Photo : PAP/Viacheslav Ratynskyi
11 August 2022, Thursday | NIAS Europe Daily Brief #277
War in Ukraine: Day 167
By Sai Pranav
War on the Ground
On 11 August, Ukraine’s armed forced reported that the first stage of Russia-Belarus joint operational-tactical training with live fire is planned will be held in Volyn and Polissya directions. It observed that attacks with tanks, tubes, and rocket artillery continue in Kharkiv, Siversk, Slovyansk, Kramatorsk, Bakhmut, Avdiivka, Novopavlivsk, Zaporizhzhya and Southern Buh. There has been a vigilance on the two Kalibr sea-launched cruise missile carriers in the Black Sea. According to the Ukraine army, Russia's forces was found that despite its offensive position, it has lost and has been retreating in Veterynarne-Udy, Novoluhanske-Spirne, Volodymyrivka-Yakovlivkaand Striapivka-Soledar. Apart from that, Russian troops have not faced losses in the Donetsk-Pisky while continuing its offensive attacks.
On 10 Aug, Ukraine's agricultural ministry announced that the country's export of oilseed and vegetable oil rose to 22.7 per cent in July when compared to June by 2.66 million tonnes due to increased shipment of wheat and barley shipments after the block on the Black Sea ports were removed. The ministry mentioned that the overall export of grains decreased by almost 52 per cent with 2.2 million tonnes till now. The grain harvest also decreased from 86 million tonnes in 2021 to 50 million tonnes in 2022 due to the loss of land to Russian invaders.
The Moscow View
Claims by Russia
On 10 August, Lenta reported that Russia has been using merchant ships to transport military equipment through Bosphorus and Dardanelles straits, bypassing sanctions placed by Turkey in February. The US and the EU intelligence discovered that through the Black Sea, merchant ship Sparta II which arrived at Novorossiysk from the Tartus port in Syria was seen carrying 11 military equipment. Upon which the US and the EU have demanded the Turkish officials for not stopping the transportation and asked Turkey to end its deal with Russia over purchase of F-16 fighter jets.
On the same day, Lenta reported that Russia has been using merchant ships to transport military equipment through Bosphorus and Dardanelles straits, bypassing sanctions placed by Turkey on Moscow due to its invasion of Ukraine in September. The US and the EU intelligence discovered that through the Black Sea, merchant ship Sparta II which arrived at Novorossiysk from the Tartus port in Syria was seen carrying 11 military equipment. Authorities from the EU and the US demanded that the Turkish officials explain why they did not stop the transportation. They were also told to end the deal that Turkey had with Russia in purchasing F-16 fighter jets.
Also on the same day, Russia's Novatek, a second largest gas producer in Russia, announced its plans to purchase a floating power plant from the Turkish energy company Karpowership for the first line of the country's huge Arctic LNG 2 project. Baker Hughes, US’s largest oil field service company, which was supposed to be supplying LNG and electricity to the Arctic LNG 2 project has backed out due to the sanctions placed on Russia. The Karpowership is one of the largest operating floating power plants in the world and Russia is expected to continue with the application of the second and third line of the project if the method of ship-mounted gas-fired power plants is used.
On the same day, Russian forces reported that, Germany supplied Gepard anti-aircraft systems was found to be used by the Ukraine's Armed Forces in the Mykolaiv region were destroyed by Moscow's troops, according to Russia's defence ministry. The ministry claimed claimed that it had destroyed three Ukrainian warplanes in the Mykolaiv region and seven HIMARS missiles in the Kherson region.
The West View
Responses from the US and Europe
On 10 August, Estonia’s ministry of foreign affairs reported that a Russian Mi-8 helicopter was sighted in the country's aerospace which did not hold a permission. The ministry summoned the Russian ambassador in Estonia on the same to discuss on the the violation that took place in the Koidula border crossing. Estonia condemned Russia's attack on Ukraine strongly from the start, and has found the incident to be regrettable and unacceptable. Russian aircraft was also reported to be violating Finnish aerospace according to Finland's ministry of defence.
