Photo : Dnipropetrovsk Regional Military via Reuters
Photo : Dnipropetrovsk Regional Military via Reuters
By Shilpa Joseph
WAR ON THE GROUND
On 12 June, Kyiv Post reported on a Russian strike in Kryvyi Rih resulting in death of eight and injury of 21. Kryvyi Rih, a town with a population of about 635,000 before the invasion has been subject to repeated targets by Russian forces. In response, Volodymyr Zelenskyy called for more air defence support: “Modern air defence systems are able to provide maximum protection of people, our cities, and our positions. And we need them as much as possible.”
On 12 June, Ukraine’s air forces claimed on shooting down 29 out of 30 missiles using US supplied antiaircraft missiles in an overnight attack in Kyiv. The attacks were followed by explosions inuring one civilian from debris. According to the report in The New York Times, it was a Russian tactic of combining several types of weapons, including drones and cruise missiles to overload Ukraine’s air defences. Russia had launched three ballistic missiles, including the Iskander and two Kinzhal or dagger missiles. While Ukrainian and western officials claim on Patriot interceptors to be only defence against such missiles. According to the report, Ukraine operated using variety of western short- and medium-range air defence systems in addition to the long-range US Patriot systems and the French and Italian SAMP/T long-range systems. These include US Hawk missiles, a newly developed German system called IRIS-T, and NASAMS launchers, a joint American-Norwegian project.
THE MOSCOW VIEW
Claims by Russia
On 12 June, CNA reported on North Korean leader Kim Jong Un expressing his view on Russia as “an invisible comrade-in-arms,” that in a message to Vladimir Putin, Russian President. This comes as Putin is expected to visit North Korea between 19 and 20 June. Russia government has expressed willingness to foster cooperation with North Korea in all areas. In September 2023, Kim travelled to Russia's Far East where Putin promised to help him build satellites. Following this, the US and South Korea accused Kim of shipping weapons and supporting Russia’s war against Ukraine in exchange for technological aid with its own nuclear and missile programs.
THE WEST VIEW
Responses of the US and Europe
On 12 June, Politico reported on Viktor Orban, the Hungarian Prime Minister claim on not being part of NATO’s plan to help Ukraine. As a part of NATO countries framing a plan in coordinating security assistance to Ukraine, Jens Stoltenberg, NATO Secretary-General said: "I'm glad that today the Prime Minister and I have agreed on modalities for Hungary's non-participation in NATO support for Ukraine." According to the deal, Hungarian personnel or funds will not participate in NATO's efforts. However, Hungary pledged to meet all of its NATO commitments.
On 11 June, during a visit to a military base in Ukraine, Boris Pistorius, the German Defence Minister announced a new military aid package for Ukraine, which will include Patriot missiles and other weapons. At Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, a military base where Ukrainian soldiers are being trained to operate Patriot systems, he assured Zelenskky a package of 100 guided missiles for the Patriot system. As a part of the German-Danish-Dutch-Netherlands-
Norway cooperation, Ukraine already possess 32 missiles, while another 68 will be delivered in the coming weeks. Pistorius claimed that anti-tank weapons, components for artillery ammunition, several thousand attack drones and anti-drone equipment, and small arms, including sniper rifles, would be sent after Rustem Umerov, the Ukrainian Defence Minister requested for them. He also added that Ukrainian soldiers learn very quickly and that Germany has already trained a third group of Patriot operators.
On 11 June, Joe Biden, US President approved the deployment of another Patriot missile system to Ukraine after series of meetings. The Patriot is one of the US’ best air-defence weapons including a powerful radar system and mobile launchers that fire missiles at incoming projectiles, but is also very scarce in the US arsenal. It is the most expensive single weapon system supplied to Ukraine by the US, costing approximately USD 1.1 billion. Among the US allies, two countries have sent the system to Ukraine, including Poland, which will send the second in the upcoming weeks. While there were internal debates in the US regarding the demand for the Patriots to maintain their combat readiness, they hoped that the European powers would send more. Lloyd J Austin III, US Defence Secretary appealed to the European allies stating: “I have talked to the leaders of several countries, encouraging them to give up more capability.” Moving any more Patriot batteries seemed risky for the US, given the rising tensions on the Korean Peninsula and the regional threat in the Middle East. Other batteries protecting bases and troops in the US, including in Hawaii, were deemed too far away for homeland defence. Ukraine's request for more Patriots has been met with Germany deploying one system, with a second expected by June, and the Netherlands deploying a Dutch-American battery.
References
“Eight Reported Dead in Russian Strike on Kryvyi Rih”, Kyiv Post, 12 June 2024
“North Korea's Kim boasts of 'invincible' ties with Russia amid talks of Putin visit”, CNA, 12 June 2024
Stuart Lau, “Hungary won’t take part in NATO’s Ukraine plan”, Politico, 12 June 2024
Roman Petrenko, “Russia strikes Kryvyi Rih, killing at least 9 and injuring 29 – video”, Ukrainska Pravda, 12 June 2024
“Pistorius: Germany to send Patriot missiles to Ukraine as part of new aid package”, Ukrinform, 11 June 2024
Helene Cooper, Eric Schmitt, Edward Wong and Julian E. Barnes, “U.S. to Send Another Patriot Missile Battery to Ukraine” The New York Times, 11 June 2024
Andrew E. Kramer, “Ukraine Says It Shot Down Most of a Russian Missile and Drone Barrage”, The New York Times, 12 June 2024