Title: Fighting Intensifies in Eastern Ukraine as Moscow Warns of Cluster Bomb Stockpile
Date: [Insert Date]
In a recent update, Ukrainian authorities have reported that fighting in eastern Ukraine has intensified, while Russian President Vladimir Putin has dismissed Kyiv’s counteroffensive as a failure. The clashes between Russian forces and Ukrainian troops are said to be occurring in multiple areas on the eastern front.
Deputy Defence Minister Hanna Maliar stated on Sunday that Russian forces have been launching attacks towards Kupiansk in the Kharkiv region for two consecutive days. She described the battles as fierce, with positions changing dynamically throughout the day. Maliar also mentioned that Ukrainian forces were gradually making progress in the southern flank of the ruined city of Bakhmut. Russian attacks near Avdiivka and Marinka were also mentioned.
Al Jazeera’s Assed Baig, reporting from Kostyantynivka, provided insights into the situation on the ground, remarking that the Ukrainian deputy defence minister’s description of the fighting and changing positions was “sobering.” Baig highlighted that the Russian forces appeared to be pushing back against Ukrainian advances.
Meanwhile, in an excerpt of an interview published on Sunday, President Putin stated that the Ukrainian military had made no progress in its counteroffensive. He claimed that enemy attempts to break through Russian defences had been unsuccessful since the offensive began. Putin’s comments come as Ukraine has launched its highly anticipated counteroffensive, following the accumulation of Western weapons and bolstering its offensive forces.
In a noteworthy development, Putin also mentioned that Russia possesses a “sufficient stockpile” of cluster bombs. He further stated that Moscow reserves the right to use these munitions if they are used against Russian forces in Ukraine. This declaration comes after accusations were made against Russia in April 2022 for using cluster munitions in the Kramatorsk railway station attack, resulting in the deaths of 63 civilians, including nine children.
Another major concern on the horizon is the potential expiration of the grain deal between Russia and Ukraine. This deal, facilitated by the United Nations and Turkey and signed in July 2022, established a protected sea corridor through which Ukrainian agricultural goods could be exported via the Black Sea. The deal, set to expire on Monday, has allowed the export of nearly 33 million tonnes of grain since its implementation, primarily consisting of wheat and maize. However, Russia has expressed concerns about its own export obstacles and has threatened to pull out of the Black Sea Grain Initiative.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has expressed support for removing hurdles to Russia exporting its fertilizers. In a letter sent to Putin, Guterres addressed the importance of fulfilling the deal’s main goal, which involves supplying grain to countries in need, including those in Africa.
The situation in eastern Ukraine remains highly volatile as the conflict continues to escalate. The international community closely monitors developments in hopes of deescalating tensions and finding a peaceful resolution to the ongoing crisis.