Photo : Euronews
Photo : Euronews
War in Ukraine: Day 719
By Rosemary Kurian and Padmashree Anandhan
War on the Ground
On 12 February, Mikhailo Fedorov, the Ukraine’s Digital Transformation Minister, stated that Ukraine plans on the mass production of long-range missiles as a threat to Russian targets. It aims to produce one million drones by the end of 2024. Several drone attacks were reported in Russian oil depots including in Bryansk, Oryol, and Leningrad. Fedorov stressed on the government’s efforts at “deregulating the drone market and increasing funding for it,” stating the importance of Ukraine’s private sector in drone making. Volodymyr Zelensky, the Ukrainian President has earlier signed a decree for the creation of a new branch within the Ukraine Armed Forces (UAF) dedicated to drones.
On 11 February, Volodymyr Zelensky, Ukraine’s President continued his efforts at a complete “reboot” of the top posts in the Ukrainian defence forces, as Russian drone attacks continued with the latest including the capital Kyiv. After Oleksandr Pavlyuk replaced Oleksandr Syrskiy as Ukraine’s new commander of the armed forces, presidential decrees announced Yuriv Sodol as the new commander of the combined forces, and Brig. Gen. Ihor Skibyuk as the new commander of the air assault forces for his role as the architect of Ukrainian victory in Kharkiv. Ukraine announced that all drones sent to Kyiv had been destroyed and no casualties were reported.
The Moscow View
Claims by Russia
On 12 February, the Russia’s Foreign Ministry announced the imposition of sanctions against 18 British military and political figures as a response to their “confrontational course” towards Russia. The Ministry, according to Tass, accused the UK to be involved in the “fabrication of anti-Russian narratives,” aiding the “neo-Nazi regime” in Ukraine, and discrediting the “constitutional order and socio-political processes” in Russia. Those imposed with sanctions include Simon Asquith, the Royal Navy Director of Submarines, Tim Neal-Hopes, the National Cyber Force Commander, and James Cartlidge, the Minister of State for Defence Procurement.
On 12 February, Dmitry Peskov, the Russian military spokesperson stated that the Starlink internet terminals were not officially ordered or commissioned in Russia, denying claims made by Ukrainian intelligence stating otherwise. Elon Musk, the owner of SpaceX that manufactures the Starlink terminals refuted the Ukrainian allegation, stating on X that “no Starlinks have been sold directly or indirectly to Russia,” separately clarifying no business relations with the Russian government. Musk had earlier donated 20,000Starlink terminals to Ukraine after the launch of the Russian offensive but refused to activate services in Crimea, the reason stated as the imposition of the US sanctions in Russia and Crimea.
The West View
Responses from the US and Europe
On 12 February, The Guardian reported on French military and cybersecurity agency comments on spotting a Russia based network spreading disinformation in western Europe. The Viginum agency was started in 2021 to identify digital interferences from foreign entities, which involved in activities to influence public opinion. According to the agency, it found Russia to be setting out a manipulation campaign for the upcoming European elections under the name “Portal Kombat.” It found that such disinformation was spread through social media, and messaging traced back to Moscow. For 2024 elections, the European Commission had flagged disinformation as one of top threats and Věra Jourová, the EU’s Vice President urged France, Germany and Poland to fight such disinformation networks.
On 12 February, Olaf Scholz, German Chancellor assured Germany’s commitment to spend two per cent of its GDP on NATO defence. The statement comes after Donald Trump, former US President blamed the NATO countries on not meeting the benchmark to defend against Russia. He said: “We have to move away from manufacturing towards large-scale production of defence equipment.” Rheinmetall, one of the largest defence production company of Germany increased its production after demand for ammunition rose and is expected to provide 200,000 artillery shells each year.
On 12 February, the European Council decided on the use of profits from confiscated Russian assets to finance the reconstruction of Ukraine. Similar to steps taken by the G7 the EU’s decision aims at routing the confiscated Russian assets under special circumstances to Ukraine through the EU’s budget. The EU aims to use central depositories like Belgium’s Euroclear to set aside profits generated by assets belonging to the Russian central bank, the proceeds of which could amount to EUR four billion per year. Dmytro Kuleba, the Ukraine’s Foreign Minister, welcomed the decision, stating that “the aggressor must pay.” Peskov had earlier vowed to retaliate on the decision to confiscate and freeze Russian assets.
References
Nate Ostiller, “Minister: Ukraine to produce thousands of long-range drones in 2024”, The Kyiv Independent, 12 February 2024
“Zelenskiy Steps Up Leadership 'Reboot' As Russian Drone Assaults Hit Kyiv, Kharkiv”, RFE/RL, 11 February 2024
“Russia imposes sanctions against 18 British citizens — Foreign Ministry”, TASS, 12 February 2024
“Kremlin comments on Starlink claims”, RT, 12 February 2024
Joe Stanley-Smith, “EU moves toward using profits from frozen Russian assets for Ukraine”, Politico, 13 February 2024
Matthias Inverardi and Andreas Rinke, “Germany's Scholz pledges to meet 2% NATO spending target,” Reuters, 12 February 2024
Kim Willsher and Lisa O'Carroll “French security experts identify Moscow-based disinformation network,” The Guardian, 12 February 2024