EUROPE

Ukraine shows it can respond effectively and use its military potential against important facilities that support the Russian army. On the night of October 7, 2024, Ukrainian drones attacked an oil terminal in occupied Feodosia, the largest oil processing facility in Crimea. The occupation authorities declared a state of emergency as a great fire broke out. Thus, Ukraine is demonstrating not only the ability to hold its positions, but also deliberately destroying critical infrastructure of the enemy, thereby weakening Russian forces and strengthening its own defense capabilities.

In this edition of European Affair magazine, we present an exclusive double interview conducted on October 1st, during the Ukrainian’s Defenders Day, a special occasion to honor the courage and resilience of the nation’s armed forces. Our interviews feature two prominent voices deeply involved in the ongoing Ukrainian conflict: Mr. Sampson, a U.S. military veteran and advocate for Ukraine, and Mr. Mykola Vokivskyi, a senior security expert with profound insights into Ukraine’s strategic challenges.

On October 12, 2024, the 25th Ramstein meeting, chaired by US President Joe Biden, will take place in Germany, where additional military assistance to Ukraine will be discussed, including the provision of long-range weapons and permission to use it for legitimate military targets in Russia. It is crucial for Ukraine to getthis permission, as the use of long-range weapons againstexclusively military targets in Russia is critical to strengthen Ukraine’s defense capabilities and ensure a just peace in Ukraine and Europe. Thus, support from European countries, such as Italy, becomes a decisive factor for success.

Russian forces continue their systematic attacks on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure, which has resulted in serious destruction of the country’s energy system. It should be remembered, in the spring of 2024, Russia resumed massive attacks on Ukraine’s energy system, seeking to incapacitate electric and thermal power facilities. These attacks are aimed at destroying the entire energy infrastructure in order to create a catastrophic situation beforewinter sets in, which also undermines the export of electricity to Europe and Ukraine’s economy. Russian attacks have caused significant damage to such important facilities as the Dniester, Kaniv and Kakhovka HPPs, which has further exacerbated the energy crisis.

The 79th session of the UN General Assembly focused on climate change, global threats, poverty and inequality, health issues, and AI governance. The discussions covered key aspects of sustainable development and international cooperation. With the participation of leaders from 193 countries, this became one of this year’s main diplomatic events. It came to the focus of the international community not only for the wide range of issuesdiscussed but also for its significance in the context of current geopolitical challenges, such as the ongoing war in Ukraine – the largest and most destructive act of aggression in Europe since World War 2.

Another barbaric shelling with Russian drones has led to new casualties among the civilians in Ukraine. Residential areas and medical facilities were attacked. Russia has once againdeliberately used its intimidation tactics against civilian infrastructure. On September 28, 2024, Russia launched a series ofdrone attacks in Sumy, brutally targeted a local hospital. At least 10 people were killed and more than 22 were injured. Among the victims were not only hospital patients, but also rescue workers.

Russian forces used its typical tactic of double-taps, when rescue workers arrived at the scene, there was a second strike. The second strike hit people who were evacuating the victims, which is a gross violation of international humanitarian law. Attacks on hospitals, schools and other civilian infrastructure are prohibited by international conventions. Russia continues to ignore them, sowing chaos and destructing.

This attack proves not only Russia’s aggression, but also the important role of its allies, in particular China, which continues to supply Russia with important components for such attacks. Chinese companies provide engines and other components that are used in Russian Shahed and Geran drones. Despite Western sanctions, Russia continuous to use Chinese dual-use technologies, contributing to its military power and escalatinghumanitarian crisis in Ukraine.

In particular, Chinese MILE NAO XIANG TECHNOLOGY CO. LTD and CHIP SPACE ELECTRONICS CO. LTD supply key components for Russian drones, thereby violating international sanctions regimes. This argues for not only tougher sanctions against Russia, but also for strengthening control over dual-use technologies, especially from China.

As is known, Russia actively uses unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) to target and attack civilian infrastructure, which leads to the death of civilians in Ukraine. Since the beginning of the conflict in 2022, the number of UAVs produced by Russia has already reached tens of thousands. It is worth noting that all the aforementioned Chinese companies supply their products exclusively to Russia, focusing exclusively on this market. No doubts, the country’s top leadership are involved in organization of such exports from China, especially given the Western sanctions. However, China is in no hurry to stop these supplies.

Sumy’s tragedy is another confirmation of Russia’s aggression not only against Ukraine, but potentially against all of Europe. The Kremlin continues to implement its imperial ambitions, seeking to expand its influence, which poses a real danger to international security. Strikes against Ukrainian cities could go further againstEurope and other countries if the international community does not take decisive action. It should include both increased sanctions pressure on China and Russia and the Peace Formula of Ukrainian President Zelenskyy, which is based on the principles of international law and the UN Charter. Only the permission to carry out long-range strikes against military targets on Russian territory will help Ukraine not only to stop aggression, but also to prevent its spread in Ukraine and beyond.

On 24 September, the annual UN General Assembly will begin its work. Most Italian readers will take the news as routine, imagining hundreds of state leaders in formal suits or exotic national costumes delivering traditional speeches on local or global issues. It seems like just another ritual event in the grand hall of the UN, one that will have little impact on life in Rome, Brussels, or Berlin.

China remains a key partner for Russia in terms of the supply of components for military equipment, despite its public statements of neutrality and calls for a peaceful resolution to the conflict in Ukraine. Chinese companies supply important components for Russian drones that are actively used in fighting. These actions have caused serious concern of the international community, calling into question Beijing’s long-term geopolitical goals.

In recent days, Russia has significantly intensified its attacks on Ukraine, having carried out one of the largest combined missile & drone attacks since the beginning of a full-scale invasion. On August 26, 2024, more than 230 units of air attack weapon were used against Ukrainian territory, including missiles and drones. The Ukrainian Air Defense Forces showed true courage and skill, shooting down 102 missiles and 99 drones. However, despite their efforts, the attacks led to tragic consequences: seven people were killed, and more than 50 were injured, including four children.