Explaining complex things in simple words: Drone revolution, sanctions against Russian oil, recognition of Japan’s territorial integrity

THE DRONE REVOLUTION

On February 6, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy signed a decree On Building Up the Capabilities of the Defence Forces, instructing to work out the creation of the Unmanned Systems Forces as a separate branch of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

• Unmanned systems of the Defence Forces of Ukraine have proven their effectiveness in battles on land, in the sky, and at sea.

• Repelling attacks on land, as well as large-scale destruction of the occupiers and their equipment, is largely the work of drones.

• Sea drones are Ukrainian know-how; thanks to it, it was possible to inflict significant losses on the Russian fleet in the Black Sea.

• Ukraine is increasing the production of its own drones of various types, including attack drones, which are capable of hitting targets at a distance of more than 1,000 km. In 2024, Ukraine will produce a million FPV drones.

• Special staff positions for working with drones and special units will be created for the new service. They are to train effectively, systematize experience. The state will constantly scale up production and attract the best ideas and specialists in this area.

SANCTIONS AGAINST RUSSIAN OIL

• Russia finances the war with Ukraine using the profits from the import of crude oil and petroleum products. Millions of barrels of fuel made from Russian oil are still imported into the West.

• Despite the sanctions restrictions, including the establishment of a corridor for Russian oil prices (USD 60 per barrel), Moscow manages to find ways to circumvent these restrictions.

• Sanctions (subject to their observance) yield results: Russia's revenues from the sale of raw materials fell to a six-month minimum in December 2023. The U.S. investigation into compliance with sanctions by traders and vessel owners has enhanced pressure on Russian oil exporters.

• It is necessary to strengthen control over compliance with the sanctions regime against Russian oil: companies that do business with distributors of Russian oil should require the importer to declare that the price does not exceed the established limit. Such an initiative is supported by the G7, the EU, and Australia.

RECOGNITION OF JAPAN'S TERRITORIAL INTEGRITY

Japan marks Northern Territories Day on February 7.

• The Northern Territories of Japan are a group of islands in the southern part of the Kurile archipelago, illegally annexed by Russia.

• Under the 1951 San Francisco Peace Treaty, Japan renounced the Kurile Islands, which had belonged to it 1875-1945; however, this did not apply to the Northern Territories, which had belonged to Japan until 1875.

• The U.S. and the EU recognize Japan's sovereignty over the Northern Territories. On July 7, 2005, the European Parliament called on Russia to return the occupied territories to Japan.

• On October 7, 2022, Ukraine recognized the Northern Territories as belonging to Japan by a resolution of the parliament and a presidential decree.

• In turn, Japan recognizes the territorial integrity of Ukraine and provides it with significant support in repelling Russian aggression.

Center for Strategic Communication and Information Security