Photo : REUTERS/Kai Pfaffenbach
27 April 2022, Wednesday| NIAS Europe Daily Brief #186
War in Ukraine: Day 62
By Padmashree Anandhan and Rishma Banerjee
War on the ground:
Zelenskyy’s address, shelling in Kharkiv, and Mariupol
Zelenskyy’s address
On 26 April president Zelenskyy spoke remembered the anniversary of the nuclear disaster at Chernobyl. He also mentioned that in spite of the significance of the date Russia’s forces continued their attacks on the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant with a targeted motive. He said: “Instead, today they launched three missiles against Ukraine so that they flew directly over the blocks of our nuclear power plants. Over three nuclear power plants at once. Over Zaporizhzhia, Khmelnytskyi and South-Ukrainian NPPs. What is it? Are they threatening? Are they targeting? There are no words…”
Ukraine’s foreign ministry
On 26 April, the foreign ministry said that they were concerned about how the situation in the pro-Russian breakaway region of Transdniestria. This Russia backed region of Moldova has witnessed several explosions. They issued a statement that said that these actions by Russia coincided with their statement about their plans to occupy the entire south of Ukraine and create a corridor to the Transdniestria region.
Ukraine’s war crime charges against Russians
On 26 April, Ukraine’s prosecutor general’s office said that they were preparing to bring war crimes charges against at least seven Russian military personnel. Among them are also three pilots suspected of bombing civilian settlements in the Sumy and Kharkiv regions. They said that the two the other individuals include two rocket launcher operators, who allegedly shelled settlements in the Kharkiv region and two army servicemen who are suspected of murdering a Kharkiv resident and raping his wife. The prosecutor's office also said that these individuals have been notified of the investigations and some were being held captive, while for others charges were being prepared in absentia.
Shelling in Kharkiv continues
On 26 April, the Kharkiv region’s governor, Oleh Synegubov gave an update on the casualties caused by Russian shelling on 25 April. He said four people had died, and nine were wounded as a result of it.
Zaporizhzhia’s farmers don bulletproof vests
On 26 April, it was reported that the farmers in Zaporizhzhia have resorted to wearing body armours to plough their fields. Energoatom, Ukraine's state-run atomic energy company reported that Russian missiles flew over the nuclear power plant at a low altitude.
Ukraine accuses Russia of further shelling in Mariupol
On 26 April, Petro Andryushchenko, an adviser to the mayor of Mariupol, said that the attacks on Mariupol have been increased further, which made the evacuation of civilians from the area impossible. This is in the context of how UN secretary-general Antonio Guterres also urged Putin to allow the humanitarian corridors in the area. Andryushchenko also mentioned that there had been 35 airstrikes against the Azovstal plant. One of the strikes caused a fire to break out in a workshop where civilians were hiding.
The Moscow View
Putin’s meeting with Antonio Guterres
On 26 April, president Putin met with UN secretary-general Antonio Guterres and spoke about the Minsk Agreement and how historically that had been signed for a peaceful settlement regarding the Donbas region. He spoke about the coup d’etat performed in Ukraine in 2014 and said how agreements had been signed after a popular referendum.
He said: “This was the attempt of peaceful settlement of the situation in Donbas. However, to our regret, people living there found themselves in blockade for eight years - and Kyiv authorities publicly announced that they had organized a blockade of this territory, dared to announce that this was the blockade, although initially had renounced that, and continued military pressure.”
Russia’s foreign ministry’s comments
Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said that Kyiv’s proposal to conduct talks with Russia about Mariupol was merely “theatrical” in nature. He also mentioned how the proposal for conducting the talk had been sent from the Russian side a long time back, and how Ukraine should be more prompt in replying. He said: “Ukrainians do like to stage things so they apparently wanted to stage one more heart-breaking scene."
On 26 April, Lavrov also met with UN secretary-general Guterres. After the conference, he said that the war was at too early a stage to talk about mediators. In a news conference on Tuesday. However, he mentioned that they were in favour of a ‘negotiated solution’ but it was Ukraine’s representatives including president Zelenskyy who seemed to be disinterested in conducting bilateral talks.
Moreover, Lavrov also spoke about NATO’s interference in the war, and said that the US-led organisation has been fighting a “proxy war.” He said: “NATO, in essence, is engaged in a war with Russia through a proxy and is arming that proxy. War means war.”
State Duma Speaker wants to hold Zelenskyy accountable
On 26 April, the state Duma speaker Vyacheslav Volodin wrote on his Telegram account about how Ukraine has become a terrorist state as they have resolved to the killing of Russian terrorists. He mentioned that President Zelenskyy should be held accountable for the same, the ad said: "Having unleashed a war against its own people, Kiev is now targeting civilians from other countries.”
Russia’s talks with Turkey’s president
On 26 April, Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov said that Putin had spoken with Recep Tayyip Erdogan about Ukraine. Reportedly, Erdogan had been expecting to talk about achieving a ceasefire and eventual peace. It was said that the details of the conversion will be released later.
The West view:
Responses from the US and Europe
The US
On 26 April, the US defense secretary Llyod Austin said that he hoped to see Russia losing to Ukraine, and for Ukraine to win it only needed the right support. The US further announced to grant USD 713 million as military aid to Ukraine along with other European countries. According to Austin: “Russia weakened to the degree that it can't do the kinds of things that it has done in invading Ukraine.”
In the meeting with the NATO defense ministers, US secretary of defence Lloyd Austin appreciated the enduring and skilled stance of Ukraine forces against Russia’s attacks. He also pointed out that Russia was carrying out “indefensible atrocities.”
