port of Izmail. Accordign to Romania’s defence ministry, the place from where the drone was launched in unknown but raised concerns over the after impact of Russia’s attacks on Ukraine’s port infrastructure.
On 10 December, defence ministries of the Czech Republic and Denmark vowed t provide 50 infantry fighting vehicles, 2500 pistols, 7000 rifles, 500 light machine guns and 500 sniper rifles. Troels Lund Poulsen, Denmark’s Defence Minister called the package as “substantial donation” for Ukraine. It also includes anti-tank weapons and modernized armaments which is expected to be delivered in future.
On 09 December, Finland’s supreme court ruled blocking the extradition of Jan Petrovsky, Russia’s head of the Rusich paramilitary group. Petrovsky is subject to western sanctions and is charged for terrorism by Kyiv. According to the report in Financial Times, the courts in Europe no longer allow extradition into Ukraine fearing “inhuman treatment,” as per the European convention on human rights. In response, Andriy Kostin, Ukraine’s prosecutor general stated that Ukraine will continue to pursue possibilities for arrest and extradition.
References
Martin Fornusek “Czechia, Denmark to jointly donate arms to Ukraine,” The Kyiv Independent, 10 December 2023
“Ukraine updates: Russians repelled in Avdiivka,” Deutsche Welle, 10 December 2023
“Russia unleashes new attacks in eastern Ukraine, says Ukrainian military,” Reuters, 11 December 2023
“Polish truck drivers are blocking the border with Ukraine. It's hurting on the battlefield,” Abc News, 09 December 2023
Richard Milne and Christopher Miller, “Supreme court says Jan Petrovsky could face degrading treatment in Ukrainian custody,” Financial Times, 08 December 2023
Mattha Busby and Hamish Mackay, “Russia-Ukraine war: Olena Zelenska warns Ukraine in ‘mortal danger’ without foreign aid – as it happened,” The Guardian, 09 December 2023
“Russia’s future depends on soldiers involved in special military operation — Putin,” TASS, 10 December 2023