Photo : Emma Sword/PA/The Guardian
Photo : Emma Sword/PA/The Guardian
War in Ukraine: Days 703 & 704
By Padmashree Anandhan
War on the Ground
On 28 January, Ukraine military reported on new set of missile and drone attacks by Russia across Ukraine. According to the report, attacks were observed in Kharkiv, Zaporizhzhia, Kremenchuk, and in frontline towns Myrnohrad and Novohrodiivka. The reported attacks had targeted the infrastructure, and industrial sites.
On 28 January, Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) revealed on the corruption in the defence sector worth USD 40 million. According to the authorities, in a deal signed for a purchase of 100,000 mortar shells and paid in advance, there was arms supplied. The investigation exposed officers from the Ministry of Defence and those managed the arms supplies in Lviv arsenal to have stolen close to 1.5 billion of shells. In a statement, the SBU said: “According to the investigation, former and current high-ranking officials of the Ministry of Defense and heads of affiliated companies are involved in the embezzlement.” Following the investigation, legal proceedings have been launched against five individuals who are suspected to be involved.
On 27 January, Ukraine’s coordination headquarters for the treatment of prisoners of war issued a statement on receiving of bodies from Russia after the plan crash. According to the report, 77 soldiers body were returned but it “appeared unrelated” to the incident.
The Moscow View
Claims by Russia
On 28 January, the TASS reported on Russin troops claim on attacking Ukraine’s ammunition and fuel depots in Dnipropetrovsk and Zaporizhzhia areas. Russia’s defence ministry issued a statement on the same on destroying using missiles, artillery and drones.
On 27 January, RT reported on International Energy Agency’s (IEA) report on Russia’s gas production. The report estimates an increase of four per cent in 2024. It also predicted the domestic gas consumption of Russia to increase by two per cent. At the global level, the gas production was reportedly around three per cent as the supply is expected to stay tight. Whereas the global gas demand level is expected to grow as prices has reduced. The IEA has warned on the volatility of the gas prices mainly due to the war in Ukraine and Middle-East.
The West View
Responses from the US and Europe
On 28 January, Olaf Scholz, German Chancellor reiterated the need to support Ukraine with financial and military aid. Following the US President Joe Biden difficulty in sanctioning new package to Ukraine due to blockade in Congress, Scholz called for joint talk in Europe on how the aid can be increased and expanded. The German government which has already set benchmark of EUR seven billion as aid to Ukraine in its budget aims to provide more with taking help from other European member states.
On 28 January, the BBC reported on Avon, a cosmetics company’s continuing operations in Moscow. According to the report, the company had announced stopping its businesses after the war in Ukraine and suspended exporting beauty products from Russia. The BBC found that the company was still recruiting new sales agents and produces in its plant in Moscow. Earlier, the Brazilian firm Natura & Co stated on holding only local operation to help sales agents who depend on its business. The company stated that it supported women through local activities as it is critical for their livelihood. Criticising this, Steven Tian who is part of the Yale University said that there was no excuse for continuing to fund Russia when there was enough time given for companies to exit Russia.
On 27 January, The Guardian reported on the US plan to position its nuclear weapons in the UK for the first time in 15 years. According to the report, three warheads as strong as Hiroshima bombs are in talks to positioned at the RAF Lakenheath in Suffolk. Earlier, the US placed its nuclear missiles in the same site and removed in 2008 after the threat from Russia reduced. The decision to place again has come as a precaution of a war between the NATO and Russia.
References
“Ukraine uncovers attempt to embezzle $40 million via bogus arms deal,” France24, 28 January 2024
“Ukraine updates: Russia launches new aerial attacks,” Deutsche Welle, 28 January 2024
“Russian gas output forecast to surge – IEA,” RT, 27 January 2024
“Russian troops hit Ukraine’s ammunition, fuel depots — Defense Ministry,” TASS, 28 January 2024
PA Media, “US planning to station nuclear weapons in UK amid threat from Russia – report,” The Guardian, 26 January 2024
Vivian Ho, “Russia-Ukraine war: Ukraine repelling three-pronged attack on Avdiivka, says UK – as it happened,” The Guardian, 27 January 2024
Lora Jones, “Beauty giant Avon under fire over Russia links,” BBC, 28 January 2024