According to Denmark's defence ministry, it stated that Copenhagen would send 130 soldiers to train, instruct and educate the Ukrainian Territorial Defence Force in the UK. For the training in the UK, Denmak has allocated DKK 100 million. Apart from this Finland and Sweden announced its plan to send its soldiers to help training the Ukraine’s force.
On 09 August, Slovenia's president Borut Pahor spoke at the 13th Ambassadors Conference in Turkey's capital, Ankara. He said that despite Russia and Slovenia had a good relation before the war, at current scenario Ljubljana has to be cautious towards Russia. He also said that Slovenia was not threatened by Russia, but observed that Europe would see formation of new divisions and blocs. Pahor predicted that most of the European states will unite against Russia and the possibility of peaceful negotiations was possible only upon shift in Russian policies.
The Global Fallouts
Implications of the Ukraine war
On 10 August, IAEA evaluated the situation at the Zaporizhzhya nuclear power plant following shelling affecting the infrastructure of the complex. It said that there is no immediate threat to the plant but it warned about the war jeopardizing the nuclear safety and security of Zaporizhzhia. It also said that a team should be sent to stabilize the nuclear safety and security of the plant.
On the same day, the G7 countries demanded Russia to hand over Zaporizhzhya nuclear power plant and other atomic reactors as well to Ukraine as Russian presence harms the power plants which in turn causes safety concerns. It condemned Russia's invasion of Ukraine and asked Moscow to withdraw its troops and urged Russia to respect the sovereignty and territorial integrity. According to G7: “we demand that Russia immediately hand back full control to its rightful sovereign owner, Ukraine, of the Zaporizhzhya Nuclear Power Plant as well as of all nuclear facilities within Ukraine’s internationally recognized borders to ensure their safe and secure operations.”
References
"Enemy trying to resume offensive in Donetsk–Pisky direction," Ukrinform, 10 August 2022
"Ukraine sees big increase in agriculture exports in July," Reuters, 10 August 2022
"Russia transported weapons through the Turkish straits in defiance of the ban," LENTA.RU, 10 August 2022
"Russian defence ministry says it destroyed German-made anti-aircraft system in Mykolaiv region," Reuters, 10 August 2022
Gergely Szakacs and Jan Lopatka "Russian oil pipeline flows resume after Hungary's MOL settles transit bill," Reuters, 10 August 2022
"Novatek to order Turkish floating power plant for Russia’s Arctic LNG 2," Daily Sabah, 10 August 2020
"Estonia announced the violation of airspace by the Russian Mi-8," LENTA.RU, 10 August 2022
"EU must fulfill refugee deal obligations: Slovenian President Pahor," Daily Sabah, 10 August 2020
"Denmark to help train Ukrainian soldiers in Britain," Ukrinform, 10 August 2022
"IAEA experts assess there is no immediate threat to nuclear safety at Zaporizhzhia NPP," Ukrinform, 10 August 2022
"G7 top diplomats call on Russia to hand over Zaporozhye NPP to Ukraine — statement," TASS, 10 August 2022
IN BRIEF
By Rishma Banerjee
GREECE
Greece exits EU’s surveillance programme after 12 years
On 10 August, the European Commission confirmed that Greece will exit the EU’s surveillance programme after 12 years. In 2010, Greece requested an international bailout to prevent the complete collapse of its economy. From 2010 to 2015, the EU in collaboration with the IMF had given Greece more than EUR 260 billion, instead of significant economic reforms. In 2018, the third bailout agreement came to an end after which Greece entered the enhanced surveillance framework to facilitate the monitoring of the reform process. However, on 02 August, European Commission said that Greece had shown effective reform implementation even under challenging circumstances like the COVID-19 and Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. The letter also mentioned that maintaining enhanced surveillance on Greece would no longer be justified because it had already delivered on most of its policy commitments. (“Greece 'turning a page' as it exits enhanced surveillance programme 12 years after bailout,” Euronews, 10 August 2022)
Boat with migrants capsizes in Greece leaving 29 missing
