Photo : Russia defence ministry
Photo : Russia defence ministry
By Padmashree Anandhan
WAR ON THE GROUND
On 08 April, Ivan Federov Governor of Zaporizhzhia reported on a new set of strikes by Russia killing three people in the Pologivskyi district (Located between Zaporizhzhia and Mariupol). According to him, 357 times the strikes were recorded in last 24 hours. The same was confirmed by Ukraine’s air force on Russia targeting critical infrastructure. It claimed on destroying 17 Shahed drones over Odesa, Mykolaiv, Kirovohrad, Khmelnytskyi and Zhytomyr. Alongside, Kh-59 guided air missiles were also claimed to be destroyed in Dnipropetrovsk. According to Oleh Kiper, Governor of Odesa, logistics and transport facilities such as gas station were also damaged.
On 08 April, Andriy Kovalenko, Ukraine’s centre for countering disinformation head blamed Moscow for spearing disinformation on the drone attack on Zaporizhzhia power plant. He claimed that Russia has intensified the “campaign of provocation and fakes” following the spread of rumour on Ukraine’s attack on the plant.
On 08 April, German Galushchenko, Ukraine’s energy minister reported on 80 per cent of conventional power plants and hydroelectric plants of Ukraine being damaged by Russia since the war began. Such frequent strikes have resulted in major power blackouts across Ukraine and the scale of such attack on energy infrastructure was observed to have increased since 2023 winter. He added: “We see that Russians modified the weapons,” with more use of Shahded drones and missiles.
THE MOSCOW VIEW
Claims by Russia
On 08 April, the Russian military claimed on conducting a high-precision strike on Ukraine’s “drone manufacturing and storage facility” in Zaporizhzhia. According to the report, the military targeted using Iskander tactical ballistic missile and in a video, released showed the incursion of the missile through the roof and destroying of the building. In a statement by the military it explained the reason for the attack as: “part of a wider series of strikes on Ukraine’s “military-industrial complex, workshops producing weapons and UAVs…as well as energy facilities associated with such targets.”
On 08 April, Sergey Lavrov, Russia’s Foreign Minister arrived in Beijing as part of the two-day visit to China. The discussion included anti-terrorism cooperation through multilateral mechanisms, and common concerns over regional and international issues. Lavrov added: “Our [Russia-China] cooperation on counter-terrorism will continue, including within the framework of multilateral institutions.” Along with this, Russia and China are expected to improve strategic cooperation. Liu Xianzhong, Director of the Department of Russian History and Culture at the Institute of Russian, East European and Central Asian Studies said: “…have been staunchly supporting each other in their efforts to champion their own national sovereignty, security and territorial integrity.”
THE WEST VIEW
Responses of the US and Europe
On 08 April, Janet Yellen, the US Treasury Secretary warned Chinese companies on exporting products to Russia which could be utilised in war in Ukraine. She stated that any transfer of money to Russia by banks to help the Russian defence industry will be under risk of being sanctioned by the US. She added: “I stressed that companies, including those in [China], must not provide material support for Russia's war and that they will face significant consequences if they do.” According to the report in Deutsche Welle, China has become Russia’s closest economic partner since the war, with an annual increase of 26 per cent (USD 240.2 bilion) in the bilateral trade.
On 08 April, the EU agreed tighter restrictions on Ukrainian food imports. This includes a permit of duty-free access to Ukraine’s agricultural produce excluding “poultry, eggs, sugar, corn, goats and honey” between “mid 2021 and end of 2023.” Poland and France which had vouched for a excluding wheat from the being duty free was not added. Yet the primary agreement is yet to be approved which will be heard by EU ambassadors and European Parliament in the coming days.
THE GLOBAL FALLOUTS
Implications of the war
In response to the warning, Mao Ning, China’s Foreign Ministry spokeswoman stressed that it was in China’s interest to protect itself from “foreign interferences.” She added: “China-Russia relations should not be attacked or smeared, and the legitimate rights and interests of China and Chinese companies should not be harmed.” She further stated that China and Russia’s equation should be a subject for foreign intervention or restriction. According to Ning, China will continue to play a prominent role in vouching for a ceasefire and political settlement between Ukraine and Russia.
References
“Ukraine updates: More strikes reported near Zaporizhzhia,” Deutsche Welle, 08 April 2024
“WATCH Russian missile obliterate Ukrainian drone factory,” RT, 08 April 2024
“Russia, China to maintain anti-terrorism cooperation after Crocus tragedy — Lavrov,” TASS, 09 April 2024
“China to 'strengthen strategic cooperation' with Russia as Lavrov visits,” CNA, 09 April 2024
Zhang Yunbi “Experts: Lavrov trip eyes global agenda,” China Daily, 09 April 2024
“China dismisses Washington’s threat of ‘consequences,” RT, 08 April 2024