Photo : Reuters
War in Ukraine: Day 69
Padmashree Anandhan, Rishma Banerjee and Emmanuel Royan
War on the ground
Zelenskyy's address
On 03 May, President Zelensky addressed the Albanian Parliament, expressing gratitude for Albania's clear stance against Russia and for the assistance provided. Zelensky also wished the people of Albania and other Muslims worldwide as they celebrated Eid al-Fitr.
Attack on steel factory and military airfield
On 03 May, Russia fired rockets at the encircled Azovstal steelworks in Mariupol with around 200 civilians trapped underground after breaking the ceasefire on the same day. Captain Sviatoslav Palamar of Ukraine's Azov Regiment stated: "As of this moment, a powerful assault on the territory of the Azovstal plant is underway with the support of armoured vehicles, tanks, attempts to land on boats and a large number of infantry."
Russia also fired missiles at a military airfield in Odesa, Ukraine's southern city, destroying drones, missiles, and ammunition supplied by the US and its European allies. The Russian defence ministry reported hangars holding unmanned Bayraktar TB2 drones, missiles and ammunition from the US and Europe were destroyed. Various military facilities across the country were also hit by Russian missiles and artillery, including command centres, arsenals, and an S-300 anti-aircraft missile system. In central and western Ukraine, missiles hit six railway stations with severe damage and disrupted train services.
Donetsk
On 03 May, a Russian assault on a coke plant in Avdiivk, the eastern part of Donetsk, killed at least ten people and injured 15 others. The attack was substantiated by Metinvest, the country's largest steel company, which said Russian troops opened fire on a busload of its employees shortly after their shift ended.
Lviv
On 03 May, Russian missiles destroyed three electrical substations disrupting power and water supplies in Lviv, a relatively peaceful western city far from the war frontiers.
Evacuees from the Avastal steel plant arrive at Zaporizhzhia
On 03 May, several evacuees who had been hiding for weeks in the bunkers of a steel plant in Russia-occupied Mariupol arrived in Kyiv-controlled Zaporizhzhia, where medics attended to them for burns and malnutrition. The UN and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) organized the five-day operation to evacuate women, children, and the elderly from the steel plant.
On 03 May, an information and analytical agency, APK-Inform, predicted that Ukraine would face a serious shortage of storage facilities in the 2022/23 season as a result of a substantial drop in exports following Russia's invasion. According to data from the state statistics office, Ukraine's overall storage capacity is 75 million tonnes, with 44.5 million tonnes owned by agricultural producers. However, a portion of this capacity is located in war zones, reducing the accessible volume to roughly 61 million tonnes, implying that 35 per cent of the capacity will be used by the 2021 harvest. Ukraine may harvest 55.9 million tonnes of grains and oilseeds in 2022, with a 16.3 million tonne shortfall in capacity.
Cost of war estimates
On 03 May, the Kyiv School of Economics released a report estimating the cost of war to be USD 600 billion. It is reported that the Russian invasion is costing the country USD 4.5 billion each week in infrastructural damages. The cost of direct infrastructure damage is estimated to be over USD 92 billion.
Call to ease the visa process in the UK
On 03 May, Ukraine's ambassador to London, Vadym Prystaiko urged the UK home secretary Priti Patel to ease the "unnecessary, long, bureaucratic" visa procedure for refugees from Ukraine. As many Ukrainians remain stranded and lost in the system. According to recent government figures, 59,000 people have been granted visas but are yet to arrive in the UK. Moreover, only 15,000 of the 74,700 Ukrainians who applied for the sponsorship scheme have made it to Britain.
The Moscow view:
Claims by Russia
Putin's call with the presidents of Belarus and France
On 03 May, Russia's president Vladimir Putin held a call with Belarus president Alexander Lukashenko. In the talks, issues on bilateral agenda, promotion of union formation, Eurasian space, a special military operation in Donbass, and meeting of collective security treaty organization were discussed. Besides, measure to improve relations between Russia and Belarus also took place.
