Photo : komersant.info
Photo : komersant.info
By Padmashree Anandhan
WAR ON THE GROUND
On 17 November, Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated aiming to end the war by 2025 through “diplomatic means.” Till now negotiations have been stalled between both and Russia has demanded Ukraine to give up on Russian-occupied territory to accept talks. On the same day, in precaution to Russian missile attacks emergency power cuts were implemented across Ukraine to prevent damage to its energy grid.
On 17 November, the UK’s Ministry of Defence reported on increased pressure from the Russian forces on Kupiansk town in northeastern Ukraine. In the past week, Russian forces were observed launching four successive attacks in an attempt to capture Kupiansk. As per the ministry’s report, Russia had reached the Oskil River in the south of Kupiansk barring Ukrainian lines on the east side of the river. The report added: “A Russian salient [an area of the battlefield extending into enemy territory] south of Kupiansk has gradually expanded as Russia attempts to increase pressure on Ukrainian forces in the area.” Kupiansk town is considered strategic for Ukraine due to transportation and logistics for Ukrainian forces. Capturing this is expected to provide Russia a significant boost as it links Kharkiv to Luhansk and Donetsk.
On 17 November, Deutsche Welle reported on Ukraine being the beneficiary of Germany’s arms exports. According to the report, between 01 January and 15 October 2024, Germany granted more than 4,000 export licences to equip Ukraine worth EUR 10.9 billion. This is expected to beat the 2023 record where Germany had exported EUR 12.2 billion worth of armaments.
THE MOSCOW VIEW
Claims by Russia
On 17 November, Belgorod Governor Vyacheslav Gladkov reported on a Ukrainian drone strike. According to him, it killed one and the attack comes after a wave of drone attacks by Ukraine across the border towns including Bryansk, Kursk, Lipetsk and Oryol. No casualties were reported.
On 16 November, the Russian Defence Ministry reported on intercepting a series of Ukrainian drones across Kursk. According to the report, 15 drones were shot down in Kursk, one in Bryansk and the remaining in Lipetsk and north. Several buildings were reportedly damaged however no casualties were recorded.
On 16 November, Russia’s tanker group Sovcomflot said that the Western sanctions on Russian oil tankers were restricting its financial performance. This has resulted in a fall in revenue and earnings. Earlier the US had sanctioned Sovcomflot aimed at reducing Russia’s oil sales and limiting its finances to war. Sovcomflot reported on 22.2 per cent drop in “nine-month” revenue to USD 1.22 billion. It’s earning before interest and depreciation had downed by 31.5 per cent.
THE WEST VIEW
Responses from the US and Europe
On 17 November, The New York Times reported based on anonymous claims that the White House withdrew restrictions on Ukraine to use US-supplied weapons to target further into Russia. Earlier, Ukraine’s allies were barred from targeting deep inside Russia fearing escalation. The decision comes as the US leadership undergoes transition. According to the report, Ukrainian forces will be allowed to use US-made ATACMS rockets up to 306 kilometres inside Russia. However, the White House is yet to confirm. Russia had warned before on lifting such restrictions to be perceived as “major escalation.”
On 17 November, around a thousand protesters who were previously exiled from Russia staged a protest criticising Putin and Russia. The rally began in Potsdamer Platz moving through Friedrichstraße between east and west Berlin. The protestors held sign boards saying: “No Putin. No war," "victory in Ukraine," "Putin's downfall" and "freedom for Russia."
On 17 November, Germany's Economy Minister Robert Habeck expressed his willingness to support Ukraine with Taurus cruise missiles if elected in the upcoming elections. Habeck will take part as Green Party’s chancellor in the polls and the statement comes as Germany’s Chancellor, Olaf Scholz continues not to support sending of Taurus cruise missiles.
On 17 November, in response to the missile and drone attacks by Russia across Ukraine, France’s President Emmanuel Macron criticised Russia’s President Vladimir Putin. He said: “It's clear that President Putin intends to intensify the fighting…does not want peace and is not ready to negotiate.” On France’s stance, Macron stressed on continuing to equip and support Ukraine.
References
“Zelenksyy hopes Ukraine war will end in 2025 through diplomacy not fighting,” Euronews, 17 November 2024
Ivana Kottasová, “Bad news mounts for Ukraine across the frontlines. But Russia is under pressure too,” CNN World, 16 November 2024
Cécile Boutelet, “Russia's new diaspora rallies against Putin in Berlin,” Le Monde, 17 November 2024
Adam Entous, Eric Schmitt and Julian E. Barnes, “Biden Allows Ukraine to Strike Russia With Long-Range U.S. Missiles,” The New York Times, 17 November 2024
“Ukraine war briefing: Zelenskyy says war will ‘end sooner’ once Trump enters White House,” The Guardian, 16 November 2024
“France's Macron says strikes on Ukraine show Putin does not want peace,” Reuters, 18 November 2024
“Ukraine: US to let Kyiv strike deep inside Russia — reports,” Deutsche Welle, 17 November 2024