Photo : South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff / European Pressphoto Agency / The New York Times
NIAS Europe Daily Brief #589 | 08 August 2023, Tuesday
War in Ukraine: Day 530
By Padmashree Anandhan
War on Ground
On 07 August, Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy accused Russia for launching strikes on a residential building in Pokrovsk located 70 kilometres from the Donetsk region. He said: Two missile strikes. An ordinary residential building was hit.” On the same, Interior Minister reported five death and 31 to have been wounded.
On 07 August, Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba during a phone call with US Secretary Antony Blinken placed a request for Army Tactical Missile System long-range missiles (ATACMS). The missile system has a capacity to be launched 305 kilometres, with ability to fire from HIMARS launcher to push Russia and command post far to more than 322 kilometres.
The Moscow View
Claims by Russia
On 07 August, Russia’s Education Minister Sergei Kravtsov revealed the new set of history textbooks which applauds Russia’s invasion in Ukraine. The book designed for grade 11 was written in less than five months and is scheduled to be distributed from September. This is seen as a way to instil patriotism in children.
On 07 August, Russia claimed to have brought down Ukraine’s drone in the southwest of Moscow. According to Russia’s governor, the drone neither damaged infrastructure nor people. Moscow is beginning to be subject of drone attacks since August.
The West View
Responses from the US and Europe
On 07 August, following the summit held by Saudi Arabia to discuss peace plan to settle the Ukraine war, Germany assured its support to the process. Ministers from the US, China, India, and Europe attended the summit. Russia in response to the summit stated that a peace settlement will be possible only if Ukraine stopped launching terrorist attacks.
On 07 August, UKs Ministry of Defence in its daily intelligence update stated that Russia’s air force does not have effectively support its land forces. According to the ministry Russia’s efforts to address the issue by deploying more free-fall bombs along with glide attachments, it said: “but they have yet to demonstrate consistent accuracy.” It also added: “Russia appears to have been less able to generate effective tactical airpower in the south.”
The Global Fallouts
Implications of the war
On 07 August, China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi in a phone conversation with Russia’s Sergey Lavrov stressed on China’s position in Ukraine war. He said that China will be a “objective and rational voice,” in the international forum to vouch for peace talks. In a statement released by the ministry: “actively promote peace talks.” China also proposed a 12-point peace proposal which was received well by Ukraine and Russia.
References
Vivian Salama “U.S. Considers ATACMS Long-Range Missiles to Bolster Ukraine’s Fight,” Wall Street Journal, 29 June 2023
“UK intelligence: Russian aircraft at front have no decisive operational effect,” pravda.com.ua, 07 August 2023
“Russia unleashes missile and drone strikes against Ukraine, retaliating for an attack on a tanker,” abc News, 06 August 2023
Sarah McCammon, and Joanna Kakissis “Nations meet in Saudi Arabia to discuss how the war in Ukraine might end,” npr.org, 07 August 2023
“Ukraine says Jeddah talks 'huge blow' to Russia, new meeting agreed,” Reuters, 07 August 2023
Simone McCarthy, “China assures Russia it remains ‘impartial’ on Ukraine war after attending Saudi peace talks,” CNN, 08 August 2023
“Ukraine's foreign minister asks U.S. for ATACMS long-range missiles,” Reuters, 07 August 2023
“Ukraine updates: Russia strikes Pokrovsk homes, Kyiv says,” Deutsche Welle, 07 August 2023
In Brief
By Rishika Yadav
FRANCE
Far-right party dissolves
On 07 August, Le Monde reported Gérald Darmanin, French Interior Minister, ordering the dissolution of the far-right party Civitas due to its anti-Semitic remarks during a summer seminar. The party, mainly consisting of ultra-traditional Catholics, gained political party status in 2016 and supported the far-right Eric Zemmour, in the previous year's presidential election. With about 165,000 members, it opposes same-sex marriage, promotes anti-immigration stances, and has faced accusations of homophobia and disrupting events involving non-heterosexual individuals. Civitas had received public funding but is now targeted for dissolution due to its anti-Semitic stance. (“France moves to ban far-right party for anti-Semitism,” Le Monde, 07 August 2023)
THE UK
University students face graduation delays amid an ongoing labor dispute
