Photo : Sputnik/Sergey Guneev
Photo : Sputnik/Sergey Guneev
By Neha Tresa George
WAR ON THE GROUND
On 18 November, the Associated Press reported on the Russian attack on a nine-story building in the Sumy region. It had led to the death of eight people and injury of several others. Following this incident, Ukraine’s Minister of Internal Affairs Ihor Klymenko said: “Every life destroyed by Russia is a big tragedy.” Around 400 people were evacuated from the building. The rescuers were still searching for people trapped inside the building.
On 18 November, Amnesty International published a statement highlighting the condition of children in Ukraine against the backdrop of Russia’s large-scale attacks. It looked at 17 strikes in 2024 that led to child casualties. According to field research, Russia’s forces intentionally targeted civilians and infrastructure. The research particularly highlighted the attack on the cruise missile attack on the Okhmatdyt hospital in Kyiv. It looked at 14 images and six videos showing the plight of the people in the hospital after the attack. It had led to the death of two people and injured over a hundred others including children. According to the data published by the United Nations Office of the High Commissioner of Human Rights (OHCHR), the 2024 summer was comparatively “deadly” for the children. The data also points out that 89 per cent of civilian casualties have occurred in Ukraine-controlled territories. However, Amnesty could not independently verify the exact number of children reported to be dead. It called for justice and redress for the victims in the war through fair trial under international law.
THE MOSCOW VIEW
Claims by Russia
On 19 November, TVP World reported on the statements of the Russian President's press secretary, Dmitry Peskov, on the US’s permission for Ukraine to use long-range weapons deep inside Russian territory. He said that the US was “adding fuel to the fire.” Although there was no official announcement from the White House, Peskov said that if such a decision were taken, it would result in a “new spiral of tension and situation concerning the US involvement in the war.” The Kremlin also stated that it would be seen as a direct attack from the NATO countries. Meanwhile, Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy responded that “strikes are not carried out with words” and that the “missiles will speak for themselves. The US media agency New York Times reported that the strikes would be limited to Russia’s southwestern Kursk region. The US was also expected to extend permission for the ATACMS (Army Tactical Missile System), short-range missiles made by Lockheed Martin with a range of around 300 kilometers. The media reports came against the backdrop of the deployment of North Korean troops and one of Russia’s biggest aerial assaults in Ukraine.
On 18 November, RT reported on the statements of Russia’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova on the US lifting the ban on long-range weapons. She said that if such a decision would be taken, it would alter the “essence and nature of the conflict.” She further said: “Kyiv’s use of long-range missiles to attack our territory will mean the direct participation of the United States and its satellites in hostilities against Russia.” She also repeated Russian President Vladimir Putin’s earlier warnings over the involvement of the West in the conflict. Finally, she highlighted that Russia’s response would be “adequate and tangible.”
On 18 November, RT reported on the statements of Dmitry Peskov over the reports that Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan was planning to push for the “freezing of the Ukraine conflict” at the G20 summit. Bloomberg, a US media outlet cited some sources and claimed that Erdogan was planning to suggest the freezing of conflict on “current lines.” He would then convince Ukraine to delay its attempt to join NATO at least for 10 years as a concession to Russia. Besides, he was planning for a demilitarized zone in Donbass, for the international troops to supply security guarantees to Ukraine. On this Peskov said that although there were no official statements, “any kind of freezing along the line of military conflict is unacceptable for the Russian side.”
THE WEST VIEW
Responses from the US and Europe
On 18 November, Euronews reported on the meeting of the EU foreign ministers in Brussels. They discussed the development in the war in Ukraine, particularly US President Joe Biden’s decision to lift restrictions on long-range weapons, the deployment of North Korean troops in Russia and an alleged Moscow shop in China for the manufacture of lethal drones. The EU's foreign policy chief, Josep Borrell said that the bloc should be ready to move forward without the US’s backing. This was because the upcoming US President Donald Trump vowed to revise the financial and military assistance to Ukraine. Borell welcomed Biden’s decision and said: “Ukraine should be able to use the arms we provide to them not only to stop the arrows but also to hit the arches. I continue believing this has to be done." The foreign ministers of Germany and France have also backed Borell’s position expressing their approval. Besides this, the ministers continued their investigation into the alleged Russian factory in China used for producing drones. However, China has denied its involvement saying that it “strictly” controls military exports.