On 03 May, Putin held another call with France's president Emmanuel Macron. Putin congratulated Macron on the election victory and various issues relating to the Ukraine war were discussed. Putin highlighted that the special military operation in Donbass, the liberation of Mariupol and the evacuation process of civilians from the Azovstal plant was in terms with the agreement signed with the UN secretary-general Antonio Guterres. He also noted that the war crimes committed by Ukraine forces and the death of the civilians in areas of Donbass could be brought to an end if the West stopped its supply of weapons to aid Ukraine. Despite the arguments about the attacks in Kyiv, Putin said that Russia was still open to dialogue with Ukraine. In the talk, Macron brought up the emerging food crisis, and Putin countered by saying that it was a result of heavy sanctions by the West. He also added that, the sanctions had destroyed the operations of logistics and "transport infrastructure."
Apart from the call with the leaders, president Putin signed a decree aimed at unfriendly nations and international organizations. Through the decree, Russia enforces to ban the export of its products, and raw materials to those countries which are imposing sanctions. Further, it also proposes to exit from the existing contracts with MNC companies that are under sanctions.
Russia Foreign Ministry
On 03 May, the Foreign Ministry alleged Israeli minister for bringing the "anti-historical statements" to the front. The Israel minister had accused Russia's foreign minister Sergei Lavrov of making remarks on Hitler as part of Jewish. He demanded an apology for making such a statement. He said: "both an unforgivable and outrageous statement as well as a terrible historical error. Jews did not murder themselves in the Holocaust." The word clash has turned the relations between Israel and Russia into a serious crisis.
Russia's Defense Ministry
As per the RIA News Agency, "Azov and Ukrainian servicemen, who are stationed on the plant, took advantage of it. They came out of the basement; they took up firing positions on the territory and in the factory buildings." It also reported that Russia's army along with the Donetsk People's Republic had been using artillery, aviation and weapons to demolish the firing position held by the Ukraine forces.
Other developments
On 03 May, an internet service disruptor firm NetBlocks claimed to have rerouted its internet traffic in Kherson using its communication infrastructure. Earlier a UK based organization had confirmed on tracking down the internet shut down in Kherson. According to NetBlocks: "Connectivity on the network has been routed via Russia's internet instead of Ukrainian telecoms infrastructure and is hence likely now subject to Russian internet regulations, surveillance, and censorship."
The West View:
Responses from Europe
The UK
On 03 May, the government said that they would be donating 13 armoured vehicles to reinforce the war efforts in Ukraine. It was reported that the vehicles are steel plated, and can resist mines, explosive devices and high-velocity bullets. They can also be used to transport officials and workers as well. The foreign secretary Liz Truss said: "This latest donation of armoured vehicles will help protect innocent Ukrainians attempting to flee Russian shelling and support Ukrainian officials carrying out vital work."
On 03 May, addressing Ukraine's parliament, prime minister Boris Johnson said he believed that Ukraine will emerge victorious against this invasion by Russia. Taking a leaf out of UK's wartime leader, Winston Churchill's speech he said: "Ukraine will win, Ukraine will be free… This is Ukraine's finest hour, that will be remembered and recounted for generations to come." He is the first western leader to address Ukraine's parliament since the beginning of the war. He also announced a further USD 375 million to Ukraine, for military aid, including electronic warfare equipment as well as a counter-battery radar system.
Germany
On 03 May, the German Chancellor has a meeting with the German cabinet and the prime ministers of Sweden and Finland, at the government's guest house. There he issued a warning that Russia might attack any country given the imperialistic nature of their president and the fact that they do not hesitate to violate international laws. He also said that Germany would extend their support to Sweden and Finland should they choose to join NATO.
France
French president Emmanuel Macron in a phone call with Vladimir Putin said that he is open to working with international organizations to negotiate and lift the Russian embargo on exports of food via the Black Sea. Macron also reiterated that a ceasefire between Ukraine and Russia was of utmost importance, and mentioned that he had spoken to Putin about the situation in Mariupol and Donbas. A statement quoting Macron said: "I have called on Russia to live up to its international responsibility as a UN Security Council member by putting an end to this devastating attack."
