Photo : Russian Defence Ministry
Photo : Russian Defence Ministry
By Neha Tresa George
WAR ON GROUND
On 17 December, Deutsche Welle reported on the death of the head of the radiation, chemical and biological protection forces of the armed forces of the Russian Federation Lieutenant General Igor Kirillov and his assistants. According to Ukrainian security sources, they planned a special operation to kill Kirillov. They said: “Kirillov was a war criminal and an absolutely legitimate target, as he gave orders to use banned chemical weapons against the Ukrainian military.” The Russian state media said that one more person was killed apart from Kirillov. He was killed by an explosion caused by a homemade device, outside the residential building in Ryazansky Prospekt, about seven kilometres southeast of the Kremlin. The bomb was reported to have operated remotely and had roughly 300 grams of TNT. The investigative committee in Russia informed that forensic experts and operational services were working on the incident. They added that the explosive was hidden in an electric scooter outside the building. Former Russian Prime Minister and the current chair of Russia’s Security Council Dmitry Medvedev has warned Ukraine against a possible retaliation over the incident. The Kremlin was considering this situation as a “terrorist attack.” Earlier, Ukraine had accused Kirillov of allegedly using banned chemical weapons in Ukraine which Russia denied. Countries like the UK, Canada and the US have also sanctioned him and his unit. According to Ukraine, around 4800 occasions have been recorded on Russia’s illegal use of chemical weapons in Ukraine since 2022.
On 17 December, First Post reported on the statements of Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Russia’s “shadow fleet.” He urged the Western allies to halt Russia’s shadow fleet of vessels in the European seas through sanctions and other means. Russia allegedly used these vessels to avoid sanctions from Europe. Zelenskyy said that these vessels were one of the biggest threats as they were used to fund the war in Ukraine. He further said that they were “old, poorly maintained and were operated without proper monitoring.”
THE MOSCOW VIEW
Claims by Russia
On 17 December, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Vershinin held talks with the head of the UN Trade and Development agency Rebeca Grynspan. According to the statements published by Russia’s ministry, the discussion focussed on the hindrance posed by the West to Russian food exports. Vershinin pointed out its impact on the global food supply chain. They also talked about working on Russian contributions to grain and fertilizers with the help of the UN. This would strengthen Russia’s position to counter challenges to agricultural resources in the international arena.
On 17 December, Anadolu Agency reported that Russia claimed to have captured another settlement in eastern Ukraine’s Donetsk region. According to the Ministry of Defence of the Russian Federation, the forces took control of the Hannivka village, nine kilometres from the south of Kurakhove. This announcement came after Russian troops claimed to have captured Yelyzavetivka, a village located four kilometres southeast of Hannivka. Ukraine has not yet made an official comment on the claims.
On 17 December, ARAB NEWS reported on the statements of the commander of Russia’s Strategic Missile Forces Sergei Karakayev. He said that Russia was planning to revamp its ballistic arsenal with new strategic missile systems, maximum-range launches and increased testing amidst security threats. Karakayev said: “In terms of range, there is no place where our missiles cannot reach.” He also confirmed publicly Russia’s preparation of a new intercontinental ballistic missile system called the Osina and several others. He added that Russia was working on missile systems similar to the recently launched Oreshnik missile. Russia’s President Putin said that they would be produced in large numbers soon. Further, he said that Russia’s new state armament development program would monitor the measures taken by the US after the expiration of the New START nuclear arms treaty between them in 2026. He also said that Russia could increase the number of the warheads after the treaty expires.
THE WEST VIEW
Responses from the US and Europe
On 16 December, First Post reported on the sanctions imposed by the EU against Russia’s shadow fleet and Chinese entities. The latest round of sanctions included 52 additional vessels that were part of Russia’s shadow fleet used to transport oil, arms and grains. This increases the total number of sanctioned vessels to 79. In addition, the UK announced sanctions on 20 ships that were allegedly used for evading sanctions on Russian oil.
On 17 December, TVP World reported on the sanctions imposed by the US on North Korea and Russia amidst increased cooperation between the countries. The new wave of sanctions by the US Treasury targeted North Korean banks, generals, officials and Russian oil shipping companies. The listed banks involved Golden Triangle Bank, one of the biggest banks in the northeastern Rason Special Economic Zone, and Pyongyang-based Korea Mandal Credit Bank. These sanctions ban the American companies from trading with these entities and the US assets would be frozen. They also sanctioned Sibregiongaz, AO, the Russia-based parent company. Apart from this, South Korea stated that it had blacklisted 11 people and 15 entities allegedly involved in promoting military cooperation between North Korea and Russia.
On 17 December, the UK announced EUR 35 million as emergency support to aid Ukraine’s energy infrastructure in winter. The package involves the creation of a project to generate electricity of up to 20 MW, capable of providing power to 20,000 homes. Another EUR 10 million would be given through the UNHCR to provide 21,000 families with thermal kits, shelter repairs, extra cash payments and generators for winter. Prime Minister Keir Starmer also imposed new sanctions on Russia’s shadow fleet targeting 20 vessels. Till now, it has sanctioned over 100 ships, including 93 oil tankers.
References
“Russia: Bomb kills senior general Igor Kirillov in Moscow,” Deutsche Welle, 17 December 2024
“General Igor Kirillov, head of Russia's biological, chemical forces, killed in Moscow blast claimed by Ukraine,” CBS NEWS, 17 December 2024
“Zelenskyy urges action to stop Putin’s 'shadow fleet', cut Russia's war funding,” First Post, 17 December 2024
“Diplomacy in Focus: Russian UN Talks on Food Exports,” Devdiscourse, 17 December 2024
“Russia claims taking control of another settlement in Ukraine’s Donetsk region,” Anadolu Agency, 17 December 2024
“Russia to boost its ballistic arsenal with new missiles and testing, commander says,” ARAB NEWS, 17 December 2024
“US imposes new sanctions on Russia and North Korea,” TVP WORLD, 17 December 2024
“Prime Minister announces new sanctions and £35 million of emergency support for Ukraine as Russia continues to attack critical national infrastructure,” GOV.UK, 17 December 2024