Ukraine news latest: Evil Putin vows to forge military ties with China as Russia ramps up attacks on Ukrainian capital | The Sun
VLADIMIR Putin vowed to strengthen Russia's "military co-operation" with China just hours after Kyiv was hit by a drone attack.
Russian leader Vladimir Putin told Chinese President Xi Jinping on Friday he was keen to ramp up military cooperation and hailed the two nation's efforts to counter Western influence.
"We aim to strengthen cooperation between the armed forces of Russia and China," Putin told Xi by video link as he hailed the efforts of Moscow and Beijing to counter "unprecedented Western pressure and provocations."
Meanwhile, residents in Kyiv were urged to head to air raid shelters as sirens wailed across the city, a day after Russia carried out the biggest aerial assault since it started the war in February.
Ukraine's air force has since said Russia launched 16 "kamikaze" drones overnight- but they were all intercepted and destroyed by Ukrainian air defence systems.
Read our Ukraine war blog below for the latest news…
- Jimmy Grant
Reported shelling in Belgorod region of Russia
Shelling has been reported in the Russian region of Belgorod, bordering eastern Ukraine.
Vyacheslav Gladkov, governor of Belgorod, posted on Telegram: “The Shebekinsky urban district came under fire.
"There were no casualties.
"There is a shell hit on the territory of an industrial enterprise – windows are broken, the fence is damaged.
"All emergency services are on site."
- Jimmy Grant
Update on yesterday’s Russian bombardment
An update has been released about yesterday’s Russian strikes in at least 10 regions of Ukraine.
Deputy head of the president's office Kyrylo Tymoshenko said at least four civilians had been killed and eight more injured.
Three of the deaths were reportedly in the Kharkiv region, the other in Donetsk.
- Jimmy Grant
One dead after shelling in northern Ukraine
One person has been killed in a shelling in Semenivka in the Chernihiv region, northern Ukraine, deputy head of the president’s office Kyrylo Tymoshenko said.
Tymoshenko posted on Telegram: “The occupiers shelled the settlement, presumably using barrel artillery.
“Three arrivals were recorded. Electricity has gone out in the city.
“So far, one dead person is known. The information is being clarified.”
- Jimmy Grant
Xi to make state visit to Russia in spring
In a video link meeting between the two leaders today, Vladimir Putin said he expects Chinese president Xi Jinping to make a state visit to Russia in Spring 2023.
Putin said: “We are expecting you, dear Mr Chairman, dear friend, we are expecting you next spring on a state visit to Moscow.”
He went on to explain how the visit would “demonstrate to the world the closeness of Russian-Chinese relations”.
Credit: AFP - Jimmy Grant
MoD’s latest intelligence update
The Ministry of Defence (MoD) released its latest intelligence update on the situation in Ukraine this morning.
MoD tweeted: “Lieutenant General Yevgeniy Nikiforov is likely in the process of taking over command of Russia’s Western Group of Forces (WGF) in Ukraine.
“He would be at least the fourth commander of the formation since the invasion, and replaces Colonel General Sergei Kuzovlev, who was appointed just three months ago.
“As the Chief of Staff of Russia’s Eastern Group of Forces (EGF) during the early weeks of the invasion, Nikiforov would have been heavily involved in planning the disastrous attempt by EGF and airborne forces to advance on Kyiv from the north-west, via the Chernobyl area.
“WGF is almost certainly currently tasked with holding Russia’s right flank, the area of Luhansk Oblast around Kremina and Svatove. As either side could plausibly attempt an offensive in this sector, Nikiforov assumes an important operational role in the conflict.
“The continued churn of senior Russian officers probably reflects internal divisions regarding the Russian Ministry of Defence’s future conduct of the war.”
- Jimmy Grant
16 Iranian drones shot down overnight
Ukrainian air defence forces shot down 16 Iranian Shahed drones last night and this morning, according to a statement from Ukrainian Air Force Command.
The statement said drones “attacked Ukraine from the southeastern and northern directions.
"To overcome the air defence system of Ukraine, the enemy tried to use the Dnipro riverbed.
“All 16 kamikaze drones were destroyed by the forces and equipment of the “Skhid” [East] and “Centre” air commands, as well as air defence units of other units of the Ukrainian Defence Forces.”
Head of Kyiv Oblast Military Administration Oleksii Kuleba said on Telegram:
"Russia has once again targeted our infrastructure facilities.
"Air defence forces destroyed drones. Preliminary reports indicate that there were no strikes."
Credit: Reuters - Jimmy Grant
Zelensky sends message of defiance
Volodymyr Zelensky posted pictures of Ukrainian armed forces and rescue workers on Telegram, along with a message of defiance.
The message from the Ukrainian president was shared in both Ukrainian and English.
Zelensky said: “We are fighting for Ukraine, for the values that unite Europe and the democratic world, for the global value of life. For everything that the terrorist state is trying to destroy.
