|
By Neha Tresa George
WAR ON THE GROUND
On 08 October, swissinfo.ch reported that the Ukrainian Air Force had shot down 18 drones launched by the Russian Armed Forces in Odesa Oblast. The Ukrainian Air Force stated Russia had launched 19 drones and two Iskander-M ballistic missiles in the attack. Oleh Kiper, the Governor of Odesa Oblast stated the drone attack on the city of Chornomorsk caused a fire in an apartment building, but there were no resulting casualties. Kiper also informed the drone attack caused another fire in an administrative building, and one drone fell into an open area without detonating. Officials from the Government of Ukraine also informed a Ukrainian was killed and five others injured by a Russian missile attack on a Palau-flagged vessel in the port of Odesa.
On 08 October, Ukrinform reported on the evacuation of two settlements in the Belgorod region of Russia. According to Vyacheslav Gladkov, the governor of the Belgorod Oblast, the two border villages- Petrivka and Solovyovka were decided to close down at a meeting of the Operational Headquarters. The meeting also decided to resettle the residents and arrange new housing for them. One of the reasons cited by Gladkov was the continuous shelling faced by the residents of the villages.
On 07 October, the BBC reported on the Ukrainian strike on an oil depot, off the coast of Crimea. According to Ukrainian officials, the country’s missile forces launched an overnight strike on the Feodosia terminal, the largest oil processing facility on the peninsula. Russia-installed officials did not confirm the strike. However, they had acknowledged a fire at the site. No casualties have been reported. According to the TASS, a municipal-level emergency had been declared and around 300 people had been evacuated from the region. The Russian officials also informed of the ongoing efforts to bring down the fire.
On 08 October, Ukrinform reported on the Russian strike at the border of Sumy region. According to the Sumy Regional Military Administration, the Russian army fired 22 times at the border which led to the death of two civilians, Further, 26 explosions were recorded in the region. Mykolaivka, Khotin, Richkiv, Bilopilia, Krasnopilia, and Novoslobidska communities were shelled by Russia with anti-aircraft missiles.
On 08 October, France 24 reported on the Government of South Korea statement on the death of North Korean soldiers in Ukraine. Ukrainian media had earlier reported that a Ukrainian missile strike in Donetsk killed six North Korean military officers fighting alongside the Russian Armed Forces. Kim Young-hyun, the Minister of National Defence of South Korea stated the report was highly likely to be true. Kim also informed he expected more troop deployments to Ukraine by the Government of North Korea, due to the mutual agreements between the North Korean government and the Government of the Russian Federation. The North Korean and Russian governments expanded military ties in recent years, with North Korean missiles and other weapons believed to be in use by Russia in Ukraine. Lim Eul-chul, a Professor at the Institute for Far Eastern Studies in South Korea stated the involvement of North Korean forces in Ukraine was to gain real-world combat experience and handling of different weapons.
THE MOSCOW VIEW
Claims from Russia
On 08 October, RT reported on the statements made by Sergey Lavrov, Russia’s Foreign Minister on Ukraine’s bid to use the western-long range weapons inside Russia. He said: “As soon as this decision is taken by the West to allow Ukraine to use long-range missiles, we will learn that, and the contingency mentioned by Vladimir Putin will already be in action.” He was referring to the “contingency plan” outlined by Vladimir Putin, Russia’s President if the long-range weapons were used to strike Russia. Earlier, Putin had mentioned that any such attacks would be considered as a direct attack by the countries that supplied the weapons. He further suggested that he could arm the opponents of the West with similar weapons in retaliation.
On 08 October, RT reported on the statements made by Aleksandr Grushko, Russia’s Deputy Foreign Minister condemning NATO and its expansion. He said: “NATO representatives have stopped hiding that they are preparing for a potential armed clash with Russia.” He further added that regional defence plans were approved while military action against Russia was continuously being planned. He was referring to the Steadfast Defender exercise from January to May, one of NATO’s biggest drills conducted near Russia’s western border. He accused NATO of expanding its influence and threatening Russia by “…refusing to engage in dialogue with Moscow.”
