Photo : Ukrinform
Photo : Ukrinform
By Neha Tresa George
WAR ON THE GROUND
On 16 July, Ukrinform reported on the meeting of the Staff of the Supreme Commander-in-Chief conducted by Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Ukraine’s President to discuss the situation on the main front lines, rotation, and armament. According to Zelenskyy, Oleksander Syrskyi, the Chief Commander reported on the situation in the main areas of Pokrovsk, Toretsk, Chasiv Yar, Kupiansk, Vovchansk, and others. There was a detailed discussion of their response to the Russian plans and on equipping brigades for rotation in difficult areas. Another major topic of discussion was armaments. Zelenskyy also noted that they were trying all possible means to speed up deliveries of weapons from the allies.
On 16 July, Ukrinform reported on the combat engagements between the Russian and Ukrainian troops. According to the report, Russians stepped up their attack on the Kurakhove axis as they attacked 12 times near Krasnohorivka, Heorhiivka, Kostiantynivka, and Paraskoviivka in the axis. Around 65 combat engagements had been recorded over two days. The Russian army struck Holinka, Chernihiv region, with a Kh-59 missile. 25 guided aerial bombs were dropped on the areas of Lyptsi, Vovchansk, Veterynarne, Starytsia, and Vovchanski Khutori in the Kharkiv region. According to the statements of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, the troops managed to repel nine clashes while five are still going on.
THE MOSCOW VIEW
Claims by Russia
On 17 July, TASS reported on the statement of Alexander Novak, Russian Deputy Prime Minister on the effects of EU sanctions on Russia since 2014. According to him, Russia could still sell its liquified natural gas (LNG) to other consumers as agreements had been reached with partners. He said that Russia never recognised the sanctions and called them “illegitimate.” He also noted that the sanctions resulted in economic growth in Russia due to the import substitution carried out by the country.
On 17 July, between Russia and the UN, a meeting was held on “Multilateral cooperation for a more just, democratic and sustainable world order.” Just before the meeting, Sergiy Kyslytsya, Ukraine’s UN Ambassador read a statement on behalf of 50 countries condemning Russia’s actions that violated the territorial integrity of Ukraine. The countries including the US called Russia’s actions “illegal” and “hypocritic.” In response, Sergey Lavrov, Russia’s Foreign Minister criticised the US for NATO’s expansionist policies and called for peace in Ukraine on the terms of Vladimir Putin, Russia’s President. Linda Thomas Greenfield, the US’s Ambassador to the UN responded to his speech by condemning Russia for violating the charter of the UN, breaching human rights and international peace. Further, Barbara Woodward, Britain’s U.N. Ambassador also warned the Council about the challenges faced by the world order in terms of increasing threats to peace.
THE WEST VIEW
On 16 July, POLITICO reported on the suspicious drones over a training camp of Ukrainian soldiers in the forests of rural Germany. As hundreds of Ukrainian soldiers gothrough a six-week crash course on the basics of trench warfare and urban fighting, unidentified aerial vehicles were reported to be hovering over the area. Lieutenant Colonel Roland Bösker believes it to be part of Russia’s efforts to destabilise the Western support to Ukraine although he did not seem to be certain. According to him, jamming drones was not at all easy as it was impossible to block all the frequencies in the area. The Ukrainian soldiers were asked to intercept them as part of their training. The training was part of the EU Military Assistance Mission in support of Ukraine (EUMAM Ukraine), set up in 2022 which aimed to train 60,000 Ukrainian troops with instructors from 24 countries by 2024.
On 16 July, Euronews reported on the reopening of Ohmatdyt Children's Hospital which suffered large-scale damage from a Russian missile attack. The hospital situated in Kyiv has partially resumed its medical services amidst continued operations to rebuild the facilities and clear out debris. Zelenskyy had promised to allocate USD 9.6 million to rebuild the hospital. The hospital which is considered to be the biggest one for children was attacked during Russia’s deadliest attack on Kyiv in four months according to Ukrainian officials. It resulted in the death of 44 people and injury of dozens of children. The attack was condemned all over the world.
References
“Situation at front, rotation and armament: Zelensky holds Supreme CinC Staff meeting,” Ukrinform, 16 July 2024
“War update: Russia steps up assaults in Kurakhove axis,” Ukrinform, 16 July 2024
“Kyiv children's hospital partially reopens week after Russian missile attack,” Euronews, 16 July, 2024
“Russia can sell its LNG despite new EU sanctions — deputy premier,” TASS, 17 July 2024
“Russia holds a UN meeting about global cooperation. US calls it ‘hypocrisy’ after Ukraine invasion,” AP, 17 July 2024
Joshua Posaner And Cristina Gonzalez, “Mysterious drones keep watch as Ukrainians train in Germany,” POLITICO, 16 July 2024