NIAS Area Studies: Pakistan-

28 April 2022, Thursday| NIAS Europe Daily Brief #187

War in Ukraine: Day 63

Italian children can now include surnames of both their parents; Negative impacts of the Russian energy embargo on Germany; French Internet network vandalised

Photo : Reuters

War in Ukraine: Day 63
By Ashwin Dhanabalan and Rishma Banerjee

War on the ground:
Zelenskyy’s address
On 27 April, in his daily address, president Zelenskyy said that he presented a proposal to president Ursula von der Leyen of the European Commission, and they has agreed to remove all duties and quotas on Ukrainian exports for a year. He said: “Russia is trying to provoke a global price crisis. To start chaos in all basic markets and especially in the food market. Ukrainian exports will help stabilize markets. So it is beneficial not only for us but also for all Europeans. For residents of all countries that can be affected by Russia's destructive ambitions.” He mentioned that he had spoken with the president of Indonesia about food security. According to Zelenskyy, president Widodo has extended an invitation to him to attend the G20 meeting to be held later this year. He also said that he had talked to the prime minister of Italy and thanked him for their commitment to investigate the crimes committed by Russia.

Ukraine undergoes a process of derussification
On 27 April, the city council said that it had identified 467 locations that would be renamed to avoid triggering memories of Russian aggression in the nation. This came after a huge monument signifying friendship between Russia and Ukraine was dismantled on 26 April. The list includes a central square named after Leo Tolstoy, and another street named after Lake Baikal, in Russia. Ihor Terekhov, the mayor of the eastern Ukrainian city of Kharkiv, suggested that after the war was over, he would introduce a bill to rename all Russia-affiliated names and said: "Even without these names, there will be too many scars that will remind us for a long time about what kind of neighbour is beyond our eastern and northern borders,"

Russian forces stop a pro-Ukraine rally
On 27 April, the prosecutor general of Ukraine said that Russia had used tear gas and stun grenades to stop a pro-Ukraine rally in Kherson. The city has been occupied by Russian forces and was the first one to fall, and it reportedly has appointed its own mayor. The rally received a mark of appreciation from president Zelenskyy, who thanked everyone who has not yet given up.

Russia captures several eastern villages
On 27 April, it was reported that in an effort to further consolidate their attack on Donbas, Russian forces have been successful in capturing several villages in eastern Ukraine. Ukraine’s defence ministry reported that Velyka, Komyshuvakha and Zavody, in the north-eastern Kharkiv region, Zarichne and Novotoshkivske in Donetsk saw Russian forces push Ukriane’s troops out.

Odesa’s bridges attacked
Russia struck a strategically important bridge in the Odesa region, with two missiles. Ukraine says that this will be affecting their export plans through Danube ports. This bridge links the mouth of the Danube river with Odesa and was being considered by Kyiv as one of the ways to carry on exports given that their Black Sea ports are blocked.

Mariupol offensive continues
On 27 April, it was reported that the steelworks in Mariupol was still under attack, and there had been no let-up in airstrikes in the region. This is in the context of UN secretary-general Guterres’s talks with Putin about establishing humanitarian corridors in the region. On the Telegram messaging app, Petro Andryushchenko, an aide to the city mayor said: “Air attacks on Azovstal are not subsiding. No ceasefire, but attempts to storm again and again. Despite the statements (by Putin)... At the same time, street fighting continues again in the sector between the Azovstal plant’s management (buildings) to the street.”

Attacks in western Ukraine
While the offensive in the eastern part of the country in the Donbas region continues with full gusto, Russian forces have started focusing that aggression on the Western parts of the country as well. This may be an effort to destabilise the national economy as well as the connectivity roots like the railway network and bridges and fuel depots.

The Moscow view
Putin's address
On 27 April, president Putin said that the sanctions that have been imposed on Russia, at the request of Ukraine, by several countries, were “rude’ and “clumsy”. In an address to the parliament, Putin said that countries trying to interfere in the Ukraine war should expect a 'lightning-fast' response. He said: “All the tasks of the special military operation we are conducting in the Donbas and Ukraine, launched on 24 February, will be unconditionally fulfilled.”

Russia’s defence ministry
On 27 April, Russia’s defence ministry reported that their missiles have hit an arms depot in Ukraine's Zaporizhzhia region, which especially stored weapons received from the United States and European countries. Reportedly, 59 Ukrainian military targets had been hit overnight.

Tensions increase in Moldova
On 27 April, Transdniestria reported that explosions had damaged two radio masts and that one of their military units have also been attacked. The offensive has been escalating in the Transdniestria region of Moldova which Ukraine had accused Russia of dragging into the war. However, the self-styled president of Transdniestria, Vadim Krasnoselsky blamed Ukraine and said: “The traces of these attacks lead to Ukraine…I assume that those who organised this attack have the purpose of dragging Transdniestria into the conflict."