On 08 October, RT reported on the destruction of a French-made Caesar self-propelled howitzer in Ukraine by the Russian forces. According to the Ministry of Defence of the Russian Federation, it was targeted using a missile, a Kh-BPLA laser-guided munition, fired by a Russian Inokhodets (Orion) medium-altitude long-endurance (MALE) strike drone. The military shared a footage of powerful explosion. It was discovered at a firing position in Ukraine’s Sumy region.
On 07 October, RT reported on the disruption faced by Russian public broadcaster VGTRK. According to the company, their online services were subjected to an “unprecedented hacker attack.” However, there were no significant damage reported. National TV channels Rossiya-1, Rossiya-24 and online portals Vesti.ru and Smotrim.ru are among the multiple channels and outlets under the VGTRK media holding umbrella, which publishes and broadcasts in 53 of Russia's languages. The company said that its experts were working to stop the consequences of this interference. Meanwhile, some of the online services and live streams on the main website have not yet been restored.
THE WEST VIEW
On 08 October, Politico reported on the statements made by Sébastien Lecornu, the Armed Forces Minister of France on the delivery of Mirage 2000 fighter jets to Ukraine. He said: “Mirage 2000s could be flying in Ukraine in the first half of 2025.” The jets were promised in early 2024 itself by Emmanuel Macron, the French President. According to Lecornu, the French were trying to modify the fighter jets to suit the Ukrainian needs. He said that they aimed to fit air-to-ground capabilities and reinforce electronic warfare systems. He added that the exact time of delivery would depend on the progress of the training of pilots. Both Macron and Lecornu have declined to reveal the exact number of jets which were to be delivered to Ukraine.
On 09 October, the BBC reported on the sanctions imposed by the UK on Russian soldiers and agencies over the usage of chemical weapons. Russia’s Radiological Chemical and Biological Defence troops and their commander Lt Gen Igor Kirillov along with two of the Russian defence ministry's scientific laboratories will be subjected to assets freeze and travel ban. David Lammy, the UK’s Foreign Secretary warned that Putin would face consequences for breaching international law. He referred to Russia’s usage of chemical weapons as “flagrant…cruel and inhumane.” He pledged to use his whole powers to curtail these activities. Earlier, the US had also accused Russia of using chemical agents which Russia refused to accept.
On 08 October, The Guardian reported that Kamala Harris, the Vice President of the US and presidential candidate from the Democratic Party for the US election had stated cooperation from the Government of Ukraine was required for peace talks. In an interview with the 60 Minutes programme of CBS News, Harris stated cooperation from Volodymyr Zelenskyy, the President of Ukraine was required for any peace talks or peace deal. Harris informed she would not have a meeting with Vladimir Putin, the President of Russia without the involvement of Zelenskyy. Harris also warned Donald Trump, the presidential candidate from the Republican Party and her election opponent would surrender Ukraine to Russia on the first day.
References
“Russian army fired 22 times at border of Sumy region during day, two civilians killed,” Ukrinform, 08 October 2024
“Ukraine’s military says it shot down 18 Russian drones overnight,” swissinfo.ch, 08 October 2024
“Evacuation of two more settlements announced in Belgorod region of Russia,” Ukrinform, 08 October 2024
“North Korean military officers ‘highly likely’ killed in Ukraine, Seoul says,” France 24, 08 October 2024
“Russia will respond to Western greenlight for Ukrainian long-range missile strikes – Lavrov,” RT, 08 October 2024
“Russia accuses NATO of openly preparing for conflict,” RT, 08 October 2024
“French-made howitzer destroyed in Ukraine – Russian MOD,” RT, 08 October 2024
“UK sanctions Russian troops over chemical weapons use in Ukraine,” BBC, 09 October 2024
“France aims to send Mirage fighter jets to help Ukraine fight Putin in 2025,” Politico, 09 October 2024
“Russian media giant hit by ‘unprecedented’ hack,” RT, 07 October 2024
“Ukraine strikes oil depot in occupied Crimea,” BBC, 07 October 2024
Lauren Gambino, “Harris says no Ukraine peace without Kyiv at the table in 60 Minutes interview,” The Guardian, 08 October 2024
|
