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By Advik S Mohan
WAR ON THE GROUND
On 04 September, The Guardian reported on the reshuffling of the cabinet by Volodymyr Zelenskyy President of Ukraine amidst the war. In a video address, Zelenskyy stated that he was reshuffling the cabinet in preparation for "an extremely important autumn" and promised a new emphasis on foreign and domestic policy. Dmytro Kuleba, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Ukraine was among those who resigned; will be replaced by Andriy Sybiha, Deputy Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine. The reshuffle is viewed as the largest since 2022. It comes before expected electricity shortages in the winter due to Russian airstrikes. Zelenskyy stated that these changes were designed to strengthen the government so that Ukraine could achieve its intended results. Other ministers who resigned included Olha Stefanishyna, the Deputy Prime Minister in charge of Ukraine's attempted EU accession and Oleksandr Kamyshin, the Minister for Strategic Industries.
On 04 September, The Kyiv Independent reported on Russia’s mass attack on Lviv. The attack resulted in the death of seven civilians and 64 injured. Andrii Sadovyi, Mayor of Lviv informed that eight children were among the wounded, while about 50 buildings were damaged overall by the attack. Lviv is located 70 kilometres east of the Ukraine-Poland border and has been targeted frequently by Russian missiles and drones during the war. The city of Kryvyi Rih was also targeted by missiles which left six civilians injured. As per local authorities, the attack damaged hotels, educational institutions, apartment buildings, and cars. According to the Ukrainian Air Force, Ukrainian air defences intercepted 22 drones and seven missiles from Russia.
On 04 September, Euronews reported on the death of seven civilians due to a Russian missile attack in Lviv city. Andrii Sadovyi, Mayor of Lviv informed that a child and a medical worker were among the dead and over 50 houses, two medical institutions and two schools suffered damage. Serhii Lysak, regional head of Kryvyi Rih stated that five individuals were wounded by a missile strike there. Missile attacks were also reported from other Ukrainian cities like Kyiv. Volodymyr Zelenskyy, the President of Ukraine responded to the attacks by requesting Ukraine's allies to provide "more range" for utilising Western weapons to strike deep into Russian territory.
THE MOSCOW VIEW
Claims by Russia
On 03 September, the TASS reported on the Verkhovna Rada or Parliament of Ukraine criticism of underreporting the number of victims in the Poltava missile strike. Artem Dmitruk, a member of the Rada stated that the Government of Ukraine was lying about the death toll and everything because they were afraid they would be held responsible. According to Dmitruk, the command of the Armed Forces of Ukraine did not order servicemen to go down to basements during the air raid alert, causing their deaths. According to Zelenskyy, 41 citizens were killed in the airstrike including the Chairman of the Russian Civic Chamber Commission.
On 04 September, RT in an opinion stated that the incursion into the Kursk Oblast of Russia by the Armed Forces of Ukraine was a foolish gamble. The op-ed states that Ukraine’s attack was a kamikaze or suicide attack; which resulted in experienced and well-equipped troops taking part in an assault destined to fail. The op-ed also argued that the Kursk incursion led to Ukraine’s defences against Russian attacks on other parts of the front line weakening, and frustrated Ukraine’s Western allies as well. The op-ed points out three key aspects of what it deems to be Ukraine’s ongoing failure in Kursk. First, it points out how the Kursk incursion led to the Government of the Russian Federation deciding to launch potential negotiations to end the war only after the Kursk incursion is repelled; contrary to Ukrainian hopes that the Kursk incursion would result in Russia agreeing to negotiate on Ukrainian terms. The second point mentioned in the op-ed is that the Ukrainian aims of forcing Russia to withdraw forces from other parts of their frontline to tackle the Kursk incursion have failed. The op-ed points out that on the contrary; the Russian advances, especially towards the crucial Pokrovsk city close to Donetsk have accelerated. The op-ed brings out the strategic significance of Pokrovsk to Ukraine, as a major transport hub whose loss will pile up pressure on Ukrainian forces in Donetsk Oblast. Third, the op-ed highlights that the Government of Ukraine wanted to show by crossing the border, that red lines given by the Russian government do not matter. However, according to the op-ed, any actions taken by the Ukrainian government including missile strikes deeper into Russia, would only harden the stance of the Russian government. The op-ed mentions that criticism of the Ukrainian government is growing both inside and outside the country. According to the op-ed; the Western media outlets which have always supported Ukraine and Volodymyr Zelenskyy, the President of Ukraine are now criticising them. The op-ed concludes by pointing out what it deems to be the final irony for Ukraine. While the Kursk incursion was launched to embarrass Russia, it is Ukraine which appears to have suffered embarrassment.
WEST VIEW
On 03 September, the Government of Lithuania criticised Mongolia for its failure to arrest Vladimir Putin, the President of Russia in his recent visit. Putin visited Mongolia but was not arrested by the authorities despite the Government of Mongolia being a signatory to the International Criminal Court (ICC) which issued an arrest warrant against the Russian President last year for war crimes including the illegal deportation of Ukrainian children. Gabrielius Landsbergis, the Foreign Minister of Lithuania stated that Mongolia's behaviour was "unacceptable" and "yet another example of another crack in the system based on international law.” The Government of Ukraine had earlier requested the Mongolian government to arrest Putin and later accused the country of enabling Russian crimes by failing to arrest Putin.
On 04 September, the Government of Ireland announced its plans for a new aid package for Ukraine. Simon Harris, the Taoiseach of Ireland is expected to announce the package during his visit to Kyiv. The aid aims to prevent gender-based violence and support maternity services and rebuilding the homes of conflict refugees. It also aims to provide required humanitarian assistance for the long-term stability of Ukraine and increase Ireland's total funding for Ukraine to over EUR 380 million. Ireland will also support UN offices. Ukraine Humanitarian Fund will receive EUR five million and the UN High Commissioner for Refugees will get EUR 5.5 million for supporting 600,000 individuals with cash assistance for the winter. Along with this, the UN Population Fund will receive EUR three million for providing sexual reproductive health and gender-based violence services.
References
“Rada lawmaker accuses Kiev of downplaying death toll of strike at Poltava military school,” TASS, 03 September 2024
Olena Goncharova and Martin Fornusek, “ Casualties reported in Lviv, Kryvyi Rih as Russia launches another mass attack on Ukraine,” The Kyiv Independent, 04 September 2024
Tarik Cyril Amar, “ Kursk kamikaze attack: The price of Ukraine’s foolish gamble is becoming clearer by the day,” RT, 04 September 2024
Shaun Walker and Luke Harding, “Zelenskiy reshuffles Ukraine cabinet as Russian missile strike targets Lyiv,” The Guardian, 04 September 2024
“Russian missile attack on Lviv kills at least seven, mayor says,” Euronews, 04 September 2024
Paulius Perminas, “Lithuania slams Mongolia over Putin’s visit despite ICC arrest warrant,” LRT, 03 September 2024
Cillian Sherlock, Ireland unveils €36mn package for Ukraine, breakingnews.ie, 04 September 2024
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