Photo : President.gov.ua
Photo : President.gov.ua
By Shilpa Joseph and Padmashree Anandhan
WAR ON THE GROUND
On 24 May, CBC news reported on Volodymyr Zelenskyy, the Ukrainian President statement on said Ukraine’s armed forces "combat control" in areas where Russian troops staged incursion in northern parts of Kharkiv oblast. He said: “Our soldiers have now managed to take combat control of the border area where the Russian occupiers entered.” The statement comes as Zelenskyy visited Kharkiv city and held a meeting with military and regional officials in Kharkiv.
On 24 May, Ukrainska Pravda reported on UK Ministry of Defence observation on Russia’s involvement of African Corps including former Wagner troops in the offensive in Vovchansk. Russian defence ministry’s African Corps established in December 2023 is composed of over 2,000 regular soldiers and officers, including skilled Wagner mercenaries. According to the intelligence, Russia is expected to boost its war against Ukraine with resources marked for Africa.
On 24 May, a report by The Moscow Times said that Ukraine's top general Oleksandr Syrsky statement on intense fighting in the eastern front. According to the report, Russian forces have "bogged down" in their attempt to take the Ukrainian border town of Vovchansk. After the sudden attack by the Russian ground assault troops in the northeastern Kharkiv region on 10 May, Ukraine had managed to fight back the forces. Additionally, Ukrainian Railways said that the Russian forces struck civilian railway infrastructure, damaged tracks, buildings, idle freight carriages, and an electric train carriage.
THE MOSCOW VIEW
Claims by Russia
On 24 May, RT reported on the Russian defence ministry’s footage of the liberation of the key settlement of Klescheevka in Russia occupied Donetsk People’s Republic (DPR). The footage showed Russian artillery strikes on targets within and near the village using high-precision Krasnopol shells. Russian UAVs targeted Ukrainian troops under shelter in the basement and an assault group in combat. The defence ministry confirmed on capturing of Andreevka, a village about four kilometres south of Klescheevka and south of the strategically significant city of Chasov Yar.
On 24 May, RT reported on Vladimir Putin, the Russian President's schedule to visit North Korea following his invit in January 2024. Putin's last visit to North Korea took place in 2000 to meet with Kim Jong-il, the father of Kim Jong-un. North Korea and Russia have kept amicable relations ever since. A special personal relationship between the two leaders was boosted following the start of the Ukraine conflict and the West’s sanctions campaign against Russia. However, the US condemns the increasing cooperation between the two.
THE WEST VIEW
Responses of the US and Europe
On 23 May, a press release by Rheinmetall stated that a NATO member placed an order for the supply of 155mm artillery ammunition. The order consisted of several hundred thousand propellant charge modules and several tens of thousands of artillery shells. About EUR 300 million is the total gross value of the orders booked in the second quarter of 2024. Rheinmetall is an integrated technology group that develops and sells components, systems, and services for the security and civil industries.
References
“Press conference following the Russian-Belarusian negotiations,” President of Russia, 24 May 2024
“VIDEO shows Russian forces liberate Donbass stronghold,” RT, 24 May 2024
“Kremlin comments on Putin’s planned North Korea visit,” RT, 24 May 2024
“Ukraine has 'combat control' of parts of Kharkiv region Russia has targeted, Zelenskyy says,” CBC News, 24 May 2024
Khrystna Bondarieva, Stanislav Pohorilov, “Russia uses African Corps in its offensive on Vovchansk – UK intelligence,” Ukrainska Pravda, 24 May 2024
“NATO customer orders artillery ammunition – worth almost €300m,” Rheinmetall, 23 May 2024
“Russian Troops 'Bogged Down' in Battle for Vovchansk, Ukraine Says,” The Moscow Times, 24 May 2024