Photo : president.gov.ua
04 May 2023, Thursday | NIAS Europe Daily Brief #504
War in Ukraine Day, 434:
Nordic-Ukrainian Summit focuses on security and reconstruction
By Rishika Yadav
War on the Ground
On 03 May, Ukraine’s Parliament Commissioner for Human Rights Dmytro Lubinets reported on Russian shelling in the Kherson region resulting in the death of 17 people and 26 injured civilians. Lubinets accused Russia of deliberately targeting residential buildings, shops, and public transport stops with precision missile strikes, which he deemed terrorism against civilians. On the same Ukraine’s head of the Kherson City Military Administration, Roman Mrochko, expressed his condolences for the victims and their families, calling the aggressors "racists-inhumans."
On 03 May, Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy clarified that Ukraine is defending its independence and territorial integrity, not attacking Russia or President Putin. The statement came during a press conference from the Presidential Office of Ukraine, following the Nordic-Ukrainian Summit in Helsinki, where he further added that Ukraine's army uses weapons only on the battlefield. Zelenskyy said: “Putin is making accusations to justify his continued aggression in Ukraine, as Russia has no victories on the battlefield and also Russia could solve the situation by withdrawing its troops from Ukrainian territory.”
The Moscow View
Claims by Russia
On 03 May, Kremlin.ru reported on the statement of Russia’s President, Vladimir Putin. According to Putin, the Kyiv regime attempted to strike the Kremlin with two unmanned aerial vehicles, but the Russian military and special services used radar warfare systems to put them out of action. No one was injured, and there was no material damage. The Russian side considers this a planned terrorist act and an attempt on the President's life, and reserves the right to take retaliatory measures.
On 04 May, the RT reported on the statement made by Moscow's mayor, Sergey Sobyanin, on the ban of unauthorized drone use in the city following a failed Ukrainian drone attack on the Kremlin residence of Russian President Vladimir Putin. Kiev has employed drones to attack Russian civilian and military infrastructure for over a year and the ban, effective immediately, allows exceptions for approved drone use. Sobyanin said: “the measure aims to prevent unauthorized use of drones, which may disrupt law enforcement, and violators may face legal consequences.” The Kremlin press service reported that Putin was unharmed and that the drones were neutralized by electronic warfare measures.
On 02 May, the RT reported on a published interview by a top adviser to Zelenskyy, admitting that Ukraine had modified its long-inactive Western weapons received from its backers, after reports surfaced that all 20 self-propelled howitzers sent by Italy turned out to be defective. He attempted to downplay the issue, stating that the guns required an operational upgrade and that it's common for Ukrainian technicians to modify weapons. This follows similar reports of difficulties faced by German-made howitzers and a faulty air-defense system supplied by a European nation.
On 02 May, the East Lothian Courier reported that Russia's defense minister, Sergei Shoigu, has called for doubling of missile production as the threat of a possible Ukrainian counter-offensive looms. Both sides are experiencing ammunition shortages, with Russia possibly running low on high-precision ammunition. Also, the UK's Ministry of Defense attributed Russia's struggles to logistics problems and lack of munitions. The White House estimates that Russia has suffered 100,000 casualties, including 20,000 deaths, since December, as Ukraine repelled Russian forces. However, Russian forces launched attacks on 02 May, causing civilian casualties and infrastructure damage, thereby Ukraine is stockpiling ammunition along potential supply lines for its own counter-offensive. To be noted, Ukraine is firing up to 7,000 artillery shells per day, one-third of the amount used by Russia. Nonetheless, Denmark has pledged GBP 201 million in aid to Ukraine, including munitions, mine clearance vehicles, field bridges, and air defense assets.
The West View
Responses from the US and Europe
On 03 May, according to the statement published by Government Offices of Sweden by Sweden’s Prime Minister, Ulf Kristersson, after the joint Nordic-Ukrainian Summit with leaders from Finland, Denmark, Iceland, Norway, Sweden and Ukraine issued a joint statement condemning Russia's ongoing war of aggression against Ukraine. The leaders called for the immediate, complete, and unconditional withdrawal of Russian military forces from Ukraine's territory within its internationally recognized borders. They are also committed to participating in Ukraine's recovery and reconstruction after the war, as well as its integration into the Euro-Atlantic countries. The leaders emphasized the need for accountability for war crimes and atrocity crimes committed in connection with Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine and called for increased collective pressure on Russia through further sanctions to weaken its ability to continue the illegal war. They also agreed to work together with others to develop mechanisms to provide compensation for losses, injuries, and damages caused by the Russian aggression, including through the use of frozen and immobilized Russian assets.
