Photo : REUTERS/Peter Nicholls
Photo : REUTERS/Peter Nicholls
War in Ukraine: Days 685
By Padmashree Anandhan
War on the Ground
On 09 January, Danylo Hetmantsev, senior Ukrainian lawmaker reported on Russia’s attacks on countering Ukraine’s budget payment systems. According to Hetmantsev the attack was observed as an attempt to destroy Ukraine’s payment system. This comes after Ukraine’s Security Servies warned earlier over Russia’s plan to cyberattack on its telecom providers.
On 09 January, Ukraine’s energy operator, Ukrenergo reported on shutdown of power following severe winter. Due to the lose of power, more than 1,000 Ukraine’s towns and villages were forced to use less amount of power due weakened grid. The usage of electricity increased as the temperatures reduced by minus fifteen Celsius. In a statement by Ukrenergo “As of this morning due to bad weather — strong winds, ice — power was cut off in 1,025 settlements.”
The Moscow View
Claims by Russia
On 09 January, Sergey Shoigu, Russia’s Defence Minister reported on the losses incurred by Ukraine in 2023. According to the report, 215,000 troops and 28000 units of military hardware were lost and the casualties had exceeded by 383,000 including injured and wounded. Pointing this, Shoigu disclosed on Russia’s focus which is expected to be on improving its nuclear capabilities and producing “state-of-the-art weapons” for combat readiness.
On 09 January, RT reported on Andrey Klychkov, governor of Oryol statement on situation in Oryol. As per the report, two Ukrainian drones crashed into Russia’s oil facilities in Oryol. The attack was observed to be 350 kilometres south of Moscow with a target on its “fuel and energy complex facility.” The same was confirmed by Russia’s defence ministry on interception of two drones over Oryol area and four drones over Kursk area.
The West View
Responses from the US and Europe
09 January, in a news conference, Olaf Scholz, German Chancellor criticised the EU was its failure to deliver adequate weapons to Ukraine. He said: “As significant as the German contribution is, it will not be enough to ensure Ukraine's security in the long run.” Scholz called the EU and its allies to unite and boost their efforts to support Ukraine.
On 09 January, in its intelligence update, UK Ministry of Defence reported on the possible impact on Russia’s air defence following Ukraine’s strikes on Russia in Crimea. In a statement: “These attacks likely degraded the awareness and coverage of Russian air defences over the Crimean region.” The ministry also confirmed the missile attacks by Russia in Kryvyi Rih and Zaporizhzhia cities.
References
“Ukraine updates: Zelenskyy to attend WEF in Davos in person,” Deutsche Welle, 09 January 2024
“Russia estimates 2023 Ukrainian military losses,” RT, 09 January 2024
“Ukrainian drones strike Russian oil facility – authorities,” RT, 09 January 2024
Yuri Zoria, “UK intel: Ukraine’s attacks on Russian bases indicate durable Crimea defense failures by Russia,” Euromaidan Press, 10 January 2024
Yohannes Lowe, Rachel Hall and Warren Murray, “Russia-Ukraine war: drones hit Russian oil facility more than 130 miles from Ukraine – as it happened,” The Guardian, 09 January 2024