On 18 November, Radio Free Europe Radio Liberty assessed the likely impact of the US permission to use long-range weapons in the Ukraine war. The impact would be dependent on the number of ATACMS missiles and other long-range missiles supplied by the West. According to the US media outlets, Ukraine was allowed to use them in the Kursk region. Countries like the UK and France have welcomed the decision and confirmed to follow the footsteps of the US by providing their Storm Shadow and SCALP missiles. However, this would put pressure on Germany which has refused to supply its Taurus missiles. A Canadian-based defense analyst Colby Badhwar said that although the US has about 2,400 of the long-range missiles in stock, it was apprehensive to deliver in large numbers. Meanwhile, the retired Lieutenant General Hodges of the US said that Ukraine could counter Russia’s counteroffensive in Kursk. Apart from this, the report also pointed out that the major problem faced by Ukraine was limited manpower due to its delayed recruitment.
On 18 November, WH.GOV reported on the speech made by US President Joe Biden at the sidelines of the G20 summit. He confirmed the US’s strong support for Ukraine’s territorial integrity and sovereignty. He called for all the members of G20 to do the same. He further pointed out that Russia’s invasion of Ukraine had resulted in the “highest record food crisis in all of history.”
On 18 November, the EU Council decided to extend its restrictive measures against Iran’s support to Russia in the war in Ukraine. The Council prohibited the export, transfer, supply, or sale of components used in the development and production of missiles and UAVs to Iran. It also banned transactions with ports or locks that are owned and operated by listed individuals and also used for the transfer of missiles to Russia. However, the vessels for maritime safety and humanitarian purposes would be exempted from the list. It also banned the Islamic Republic of Iran Shipping Lines (IRISL) and his director Mohammad Reza Khiabani over involvement in supplying drones. Apart from that, the Council also banned three Russian shipping companies - MG Flot, VTS Broker and Arapax reportedly transporting Iranian-made weapons and components.
On 18 November, the Anadolu Agency reported on the statements of Germany’s Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock condemning China for providing drones to Russia. She said that it would have consequences as the attack on Ukraine would be considered an attack against the interests of European states. Apart from that, the European External Action Service (EEAS), the EU’s diplomatic arm was investigating any direct cooperation between Russia and China. If found, sanctions would be imposed. The EU diplomats claim that the drone production in China was in cooperation with Russia and Iran. However, China’s foreign minister Lin Jian refuted these claims and said that China had always taken a responsible stance on the usage of drones.
On 18 November, Politico reported on the stance of Germany’s Chancellor Olaf Scholz on the reports of the US lifting ban on the long-range weapons in Ukraine. According to a German spokesperson, Scholz does not want the long-range weapons to be delivered to Ukraine. He said: “There are certain limits for the chancellor. This position will not change." Although Germany was one of the biggest providers of Ukraine following the US’s footsteps, Scholz seems apprehensive about the usage of long- range weapons.
On 18 November, Folha De S Paulo reported on the statements of German Chancellor Olaf Scholz on negotiations between Ukraine and Russia. He said that Germany would never approve of a peace that would be dictated by the Russians. He added that Ukrainians should be careful of peace without freedom or justice. He also extended his support to Ukraine to self-defend. He said: “Putin needs to understand that trying to buy time will not work. We will not give up our support for Ukraine.”
References
“U.S. ‘adding fuel to the fire’ in Ukraine, says Kremlin,” TVP World, 18 November 2024
“Russia launches one of its fiercest missile and drone attacks at Ukraine’s infrastructure,” Associated Press, 18 November 2024
“Ukraine: Russian strikes amounting to war crimes continue to kill and injure children,” Amnesty International, 18 November 2024
“We Will Not Accept a Peace Dictated by Russia, Says German PM to Folha,” Folha De S. Paulo, 18 November 2024
“EU foreign affairs ministers discuss support for Ukraine after Biden lifts veto on weapons,” Euro News, 18 November 2024
“Germany accuses China of providing drone assistance to Russia,” Anadolu Agency, 18 November 2024
“Iran: EU widens restrictive measures in view of Iran support of the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine and lists one individual and four entities,” European Council Council of the European Union, 18 November 2024
“Olaf Scholz on German missiles for Ukraine: It’s still a no,” Politico, 18 November 2024
“Could U.S. Long-Range Missiles Tip The Balance In The Ukraine War?,” Radio Free Europe Radio Liberty, 18 November 2024
“Remarks by President Biden During the First Session of the G20 Summit | Rio de Janeiro, Brazil,” WH.GOV, 18 November 2024
“Moscow issues long-range missiles warning to West,” RT, 18 November 2024
“Freezing’ Ukraine conflict unacceptable – Kremlin,” RT, 18 November 2024