Photo : Alexander Reka /T ASS
Photo : Alexander Reka /T ASS
By Padmashree Anandhan
WAR ON THE GROUND
On 08 June, Ukraine government announced on reducing of power consumption. Following this, all the ministries and regional authorities were asked to stop the air conditioning and external lighting. This came as Russian attacks increased on energy infrastructure pushing for major blackouts and creating pressure to save electricity. Deny Shmyhal called the situation to be “significant deficit.”
On 09 June, Ukraine’s air force claimed on air defence shooting out 13 Russian drones over central Poltava region, southeastern Zaporizhzhia and Dnipropetrovsk oblasts, and the Kharkiv oblast. According to Serhiy Lysak, Dnipropetrovsk regional governor the overnight drone attack had damaged commercial and residential buildings. While another Ukraine spokesperson claimed on Ukrainian military controlling more than half of Vovchansk where the fighting has been intense since Russia launched its latest offensive in Ukraine’s northeastern Kharkiv in May.
THE MOSCOW VIEW
Claims by Russia
On 08 June, Vladimir Putin, Russia’s President stated that Russia had no intention in using nuclear weapons to win in Ukraine. In an international economic forum in Moscow, he stressed on seeing no visible condition to use nuclear weapons as Russia follow the principle of using only on basic of threat to sovereignty and territorial integrity.
On 08 June, Russian appointed authorities in Luhansk and Kherson oblasts reported on Ukrainian strikes across the cities killing more than 25 and injuring more than 50. Vladimir Saldo, head of Russian occupation authorities in Kherson said: “A Himars missile struck shortly afterwards as residents from neighbouring houses rushed to help the victims” On 09 June, Interfax reported on increase in the death by six but no claims were observed from Ukraine.
THE WEST VIEW
Responses of the US and Europe
On 09 June, the UK Ministry of Defence reported on Russia’s installation of eight barges in the southern side of Kerch Bridge in Crimea. It was seen as effort to defend the Ukrainian Unmanned Surface Vehicles to protect the bridge and shipping lane. According to the ministry, the installation was complete between 10 and 22 May.
On 08 June, Joe Biden, US President and Emmanuel Macron, France’s President remembered the 80th anniversary of D-day and called for support to Ukraine. Biden during his address said the US and the allies “will not bow down” and assured to “stand for freedom.” Biden added: “To surrender to bullies, to bow down to dictators, is simply unthinkable.”
References
"Ukraine war briefing: Biden and Macron release joint ‘roadmap’ backing efforts to use frozen Russian assets to aid Kyiv," The Guardian, 09 June 2024
"Ukraine war briefing: Biden pledges $225m in new military aid while vowing US backs Kyiv ‘completely’," The Guardian, 08 June 2024