Photo : president.gov.ua
02 June 2023, Friday | NIAS Europe Daily Brief #532
War in Ukraine: Day 463
By Rishika Yadav and Melvin George
War on the Ground
On 01 June, the Ukrainian Air Force reported on Telegram that Russia launched a series of attacks on Kyiv, Ukraine's capital. Ten Iskander missiles, consisting of seven ballistic and three cruise missiles, were launched from the north but were successfully destroyed by Ukrainian air defence forces. The attack resulted in the tragic loss of three lives, including an 11-year-old child.
On 01 June, on the air of the national telethon "United News," the Ukrainian Air Force spokesperson Yuriy Ihnat, said: "Today, the enemy used superfast Iskander missiles to strike unexpectedly." Ihnat highlighted the speed of Iskander missiles, emphasizing the limited time for seeking shelter. He emphasized that Russia aims to catch Ukraine off guard, making it difficult for the air defence system to respond. Despite the attacks, Ukrainian air defence forces successfully intercepted all ten missiles, preventing further casualties.
On 01 June, according to Ukrainian Air Force spokesperson Yurii Ihnat, Ukraine could not initiate strikes on Russia's Iskander ballistic missile systems due to its international commitments. He stated that Ukraine has pledged not to attack targets within Russia with the provided weapons. However, if missiles are launched from the occupied territories, Ukraine will use all available means to counter them. Ihnat also noted that Russia's shortage of Iskander missiles limited the scale of the recent attack on Kyiv.
On 01 June, during a working meeting chaired by Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in the Odesa region, the Ukrainian Minister for Communities, Territories and Infrastructure Development, Oleksandr Kubrakov, reported through Facebook that the Russian blockade of Ukraine's largest Black Sea port, Pivdennyi, is causing food shortages in at least ten countries. Efforts are underway to increase the capacity of the Danube Port Cluster and develop alternative logistics routes for Ukrainian agricultural exports. Discussions also focused on port security, civilian navigation in the Black Sea, and the development of the Danube port cluster. The agreement for safe agricultural transportation through the Black Sea has been extended, but Russia has blocked Pivdennyi port operations for almost a month.
On 01 June, Ukrinform reported that explosions were heard in Kharkiv as Russian forces launched an attack using the S-300 anti-aircraft missile system. Officials urged residents to seek shelter, and initial reports indicated strikes in the Industrialnyi district. Two strikes were confirmed; emergency services responded, and an industrial facility was damaged.
On 01 June, during a summit in Chisinau, Zelenskyy urged a clear invitation for Ukraine to join NATO at the upcoming Vilnius summit in July. He emphasized the need for security guarantees on the path to membership and a positive decision regarding Ukraine's EU membership. Zelenskyy highlighted the importance of making decisive and positive decisions for Ukraine, emphasizing that such decisions would benefit everyone involved.
The Moscow View
Claims by Russia
On 01 June, RT News reported that the UN envoy from Russia, Stephane Dujarric, said that Russia would restrict the passage of grain ships to Yuzhny port until Ukraine reopens the Togliatti-Odessa ammonia pipeline. The implementation of the Black Sea Initiative slowed in May, leaving only thirty-three ships from Ukrainian ports, which is two times less than in April. The Ukrainian Ministry of Renovation and Infrastructure blamed Russia for "another unjustified refusal." Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Vershinin said the UN had not addressed any of the five issues that Moscow has identified with the deal, which includes the Togliatti-Odessa pipeline. He said: "Our position remains unchanged – the export of ammonia is part of the existing agreements and was supposed to start simultaneously with the transportation of Ukrainian grain." He added that there is no point in discussing the extension of the deal beyond 17 July without addressing the five issues.
On 01 June, Sputnik Globe reported that Russian armed forces, border guard and Federal Security Service had thwarted three invasion attempts near the Shebekino town by Ukrainian forces. The Ukrainian forces attacked Shebekino town with artillery strikes before the attack that injured civilians and damaged residential buildings. There were two Ukrainian infantry companies supported by tanks which carried out the attack. Moscow said Russia's Western Military District had conducted 11 strikes on the enemy targets. Ukrainian forces lost nearly 30 terrorists, four armored fighting vehicles, Grad MLRS combat vehicle, and one pickup truck.
On 01 June, Russia's Security Council, Deputy Chairman, Dimitri Medvedev, stated that attacks were not military operations and did not fit in with any rules of warfare. He called the actions of the Ukrainian regime as terrorism. He added that the way to counter terrorists is to destroy them. He said: "To cause damage to the civilian population and only that, because those means of destruction, those drones that were used, cannot damage either military facilities or public administration buildings."
The West View
Responses from the US and Europe
On 01 June, during a meeting in Moldova, Romanian President Klaus Iohannis and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy discussed the need to increase sanctions on Russia, hold the aggressor accountable, and support Ukraine's path to EU and NATO membership. They signed a joint declaration expressing solidarity and emphasizing Romania's assistance in countering the Russian invasion. The leaders also discussed bilateral cooperation in trade, logistics, and humanitarian areas.
On 01 June, during the European Political Community Summit in Moldova, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy met with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. They discussed the implementation of the Ukrainian Peace Formula, securing global support for Ukraine's peace initiative, obtaining security guarantees before NATO membership, and lifting export restrictions on Ukrainian agricultural products.
The Global Fallouts
Implications of the War
On 01 June, Swissinfo reported that Taiwan donated USD 5 million for the reconstruction project of Ukraine led by Lithuania. Central Project Management Agency said that this contribution would be used to purchase the educational equipment for the school in Borodyanka and a kindergarten in Irpin. Taiwanese Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Roy Chun Lee said: "Taiwan sees Ukraine as our own image in a different continent … If one day Taiwan is facing an increased level of military intimidation from China, we will be looking for your assistance as well, just as we are helping Ukraine."