Austria
On 03 May, Austria's foreign minister said that the if EU was indeed serious about Ukraine's membership, the organization must consider radical treaty change. He also mentioned how this was a 'geostrategic moment' for Europe, and that they would have to do more than impose sanctions on Russia or provide aid to Ukraine.
The Global Fallouts:
International implications of the Ukraine war
India
On 03 May, prime minister Modi, who is in Copenhagen for the India-Nordic summit, issued a statement about the Ukraine war, in a press briefing. Keeping in line with India's neutral stance, he said: "We appealed for an immediate ceasefire in Ukraine and for the adoption of dialogue and diplomacy to resolve the problem."
South Africa
On 03 May, BBC reported that the leader of South Africa's opposition party, John Steenhuisen is in Ukraine for a six-day fact-finding mission. He is the first African leader to visit Ukraine since the war began, and he criticized the neutral stance taken by the South African government. He said, "Our defence minister and the head of the army were toasting the Russian army on the night of the invasion at the Russian embassy in South Africa… It doesn't make sense that they would use that as the excuse for sitting on their hands while a humanitarian crisis like this is raging."
North Korea
On 03 May, analysts associated with the Stimson Centre, said that North Korea's isolated economy will bear the brunt of the economic instability caused by the Covid 19 crisis and the Ukraine War. On top of that, natural disasters like floods will only be exacerbating the economic crisis in North Korea. With regards to how this might affect the country, Benjamin Katzeff Silberstein, an economic expert, said: "As food prices in North Korea do often move in tandem with global prices, we're likely to see current food price hikes mirrored in North Korea as well over time,"
The UN
On 03 May, the UN special representative on sexual violence in war, Pramila Patten said, that men and boys have been rape victims by Russian soldiers in Ukraine. This comes after several reports of sexual violence by the invading forces have already been made. Patten said: "It's hard for women and girls to report [rape] because of stigma amongst other reasons, but it's often even harder for men and boys to report … we have to create that safe space for all victims to report cases of sexual violence."
WHO
On 03 May, a spokesperson from the WHO informed that the organization will hold a special meeting to discuss the impact of Russia's war on Ukraine's health infrastructure, and healthcare systems. The meeting that was requested by Ukraine, and was signed by 38 other countries, is supposed to be held on 10 May.
Red Cross
On 03 May, the head of the Red Cross in Ukraine spoke about the people still stuck in the Mariupol region who are awaiting evacuation. He said that there was signs that intense fighting was continuing amidst humanitarian efforts to gain access to the civilians stuck there. Pascal Hundt, from the International Committee of the Red Cross, said: "We would have hoped that many more people would have been able to join the convoy and get out of hell. That is why we have mixed feelings."
