Photo : The Moscow Times
Photo : The Moscow Times
By Shilpa Joseph
WAR ON THE GROUND
On 23 May, Swissinfo reported on Russian missiles killing seven people in a strike in Kharkiv resultign in death of 50. Russian forces have targeted in the past five months through a ground assault partially surrounding since 10 May. The missiles were observed to have fired from Belgorod region of Russia. Following the attacks on multiple locations in Kharkiv, the state railway company reported on injury of six employees. According to the report, Russia had also dropped guided bombs on the nearby town of Derhachi, causing damage to civilian infrastructure. Russia is seen to be sending reserve forces to support its assault operations in the northern parts of the region after Ukrainian troops had stalled on two main lines of attack. The new escalation showed the urgent need for air defence systems and western-provided weapons to strike missile launchers inside Russia.
THE MOSCOW VIEW
Claims by Russia
On 23 May, Vladimir Putin, Russian President arrived in Belarus for talks on the country’s involvement in the second phase of the tactical nuclear exercise. Following Russia’s announcement of the drills, Belarus ordered a similar exercise to test Belarus’ nuclear-capable weapon systems, including Iskander missile launchers. The exercise involves delivering nuclear weapons to soldiers from storage facilities, equipping missiles with tactical nuclear warheads, and deploying such weapons. In 2023, Following a "friendly request" from Belarus, Putin agreed to store a small supply of tactical nuclear weapons in Belarus as a deterrent.
On 23 May, in a statement, officials from the Republic of Tatarstan in central Russia said that several industrial enterprises have been evacuated following a drone attack in the region. The statement: “...measures are being taken according to a previously developed plan,” and that all appropriate steps were being taken to ensure the security of local residents. However, the Russian defense ministry confirmed that it had intercepted a Ukrainian attack in Tatarstan, destroying one UAV. The region, which possesses numerous oil processing plants, has repeatedly been targeted by drone attacks in recent weeks. Citing concerns about flight safety, Russia's Federal Air Transport Agency temporarily halted operations at the airports in Nizhnekamsk and Kazan, Tatarstan.
On 23 May, the Russian Investigative Committee confirmed the arrest of Lieutenant General Vadim Shamarin, the head of the Main Directorate of Communications at the Ministry of Defense for alleged involvement in bribery. He would be the fourth senior defence official to be arrested in the last two months. The investigation claims that between April 2016 and October 2023, Shamarin accepted a bribe of 36 million rubles, or roughly USD 400,000, from the company's chief accountant Elena Grishina and general director of the Telta Perm Telephone Plant, Alexey Vysokov. He is expected to be detained until his trial, according to an order from the 235th Garrison Military Court. He can go to jail for up to 15 years if found guilty.
THE WEST VIEW
Responses of the US and Europe
On 23 May, Sebastien Lecornu, French Defence Minister announced the successful testing of an updated ASMPA supersonic missile capable of carrying a nuclear warhead. The flight test, named Operation Durandal, tested the air launched cruise missile without an on-board payload using a strategic Rafale fighter jet. The missile serves as a pre-strategic weapon or a warning shot before the potential deployment of nuclear weapons. The missile system developed by the MBDA has undergone continuous improvement since it first entered service in 1986. A series of Durandal military exercises from 13 May to 14 June aims at demonstrating France’s military readiness and missile capabilities. These exercises are conducted against a backdrop of escalating nuclear tensions by Putin who threatened the use of all available means to defend occupied territories in Ukraine.
On 22 May, Grant Shapps, UK's defense minister said in a conference that China was sending lethal aid to Russia to fight the war in Ukraine. He urged that democratic states should collaborate for a collective deterrent by laying down alliances and formulating concrete plans. While the west claims that China and Russia’s strategic partnership have grown closer, China denies it. However, Jake Sullivan, US national security adviser said that China has not seen to have directly provided weapons to Russia but has provided inputs to Russia’s defense industrial base.
On 23 May a report by The New York Times analysed the US' position on letting Ukraine use its weapons to shoot down Russia. Biden was firm about his mandate on never firing the US weapons into Russian territory to avoid World War III. However, seeing the recent strikes by Russia into the Kharkiv region, Secretary of State Antony J Blinken suggested on relaxing the ban, so that Ukraine can retaliate. Ukraine’s missiles and drones don’t pack the power and speed of the US weapons. The UK has allowed its “Storm Shadow” cruise systems to be used to target Russia more broadly. The US was also considering training Ukrainian troops inside the country but the Biden administration prohibited deploying US military personnel in Ukraine fearing that the trainers based in Lviv, could came under attack. According to the report, the US is less sensitive to the public exercises on the use of tactical nuclear weapons by Russia unlike in October 2022.
References
“Seven dead in Russian strikes on Kharkiv as Kyiv pleads for weapons” , Swissinfo.ch, 23 May 2024
“Another top Russian defense official arrested in corruption case” , RT, 23 May 2024
“Drone alert closes airports and factories in central Russia” , RT, 23 May 2024
“Putin to discuss ‘second phase’ of nuclear drills with ally” , RT, 23 May 2024
“France Conducts Successful Test of ASMPA Supersonic Nuclear Missile Amid Global Tensions” , Republic, 23 May 2024
“UK defense minister says China sending ‘lethal aid’ to Russia for Ukraine war” , Arab News, 23 May 2024
“Inside the White House, a Debate Over Letting Ukraine Shoot U.S. Weapons Into Russia”, The New York Times, 22 May 2024