On 10 August, a coast guard spokesperson in Greece, Nikos Kokkalas, reported that more
then a dozen migrants were missing after the boat carrying them capsized in the Aegean Sea. However, 29 migrants were rescued by the coastguards. The boat sank in the southern Aegean off the Karpathos island, and the rescue mission was carried on amid strong winds. The rescued migrants, belonging to Afghanistan, Iran, and Iraq said that their boat was carrying 60-80 people. They also mentioned that they had set sail from Antalya in Turkey and had the objective of reaching Italy. (“Dozens missing after Greece rescues 29 migrants from capsized boat,” Reuters, 10 August 2022)
KOSOVO
Kosovo’s prime minister issue warning on conflict escalation with Serbia
On 10 August, Kosovo's prime minister Albin Kurti said that Kosovo was prepared to stand against any possible attack by Serbia, amidst worsening bilateral relations between the states. Kurti warned that the conflict might even escalate into an armed one, over the issue of minority Serbs in Kosovo. Tensions between the states flared after Kosovo mandated Serbs backed by Belgrade and living in North Kosovo, to start using Pristina-issued license plates. However, due to pressure from the US and the EU, Kurti was forced to postpone the implementation of the license plate rule until 01 September. Regarding the bilateral relations with Serbia, Kurti said: “We are vigilant, but not afraid… I am not saying they are going to attack us this week or next, but it would be totally irresponsible to exclude...the possibility of rising tensions and new conflicts.” ( "Kosovo PM says tensions with Serbs in north could escalate, warns of possible new conflict," Reuters, 10 August 2022)
REGIONAL
Eurostat reports on the EU’s new residence permits in 2021
On 09 August, Eurostat reported that new residence permits issued in the European Union reached pre-pandemic levels since COVID-19. In 2021, permits issued to non-EU citizens jumped 31 per cent to 2,952,300. Poland recorded the highest number of permits granted at 1.3 million, where employment and education were the main drivers. Poland was followed by Spain, France, Italy, Germany, and the Netherlands and these countries made up about three-quarters of all the permits granted in 2021. Ukrainians sought the most number of residence permits at 30 per cent, followed by citizens of Morocco and Belarus accounting together for 10 per cent. (“New residence permits in EU rose to approach pre-pandemic levels in 2021,” Euractiv, 10 August 2022)
Sweden overtakes France to become the largest net power exporter
On 10 August, energy analyst firm EnAppSys reported that Sweden has overtaken France as Europe's largest electricity exporter in the first part of 2022. While historically France exports more power than it imports, this year, France's issues with its nuclear fleet and high gas prices exaggerated France's net importer status. Sweden’s electricity mostly comes from nuclear, hydro, and biofuels, and increasingly from the wind too. In 2022, it has exported 16 terawatt-hours, primarily to Denmark and Finland, thus making it Europe’s biggest net exporter. ("Sweden tops France as Europe's largest net power exporter," Reuters, 10 August 2022)
CLIMATE CHANGE
Wildfire reignites in France while the UK issues drought warning
On 10 August, around 10,000 people were evacuated from the Gironde region in south-west France, after wildfires, reignited again after July. So far, due to the wildfires, around 40,000 people have been evacuated from the region. The previous blazes in Gironde had destroyed more than 20,000 hectares of pine forests. The French authorities increased the number of firefighters deployed to the region to 1,000 who were supported by water-spraying planes. Moreover, due to the heat, water restrictions have been implemented in almost all 96 of their mainland departments to deal with the ‘historic’ drought in France. On the same issue, to deal with yet another wave of extreme heat and the resultant drought conditions, UK’s meteorological agency issued an amber alert. Thames Water, the largest water supplier in the UK also issued a warning about imminent water restrictions like a hosepipe ban. (“Thousands evacuated as smouldering French wildfire reignites,” The Guardian, 10 August 2022; “UK meteorologists, water firms issue warnings as extreme heatwave looms,” Euractiv, 10 August 2022)