References:
Kristo Kote, "Zelensky Addresses Albanian Parliament as Ukraine War Rages," 03 May 2022
"Russia says it bombed US and European weapons near Ukraine's Odesa," Reuters, 03 May 2022
"At least 10 killed in Russian shelling of coking plant in eastern Ukraine - local governor," Reuters, 03 May 2022
Reis Thebault, "Strikes on Lviv, railways underscore Russian attempts to destroy Ukrainian infrastructure" The Washington Post, 03 May 2022
Joseph Campbell and Alessandra, "Exhausted evacuees from Mariupol steel plant reach safety in Ukrainian city," Reuters, 03 May 2022
"Telephone conversation with President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko," Kremlin.ru, 03 May 2022
"Telephone conversation with French President Emmanuel Macron," Kremlin.ru, 03 May 2022
"BBC Live," BBC, 03 May 2022
"UK donates armoured vehicles to help Ukraine evacuation effort," Reuters, 03 May 2022
"Don't assume 'imperialistic' Putin won't attack other countries, Scholz says," Reuters, 03 May 2022
"Austria says EU must consider radical treaty change over Ukraine," Financial Times, 03 May 2022
"WHO to hold urgent meeting on Ukraine invasion's health impact," Reuters, 03 May 2022
"Ukraine's 'finest hour': UK's Johnson invokes Churchill as he predicts Russia will lose," Reuters, 03 May 2022
"India's Modi calls for ceasefire in Ukraine," Reuters, 03 May 2022
"France's Macron offers to help lift Russia embargo on Ukraine food exports," Reuters, 03 May 2022
"SA opposition leader on 'fact-finding' Ukraine visit," BBC Live, 03 May 20222
"Global problems may exacerbate shortages in N.Korea's isolated economy," Reuters, 03 May 2022
"Men and boys among alleged rape victims of Russian soldiers in Ukraine," The Guardian, 03 May 2022
"Civilians still trapped in 'hell' after Mariupol evacuation - Red Cross," Reuters, 03 May 2022
SPAIN
200 plus mobile phones were believed to be monitored by Pegasus spyware
On 03 May, more than 200 mobile numbers from Spain were speculated of being possible targets of data leak by the Pegasus spyware. Morocco has suspected the NSO group to be behind this incident. It was reported that mobile phones were hacked in 2021 and were revealed only recently. Amongst the tracked, including French President Emmanuel Macron and other leaders. The Spanish government was found to be using the Pegasus software to monitor members of the Catalan independence movement. The government ruled out internal spying and is convinced of an external force behind the incident. (Stephanie Kirchgaessner and Sam Jones, “Over 200 Spanish mobile numbers ‘possible targets of Pegasus spyware’,” The Guardian, 03 May 2022)
REGIONAL
Apple faces the accusation of being anti-competitive by the EU
On 03 May, Apple was accused of breaking the competition law by the European Commission. Apple was charged for preventing third-party companies from accessing its online payment "tap and go" technology. Apple denied the accusations stating that it has been fair and equal access to all mobile wallet apps. The accusation looks into iPhones having restrictions with third-party access in regards to payment and Apple pay reaping all benefits. It further said that Apple pay was designed for privacy and security. But the European Commission has not found any evidence of security threats or risks. The tech giant had already faced anti-competitive accusations from the Commission when it launched Apple pay in 2015. (Beth Timmins, “EU accuses Apple of breaking competition law over contactless payments,” BBC News, 03 May 2022)
INTERNATIONAL
Press freedom index rate negative for 28 countries
On 03 May, 28 countries were rated as "very bad" in the World Press Freedom index. Many countries are hindering journalists from doing their job. The annual list of press freedom was released by the campaign group Reporters Without Borders has blamed the internet and globalization for the spreading of fake news that has affected the media. Myanmar has fallen the most in the press freedom index after the military coup last year. The UK was placed 24th on the list despite having issues in Northern Ireland and the US was placed 42nd. The Nordic countries are once again at the top. Among the worst performers was Greece from Europe at 108th on the list, Hong Kong at 148, and Russia receiving one of the lowest rankings. (Jim Waterson, “Record 28 countries rated ‘very bad’ in press freedom index,” The Guardian, 03 May 2022)
The Caribbean states issue warning over UK's proposal for direct rule
On 03 May, seven Caribbean states condemned the UK for a retrograde proposal that takes democracy a step back. Due to corruption in the government of the British Virgin Islands (BVI), London has decided to take charge of the islands. The UK proposed to disallow local democracy to tackle corruption. The premier of BVI was arrested and sent to prison in Miami, Florida following his involvement in a drug smuggling case. After the sting operation, Andrew Fahie was replaced by the acting premier, Natalio Wheatley. The acting premier opposed the move while seven members of the Organisation of East Caribbean States (OECS) issued a firm warning against it. They said that the UK operating BVI directly is similar to colonization and it will be a sign of regression of democracy. They also said that the people of BVI should decide on their government and the responsibility of strengthening their governance should fall on the shoulders of the people of the island. (“Patrick Wintour, “Caribbean states warn against direct rule of British Virgin Islands,” The Guardian, 03 May 2022