Photo : Kai Pfaffenbach/ Reuters
17 April 2023, Monday | NIAS Europe Daily Brief #489
War in Ukraine, Day 416 & 417:
Bakhmut: Russia claims to control of two more areas
By Padmashree Anandhan
War on the Ground
On 15 April, in his address, Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, accused Russia of targeting residential buildings in Sloviansk. According to the report, 11 were killed and 20 were injured, and Russian forces have been observed in both Sloviansk and Kramatorsk.
On 15 April, during the fight in Bakhmut, the UK Defence Intelligence observed that Ukraine was forced to withdraw due to the “renewed assault.” Russia also accused Ukraine for destroying infrastructure during its withdrawal to slow Russia’s forces. While the Ukraine forces denied the Wagner Group claims of capturing 80 per cent of the city.
The Moscow View
Claims by Russia
On 15 April, Russia’s Defence Ministry reported on the Wagner Group’s progress in capturing two more areas in Bakhmut. It said: “Wagner assault units have successfully advanced, capturing two districts on the northern and southern outskirts of the city.”
On 16 April, Russia’s President Vladimir Putin, in a meeting, asked the Russian billionaires and the elite to make more investments in new technology, production and enterprises. The statement comes as Russia faces “sanction war.” Since many Western firms have been observed to be exiting from Russia, adding pressure on it, Putin thanked those who have stayed till now to sustain its economy.
The West View
Responses from the US and Europe
On 15 April, Deutsche Welle reported on Finland’s construction of a fence in its southeast border. One of the border guard estimated that close to three kilometres of fence and called it a “significant part of border control.”
On 15 April, Poland’s ruling party Head, Jaroslaw Kaczynski announced the ban to import Ukraine grain. The move comes to protect the farmer, as part of the grain supply was accumulating in Eastern Europe resulting in the drop in prices. He said: “Today the government decided on a regulation to ban the entry, imports of grain into Poland, as well as of dozens of other kinds of food.”
On 16 April, Sweden's government released a statement on its deal with the UK to sell 14 of its Archer mobile cannon system. On the same, the UK said, the purchase would help replace its 32 AS90 artillery systems. The system developed by Sweden, would be a fully automated howitzer with a provision for guns that can be operated from distance.
On 16 April, Germany’s Chancellor Olaf Scholz announced further arms support to Ukraine. He said that it was necessary to send the ammunition at right time. After the announcement, Olaf added that it would further discuss with the European Council to improve the support.
The Global Fallouts
Implication of the War
On 16 April, the UN’s investigative body reported that Russia had committed “wilful killings, torture and deportation of children.” According to the investigators, there was no proof of genocide, but some aspects had indicated relating to that crime. The report published by the UN body was carried out with the help of 500 interviews, satellite images and site visit. The ICC aims to arrest the responsible Russians for deporting the children by force and damaging civilian infrastructure. In the report: “Russian authorities have committed numerous violations of international humanitarian law and violations of international human rights law, in addition to a wide range of war crimes.”
References
“Ukraine updates: Russia committed 'wide range' of war crimes,” Deutsche Welle, 16 April 2023
“Latest Defence Intelligence update on the situation in Ukraine - 15 April 2023.,” UKMOD/Twitter, 15 April 2023
“Russia says Wagner 'successfully advanced' in outskirts of Bakhmut,” en.royanews.tv, 15 April 2023
“Ukraine updates: Zelenskyy condemns deadly Sloviansk strike,” Deutsche Welle, 16 April 2023
“Finland unveils first section of Russian border fence,” The Straits Times, 15 April 2023
“Poland, Hungary ban Ukraine grain to protect local farms,” EURACTIV, 16 April 2023
“UN report accuses Russia of war crimes in Ukraine: Torture, sexual violence, and murder revealed,” euromaidanpress, 14 April 2023