Photo : Sputnik/Maksim Bogodvid
Photo : Sputnik/Maksim Bogodvid
War in Ukraine: Day 680
By Padmashree Anandhan
War on the Ground
On 04 January, Dmytro Lubinets, Ukraine’s Human Rights Commissioner reported on the prisoner swap between Ukraine and Russia. According to Lubinets, the aim of the exchange was to transfer all the detained personnel to home. During the exchange, 230 Ukrainian men and women were returned by Russia whereas 248 Russian prisoners were returned by Ukraine. In total 2,800 Ukrainians have been released so far by Russia while 4,000 remain held.
On 04 January, Office of the President of Ukraine announced the schedule of peace plan talks by Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Ukraine’s President in Switzerland by 14 January, with no invite to Russia. On the same day, Ukraine’s military reported on launching two strikes on Russia’s command post in Crimea’s Sevastopol city. Russia confirmed on the same claimed to have struck down ten guided missiles.
On 04 January, Ukraine’s police announced arresting of two men in Moldova under the suspicion of helping in escape of men who were to be recruited to fight against Russians. The move comes as debate over new recruitment sparked to boost Ukraine’s army. According to Ukraine police officers: “Two members of a criminal group were detained in Moldova, one of them while transporting four Ukrainians.” The arrested men were detained for transiting the men from Odesa along the border of Transnistria and across checkpoints and sent into Moldova. To be transited, the Ukrainians paid USD 4500 and USD 5000 to the smugglers.
The Moscow View
Claims by Russia
On 04 January, Vladimir Putin, Russia’s President singed a decree granting approval to allow foreign fighters to apply for citizenship. This means any foreigner signing for the military contract for a minimum year can apply for Russian nationality for them and their spouse. Those under regular armed forces and from other “military formations” will also be eligible to apply and to gain the citizenship they are mandated to live for five continuous years.
On 04 January, RT reported on continuing missile strike in Belgorod for seventh day. Vyacheslav Gladkov, Russia’s regional governor reported on warning sirens raised due to air defence trigger. He confirmed on damage of more than 30 cars and buildings due to the attack and confirmed on shooting down ten rockets.
The West View
Responses from the US and Europe
On 04 January, the White House issued a statement citing the usage of short-range ballistic missiles (SRBMs) of North Korea by Russia for the mass missile attack in Ukraine. The US National Security spokesperson John Kirby called the transfer of missiles as “significant and concerning escalation.” Apart from this the it also disclosed Russia’s plan on buying short-range ballistic missiles from Iran indicating the expansion of defence partnership.
On 04 January, The Guardian reported on the repeat of the blockade by Polish farmers at the border crossing with Ukraine. According to the report, the protest was resumed with an aim to prevent tax increase and gain subsidy from the government. Following the successful meeting on 24 December 2023, between the farmers and Czeslaw Siekierski, Poland’s Agricultural Minister, now they demand for a formal agreement to withdraw the protests.
References
“Ukraine says it hit two Russian military targets in occupied Crimea,” Cyprus Mail, 04 January 2023
“Putin approves citizenship for foreigners in Russian army,” RT, 04 January 2023
“Ukraine continues missile strikes on Russian city,” RT, 04 January 2023
Jeff Mason and Josh Smith, “White House says Russia used missiles from North Korea to strike Ukraine,” Reuters, 05 January 2023
Mabel Banfield-Nwachi, “Russia-Ukraine war: Ukraine says it hit Russian military unit in Crimea as Russia claims to have foiled attack – as it happened,” The Guardian, 04 January 2023
“Ukraine updates: Russia used North Korean missiles, US says,” Deutsche Welle, 04 January 2023