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By Advik S Mohan and Neha Tresa George
WAR ON THE GROUND
On 14 October, an article in Firstpost informed that Volodymyr Zelenskyy, the President of Ukraine accused North Korea of providing troops to support Russia. Zelenskyy stated that the Government of the Russian Federation had a growing alliance with regimes like North Korea. He added that the alliance was no longer merely about the transfer of weapons, but also involved the transfer of people from North Korea to fight for Russia. He made the remarks after a visit to Ukrainian allies where he requested more military and financial aid to combat Russia.
On 13 October, Ukrinform reported on the statements of Rustem Umerov, Ukraine’s Defence Minister on the rising investments in Ukraine’s defence industry. According to him, France, the UK, Italy, and Germany had assured their investments in Ukraine’s defence complex. Following a meeting with the foreign ministers of these countries, he said: “I worked as part of the delegation led by President Volodymyr Zelensky. We held productive meetings and have strong support and agreements that bring our victory closer.” They discussed further steps to increase weapons production in Ukraine and measures to launch joint ventures with European allies. Umerov confirmed that the Russian frozen assets would be used for their defence needs. He also thanked the governments of France, Italy, Germany and the UK for their unwavering support.
On 14 October, Ukrinform reported on the evacuation of people from the border communities in the Sumy region. According to the Sumy Regional Military Administration, 535 people including 143 children were evacuated from 189 settlements. With the increasing attacks near border settlements, an order was signed by the Sumy Military District Administration and the Siversk Military District Administration for the compulsory evacuation of people from 11 settlements of Novoslobidska and Putivlska territorial communities of Konotop district, 90 settlements of Bilopilia, Vorozhbianska, Krasnopilia, Miropilia, Mykolaivka, Khotin, Yunakivka territorial communities of Sumy district. Around 500 children are to be evacuated.
On 13 October, an article in TVP World reported that the Government of Ukraine had informed international agencies about executions of Prisoners Of War (POWs) by the Government of the Russian Federation. Dmytro Lubinets, the Ukrainian Parliament Commissioner or Ombudsman for Human Rights informed the United Nations (UN) and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) about the systematic execution of Ukrainian POWs by the Russian government. Lubinets also stated the actions of the Russian government violated international laws like the Geneva Convention. He requested the international community to not turn a blind eye to the crimes committed by Russia. Andrii Sybiha, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine stated in response to the reports that the International Criminal Court must issue arrest warrants against Russian executioners and torturers. Sybiha also demanded greater international pressure on Russia, such as international access to detention sites and facilitating the release of POWs.
On 12 October, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, President of Ukraine had informed of new arms agreements. Zelenskyy stated the Government of Ukraine and the Government of France had decided to create joint Ukrainian-French production facilities. According to Zelenskyy, the French investments were an opportunity to specifically establish new production facilities. Zelenskyy stated investments by allies into production facilities had significantly expanded weapons production, especially of drones. He also informed the Minister of Defence of Ukraine and the Ministry of Strategic Industries were responsible for ensuring the implementation of all agreements. Zelenskyy also stated Ukrainian allies who did not have weapons could aid Ukraine through providing financing and special technologies.
On 12 October, an article in France 24 informed the Government of the Russian Federation and the Government of Ukraine targeted each other with drone attacks. The Russian government informed it shot down 47 Ukrainian drones. The Ministry of Defence of the Russian Federation informed the 47 drones shot down included 17 in Krasnodar Oblast, 16 over the Azov Sea and 12 over the Kursk Oblast. Russia also informed the Ukrainian drone attacks had killed one individual in Belgorod Oblast. According to the Ukrainian Air Force, Russia launched 28 drones towards Ukraine. The Ukrainian Air Force informed 24 of the 28 drones were destroyed in the Sumy, Kherson, Mykolaiv, Poltava and Dnipropetrovsk Oblasts. Ivan Fedrov, Head of the Zaporizhzhia Military Administration informed Russian bombardments had wounded four citizens. Additionally, the Ukrainian Chief of Staff informed Ukrainian forces struck a fuel depot near Rovenky in Lugansk Oblast. Russian emergency services also informed they curbed a fire at the Feodosia oil terminal in the Crimea region, which emerged after a Ukrainian attack.
