Photo : Inquam Photos/Cornel Putan via REUTERS
Photo : Inquam Photos/Cornel Putan via REUTERS
War in Ukraine: Days 691
By Padmashree Anandhan
War on the Ground
On 15 January, Ukraine’s air force claimed on shooting down Russia’s two military command aircrafts over the Sea of Azov. According to the claim, it was a successful mission downing Russian A-50 spy plan and II-22 command aircraft. No confirmation was given by Russia on the attack.
On 15 January, the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs along with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) issued a statement on its humanitarian aid goal. According to the organisations, it requires USD 4.2 billion more to give humanitarian aid to Ukrainians and expects to reach to 8.5 million Ukrainians present within and 2.3 million present in eastern Europe. It estimated 40 per cent of the Ukraine populations to be in need of humanitarian assistance.
The Moscow View
Claims by Russia
On 15 January, RT reported on Russia’s defence ministry claim on countering Ukraine’s attack in the Kursk area. According to the report, three soviet-era ballistic missiles were shot down in the border area using Russia’s air defence systems which were aimed at unknown facilities. The weapons are estimated to have a range of 120 kilometres with an ability to carry 500 kilograms of warhead. Roman Starovoyt, Kursk Governor confirmed on the strikes and the destruction of the same in the Fatezh district which is 40 kilometres from Kursk city.
On 15 January, Al Jazeera reported on Russia’s decision to sentence more than 200 Ukrainian prisoners under the charge of “murder and mistreating of prisoners.” According to Alexander Bastrykin, Russia’s investigative Committee head, the sentence was given for committing such acts on civilians and prisoners of war. Russia also claimed to continue such aggressive measures including “high level officials.”
The West View
Responses from the US and Europe
On 15 January, following Poland’s farmers protest against Ukraine’s grain trucks, Romania’s farmers and truckers staged protests again. On failure of the negotiations with the government, the protestors demanded against “high taxes and delayed compensation payments.” This slowly expanded into blocking the northeastern border with Ukraine. Subsidies and compensations already in place, Romanian farmers have demanded for faster payment due to the impact from drought and disruption from Ukraine’s grain import. Whereas, the truckers have raised concerns over increased insurance and taxes. After Russia’s blockade in the Black Sea, Romania has turned into central hub for Ukraine’s grains through Constanta port, but this has resulted in provoking anger among the farmers and truckers over competition from Ukrainian companies.
References
“Ukraine updates: UN seeks $4.2 billion for humanitarian aid,” Deutsche Welle, 15 January 2024
Bartosz Brzeziński, “Romanian farmers, truckers resume protests after government talks fail,” Politico, 15 January 2024
“Ukrainian ‘terrorist missile attack’ thwarted – Moscow,” RT, 15 January 2024
Stephen Quillen, “Russia-Ukraine war live: Zelenskyy pushes for NATO membership at Davos,” Al Jazeera, 16 January 2024