The Russo-Ukrainian war has become increasingly uncertain after Russia attacked several Ukrainian cities. Indonesia can push for diplomatic efforts to prevent the conflict from spreading.
By
MAHDI MUHAMMAD, KRIS MADA
·5 minutes read
AFP/SERGEI CHUZAVKOV
Police experts examine destroyed cars in the center of Ukrainian capital of Kyiv after several Russian strikes on October 10, 2022, amid Russia's invasion of Ukraine. - The head of the Ukrainian military said that Russian forces launched at least 75 missiles at Ukraine on Monday morning, with fatal strikes targeting the capital Kyiv, and cities in the south and west.
KYIV, MONDAY - Missile attacks launched by Russia on several Ukrainian regions on Monday (10/10/2022) has left the Russo-Ukrainian war more uncertain. One small mistake can be the trigger to turn the war into uncontrollable chaos.
Russia launched a wave of strikes across Ukraine to retaliate the Ukrainian attack on Kerch bridge, a key route linking Russia and the Crimean peninsula, which Russia annexed in 2014, as well as the recently annexed areas of Southern Ukraine. Russian President Vladimir Putin deemed the attack on Kerch bridge an act of terror.
“If terror attacks continue against our territory, Russia’s response will be increasingly harsh and in line with the level of threat against the Russian Federation. There is no doubt about that,” Putin said following a meeting with the Russian Security Council, quoted by the TASS news agency.
The strikes against Ukrainian cities, Putin added, were launched after hearing out suggestions from various parties, including the Defense Ministry and the Russian General Staff. Large-scale attacks were carried out using high-precision ammunition that had massive destructive power. Attacks were launched from land, sea and air. The targets, according to Putin’s orders, were energy infrastructure, military bases and communications facilities.
The attacks this time were considered the largest Russia has launched in recent months. Russian rockets hit Lviv, Ternopil and Zhytomyr in western Ukraine as well as Dnipro and Kremenchuk in central Ukraine.
The capital city, Kyiv, was not spared either. Missiles fell in the Shevchenko district, located near the city center. The area is filled with historic buildings and government offices. Some missiles also fell near the government compound in the heart of the capital, where the parliament and other important places are located.
“The invaders launched 75 missiles, 41 of which were intercepted by our air defense artillery,” said Ukrainian Armed Forces commander-in-chief General Valerii Zaluzhnyi in a press release received by Kompas.
Government center
Several Russian missiles destroyed a bridge near the People’s Friendship Arch monument in Kyiv. The monument is located 600 meters northeast of Maidan Plaza and 860 meters north of Mariinsky Palace, which is the office of the Ukrainian President.
The office of the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry is located about 620 meters from the arch. Next to the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry’s office is the hotel where President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo and his entourage visited Kyiv in late June.
Russian missiles also hit buildings and several cars near Taras Shevchenko Road, a main road of the capital, located in the city center.
Never before had a Russian missile hit a target so close to the center of the Ukrainian government. Previously, the closest a Russian missile had targeted was about 3 kilometers from the Mariinsky Palace.
The People’s Friendship Arch was one of Kyiv’s tourist attractions. Before it was demolished by Russia on Monday morning, the bridge under the arch was bustling with residents and tourists.
Additionally, Russian missiles also hit buildings and several cars near Taras Shevchenko Road, a main road of the capital, located in the city center.
AFP/MARYNA MOISEYENKO
Rescuers gather past a residential building damaged after a strike in Zaporizhzhia, amid the Russian invasion of Ukraine on October 9, 2022.
Along that road, there is a large hospital, universities, city parks and shopping centers. The road forms part of the main Ukrainian highway connecting Lviv in the west to Kharkiv in the east.
Between February and April, parts of the road were damaged by missiles and rockets. Some of the damage was repaired in June, but now repairs must be done again as some sections have been destroyed by Russian missiles.
Air raid warnings blared non-stop for several hours ahead of the air strikes. Many residents, both in Kyiv and elsewhere, who have been relatively calm, ignored the warnings. Now, they must hasten to the nearest shelter or bunker.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy warned his citizens to avoid open areas and seek refuge in nearby bunkers.
“On day 229 of a full-scale war, Russia is trying to destroy and wipe us off the face of the earth. Air raid warnings do not stop throughout Ukraine. Please do not leave the shelters. Take care of yourselves and your loved ones. Let us survive and be strong,” said Zelenskyy’s message, through the Telegram messaging platform, as quoted from Ukrinform.net.
Increasingly vulnerable
International relations observer from Padjadjaran University in Bandung, Teuku Rezasyah, assessed that the situation can become more vulnerable and complex. “It will only take one trigger, such as a visiting Russian general getting killed or a world leader getting shot,” said Rezasyah.
In stressful situations, one small mistake can erupt into an unpredictable war. In such circumstances, according to Rezasyah, all parties must exercise restraint. Moreover, Putin has made threats regarding the use of nuclear weapons. “We don’t know if what Putin meant were missile tests like what North Korea has done or if it was something else,” he said.
According Rezasyah, Indonesia can encourage new diplomatic efforts, one of which is seeking a resolution from the United Nations Security Council or General Assembly. “The main goal is to prevent the expansion of conflict and the use of weapons of mass destruction,” he said.
Two of Russia’s close allies, India and China, have also grown concerned about the developments in Ukraine. “We urge the cessation of hostilities and an immediate return to the path of diplomacy and dialogue,” said Indian Foreign Ministry spokesman Arindam Bagchi.
Meanwhile, China’s Foreign Affairs Ministry called for de-escalation. “We hope the situation will subside soon,” said Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Mao Ning. (AP/AFP/REUTERS)
