Photo : World Economic Forum
Photo : World Economic Forum
War in Ukraine: Days 692
By Padmashree Anandhan
War on the Ground
On 16 January, Ukraine government asked residents in the north-east Kharkiv to evacuate due to increased Russian attacks. According to Oleg Sinegubov, Kharkiv regional governor the evacuation took place also in Kindrashivska and Kurylivska communities of the Kupiansk district.
On 16 January, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Ukraine’s President in the World Economic Forum conference highlighted the fears of escalation and losing against Russia. Pointing to the financial pledges by the EU, he called it “positive signal” and expressed hope for the same from the US.
On 16 January, Ukraine’s parliament passed a law to create an electronic registry for mobilisation purpose. Yaroslav Zhelezniak, a member of parliament said: “The bill passed on 16 January does not address the larger issue of mobilization but aims to improve the digitalization of Ukraine’s army.” The passed bill aims to create a digital registry for recruitment and have all information ready for monitoring the mobilisation.
The Moscow View
Claims by Russia
On 16 January, in a service award ceremony, Vladimir Putin, Russia’s President issued a statement calling Ukrainian counteroffensive launched in June 2023 to be a failure. He stressed strongly that it would be “impossible’ for Russia to withdraw or lose control of the captured areas in Ukraine till now. On the Ukraine proposed peace plan, he called it a “formidable formula.”
On 16 January, Vadim Kstenin, Mayor of Voronezh, announced an emergency over Ukrainian drone attack in Voronezh, a city in southern Russia 250 kilometres far from Ukraine border. According to the report, the city holds an airbase to Sukhoi Su-34s fighter-bomber plans and 15 blasts were observed. The attack damaged the windows and forced evacuation measures. On the same Russia’s defence ministry claimed on shooting down five drones and intercepting three more over Voronezh.
The West View
Responses from the US and Europe
On 16 January, during the Davos conference, Ursula von der Leyen, the European Commission President reiterated on the west support to Ukraine. She stressed on ensuring the continuity of the support to succeed in the war, especially in financial aid and sustained weapons aid. She said: “Ukraine can prevail in this war but we must continue to empower their resistance... They need a sustained supply of weapons to defend Ukraine and regain its rightful territory. They need capabilities to deter future attacks by Russia.” On the same day, Robert Habeck, Germany’s Economic Minister conveyed Germany’s stance in providing “investment guarantees” to Ukraine for reconstruction. According to Germany’s economic ministry, guarantees from 14 companies have been received till now worth EUR 280 million.
On 16 January, Dariusz Klimczak, Poland’s Infrastructure Minister stated that blockade by Polish truckers end by 01 March. The move comes following the agreement between the truckers and the government who have agreed to end the border block at three points, Korczowa, Hrebenne, and Dorohusk. Tomasz Borkowski of the Committee to Protect Transporters and Transport Employers stressed on the conditions agreed and time given for the government to work on their demands. As per the agreement, the Polish government will monitor solutions drafted together by Poland and Ukraine to ease the spat over EU-registered drivers in Ukraine and some Commission funds to help Polish haulage companies. The deal also mandates more checks on the Ukrainian trucks that operate out of the EU-Ukraine agreement.
References
Yohannes Lowe and Mabel Banfield-Nwachi, “Russia-Ukraine war: Zelenskiy calls for western unity to stop Russia as von der Leyen says Kyiv must get ‘predictable’ funding – as it happened,” The Guardian, 16 January 2024
“New statement by Russian President Putin,” Vietnam.vn, 17 January 2024
Katya Denisova, “Russian missile attack on downtown Kharkiv injures 17,” The Kyiv Independent, 16 January 2024
Alexander Khrebet, “Zelensky attends Davos forum, meets NATO, EU chiefs,” The Kyiv Independent, 16 January 2024