Photo : President.gov.in
Photo : President.gov.in
By Advik S Mohan and Neha Tresa George
WAR ON THE GROUND
On 11 September, The Moscow Times reported evacuating people living in the Kursk region bordering Ukraine. According to the authorities in the region, more than 1,50,000 people living in communities were forcefully evacuated since early August. The Kursk region’s governor Alexei Smirnov said that the people were “relocated to safe areas.” Smirnov estimated the loss of the agriculture sector in Kursk to be RUB 85 million.
On 11 September, Ukrinform reported on the Russian shelling in the Kherson region in the Dniprovskyi district. The shelling resulted in the injury of two civilians. Roman Mrochko, Head of the Kherson City Military Administration said: “Two people were injured in the enemy’s shelling of Kherson; they have been hospitalised now.” He added that the Russians were repeatedly shelling the region.
On 11 September, CNN reported on Ukraine government's recruitment of prisoners to fight in the war. According to the report, 59th brigade under the Shvkal battalion contains ex-prisoners who were given wages up to USD 500 to USD 4000 per month. Ukraine's Defence Ministry informed release of 4,650 convicts to fight in the war. The initiative was an attempt by the Ukrainian government to improve the ranks of soldiers. In an interview with CNN, Vitaly, one of the ex-prisoners who had served 10 years in prison for four different crimes, informed how life on the front lines was tough. Oleksandr, the commander of the 59th Battalion stated the war was a chance for the former prisoners to reform themselves. However, Oleksandr stated the physical and mental endurance capabilities of the ex-convicts would help them survive.
THE MOSCOW VIEW
Claims from Russia
On 11 September, Anadolu Ajansi reportes on Dmitry Peskov, spokesperson for the Government of the Russian Federation statements on the West. According to him, the West had allowed Ukraine to carry out long-range missile strikes into Russia. According to Peskov, the decision had already been made and an information campaign was being carried out to legitimize it. The spokesperson warned that if Ukraine received long-range missiles, the Russian government would have a "corresponding response. " Peskov also stated that the West was increasing its involvement in Ukraine, despite claiming otherwise. The spokesperson stated the war could be resolved only if the West stopped using Ukraine as a "pawn" against Russia.
On 11 September, RT informed Murmansk Oblast in Russia was attacked by Ukrainian drones. Andrey Chibis, the Governor of Murmansk Oblast informed of the drone attacks and stated local air defences were put on alert to combat them. The governor also urged residents to remain aware of local air-raid alerts. Chibis later informed all three drones were shot down. The Russian aviation regulator Rosaviatsia informed airports in the capital of Murmansk and Apatity town were temporarily shut down in response.
On 11 September, pro-Kremlin sources reported on an offensive in the Kursk region. According to Major General Apti Alaudinov, the deputy chief of the Russian army’s military-political administration, an elite Russian naval infantry unit attacked the Ukrainian troops around the Korenevsky district, located on the border with northeastern Ukraine’s Sumy region. He added that the Russian army was able to seize several settlements from the Ukrainian troops. The pro-Kremlin sources also reported on the recapture of border towns Gordeevka and Vnezapnoye in the Korenevsky districts.
THE WEST VIEW
Responses from the US and Europe
On 11 September, Al Arabiya News reported on David Lammy, Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs of the UK, and Anthony Blinken, US Secretary of State joint trip to Ukraine. Blinken and Lammy promised support for Ukraine until the war ended. The trip comes amid Ukraine facing the threat of Russian advances towards the key logistical hub of Pokrovsk. While the US Government has shown support for Ukraine, there are apprehensions in Washington that sending long-range missiles to Ukraine would start a large-scale war. However, Blinken informed the US was committed to providing Ukraine what it required to deal with Russian aggression. On the same day Blinken and Lammy met Denis Shmyhal, the Prime Minister of Ukraine. Shmyhal informed that he hoped the Government of Ukraine would receive long-range weapons for strikes into Russia. The Prime Minister also stated the Ukrainian government needed to respond to “terrorism” from Russia through striking military targets on Russian territory. The Government of the Russian Federation also warned that the usage of US missiles to carry out strikes within Russia would be met with an “appropriate response.”
On 11 September, Daily Sabah reported on the US and UK packages announced during the news conference with Andrii Sybiha, Ukrainian Foreign Minister, David Lammy and Antony Blinken. The packages were part of the humanitarian support and assistance for demining operations. Blinken announced a total of USD 700 million aid focusing on Ukraine’s energy grids which were repeatedly hit by Russian attacks. The fund was allocated to three sectors- USD 325 million for the energy sector, USD 290 million for humanitarian support and the remaining USD 102 million for mine-removal activities. Lammy also proposed a package of USD 3.9 billion as aid.
References
“Kursk Region Governor Says Over 150K Civilians Evacuated From Border Areas,” The Moscow Times, 11 September 2024
“Russia Launches Counteroffensive in Kursk Region, Pro-Kremlin Sources Say,” The Moscow Times, 11 September 2024
Elena Tesolva, “Kremlin says Russia most likely allowed Ukraine to strike deep inside Russian territory,” Anadolu Ajansi, 11 September 2024
Sebastian Shukla, Kosta Gak, Frederik Pleitgen and Scott McWhinnie, “From convict to combatant, Ukraine enlists prisoners to fight Russian forces,” CNN, 11 September 2024
“Drones Target Murmansk Region in Russia’s Arctic,” The Moscow Times, 11 September 2024
"Ukrainian drones attack Russian region bordering NATO states-governor,” RT, 11 September 2024
“Two civilians wounded as Russians shell Kherson,” Ukrinform, 11 September 2024
“US, British FMs in Ukraine as Kyiv pushes for long-range missiles,” Daily Sabah, 11 September 2024
“Antony Blinken, David Lammy make joint visit to Kyiv as Ukraine renews appeal for long-range weapons,” ABC News, 11 September 2024
“US, UK top diplomats vow Ukraine victory as they discuss long-range arms,” Alarabiya News, 11 September 2024
“Blinken announces $700M in US aid to Ukraine,” Daily Sabah, 11 September 2024