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By Neha Tresa George
WAR ON THE GROUND
On 30 October, The Kyiv Independent reported on the first drone attack in Chechnya, Russia’s North Caucasus republic. According to Agentstvo, a media outlet, the drone targeted a building of the Russian Special Forces University which was named after Vladimir Putin. Ramzan Kadyrov, Chechnya’s dictator said that the strike damaged a building although no casualties were recorded.
On 29 October, Guernsey Press reported on the Russian attacks on Kyiv and Kharkiv which led to the death of four people and injury of 15. According to the report, drones, missiles and bombs were used in a continuous aerial attacks. According to Oleh Syniehubov, Regional Governor of Kharkiv, the aerial attack led to the destruction of 20 houses. Another bomb struck the landmark Derzhprom building in Kharkiv city, wounding seven people. Ihor Terekhov, mayor of Kharkiv confirmed the intensifying attacks by Russia on Kharkiv. He also warned the people to be cautious during air raid warnings.
On 30 October, a report was published by Mariana Katzarova, the UN special rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Russia. She said that Russia engaged in "torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment” as “state-sanctioned tools for systemic oppression.” She added that this was not a new phenomenon for Russia. The report elaborated on the 1300 political prisoners in Russia who were subjected to brutal treatment that included rape and other forms of sexual violence. The torturers were reported to be using methods like forcing the person’s head to remain underwater, carrying out mock executions and rape with rubber batons, broomsticks, or bottles. One of the methods used is known as the “call to Putin” where the sensitive parts of the body such as the genitals are subjected to electric shocks. However, Putin was not directly condemned for ordering the torture. Katzarova received information from human rights and other sources working in Russia.
THE MOSCOW VIEW
Claims by Russia
On 29 October, RT reported on the strategic nuclear deterrence exercise set to be held in Russia. Vladimir Putin, Russia’s President announced the launch of the exercise involving ballistic and cruise missile launches. Putin said: “Given the growth of geopolitical tensions as well as the emergence of new external threats and risks, it is important to have modern strategic forces that are constantly ready for combat use.” He added that Russia aimed to maintain its nuclear arsenals at the “sufficient level” and not to move to an arms race. The exercise is aimed to ensure the safety and security of the region. Russia will be equipped with new stationary and missile systems with higher precision and shorter launch preparation. Putin added that the newly installed systems would have higher anti-missile defence penetration capabilities.
On 29 October, CNN reported on Russia’s claims over the control of Selydove town, located southeast of the city of Pokrovsk in the Donetsk region. Selydove was a key area for the Ukrainian stronghold by which they aimed to prevent Russia’s advances towards eastern Ukraine. Ukrainian officials have not yet confirmed the Russian claims. However, Vitaliy Milovidov, 15th brigade national guard spoksperson had mentioned on intensifying Russian attacks aimed to have a foothold. Selydove is a town capable of accommodating large number of people and also hide equipment.
On 29 October, Euronews reported on the visit of Choe Son-hui, North Korea’s Foreign Minister to Russia. It was her first visit to Russia in two weeks. The exact reason for the trip was unknown. The visit comes after NATO confirmed the deployment of North Korean soldiers in Russia. The Kremlin said that Putin had no plans to meet her. Further details of the visit were unknown. However, there were speculations about Russia delivering technology to North Korea which would in turn escalate the threat from North Korea’s weapons programme.
On 29 October, RT reported on the statements made by Dmitry Peskov, Press Secretary of the Russian President on the newly opened Rheinmetall arms factory in Ukraine. The company plans to establish four factories inside Ukraine. According to him, the factory would be treated similarly like all the defence facilities in Ukraine, despite it being owned by Germany’s largest defence contractor. The statement came amidst the announcement of the launch of the new Rheinmetall factory in Ukraine by Armin Papperger, the company’s CEO. He said that it would carry out services in infantry vehicles and tanks along with the production of gunpowder and air defence systems. Peskov said that it would come under the category of a “legitimate target” for the Russian military.
THE WEST VIEW
Responses from the US and Europe
On 29 October, Politico reported on the US’s decision to charge a premium on its G7 EUR 45 billion loan to Ukraine set to be given before the end of 2027. The scheme finalised its rule last week and asked countries to adjust their interest rates based on borrowing costs. The surcharge being discussed in the US is 1.3 per cent higher than Washington’s cost of borrowing on financial markets. The premium is a guarantor against the risk that the Russian-frozen assets used to pay the loan would be unfrozen prior to the repayment of the loan. According to some officials of the EU, the US was looking for a higher rate of return on its portion of help to assure the Congress that the taxpayers were not at risk.
References
“Four killed as Russian missiles and bombs hit Ukraine’s biggest cities,” Guernsey Press¸ 29 October 2024
“UN expert accuses Russia of 'systematic' use of torture,” The North West Star¸30 October 2024
“Putin launches nuclear exercise,” RT, 29 October 2024
“China’s Xi seeks closer ties with Finland on green energy, peace plan for Ukraine,” South China Morning Post¸ 29 October 2024
“Russia claims control of key town of Selydove in Ukraine’s Donetsk region,” CNN World¸ 29 October 2024
“German arms giant’s Ukraine plant ‘a legitimate target’ – Kremlin,” RT, 29 October 2024
“Chechnya hit by drone strike for first time, special forces university damaged, The Kyiv Independent¸ 29 October 2024
“North Korea's foreign minister visits Moscow as NATO confirms Pyongyang troop deployment,” Euro News¸ 29 October 2024
“North Korean soldiers learning Russian commands and may be sent to Ukraine front lines, South Korean lawmakers say,” CNN World¸ 29 October 2024
“US demands premium for supporting €45B loan to Ukraine,” Politico, 29 October 2024
“North Korea and Russia send political shockwaves with Ukraine war moves,” CAN, 30 October 2024
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