“It is not easy, it is hard, but I am confident that we will pull through and Russian aggression will fail so that all other potential aggressors of the world do not dare to repeat what Russism does.”
- Jimmy Grant
Update on Lviv power outages
Lviv governor Maksym Kozytskyi posted an update about the power situation in the region on social media.
Kozytskyi said on Telegram: “As of this moment, electricity is supplied in the Lviv region according to the schedule of hourly outages.
“Repair work related to damage after missile strikes has already been completed by the energy industry.”
- Jimmy Grant
Putin plans to seize Donetsk by New Year
In a late-night address, Volodymyr Zelensky said Russia “will try once again to make us celebrate the New Year in the dark” and warned the enemy may try to capture Donetsk before year’s end.
The Ukrainian president said: "There are two days left in this year. Perhaps the enemy will try once again to make us celebrate the New Year in the dark.
"Perhaps the occupants are planning to make us suffer with the next strikes on our cities.
"But no matter what they plan, we know one thing about ourselves: we will survive. We will. We will drive them out.
"No doubt about it. And they will be punished for this terrible war."
Zelensky continued: "The enemy has not abandoned the crazy idea to capture Donetsk region.
"Now they are setting themselves a task – for the New Year."
Speaking about Russia’s recent bombardments, he added: “With each such missile strike, Russia is only driving itself deeper into a dead end.”
Credit: The Mega Agency
- Jimmy Grant
US ambassador posts New Year’s message of ‘ironclad support’ to Ukraine
Bridget A Brink, US ambassador in Kyiv, took to social media to send a message to the Ukrainian people.
In the video posted on Twitter, Brink says: “During these darkest days of the year, Russia continues to try to extinguish Ukraine’s light.
“In spite of the Kremlin’s brutality, its atrocities and its attempts to deprive you of heat and comfort, your courage and perseverance have only burned brighter.
"The spirit of Ukraine continues to inspire the world in our shared pursuit of a better future.
"You have shown time and again that you will not be stopped by the Kremlin’s cruelty.
"This, among so much else drives, our enduring belief that Ukraine will prevail.
"The American people see all of you are willing to sacrifice in the fight for your freedom and your country.
"Your determination strengthens our resolve, and as we approach the New Year, I want to assure you that our commitment to Ukraine is ironclad.
“We will continue to stand shoulder to shoulder with you as partners and friends in 2023. And I wish you a peaceful and victorious New Year.”
- Jimmy Grant
Total Russian losses so far
Here is a list of Russia’s total battlefield losses as of this morning.
The Kyiv Independent tweeted: "These are the indicative estimates of Russia’s combat losses as of Dec. 30, according to the Armed Forces of Ukraine."
- Henry Moore
Kyiv residents confident of Ukrainian victory despite new wave of attacks
Residents of Ukraine’s capital city remained defiant in the face of Russia’s latest attacks.
Speaking to CNN, Anna Kovalchuk, who lives in Kyiv, said she is sure Ukraine will be victorious in winning back its freedom.
She said: “I formulated my attitude to what is happening in the first days of a full-scale war, and since then it has not changed — Ukraine will win, and Russia will lose.”
Ms Kovalchuk added she is worried about the power cuts ahead of New Year’s Eve celebrations.
“I’m more worried that most likely the will be no electricity on New Year’s Eve and the holiday will have to be spent in the dark,” she added.
“But I began to prepare myself for such a scenario in advance, stocked up on garlands, power banks, so the blackout would upset us, but not stop us.”
- Henry Moore
Ten regions across Ukraine hit by Russia’s mass strike
In total, ten regions in Ukraine were targeted in Russia’s wave of strikes on Thursday.
Emergency services spokesperson, Oleksandr Khorunzhy, confirmed: “As for the massive missile strikes on Ukraine, 10 regions were hit as a result, 28 objects were damaged.
“Eighteen of them are private residential buildings, the rest are objects of critical infrastructure.”
Three deaths have been confirmed from the attacks.
- Henry Moore
In pictures: Ukrainians take shelter from Russian missiles
Photos below show Ukrainian civilians taking shelter from Russia’s latest missile attack on Kyiv in a subway station.
Over 120 missiles were fired into Ukraine in the bombardment.
Vitali Klitschko, mayor of Kyiv, said three people were injured, including a 14-year-old girl.
- Henry Moore
Footage of the missile to hit Belarus shared on Twitter
Belarusian state media shared footage of the alleged Ukrainian missile that hit the country on Thursday.
A Soviet-era drone, used by both Russia and Ukraine, landed in the Kremlin-ally state, sparking fears of an escalation in Ukraine.
Belarusian officials promptly pinned the blame on Ukraine, demanding the country’s ambassador conduct a thorough investigation into what caused it.
- Henry Moore
All missiles fired at Kyiv on Thursday were shot down, Ukrainian MoD claims
Taking to Twitter, the Ukrainian ministry of defence shared a striking image of smoke rising above the city’s Motherland Monument.
