The recent rise in the Russia-Ukraine conflict, marked by Ukraine’s surprising territorial gains in its northeast region, Kharkiv Oblast, has garnered international attention. This escalade traces back to the annexation of Crimea by Russia in 2014 and raises significant questions about the potential implications for India’s interests in both nations.
Ukraine’s Strategic Counter-Offensive
In a shocking turn of events, Ukrainian forces managed to drive back Russian soldiers from Kharkiv Oblast, retaking a large portion of territory. This event is unprecedented given it marks the first time Ukrainian troops have successfully pushed back Russians since the initiation of the Russia-Ukraine conflict.
The halt in Russia’s battlefield combat in July 2022, after capturing Lysychansk and gaining control over Luhansk province, laid the groundwork for Ukraine’s tactical counter-offensive. At this point, Russia was controlling approximately 25% of Ukraine’s land.
The Role of US Assistance
The United States played a crucial role in Ukraine’s victorious counter-offensive by providing advanced mid-range rocket systems, specifically, High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS). Alongside supplying military assistance worth over USD 14.5 billion, U.S. intelligence agencies also handed information to Ukraine about the vulnerable points in Russia’s defence line.
Sanctions on Russia
Imposing sanctions on Russia further complicated their situation by causing disruptions in their supply chain, forcing them to seek assistance from Iran and North Korea.
Ukraine Fights Back
Ukraine launched attacks in southern Ukraine, specifically in Kherson, and executed sabotage attacks in Crimea, which Russia annexed from Ukraine in 2014. With Russia’s defences focused on safeguarding Kherson and Zaporizhzhia from Ukrainian attacks, Ukraine exploited Russia’s relatively weaker defence lines in the northeast, pushing back Russian forces successfully.
The Russia-Ukraine Conflict
In 2014, following a hastily conducted referendum, Russia annexed Crimea from Ukraine. This ignited conflict between the Russian-backed separatists and Ukrainian government forces. Ukraine then appealed to NATO to speed up its membership process into the alliance, which Russia declared as crossing a “red line”. The current war between Russia and Ukraine is a direct outcome of these events.
Global Response to the Invasion of Ukraine
This conflict marks the largest attack by one state against another in Europe since the Second World War, rendering agreements like the Minsk Protocols of 2014, and the Russia-NATO Act of 1997 all but void. The G7 nations have strongly condemned Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and sanctions have been imposed on Russia by several countries. However, China has refrained from labeling Russia’s actions in Ukraine as an “invasion”, instead urging all parties to exercise restraint.
India’s Stand on the Issue
India has remained relatively neutral on the issue, not joining Western powers in condemning Russia’s intervention in Crimea. However, in August 2022, India voted against Russia during a “procedural vote” at the United Nations Security Council concerning Ukraine. The ultimate implications of this ongoing conflict on India remain to be seen.
(Source: The Hindu)