On 03 May, the US Secretary of State, Antony Blinken made an announcement to provide Ukraine with a new military aid package worth USD 300 million, including Hydra-70 rockets taken from excess US stocks, funded through the Presidential Drawdown Authority. This marks the 37th US-approved security assistance package since Russia's invasion in February 2022, totalling USD 35.7 billion, it also reaffirmed the US's commitment to standing with Ukraine. The package includes munitions, anti-tank weapons, HIMARS, demolition equipment, and trucks, to support Kyiv's upcoming spring offensive against Russian ground positions.
On 03 May, following the move by the US that it will send USD 300 million in military aid to Ukraine, the EU has unveiled plans to increase large-scale ammunition production, called the Act in Support of Ammunition Production (ASAP), with a budget of at least one billion euros, to replenish depleted stocks in member states and provide Ukraine with much-needed ammunition. The EU's internal market commissioner, Thierry Breton, stressed the urgency of delivering what Ukraine needs immediately. The initiative aims to improve the EU's geopolitical credentials and secure peace on the continent, marking a shift away from a longstanding lack of military stockpiles and limited production capacity. NATO allies and partner countries have also delivered combat vehicles, tanks, and vast amounts of ammunition, along with training and equipping new Ukrainian brigades.
On 03 May, Sky News and BBC News reported on a new lead in the investigation into the Nord Stream gas pipeline explosions in September 2022, that points to Russia's involvement. An investigative documentary by Denmark, Norway, Sweden, and Finland broadcasters reveals that Russian navy vessels, including the research vessel Sibiryakov, were present near the explosion site before the blasts occurred. The ships had their transmitters turned off, but their movements were tracked through intercepted radio communications sent to Russian naval bases. The Sibiryakov, with its crew and underwater equipment, is suspected of having placed charges on the pipelines to cause the explosions. The documentary does not provide conclusive evidence, but raises questions about the suspicious ship movements. Russia has denied involvement, and called for the investigation to be speeded up and results to be published. Denmark's armed forces have confirmed taking 26 photos of a Russian vessel near the explosion site just four days before the blasts. Sweden, Denmark, and Germany are still continuing the investigation to inquire into the destruction.
References
“Shelling in Kherson region left 17 dead, 45 injured,” Ukrinform, 03 May 2023
“Volodymyr Zelenskyy: We are attacking neither Putin nor Moscow – we are defending our villages and cities,” president.gov.ua, 03 May 2023
“Message from the press service of the President,” kremlin.eu, 03 May 2023
“Moscow bans use of drones,” RT News, 03 May 2023
“Kiev admits to issues with Western weapons,” RT News, 03 May 2023
“Russian defence chief calls for wartime missile output to be doubled,” East Lothian Courier, 02 May 2023
“Joint statement of the Nordic-Ukrainian Summit in Helsinki,” government.se, 03 May 2023
Nandita Bose and Steve Holland, “US military aid for Ukraine includes air-launched rockets,” Reuters, 04 May 2023
Raf Casert, “EU wants to ramp up ammunition production to help Ukraine,” abc news, 03 May 2023
Lucia Binding, “Russian 'ghost ships' with underwater capabilities circled Nord Stream explosion site, documentary claims,” Sky News, 03 may 2023; Gordon Corera, “Nord Stream: Report puts Russian navy ships near pipeline blast site,” BBC News, 03 May 2023
Europe in Brief
By Nityashree RB
ITALY
Police across Europe carry out raids against the ‘Ndrangheta mafia
On 03 May, as a part of Operation Eureka, 10 countries carried out raids against the Italian mafia, ‘Ndrangheta. This raid is said to be one of the largest against the drug mafia. According to BBC 25 million euros were seized. In Italy, 108 suspects were arrested, and thousands of tonnes of cocaine, heroin, and hashish were seized where 1000 officers were deployed. In Belgium, 13 arrests took place, and money laundering fronts were exposed. In Germany, 24 arrests took place. Belgian investigators were invited to San Luca, Calabria by some of the suspects who had helped them to infiltrate the most powerful mafia in the country. According to Europol, as a part of Operation Eureka, three-year long investigations in Italy, Germany, Belgium, Portugal, Spain, Slovenia, Romania, Brazil, and Panama provided basic information on the operations of the mafia even during the COVID-19, said Europol. Sophisticated message decryption systems were used to understand the coded messages of the ‘Ndrangheta. According to an Italian prosecutor, Giovanni Melillo, drugs from South America were docked at European ports such as Antwerp, Rotterdam, Gioia Tauro, and dispensed across Europe. They worked with Chines criminals to launder money. (Sofia Bettiza, “Italy’s ‘Ndrangheta targeted in police raids across Europe,” BBC, 03 May 2023)
