Photo : Alexander Reka/TASS
Photo : Alexander Reka/TASS
By Neha Tresa George
WAR ON THE GROUND
On 19 September, Reuters reported that Russia had captured two villages in the western Kursk region. According to Apti Alaudinov of the Akhmat Special Forces, Russia had gained Nikolayevo-Darino and Darino. He noted that the Russian forces had moved their frontline as they were advancing in eastern Ukraine. The villages lie 15 kilometres from the former front lines put up by Ukrainian troops during their Kursk incursion. The control of these villages would give an upper hand to the Russian army to attack Sverdlikovo, a prime logistical centre of Ukrainian forces. This came amidst Russia’s strong counteroffensive against the Kursk incursion led by Ukraine.
On 19 September, Swissinfo reported on the Russian airstrike on a geriatric centre in the city of Sumy, targeting its energy sector. According to Ukrainian officials, the attack had led to the death of one civilian. The day-time bombing of a five-storey building in northern Sumy led to the death of one civilian and the injury of 12 others. Volodymyr Zelenskyy, President of Ukraine said that the rescue teams were working to save people trapped under the damaged building.
On 19 September, CBS News reported on Zelenskyy meeting with the top US leaders during his visit to the US in the coming week. He is expected to meet Joe Biden, the US President, former US President Donald Trump, and Kamala Harris, the US Vice President. He has also scheduled to give an address to the UN General Assembly. Recently, he had expressed his interest in sharing his “Victory Plan” with Biden, Trump and Harris. According to Jean-Pierre, Press Secretary of the White House, Zelenskyy would have a separate meeting with Harris to discuss the ongoing war, Ukraine’s strategic planning and the US support to Ukraine. He added: "The president and vice president will emphasize their unshakeable commitment to stand with Ukraine until it prevails in this war."
On 19 September, Reuters reported on the recent report published by The UN Human Rights Monitoring Mission in Ukraine (HRMMU) that condemned Russia’s attacks on the energy facilities in Ukraine. As its primary focus, HRMMU took up nine waves of strikes that happened between March and August 2024. The report read: “There are reasonable grounds to believe that multiple aspects of the military campaign to damage or destroy Ukraine’s civilian electricity and heat-producing and transmission infrastructure have violated foundational principles of international humanitarian law.” It had visited seven destroyed or damaged power plants and 28 communities that were affected by the strikes. It highlighted certain problems faced in urban areas and pointed out the attack posed a threat to Ukraine's water supply, sewage and sanitation, public health, education and the wider economy. The experts of the HRMMU also said that Ukraine was to expect power supply outages of four and 18 hours a day this winter.
THE MOSCOW VIEW
Claims from Russia
On 19 September, the TASS reported on the recent developments and updates of the Kursk region by Major General Apty Alaudinov, the deputy chief of the Main Military-Political Directorate of the Russian Armed Forces and the commander of the Akhmat Special Forces unit of Russia. According to him, Ukrainian forces were in a difficult position, trying to gain some control over the Sudzha direction in the Kursk region. He informed on his visit to the rightmost flank of the Russian troops near the cities of Rylsk and Lgov in the Kursk direction. Apart from that, he also reported that the Akhmat special force had demolished one self-propelled artillery weapon, one armoured personnel carrier and an ammunition storage facility in the Kursk direction.
On 19 September, RT reported on the Russian strike on Ukraine’s prime military communication facility. According to the Ministry of Defence of the Russian Federation: “Russian warplanes, drones, missiles and artillery had successfully hit the main centre of special radio communications of the Main Intelligence Directorate of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.” It also destroyed some airfield infrastructure facilities. However, the officials did not inform the location and the severity of the attack. Meanwhile, several Ukrainian media and officials have reported on the explosions and blasts that occurred in Kharkov and Sumy Region. The local officials reported that the Kharkov strike involved the use of ballistic missiles by Russia.
THE WEST VIEW
Responses from the US and Europe
On 19 September, the EU’s official website reported on the announcement made by Ursula Von Der Leyen, President of the European Commission on the supply of humanitarian aid to Ukraine. She proposed an amount of EUR 160 million in humanitarian aid and EUR 100 million for repair and construction works. She said: “Ukraine needs 17 GW of power capacity for this winter. So today, I want to propose action in three areas: Repair, Connect and Stabilise.” The aid focussed specifically on energy security in the form of shelters and heaters for the upcoming winter. She noted that it was necessary to meet the immediate requirements of people in winter while strengthening Ukraine’s energy system for the future.
On 19 September, European Parliament reported on a recent resolution in the parliament calling for a lift of restrictions imposed over the usage of long-range weapons by Ukraine inside Russian territory. It had 425 votes in favour, 131 against and 63 abstentions. According to the MEPs, Ukraine was not able to utilise its right to self-defence and remained vulnerable to attacks from Russia. They also highlighted that the delivery of weapons and ammunition was insufficient leading to declining military aid from the EU countries. The MEPs also urged for tougher sanctions against Russia and its allies. Further, they called for international support to Ukraine and a peaceful resolution of the war respecting Ukraine’s independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity.
On 19 September, AoI reported on Germany’s approval of EUR 397 million as additional military aid to Ukraine. According to Germany’s foreign ministry: “In view of the continuously deteriorating military situation in Ukraine, there is a serious risk that Ukraine, without significantly increased material support, could be defeated in its defence campaign.” The extra funds will be used to buy ammunition, fighting vehicles, drones and protective equipment, among other items. Germany’s military aid to Ukraine would rise up to EUR 8.4 billion if the fund is approved by the budget committee.
On 19 September, CNN reported on the potential disruptions faced by Ukraine in its electricity supplies. According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), Ukraine is set to face the “sternest test” in the coming winter. Fatih Birol, IEA executive director said: “Ukraine’s energy system has made it through the past two winters thanks to the resilience, courage and ingenuity of its people and strong solidarity from its international partners.” The agency noted that the intensified attacks on the Ukrainian electricity supplies could cause electricity shortages in hospitals, schools and other primary institutions during the coming winter. It estimated that Ukraine’s electricity supply shortfall could reach as low as six gigawatts. In its report, IEA presented ten measures to tackle the current energy crisis. It includes strengthening the physical and cyber security of energy infrastructure, quick delivery of equipment and spare parts for repairs, investing in energy efficiency and building the capacity to import electricity and natural gas from the EU. However, it proposes “effective air defence” as the most important measure to counter the crisis.
References
“Russian attacks on Ukraine power grid probably violate humanitarian law, says UN,” Reuters, 19 September 2024
“Russia advances in the Kursk region, commander says,” Reuters, 19 September 2024
“Russia attacks Ukraine geriatric centre and power grid,” Swissinfo.ch, 19 September 2024
“Russia strikes Ukraine’s key signals facility – MOD,” RT, 19 September 2024
“Russia’s Akhmat special force destroys military storage facility in Kursk direction,” TASS, 20 September 2024
“Ukrainian forces in difficult situation in Kursk Region, try gain foothold — commander,” TASS, 19 September 2024
“Ukraine’s energy supply faces ‘sternest test yet’ as war grinds toward third winter,” CNN World, 19 September 2024
“President von der Leyen announces new EU support for Ukraine's energy security for the winter,” European Neighbourhood Policy and Enlargement Negotiations (DG NEAR), 19 September 2024
“MEPs: Ukraine must be able to strike legitimate military targets in Russia,” Europarl, 19 September 2024
“Zelenskyy poised to meet with Biden, Harris and Trump next week,” CBS News, 19 September 2024
“Germany to approve 397 million euros in extra Ukraine military aid, letter says,” AOI, 19 September 2024