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By Padmashree Anandhan
WAR ON THE GROUND
On 03 September, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Ukraine’s President reported the death of 41 people and injury of 180 from a missile strike in Poltava Oblast. He claimed the Russian ballistic missile had struck a hospital and an education facility. He said: “One of the buildings of the [Poltava Military] Institute of Communications was partially destroyed. People found themselves under the rubble. Many were saved.” According to Ihor Klymenko, Ukraine’s Interior Minister, 25 have been rescued from the rubble till now. Following the strike on Poltava, Zelenskyy called for a “full and prompt” investigation into the event. While the Russian “military bloggers” claimed the target to be an “outdoor military ceremony” few have criticised Russia for the open-air attack. According to the Ukrainian Defence Ministry, on of the institute’s building was damaged partially.
On 03 September, Rafael Mariano, Director of the UN's International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) stated his discussion with Zelenskyy over the Kursk nuclear power plant visit and found evidence of nuclear safety concerns and problems in security. He also announced his schedule to visit the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant. He is also expected to meet Zelenskyy. The decision comes to monitor the site and avoid nuclear accidents. Until now there has been no harm reported to the plant's safety.
THE MOSCOW VIEW
Claims by Russia
On 03 September, Vladimir Putin, the Russian President invited Ukhnaagiin Khürelsükh Mongolian President to the upcoming BRICS summit in October. He expressed willingness to discuss economic cooperation with Mongolia.
On 03 September, RT reported on Mongolia’s refusal to arrest Putin against the International Criminal Court (ICC) warrant. According to the report, since Mongolia was dependent on its neighbouring countries for energy and its adherence to neutrality policy it refused to detain. It is responsible for 95 per cent of petroleum imports and 20 per cent of electricity from surrounding countries. Therefore, supply of the energy is important and it also maintains neutrality in its diplomatic relations. On not adhering to the ICC warrant, the court can only condemn and not impose penalties or impose sanctions as per the report.
WEST VIEW
On 03 September, Romania’s lower house of Parliament approved a draft law to donate one of its patriot missile defence systems to Kyiv. The bill is expected to be approved by the Senate and signed into law by Klaus Iohannis, Romania’s President. Romania shares 650 kilometres with Ukraine and debris from Russian drones is often found inside. Similarly, NATO has also agreed to give one out of the five missile defence system to Ukraine.
On 03 September, Annalena Baerbock, Germany’s Foreign Minister condemned the Russian attack on Poltava city. She called it the deadliest attack since 2024 and said: “Putin knows no limits to brutality… He should be held accountable.”
References
“Mongolia explains refusal to arrest Putin,” RT, 03 September 2024
Derek Gatopoulos And Volodymyr Yurchuk, “UN nuclear watchdog warns conditions ‘very fragile’ at Ukraine’s Zaporizhzhia power plant,” Associated Press, 04 September 2024
“At least 51 killed in Russian missile strike on Ukraine’s Poltava,” Al Jazeera, 03 September 2024
“Ukraine updates: Poltava missile strike kills dozens,” Deutsche Welle, 03 September 2024
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