2024-11-20 10:20:00
The alert level in the Ukrainian capital is at its maximum this Wednesday. The United States Embassy in kyiv “received specific information regarding a possible significant air attack on November 20”she indicates on her website. The institution recommends to its nationals “to prepare to take shelter immediately in the event of an announced air alert”.
“As a precautionary measure, the embassy will be closed and embassy employees are advised to shelter in place”specifies the text.
Escalation of tensions after long-range shots
The Russian minister also denounced the involvement of the United States in these strikes. For him, these precise missiles cannot be used by kyiv “without the help of American experts and instructors.”
“We will view this as a new phase in the Western war against Russia and respond accordingly,” he warned to journalists in Rio de Janeiro, after a G20 summit.
As a reminder, the United States justified this authorization, long requested by Ukraine, due to the recent deployment of North Korean soldiers in the Russian border region of Kursk. A presence that neither Pyongyang nor Moscow has yet confirmed. North Korea, however, affirmed at the end of October that any deployment would be ” according to “ to international law.
And North Korea’s involvement would not stop there, according to South Korea’s National Intelligence Service. The latter indicated this Wednesday that Pyongyang would have “sent 170mm self-propelled artillery and 240mm long-range rocket launchers” to Russia. It would also have deployed personnel to take care of the maintenance of these weapons which are not part of the Russian conventional arsenal, according to him.
After missiles, mines
Unsurprisingly, Russia slammed the decision. « [Les États-Unis] are fully committed to prolonging the war in Ukraine and are doing everything they can to this end,” reacted Kremlin spokesperson Dmitri Peskov. However, he indicated that he could not confirm this information.
A measure which is not only denounced by Russia. The International Campaign to Ban Landmines (ICBL), an anti-landmine organization that won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1997, called it a “disastrous”. And made it known that she “will endeavor to get the United States to reverse its decision.”
Because antipersonnel mines are explosive devices that continue to kill and mutilate people long after conflicts have ended. Buried or hidden on the ground, they explode when a person approaches them or comes into contact with them. These mines and explosive remnants of war killed or injured at least 5,757 people in 2023, including 84% civilians, compared to 4,710 the previous year, according to the organization’s annual report published this Wednesday.
Russia raises nuclear threat
Even before the announcement about antipersonnel mines, Russia formalized its new nuclear doctrine on Tuesday. This broadens the possibility of using atomic weapons in the event of an attack. « massive » by a non-nuclear country but supported by a nuclear power. A clear reference to Ukraine and the United States.
“On the one hand, Russia raises the possibility of using nuclear weapons in the event of a threat against its territory. On the other hand, the scale of the threat is unclear”he emphasizes.
This change is in any case seen as a necessity, according to the Telegram channel Rybar, close to the Russian army. Because, for her, “the latest Russian warnings, like the red lines, are being taken less and less seriously” by Westerners. The nuclear threat could thus restore weight to Russia.
Calls for calm are increasing
This revision of Russian nuclear doctrine has in any case been widely denounced by the West. Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiga called on Tuesday to “keep your head” cold and “don’t give in to fear”following this change.
The United States, the United Kingdom and the European Union, for their part, denounced “irresponsible rhetoric” from Russia. French President Emmanuel Macron also deplored a posture “escalatory” from Moscow, which he called “to reason”.
China reacted this Wednesday by also calling for ” calm “ and to the “restraint”. “In the current circumstances, all parties should (…) [travailler] together through dialogue and consultation to ease tensions,” Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian said. The leading Asian power regularly calls for peace talks and respect for the territorial integrity of all countries, including Ukraine. But she has never condemned Russia for its large-scale invasion of Ukrainian territory, which began in February 2022. Beijing-Moscow economic, diplomatic and military relations have even strengthened.
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What are the potential impacts of North Korean military support on the Ukraine conflict?
**Interview with Dr. Elena Kuznetsova, Ukrainian Defense Analyst**
**Interviewer:** Thank you for joining us today, Dr. Kuznetsova. With the recent warnings from the U.S. Embassy in Kyiv indicating a potential significant air attack, how is the situation currently evolving in Ukraine?
**Dr. Kuznetsova:** Thank you for having me. The situation in Ukraine is extremely tense right now. The maximum alert level in Kyiv reflects the severity of the threat. Residents are advised to prepare for possible air alerts, which shows the imminent danger they are facing. The advisory from the U.S. Embassy underscores a serious escalation in hostilities.
**Interviewer:** The Russian government has accused the U.S. of essentially prolonging the war through the support it provides to Ukraine. How do you interpret these accusations?
**Dr. Kuznetsova:** These accusations are part of Russia’s narrative strategy. Officials are attempting to frame their military actions as a response to Western intervention. However, it is crucial to note that Ukraine is asserting its right to defend itself against unprovoked aggression. The support from the U.S. and its allies is a response to the ongoing conflict, not its cause.
**Interviewer:** Speaking of support, we’ve seen discussions around North Korean military support in the region as well. What implications could this have for the ongoing conflict?
**Dr. Kuznetsova:** The involvement of North Korean troops and weaponry could significantly alter the dynamics of the conflict. North Korea’s provision of military assets not only boosts Russia’s capabilities but also indicates a broader alliance against Western influence. This could lead to an increase in hostilities as it provides Russia with additional resources and potentially emboldens them further.
**Interviewer:** Recently, there’s been heightened concern regarding Russia’s nuclear doctrine and the possibility of using atomic weapons. How serious should we take these threats?
**Dr. Kuznetsova:** Russia’s adjustments to its nuclear doctrine are incredibly alarming. By broadening the circumstances under which it could employ nuclear weapons, Russia is signaling its readiness to escalate the conflict dramatically. This, combined with previous rhetoric, creates a precarious environment where any miscalculation could have catastrophic consequences.
**Interviewer:** what message would you like to convey to those observing the situation from around the world?
**Dr. Kuznetsova:** It’s essential for the global community to remain vigilant and support Ukraine in its defense against aggression. The situation is more than just a regional conflict; it’s about upholding international law and the principle of sovereignty. The consequences of inaction could be profound not only for Ukraine but for global stability.
**Interviewer:** Thank you, Dr. Kuznetsova, for your insights. We will continue to monitor the situation closely as it develops.
