Shellings in Luhansk region prompt questions on sanctions

The villages of Vrubivka and Stanytsia Luhanska in
Luhansk Oblast came under shell fire from the occupied part of the oblast on the
morning of Feb. 17. A lyceum in Vrubivka and a kindergarten and railway station
in Stanytsia Luhanska. Adults were injured in the attack. Though there were
children in the kindergarten, there were no injuries confirmed at the time this
report was written. Pupils from the lyceum hid in a basement; no injuries are
reported. Ukrainian Railways CEO Oleksandr Kamyshyn reported that there was
some damage to buildings but no injuries at the station. The villages are
approximately 100 km apart.

The shelling comes amid claims and counterclaims
regarding Russian troop movements, and whether there are any Russian troops
leaving the Ukrainian border. Russia insists that troops are leaving; Ukraine’s
allies are consistently stating that troop levels are increasing. Ukrainian
president Volodymyr Zelensky confirmed on Feb. 16 that Ukraine is “just seeing
statements” regarding a withdrawal, but no movements.

Also on Feb. 17, Belarusian president Aleksandr Lukashenko
told reporters that he would fly to Moscow on Feb. 18 and decide with Putin
regarding what to do next with the troops currently on maneuvers.

An EU representative has stated that sanctions related
to the shelling are “a political decision”, eurointegration.com.ua reports. The
EU is closely monitoring the situation, but currently, discussions regarding
sanctions are not on the agenda.

UK foreign secretary Liz Truss told reporters before
departing for a visit to Kyiv on Feb. 17 that the tension stoked by the Kremlin
could last for weeks, or months.

James Hydzik: The
shelling is a testing of the waters, as Ukraine’s territory has not been
invaded by people. Depending on how tepid the reaction will be and how much
division it sows among Ukraine’s allies, the barrages and other probings of
resolve will continue for the foreseeable future.