Photo : Russian Defence Ministry / Reuters / Aljazeera
Photo : Russian Defence Ministry / Reuters / Aljazeera
By Shilpa Joseph and Padmashree Anandhan
WAR ON THE GROUND
On 21 May, in a press release, the Federal Foreign Office stated the Annalena Baerbock, German Foreign Minister launch a global initiative for enhanced air defence together with Defence Minister Pistorius as part of her visit to Kyiv. She encouraged Ukraine’s resilience and determination and called for more air defence resources to protect from Russian missiles and drone attacks. She also called to build a strong alliance of business representatives, civil society and local government during the Ukraine Recovery Conference to be held at Berlin in June.
On 21 May, the BBC reported on Russian forces began a summer offensive in Kharkiv as 14,000 fled the area and 189,000 people who remained faced risks in the ongoing fighting. Russian drone strikes on the city injured seven people and a Ukrainian drone strike across the border into Belgorod killed one woman and injured three others in a moving car. Ukrainian officials claim that about 60 per cent of Vovchansk is still controlled by Ukraine. However, Russia increasingly used cheap but highly destructive glide bombs to advance its offensive in Ukraine and many were used to hit Vovchansk.
On 21 May, The Kyiv Independent news desk reported that 28 of the 29 attack drones launched from the Russian port town of Primorsko-Akhtarsk, from Cape Chauda in occupied Crimea and from Russia's Kursk Oblast, were shot down by the Ukrainian Air force. However, the fragments of drones damaged two houses, a garage, and a mini-bus in the city of Kharkiv overnight. According to Ukrainian officials a Russian morning missile attack on transport infrastructure in Kharkiv injured a man.
THE MOSCOW VIEW
Claims by Russia
On 21 May, RT reported on Russian defence ministry statement on deployment of troops in its southern military district to carry out tactical nuclear drills. According to the report, this exercise will be a deterrent in the conflict between Russian and West, to showcase its ability. In the drill, the nuclear, the forces will carry our delivery of nuclear weapons from storage to the troops, arm tactical missiles and prepare for missile launches. For this, Iskander-M systems, 9M723-1 ballistic missiles or 9M728 cruise missiles and tactical warheads with capacity of five to 50 kilotons will be used. In a statement released by the ministry: “Aimed at maintaining the combat readiness of the personnel and equipment of the non-strategic nuclear-weapon units.” The southern military district covers area between Black and the Caspian seas, a total of 19 areas along with Crimean and four annexed districts by Russia.
On 21 May, the TASS reported on Russian troops equal advance in the Kharkiv frontline up to 40 per cent (150-200 meters) of Volchansk. Vitaly Ganchev, head of the regional military-civilian administration appointed by Russia stated how Russian troops had pushed the Ukrainian forces to secure positions. He said: “The basic part of the town’s northern part has been fully liberated. The advance is slow but steady.” According to him, Ukraine military was found to be deploying from the southern direction from Kramatorsk with west equipment and “manpower.”
On 21 May, the TASS reported on Dmitry Medvedev, Deputy Chairman of the Russian Security Council response to the scheduled peace summit to be organised by Switzerland in June. He stated that the outcome of the upcoming summit would be “null and void” as the peace talks cannot be complete with just one party involved. Russia’s foreign ministry pointed on Russia not being invited for the summit and it will not attend any events where Zelenskyy’s “peace formula” is discussed.
THE WEST VIEW
Responses of the US and Europe
On 21 May, France 24 reported Finland government’s law proposal to facilitate the blocking of migrants at the border after a sharp influx of migrants in 2023 from Russia. Concerns arose since this law would violate human rights for the asylum seekers. Finland became a part of NATO after the invasion of Ukraine and has led to tensions with Russia since. However, Petteri Orpo, Prime Minister of Finland said they would respect national and EU security before others. With special protection for women, children and people with disabilities, the border would remain shut indefinitely for the others.
On 21 May, Politico reported that Moldova signing of a security and defence partnership with the EU. Moldova has been a critic of Russia after its invasion in Ukraine although not a member of NATO or the EU. The country signed a deal with France for training its armed forces and boosting military cooperation in March 2024. The new partnership with the EU, is aimed at enhancing the country’s resilience with EU assistance. In addition, the agreement will make it easier to collaborate on cybersecurity and disinformation campaigns. It will also support Moldova's defence industry through the European instrument for peace.
On 21 May, in a news conference, Donald Tusk Poland’s Prime Minister established a commission to investigate Russian influence in the espionage and internal destabilisation acts in the country in the years 2004-24. In April, several Polish spy arrests were reported which the authorities linked to Russian espionage. On 20 May, Tusk announced that nine suspects were arrested and charged with acts of sabotage in Poland directly on behalf of the Russian services. He said that "beatings, arson, and attempted arson" were among the acts committed, and that the people detained are "Ukrainian, Belarusian, and Polish citizens," most likely with criminal histories and ties to a Russian spy network. Poland believes that they are key targets for Rusian intelligence services since it is a hub for western supplies to Ukraine. Additionally, the Polish government increased its defence allocation for its own intelligence services to combat the threat.
References
“Russian troops leveling out frontline in Kharkov area — local administration,” TASS, 21 May 2024
“Anything that comes out of Swiss conference on Ukraine trifling without Russia — Medvedev,” TASS, 21 May 2024
“Russia launches tactical nuclear drills (VIDEO),” RT, 21 May 2021
Tom Canetti, “Concerns over weaponisation of migration push Finland to propose new asylum law,” France 24, 21 May 2024
“Russia begins tactical nuclear weapons drills near Ukraine,” France 24, 21 May 2024
“Moldova signs security and defense pact with EU,” Politico, 21 May 2024
“Poland reforms espionage commission after Russia spy arrests,” Deutche Welle, 21 May 2024
“Foreign Minister Baerbock on her arrival in Kyiv,” Federal Foreign Office, 21 May 2024
Tom McArthur, “Thousands flee Russian offensive in Kharkiv region” BBC, 21 May 2024
Kateryna Denisova, “Air Force: Ukraine downs 28 of 29 Russian drones overnight,” The Kyiv Independent, 21 May 2024