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By Advik S Mohan
WAR ON THE GROUND
On 08 November, The Kyiv Independent informed 14 individuals were killed and 88 injured in a single day of Russian attacks in Ukraine. An aerial bomb attack on the city of Zaporizhzhia by Russia killed 10 individuals including a one-year-old child, and injured 41. The Governor of Donetsk Oblast Vadym Filashkin, informed Russian forces killed two individuals and injured six others in an attack in the Kramatorsk district of Donetsk Oblast. The Governor of Odesa Oblast, Oleh Kiper, confirmed a Russian mass drone attack in Odesa Oblast killed one individual and injured eight. Russian missile attacks and shelling also targeted the Kyiv Oblast, Kharkiv Oblast and Kherson Oblast. One resident in Kherson was killed in the attacks and 25 residents in Kharkiv were injured by an aerial bomb attack on a residential building.
On 08 November, Ukraine's President, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, said that it would be unacceptable for Russia to receive concessions after its invasion of Ukraine. Earlier, Russia's President, Vladimir Putin, stated that Ukraine needed to accept territorial losses as a precondition for peace talks. Zelenskyy informed the concessions were unacceptable for Ukraine and for Europe. The Ukrainian President also urged European leaders to provide him with sufficient weapons, instead of encouraging compromise with Russia. Additionally, he stated the demand by the Prime Minister of Hungary, Viktor Orban, for a ceasefire was dangerous and irresponsible. After the victory of Donald Trump in the US presidential elections, doubts have increased over whether the US will provide future assistance to Ukraine.
THE MOSCOW VIEW
Claims by Russia
On 08 November, RT reported on the meeting between the delegations from the Government of the Russian Federation and the Government of Ukraine in Belarus. The Commissioner for Human Rights of Russia, Tatyana Moskalkova, informed the meeting with the human rights commissioner of Ukraine involved discussions on the exchange of bodies of victims. During the meeting, Russia handed over the bodies of 563 soldiers and received 37 bodies from Ukraine. Moskalkova stated further humanitarian cooperation in assisting civilians, the location and reunification of families, and mutual visits to prisoners were also discussed during the meeting.
On 08 November, RT reported on the Government of the Russian Federation statement on demands by Ukraine to dismantle the Crimean Bridge were absurd. The Deputy Permanent Representative of Russia to the UN, Gennady Kuzmin, stated that the Crimean Bridge was built to resolve the economic and humanitarian problems the Crimean peninsula faced, after a blockade by Ukraine. Kuzmin also stated the Sea of Azov and the Kerch Strait where the bridge was located were historically Russian territory and not international waters as claimed by Ukraine. Additionally, Kuzmin stated the bridge did not negatively impact the marine environment, contrary to Ukrainian claims. Kuzmin said that the Ukrainian government showed its lack of concern for the environment and safety of navigation by attacking the bridge repeatedly.
THE WEST VIEW
Responses from the US and Europe
On 07 November, Secretary-General of NATO, Mark Rutte provided his views on key issues. According to Rutte, Russia was working with partners like North Korea, China, and Iran against the future of Europe. The Secretary-General also stated the US would face the threat of new technological developments, due to Russia providing technology to North Korea. Rutte warned this scenario made it essential for the European part of NATO, the US, and Canada to work together within the Indo-Pacific and Euro-Atlantic. Rutte stated the European members of NATO would send a capability and spending target, of over two per cent.
On 08 November, a video published in The Guardian reported on the US Government's pledge to continue providing military aid for Ukraine. The White House Press Secretary, Karine Jean-Pierre, informed the US Government had increased aid to Ukraine, after an announcement in September by the President of the United States, Joe Biden. Jean-Pierre stated the US Government understood the importance of supporting Ukraine, and the recent surge in aid would continue. She also informed the US Government had taken actions to strengthen the air defences and battlefield capabilities of Ukraine to combat Russia.
References
“Zelensky Says ‘Unacceptable’ to Offer Russia Concessions on Ukraine,” Kyiv Post, 08 November 2024
Kateryna Hodunova, “Russian attacks across Ukraine kill 14, injure 88 over past day, The Kyiv Independent, 08 November 2024
“Russian and Ukrainian officials meet in Belarus,” RT, 08 November 2024
“Ukraine’s demands to dismantle Crimean Bridge ‘absurd’- Moscow,” RT, 08 November 2024
“Surge of military aid to Ukraine will continue, White House says-video,” The Guardian, 08 November 2024
“Doorstep by NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte ahead of the meeting of the European Political Community,” North Atlantic Treaty Organization, 07 November 2024
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