War in Ukraine: Day 290 & 291
By Padmashree Anandhan and Sai Pranav

War on the Ground
On 11 December, General Staff of Ukraine's Armed Forces release a statement taking responsibility for the attacks into Melitopol using five missiles. It said: “Units of rocket troops and artillery at the same time hit seven control points, 10 personnel concentration areas, an artillery concentration area and an enemy ammunition depot.”

On 11 December, it marked one month of withdrawal from Kherson of Russia, the on ground situation remains difficult for the residents as shelling continue. According to Kherson’s administration 96 people have been hospitalized and 41 recorded dead. The internal heating restoration has progressed only to 70 to 80 per cent and of 320,000 people, only 70,000 people are remaining after the withdrawal.

On 11 December, Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in his daily address reported on the restoration of energy facilities in Odessa. The supply of electricity in Odessa was reported to be partially restored but in Kyiv, Lviv, Vinnytsia, Ternopil, Chernivtsi, Zakarpattia, Sumy, and Dnipropetrovsk region still face power shortage. On 10 December, he reported on the aggressive Russian attack in the Bakhmut in the form of missiles, rocket, and airstrikes causing mass destruction.

On 11 December, Ukraine’s strategic weapons and military hardware manufacturer, Ukroboronprom State Concern’s project manager, Oleh Boldyrev, said that Ukraine was developing its drones to surpass Iranian-made shahid kamikaze UAVs. According to Boldyrev, the UAVs will help the Armed Forces to attack the Russian army’s rear. 

On 10 December, Ukraine’s electrical transmission operator, Ukrenergo, reported in a Facebook post that the Ukraine government would receive a EUR 300 million loan from EBRD through the Netherlands government’s grant. The loan along with another government-approved EUR 32.5 million loan would be used for financing the reconstruction of energy infrastructures across Ukraine that were damaged by Russian attacks.   

The Moscow View
Claims by Russia
On 11 December, in an interview Russia’s Presidential Press Secretary Dmitry Peskov said that the Minsk agreement’s other participants’ ignorance was responsible for the special military operation. The failure of implementing the Minsk agreement was termed the precursor to the special military operation. Peskov said: “President [of Russia Vladimir] Putin and other our representatives were constantly stating it. But all this was ignored by other participants of the negotiations process. This all foreran the special military operation.” 

On 11 December, Lenta ru reported on Russian Kursk region, Governor Roman Starovoit comments on the region’s voluntary people’s squad for using the private military company (PMC) Wagner group’s training site. According to Starovoit, the voluntary people’s squad consists of those people who were not selected for the partial mobilization even though they have prior combat experience. The people’s squad operations include patrolling the streets, defending critical infrastructures and extinguishing fires.

On 11 December, TASS reported that Russia’s President Vladimir Putin met with Turkey’s Erdogan in Istanbul to discuss trade, energy and the grain deal. Turkey-Russia bilateral trade saw a growth in trade turnover in 2022. Both leaders discussed joint energy projects and the establishment of a gas hub in Turkey. They also discussed ways to prolong the grain deal to provide food shipments to needy countries.

On 11 December, RT reported that Russia’s Former President and current Russian Security Council Deputy Chairman Dmitry Medvedev commented on Russia’s defence sector is boosting weapons production to hinder the West which is supporting Ukraine. He said that Russia was increasing its defence capabilities due to the West and Ukraine being treated as enemies and Ukraine threatening Russia’s security with drone strikes. The production of arms and ammunition are expected to be increased.

The West View
Responses from the US and Europe 
On 10 December, US President Joe Biden in a call with Zelenskyy highlighted US’s focus to be henceforth on boosting Ukraine’s air force to counter Russia’s unmanned vehicles and assured to hold Russia accountable for war crimes.

On 10 December, the UK Ministry of Defence in its intelligence update reported on the increasing support of Iran to Russia in supply of weapons, ballistic missiles. In return Russia has promised to provide technical and military support to Iran to improve their defence relationship. They also predicted for expansion of Russia’s SS-26 Iskander ballistic missiles and warned over the increased participation of Iran in the war which likely puts Ukraine’s national infrastructure.

