The war in Ukraine and the crash of a Russian military plane: A former NATO commander’s perspective
The war in Ukraine, which has been raging since 2014, has reached a new level of intensity and complexity after the crash of a Russian military transport plane near the Ukrainian border on January 24, 2024. The plane, which Russia claimed was carrying 65 Ukrainian prisoners of war (POWs) who were to be exchanged with Ukraine in a swap, went down in flames, killing all 74 people on board. Ukraine denied any involvement in the crash and suggested that it was a deliberate act by Russia to escalate the conflict and to justify its illegal annexation of Crimea in 2014. The incident sparked international outrage and raised the stakes in the ongoing war, which has claimed over 14,000 lives and displaced millions of people. In this opinion piece, I will examine the situation from the perspective of General Philip Breedlove, a former NATO Supreme Allied Commander Europe, who served from 2013 to 2016. General Breedlove, who has extensive experience and knowledge of the region, shared his insights on the war in Ukraine and the global security implications of the recent crash of the Russian plane in an interview with Times Radio’s Frontline program. I will argue that the crash of the Russian plane was a war crime and a provocation by Russia, that the war in Ukraine is a hot war that threatens Europe and the world, and that the way forward is a dialogue and a political solution that respects Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
The crash of the Russian plane: A war crime and a provocation
The crash of the Russian plane was reminiscent of the shoot down of Malaysia Airlines Flight 17 (MH17) by Russian-backed separatists in eastern Ukraine in 2014, which killed 298 people on board. Both incidents were examples of Russia’s air defense systems being flawed and unreliable, and that they had a history of shooting down civilian and friendly aircraft by mistake, such as the Korean Air Lines Flight 007 in 1983 and the Iran Air Flight 655 in 1988. General Breedlove said that the crash of the Russian plane was a war crime and a violation of the Geneva Convention, which prohibits the deliberate targeting of POWs and the use of them as human shields. He said that Russia was responsible for the safety and well-being of the Ukrainian POWs, and that it had no right to use them as bargaining chips or as propaganda tools. He also said that the crash of the Russian plane was a provocation and a propaganda tool for Russia, which aimed to portray Ukraine as the aggressor and to justify its military intervention and annexation of Crimea in 2014. He said that Russia was trying to create a narrative that Ukraine was a failed state and a threat to regional and global security, and that Russia was the only guarantor of peace and stability. I agree with General Breedlove’s assessment and condemn Russia’s actions as immoral and illegal. Russia should be held accountable for the crash of the Russian plane and the deaths of the Ukrainian POWs, as well as for its ongoing aggression and interference in Ukraine.
The war in Ukraine: A hot war that threatens Europe and the world
The war in Ukraine is not a frozen conflict, but a hot war that is escalating and threatening the stability and security of Europe and the world. Russia is using hybrid warfare tactics, such as covert operations, cyberattacks, disinformation, and economic pressure, to undermine and destabilize Ukraine and its allies. Russia has deployed over 100,000 troops along the Ukrainian border, and has increased its military presence and activity in the Black Sea and the Mediterranean Sea. Russia is also supporting other authoritarian regimes and non-state actors in the Middle East, Africa, and Latin America, and is challenging the rules-based international order and the values of democracy and human rights. General Breedlove said that the war in Ukraine was a test case for the West’s resolve and credibility, and that it had implications for other regions and issues, such as the Baltic states, the Balkans, Syria, Iran, North Korea, and China. He said that the West needed to support Ukraine with more sanctions, diplomatic pressure, and military assistance, and to deter Russia from further aggression and expansionism. I share General Breedlove’s concerns and urge the West to stand with Ukraine and to defend the principles of freedom and sovereignty. The war in Ukraine is not only about Ukraine, but about the future of Europe and the world.
The way forward: A dialogue and a political solution
The way forward is a dialogue and a political solution that respects Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. The Minsk agreements, signed in 2015 and 2016, provide a framework for resolving the conflict peacefully and restoring Ukraine’s control over its borders and territories. However, the agreements have been repeatedly violated by Russia and its proxies, who have refused to withdraw their forces, weapons, and mercenaries, and have continued to attack and harass Ukrainian soldiers and civilians. General Breedlove said that the West should support the implementation of the Minsk agreements and the efforts of the Normandy format, which consists of France, Germany, Russia, and Ukraine, to facilitate the dialogue and the negotiation process. He said that the West should also support the efforts of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE), which monitors the situation on the ground and provides humanitarian assistance to the affected population. He said that the West should also support the efforts of the United Nations, which can play a role in ensuring the security and the human rights of the people in the conflict zone. I concur with General Breedlove’s recommendations and hope that the dialogue and the political solution can be achieved soon. The war in Ukraine has lasted too long and has caused too much suffering and damage. The people of Ukraine deserve peace and prosperity, and the respect and recognition of their sovereignty and territorial integrity.
In conclusion, the war in Ukraine and the crash of the Russian plane are serious and urgent issues that require the attention and the action of the international community. The crash of the Russian plane was a war crime and a provocation by Russia, which bears the responsibility for the tragedy and for its ongoing aggression and interference in Ukraine. The war in Ukraine is a hot war that threatens Europe and the world, and that demands the support and the solidarity of the West. The way forward is a dialogue and a political solution that respects Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, and that follows the Minsk agreements and the Normandy format. The war in Ukraine is not a distant or a minor problem, but a vital and a global challenge that affects us all. We cannot afford to ignore it or to let it continue. We must act now to end the war and to secure the peace.
