Photo : Maxar Technologies/Reuters
Photo : Maxar Technologies/Reuters
By Padmashree Anandhan
WAR ON THE GROUND
On 07 April, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Ukraine’s President warned over the possibility of losing the war to Russia if the US Congress delays to approve the military aid to Ukraine. He said: “It is necessary to specifically tell Congress that if Congress does not help Ukraine, Ukraine will lose the war… if Ukraine loses the war, other states will be attacked.”
On 06 April, The Guardian reported on record of deaths and injury after the Russian drone strike in Kharkiv. According to the report, six were killed and close to 10 were wounded. The attack was observed to have launched at Shevchenkivskyi, a city located in the northern Ukraine. As per the police records, an additional eight were hospitalised due to “Blast injuries and shrapnel wounds.”
On 06 April, a drone attack was reported by the security ministry of the Transdniestria region. According to the report in The Guardian, the ministry belongs to a separatist group and the drone had targeted its military facility. The group is expected to be operation in an area six kilometres inside from Ukraine border which has been fighting Russia from the frontline in the Moldova’s east. In a statement the ministry said: “The target was a radar station, which suffered minor damage, but there were no casualties. An investigative team is working on the spot. A criminal case has been opened.”
On 06 April, Oleksandr Syrskyi, Ukraine’s Commander-in-chief denied the Russian claims on breaching Ukraine suburb town Chasiv Yar. He confirmed that Chasiv Yar still remains in Ukraine’s control and Russia’s efforts to breakthrough the area had failed. Chasiv Yar, is a town with high-level defence and Russia’s advance in this area would be limitation as it borders Bakhmut which is in control of Russia, thereby making it easy for Russia to exercise control. On the same, Syrskyi also stressed on the increasing difficultness in the Bakhmut area due to constant offensive operations of Russian forces. He added: “Chasiv Yar remains under our control, all enemy attempts to break through to the settlement have failed.”
THE MOSCOW VIEW
Claims by Russia
On 07 April, the TASS reported on a Ukrainian drone attack in the Russia’s control area of Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant. The attack resulted in damage of a truck near the station as per the report from the authorities. Following this, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) confirmed the detonation of the drone. In a report in RT, three employees in the canteen had died in the attack and the plant management blamed Ukraine for targeting the facility. Rafael Mariano Grossi, IAEA Director General called for restraint and urged to avoid such incidents for ensuring nuclear safety.
On 07 April, RT reported on Russian defence ministry claims on destroying an anti-aircraft system, radar and west supplied naval drones. According to the ministry, Ukraine had earlier claimed the sea-drones to be own-built but in the attack it was found to be “supplied by NATO countries.” The explosion was reported in Odesa’s port. The ministry also claimed on destroying multiple aircraft systems, artillery and continuing combat in the frontline.
On 06 April, Russian foreign ministry called for an investigation following the drone attack in Transdniestria’s military facility. Maria Zakharova, Ministry’s spokesperson called the event as a provocation with an aim to increase tension in the region and issues a warning of “dangerous consequences.”
References
“Drones Target Russian Airfield Where Bombers Stationed As 4 Killed In Southern Ukraine,” Rferl, 05 April 2024
“Live blog: Russian strike kills four, wounds 20 in Ukraine's Zaporizhzhia,” TRT World, 05 April 2024
“High Radiation Levels Prompt State Of Emergency In Russia's Khabarovsk,” Rferl, 05 April 2024
“Japan introduces news sanctions against Russia,” CGTN, 05 April 2024
Sarah Haque and Lili Bayer, “Russia-Ukraine war live: 20 members of Russian airfield personnel killed or injured in drone attack, Kyiv says – as it happened,” The Guardian,05 April 2024