|
By Advik S Mohan and Neha Tresa George
WAR ON THE GROUND
On 16 September, Ukrinform reported on the eighth Russian air attack with Shahed drones in Kyiv. According to Serhiy Popko, the head of the municipal military administration, the air defence forces of Ukraine intercepted around two dozen enemy UAVs in the airspace around the city of Kyiv. He added that the attack was “massive," unlike the previous ones. He also informed about the air raid alert which lasted almost three hours. As per the reports, no casualties nor damage were recorded.
On 16 September, The Moscow Times reported on the Russian shelling in the eastern Ukrainian city of Pokrovsk. According to the region’s military administration, the attack led to the death of one person. They also reported on the Russian artillery fire on a building in the city. However, no further details were provided. The shelling came amid Russia’s advance towards Pokorovsk, a key logistics hub in Ukraine. The artillery fire and strikes had cut down water and electricity supply in the region. Since August, more than 20,000 people have evacuated from the city.
On 15 September, France 24 reported on the prisoner exchange deal between the Government of Ukraine and the Government of the Russian Federation. The Ministry of Defence of the Russian Federation informed 103 Russian servicemen had been returned from territory controlled by Ukraine, while 103 prisoners of war from the Armed Forces of Ukraine were returned. Volodymyr Zelenskyy, the President of Ukraine also confirmed the news of 103 Ukrainian prisoners being brought back. The exchange deal was brokered by the Government of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and comes weeks after a similar exchange deal also mediated by the UAE. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the United Arab Emirates stated the deal was a success. It also thanked both Russia and Ukraine for their cooperation. The prisoner swap came amidst further advances by the Russian Armed Forces towards the town of Pokrovsk in Ukraine.
On 15 September, Ukrinform reported on the “victory plan” set to be presented by Volodymyr Zelenskyy, President of Ukraine. The plan includes four points plus one, which Ukraine would need after the war. Zelenskyy said: “I will speak with him about how to strengthen us before the peace summit in order to be in a strong position because diplomatic solutions or decisions are good when you are strong.” He added that victory for Ukraine meant “being very strong” and “ready for diplomacy.” Further, he confirmed that the plan concerned security, military and economic support for Ukraine.
THE MOSCOW VIEW
Claims from Russia
On 16 September, an article in The Khmer Times informed the Government of North Korea that it promised to deepen ties with the Government of the Russian Federation. Reports by North Korean state media stated Kim Jong Un, the Supreme Leader of North Korea had promised the same while holding talks with Sergei Shoigu, the Secretary of the Security Council of the Russian Federation. The state media informed views on the issues of improving cooperation and deepening the strategic dialogue between both to defend mutual security interests. It also stated the North Korean government would further expand cooperation and collaboration with the Russian government. The Security Council of the Russian Federation informed the meeting between Shoigu and Kim would help implement the defence pact.
On 14 September, The Moscow Times reported on the prisoner exchange between Russia and Ukraine. The countries exchanged 103 prisoners of war under the mediation of the UAE. The freed Russian soldiers were the ones captured during Ukraine’s incursion into the Kursk region. The Ministry of Defence of the Russian Federation said: “As a result of the negotiation process, 103 Russian servicemen captured in the Kursk region were returned from territory controlled by the Kyiv regime.” The ministry added that the freed soldiers were given medical and psychological assistance in the Republic of Belarus.
On 15 September, Daily Sabah reported on Moscow’s warning over the usage of long-range weapons by Ukraine. It came amidst Zelenskyy’s peace plan which depended upon Washington’s decision to approve long-range ballistic missiles by Ukraine. Although there were no reports of any official decision, Sergei Ryabkov, Russia’s Deputy Foreign Minister accused that the decision had already been made and communicated. Dmitry Medvedev, deputy chairman of Russia warned that Russia would either use its nuclear arsenals or any other non-nuclear deadly weapons as a response.
THE WEST VIEW
Responses from the US and Europe
On 14 September, Politico reported on Jens Stoltenberg, Secretary-General of the NATO statement. He admitted that more efforts could have been made to prevent the war in Ukraine. In an interview, Stoltenberg said that NATO could have provided military equipment to Ukraine to prevent the war. He pointed out how NATO failed to provide weapons requested by the Government of Ukraine before the war, due to fears it would escalate tensions with the Government of the Russian Federation. Stoltenberg also stated the war with Russia could only end through negotiations, based on Ukrainian strength.
On 15 September, an article in France 24 informed Jake Sullivan, the US National Security Advisor stated Joe Biden, the President of the US would try to put Ukraine in the “best possible position.” According to Sullivan, Biden would use the remaining four months of his presidency to “put Ukraine in the best possible position to prevail.” Sullivan informed Biden was scheduled to meet Zelenskyy at the UN General Assembly in late September. Sullivan stated the Government of Ukraine would decide when to enter negotiations with the Government of the Russian Federation. Sullivan’s remarks come amidst a prisoner swap between Russia and Ukraine, and Russian advances towards the transit hub of Pokrovsk.
References
“Russia, Ukraine swap 206 prisoners in exchange deal, Zelensky says,” France 24, 14 September 2024
“N. Korea pledges deeper ties with Russia as security chief visits,” The Khmer Times, 16 September 2024
Jones Hayden, “NATO could have done more to avert Ukraine war: Stoltenberg,” Politico, 14 September 2024
“Biden to use rest of term putting Ukraine in ‘best possible’ position to prevail, adviser says,” France 24, 15 September 2024
“Nearly 20 Russian drones downed on approach to Kyiv,” Ukrinform, 16 September 2024
“Ukraine's victory plan includes five points – president,” Ukrinform, 15 September 2024
“Deadly Shelling in Ukraine’s Pokrovsk as Russia Inches Closer,” The Moscow Times, 16 September 2024
“Russia, Ukraine Swap 206 POWs in UAE-Brokered Deal,” The Moscow Times, 14 September 2024
“Moscow warns Kyiv, West over using long-range arms against Russia,” Daily Sabah, 15 September 2024
|
