Photo : Twitter
Photo : Twitter
By Padmashree Anandhan
WAR ON THE GROUND
On 28 July, Politico reported on a Ukrainian drones strike on Russia’s Olenya airfield located in the far north targeting a strategic bomber. According to the report from a Ukrainian intelligence unit, the drones had targeted Tupolev Tu-22M3 supersonic long-range missile carrier at the “strategic aviation base.” Russia is yet to release a statement and Ukraine military is yet to disclose further details on the attack. The Olenya air base located in the Arctic on the Kola Peninsula is often used by Russian forces to target Ukraine’s civilian infrastructure using cruise missiles such as Tu-95 MS bombers. One such recent attack being the children hospital attack in Kyiv.
The base is located far more than 1,900 kilometres from Ukraine whereas 200 kilometres from Finland. Although Alexander Stubb has denied being involved in the attack. He said: “We have no cause for concern in Finland. We have the situation under control and are able to respond.” On the same day, in his everyday address, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Ukraine’s President confirmed Ukraine's military destroying Russian military aircraft in the airbase.
On 28 July, Ukraine’s General Staff claimed to have hit an oil depot in the Kursk area in southern Russia. This is responsible for supplying Russian troops with supplies. The move comes after a close border attack in Sumy’s province. As per the statement from General Staff: “The defense forces continue to take all measures to undermine the military and economic potential of the Russian occupiers and force the Russian Federation to stop its armed aggression against Ukraine.” Alexey Smirnov, Kursk Governor confirmed the blaze of three fuel tanks while the Russian air defences claimed on destroying seven Ukrainian drones over Belgorod and Kursk oblasts.
On 27 July, Ukraine’s air forces announced to use “camouflage tactics” henceforth to deter ballistic missile attacks of Russia. According to the report of the air force, this technique is known as “passive defence,” which is the use of “false positions” to counter increased Russian missile attacks.
On 27 July, Ukrainian sea ports authority claimed on successful transport of 60 million tonnes of cargo through Ukrainian maritime corridor from Greater Odesa port in the last 11 months. According to the report in The Guardian, despite Russian attacks on ports of Odesa, 40.6 million tonnes of grain were exported to 46 countries. In a statement the port authority said: “The bulk carrier Manta Hacer with 25.2 thousand tonnes of Ukrainian humanitarian wheat to Yemen, is moving through the Ukrainian corridor…Ukraine remains a key player in the global food security. Especially concerning the export of grain to countries in Asia and Africa.”
THE MOSCOW VIEW
Claims by Russia
On 28 July, Vladimir Putin, Russia’s President, warned on launching production of intermediate nuclear weapon against US missiles deployed in Germany. During a parade in Saint Petersburg, Putin said: "If the United States carries out such plans, we will consider ourselves liberated from the unilateral moratorium previously adopted on the deployment of medium- and short-range strike capabilities.” He warned over taking “mirror measures” on action of the US. The missile project mentioned comes under the arms control treaty signed between the US and Soviet Union in 1987. This was withdrawn by both in 2019 over accusation of violation of the treaty but later Russia assured to not restart production of such category missile on condition of the US not deploying missile outside its border.
On 28 July, Russian Defence Minister claimed on Russian troops capturing two villages, Prohres and Yevhenivka, in eastern Ukraine. The Prohres village located in Donetsk oblast is estimated to have been the battlefield for Ukraine and Russia past three months where Moscow has launched multiple conquests since the annexation of Luhansk and Donetsk Oblasts. According to the ministry, the Russian troops are moving towards city of Pokrovsk, located northwest of Kyiv.
On 27 July, Russian defence ministry claimed on capturing Lozuvatske settlement in Donetsk Oblast of Ukraine. The report published by Interfax, Russia is observed to have slowly progressed in eastern Ukraine while Ukraine has faced drawback due to lack of artillery.
References
Jordyn Dahl, “Ukraine drones reportedly hit Russian airfield in Arctic,” Politico, 28 July 2024
Sonya Bandouil, “60 million tons of cargo exported so far through Ukrainian maritime corridor,” The Kyiv Independent, 27 July 2024
“Putin warns of reciprocal response to US missiles in Germany,” RT, 28 July 2024
“Three fuel tanks caught fire after drone attack in Kursk Region,” TASS, 28 July 2024
“Russia says it has taken two villages in Donetsk region,” CGTN, 28 July 2024
“Ukraine war briefing: Russian oil depot burns after drone strike,” The Guardian, 28 July 2024
Yohannes Lowe, “Russia-Ukraine war live: EU says conflict an existential threat to the bloc,” The Guardian, 27 July 2024