In the tweet, the MoD confirmed all 16 of the missiles launched at the city were shot down.
The MoD added: “This is a real photo and it is a symbol of the real resistance of the Ukrainian people to russian occupiers.
“So it was and always will be. Until the Victory!”
- Henry Moore
Putin claims his aim in Ukraine is to ‘unite the Russian people’
Putin has claimed his brutal war in Ukraine is aiming to “unite the Russian people”.
The dictator referenced the idea of “historical Russia” which claims all Ukrainians are actually Russian, as he attempted to justify his brutal invasion.
Al Jazeera reports he said he was acting “in the right direction … protecting our national interests, the interests of our citizens, of our people.”
- Henry Moore
Three confirmed dead in Thursday's mass strike
Three people were killed in Thursday's mass missile strike, reports the Kyiv Independent.
Russia launched more than 100 strikes on Ukraine and while many of them were shot down several cities were still damaged.
According to reports, these attacks left at least three people dead, with seven others injured.
- Henry Moore
Ukraine’s ambassador summoned to Belarus
Ukraine’s ambassador to Belarus has been summoned following reports of a missile landing in the Russian-allied state.
Reports emerged on Thursday that a Ukrainian missile had landed in Belarus, however, its exact origins are yet to be determined.
The Belarusian foreign ministry said: “We have demanded that Ukraine carry out a thorough investigation into all the circumstances of the missile launch, bring those responsible to justice and take comprehensive measures to prevent the recurrence of such incidents in the future.
“Which could lead to catastrophic consequences for everyone.”
- Henry Moore
Russia calls on the west to have nuclear ‘restraint’ as tensions rise
A top Russian official has called on the west to “exercise maximum restraint” when it comes to the use of nuclear weapons.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov made the demand, despite Putin making a series of nuclear threats since Russia’s invasion began.
He said: “We continue to call on the West to exercise maximum restraint in this extremely sensitive area. In order to minimize nuclear risks, it is important in practice to remain committed to the postulate of the inadmissibility of nuclear war, confirmed by the countries of the nuclear ‘five’ in a joint statement dated January 3, 2022.
“In accordance with the logic set out in the document any military confrontation between the nuclear powers must be prevented, as it is fraught with catastrophe.
“In particular, it emphasizes that Russia stands for the formation of a renewed, more stable architecture of international security based on ensuring predictability and global strategic stability, as well as observing the principles of equality, indivisible security and mutual consideration of the interests of the parties.”
- Henry Moore
UK confirms over £2 billion in new aid for Ukraine
The British defence minister has confirmed a new wave of aid will be sent to Ukraine in 2023.
Ben Wallace said today the UK will send £2.3 billion to the under-siege nation in the coming year, as Ukraine continues to fight off Putin’s invasion.
“Another £2.3 billion worth of support next year, and in that we make sure they have the weapon systems they need, the UK will go and help them buy it from elsewhere around the world,” he said.
- Henry Moore
Kyiv residents confident of Ukrainian victory despite new wave of attacks
Residents of Ukraine’s capital city remained defiant in the face of Russia’s latest attacks.
Speaking to CNN, Anna Kovalchuk, who lives in Kyiv, said she is sure Ukraine will be victorious in winning back its freedom.
She said: “I formulated my attitude to what is happening in the first days of a full-scale war, and since then it has not changed — Ukraine will win, and Russia will lose.”
Ms Kovalchuk added she is worried about the power cuts ahead of New Year’s Eve celebrations.
“I’m more worried that most likely the will be no electricity on New Year’s Eve and the holiday will have to be spent in the dark,” she added.
“But I began to prepare myself for such a scenario in advance, stocked up on garlands, power banks, so the blackout would upset us, but not stop us.”
- Henry Moore
Ten regions across Ukraine hit by Russia's mass strike
In total, ten regions in Ukraine were targeted in Russia's wave of strikes today.
Emergency services spokesperson, Oleksandr Khorunzhy, confirmed: "As for the massive missile strikes on Ukraine, 10 regions were hit as a result, 28 objects were damaged.
"Eighteen of them are private residential buildings, the rest are objects of critical infrastructure."
Two deaths have been confirmed from today's attacks.
- Henry Moore
In pictures: Ukrainians take shelter from Russian missiles
Photos below show Ukrainian civilians taking shelter from Russia’s latest missile attack on Kyiv in a subway station.
Over 120 missiles were fired into Ukraine in the bombardment.
Vitali Klitschko, mayor of Kyiv, said three people were injured, including a 14-year-old girl.
- Henry Moore
Footage of the missile to hit Belarus shared on Twitter
Belarusian state media shared footage of the alleged Ukrainian missile that hit the country today.
A soviet-era drone, used by both Russia and Ukraine, landed in the Kremlin-ally state, sparking fears of an escalation in Ukraine.
Belarusian officials promptly pinned the blame on Ukraine demanding the country's ambassador conducts a thorough investigation into what caused it.
Source: Read Full Article