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By Neha Tresa George
WAR ON THE GROUND
On 02 September, Politico reported on the Russian missile attack over a school in Kyiv. According to Serhiy Popko, head of Kyiv city's military administration, the air defence forces intercepted several cruise and ballistic missiles out of the 20 missiles fired above Kyiv. The attack also led to fire due to falling debris in four districts. Two of the people were injured. However, the Russian forces were also reported to have attacked Kharkiv and Sumy regions with another 15 missiles. In the Sumy region, Russian forces hit a social and psychological rehabilitation center for orphans. Although there were no children at that time, 18 residents of the nearby houses were reported to be injured.
On the same day, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Ukraine’s President urged the US, the UK, France and Germany to allow the usage of long-range weapons for targeting Russia. He also asked for further supply of long-range munitions and missiles. He believes it to be a key factor in preserving the security and territorial integrity of Ukrainians. He said: “One of the most important issues for us is the possibility of using Western-supplied long-range weapons to strike targets in Russia, which holds the key to preventing all the terror that Kharkiv and other cities and localities in Ukraine are forced to go through.” Zelenskyy stressed that long-range weapons were the sole solution to halt the Russian missile and drone attacks and end the war to accept peace.
THE MOSCOW VIEW
Claims by Russia
On 02 September, RT reported on Putin’s statements condemning the western countries for their long-standing aim to control Ukraine. He said: “The Russia-Ukraine conflict is the natural outcome of the destructive strategy of the West towards Ukraine.” He blamed them for promoting nationalist and anti-Russian organisations in Ukraine. He accused the US and its allies of carrying out the 2014 Maidan coup in Kyiv along with the “radical neo-Nazi groups.” For the Kremlin, the “denazification” of Ukraine is one of the primary objectives of the military operation.
On 02 September, RT reported on the large-scale attacks carried out by the Russian armed forces across Ukraine. According to the Ministry of Defence of the Russian Federation, energy and defence facilities were struck using long-range high-precision weaponry and kamikaze drones. Russian forces were also reported to have destroyed UAV assembly and storage sites and temporary deployment points. They had used tactical aviation, drones, missiles and artillery along with military in 143 districts.
On 02 September, RT reported on the statements on the Kursk incursion made by Vladimir Putin, Russia’s President. According to him, Ukraine had failed to achieve its aim behind the Kursk incursion, which was to block the Russian forces in the Donbass region. He said: “The Russian armed forces are taking control of territories not by 200, 300 meters at a time, but by square kilometers.” He described the Ukrainian army as “Ukrainian bandits” who entered Russian territory to sabotage the border controls. He added that Ukraine did not intend to end the conflict through negotiations. He argued that the current government halted the peace talks as it had little chance to get re-elected in the presidential elections which would be conducted after the martial law was lifted.
On 02 September, RT reported that Finland banned Russian citizens from buying property in their country. Antti Hakkanen, the defence minister of Finland, announced the ban which would apply to people “influenced” by Russia as well. Hakkanen referred to Russians as “possible hostile influences against Finland.” According to the statement by the Finnish Defence Ministry: “The ban would apply to “persons whose country of nationality has been found by the European Union to be in violation of the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of another country or whose country of nationality may be a threat to Finland’s national security.” Earlier, Finland had halted six real estate sales to Russians. Hakkanen noted that the ban would not apply to dual citizens with permanent residency in Finland or any EU country. A potential bill based on the proposal could come into effect later in 2024.
WEST VIEW
On 02 September, The New York Times reported on Putin’s visit to Mongolia over the International Criminal Court’s (ICC) arrest warrant. He was greeted by the Mongolian military guard at the airport. The visit was to commemorate the 1939 Battle of Khalkhin Gol against the imperial Japanese army which led to the victory of the Soviet army and Mongolian allies. Putin highlighted his support for Mongolia as a protector. There were no expectations on updates about the proposed Power of Siberia 2 gas pipeline, which would alter Russian gas supplies that had gone to Europe through Mongolia to reach China instead. Mongolia, being a member of ICC was compelled to arrest Putin over charges of “unlawful deportation” and transfer of Ukrainian children to Russia. However, Russia was not concerned as it believed to have great relationship with Mongolia. According to Dmitriy Peskov, Press Secretary of the Russian Federation: “All aspects of the visit have been thoroughly prepared.”
On 02 September, Swissinfo.ch reported that General Major Valery Muminjanov, a deputy commander of Russia’s Leningrad military district had been held on charges of corruption. He was detained over allegedly accepting RUB 20 million as a bribe. According to Russia’s investigative committee, he helped some companies get contracts to provide clothes to military in exchange of money. There were no reports on how he had pleaded to the charges.
References
“Mass attack carried out on energy facilities in Ukraine – Russian MOD,” RT, 02 September 2024
“Russian missiles rain down on Kyiv the night before schools restart,” RT, 02 September 2024
“Zelenskyy asks US, UK, France and Germany to let Ukraine use their long-range weapons to strike targets in Russia,” Ukrainska Pravda, 31 August 2024
“Ukraine’s Kursk gambit failed – Putin,” RT, 02 September 2024
“West wants ‘total control’ over Ukraine – Putin,” RT, 02 September 2024
“Another senior Russian defence official held on graft charges,” Swissinfo.ch, 02 September 2024
“Putin Arrives in Mongolia in Defiance of I.C.C. Arrest Warrant,” The New York Times, 02 September 2024
“Finland to ban Russians from buying property,” RT, 02 September 2024
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