Russia bans British parliamentarians
On 27 April, 287 parliamentarians from the UK would be banned from entering the country. They have been accused of fuelling Russophobic hysteria in Britain. The foreign ministry issued a statement that said: "These persons... took the most active part in the establishment of anti-Russian sanctions instruments in London, and contribute to the groundless whipping up of Russophobic hysteria in the UK."

Blasts in South Russia
On 27 April, blasts were heard in the south of the country and a fire broke out at an ammunition depot. Blasts were also heard in Kursk and in Voronezh. These incidents follow the reports of a major fire at a Russian oil storage facility in Bryansk, and an attack on a fuel depot in Belgorod. But, Ukraine's presidential adviser Mykhailo Podolyak without directly admitting to the offensive said: "If you (Russians) decide to massively attack another country, massively kill everyone there, massively crush peaceful people with tanks, and use warehouses in your regions to enable the killings, then sooner or later the debts will have to be repaid.”

The West view:
Responses from the US and Europe
The US
On 27 April, the US secretary of state Antony Blinken mentioned to Congress about the US plans to open its embassy in Kyiv. However, he cautioned the people going back, saying the Russians were “booby-trapping things like peoples’ washing machines and toys so that when people are able to return home and go about their lives, they’re killed or injured”.

On the same day, the US announced to provide USD 670 million in food assistance to combat food insecurity across the globe. The Guardian reported: “The agencies are allocating $282m in US food commodities to six countries in the Horn of Africa: Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia, Sudan, South Sudan and Yemen. Another $388m will go toward logistics, including transportation and shipping.” This comes as a pandemic, the war in Ukraine and a severe drought in the eastern regions of Africa had caused food shortages.

The UK
On 27 April, UK’s foreign secretary Liz Truss mentioned that as part of the West’s long term support to Ukraine, the western powers should provide warplanes to Kyiv. She added: “must be prepared for the long haul and double down on our support.” She further stated that NATO had only provided lighter weaponry amid fears of escalation. Truss said: “If Putin succeeds, there will be untold further misery across Europe and terrible consequences across the globe. We would never feel safe again.” She also called on the West to overhaul its approach to international security.

On the same day, Truss mentioned how the West needed to straighten their collective defence to deter another invasion. She said the G7 group of leading nations should act as an “economic NATO” and that they should be prepared to open their doors to countries such as Finland and Sweden as they plan on joining NATO. Truss added: “We need a global Nato…By that, I don’t mean extending the membership to those from other regions. I mean that Nato must have a global outlook, ready to tackle global threats.”

Also, on 27 April, UK’s prime minister Boris Johnson responded to Russia sanctioning members of the house of commons. He said: “Within the last hour or so, it’s been reported that 287 members of this House have been sanctioned by the Russian state,” he called it “a badge of honour.”

Poland
On 27 April, a former head of Poland’s army Gen Waldemar Skrzypczak accused Jhonson of “tempting evil” as the UK trained Ukrainian soldiers in Poland with anti-aircraft missiles. Furthermore, the individual accused Jhonson of revealing the military secrets of Poland as this could escalate tensions with Russia. Skrzypczak said: “The prime minister may not be aware of it, but with such statements, he puts the success of the entire military operation at risk, as well as the safety of the soldiers.”

On the same day, Poland’s prime minister Mateusz Morawieck accused Russia of directly attacking the country by cutting its gas supplies. Morawieck said Russia was pushing the boundaries of its “gas imperialism” after carrying out murderous attacks on Ukraine.

Belarus
On 27 April, the lower house of parliament approved a law that made attempted acts of terrorism punishable by the death penalty. This comes as activists in the country were sabotaging parts of the railway network to cause hindrances for Russia to deploy its forces into Ukraine. House speaker Vladimir Andreychenko said: “Destructive forces are continuing terrorist extremist activity by trying to rock the situation in Belarus, provoking domestic instability and conflicts.”

Bulgaria
On 27 April, Bulgaria’s energy minister mentioned that the country was prepared to provide alternative sources of energy to the country. This comes as Bulgaria stated that it would not use Gazprom’s new payment system. He added: “The two-stage payment procedure proposed by Russia poses significant risks. In practice, we would lose control over our money when paying in US dollars – since the Russian bank is responsible for converting into rubles, there is no clarity about the exchange rate.”

Moldova
On 27 April, Moldova’s breakaway region of Transnistria mentioned that Ukraine had launched drone attacks and fired shots on the village of Kolbasna, Rybnitsa region. The statement said: “On the morning of 27 April, at 8.45 am, shots were fired from the Ukrainian side in the direction of the Pridnestrovian settlement of Kolbasna.”

The EU
On 27 April, the European Commission said it was proposing to suspend the import duties on all Ukrainian products to help the country economically. The proposal was for a one-year suspension to support the country as it continues to defend itself against Russia. The bloc’s economy commissioner Valdis Dombrovskis said: “It will help alleviate the difficult situation of Ukrainian producers and exporters in the face of Russia’s military invasion.”

