RUSSIAN PERSPECTIVE
China questions sovereignty of ex-Soviet states
China’s ambassador to France has called into question the sovereignty of Ukraine and other former Soviet republics, suggesting that their hazy status under international law makes it difficult to resolve conflicts over disputed territories such as Crimea.
“Even these countries of the former Soviet Union don’t have effective status in international law because there is no international agreement to make their status as a sovereign country concrete,” Ambassador Lu Shaye said on Saturday in an interview with French broadcaster LCI.
Asked by Swiss journalist Darius Rochebin whether Crimea is Ukrainian territory, Lu said, “It depends on how you perceive the problem . . . . It’s not that simple.”
Rochebin tried to correct his guest, saying, “Sorry, according to international law, you know it’s Ukraine. Under international law, you can argue it, you can dispute it, but this is Ukraine.” Lu replied, “Crimea was originally part of Russia, wasn’t it? It was [Soviet leader Nikita] Khrushchev who gave Crimea to Ukraine in the Soviet Union.”
Pressed again on the peninsula’s status, the Chinese diplomat said, “Now, we must not quarrel about this kind of problem again. Now, the most urgent thing is to stop, to cease fire, to stop.”
Chinese officials have tried to maintain a neutral stance on the Russia-Ukraine conflict, resisting pressure from the US and other Western powers to join in condemning Moscow and imposing sanctions. Beijing, which proposed a 12-point peace plan in February, has emphasized the need to stop the bloodshed in Ukraine and work toward a diplomatic solution that accounts for the security concerns of all parties involved.
Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky has vowed to recapture all of his country’s territory, including Crimea – a goal that most of Kiev’s Western backers don’t see as realistic. Residents of the peninsula voted overwhelmingly for Crimea to become part of Russia in 2014, following a US-backed overthrow of Ukraine’s elected government.
Asked about the importance of territorial integrity from Kiev’s point of view, Lu again pointed to the historical complexity of the issue, saying, “There are enduring problems, aren’t there, about their conflict, their problem? It’s so easy to say in one word. If you have any problems, you can talk about it together.”
** Russian forces wipe out Ukrainian Akatsiya, Gvozdika howitzers in Kherson Region
The Russian armed forces destroyed the Ukrainian 2C3 Akatsiya self-propelled howitzer and the 2S1 Gvozdika self-howitzer on the right bank of the Kherson Region, the region's emergency services told reporters.
"At night, artillery fire near Tokaryovka destroyed 152-mm Akatsiya self-propelled howitzer with ammunition, casualties: five Ukrainian servicemen. Yesterday, artillery fire near Tyaginka destroyed a 122-mm 2S1 Gvozdika self-howitzer with ammunition, casualties: five Ukrainian servicemen," he said.
Earlier, the emergency services reported that on Saturday night the Ukrainian armed forces fired more than 30 shells from the barrel artillery at four settlements on the left bank of the Kherson Region.
** Revolts erupt among Ukrainian troops in Chasov Yar, Konstantinovka
Rebellions have begun among Ukrainian servicemen in Chasov Yar and Konstantinovka, as they are dropping their arms and walking out, Yevgeny Prigozhin, founder of the PMC Wagner, said on Saturday.
"Revolts have begun among the servicemen of the Ukrainian armed forces in Chasov Yar and Konstantinovka. They are dropping their arms, rising and leaving," said Prigozhin, cited on his press service’s Telegram channel.
This is how Prigozhin responded to a request to comment on reports that Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky had demanded from Ground Forces Commander Alexander Syrsky that his troops stand their ground in Artyomovsk (known as Bakhmut in Ukraine) until May 9, so as "to prevent a big informational victory of Russia."
Artyomovsk, located in the Kiev-controlled area of the Donetsk People’s Republic (DPR), is a major transport hub supplying the Ukrainian military grouping in Donbass. Yan Gagin, an advisor to DPR head, told TASS on April 18 that Russia’s forces had taken control of nearly 90% of Artyomovsk.
WESTERN PERSPECTIVE
Minister: Ukraine will beat Russia in war of technologies
As Ukrainian and Russian troops fight conventional battles on the front lines, Europe’s first major war of the internet age has also sparked a war of technology as both sides vie for the advantage with their drones and satellite communications.
While the two sides have kept pace with one another thus far, Ukraine’s minister in charge of technology told The Associated Press in an interview Friday that he was confident his country had the motivation and abilities to out-innovate Russia in the end.
Mykhailo Fedorov, Ukraine’s Minister of Digital Transformation, said unmanned aerial vehicles, or drones, electronic warfare, satellite communications and other technologies had been a fundamental part of the war with Russia that began more than a year ago.
“Technologies allow traditional and modern artillery to be more accurate, and they help save the lives of our soldiers,” he said.
“When you have ‘eyes’ over you, you can make more effective decisions about managing your troops.”
He acknowledged that Russia was also aware of the importance of technology on the battlefield, and was actively developing and improving its own.
“Every day, there are new UAVs on the battlefield from our side and from Russia’s side,” Fedorov said. “We see what kind of drones they have. We receive, disassemble and study them.”
He said the government was planning investments in new technology projects to encourage further competition and innovation.
“In this technology war we will surely win,” he said. “Even if fewer than 50-60% of supported projects will give some result, it can be decisive on the battlefield.”
In recent weeks, anticipation of a possible Ukrainian counteroffensive this spring has risen. Fedorov said it was impossible to imagine any efficient operations without technologies on the battlefield.
Ukraine has not mounted a major operation to liberate occupied territories since it retook the city of Kherson and part of the surrounding province last November. However, the frequency of reported drone attacks in Russia has increased.
Over the past months, a spate of drone strikes has targeted areas in southern and western Russia, reflecting the growing reach of the Ukrainian military. After each strike, Russian authorities blamed Ukraine, but Ukrainian official stopped short of openly claiming responsibility. Instead, they emphasized the right to attack any target in response to the Russian aggression.
Fedorov said the effect of Ukraine’s drone warfare could be seen in Russia’s actions, noting that Russia has now started moving armored equipment further from the front line.
“There have been certain events that have changed the situation, but we continue to scale this useful experience,” he said, but refused to be drawn on the details.
Commenting on the battle for the city of Bakhmut, the longest of the war so far, Fedorov said that the “use of technologies is invaluable in such situations.”
“When you have limited artillery resources, weapons, ammunition, and strike drones, you need to be as accurate as possible,” he said. This accuracy can be achieved in particular by drones.
However, with a front line thousands of kilometers long, the heavy weapons and armored equipment traditional for warfare remained essential, Fedorov said. Technology could help Ukraine locate potential targets, but the army could not hit them all because it lacked the necessary artillery and ammunition, he added.
The delivery of promised aid from partner countries remained “critical,” said the minister in charge of technologies.
AP
