PROGRAMME – Spring Semester 2023

Current Affairs

Bi-Weekly Assignment

“Russia blames drone attack for Crimea”.

Professor: Alexander Likhotal

Francesca Paun

02.05.2023

Geneva School of Diplomacy and International Relations – Geneva

Summary of the Issue

Al Jazeera, a Qatari state-funded station, released a report headlined "Russian official says

Crimean fuel tank blaze likely drone attack" on April 29, 2023. The article discusses a fire

that broke out in a fuel tank on the Crimean Peninsula, which was most likely started by a

drone assault. The fire broke out in the early hours of April 28, and firemen were able to put

it out. The following is a summary of the article: The story opens by saying that a top Russian

official has indicated that the gasoline tank fire in Crimea was most likely caused by a drone

assault. An investigation is underway, according to the official, who was not identified in the

story, and they are studying footage from security cameras and other sources to discover the

origin of the incident. The official provided no proof to back up their assertion that the fire

was started by a drone assault. According to the publish, the fire started in a fuel tank in the

town of Alushta, which is located on the Crimean Peninsula. The tank held around 10,000

tonnes of gasoline, and firemen were able to put out the fire before it spread to additional

tanks. There were no reports of injuries or fatalities as a result of the incident.

The article then goes on to discuss how people reacted to the occurrence. The Ukrainian

government, which opposes Russia's takeover of Crimea, has remained silent on the event.

However, a spokesman for the Ukrainian military stated that the situation was being closely

monitored. According to the story, the Russian government has not formally commented on

the occurrence. Following that, the article provides some context for the conflict between

Russia and Ukraine over Crimea. Russia took Crimea from Ukraine in 2014, which was

severely criticised by the international world. Since then, the struggle between the two

nations has raged on, with periodic flare-ups of violence and hostility.
Finally, the article concludes that the incident has raised concerns about the security of

Crimea's critical infrastructure. The gasoline tank that caught fire is one of the region's

largest, and any disruption in its operations might have serious ramifications for the local

economy. The event also shows the rising threat posed by drone assaults, which have recently

been deployed in conflicts throughout the world.

In Conclusion the article provides a brief summary of the Crimean fuel tank fire, implying

that it was most likely caused by a drone attack. The article also discusses the responses to

the incident and includes background information on Russia's and Ukraine's continuing

dispute over Crimea. The event has raised worries about the security of the region's essential

infrastructure and underlines the rising potential of drone strikes.

“Pro“ side of the issue

The article reports on a Russian official's claim that a gasoline tank fire in Crimea was caused

by a drone assault. Following are some possible pro arguments in response to this news:

1. It emphasizes the following security threats linked with drones: If it is determined that

the assault was carried out by a drone, it will highlight the possible dangers presented

by unmanned aerial vehicles. It may prompt officials in Russia and other countries to

take drone-related security threats more seriously and to investigate ways to prevent

future attacks.

2. It highlights Russia-Ukraine tensions: Crimea has been at the focus of a territorial

dispute between Russia and Ukraine for some years. If a drone assault caused the

gasoline tank fire, it may be seen as an act of aggression by Ukraine (or Ukrainian

supporters in Crimea). This might exacerbate tensions between the two countries and

make resolving the problem more difficult.

 3. It calls into question Russia's ability to protect its infrastructure: The fact that a drone

was able to effectively carry out an attack on a gasoline tank in Crimea implies that

Russia's security systems may be vulnerable. This might lead to greater investment in

security infrastructure and technology, as well as a review and revision of existing

security measures.

4. It could provoke a response from Russia: If the Russian government finds that the

attack was carried out by Ukraine, it may retaliate in a variety of ways. Diplomatic

measures, economic sanctions, or even military action might be used. Any Russian

response might have huge geopolitical consequences, affecting ties between Russia

and other nations in the area and beyond.

“Con“side of the issue

According to the story, a Russian official assert that the recent fuel tank fire in Crimea was

most likely caused by a drone assault, however there might be various counterarguments to

this assertion. Here are some possible counterarguments:

1. Lack of proof: The Russian official's allegation is speculative, with no specific

evidence to back it up. It is premature to draw judgments and level charges in the

absence of convincing evidence of a drone assault.

2. Motive: The official's remark might be interpreted as an attempt to shift blame away

from any internal concerns or government incompetence. By attributing the situation

to a drone strike, the official may be attempting to divert attention away from any

potential flaws in security or safety processes.

3. Possibility of the causes: The gasoline tank fire might have been caused by an

accident or a technical breakdown, which should be explored before pinning

 responsibility to a drone strike. It is premature to make any conclusive statements

regarding the reason of the tragedy without ruling out other plausible factors.

4. Lack of clarification on the type of drone: The official did not offer any details on the

type of drone reportedly used in the attack, raising concerns about the claim's

authenticity. Drones have varying capabilities and limits, and it is critical to consider

these aspects before assigning responsibility to a specific organization or individual.

5. Political motivations: The official's remark might alternatively be interpreted as part

of a larger political agenda or propaganda campaign aimed at undermining a certain

group or country. It is critical to investigate any potential political reasons underlying

such charges and to ensure that any investigations are conducted impartially and

transparently.

Position on the issue

Based on the facts that happened, it would be a big development if a Russian official stated

that a gasoline tank fire in Crimea was most likely caused by a drone assault.

If the event was caused by a drone, it would indicate an increase in tensions between Russia

and other nations or groups. Drones have grown increasingly widespread as an assault tactic

in recent years, particularly in war zones. Critical infrastructure can sustain considerable

damage and interruption as a result of such attacks. It is crucial to highlight, however, that

without more evidence, drawing judgments about the occurrence is difficult. There might be

alternative explanations for the gasoline tank fire, such as an accident or neglect. It's also

conceivable that the Russian official's remarks are part of a bigger political or propaganda

campaign.

Finally, until more information is available, it is critical to proceed with caution and avoid

jumping to conclusions.