Photo : Reuters
Photo : Reuters
By Neha Tresa George
WAR ON THE GROUND
On 24 August, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Ukraine’s President announced the launch of a locally-made drone-missile weapon system called Palyanytsia, against the Russians. He said: "The first and successful combat use of our new weapon took place today, a new class of weapon, the Ukrainian missile-drone Palyanytsia.” The word “Palyanytsia” refers to a type of Ukrainian bread. It also has several symbolic significance related to war. The Ukrainian military has not revealed any details of the missile. However, according to Oleksandr Kamyshin, Ukraine's armaments production chief the rocket-drone were high-speed precision-targeted projectile.
On 25 August, Ukraine’s Foreign Ministry warned Belarus about the large-scale deployment of troops at the border. As per the Ukrainian intelligence reports, the ministry stated that the Belarusian Armed Forces targeted a specific number and type of personnel, tanks and artillery. The ministry asked Minsk to avoid “tragic mistakes” and that Ukraine had the duty to protect its territorial integrity.
On 25 August, Vitaliy Sarantsev, a spokesperson for Ukraine’s operational and tactical group in Kharkiv reported on possbilites for the Ukrainian military to push out the Russians in the Kharkiv region. However, the current tactical operations in the field was not revealed. Sarantsev added that the situation remained intense as the Russian army tried to strike all the active frontlines. He added: “The areas of Vovchansk and adjacent settlements, as well as the Lyptsi-Hlyboke direction, remain under attack. However, all the attempts to advance are stopped by the Defence Forces - they suffer losses and retreat.”
On 24 August, Daily Sabah reported on Zelenskyy’s independence speech. He condemned the war and said: “The war violated not only our sovereign borders but also the limits of cruelty and common sense. It was endlessly striving for one thing: to destroy us.” He said that whatever damage Russians were inflicting in Ukraine “had now returned to their home.” He argued that the Ukrainian response would be “worthy, symmetrical and long-range.”
THE MOSCOW VIEW
Claims by Russia
On 25 August, RT reported on Ukraine’s attack on Rakitnoe town in the Belgorod Oblast. According to Vyacheslav Gladkov, Governor of Belgorod, the attack resulted in the death of five civilians and injury of 13 more. He referred to the attack as a “brutal terrorist attack.” The shelling also led to the damage of a gas pipeline and an electrical power line. Further, he said that the drones and bombardments inflicted damage on residential homes, vehicles and civilian facilities. Russia’s Investigative Committee had filed a criminal terrorism case against the backdrop of the strike on Rakitnoe.
On 24 August, The Moscow Times reported on the prisoner exchange held between Ukraine and Russia where they transferred 115 prisoners of war each. According to Zelenskyy: “Another 115 of our defenders have returned home today. These are soldiers of the National Guard, the Armed Forces, the Navy, the State Border Guard Service.”The Ministry of Defence of the Russian Federation also confirmed the exchange. The Russian prisoners of war receiving psychological medical help in Belarus would be brought back to Russia after the treatment.
On 25 August, the Russian Emergencies Ministry reported that more than 340 people were evacuated from five districts of Russia’s Kursk Region. The Ministry also reported that 197 temporary accommodations were set to operate in 28 Russian regions, thus providing shelter to 11,500 people. The Ministry added that more than 3000 tons of humanitarian aid were delivered to the shelters during the time of emergency.
WEST VIEW
On 24 August, the US promised air defence missiles to Kyiv in another batch of military aid. The announcement came from Joe Biden, the US President on Ukraine’s Independence Day. He also said that 400 individuals and organisations would be sanctioned for promoting Russia’s invasion. The latest package included new air defence missiles along with counter-drone equipment, anti-armor missiles, mobile rocket systems and ammunition. According to Lloyd Austin, the package was worth USD 125 million. Zelenskyy welcomed the new package and stressed Ukraine’s urgent need for military aid.
References
“We stand for diplomacy, but not at the cost of 30 percent of territory – Zelensky,” Ukrinform, 25 August 2024
“Currently, there are some “positive moments” in ousting of Russians from Kharkiv region – military,” Ukrinform, 25 August 2024
“Ukraine tells Belarus to pull its army from the border,” RT, 25 August 2024
“Ukraine claims launch of home-made ‘Palyanytsia’ drone missile at Russia,” Politico, 24 August 2024
“Zelenskyy says whatever Russia brought to Ukraine ‘has now returned to their home’,” Daily Sabah, 25 August 2024
“Five civilians killed in Ukrainian strike on Russia’s Belgorod Region – governor,” RT, 25 August 2024
“Russia, Ukraine Exchange 230 Prisoners of War,” The Moscow Times¸ 24 August 2024
“Over 340 people evacuated from Kursk Region during past day — emergencies ministry,” TASS, 25 August 2024
“Biden pledges more air defense missiles ahead of Ukraine’s Independence Day,” Politico, 24 August 2024