Photo : Sputnik / Gavriil Grigorov
Photo : Sputnik / Gavriil Grigorov
By Padmashree Anandhan
WAR ON THE GROUND
On 18 March, Ukraine’s Sumy area was under attack from Russian missiles as reported by Volodymyr Artiukh, Governor of Sumy. According to him, there was increased shelling and tactical aviation combined with multiple launch of rocket systems compared to earlier weeks. As per report from the Ukrainian air force, five missiles were targeted towards northeastern Kharkiv and another two towards Sumy’s border. In the past one week, 285 residents have been evacuated and 22 drones in total were launched out of which 17 was claimed to be destroyed by Ukraine’s air force.
On 18 March, Amnesty International, a UK based human rights organisation reported on Russia’s measures in Crimea in suppressing Ukrainian identity. The report stated Russia’s efforts in the last 10 years to delegitimise Ukraine’s sovereignty. It criticised Russia for imposing restrictions over Ukraine’s Crimean Tatar identities in education, religion, media and judicial system. As per the report: “Changes to the curriculum and the almost total eradication of Ukrainian language tuition are designed to ensure that younger generations will lack the knowledge and awareness to challenge the Russian narrative surrounding Crimea's history.” It also found that such policies were used in altering the ethnic makeup.
On 18 March, Shin Won-sik, South Korea’s Defense Minister reported on North Korea transporting 7,000 containers of weapons to Russia so far which had begun in July 2022. Shin stated that North Korea was initially found to be using ships and had shifted to rail networks for transporting the arm supplies.
THE MOSCOW VIEW
Claims by Russia
On 18 March, in a conference after the presidential election win, Vladimir Putin, Russia’s president warned over the impossibility of avoiding a direct conflict with NATO. Putin claimed on stationing of troops by NATO inside Ukraine along with the French and English on ground. Putin warned over such deployment as a trigger for a third world war. He said: “There is nothing good in this, first of all for them, because they are dying there and in large numbers.” On the possibility of a ceasefire, Putin expressed willingness for negotiation on the French proposal for a Ukraine ceasefire during the Paris Olympics. He also placed the condition of consideration of Russian interests on frontline in the talk.
On 18 March, Dmitry Peskov, Russian parliament spokesperson hinted on having a buffer zone between Russia and Ukraine as the only solution to protect Russia from Ukrainian attacks. Peskov claimed on the increased attacks on the border impacting public facilities and residential buildings and demanded for a buffer zone. This is observed as the first idea from Russia following increased attacks in Belgorod and other neighbouring border zones.
On 18 March, Vyacheslav Gladkov, Governor of Belgorod reported on death of four near the border of Belgorod city. This totals to 13 in the past week, according to him: “A 17-year-old and a man died of their wounds on the spot before the ambulance arrived. Our rescuers pulled a little girl from under the rubble of the same house.”
THE WEST VIEW
Responses from the US and Europe
On 18 March, EU foreign minister’s held a meeting in Brussels to discuss on war in Ukraine. Josep Borrell, High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy led the discussion where 27 countries agreed on a EUR five billion aid to boost Ukraine’s armed forces. The aid will come under European Peace Facility for military assistance which consists of Ukraine Assistance Fund which allows Europe to circulate support to match Ukraine’s military needs. Borrell added: “With the fund, we will continue to support Ukraine defend itself from Russia's war of aggression with whatever it takes and for as long as we need to.”
On 18 March, Germany and Poland announced on a joint cooperation to increase the production of ammunition to supply Ukraine. Boris Pistorius, Germany’s Defence Minister and Wladyslaw Kosiniak-Kamysz, Poland’s Defence Minister stated that ammunition would not suffice but helping ramping the production will grant major support. Pistorius highlighted the German-Polish cooperation in the security and defence policy as an indication of solidarity.
On 18 March, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Turkey’s President congratulated Putin on winning the elections and expressed his interest to mediate negotiation between Ukraine and Russia. He also added on the Turkey-Russia relations to be on the “positive evolution.”
References
“Russia's missile attack on Sumy: infrastructure facilities damaged, no casualties,” UNN.UA, 18 March 2024
“EU foreign ministers meet on Ukraine aid, Hamas sanctions,” Deutsche Welle, 18 March 2024
“Russia/Ukraine: A decade of suppressing non-Russian identities in occupied Crimea,” Amnesty.org, 18 March 2024
Kim Tong-Hyung, “South Korean defense chief says North Korea has supplied 7,000 containers of munitions to Russia,” Associated Press, 18 March 2024
“Troops from NATO states operating in Ukraine – Putin,” RT, 17 March 2024
“Putin’s dream, Russian unity, conflict with NATO: Key takeaways from victory speech,” RT, 18 March 2024
“Ukraine updates: Russia altering Crimean identity — Amnesty,” Deutsche Welle, 18 March 2024