Photo : Sputnik / Viktor Lyashсhenko
Photo : Sputnik / Viktor Lyashсhenko
War in Ukraine: Day 681
By Padmashree Anandhan
War on the Ground
On 05 January, Ukraine’s air force reported on drone strikes in southern Ukraine. According to the report, it claimed destroying 28 out of 31 drones launched across Odesa, Kherson, Mykolaiv, Donetsk, Kirovohrad and Khmelnytskyi areas. It observed the drones to be Iran made Shahed drones which are designed to “fly into a target and detonate.”
The Moscow View
Claims by Russia
On 05 January, RT reported on three dozen of Ukraine drones to have targeted Crimea. The same was confirmed by Russia’s defence ministry on the missile attacks in Sevastopol by Ukraine using 10 projectiles. Whereas Russia’s military claimed on destroying 36 Ukrainians Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV’s) over Crimean air space. RT also reported on a simultaneous Ukraine strike in Belgorod resulting in interception of 10 rockets while one hit a parking lot of a residential area injuring two civilians.
On 05 January, RT reported on Russia’s continuing position as major supplier of oil and gas to Turkey in 2023. The data was released by Turkey’s Energy Market Regulatory Authority, which reported a 54.14 per cent share of Russian gas and 49.93 per cent of Russia oil to Turkey. The continued share of Russian energy into Turkey was due to earlier decision of Russia to postpone the settlement of gas bills of USD four billion till 2024. This has helped Turkey to meet its economic problem and continue its import from Russia.
The West View
Responses from the US and Europe
On 05 January, following the US claim on Russia’s usage on North Korean missile to target Ukraine. The UK condemned Russia on the same and called the move as “…symptomatic of [Russia’s] isolation on the world stage and a sign of its desperation.”
On 05 January, Estonian Defence Forces (EDF) General Staff issued a statement on Russian troop movement in Ukraine. He indicated Russia’s success in taking control on small areas of lands to maintain the initiative especially in Kupyansk-Kreminna line and Bakhmut. He added: “The main thrust is likely to be on the encirclement of Avdiivka and so it can be expected that additional resources will be deployed there in the near future.” Observing the southern side of the Ukraine, he confirmed on Ukraine’s success in gaining back control in settlements near Velyka Novosilka and stated that there was no breakthrough by Russia despite minor gains.
References
“Ukraine reports overnight drone strikes, says it shot most of them down,” Deutche Welle, 05 January 2024
“Ukraine targets Crimea with drones and missiles,” RT, 05 January 2024
“Russia remains key oil and gas supplier to NATO state – media,” RT, 06 January 2024
“EDF colonel: Russian troops have initiative on front line,” ERR News, 05 January 2023