NU.nl regularly gives you an overview of the situation in Ukraine. This time: While Ukraine is already planning reconstruction with Western partners, Russia is preparing further for a long battle. The Russian parliament has taken the first steps towards a ‘war economy’, in which the entire economy is focused on warfare.
The State Duma, the Russian parliament, passed two laws on Tuesday that could force companies to produce war materials. Employees of those companies may also be required to work overtime.
The needs of the army thus become the main spearhead of the Russian economy. For example, steel mills could be forced to make more weapons and ammunition and to stop the production of other products.
“The defense industry is demanding a lot. To ensure that the arms flow continues to flow and of good quality, it is necessary for all facets to function optimally, in support of the goal,” said Russian Deputy Prime Minister Yuri Borisov.
Before the laws are valid, President Vladimir Putin has yet to sign them. Military experts and independent Russian media see the decision as confirmation that Russia has lost far more material than officially reported since the start of the war.
Reconstruction Ukraine is already being discussed
While Russia is increasingly putting the economy at the service of the war, Ukraine is already looking to rebuild the country after the war is over. In Lugano, Switzerland, more than 40 countries and organizations signed a statement promising political, financial and technical support to Ukraine for reconstruction.
According to the government in Kyiv, reconstruction could cost more than 700 billion euros. That money goes to rebuild bombed cities, but also to restore and improve “democratic values and the rule of law”. For example, Ukraine still needs to make progress in the areas of sustainability, the fight against corruption and fundamental rights.
Despite the fact that the end of the war is not yet in sight, the Ukrainian government itself has already made the first plans for reforms and recovery. These were positively received by the participants of the conference.
More than 40 countries and organizations pledged to help Ukraine rebuild at a conference.
More than 40 countries and organizations pledged to help Ukraine rebuild at a conference. Photo: AFP
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Mayor Sloviansk asks citizens to evacuate or take shelter
Sloviansk was again heavily shelled by the Russians on Tuesday. The city is the next main target of Russian forces in eastern Ukraine after the fall of Severodonetsk and Lysychansk. At least seven people were killed and dozens injured in the shelling, according to Mayor Vadim Lyakh.
Lyakh called on his citizens to evacuate earlier on Tuesday, but later said it was already virtually impossible. The mayor advised everyone who was still in the city via Facebook to go to an air raid shelter.
By taking Lysychansk, the Russian forces gained full control of the Luhansk region. The offensive now focuses on conquering the Donetsk region. After Kramatorsk, Sloviansk is the second largest city in the region still in the hands of the Ukrainian armed forces. Kramatorsk has also been shelled by the Russians in recent days, but not as violently as Sloviansk.
Russian passports available in Donetsk
Although the Russians do not yet fully control Donetsk, it is possible for pro-Russian residents of the region to obtain a Russian passport in the region. To do this, they must, among other things, have their fingerprints scanned and swear an oath of allegiance to the Russian constitution.
It has been possible for residents of Donetsk to apply for a Russian passport for some time, but for that they had to travel to Russia. According to the head of the Russian Migration Service, 400,000 applications for Russian passports have been made in Donetsk since 2019.
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