On 10 December, the European Council agrees on EUR 18 billion as financial aid to Ukraine for 2023, despite Hungary’s objection to the package. The package was adopted through the written procedure and will be submitted to the European Parliament for further approval. The package consists of a structural solution for Ukraine’s financial aid in 2023. The EUR 18 billion loan will have a ten-year grace period. The EU plans to provide immediate short-term relief to Ukraine’s budget and finance its needs with the package. The package also aims to help Ukraine with the reconstruction of infrastructure and recovery from the war. 

On 10 December, Germany’s Embassy in Kyiv announced in a Telegram post that its Federal Technical Assistance Agency (THW) provided Ukraine with 470 electric generators worth EUR 19.5 million. According to the Embassy, part of the generators will be sent directly to Ukrenergo and the rest to Odesa, Nikolaev and Kherson regions. Germany’s Foreign Affairs funded the humanitarian assistance to Ukraine. On 10 December, the European Commission reported in a tweet that it has sent 40 generators to Ukraine from its rescEU reserves. The 220 kVA generators will provide power to Ukraine through winter after Russia attacked its critical energy infrastructure. 

On 10 December, Lithuania’s President Gitanas Nauseda tweeted that Belarus’ offer to help with grain transportation via its territory to Lithuania is an excuse to escape sanctions. He cautioned Belarus’ move to be a trap and said that Ukrainian grain travelling through Poland to reach the Baltic states was sufficient. 

The Global Fallouts
Implications of the Ukraine war
On 10 December, AZERTAC reported that Azerbaijan provided humanitarian aid to Ukraine to help it through the winter. Four trucks with 45 transformers and 50 units of generators worth AZN one million 422 thousand were sent to Ukraine to help restore stable electricity supply in the territories that were damaged.

On 10 December, Australia’s government-imposed sanctions on seven Russian individuals for violating human rights. The individuals that are involved in an attempted assassination of Putin’s former opposition leader Alexei Navalny are included in the sanctions, Australia financially sanctioned three individuals who are responsible for supplying shahid drones to Russia that destroyed Ukraine’s critical energy infrastructure. The Australian government urged Russia to end the meaningless war in Ukraine.

References
“We are doing everything so that the aggressor state does not have a single string of Ukrainian society to pull - address of the President,” president.gov.ua, 11 December 2022
“Wagner Group’s headquarters blown up in occupied Kadiivka – Haidai,” Ukrinform, 11 December 2022
“Ukraine Actively Developing Domestic Drones,” Kyiv Post, 11 December 2022
NPC Ukrenergo, “Soon Ukrenergo will be able to purchase some of the critically needed equipment to restore network infrastructure damaged by the Russians.,” Facebook, 10 December 2022
“Peskov called the failure to comply with the Minsk agreements a forerunner of a special operation,” Lenta.ru, 11 December 2022
“Kremlin says failure to implement Minsk-2 foreran special military operation,” TASS, 11 December 2022
“In the Kursk region, they announced the training of people's squads at the sites of PMC "Wagner",” Lenta.ru, 11 December 2022
“Russia increasing production of advanced weaponry – Medvedev,” RT, 11 December 2022
“Putin, Erdogan discuss gas hub project, grain deal, situation in Syria,” TASS, 11 December 2022
“Council adopts €18 billion assistance to Ukraine,” consilium.europa.eu, 10 December 2022
Gitanas Nauseda, “An offer by Belarus to transport Ukrainian grain through its territory to Lithuania is just another attempt to escape sanctions.,” Twitter, 10 December 2022
“Treasury Sanctions Over 40 Individuals and Entities Across Nine Countries Connected to Corruption and Human Rights Abuse,” home.treasury.gov, 09 December 2022
Embassy of Germany in Kyiv, “The Federal Agency for Technical Assistance (THW) provides Ukraine with 470 power generators of various power classes with a total cost of 19.5 million euros.,” Facebook, 10 December 2022
European Commission, “Winter in Ukraine will be cold and dark, as Russia’s missiles continue to target vital energy infrastructure.,” Twitter, 10 December 2022
“Azerbaijan sends humanitarian aid to Ukraine, consisting of basic electrical equipment,” azertag.az, 10 December 2022
“Targeted sanctions in response to Iranian and Russian human rights violations and invasion of Ukraine,” foreignminister.gov.au, 10 December 2022
“Ukraine updates: Kherson marks 1 month since liberation,” Deutsche Welle, 12 December 2022
“Russia-Ukraine war at a glance: what we know on day 291 of the invasion,” The Guardian, 11 December 2022

