Photo : AP Photo/Fransicso Seco
Photo : AP Photo/Fransicso Seco
By Padmashree Anandhan
War on the Ground
On 08 March, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Ukraine’s President and Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Turkey’s President held meeting in Istanbul. As part of his trip to promote “peace formula,” Zelenskyy proposed the same, discussed on release of Ukrainian prisoners and called for safety in Black Sea corridor. Mainly the discussion brought out the prospect of Turkey mediating a peace summit between Ukraine and Russia. Erdogan on the same said: “We are ready to host a peace summit where Russia is also present.”
On 08 March, multiple attacks were reported in Kupiansk, Synegubov, Chernihiv, southern Odesa and Black Sea port in Odesa. Oleh Synegubov, Governor of Kharkov reported on death of two from multiple rocket launcher attacks in Kupiansk area. In Synegubov located four miles from Russian border, a guided aerial bomb was reported to have killed a woman. Whereas in remaining areas one more was killed and damage was facilities. According to Ukraine’s air forces 33 drones were intercepted out of 37 and 18 of Shahed drones were destroyed. The attacks were concentrated in Odesa and in the Black Sea port compared to other areas.
On 08 March, talks were held between Andriy Yermak, head of the Office of the President of Ukraine and Li Hui, Chinese special envoy on possibility of gaining China’s support. Ukraine vouched for help in exchange of deported children, de-occupation of Zaporizhzhia power plant. Talks also focused on establishing peace under prospect of Ukraine’s “peace formula.” Although China insists on its peace plan, Ukraine stressed on Zelenskyy’s plan.
The Moscow View
Claims by Russia
On 08 March, RT reported on death of two due to a drone attack in Russia’s Belgorod area which borders with Ukraine. The attack was confirmed by Vyacheslav Gladkov, Governor of Belgorod. According to him three Kamikaze drones attacked the periphery of the village of Rozhdestvenka. He said: “As a result of the explosions, two people were killed and a third man was seriously injured.”
The West View
Responses from the US and Europe
On 08 March, Grant Shapps, UK’s Defense Secretary during his visit to Ukraine pledged to provide 10,000 drones worth GBP 125 million of “cutting-edge” technology as part of the drone package. He also announces increase in the total aid to Ukraine on drones from GBP 200 million to GBP 325 million. Till now drones have been used by Ukraine to counter attack, surveillance, carry grenades and drop explosives in the Russian captured areas.
On 08 March, Petr Fiala, Czech Republic’s Prime Minister confirmed raising funds to purchase first set of 300,000 artillery shells for Ukraine under an international initiative out of 800,000. He said: “We have managed to raise enough money to buy the first batch of 300,000 artillery shells.” The move comes as Ukraine faces shortage in ammunition and EU’s failure to deliver one million shells by March.
The Global Fallouts
Implications of the war
On 08 March, India’s authorities reported on detainment of Indians accused of being part of a trafficking network which engaged in sending people to fight in Russia. The statement was issued by India’s Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on holding of raids in 13 locations. It found 35 to have been sent so far to Russia and of which two were sent as “helpers” and were reported to have died while fighting. On the same Indian embassy in Russia confirmed the death of one. In response, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) of India issued warnings to Indians on the risks of being recruited for support role in Russian army. Randhir Jaiswal, MEA spokesperson said: “The CBI yesterday busted a major human trafficking network conducting searches in several cities and collecting incriminating evidence. A case of human trafficking has been registered against several agents.”
References
Ayse Wieting And Suzan Fraser, “Turkey’s Erdogan offers to host a peace summit with Russia during a visit from Ukraine’s Zelenskyy,” Associated Press, 09 March 2024
“Ukrainian kamikaze drones kill two in Russia – governor,” RT, 08 March 2024
“Ukraine updates: Russian attacks kill at least 4 civilians,” Deutsche Welle, 08 March 2024
Laura Kayali, “Czech Republic backtracks on finding cash to buy 800,000 shells for Ukraine,” Politico, 08 March 2024
“Here's how Indians were duped into fighting for Russia in its conflict with Ukraine,” The Economic Times, 08 March 2024