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By Neha Tresa George & Padmashree Anandhan
WAR ON THE GROUND
On 21 October, Ukrinform reported on the execution of captured Ukrainian soldiers by Russian forces. Ukraine’s Prosecutor General’s Office (PGO) had launched a pre-trial investigation into the execution of two Ukrainian soldiers near the Selydove, Donetsk region. According to preliminary data, Russian military servicemen captured the two on 18 October in the Pokrovsk district of the Donetsk region. They then put them face down on the ground and shot them at close range with automatic rifles. According to PGO, the shooting of the prisoners violated the Geneva Conventions as it was regarded as an international crime. The investigation was headed by the Main Directorate of the Security Service of Ukraine in Donetsk and Luhansk regions.
On 21 October, Al Jazeera reported on South Korea’s response to the alleged deployment of North Korean soldiers to Russia. South Korea had called Georgy Zinoviev, the Russian ambassador and condemned Pyongyang’s acts while calling for their “immediate withdrawal.” According to Seoul’s National Intelligence Service, 1500 North Korean soldiers from the elite “Storm Corps” had arrived in Russia and were set to head to the front lines of the war with Ukraine. It also added that additional forces were yet to be deployed. Seoul’s Foreign Affairs Ministry stated: “We condemn North Korea’s illegal military cooperation, including its dispatch of troops to Russia, in the strongest terms.” Meanwhile, Zinoviev pointed out that the cooperation between Russia and North Korea did not intend to threaten the interests of South Korea. Yoon Suk-Yeol, the South Korean President also urged NATO to take “concrete countermeasures.” Russian officials have not yet confirmed the deployment although they pledged to continue their alliance with North Korea.
THE WEST VIEW
Responses from the US and Europe
On 21 October, CNN reported on the visit of Lloyd Austin, the US’s Secretary of Defence to Ukraine. He met with Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Ukraine’s President and Rustem Umerov, the President and the Defence Minister of Ukraine. Austin said: “It’s been absolutely remarkable that Ukraine has been able to do what it’s done.” They further discussed on importance of defending Ukrainian territory, particularly the eastern region of Pokrovsk and the regeneration and recruitment of the Ukrainian army. According to Zelenskyy, the issue of using long-range weapons was also discussed. In addition to all these, Austin announced a USD 400 million military package, providing additional munitions, armoured vehicles and anti-tank weapons to Ukraine. Till now the US has provided USD 59.5 billion in “critical assistance.”
On 21 October, Mark Rutte, NATO Secretary General warned over North Korea sending of troops to aid Russia in war in Ukraine. He stated his talks with Yoon Suk Yeol, South Korea’s President on how its spy agency found the presence of North Korean special forces in Russia for training. Rutte said: “North Korea sending troops to fight alongside Russia in Ukraine would mark a significant escalation.” Kim Hong Kyun, South Korean First Vice Foreign Minister condemned the troop transfer saying: “Strongly urged the immediate withdrawal of North Korean forces and the cessation of related cooperation.” In response, South Korea summoned the Russian ambassador to Seoul calling the deployment as a serious threat. Kim also stated that there would be a joint measure from the international community to address the threat to their security interest.
On 21 October, Germany’s Command Task Force (CTF) launched a “multinational naval tactical headquarters for the Baltic Sea” in Rostock a coastal city in Germany. The CTF will coordinate the naval activities for all NATO allies on the Baltic Sea focusing on “peace, crisis and war.” Boris Pistorius, Germany’s Defence Minister said: “We are committed to ensuring the security of the Baltic region, the strength of NATO, and the defense of our shared value.” According to Pistorius, a command staff already exists in Rostock which will later function for NATO’s tasks. Germany will lead the group along with 11 other NATO members. This will operate as a symbol to indicate Baltic-NATO relations amid the war in Ukraine and the threat of the Russian Baltic Fleet near Kaliningrad. This fleet exists separate from the Russian mainland between Poland and Lithuania which has gained significance post-Cold War. Earlier, NATO’s objective was to ensure the western front of the Baltic was protected from the Soviet Union’s Baltic Fleet and prevent Moscow’s warships from attacking the US’s supply convoys which were key to Europe’s security. Since the Baltic accession to NATO, guarding Baltic sea routes has formed part of NATO’s agenda.
References
“Austin announces new military aid package worth $400M for Ukraine,” Ukrinform, 21 October 2024
“Russians execute another two captured Ukrainian soldiers near Selydove, Donetsk region,” Ukrinform, 21 October 2024
“Seoul demands ‘immediate withdrawal’ of North Korean troops in Russia,” Al Jazeera, 21 October 2024
“Defense Secretary Austin visits Ukraine amid Russian gains and ahead of imminent US election,” CNN, 21 October 2024
“NATO calls North Korean troop dispatch in Ukraine major "escalation",” Kyodo News, 21 October 2024
Justin McCurry, “South Korea summons Russian envoy over North Korean troop deployment,” The Guardian, 21 October 2024
“Germany inaugurates new NATO naval HQ on the Baltic Sea,” Deutsche Welle, 21 October 2024
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