THE MOSCOW VIEW
Claims from Russia
On 13 October, TASS reported on the liberation of a settlement in Mikhailovka in the Donetsk People’s Republic by the Russian forces. According to the Ministry of Defence of the Russian Federation, the Battlegroup Centre of the Russian army defeated seven Ukrainian brigades and liberated the settlement. The ministry added that the Russian forces struck the infrastructure of a Ukrainian military airfield and drone warehouses.
On 13 October, an article in RT informed Alexander Lukashenko, the President of Belarus had stated an escalation by the West in the Ukraine conflict was prevented through amending the Russian nuclear doctrine. Vladimir Putin, the President of Russia had informed in September the Russian nuclear doctrine would be changed. According to the doctrine, aggression against Russia or Belarus by a non-nuclear state with the support or participation of a nuclear state was to be considered a nuclear attack. Lukashenko stated the doctrine change cooled down the hotheads in the West. He also stated it prevented long-range missile strikes by Ukraine on Russia. According to the president, the doctrine update was discussed by Putin five years ago, and was not a fresh development.
On 13 October, the Government of the Russian Federation stated that it captured another village in eastern Ukraine. The Ministry of Defence of the Russian Federation informed the village of Mykhailivka was under Russian control now. Mykhailivka lies close to the town of Selydove, under Russian attack for the past few months. The capture of Mykhailivka came amidst an increased advance by the Russian Armed Forces towards the crucial mining town of Pokrovsk. The Government of Ukraine admitted this week the situation in the region was difficult.
THE WEST VIEW
On 14 October, Ukrinform reported on Hanno Pevkur, Estonia’s Defence Minister's statements about purchasing defence equipment from Ukraine. According to him, Estonia was considering buying defence products from Ukraine, thus helping increase Ukrainian production. The martial law imposed in Ukraine banned the export of arms and defence materials. However, Pevkur noted that this ban would not apply if countries come to a mutual agreement. He added that Estonia was interested in buying items particularly long-range missiles.
On 14 October, Radio Free Europe Radio Liberty reported on the meeting scheduled among the EU foreign ministers. The meeting aimed to discuss the conflict in Middle east and the EU’s support fir Ukrainian defence and recovery against the backdrop of Hungarian resistance. The EU plans to impose sanctions on organisations and actors responsible for destabilizing Moldova’s democracy and its path to the EU membership. It will also push for sanctions on Iran for supplying Russia with ballistic missiles.
References
“New Russian nuclear doctrine ‘cooled Western hotheads’- Lukashenko,” RT, 13 October 2024
“Ukraine informs UN and Red Cross of Russian execution of POWs in Kursk region,” TVP World, 13 October 2024
“This Week, We Added News Arms Agreements for Ukraine- Address by the President,” President Of Ukraine, 12 October 2024
“Zelenskyy accuses North Korea of sending troops to Russian army,” Firstpost, 14 October 2024
“Russia Says Captured Another East Ukrainian Village Near Key Town,” The Moscow Times, 13 October 2024
“Russia and Ukraine launch rival overnight drone attacks, with most intercepted,” France 24, 12 October 2024
Zelenskyy says Ukrainian forces ‘holding the line’ in Kursk amid Russian advances,” Firstpost, 13 October 2024
“EU Foreign Ministers to Sanction Iran Over Russia Missiles,” RFERL, 14 October 2024
“Partner countries confirm growing investments in Ukraine's defense industry – Umerov,” Ukrinform, 13 October 2024
“143 children evacuated from border communities in Sumy region over week,” Ukrinform, 14 October 2024
“Estonia considers purchasing defense products from Ukraine,” Ukrinform, 14 October
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