Photo : Sputnik/U Ivanov
Photo : Sputnik/U Ivanov
War in Ukraine: Days 700
By Padmashree Anandhan
War on the Ground
On 24 January, following the plane crash in Belgorod, Ukraine’s military intelligence claimed on seeing no evidence of a reliable passenger information. In a statement: “Currently, we do not have reliable and comprehensive information about who exactly was on board the plane and how many.” It also stated that there was no information given ahead to Ukraine to ensure safety of the airspace during the mentioned time of crash.
On 24 January, the UN Security Council agreed to convene meeting on 25 January to discuss on the crash of the Russian military plane. This comes after Sergey Lavrov, Russia’s Foreign Minister called for the emergency meeting. Ukraine government is yet to confirm on the incident.
The Moscow View
Claims by Russia
On 24 January, Russia’s defence ministry reported on a crash of a military transport plane that carried 65 Ukrainian prisoners in the Belgorod region. According to the report in the TASS, the plane (Ilyushin Il-76) included six Russian crew members and also three escorts. The same was confirmed by Belgorod’s governor. Following the downing of the plane, the ministry accused Ukraine and reported 65 Ukrainian prisoners on board to be dead.
On 24 January, Russia’s State of Duma, the lower house of the Parliament passed with 395 votes in favour the first stage of a bill granting the permission for the state to seize the property of those found guilty of "discrediting" or spreading "false information" on the Russian army.
The West View
Responses from the US and Europe
On 24 January, Olaf Scholz, German Chancellor issued a statement to European member states urging for military weapons to Ukraine. He called the pledges made so far for Ukraine for 2024 were “not big enough.” He added: “…it would not be good news if Germany, should the US drop off as a supporter, were to become the biggest supporter of Ukraine at the end.” In a recent report by the Kiel think tank in Germany, it estimates the German military aid to be worth half the amount sent by the US with no other country in line to reach that margin.
On 24 January, Boris Pistorius, German Defence Minister pledged to provide six Sea King Mk41 multipurpose helicopters to Ukraine. He said: “The Sea King is a proven and robust helicopter that will help the Ukrainians in many areas: from reconnaissance over the Black Sea to transporting soldiers.” The helicopters are presently used over the North Sea and Baltic Sea for sea rescues will be replaced with NH-90 Sea Lion naval transport helicopters. According to the report, adding the recent pledge, the total amount of military aid given to Ukraine by Germany amounts to EUR six billion.
On 24 January, Victor Orban, Hungary’s Prime Minister announced his decision to fasten the vote process in the parliament to approve Sweden’s accession into the NATO. The move follows Turkey’s approval and on the same Jens Stoltenberg, NATO Secretary General said: “I look forward to the ratification as soon as parliament reconvenes.” The upcoming parliament session in Hungary is expected to be held on 27 February.
References
“Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov’s remarks,” The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation,” 24 January 2024
“Russia, Ukraine Clash Over Whether There Was Warning About Plane That Crashed,” Rfel, 25 January 2024
“Russia’s Il-76 plane with 65 Ukrainian POWs on board crashes in Belgorod Region — military,” TASS, 24 January 2024
Marton Dunai and Ben Hall and Henry Foy, “Viktor Orbán says Hungary will approve Sweden’s Nato bid,” The Financial Times, 24 January 2024
“Ukraine updates: Russian military transport plane crashes,” Deutsche Welle, 24 January 2024