MAP. War in Ukraine: Attacks on Russia, joining NATO… The point of the day

Fighting continued in Ukraine this Wednesday, May 24, 2023, while Russia’s Belgorod region was targeted by multiple nighttime drone strikes.

Attacks and sabotage are on the rise in Russia as Kiev says it is completing preparations for an offensive to retake Moscow-held territories. The Russians warn that they will respond appropriately “extremely firm” to new armed raids. Here is an update on the day’s events.

The point on the front line on May 24th. | OUEST-FRANCE INFOGRAPHIC View full screen

The point on the front line on May 24th. | WESTERN FRANCE INFOGRAPHY

Drone attacks on Belgorod

“The night wasn’t really quiet. There have been numerous drone attacks. A large part of this was done by the anti-aircraft defense. » On Telegram, Vyacheslav Gladkov, governor of the Belgorod region, stated that the attacks on Russian territory damaged vehicles, houses and public buildings in the region, but caused no casualties.

The sector was previously attacked by Russian armed groups stationed in Ukraine on Monday, May 22, intent on overthrowing Russian President Vladimir Putin. Nine civilians injured in the attack remain hospitalized, with three in intensive care. More than 550 civilians who fled the Gaïvoron district due to the fighting are currently in temporary accommodation centers.

Also read: Former FSB officer, neo-Nazis… Who are the “saboteurs” behind the armed invasion of Russia?

Russia accuses Ukraine of attacking one of its ships

Russia also on Wednesday accused Ukraine of attacking one of its warships while on patrol in Turkey’s exclusive economic zone, and claimed to have destroyed three unmanned boats in the attack.

According to Moscow, this attack occurred at 12:30 a.m. French time, when the Russian ship “performed tasks aimed at ensuring the safe operation of the Turkish Stream and Blue Stream gas pipelines”, two pipes exporting Russian gas to Turkey.

“All enemy ships were destroyed by regular shots from the Russian ship 140 km northeast of the Bosphorus.” said the Russian Defense Ministry. Turkey did not immediately comment on the incident.

Attacks and sabotage are increasing

These incidents come in the context of the multiplication and intensification of attacks and acts of sabotage in Russia, at a time when Kiev, according to its own statements, is completing preparations for an offensive to retake the territories occupied by Moscow.

According to Russian authorities, a civilian was killed in the attack in the village of Kozinka, one of the places attacked, and a woman died of heart failure during the evacuation.

According to the governor of the region Vyacheslav Gladkov, a gas pipeline was also hit in the Graivoron district. “A small fire is in progress”, He added earlier in the morning, stating that authorities are on the ground and the causes of the incident are being determined.

Moscow wants to be “extremely steadfast” in the face of attacks

Moscow will react in a certain way “extremely firm” to new armed raids, Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu promised two days after the spectacular attack by Ukrainian groups on Russian territory.

On Tuesday, his army claimed to have done so “crushed” The day before, a group had attacked the border region of Belgorod with air force and artillery, in the most spectacular invasion of Russian territory since the beginning of the conflict with Ukraine.

Several voices among pro-Russian military bloggers, who have been particularly influential in the narrative of the Ukraine conflict, were moved by the incident, for example praising it wryly “Military Success” a few days after the claim that Bakhmout had been captured in Donbass.

Disagreements over Ukraine’s NATO membership

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg admitted that members of the alliance were divided on the issue of Ukraine’s membership, which will be on the agenda of the Vilnius summit in July. The Americans and many other allies are refusing to go beyond the Bucharest Declaration, several alliance diplomats told AFP. At this summit in 2008, the heads of state and government reiterated that Ukraine and Georgia “would become members of NATO”, without time stamp.

NATO membership would allow Ukraine to invoke the collective defense clause in Article 5 of the alliance, which obliges all allies to defend the country in the event of an attack. Discussions are currently ongoing “Laying the Groundwork for a Compromise on Membership,” said one of the diplomats. One possibility could be to give security guarantees like those given by Sweden, whose membership is blocked by Turkey and Hungary.

“France is ready to enter into agreements with Ukraine aimed at providing her with security guarantees that will help her to defend herself in the long term and prevent possible future aggression,” said the spokeswoman for the Quai d’Orsay. But the concept of “Guarantees” There is no consensus within the alliance, the diplomats said.

“The ultimate guarantee of security will be NATO membership, but that won’t happen in the middle of a war.” stressed Jens Stoltenberg.