Despite its well understood edge, Russia took nine days to enter Kyiv after securing Kharkiew, the second largest city in full measure.Other important cities too in the vicinity of Kyiv have been intruded into after encirclement of the capital city.
2) On the 11th day of war, issues appear clear.The Russian aggression, perhaps could be considered somewhat close to the Indian army attacking ethnic Indians during the Indian peace keeping operation in Sri Lanka between 1987 to 1990. Aim was to end a civil war between LTTE, a vocal Sri Lankan militant outfit and the Sri Lankan army. However , DIFFERENCE was Crucial. CONSENT of the then Sri Lankan Government existed. Present war begun by Russians, is bent upon thrashing and killing the fellow Russians,more so, in Eastern Ukraine.They do not seem to be satisfied with annexation of Crimea in 2014 which is now linked to Russia by a 18 kms long bridge. One needs to remember that Mikhail Gorbachev,the most powerful USSR President ever, himself was an Ukrainean.
Ceasefire
3) After days of ruthless attacks much needed partial Ceasefire was announced on the 10th Day. Though ,a temporary one, it lasted less than agreed upon seven hours to facilitate purchase of food stuff and medicines in Mariupol and Volnovakha.However, banks and ATM’s dissatisfied the citizens and Indian students, alike.
Alongwith the ceasing of hostilities, humanitarian corridors and Exit points too functioned for some time to give relief to the citizens in two cities, who were facing cut off electricity, food and water, apart from heating arrangements and transport in the minus temperature weather.
It reminded one of Nazi blockade of Leningrad during the World War II. Incidentally, plenty of World War II Bunkers have been kept ready for use and those of Kyiv are reported to be in somewhat good shape. On to violations, reports suggest that Russia, herself took the lead. Drawing a parallel with India again, China had offered a Ceasefire after four days of attack on 24th October 1962 but went on to intensify assaults. Seeing no other option, when India sought U.S. help for miltary supplies ,followed by air support, China unilaterally announced a Ceasefire and Withdrawal Declaration after 31 days of invasion.
No End to Sufferings
4) One can’t help but feel concerned about the fatalities caused on both the sides together with fear and intimidation with which 1.4 million Ukraineans( UNHCR reports) have fled already.Majority of them being women and children. On the contrary, more than twenty thousand Ukraineans have volunteered to return to fight for their motherland.No wonder, long ques are being seen in Kyiv to get enrolled in Army.
When food stocks and medicines are getting exhausted fast and no cash is left in banks and ATM’s ,yet the courage and fresh resilience shown is simply remarkable.Upon trying Patrol bombs and “active resistance” against advancing Russian army vehicles,anti-tank barricades are being fabricated by the people.
Thus one gets an impression that the Russians even after getting Isolated as now admitted by President Putin, are fighting Ukrainean Army and the defiant and determined Ukrainian people. Residential buildings and public utilities too are being targetted in city after city, which depicts nothing but brutal lust for ” Neo-imperialism”. There is no thought and care for Value of Peace.
Nuclear Dominance,
5) While the Russians have captured the biggest nuclear plant of the world at Zaporichzhia after destabilizing most of the reactors of the infamous Chernobyl plant, no thought is being spared for the injurious flow of nuclear fuel or the overall dangers to the environment from the gigantic hits and burns on a daily basis.
The IAEA has so far issued two statements through which safe situation seems to be prevailing (?) .But one should not forget that Ukrain has as many as 15 Nuclear Reactors and thus safety of civilians is threatened across both the warring nations and a few other countries of Europe.
Economic Implications and Protests
6) Though USA and EU sanctions continued to bite Russia to further isolate her, Russia cities are unusually calm but with price hikes in crude oil,wheat,coal,aluminium and iron ore markets. It may be significant to note that 75% of crude oil requirement of India is by means of import and Russia together with Ukraine contributes to 29 % of total wheat availability in the international market.(It is high time India took advantage). DIGITAL & CREDIT CARD PAYMENT disruptions too are being faced by Russia from abroad. While many Russian cities are witnessing daily protests against the war, Russia is showing determination to curb disinformation by declaring sentences upto 15 years against spreading information which goes against the ruling party’s policies on the war. Russia has further restricted access to foreign media websites and announced more control over Internet.
How can official media outlets refer to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine as a Special Military operation,rather than a War ?
Zelensky, The Fighter
7 ) On the eve of third round of talks, V. Zelensky is showing maturity and courage.Erstwhile hero of a popular satirical show, he is no longer politically or diplomatically a Naive person, even when NATO has negated his “No Fly Zone Over Ukraine” proposal. At the same time, how can NATO being more active than before, now say that it was not part of conflict, being a Defence Alliance. One may also ask, why are they keeping a Standby Force of Forty thousand men ?
8) Despite daily reports emanating from the Russian top brass that Zelensky has fled, he is reported to be in a Specially Controlled Station. After rejecting U.S. offer of evacuation,he claims to have survived three assassination attempts. From an ‘Accidental President’,who knows, he may become a Legendary one ?
UNGA Emergency session
9) The session on 2nd March may not impact immediate course of action in the same way as the UNSC sessions. In a historic resolution, 141 member countries deplored in strongest terms and asked Russia to withdraw troops.Only Russia, Belarus, Eritrea, N.Korea & Syria voted against , with India abstaining for the fifth time alongwith 33 members.Her stand appears to be as a result of Ukraine’s recent unfriendly stands on India’s requirements and changing role in World politics.
Operation Ganga
10) Officially MEA has confirmed to have evacuated 2900 Indian students through 63 flights so far but many are still reported to be trapped (of the revised figure of twenty thousand).Main focus is now on evacuation of 700 Indian students from Sumy.
Further, Russia has intimated the UNSC that their 130 buses are ready at crossing points to proceed to Kharkiv and Sumy to get Indian students and other foreign nationals.
In a welcome development, the National Medical Commission(NMC) has declared that the medical students who have returned to the country without completing their Internship because of “situations beyond their control”,can do so in India .It has further added that Internships can be processed by state medical councils provided the candidates have cleared the Foreign Medical Graduate Examination before applying for completion of Internship in India.
TO SUM UP,
MEA co-ordinated stand and that of NMC will go a long way in silencing the students who were critical of or making fun of Govt.of India’s otherwise proactive role in ongoing crisis. Shall we not say – Three Cheers for Vande Mataram ?
About the Author : Dr. Aaloc Srivastav, Ex CS , Sikkim is a Senior Retd Bureaucrat and passionate about writing on his favourite subjects . The views shared by the author are his personal.
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