Photo : Nato.int
Photo : Nato.int
By Padmashree Anandhan
WAR ON THE GROUND
On 29 April, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Ukraine’s President during his meeting with Jens Stoltenberg, NATO Secretary General, urged for “faster delivery” of weapon systems to strengthen the front line. He indicated how Russia has advanced due to the ammunition gap in Ukraine’s armed forces and stressed on the high expectations for supplies from western allies. He added: “Today I don't see anything positive on this point yet. There are supplies, they have slightly begun, this process needs to be sped up.”
On 29 April, Politico reported on Ukraine’s forced retreat in three villages of Donetsk. The move comes as Russia’s attacks intensify while Ukraine’s military ammunition deters. In a statement, Oleksandr Syrskyi, Ukraine’s Armed Forces Commander stated that the forces had moved to west frontiers in Berdychi, Semenivka and Novomykhailivka to preserve the life and health of the troops as supplies dwindled.
On 29 April, Oleg Kiper, Governor of Odesa reported on the death of two following Russian missile strike. Posting a picture of damage to the building, he mentioned on serious injury of eight more people.
THE MOSCOW VIEW
Claims by Russia
On 29 April, Russia’s defence ministry reported on the progress of the “Battlegroup South” on the frontline inflicting damages on Ukraine’s brigades. In a statement, it confirmed on hitting 46th Air Mobile Brigade, 79th Air Assault Brigade near Krasnogorovka and Konstantinovka in Donetsk. According to the report, the attack resulted in destruction of 370 Ukrainian troops. Apart from this, Battlegroup Dnepr and Russian air defences claimed on targeting Ukrainian troops and destroying of unmanned aerial vehicles.
THE WEST VIEW
Responses of the US and Europe
On 29 April, Stoltenberg confirmed the lag in delivering the military aid of the alliance to Ukraine. He acknowledged the impact of the delay as a casual factor for “serious consequences” on ground. The statement comes as Stoltenberg visits Kyiv and held a meeting with Zelenskyy. He added: “The lack of ammunition has allowed the Russians to push forward along the front line. Lack of air defense has made it possible for more Russian missiles to hit their targets.”
On 29 April, Polish farmers who had protested for continued months at the Ukraine border crossing suspended the move. The reason behind the protest was due to the impact of cheaper Ukraine grain, the impact of unfair competition combined with government’s inaction. They withdrew the protests after talks with Czeslaw Siekierski, Agriculture Minister of Poland. Although the details of the negotiation was not disclosed, the result of suspension of protests by the farmer was hailed.
References
Martin Fornusek, "Russian media: Russia's Krasnodar Krai oil refinery 'partially suspends' operations after drone attack," The Kyiv Independent, 27 April 2024
“Ukraine updates: Russia 'massively' shells energy sites,” Deutsche Welle, 27 April 2024
“Drone raid on Russian energy infrastructure repelled,” RT, 27 April 2024
“Russia to tackle EU sanctions on LNG operations – Kremlin,” RT, 27 April 2024
“Russia destroys Ukrainian drone base – MOD” RT, 28 April 2024
“Exclusive: Half of Russia's payments to China made through middlemen, sources say,” Reuters, 26 April 2024