Photo : Andreas Arnold/dpa/AP
Photo : Andreas Arnold/dpa/AP
By Advik S Mohan
WAR ON THE GROUND
On 06 September, at a summit of the Defence Ministers from Western countries, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, President of Ukraine expressed difficulty in defending Russia due to a shortage of air defences. Zelenskyy called for Storm Shadow, Scalp cruise missiles, and ATACMS ballistic missiles from the UK, France, and the US. According to him, these missiles would allow Ukraine to strike targets inside Russian territory. He highlighted the shortage of missiles and the need for further cooperation from the West. Following Zelenskyy’s remarks; Laurynas Kasciunas, the Minister of National Defence of Lithuania, and Bill Blair, the Minister of National Defence of Canada affirmed their support to give more missiles to Ukraine. The UK government announced that it would send an extra 650 air defence missiles to Ukraine for GBP 162 million. The summit comes amid concerns over the west not giving full freedom to Ukraine to launch missiles.
On 06 September, Reuters reported on a Russian missile attack on Pavlohrad city in Ukraine resulting in the death of one. Serhiy Lysak, Governor of Dnipropetrovsk Oblast confirmed the same indicating the injury of more than 30 including children. Lysak also informed on building damage from the fires across the city. Pavlohrad is known for its railway hub connecting the Dnipropetrovsk region.
On 06 September, The Kyiv Independent reported on Russian forces drone attack on Kyiv. Serhii Popko, Chief of the Kyiv City Military Administration claimed on intercepting all drones using air defence units. Popko also stated that drone debris had caused a fire in another part of Pechersk. Popko informed that debris had landed near a total of four different areas in Pechersk after the attack. Reports stated that a kindergarten in Dniprovsky district had been struck by debris; which Popko stated was being investigated. No casualties have been reported from the attacks so far.
THE WEST VIEW
Responses from the US and Europe
On 06 September, Reuters reported on Lloyd Austin, US Secretary of Defence's statement on war in Ukraine having “no capability” to end in Ukraine’s favour. This comes in response to Zelenskyy’s call for more long-range missiles and demands to remove restrictions on targeting inside Russia. However, Austin stated that deep strikes inside Russia would not be decisive in the war. According to Austin, Ukraine already possessed capabilities such as drones which could be utilised to hit targets inside Russia; rather than missiles supplied by the West. Austin also announced USD 250 million in security assistance for Ukraine. Additionally, Germany has promised to supply an additional 12 self-propelled howitzers, while Canada stated it would send 80,840 small unarmed air-to-surface rockets and at least 1,300 warheads in the coming months.
On 06 September, the BBC reported on the UK Government's approval to send short-range missiles to Ukraine. John Healey, UK Defence Secretary is expected to confirm the GBP 162 million missile package. The package will include 650 Lightweight Multirole Missiles (LMM) to boost Ukraine’s air defences. According to manufacturer Thales, LMMs have a range of over six kilometres and cause less collateral damage. However, Michael Clark, former Director-General of the think tank Royal and United Services Institute said that the missiles would be “exhausted within a couple of months.” According to Clark, the intensity of Russian bombardment means that Ukraine requires more missiles. The UK government has provided a total of GBP 12.7 billion GBP in aid for Ukraine, since 2022.
References
“Russian missile attack kills one in Ukraine’s Pavlohrad, governor says,” Reuters, 06 September 2024
Dan Sabbagh, “Zelenskiy claims support waning for strikes against Russian occupiers,” The Guardian, 06 September 2024
Phil Stewart and Sabine Siebold, “Ukraine long-range strikes into Russia won’t be a game-changer, U.S. says” Reuters, 07 September 2024
Abbey Fenbert, “Russia targets Kyiv neighborhoods with drones,” The Kyiv Independent, 07 September 2024
Hafsa Khalil, “UK to send hundreds more missiles to Ukraine,” BBC News, 06 September 2024