Photo : BBC
Photo : BBC
War in Ukraine: Day 702
Padmashree Anandhan
War on Ground
On 13 December, Vitali Klitschko, Kyiv’s Mayor reported on an missile attack resulting in many injuries and damage to buildings. According to him: “According to medics, there are already 25 injured in Dniprovsky district of the capital, 13 were hospitalized.” In response, Kyiv’s air defence was activated. Following the attack, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Ukraine’s President reported on injury of 53 people due to debris and criticised Russia for firing missiles at night. He said: “There will be a response. Certainly.”
On 13 December, Ukraine’s cyber defence agency claimed that the earlier cyberattack on Ukraine’s mobile network operator offline was traced to Russia’s military intelligence. It is considered the biggest cyberattacks since the war and Ukraine accused Russia for use of cyberspace as one of the zone of the war.
The Moscow View
Claims by Russia
On 13 December, Russia’s defence ministry reported on the advance of Russian forces in the south of Donetsk area. In a statement it said that its combined military unit T-72B3 tank crews has supported with firepower to attack the units in the Urozhainoye and Novodonetskoye areas between Zaporizhzhia and Donetsk. It confirmed on destroying Ukraine’s armoured combat vehicle, and manpower enabiling it to forward.
On 13 December, Russia claimed on attacking Ukraine’s army control center using its upgraded Ka-52M helicopters in the Donetsk. In a statement it said: “Crews of Ka-52M helicopters of the assault group delivered a strike with free-flight aircraft rockets on the enemy strongholds.” The Ka-52M the next version of Ka-52 Alligator attack helicopter has helped in increasing the striking range for Russia.
The West View
Responses from the US and Europe
On 12 December, in a joint press conference, Joe Biden, the US President stressed that the US would continue to supply Ukraine with critical weapons and equipment and will “not walk away.” Zelenskyy pledged to keep fighting and said that it would be “insane” to give up territory for a peace deal. Following this, Biden imposed sanctions over 250 individuals and organisations related to the war. The latest sanctions include those involved in procurement of Chinese-manufactured weapons and technologies to Russia. It also includes individuals and companies from Turkey, UAE, and China for shipping equipment, aircraft parts and X-ray systems.
On 13 December, Denmark government promised to support Ukraine with new military aid worth EUR one billion. Mette Fredriksen, Denmark’s Prime Minister announced the package in the Nordic Summit and is expected to be presented on 14 December in the parliament for approval. Once adopted, ammunition, tanks, drones, and equipment will be sent to Ukraine.
On 12 December, the US intelligence released a report disclosing the number of casualties for Russia in the war in Ukraine. According to the report, 315,000 Russian troops had been killed or wounded since Febraury 2022. This includes 13,000 since October. Till now Russia had lost some 2,200 tanks out of 3,500 and 87 per cent of military personnel since the war began.
On 13 December, Viktor Orban, Hungary’s Prime Minister reiterated his objection to EU’s agenda for Ukraine’s accession ahead of the EU summit. Orban proposed for a strategic partnership instead of memerbship as according to him Ukraine is yet to fulfill the criteria for membership especially in areas of corruption. The EU which has blocked the funds to Hungary over rule of law concerns is expected to be released in the coming days.
References
“Hackers linked to Russian spy agency claim cyberattack on Ukrainian cell network,” Reuters, 13 December 2023
“Ammunition, tanks and drones: Denmark prepares €1 billion aid package for Ukraine,” Ukrainska Pravda, 13 December 2023
Justin Spike, “Orbán says Hungary will block EU membership negotiations for Ukraine at a crucial summit this week,” Associated Press, 13 December 2023
Hanna Arhirova, and Karl Ritter, “A Russian missile attack on Kyiv wounds at least 53 as Ukraine pleads for more European support,” abcNews, 13 December 2023
Daphne Psaledakis, Simon Lewis and Timothy Gardner, “US issues sweeping sanctions targeting Russia over Ukraine war,” Reuters, 13 December 2023
Jessica Parker & George Wright, “Ukraine war: Dozens wounded in Russian missile strikes on Kyiv,” BBC, 13 December 2023
Julian E Barnes, “Russia Has Suffered Staggeringly High Losses, U.S. Report Says,” The New York Times, 12 December 2023
“Ukrainian troops running on empty as Russian forces advance toward south Donetsk,” TASS, 13 December 2023
“Remarks by President Biden and President Zelenskyy of Ukraine in Joint Press Conference,” whitehouse.gov, 12 December 2023
“Russian upgraded Ka-52M helicopters hit Ukraine’s army command center in Donetsk area,” TASS, 13 December 2023