Photo : AP/Ukrainian Presidential Press Office
Photo : AP/Ukrainian Presidential Press Office
War in Ukraine: Days 686
By Padmashree Anandhan
War on the Ground
On 10 January, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Ukraine’s President as part of his tour to Baltic, visited Lithuania. The visit is focused to seek support to counter Russia. Following the meeting, the Government of Lithuania announced EUR 200 million aid to Ukraine. During his address, Zelenskyy called on strengthening Ukraine’s air defence, drones, and refurbishing its ammunition. Gitanas Nausėda issued a statement: “In January, we will again send ammunition, generators, and detonation systems to Ukraine. And in February M577 APCs. We will train Ukrainian soldiers and strengthen cooperation in the military industry.” On the same, Alar Karis, Estonia’s President said: “Democratic countries have done a lot to help Ukraine, but we need to do more together so that Ukraine wins and the aggressor loses.”
On 10 January, the Ministry of Culture and Information Policy of Ukraine reported on a damage of 872 cultural heritage sites in Ukraine since 24 February 2022. Out of the damaged sites, 120 comes under national importance and 682 were of local importance. Maximum damage was found in Kharkiv, Odesa, Donetsk, and Kherson. The damaged infrastructure include creative hubs, libraries, institutions of art education, and museums and theaters.
On 10 January, the UN reported on 10,200 civilian deaths since the war began. According to the report, 125 casualties were recorded since December 2023 due to intense airstrikes of Russia. Filippo Grandi, UN High Commissioner for Refugees estimated 6.3 million Ukrainians to have left and settled in Europe.
The Moscow View
Claims by Russia
On 10 January, in a meeting held with residents of Chukotka area, Vladimir Putin made remarks on Russia’s growing resilience towards “foreign pressure.” Highlighting Russia’s growth despite sanctions stated it as “self-sufficient.” He stressed on how the European economies are more dependent on Russia than it being dependent on them.
On 10 January, RT reported on Russia’s claim on initiating the mass production of “gliding aerial bomb PKB-500U Drel.” The move comes after the trial held in the combat environment of Ukraine was successful. The bombs are known to be cheap and uses fins instead expensive engines like the missiles. They can be deployed using high-flying warplanes at the short-range. It is also observed to be equipped with guidance system for accuracy.
The West View
Responses from the US and Europe
On 10 January, NATO issued a statement to continue its support to Ukraine in the form of military, economic, and humanitarian form. The move comes following the meeting between Ukraine authorities and NATO allies which outlined to provide “billions of euros of further capabilities” for Ukraine. Jens Stoltenberg, NATO’s Secretary General said: “As Moscow intensifies its strikes on Ukrainian cities and civilians, NATO allies are boosting Ukraine's air defenses.”
On 10 January, Deutsche Welle reported on transfer of a group of children from eastern Ukraine into Belarus for “emergency survival training.” The reported 35 children will be hosted in eastern Belarus city, Mogilev under the Ministry of Emergency Situations. On the same, Ukraine and Belarus opposition party accused Belarus government for engaging in illegal transfer of children from Ukraine. Yale University also released a study confirming more than 2,400 children aged between 6 to 17 transferred into Belarus.
References
“Due to russian aggression in Ukraine, 872 cultural heritage sites have been affected,” MCIP, 10 January 2024
“1907 objects of cultural infrastructure have suffered damage or destruction due to russian aggression,” MCIP, 10 January 2024
“Lithuania announces €200m aid package for Ukraine,” Euronews, 10 January 2024
“EU needs Russia more than we need them – Putin,” RT, 10 January 2024
“Russia’s new gliding bomb to go into serial production – media,” RT, 10 January 2024
Seb Starcevic, “Deported Ukrainian children sent to ‘survival training’ with Belarus military,” Politico, 11 January 2023
“NATO-Ukraine Council meets, Allies pledge further air defences,” Nato.int, 10 January 2024
“Ukraine updates: Zelenskyy visits Baltics amid failing aid,” Deutsche Welle, 10 January 2024