Photo : Institute for the Study of War
Photo : Institute for the Study of War
By Neha Tresa George
WAR ON GROUND
On 24 November, The Guardian reported on the statements of Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, highlighting Russia’s intensified attacks with Shahed drones. He said that Russia had used almost 500 drones and more than 20 missiles in the past week. He added: “Ukraine is not a testing ground for weapons. Ukraine is a sovereign and independent state.” According to a government official in Ukraine also reported on the two factories set up by Russia in Tatarstan, 800 miles from the Ukraine border. They manufactured hundreds of the distinctive delta-winged Shahed 136 drones, called Geran-2 by Moscow. According to Ukraine’s data, around 2,023, Shahed drones were launched by Russia in October. Zelenskyy said that greater efforts were taken with Ukraine’s partners. They were also aiming to develop cheap first-person view (FPV) drones capable of intercepting Shahed drones.
On 23 November, France24 reported on the statements from a Ukrainian military officer about the Kursk region. According to a senior official, Ukraine had lost almost 40 per cent of Russia’s Kursk region which it had occupied in a surprise incursion in August. He said that around 59,000 Russian troops were deployed to the Kursk region since the incursion. The territory controlled by Ukraine decreased from 1376 to 800 square kilometres. According to earlier reports around 11,000 North Korean troops were finalising their training in the Kursk region. He informed of the situation in the Kurakhove, a city in Donetsk in eastern Ukraine, where Russian troops were advancing 200-300 metres every day. This indicated their aim to occupy the Pokrovsk, the logistical hub of Ukraine, near Kurakhove.
On 23 November, Radio Free Europe Radio Liberty reported on the statements of Ukraine’s Deputy Environmental Minister Olha Yukhymchuk condemning Russia for including occupied Ukrainian territories in the COP29 at Baku, Azerbaijan. Russia’s greenhouse gas inventory report to the UN included annexed Ukrainian regions such as Crimea. Olha said: “We see that Russia is using international platforms to legalize their actions, to legalize their occupation of our territory.” She said that efforts were taken with the officials from the UNFCCC to resolve the issues.
On 24 November, Reuters reported on the statements of Zelenskyy calling for more air defence systems in Ukraine. He said: “An air alert has been sounded almost daily across Ukraine this week.” His comments came after Ukraine’s air defence units shot down 50 of 73 Russian drones in an overnight attack. Ukraine’s military reported that there were no immediate reports of any damage or injuries following the attacks. Meanwhile, Russia has not commented on the attack yet.
THE MOSCOW VIEW
Claims by Russia
On 23 November, RT reported on the statements of the Press Secretary of Russian President Dmitry Peskov on the recruitment of the army in Russia. He said that Russia did not need another mobilisation round as there were enough people to volunteer willingly. Peskov said that hundreds of Russians were actively signing the contracts every day. This came after the parliament adopted a new legislation for the recruited people to free themselves from debts.
On 24 November, Bloomberg reported on the conversation held between Russia’s President Vladimir Putin and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. During a phone call, the leaders discussed their relations, particularly on the aspects of trade and economic cooperation. They were also reported to have talked on international issues. Erdogan said that Turkey would continue establishing peace processes and thus end conflicts. The Kremlin also said that communication between them would continue through various departments.
On 22 November, RT reported on Russia’s new Oreshnik missile. It was first used on 21 November 2024 to attack a Ukrainian defence facility in the city of Dnepropetrovsk. Putin said that the attack was a response to Ukraine’s use of the US and UK-made ATACMS missiles. This new development could change the course of the war, with consequences for both Ukrainian and international security. The missile is a completely new development manufactured on modern Russian technology and not an upgrade of Soviet-era missile systems. It is characterised by high-precision and hypersonic speed which makes it difficult to intercept. It has a large striking power and a strong collective use. Putin confirmed the mass production of the missile, following its successful test and first use. According to General Sergei Karakayev, Head of Russia’s Strategic Missile Forces, it could strike targets “throughout Europe.”
THE WEST VIEW
Responses from the US and the West
On 23 November, the BBC reported on the statements of France’s Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot on the support for Ukraine. During his meeting with the UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy, he said that Ukraine could use French long-range missiles into Russia for their self-defence. He added that there should be no “red lines” or restrictions on providing support to Ukraine. However, he did not reveal whether French weapons were already used in the war. He did not discard the prospect of French troops in the war.
On 23 November, France24 reported on a new legislation undertaken by Russian President Vladimir Putin to recruit people to fight in the war. Under the legislation, the people who sign a one-year contract to fight in the Ukraine war after 01 December would be able to free themselves from their debts of up to RUB 10 million (USD 96,000). Parliament had approved the bill in early November. The new legislation aims to draw young Russians who have debt. They would then be assigned as conscripts to join the professional army but not fight on the front lines. The government is strengthening the people’s motivation to sign the contract as Russia has very high interest rates for loans. Along with that, around 13 million people have three or more loans as per the reports of a central bank. The average amount of loan was found to be RUB 1.4 million.
References
“Zelenskyy fears Ukraine is ‘testing ground’ for Russian weapons amid rise in Shahed strikes,” The Guardian, 24 November 2024
“No 'red lines' in Ukraine support, French foreign minister tells BBC,” BBC, 23 November 2024
“Ukraine loses more than 40% of territory it seized in Russia's Kursk region,” France24, 23 wNovember 2024
“Putin signs law letting Ukraine fighters write off bad debts,” France24, 23 November 2024
“Russia's Claim Of Emissions In Occupied Ukraine Regions Draws Protests At COP29,” RFERL, 23 November 2024
“Ukraine needs better air defences, Zelenskiy says after Russian drone attack,” Reuters, 24 November 2024
“Mobilization out of question – Kremlin,” RT, 23 November 2024
“What we know about Russia’s new Oreshnik missile,” RT, 23 November 2024
“Russia, Turkey Leaders Discuss Trade, Other Matters in Call,” Bloomberg, 23 November 2024