References
"10 missiles destroyed," Telegram, 01 June 2023
"Russian troops try to strike Kyiv unexpectedly from short distance with superfast Iskander missiles - Air Force spox," Ukrinform, 01 June 2023
"Ukraine will not hit Iskander systems in Russia- Air Force spx," Ukrinform, 01 June 2023
"Ukrainian ports and the Grain Initiative are the focus of the working trip of the President of Ukraine to Odesa," Facebook, 01 June 2023
"Russians hit Kharkiv city, region withS-300 missiles," Ukrinform, 01 June 2023
"Zelensky expects Ukraine to be invited to NATO at Vilnius summit," Ukrinform, 01 June 2023
"Black Sea grain deal hits obstacle – UN," RTNews, 01 June 2023
"Russia Foils Ukrainian Attack on Belgorod Region, Over 30 Terrorists Killed - MoD," Sputnik Globe, 01 June 2023
"Ukrainian regime behaves like terrorists, and terrorists must be done away with — Medvedev," TASS, 01 June 2023
"President of Ukraine met with the President of Romania," president.gov.ua, 01 June 2023
"Security guarantees and grain export: Zelensky meets with European Commission President," Ukrinform, 01 June 2023
"Taiwan donates $5 million towards rebuilding Ukraine with Lithuania," Swissinfo, 01 June 2023
IN BRIEF
By Sreeja JS and Nithyashree RB
FINLAND
New Conservation law introduced
On 31 May, the Finnish government announced the implementation of the Nature Conservation Law. The law came into effect on 01 June 2023. The law aims at biodiversity conservation, protection of natural beauty and landscapes, climate change adaptation, sustainable consumption and enhancing awareness. The law protects endangered habitat types. The law also bans ore prospecting in national parks and reserves. National biodiversity strategy and action plans will be established. The law suggests voluntary ecological compensation as a tool to offset the anthropogenic damages to biodiversity. ("New nature conservation law comes into effect on 01 June," Helsinki Times, 31 May 2023)
IRELAND
US naval ship Virginia Ann leaves Irish waters
On 01 June, the US naval ship Virginia Ann left Cork after resupplying and headed west. The ship was in Irish waters for four months with its Automatic Identification System turned off, travelling back and forth from Co Cork to the southern tip of the UK. The ship is classified as an offshore supply ship capable of advanced subsurface operations. According to The Irish Times, the ship was involved in "manned diving operations and subsea cable surveys" and the upgradation of the Sound Surveillance System that detects Russian submarines. (Connor Gallagher, "US naval ship activities in Irish waters cause concern for Defence Force officials," The Irish Times, 02 June 2023)
KOSOVO
Diplomatic pressure mounts; Germany and France call for new elections
On 01 June, the US, France, and Germany increased diplomatic pressure on Pristina and Belgrade to resolve the dispute in northern Kosovo. Speaking at the European Political Community summit in Moldova, French President Immanuel Macron said that he and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz urged the Kosovan and Serbian leaders to organize new elections quickly. The US called Kosovo and Serbia to take "immediate steps" to defuse the situation and warned that the crisis hinders Euro-Atlantic integration. Meanwhile, Prime Minister said that he would not back down from appointing ethnic Albanian mayors in the Serb majority areas of Northern Kosovo. ("Kosovo crisis: France, Germany call for new elections," Deutsche Welle, 01 June 2023)
UKRAINE
Zelenskyy stresses Ukraine's NATO bid at Moldova Summit
On 01 June, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy arrived at Mimi Castle to attend the second European Political Community in southern Moldova. He said: "Our future is in the EU. Ukraine is ready to join NATO," reiterating Ukraine's desire to join NATO. His push comes as NATO foreign ministers are meeting in Oslo to discuss the agenda for the official summit in July 2023. The former deputy Secretary General of NATO said that NATO is likely to continue to provide military aid to Ukraine and strengthen its longer-range capabilities, and it will not go beyond that. He also renewed his appeal for fighter jets in the summit as the US had given permission to its allies to supply F-16 jets to Ukraine, and the highly acclaimed "jet coalition" by the UK and Netherlands made headlines last week. ("Zelenskyy presses Ukraine NATO bid at Moldova summit," Deutsche Welle, 01 June 2023)
REGIONAL
We make sure that Ukraine wins the war: NATO Secretary General
On 01 June, the NATO foreign ministers took part in the second day of the informal meeting in Oslo. The meeting focused on support for Ukraine and defence spending. NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said: "The most important thing for NATO and Ukraine is to assure that they win this war and we are providing an unprecedented level of support." He added that NATO would ensure Russian President Vladimir Putin would not be aggressive against Ukraine again. The foreign ministers also discussed Sweden and Ukraine's accession to NATO. ("NATO working to ensure 'Putin does not do this again'," Deutsche Welle, 01 June 2023)
European Council approves accession to Istanbul Convention
On 01 June, the European Council approved the accession to Convention on Preventing and combatting violence against Women and domestic violence (Istanbul Convention). Under the convention, a legal framework comprising data collection and criminalizing of various forms of violence, awareness initiatives and support services will be offered. The convention enhances the EU's aims of establishing equality. ("Combatting violence against women: Council adopts decision about EU's accession to Istanbul Convention," consillium.europa, 01 June 2023)
INTERNATIONAL
Hungary: First EU state to move its embassy to Jerusalem
On 31 May, Israelian Foreign Minister Eli Cohen, during his visit to Budapest, announced that Hungary would be the first EU member state to move its embassy to Jerusalem. Cohen also added that this is great news for Jerusalem. (Lahav Harkov, "Hungary to be first EU state with embassy in Jerusalem, Cohen says," The Jerusalem Post, 31 May 2023)