Photo : facebook.com/ab3.army
Photo : facebook.com/ab3.army
War in Ukraine: Day 714
By Rosemary Kurian
War on the Ground
On 07 February, The Washington Post reported on Russia’s attacks into Ukraine using ballistic cruise missiles and Shahed-type drones resulting in death of at least five and wounding several civilians. The attacks were focused across six regions and hit at least three major cities including Kyiv. Volodymyr Zelenskyy, the Ukraine’s President stated that Kyiv’s top priority was the accumulation of air defence and electronic warfare systems to prevent drone attacks from Russia. According to the Ukrainian armed forces, 44 Russian drones and missiles were intercepted by them, out of a total of 64.
On 07 February, the Verkhovna Rada, Ukraine’s parliament, passed the updated government’s mobilisation bill after the first reading, to ramp up conscription for mobilisation in 2024. The initial bill failed due to differences over curbing of rights of those who evade conscription. The updated version promises a transparent recruitment process with annual leave for military personnel in instalments. It bans the conscription of those aged between 18-24 years and instead proposes a five-month training, and enables volunteers to “resolve personal issues and prepare for mobilisation,” before conscription through a two-month reprieve.
On 06 February, Rafael Mariano Grossi, the IAEA Director General, held meeting with Zelenskyy to discuss his team’s agenda before visiting the Zaporizhzhya Nuclear Power Plant. His goals include the assessment of the status of the plant’s cooling systems key for its safety and the level of qualified staff of the plant which has been shut down for the past year and a half. The plant has six reactors contains a significant amount of nuclear fuel that must be adequately cooled. Grossi is expected to visit Moscow to discuss the future of the nuclear plant.
The Moscow View
Claims by Russia
On 07 February, the Russia’s defence ministry claimed on a successful attack against Ukraine’s defence industry facilities that were involved in the production of “naval drones, coastal missile systems, munitions for multiple rocket launch systems, and explosives.” According to the report, high-precision long-range weapons to carry out the explosions, were used destroying 1,055 Ukrainian troops leading to improvement in Russia’s positions in the Donetsk People’s Republic (DPR). It also claimed destroying Ukrainian MiG-25 fighter jet, two US-based M777 howitzers and a Paladin self-propelled gun supplied by the US.
On 07 February, RT reported on the bombing of the New York village in the Donetsk People’s Republic (DPR) by the Russia’s Air Force. Located in the west of Gorlovka and north of Donetsk, the village forms part of the front line. A Ukrainian ‘Baba Yaga’ bomber drone was identified in the region by the 132nd Gorlovka Brigade, which prompted Russian bombers to initiate an airstrike using glide bombers. As per the report, the attacked Ukrainian base was a potential warehouse for ammunition.
On 07 February, Vedomosti indicated a 41 per cent increase in the supply of Russian pipeline gas to the EU. A 32 per cent increase of gas supply via Ukraine was noted in January 2024, compared to 2023 ratios, the remaining being transited via the TurkStream pipeline, the last two pipelines supplying energy from Russia to central and western Europe. While the actual volumes of gas being delivered remains lower than agreed upon rates due to the closure of the Sokhranova pumping station by Ukraine, the sudden increase in demand from the EU was due to low temperatures.
The West View
Responses from the US and Europe
On 07 February, Jake Sullivan, the US National Security Advisor expressed his confidence over the congressional approval of the aid for Ukraine, after the failure of the Ukraine support bill earlier. During a meeting with his NATO counterparts in Brussels, Sullivan stated his intention to push the aid bill through the House and the Senate with “no alternative” for Ukraine. Ukraine has warned that its treasury and ammunition are emptying due to the Russian campaign and is waiting for a USD 60 billion aid promise from the US.
On 07 February, Joe Biden, the US President, blamed Donald Trump, the former President for the failure of his government’s bipartisan bill aimed at providing Ukraine with billions in aid. The legislation for Ukraine aid could be Biden’s last shot at securing his national interests for Ukraine. Biden accused Trump of "weaponising" the conflict and urged Republicans to reconsider their opposition, the failure of which could lead to an end to US aid into Ukraine. This could halt the delivery of weapons worth USD 13 billion and affect Ukraine’s demand for USD 8.5 billion in financial support for the war.
References
Illia Novikov, “Russia attacks targets across Ukraine with missiles and drones as EU’s top diplomat visits Kyiv,” The Washington Post, 07 February 2024
Elsa Court, “Parliament passes mobilization bill in first reading,” The Kyiv Independent, 07 February 2024
“IAEA Director General in Ukraine: "No Place for Complacency" with Zaporizhzhya,” IAEA, 06 February 2024
“Russia strikes Ukrainian defense industry facilities – MOD,” RT, 07 February 2024
“Russia bombs New York in Donbass,” RT, 07 February 2024
“Russian pipeline gas supplies to EU rise 41% year-on-year – Vedomosti,” RT, 07 February 2024
Natalia Drozdiak and Ellen Milligan, “US Is Convinced It Can Push Ukraine Aid Through Congress, Sullivan Says,” Bloomberg, 07 February 2024
James Politi and Ben Hall, “Joe Biden blames Donald Trump for sinking US deal to fund Ukraine war effort,” Financial Times, 07 February 2024