Photo : Map of the Krasnogorsk. Image Source: BBC
Photo : Map of the Krasnogorsk. Image Source: BBC
By Rosemary Kurian and Padmashree Anandhan
WAR ON THE GROUND
On 24 March, according to France 24, a fresh set of aerial attacks was launched by Russia towards Kyiv concentrated in the western Ukraine. The attack was launched a day after Russia claimed to have captured Ivanivske, a Ukrainian village near Bakhmut. The city of Lviv near the Polish border was also attacked, leading to a airspace breach in Polish airspace by a Russian missile. So far, no casualties have been reported. Ukraine claimed its air defence system hit “about a dozen” missiles. Bridget Brink, the US Ambassador to Ukraine, condemned Russia, accusing it of “violating international law.” Andiy Sadovy, the Mayor of Lviv, stated that around 20 missiles and seven Iran-made Shahed drones were fired in the region, targeting “critical infrastructure facilities.”
On 23 March, according to the Kyiv Independent, Ukraine’s Air Force announced that it intercepted 31 out of 35 Shahed drones launched by Russia from the Kursk region and Cape Chauda in Crimea. Donetsk was also targeted by Russia with at least four S-300 anti-aircraft missiles. Ukraine’s anti-aircraft missile units and mobile fire units were engaged after the attack by drones downed above Poltava, Myokolaiv, Dnipropetrovsk, Zaporizhzhia and Kherson regions.
On 23 March, according to The NewYork Times, Ukraine’s Foreign Ministry denied Russia’s accusations on Ukraine’s involvement in the Moscow terrorist attack. Ukraine stated that it “categorically denies” any such accusation, for which the responsibility was claimed by the Islamic State. Medvedev threatened to “mercilessly destroy” the attackers, even if it is the Ukrainian state. Ukraine accused Russia of using its old tactic of using violence at home as a pivot point in its wars.
On March 23, according to The Kyiv Independent, Ukraine’s military intelligence agency (HUR) along with local resistance groups, carried out a joint attack against a group of Russian servicemen in the occupied city of Melitopol. The explosions killed about 20 soldiers, and damaged two Kamaz trucks and a UAZ pickup truck in Melitopol, in the Zaporizhzhia Oblast. Military intelligence has reported on the operations by local resistance forces in the occupied cities of Ukraine, including attacks and explosions at the railway infrastructure in Melitopol.
THE MOSCOW VIEW
Claims by Russia
On 22 March, Dmitry Azarov, Governor of Russia’s Samara Oblast, reported on drone attacks against two oil refineries in the Samara Region. In the Kuibyshev Oil Refinery, “a primary oil refining unit caught fire” with no reported casualties. The attack on the Novokuibyshevsk Oil Refinery was repelled and no damage was reported to its equipment.
On 23 March, according to RT, Russia’s Investigative Committee announced that the death toll after the Crocus City Hall terrorist attack in Moscow has risen to 133, with search still ongoing. Emergency services in Russia continue to dig through the rubble for more information, after the building was partially destroyed. Over 150 people were wounded in the attack. Four armed suspects with assault rifles entered the rock concert, shooting civilians at point-blank range and setting the building on fire. Law enforcement forces caught them in the Bryansk Region on Russia's border, suspecting that they were crossing over to Ukraine.
According to Russia’s Federal Security Service report (FSB), the attack was well planned to exert more casualties. 11 have been arrested in Bryansk including the four gunmen under suspicion of direct involvement. Following the attack, Vladimir Putin, Russia’s President calling it a “organised mass murder” in his address expressed his condolences for the victims and announced introduction of anti-terrorist and anti-sabotage measures. He also confirmed the arrest of the gunmen and said: “The Federal Security Service of Russia and other law enforcement agencies are working to identify and uncover the entire terrorist support base.” Russia’s news media reported on Tajik citizens involved in the attack.
