Photo : Russian Defence Ministry Press Service/AP File
Photo : Russian Defence Ministry Press Service/AP File
By Neha Tresa George
WAR ON THE GROUND
On 31 July, Kyiv Independent reported on the naval attack carried out by Ukraine on a weapons storage facility near Kursk Oblast, a Russian city. The Ministry of Defence of the Russian Federation claimed to have intercepted a Neptune missile over the Kursk Oblast overnight. Alexei Smirnov, the acting governor of Kursk Oblast reported on a fire breakout at an unnamed facility which was contained two hours later.
On 31 July, Kyiv Independent reported on the multiple explosions in Kyiv caused by the drone and missile attack on Ukraine. After two explosions, attack drones were flying over Brovary on the eastern outskirts of the city. The Air Force had warned of Russian drone attacks in the south of the city. According to the statements of Ukraine’s Air Force, Russia launched dozens of drones towards several regions of Ukraine. There were no reports of
casualties or damage.
THE MOSCOW VIEW
Claims by Russia
On 31 July, the Russian Defence Ministry reported on starting the third stage of drills to deploy tactical nuclear weapons. The move comes after Vladimir Putin, the President of the Russian Federation decision. In the exercise, personnel of the Southern and Central military districts planned to train special training warheads for the Iskander operational-tactical missile system, connecting launchers and taking it to the designated positions. Military personnel of the Russian Aerospace Forces’ units will train to load the aircraft with warheads. This third stage of drills aimed to maintain Russian military personnel and hardware to carry out the designated missions.
On 31 July, Putin called for a signing bonus of RUB 400,000 for new army recruits. The recruits were to sign military contracts for one year from 01 August to the end of 2024. The latest bonus is double the lump-sum of RUB 195,000 which the government had offered the recruits to fight since 2022. The issued presidential decree also “recommends” an additional RUB 400,00 to be paid by the senior regional officials to the enlisted residents.
THE WEST VIEW
Responses from the Europe and the US
On 31 July, ASB Zeitung reported on Wheelan, who carries Canadian, British and Irish citizenship, had been in custody since 2018 on charges of espionage. Lawyers of detained soldiers and opposition leaders were searching for their whereabouts amid speculations of a prisoner exchange between Russia and the US. US and Russia were negotiating the exchange of Evan Gershkovich, a US journalist imprisoned in Russia, sentenced to 16 years for espionage with Vadim Krasikov. The US and the EU had continued to requests to reveal the location of Gershkovich, following these negotiations.
References
Elsa Court, “Ukrainian Navy claims attack on Russian weapons depot near Kursk,” The Kyiv Independent, 1 August 2024
Chris York and Dmytro Basmat,“Multiple explosions heard in Kyiv, Russia launches missile and drone attack,” The Kyiv Independent, 1 August 2024
“Russia starts third stage of tactical nuclear drills,” CGTN, 31 July 2024
“Putin doubles army sign-on bonus, offering new recruits $4,600 to fight in Ukraine,” Meduza, 31 July 2024
Victoria Klein, “Whereabouts of detained US soldier unknown,” ASB Zeitung, 31 July 2024