Photo : REUTERS/Nacho Doce
Photo : REUTERS/Nacho Doce
By Neha Tresa George
WAR ON THE GROUND
On 09 October, Ukrinform reported on the overnight attack on a Russian arsenal near Karachevo in the Bryansk region. According to the report, Ukraine’s Unmanned Systems Force (USF) executed this operation overnight. The USF further noted that the 67th arsenal of the Russian army’s missile and artillery department is used to store and modify artillery and other weapons, including those supplied by Iran. It added that its units were in constant efforts to counter Russia’s offensive capabilities.
On 09 October, Ukrinform reported on the Russian ballistic missile attack on a port infrastructure in the Odesa Oblast. The strike had led to the death of five people and injury of nine more. According to Oleksiy Kuleba, the Minister of Development of Communities and Territories: “All victims are Ukrainians. Currently, those injured are getting medical assistance, five are in serious condition.” The attack further led to the destruction of a container ship Shui Spirit, which was hoisting the flag of Panama. This was the third foreign ship suffering from a Russian attack in the last four days. Kuleba called for an increase in weapons, air defence, diplomacy and sanctions to deal with the Russian offensive.
On 09 October, Ukrinform reported on the statements of Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Ukraine’s President during the South East Europe summit in Dubrovnik, Croatia. He confirmed that receiving an invitation to NATO was part of the “Victory Plan.” He said: “A specific invitation to the Alliance is not NATO membership. Of course, it is better to be a member of the Alliance. But we are talking about strengthening our position now.” He also acknowledged the skepticism that came from several NATO members regarding Ukraine’s membership in NATO and cited this as the reason for the need of invitation as a first step.
On 09 October, Reuters reported on the declaration of emergency near Karachevo in the Bryansk region. This came after the Ukrainian troops claimed that it had carried out an overnight strike targeting one of Russia’s arsenals. The local branch of the Emergencies Ministry declared an emergency over the “detonations of explosive objects.” The Bryansk emergencies ministry said that the situation was brought under control and did not mention any weapons arsenal. Meanwhile, Alexander Bogomaz, the regional governor informed that the Russian air defence forces had destroyed over 24 drones over Bryansk.
THE MOSCOW VIEW
Claims from Russia
On 09 October, RT reported that Russian troops liberated two villages in the Kursk region. According to the Ministry of Defence of the Russian Federation, the troops liberated two villages: Novaya Sorochina, 15 kilometers north of Sudzha, and Nikolsky, a small populated area in the southwest of the Ukraine-controlled pocket of Kursk Region. It added: “The Ukrainian personnel were pushed back from their positions, and retreated in disarray.”
On 09 October, RT reported on the remarks made by the Russian Embassy in the UK in retaliation to the new wave of sanctions imposed on Russia over the alleged usage of chemical weapons in the war against Ukraine. The Embassy claimed that the Western countries were facilitating the delivery of banned chemicals to Ukraine for its use on the frontlines of war. The Embassy argued that the new sanctions were a means to divert from the various instances of the usage of chemical weapons by Ukraine.
On 09 October, RT reported on the statements made by Russia’s Defence Ministry on the destruction of Ukrainian armored vehicles. The Russian troops were reported to have destroyed two Ukrainian vehicles in the Kharkov region with explosives-laden FPV drones. The Ministry also informed that the Russian forces intercepted two tanks, including a French-made АМХ-10. They also destroyed several artillery guns manufactured in France, Britain and the US. In a separate statement, the Ministry claimed that Ukraine had lost over 50 troops in the Kharkov region within 24 hours.
THE WEST VIEW
On 09 October, Reuters reported on the statements of Vasyl Bodnar, Ukraine’s ambassador to Turkey. He said that Ukraine intended to hold a peace summit by the end of 2024 along with Russia. However, he refuted the possibility of any direct bilateral talks with Russia. He said: “One of the most important goals of this summit is to reach a fair peace in Ukraine. We are not talking about a format here in which Ukraine and Russia sit across from each other and Ukraine listens to Russia's demands.” He added that the international community along with Ukraine would sit together and create a list of steps to establish peace in Ukraine. They aimed to discuss the demands with Russia based on this list. He pointed out that Turkey would play an important role in mediating the conflict as it has maintained its close ties with both Ukraine and Russia.
On 08 October, Reuters reported on the statements made by Viktor Orban, Hungary’s Prime Minister. He said that Ukraine cannot win the war with Russia on the battlefield. He added that a dialogue and ceasefire was needed to save the lives of people. Further, he said that the strategy adopted by the EU countries was not working out. He talked about his country seeking to establish a normal economic relationship with Russia in areas unaffected by sanctions. He also accused some western countries and called them "hypocrites” for blaming Russia and being heavily dependent upon Russia for gas and crude oil.
References
“Russian military liberates more areas in Kursk Region – MOD,” RT, 09 October 2024
“Ukraine receiving chemical weapons from the West – Moscow,” RT, 09 October 2024
“Russian drones destroy Ukrainian armor – MOD,” RT, 09 October 2024
“Ukraine’s military confirms drone strike on Russia’s ammo depot in Briansk region,” Ukrinform, 09 October 2024
“Five dead after Russian ballistic missile attack on Odesa region’s port infrastructure,” Ukrinform, 09 October 2024
“Getting invitation to NATO part of Victory Plan – Zelensky,” Ukrinform, 09 October 2024
“Ukraine eyes peace summit by year-end that includes Russia, envoy to Turkey says,” Reuters, 09 October 2024
“Hungary PM Orban says Ukraine cannot win on the battlefield,” Reuters, 08 October 2024
“Russia declares local emergency in region where Ukraine says it hit weapons arsenal," Reuters, 09 October 2024