According to the Tajik government, there was no official information received from Russia. Muhiddin Kabiri, leader of the opposition party claimed on having information on engagement of many Tajik citizens and criticised the government for its authoritarian policies “radicalising” few citizens. According to a report in Radio Free Europe Radio Liberty, in an interrogation with the detained men, under a harsh investigation disclosing being hired by anonymous to “shoot at people” and another claimed being offered RUB one million to kill people on site.
On 23 March, according to RT, Vladimir Putin, the Russian President, denounced the “bloody and barbaric” terrorist attack in the Crocus City Hall in Moscow and vowed to punish all those involved, in a video message. 24 March was announced as a national day of mourning in memory of all the victims. Putin further thanked the first respondents and citizens that helped the attack’s victims and vowed to prevent any future attack through “additional anti-terrorism and anti-saboteur measures.”
THE WEST VIEW
Responses from the US and Europe
On 23 March, according to the Associated Press, the US Congress approved USD 228 million in military aid to the Baltic republics of Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia under the Baltic Security Initiative (BSI). The funds for the three NATO members and neighbours of Russia will “fast track several military infrastructure and capability development projects,” according to Hanno Pevkur, Estonia’s Defence Minister. The BSI began in 2017 to aid the Baltic states in developing military capability, and the focus is on developing land forces, maritime situational awareness and air defence, with a slight increase from the fund allocation in 2023. An agreement was earlier signed between the US and the Baltic states for a five-year defence cooperation through 2028.
On 24 March, according to The Guardian, Poland stated that it would demand an explanation from Russia after a Russian missile breached into Polish airspace for a brief period before attacking Ukraine. The missile strike was part of a series of regular aerial attacks into Ukraine. The Polish Armed Forces Operational Command (RSZ) stated that following the “intensive long-range aviation activity” by Russia, they were in a state of heightened readiness. Polish military radar systems observed a breach in airspace over the town of Oserdow for 39 seconds. Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz, the Polish defence minister, stated that had there been a threat of attack on a Polish target, they were prepared to shoot down the Russian missile. Russia blames Ukraine for the Moscow terrorist attack that killed at least 133, stating that suspects were fleeing into Ukraine. Volodymyr Zelensky, Ukraine’s President, denied the accusation of the act already claimed by the Islamic State, accusing Putin of shifting the blame.
References
“'Massive' Russian air attack hits Western Ukraine, Kyiv; Poland says its airspace violated,” France 24, 24 March 2024
Olena Goncharova, “Air Force: Ukraine downs 31 Russian drones overnight,” The Kyiv Independent, 23 March 2024
Andrew E. Kramer, “Ukraine Says Russia’s Speculation It Was Behind Attack Is Meant to Rally War Support,” The New York Times, 23 March 2024
Kateryna Denisova, “Military intelligence: Partisans attack Russian soldiers, equipment in occupied Melitopol,” The Kyiv Independent, 23 March 2024
“Fire breaks out at oil refinery in Russia’s Samara Region following drone attack,” TASS, 23 March 2024
“Death toll in Moscow concert hall attack climbs to 133 – investigators,” RT, 23 March 2024
“Timeline of how Moscow concert attack wey kill over 130 pipo happun,” BBC, 23 March 2024
“Deadly Moscow terrorist attack: What’s known so far,” RT, 23 March 2024
“Appeal to Russian citizens,” Kremlin.ru, 23 March 2024
Farangis Najibullah and RFE/RL's Tajik Service, “Anti-Migrant Sentiment Rises In Russia As 4 Tajiks Charged In Moscow Attack,” rferl, 25 March 2024
“Everyone behind Moscow terror attack will be punished – Putin,” RT, 23 March 2024
Ashifa Kassam, “Poland to demand explanation from Moscow after missile breaches its airspace during Ukraine attack,” The Guardian, 24 March 2024
“Washington approves $228 million in US military aid to the three Baltic states, Estonia says,” Associated Press, 23 March 2024