On 07 August, Associated Press reported, thousands of UK university students, including Hafsa Yusuf, facing graduation delays due to ongoing labor disputes. Around 140 universities are affected, with staff refusing to mark papers over pay and work condition disagreements. Many students who paid for graduation-related expenses are now in vain. The University and College Union estimates tens of thousands would not graduate this summer, impacting job offers and visa applications for international students. Graduates are criticizing university leaders for not negotiating to end the dispute. Some are even considering legal action for breach of contract. Students feel disillusioned after COVID disruptions and high fees. (Sylvia Hui, “Lecturers in the UK refuse to mark exams in labor dispute, leaving thousands unable to graduate,” Associated Press, 07 August 2023)
TURKEY
Southern Turkey struggles to recover from earthquakes
On 07 August, BBC reported that six months after twin earthquakes struck southern Turkey, Antakya remains in disrepair. Thousands still live in makeshift tents and containers. Reconstruction has been slow, with estimated costs of USD 105 billion for 11 provinces. Despite President Erdogan's one-year deadline, the rehabilitation process is expected to take longer. Some projects are underway, like new apartment blocks north of Antakya, with a school, health center, and playground. However, many continue to wait for permanent housing, facing challenges like safe drinking water. The region's recovery efforts emphasize the need for national and international aid. (Victoria Craig, “Families in Turkey's quake cities battle dust and rubble six months on,” BBC, 07 August 2023)
REGIONAL
Multinational effort combats Cyprus wildfires
On 07 August, Associated Press reported that a multinational force including firefighting aircraft and ground crews from Israel, Lebanon, Greece, and Jordan is assisting Cyprus in battling a stubborn wildfire that has burned about 3.2 square miles of land. The fire was mostly contained overnight but rekindled in some areas, prompting continued air and ground efforts. The cause of the rekindling is being investigated, with officials downplaying arson suspicions due to strong winds. Villagers have returned home after evacuating as a precaution. (Menelaos Hadjicostis, “Multinational force fights stubborn wildfire in Cyprus, including Lebanon, Greece and Jordan,” Associated Press, 07 August 2023)
EU and NATO rush aid to flood-hit Slovenia
On 07 August, Associated Press reported that Slovenia receives urgent aid from the EU and NATO following severe flooding that killed at least six people and displaced hundreds. France, Germany, Bulgaria, Croatia, and even Ukraine offer support, including helicopters, bridges, and engineering teams. The flooding, triggered by heavy rains, submerged villages, fields, and towns, while extreme weather across Europe is linked to climate change. The EU activated its Civil Protection Mechanism for both Slovenia and Cyprus due to floods and wildfires. NATO expresses solidarity with Slovenia. (“NATO and the EU send aid to Slovenia after floods that killed at least 6 and left many homeless,” Associated Press, 07 August 2023)
Poland accuses Russia and Belarus of orchestrating migrant influx at EU border
On 07 August, Deutsche Welle reported that Poland alleges that Russia and Belarus' secret services are coordinating a surge of migrants across the Polish border into the EU. Maciej Wasik, Poland’s Deputy Interior Minister cites intensifying operations by these agencies. The Polish border guard requests 1,000 more troops due to the alleged involvement of Belarusian authorities. Tomasz Praga, Poland’s border guard chief claims Belarus’s secret services have turned into a criminal group profiting from illegal immigration. About 19,000 attempted entries in 2023, up from 16,000 last year, prompting deployment of 5,000 guards and 2,000 soldiers. (“Poland says Belarus, Russia behind new migrant influx,” Deutsche Welle, 07 August 2023)
Solar power mitigates heatwave shortages
On 07 August, Euronews reported that solar power surge in southern Europe is helping to alleviate energy shortages caused by record-breaking temperatures and increased demand for cooling during heatwaves. Spain and Greece have significantly increased their solar capacity, with solar energy providing nearly 24 per cent of Spain's electricity in July. Solar output in Sicily covered almost half of the excess power demand during peak demand. Despite low power demand due to high energy prices and climate change mitigation efforts, experts emphasize the need to invest in energy grids and storage to ensure solar growth meets climate goals as heatwaves intensify in the future. (“Heatwave energy shortages would have been ‘much worse’ without solar power, experts say,” Euronews, 07 August 2023)