Photo : The inverse arrow indicates the cross-border attack. Image Source: ISW/Financial Times
Photo : The inverse arrow indicates the cross-border attack. Image Source: ISW/Financial Times
By Padmashree Anandhan
WAR ON THE GROUND
On 06 August, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Ukraine’s President held a meeting with the staff of the Supreme Commander-in-Chief to understand the situation in the front line and discuss additional funding for the missile programme. The discussion included Pokrovsk, Toretsk and Kharkiv sectors and a report from the intelligence on possible developments of Russian troops. Zelenskyy said: “The Defense Forces’ needs until the end of the year and production dynamics… The Staff meeting decided to allocate additional funding for our missile program. There will be more missiles of our own production.”
THE MOSCOW VIEW
Claims by Russia
On 06 August, Russian forces claimed to deter border cross-border attack by a Ukrainian “reconnaissance group.” Aleksey Smirnov, Kursk's acting governor stated that Ukraine’s troops had tried to cut through Russia from Sumr and the fighting sparked in Sudzhansky and Korneevsky districts of Kursk. He warned over disinformation campaign after the failed cross-border attack. According to the report, 100 armoured vehicles had entered the Russian border by Sudzhansky district carrying armed US M4 automatic rifles, grenades and C4 explosives. Since 2022, the districts in the Russian border, Kursk, Belgorod and Bryanks have been subject to several missile, drone strikes damaging the energy infrastructure and residential areas.
On the same day, Smirnov reported on the death of two civilians including the injury of children from Ukrainian troops' attacks in Kyiv. As per the Russian army, the Federal Security Service (FSB), Ukrainian forces had used artillery, drones, tanks and tried to breach the Russian border and during the attempt close to 20 are reportedly dead.
THE WEST VIEW
Responses from Europe and the US
On 06 August, Politico reported on EU’s approval of EUR 4.2 billion to Ukraine under its EUR 50 billion package of loans and grants for Ukraine reconstruction. In a statement, the Council of the EU listed the nine conditions met by Ukraine: “…public finance management, governance of state-owned enterprises, business environment, energy and de-mining.” As per the official text, Ukraine’s fight against corruption and money laundering and appointing a new head to its National Agency on Corruption Prevention was seen as progress. Following this, Ukraine woul have to implement reforms to improve the GDP to 6.2 per cent by 2027 as per EU estimations and aid in cutting its debt by 10 per cent.
On 06 August, the US Department of State stated the possibility of extending the permission for Ukraine to strike deep into Russia. The move comes after Ukraine received F-16 fighter jets. Matthew Miller, US State Department spokesperson stated that there was continued assessment of the security situation and needs of Ukraine's military. However, there was no clearance on the expansion of Ukraine’s partners. He said that the decision would come after a discussion among NATO members.
References
“Zelensky holds Supreme CinC Staff meeting: Additional funding for missile program among key decisions,” Ukrinform, 06 August 2024
“Russian forces repel Ukrainian cross-border attack attempt – governor,” RT, 06 August 2024
“Ukrainian cross-border attack into Russia leaves civilians dead, children injured – governor,” RT, 06 August 2024
Giovanna Faggionato, “EU countries approve first 4.2B payment to Ukraine,” Politico, 06 August 2024
“U.S. position on strikes against Russia unchanged after Ukraine received F-16s - State Dept,” Ukrinform, 06 August 2024