IN BRIEF
By Madhura S Mahesh

THE UK 
Jeremy Hunt introduced Edinburgh Reform to deal with post-Brexit consequences
On 09 December, Chancellor of the Exchequer Jeremy Hunt announced the “Edinburgh Reform a new set of financial regulations which looks to deal with the consequences of Brexit on financial services. The Reforms looks to make the UK “the world’s most innovative and competitive global financial centre.” The new reforms are based on “agility, consistently high regulatory standards, and openness.” According to Hunt, the reforms will help the UK set up a financial services regulation to bolster competitive and stable financial services. Hunt added that this was possible due to “Brexit freedoms" or the “UK’s position outside the EU.” There are more than 30 proposed reforms some of which include, reforming the Ring-Fencing Regime for Banks, lifting caps on bankers’ bonuses, introducing a plan for repealing and reforming EU law using powers within the FSM Bill and building a smarter regulatory framework for the UK, and reformation of the Securitization Regulation. (Alasdair Sandford  “UK to ease financial rules in post-Brexit shake-up to boost global clout,” Euronews, 12 December 2022 and “Financial Services: The Edinburgh Reforms,” gov.uk, 09 December 2022)  
 
ITALY
Two rescue ships carrying over 500 migrants dock at Italian ports
On 11 December, the Italian authorities allowed two rescue ships carrying over 500 migrants to dock in the ports of Salerno and Bari. The Geo Barents Ship with 248 migrants docked in Salerno and the Humanity 1 with 261 migrants docked in Bari. The two ships were reportedly allowed to dock due to bad weather conditions to mitigate risks to those on board. This comes as Italy is looking to introduce new regulations regarding the entry of rescue ships and rescued migrants. (“509 Migrants Arrive in Italy as Rescue Ships Dock,” VOA, 11 December 2022) 
 
FRANCE
Eric Ciotti elected as the new leader of the Les Republicains party 
On 11 December, Eric Ciotti was elected as the new leader of the Les Republicains (LR) party scoring a majority of 53.7 per cent of the votes. His opponent Brumo Retailleau scored 46.3 per cent of the total votes. Eric Ciotti is a right-wing politician who looks to “rehabilitate the value of work, fight against violence and disorder in the streets, stop the migratory invasion and the rise of Islamism." ( “French conservative party chooses right-wing Ciotti as leader,” France 24, 11 December 2022)
 
ROMANIA
Romania defuses mine explosion nearing Black Sea shore
On 10 December, the Romanian Defense Ministry said that the country’s navy executed a “controlled” explosion of a naval mine that had “drifted” close to Romania’s Black Sea shore. The Ministry added that the navy was notified by a Turkish cargo ship 2.5 nautical miles north of the Romanian Black Sea port of Constanta. This comes as mines began floating in the Black Sea after the Russian invasion of Ukraine in February. Romanian, Bulgarian and Turkish military diving teams have continued to defuse mines drifting in their waters. Since the war, Turkey, Romania, Bulgaria and Ukraine have destructed nearly 40 mines in the western waters of the Black Sea. (“Romania defuses mine drifting close to its Black Sea shore,” AlArabiya News, 10 December 2022)
 
