Photo : RIA/Rostec
Photo : RIA/Rostec
War in Ukraine: Day 672
By Padmashree Anandhan
War on Ground
On 27 December, Ukraine’s air force reported on successful counter of “three-quarters” (32) of Russia’s 46 unmanned aerial vehicles targeted towards Kherson. According to the report, the remaining aircrafts breached the frontline in Kherson, one was killed and four were wounded in the attacks. Igor Klymenko, Ukraine’s Interior Minister claimed “a massive bombing” in Kherson and evacuation of 140 residents. Due to the attacks, a train station and a train located in Kherson was reported damaged.
On 27 December, General Valery Zaluzhny, Ukraine’s armed forces commander reported on continued fighting in Maryinka. The city located in Donetsk Oblast of the eastern Ukraine has been subject to increased attacks since May 2023. According to Zaluzhny, Ukraine troops are still stationed in the northern flank despite Russia’s claims on gaining complete control.
The Moscow View
Claims by Russia
On 27 December, in response to Japan’s decision to send patriot air defence systems PAC-3 to the US, Maria Zakharova, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation spokesperson warned of negative consequences for its relations. In a statement: “Coupled with the accelerated remilitarization of Japan, this will have tangible negative consequences for global and regional security.” She stressed that supply of such missiles would be considered hostile towards Russia leading to serious consequences. Japan produces PAC-3 missiles under the US licence, is now allowed to export after lifting of the military export ban imposed in 1947 under pacifist constitution. The revision of Japan’s export policy comes after its launch of five-year build-up plan to make Japan the third-biggest defence spender.
On 27 December, in an interview in RIA news agency, Sergei Chemezov, Russia’s General Director of the Rostec state corporation spoke on Russia’s military capabilities. According to him, timely supply of ammunition, kamikaze drones, tanks, infantry fighting vehicles to Russia’s military groups led to the successful repelling of Ukraine’s counteroffensive. On the question of Russia’s special operation in Ukraine going beyond armed confrontation, Chemezov stated that the West military and financial to Ukraine was declining whereas Russia had increased its weapon production. Especially the production of Krasnopol guided projectiles have increased to launch through howitzers.
The West View
Responses from the US and Europe
On 27 December, on the continuing border block by truckers Donald Tusk, Poland’s Prime Minister assured that Poland was nearing to end the blockade. He said: “We are close to the belief that our actions can bring results, both the talks in Kyiv and Brussels.” The block which began in 06 November by truckers has consistently demanded on permit condition for Ukraine companied to operate in the EU.
On 27 December, ERR News reported on Estonia’s accomplishment of training 1,300 Ukraine soldiers since February 2022. According to Roland Murof, Estonia’s Ministry of Defence spokesperson: “We have trained over 1,300 Ukrainian soldiers since the start of the war. This mostly covers the basic skills course but also artillery and sniper training and cyber training.” Cpt. Taavi Laasik, Estonia’s Defence Forces (EDF) spokesperson assured that such training involved additional efforts to aid Ukrainians and did not affect EDF training capacity.
References
“Ukraine updates: War costs Kyiv €120 million per day,” Deutsche Welle, 27 December 2023
“Russia warns Japan over Patriots,” RT, 27 December 2023
“Sergei Chemezov: Western technological superiority in the military sphere is a myth,” ria.ru, 27 December 2023
Amy Sedghi, “Russia-Ukraine war live: majority of Kherson without electricity due to shelling, says governor – as it happened,” The Guardian, 27 December 2023
“Estonia trains 1,300 Ukrainian soldiers in two years,” ERR News, 27 December 2023