On the same day, European Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen condemned Russia for blackmailing Europe by cutting off supplies to Poland and Bulgaria. She said: “The announcement by Gazprom that it is unilaterally stopping delivery of gas to customers in Europe is yet another attempt by Russia to use gas as an instrument of blackmail.” She further said that the EU was prepared for this scenario but what Russia did was unjustified and unacceptable.

The Global Fallouts:
International implications of the Ukraine war
Australia
On 27 April, Australia’s prime minister Scott Morrison blamed the war in Ukraine and the pandemic for supply chain distortions that caused inflation. His comments come as Australia faces a record rise in living costs which could hinder his re-election possibilities.

Kazakhstan
On 27 April, Kazakhstan said it might declare a prominent Russian TV host persona non grata for his comments on the country. The host had mentioned: “Central Asian nations could meet the same fate as Ukraine if they did not side decisively with Russia.” Kazakhstan’s foreign ministry spokesperson Aibek Smadiyarov stated that the reporters comments were insulting and lacked any objectivity.

The UN
On 27 April, the UN tourism body announced that it had suspended Russia’s membership. However, Moscow claimed that it had left the organisation. UNWTO secretary-general Zurab Pololikashvili said: “The message is clear: Actions will always have consequences. Peace is a fundamental human right. Guaranteed to all. Without exception.”

On the same day, Human rights lawyer Amal Clooney urged the UN to focus on international justice for war crimes in Ukraine. He added: “Ukraine is, today, a slaughterhouse. Right in the heart of Europe.” He stated that the UN should do something about the evidence collected instead of keeping it in storage.

Also, on 27 April, UN secretary-general António Guterres said he had reached Kyiv. Guterres said: “the sooner this war ends, the better – for the sake of Ukraine, Russia, and the world.” His visit comes a day after visiting Russia’s president Vladimir Putin and foreign minister Sergei Lavrov in Moscow.

Microsoft
On 27 April, the company disclosed the onslaught of Russian cyberattacks on Ukraine and how Russia’s military launched attacks online and ran online propaganda campaigns. Microsoft, in its report, claimed that Russia’s onslaught of cyber-attacks began a year prior to its military invasion.

IN BRIEF
By Emmanuel Royan and Sai Pranav

FRANCE
Act of vandalism suspected in nationwide internet outages
On 27 April, there were incidents of vandalism in France due to internet outages. French police are investigating the case that rattled the country's telecommunication network. The attack had impacted many regions of France including Paris, Internet cables were cut leading to network issues. The fibre cable optic network was attacked at 0100 GMT on Wednesday even affecting the landlines. This was suspected to be an act of vandalism or sabotage. The French government with the help of service providers is trying to restore the network. (Mathieu Rosemain, “French police to investigate vandalism behind internet outage,” Reuters, 28 April 2022)

Macron visits Cergy to empathize with left-wing voters
On 27 April, president Emmanuel Macron visited a Socialist-held working-class suburb of Paris to attract left-wing voters ahead of the June parliamentary elections. The move comes following the accusations Macron faced for being an elitist and unempathetic to the problems of the common people. Macron walked through a food market in Cergy, shaking hands, conversing with young people, and posing for photographs with them. Macron said: "I want to give a message of respect and consideration to these areas that are among the poorest in the country right from the start of my new mandate." (Michel Rose, “Macron, with eye on parliamentary vote, visits left-leaning Paris suburb,” Reuters, 27 April 2022)

GERMANY
Russian energy embargo to affect Germany negatively
On 27 April, the German economy was forecasted to go down into recession if the energy imports from Russia were embargoed or blocked. The government's growth rate forecast for 2022 has been reduced to 2.2 per cent from the 3.6 per cent prediction in January due to the escalating Russia-Ukraine war. The inflation in Europe's largest economy was predicted to reach 6.1 per cent in 2022. The Russia-Ukraine war has majorly affected the rapidly increasing price of energy. After the recent halting of gas exports from Russia to Poland and Bulgaria, Germany has been cautious as it will lose a significant amount of energy supply in the country. German dependency on Russian energy decreased from 55 per cent to 35 per cent after Germany decided to support Ukraine. (“Germany would go into recession with Russian energy embargo - minister,” Reuters, 28 April 2022)

ITALY
Children can now include the surnames of both the parents
On 27 April, the Constitutional Court of Italy ruled that infants should be given both parents' surnames, overturning the traditional practices of naming all newborns after their fathers. The court stated that the current practice is "discriminatory and harmful" to the child's identity. The child's parents may also mutually agree to designate only one of their surnames to the child. The court called on the parliament to change the law regarding this. The landmark decision stems from a case brought by a family with three children in Potenza, southern Basilicata province. The first two children were given the mother's surname, but the third was given the father's surname by default because he was born after his parent's marriage. The parents objected because they wanted the boy to have the same surname as his two sisters, which was the mother's surname. (“Doubling up: Italian children should get both parents' surnames, court says,” Reuters, 27 April 2022)

The Indian Neighbourhood Today #195, 12 August 2026

PR DAILY BRIEFS

PREVIOUS PR DAILY BRIEFS