REGIONAL
EU plans to expand the provision of its criminal laws to counter corruption
On 03 May, the EU proposed a directive to upgrade its criminal laws against corruption to mitigate bribery, abuse of office, and illicit enrichment. The directive aims to bring about a consensus across the bloc to control cross-border crimes. It aims for the member countries to establish a common definition of corruption crimes and for the establishment of an anti-corruption agency. It requires mutual cooperation with the EU anti-corruption network. The law will be applicable to public institutions and private entities. Not all forms of corruption are criminalised across the bloc. The prison sentences vary for different forms of corruption across the bloc. In the future, the EU also has plans to sanction foreign nationals under corruption charges. (Jennifer Rankin, “EU aims to harmonise criminal laws across bloc to fight corruption,” The Guardian, 03 May 2023)
Switzerland aims to join the PESCO’s military projects
On 03 May, Euractiv in an interview with a Switzerland’s Defence Ministry spokesperson reported on Switzerland’s plan to join the defence projects of the EU’s Permanent Structure Cooperation (PESCO). According to the spokesperson, Switzerland aims to participate in a few military projects such as military mobility and cyber defence projects. One such being the Military Mobility project, which aims to remove red tape and to build a network between the members for ease of movement of troops and equipment. Similarly, inAugust 2022, a Swiss media outlet ‘Blick’ expressed Switzerland’s wish to join PESCO’s cyber defence project. Switzerland aims to cooperate with the other/neighbouring EU member states to thwart cyber-attacks from a highly volatile and lethal cyberspace. The collaboration is expected to be ‘ad hoc’ in nature while ensuring its neutrality. (Aurelie Puugnet, “Switzerland considers joining EU’s military mobility, cyber defence projects,” Euractiv, 03 May 2023)
INTERNATIONAL
Finnish exports to Russia decrease; EU’s exports to Central Asia increases
On 03 May, the Helsinki Times said that owing to the Russo-Ukrainian war, Finnish exports to Russia have decreased than the exports from the EU to Russia. According to Eurostat, there is a 38 per cent decrease in the exports of the EU to Russia compared to 2022 EUR 34 billion. For the period of January to February 2023, there was a 50 per cent decrease compared to last year. Exports to the Central Asian countries such as Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Georgia, Armenia and Uzbekistan have increased 88 per cent compared to the last year. From January to February 2023, there was a 98 per cent increase. The Statistics Director, Olli-Pekka Penttila said that while the exports from Slovenia and Latvia increased Finnish exports to Russia have significantly decreased. Finnish exports to Russia from January to February 2023, have decreased by 78 per cent while the exports to Central Asian countries increased by 260 per cent. This is due to the increase in customs clearances which offers wide opportunities for Finland. (“Finnish exports to Russia drop by 78 per cent, while EU trade with Central Asia grow,” Helsinki Times, 03 May 2023)
US and Finnish officials discuss on military cooperation
On 02 May, Helsinki Times reported on a bilateral Defence Cooperation Agreement (DCA) deal signed between the US Deputy Director General, Mikael Antell and Finland official. The agreement will provide Finland with a deterrent factor by stationing US defence troops and equipment. He said: “The DCA will enable the entry and stay of troops, the advance storage of material, and possible infrastructure investments through funds granted to Pentagon by the US Congress.” The DCA will establish cooperation in a short notice in case of any security situation. (Aleksi Teivainen, “HS: Finnish and US officials discussing defence deal that’s enable US to freely use Finnish soil,” Helsinki Times, 02 May 2023)