Photo : Source: Sputnik/Stanislav Krasilnikov
Photo : Source: Sputnik/Stanislav Krasilnikov
By Neha Tresa George
WAR ON THE GROUND
On 08 January, The Moscow Times reported on Ukraine’s “renewed attacks” in the Kursk region. Ukraine said that it hit a Russian military command post in Russia’s Kursk region as part of “combat operations.” Ukraine’s army also said that they carried out a “high-precision” strike near the village of Belaya. However, they did not mention any usage of Western long-range weapons. According to Ukraine’s General Staff: “This strike is an integral part of the combat operations of units of the Ukrainian Defense Forces, which conduct combat operations" in the Kursk region.” Although Russia has reported on a “counterattack” by Ukraine in the Kursk, the latter has just reported on continued fighting in these regions.
On 07 January, Ukrinform reported on the meeting between Ukraine’s Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal and Iceland’s Foreign Minister Þorgerður Katrín Gunnarsdóttir. Shmyhal said that they discussed issues on Russian frozen assets, Russia’s shadow fleet and the need to strengthen sanctions. He added that further discussions concerned Iceland’s contribution to Ukraine’s arms production. He also welcomed Iceland’s companies to join the reconstruction projects. According to him, the meeting was “constructive.” Finally, he thanked Iceland for supporting Ukraine's path to European integration.
On 07 January, Deputy Minister of Energy of Ukraine Roman Andarak and Iceland’s Foreign Minister Gunnarsdottir visited one of the damaged energy facilities in the country. He explained about the current scenario in Ukraine and the war’s consequences on the energy sector. Andarak said: “Capacity building of distributed generation and use of alternative energy sources is one of Ukraine's key priorities.” He also thanked Iceland for its support with equipment, materials and participation in the Energy Support Fund for Ukraine. The leaders further discussed bilateral cooperation in the field of geothermal energy. Gunnarsdottir also ensured Iceland’s support to Ukraine, especially in the energy sector.
THE MOSCOW VIEW
Claims by Russia
On 07 January, an opinion in RT reported on the course of the Ukraine war and its possible trajectories. The article claims that the conflict entered its military phase due to the lack of commitment from the West. According to the report, the West failed to provide Ukraine with concrete security guarantees. Back in 2022 when Ukraine was keen to negotiate, the West failed to offer solutions. Now with the war entering its third year, Ukraine faces daunting challenges in the frontlines. According to the article, the West still cannot offer meaningful solutions or guarantees. Trump’s promises to end the conflict have become vague now. RT believes that Trump cannot end the conflict as he does not intend to address the root causes of the problem. In the context of Russia’s advances in the war, it maintains a steady pace although no breakthroughs were achieved. RT said that Russia’s approach was “clear” as it intends to create conditions when Ukraine will accept peace on Russia’s terms. Further, RT said that Russia would only agree for a ceasefire if it runs out of resources. Finally, RT claims that Russia could sustain the war for another year.
On 08 January, TASS reported that a Russian Su-34 fighter bomber struck Ukraine’s “stronghold and manpower” in the Kursk region. According to Russia’s Defence Ministry: “A Su-34 multirole supersonic fighter-bomber, escorted by a Su-35S fighter, took off from its base airfield and carried out a bombing strike on a stronghold and manpower of the Ukrainian armed forces.” The operation was done with “universal planning and correction modules.” The Ministry added that the crew returned safely to the base after the strike. The intelligence report claimed that the target was successfully hit. On 06 January, TASS reported on the interception of four Ukrainian drones in the Kursk and Belgorod regions respectively. According to Russia’s Defence Ministry, this was carried out by Moscow’s air defence systems.
THE WEST VIEW
Responses from the US and Europe
On 07 January, The Guardian reported on the death of Jordan Maclachlan, a Scottish man who was working on the frontline with Ukraine’s army as a medico. His family said: “Jordan always believed that he was making a difference and we are all so proud of him helping others.” They were waiting for additional information from the Foreign Office. A Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office spokesperson said that the office was supporting the family while contacting the local authorities. The other Britons who died working on the frontline were Callum Tindal and Christopher Perryman who were volunteers and Jordan Chadwick who served among the Ukrainian armed forces.
On 07 January, Ukrinform reported on the statements of Iceland’s Foreign Minister Gunnarsdottir ensuring her country’s support to Ukraine. She said that Iceland would grant practical assistance in mine clearance, energy infrastructure and the defense industry using the Danish model. These statements came against the backdrop of her meeting with Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha. She saw one of Ukraine’s thermal power plants where Russian shelling had caused damage. She also called for peace in Ukraine based on the UN Charter. Further, she was interested in working together in support initiatives, like purchasing Ukraine’s grain for Syria.
On 06 January, an opinion in The New York Times informed about Russia’s claims of capturing the town of Kurakhove amidst intensive fighting in Kursk. The article spoke about Ukraine’s new offensive in the Kursk region despite losing a key town in the Donetsk region. According to combat footage geolocated by military analysts, Ukraine was trying hard to push through Russian defences in three directions. This could be an attempt from their side to capture the territories once again, regained by Russia since the incursion in the Kursk region. While Russia claimed to have seized Kurakhove, the eastern Ukrainian military command hasn’t commented on this yet. Analysts pointed out that Kurakhove could pave the way for Russia’s advances to Pokrovsk. They also said that its loss underlines Ukraine’s inefficiency in management. Ukraine’s Defence Minister has also demanded a review of the military command. Meanwhile, the analysts also highlighted Russia’s challenges in the war. They believed that at this pace, Russia would take more than two years to capture the remaining Donetsk region. With the war entering the third year, both sides have intensified their attacks on the frontlines as there are hopes that the upcoming US President Donald Trump would resolve the conflict. Zelenskyy has also expressed his confidence in Trump. He said: “I really count on him, and I think that our people really count on him, so he has enough power to pressure him, to pressure Putin.” He has also called for security guarantees from the West to ensure lasting peace in Ukraine.
References
“Russia’s Su-35S fighter hit stronghold of Ukrainian forces in Kursk region,” TASS, 08 January 2025
“Four Ukrainian drones wiped out over Kursk, Belgorod regions,” TASS, 06 January 2025
“Russia, Trump, and the West: Is there a miracle cure for the Ukraine conflict?,” RT, 07 January 2025
“Russia Claims Control of Key Town as Ukraine Renews Push in Kursk,” The New York Times, , 07 January 2025
“Scottish man killed while serving as medic with Ukrainian army,” The Guardian, 07 January 2025
“Ukraine Says Conducting Combat Operations in Russia’s Kursk Region,” The Moscow Times, 07 January 2025
“Shmyhal and Icelandic FM discuss confiscation of frozen Russian assets,” Ukrinform, 07 January 2025
“Mine action, energy and defense: Iceland’s FM assures Ukraine of further support,” Ukrinform, 07 January 2025
“This Year Should Be as Productive in Ukraine's EU Accession Negotiations as Required to Meet Ukraine's Needs and, Therefore, Strengthen the Security of All Europe – Address by the President,” President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy Official website, 07 January 2025
“Assistance to Iceland – maintaining the resilience of the Ukrainian energy system and restoring facilities,” Ministry of Energy of Ukraine¸ 07 January 2025