Photo : The Anadolu Agency
Photo : The Anadolu Agency
By Neha Tresa George
WAR ON GROUND
On 01 December, the report from Ukraine’s Defence Ministry said that the Russian army had substantial losses in military equipment and personnel in November. According to the report, Russian losses increased during their offensive in the Donetsk sector, aiming to seize the Pokrovsk and Kurakhove towns. The estimates said that 45,720 Russian soldiers were wounded, killed, or captured. The enemy personnel losses were also recorded at 2,030, the highest figure since the war began. According to Ukraine’s estimates, Russia’s weapons and equipment losses were worth over EUR three billion in November. The Ukrainian forces were reported to have destroyed 307 Russian tanks, 899 armoured combat vehicles, and 884 pieces of artillery.
On 02 December, The Kyiv Independent reported that Zelenskyy appointed General Mykhailo Drapatyi as Ukraine's Ground Forces commander, replacing Oleksandr Pavliuk who was serving from February 2024. On this, Zelenskyy said that Drapatyi had successfully launched the defence in the Kharkiv sector countering the Russian offensive. He was also the commander of Ukraine's 58th Separate Motorized Infantry Brigade from 2016 to 2019. In addition, Zelenskyy appointed Oleh Apostol, the commander of Ukraine's 95th Separate Air Assault Brigade, as deputy commander-in-chief of Ukraine's Armed Forces. Zelenskyy said that the newly appointed officers have proven their effectiveness in the war. He added that internal changes in the Ukrainian army were necessary to attain the goals of the country.
On 29 November, The Moscow Times reported that Russia fired over 132 drones in an overnight strike against Ukraine. It had resulted in the death of one person and injury of eight others. Among the 132 drones, 88 were intercepted by Ukraine’s Air Defence forces. The resulting debris fell over a healthcare clinic in Ukraine leading to damage to infrastructure. This drone attack came after Moscow launched 90 missiles into Ukraine blocking power supply to over a million people.
On 01 December, Ukrinform reported that an explosion in the Dniprovskyi district of the Dnipro region led to the injury of 25 people. According to the Head of the Dnipro Regional Military Administration Serhiy Lysak, efforts were made to minimise the consequences of the attack. A statement from the administration said: “Philanthropists are working at the site. People receive building materials to repair their damaged homes. Kits for a quick recovery - boards, film.” It added that a mobile station was deployed to monitor the situation. Injured people were hospitalised and doctors treated them. Serhiy Lysak further said that the families of the four people who died would be provided with financial assistance.
On 01 December, Reuters reported on the Russian attack on the southern Ukrainian city of Kherson that killed at least three people. The attack that targeted public transportation also resulted in the injury of seven people. Russians were reported to be repeatedly attacking the Kherson region with artillery and drones.
THE MOSCOW VIEW
Claims by Russia
On 01 December, Alarabiya News reported on the statements of the Russian security official Dmitry Medvedev on the ongoing protests in Georgia. He said that a revolution was taking place in Georgia over the government’s decision to break down the country’s EU accession process. He said: “Georgia is moving rapidly along the Ukrainian path, into the dark abyss.”
On 01 December, Politico reported on the new budget ratified by Russian President Vladimir Putin. Around 32.5 per cent (RUB 13.5 trillion) of the budget was set apart for national defence. This saw an increase from the 28.3 per cent allocated for 2024. The approval came amidst heightened tensions in the Russia-Ukraine war and the visit of European officials to Ukraine.
On 30 November, Euronews reported on the visit of Russia’s military delegation led by Defence Minister Andrei Belousev to North Korea. In a meeting with North Korea’s leader Kim Jong-Un, the countries reached a “satisfactory consensus” on ramping up their strategic partnership to defend each other’s “sovereignty, security interests and international justice.” Korean Central News Agency quoted Kim who said: “North Korea “will invariably support the policy of the Russian Federation to defend its sovereignty and territorial integrity from the imperialists’ moves for hegemony.” Belousev also met North Korean Defence Minister No Kwang Chol and said that their strategic partnership was essential to defend from the “aggression and arbitrary actions of imperialists.”
THE WEST VIEW
Responses from the US and the Europe
On 02 December, TRT World reported on the statements made by the White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan. He said that the US was not considering giving back the nuclear weapons to Ukraine which it returned after the Soviet Union collapsed. He said: “What we are doing is surging various conventional capacities to Ukraine so that they can effectively defend themselves and take the fight to the Russians, not nuclear capability.” On this, Russia commented that it was “absolute insanity.” In 1994, Ukraine had given up the nuclear weapons it inherited after the Soviet Union collapsed. This was done under the convention of the Budapest Memorandum, in return for security assistance from Russia, the US and the UK. Meanwhile, Zelenskyy expressed Ukraine’s necessity to join NATO to start any negotiations with Russia. He said: “An invitation for Ukraine to join NATO is a necessary thing for our survival.” These statements were made during the meeting between the European officials.
On 29 November, Le Monde reported on the telephone conversation held between French President Emmanuel Macron and Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Macron pledged to provide “intense support” to Ukraine. He also condemned Russia’s “indiscriminate” attacks in Ukraine and said that it violated the principles of the UN Charter. He added that these attacks would not deter French support to Ukraine. France has also said that Ukraine’s use of French missiles was an option.”
On 01 December, the newly appointed European Council president Antonio Costa, the high representative for foreign affairs Kaja Kallas and EU Enlargement commissioner Marta Kos travelled to Ukraine on their first day of office. The visit aimed to showcase the EU’s unwavering support for Ukraine. Kallas and Costa were also set to meet Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Costa said that the EU remained strong with its humanitarian, financial, military, and diplomatic support to Ukraine. “The common European future and Ukraine's planned EU membership” were important issues of discussion. Meanwhile, Kallas said that the EU would resort to transactional language to convince the US. She further said that aid for Ukraine was not charity.
References
“Attack on Dniprovskyi district: four killed, number of injured rises to 25,” Ukrinform, 01 December 2024
“Pariah state North Korea warmly welcomes Russia's defence minister,” Euronews, 30 November 2024
“Zelensky appoints new Ground Forces of Ukraine commander,” The Kyiv Independent, 02 December 2024
“1 Dead as Russia Fires Over 130 Drones at Ukraine,” The Moscow Times, 29 November 2024
“Macron vows to aid Ukraine 'as intensely and as long as necessary' against Russian escalation,” Le Monde, 29 November 2024
“Russia loses almost 46,000 troops, over $3 billion worth of military equipment in November, Defense Ministry says,” The Kyiv Independent, 02 December 2024
“US will not return nuclear weapons to Ukraine — official,” TRT World, 02 December 2024
“Putin approves new budget with record defense spending,” Politico, 01 December 2024
“Russia’s Medvedev says attempted revolution is taking place in Georgia,” Alarabiya News, 01 December 2024
“New European leaders travel to Kyiv on first day,” Belga News Agency, 01 December 2024
“Three killed in Russian drone attack on Ukraine's Kherson, governor says,” Reuters, 01 December 2024