Photo : AP Photo/Efrem Lukatsky
Photo : AP Photo/Efrem Lukatsky
War in Ukraine: Day 678
By Padmashree Anandhan
War on the Ground
On 02 January, Ukraine’s air force reported on its struggle to counter’s Russia’s drone attack (Tupolev Tu-95s bombers) in Kyiv. The explosion of the drones led to debris which resulted in fire of a residential builsing in Desnianskyi, which is the administrative area of the Kyiv. In response to the attack, air alerts were issues in Chernigiv, Cherkasy, Mykolayiv, and Kherson. Vitali Klitschko, Kyiv’s Mayor reported on loud explosions. There was immediate report on casualties. Apart from Kharkiv, missile attacks were reported in Kharkiv resulting in damage of residential buildings, civilian infrastructure, and injury of many and death of four.
On 02 January, in an interview to The Economist, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Ukraine’s President denied the notion of Russia winning the war citing the heavy losses incurred by Russia. Although there was no evidence to substantiate, experts from west claimed on exceeding Russia’s losses compared to the gains made in Ukraine. Zelenskyy also stated on the failure of the mid-2023 counteroffensive in meeting the agenda but appraised the efforts taken to counter Russia in Black Sea. On the same day, during his everyday address, Zelenskyy citing the mass missile attack in Kyiv and Kharkiv demanded for more air defence aid such as “Patriot, IRIS-T, and NASAMS.”
The Moscow View
Claims by Russia
On 02 January, in response to the missile attacks in Kyiv and Kharkiv RT reported on how the targets were planned by Russia’s defence ministry. Russia’s armed forces claimed on carrying out group strike using long-range precision weapons and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV’s) on the military complex of Ukraine. According to the report from Russia’s officials, the attack was targeted on facilities in Kiev and the suburbs which produced missiles and drones, including the repair sites. Apart from it Russia claimed on hitting missile depots, ammunition, and at the aircraft weaponry.
On 02 January, Russia’s defence ministry reported on intercepting nine missiles in Belgorod region. Issuing air raid alerts, the ministry reported on taking down two Tochka-U tactical ballistic missiles and seven rockets launched from “Olkha” long-range artillery launchers.
The West View
Responses from the US and Europe
On 02 January, Poland’s army released a statement on sending of four F-16 fighter jets to its eastern border to shield itself from Russia’s attacked targeted into Ukraine. In a statement: “In order to ensure the safety of Polish airspace, two pairs of F-16 fighters and an allied air tanker were put into action.” The move comes after a Russian missile entered its airspace earlier.
On 02 January, government of Turkey announced the block on allowing passing of two minehunter ships through Bosphorus, and Dardanelles straits. The move comes after the UK Royal Navy announced to donate the ships to support Ukraine’s maritime defence. It was seen positive by the NATO nor Turkey as they consider it as a violation of the “international agreement on wartime passage of the straits.” According to Turkish Presidency: “Our pertinent allies have been duly apprised that the mine-hunting ships donated to Ukraine by the United Kingdom will not be allowed to pass through the Turkish Straits to the Black Sea as long as the war continues.” The block is also due to the 1936 Montreux Convention which was brought back after February 2022 which disapproves the passing of ships from belligerent parties through straits.
References
Illia Novikov and Hanna Arhirova, “Russian missiles hit Ukrainian cities, killing 5 and injuring at least 130, Kyiv officials say,” Associated Press, 02 January 2023
“Ukraine's Zelenskiy says Russia suffering heavy losses,” Swissinfo.ch, 02 January 2023
“Russia intercepts missiles fired at Belgorod – military,” RT, 02 January 2023
“Russia explains target selection in new strikes on Ukraine,” RT, 02 January 2023
“A New Year’s interview with Volodymyr Zelensky,” The Economist, 02 January 2023
“Ukraine updates: Russia hits Kyiv with heavy missile attack,” Deutsche Welle, 02 January 2023