Photo : Nato.int
Photo : Nato.int
By Padmashree Anandhan and Shilpa Joseph
WAR ON THE GROUND
On 29 May, Ukrinform reported on Ukraine and Turkey’s energy minister and Turkish Ambassador meeting. During the meeting the officials discussed the areas of cooperation and how to overcome consequences of the Russian attacks in Ukraine energy grid. According to energy ministry: “The parties discussed the difficult situation in the Ukrainian energy system following renewed massive Russian attacks, as well as the areas of cooperation between the countries to overcome.” The main agenda of the department will be to improve flexibility of the power systems and increase electricity generation. Discussed ideas especially on Kharkiv and Odesa on installing mobile power plants.
On 29 May, Ukrinform reported on Finland, Poland and Canada allowing Ukraine to use the weapons provides at its own discretion. Melanie Joly, Canadian Foreign Minister said that it would not impose any restrictions on use of the arm supplies and would continue to support Ukraine’s armed forces. Joly said: “Russia has no red lines…Therefore, in the issue of Ukraine's defence, we must help them and demonstrate that, despite everything that is happening, we will be there for them.” Whereas the Polish Defence Ministry said that it had given 44 packages of military aid worth four to five billion and would not impose any restrictions on use of weapons by Ukraine.
THE MOSCOW VIEW
Claims by Russia
On 29 May, the TASS reported on Russian defence ministry’s statement on destroying of 20 Ukraine’s unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). According to the report, two boats in Kherson were also destroyed and both sides engaged in active combat and defence in the left bank of Dnieper River. Vladimir Saldo, Kherson Region Governor said: “The Ukrainian armed formations lost two boats and 20 drones.” In total 45 personnel, four motor vehicles and 122 mm D-30 howitzer were recorded as Ukrainian army loss.
On 29 May, the TASS reported on Ukrainian forces redeployment of reserves from Donetsk to Kharkiv. Yan Gagin, Russia appointed Donetsk People's Republic head said: “In order to try to hold Volchansk, the enemy has redeployed [reserves] from other areas: Donetsk, Chasov Yar, Kherson and Zaporozhye.” He said that the Ukrainian military had moved several unites of military equipment into Kharkiv.
THE WEST VIEW
Responses of the US and Europe
On 29 May, Politico reported on Pål Jonson, the Swedish defence Minister announcement of Sweden’s delivery of the 16th military aid package to Ukraine worth EUR 1.16 billion. The package includes surveillance aircraft, air-air medium range missiles and infantry fighting vehicles. He said: “Sweden will donate a new military capability to strengthen Ukraine’s air defence. Package 16 will be the largest military aid package. Sweden will donate Airborne Surveillance and Control aircraft (ASC 890) to Ukraine.” The aid also includes Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missiles (AMRAAM) used in ground-based and air defence systems, 155mm artillery ammunition and resources. They also offered their entire stock of PBV 302 armoured tracked personnel carriers to support the formation of new Ukrainian units. Additionally, the Swedish Defence Research Agency will help Ukraine establish its Defence Research Institute with control and command capabilities by donating terminals with satellite communications subscriptions. The minister also addressed the decrease in Sweden’s defence capabilities after the donation and planned to procure additional S106 GlobalEye aircraft and new armoured vehicles and missiles to replace the donated ones. Sweden allowed Ukraine to use its weapons on Russian soil and has provided EUR 3.8 billion since 2022.
On 28 May, according to swissinfo.ch, Polish security services arrested a man for trying to take photos of military vehicles crossing the Ukraine border. The detained were found to be working on the orders of Russian intelligence. Poland claims that it is often a target for Russian spies who are trying to gather information to help Ukraine repel Russian attacks since Poland plays a major role as a hub for military and other supplies to Ukraine. According to Poland’s spokesperson Jacek Dobrzynski, the suspect was a 26-year-old Ukrainian man, identified as Oleksandr D was found to be influencing a Polish citizen to assist in foreign intelligence in return for a pay of EUR15,000. The court provided three months of pre-trial detention and is expected to spend up to eight years in prison if found guilty. The Internal Security Agency (ABW) also detained a Polish and two Belarusian citizens for setting fire to facilities in various parts of Poland. The men were accused of being members of an organized criminal group and of carrying out sabotage activities on behalf of Russian foreign intelligence.
On 28 May, Deutsche Welle reported on investigators from Belgium raiding a residence and office of a staffer of a member of the European Parliament who was allegedly involved in spreading Russian propaganda through the news site Voice of Europe. Belgium's federal prosecutor's office claimed that as evidence of Russian interference in the upcoming EU elections. A staffer for EU lawmaker Marcel de Graaff of the far-right Dutch party Forum for Democracy was suspected of promoting pro-Russia candidates through propaganda. While De Graaff denied any involvement in the matter, Maximilian Krah, of the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party was also investigated since the suspect had previously worked for him. Earlier, one of Krah's parliamentary aides was arrested on suspicion of spying for China. In early May, the EU suspended the broadcasting activities of Voice of Europe among others, as it was reportedly funded by pro-Kremlin tycoon Viktor Medvedchuk. The EU claimed that they were all driven by "information manipulation and propaganda" under Russian authority.
On 29 May, The New York Times reported on Antony J Blinken, the US Secretary of State beginning of European tour. A part of his first leg, he met Maia Sandu, Moldova’s President in Chisinau. He announced two new aid packages to Moldova to address a range of issues arising from Russian aggression, including its invasion of Ukraine. The first one included usd 50 million for Moldova’s industry and government, as well as for democratic processes as Blinken addressed the need to fight corruption and disinformation. The second aid package mentioned was USD 85 million to help Moldova become more resilient to energy shocks and less dependent on electricity produced in Transnistria, an eastern separatist region backed by Russia. There are increased concerns over Russian interference in elections in Moldova. The US Agency for International Development earlier announced a fund of USD 300 million to strengthen its battery storage capabilities, high-voltage transmission lines, and other energy needs. This helped the country to stop relying on natural gas imports from Russia. Following this visit, Blinken would go to the Czech Republic, to attend a NATO meeting to discuss ways to help Ukraine in the war. Additionally, Blinken said that the US would "adapt and adjust" its stance in response to changing circumstances on the battlefield, giving a possibility on Biden administration allowing Ukraine to strike inside Russia using US-made weaponry.
References
“Turkey to help restore Ukraine's power grid,” Ukrinform, 29 May 2024
“Russian troops destroy 20 Ukrainian UAVs in Kherson area over past day,” TASS, 29 May 2024
“Ukrainian forces redeploy reserves from Donetsk to Kharkov — military expert,” TASS, 29 May 2024
“Warsaw will not prohibit Kyiv from using Polish weapons against targets in Russia,” Ukrinform, 29 May 2024
“Canada does not limit Ukraine's choice of targets for weapons provided,” Ukrinform, 29 May 2024
“Finland allows Ukraine to use Finnish weapons against targets in Russia – foreign minister,”
Veronika Melkozerova, ”Sweden gives more than €1B in Ukraine military aid”, Politico, 29 May 2024
Alan Charlish and Anna Wlodarczak-Semczuk, “Poland makes 4 arrests in alleged espionage and sabotage cases” , Swissinfo.ch, 29 May 2024
“Police search European Parliament offices in Russia probe”, Deutsche Welle, 29 May 2024
Edward Wong, “Blinken Hints U.S. May Accept Ukrainian Strikes in Russia With American Arms”, The New York Times, 29 May 2024