REGIONAL 
EULEX and Kosovan Police were attacked by Kosovo Serbs
On 11 December, Kovovan Serbs launched a blockade in a protest opposing the arrest of a former Kosovan Serb who was part of the police force. The blockade in northern Kosovo led to the forceful closure of two border crossings between Koso and Serbia. The Kosovan Police later reported that the Kosovan Serbs had opened fire against the police units from various locations. The Kosovo Serbs reportedly also attacked the European Union Rule of Law Mission in Kosovo (EULEX) with a stun grenade. Both these attacks drew criticism from the EU and NATO with the EU Foreign Policy Chief condemning the incident saying: "This attack, as well as the attacks on Kosovo Police officers, are unacceptable." EU Chief Diplomat Joseph Borrell also condemned the incident saying, "EU will not tolerate attacks on EULEX Kosovo or use of violent, criminal acts in the north," and called for peace to be restored. NATO Spokesperson Oana Lungescu called the attacks unacceptable and tweeted: "Any such attacks are unacceptable and those responsible must be held to account." Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic said that he would be requesting the NATO peacekeeping mission in Kosovo to allow the deployment of Serbian troops and police in Kosovo, but acknowledged that it might not be granted. (“Serbia’s Vucic says will ask NATO permission to deploy troops in Kosovo as tensions flare,” France 24, 11 December 2022 and Beyza Binnur Donmez “Borrell warns against attacks on EU mission in Kosovo,” Anadolu Agency, 11 December 2022)
 
Tayfun missile tests creates fear amongst the Greece claims Erdogan
On 11 December, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan claimed that Turkey producing their own missiles “frightens the Greeks” and added that “When you say ‘Tayfun’ (Typhoon), the Greek is scared. He said that if Greece continues to arm the Aegean Islands, Turkey will “not be a bystander.” The Tayfun missile is a short-range missile produced by Turkey which can hit targets 561 kilometres away in 456 seconds. Turkey test-fired this missile in October over the Black Sea. (Diyar Guldogan “Türkiye's ballistic missile test 'scares' Greece: President,” Anadolu Agency, 11 December 2022)
 
Erdogan insists Putin supports Turkey’s plans for Syria
On 11 December, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Russian President Vladimir Putin in a call discussed Turkey-Russia relations in terms of energy, grain corridor and regional affairs. Of which Turkey’s “ambitions” in Syria was in focus where Erdogan asked Putin to support his 30-kilometre security corridor. The corridor that will be built along the Turkey-Syriya border inhabited and controlled by Kurds. Erdogan is said to have asked for this request based on a 2019 agreement between Turkey and Russia which allows the two to set up a zone that would fall under Syrian and Russian Control. This comes as Turkey is ramping up its fight against Kurdish militant groups in Syria. (“Erdogan and Putin discuss grain corridor, gas deal and Syria,” Deutsche Welle, 11 December 2022)
 
INTERNATIONAL
US permits the sale of 116 Ex-M1A1SA Abrams main battle tanks to Poland
On 11 December, the Defence Security Cooperation Agency said that Poland had requested a package of 116 M1A1SA Abrams main battle tanks (MBTs) from the US stocks for nearly USD 3.75 billion. The package is said to have 116 M1A1 MBTs, 12 M88A2 armoured recovery vehicles, 26 M1152A1 HMMWVs and other heavy machine equipment from the country. The order also included 51,751 rounds of training ammunition and allows nearly 500 crews under training and armour tanks to be “fully replenished” more than 50 times. On 06 December, Polish Defence Minister Mariusz Blaszczak said that the US State Department had approved the sale of the 116 M1A1SA Abrams MBTs and indicated that the first M1A1SA Abrams are scheduled to be delivered to the country in 2023. This delivery will leave Poland to operate a total of 366 M1 Abrams from the US and South Korea, along with the domestically developed equipment that would cover a large and varied tank fleet. (“US Approves Sale of 116 Ex-US M1A1SA Abrams MBTs for Poland,” Estonian Free Press, 11 December 2022)