NATO and the EU
On 26 April, defence ministers of NATO and the EU met in Germany to discuss increasing the military aid to Ukraine. The meeting was chaired by US defence secretary Lloyd Austin, and ahead of the meeting Germany pledged to send anti-aircraft systems to Ukraine. Till now NATO and its members have been resistant to providing offensive weapons as they fears it might lead to the use of nuclear-armed weapons.
Poland
Poland’s state gas company PGNiG reported that Russia had stopped supplying natural gas. Gazprom which is a major supplier to Poland comprises of 60 per cent share, is confirmed to have suspended providing stocks. The issue is not expected to cause an immediate effect on Poland as it has 70 per cent underground storage and the current demand in the summer is reduced.
Germany
On 26 April, the government of Germany announced to deliver the heavy range weapons for the first time to Ukraine. This will include, Germany’s twin-cannon system, 100 marder infantry vehicles and 50 Gepard Flakpanzer anti-aircraft tanks
Moldova
On 26 April, Moldova’s president, Maia Sandu held a meeting between the Supreme Security council to discuss on the blasts that occurred in Transnistria. Two explosions were observed to have attacked with “rocket-propelled grenades.” Post the fall of the Soviet, Transnistria has remained independent but has not gained any international recognition.
As reported in RIA, Transnistria had found three infiltrators from Ukraine on the recent grenade attack in security headquarters. It named the act as “terrorist act,” and observed it as a way to instigate the country to launch war in the Ukraine conflict. On the same, Sandu said: “internal differences between various groups in Transnistria that have an interest in destabilising the situation.”
The Nordic countries
On 26 April, Finland and Sweden are found to be preparing for a common announcement of their will to join NATO. Despite Russia’s nuclear warning in the Baltic, questions have arisen with the increasing Russia offensive, should Finland and Sweden join NATO. Finland’s foreign minister Pekka Haavisto, has denied commenting on the announcement but said that he would support the idea of both Nordic countries joining together.
The UK
On 26 April, the UK government announced to remove all the tariffs on all goods and imposed a ban on exports of technological products of Russia. The decision came as a response to Ukraine President’s demand to support the economy. UK's international trade secretary Anne-Marie Trevelyan said: “We stand unwaveringly with Ukraine in this ongoing fight and will work to ensure Ukraine survives and thrives as a free and sovereign nation.” Apart from the announcement, the UK also announced to close down the loopholes to make sure Russia does buy any commodity from the UK.
The UK Ministry of Defense reported on the ground development that the Kreminna city located in Luhansk had fallen and was taken under control by Russia. It also said that Russia was trying to encircle Ukraine’s positions in the east and observed that Ukraine’s forces were prepared in defence in Zaporizhzhia waiting for Russia’s attacks.
On 26 April, UK’s Armed Forces minister James Heappey said that it was clearly legal for Ukraine to target the supply chains of Russia. He said: “Firstly, it's Ukrainians that take the targeting decision, not the people who manufacture or export the kit in the first place. And secondly, it is entirely legitimate to go after targets in the depth of your opponents to disrupt their logistics and supply line.”
The Global Fallouts:
International implications of the Ukraine war
The UN
On 26 April, UN secretary general Antonio Guterres is expected to meet president Putin to discuss on Mariupol, and Azovstal steelworks. He first began talking to Russian foreign minister, Sergei Lavrov pointing out the need to bring the war to end. Calling for a ceasefire “as soon as possible,” he also discussed on establishing humanitarian corridors in Mariupol. On the corridors he said: “ready to fully mobilise its human and logistical resources.” Post the discussion with the Russia’s diplomats, he remarked that it was a “frank discussion.” He said: “It is my deep conviction that the sooner we end this war the better for the people of Ukraine, for the people of the Russian Federation and those far beyond.” He finally ended his speech by highlighting the need to adhere to international laws and cooperation to beat climate change and epidemics. When asked on UNs stance in the war, Guterres said that his aim was to “safe lives and end suffering in Ukraine.”
India
India which is currently facing immense pressure from the west to seclude Russia since the invasion. On 26 April, finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman, on her visit to the US assured that India will be a “good friend,” to the western countries, but pointed that it had to prioritise protecting its interest and security. The tension arises between India and the West is due to Russia which remains the largest weapons partner for India.
References:
“The free world has the right to self-defense and that is why it will help Ukraine even more - address by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy,” President of Ukraine, 26 April, 2022
“Ukraine warns against attempts to drag Moldova's Transniestria region into war,” Reuters, 26 April 2022
“Ukraine prepares war crimes charges against Russian military personnel, including pilots,” Reuters, 26 April 2022
“Four die, nine wounded from Russia's shelling of Kharkiv - governor,” Reuters, 26 April 2022
“Ukraine says Russian rockets flew over Europe's biggest nuclear power plant,” Reuters, 26 April 2022
“Ukrainian farmers don bulletproof vests to plough frontline fields,” Reuters, 26 April 2022
“Russia accused of shelling Mariupol humanitarian corridor,” The Guardian, 26 April 2022
“Minsk-2 was attempt of peaceful settlement in Donbass — Putin,” TASS, 26 April 2022
“Lavrov says Kiev made ‘theatrical gesture’ by proposing to hold talks in Mariupol,” TASS, 26 April 2022
“Too early to talk about mediators in talks with Ukraine — Lavrov,” TASS, 26 April 2022
“Putin discussed Ukraine with Erdogan on Tuesday, Kremlin says,”TASS, 26 April 2022
“Russia accuses Nato of ‘proxy war’ in Ukraine as US hosts crucial defence summit,” The Guardian, 26 April 2022
“Duma speaker calls to hold Ukrainian president to account,” TASS, 26 April 2022
“BBC Live,” BBC, 26 April 2022