News on the war in Ukraine on Friday 29 December. Kiev: «At least 30 dead in the Russian attack, 160 injured». EU: «Ready to provide Kiev with new military aid in 2024». Great Britain: «Immediately 200 of our missiles to Ukraine»
• US announces latest $250 million military aid package to Ukraine for this year. • Putin to Xi: «Moscow will fight for 5 years». • At least 33 Russian sailors are missing after the attack on the warship in Crimea.
00.38 am – Moscow, one dead from Kiev rockets on Russian Belgorod
One person was killed and four others injured following rocket fire by Ukrainian forces on the Russian city of Belgorod, governor Vyacheslav Gladkov announced yesterday evening, quoted by the Tass agency. Among the injured there are also a child and a woman, specifies the source on Telegram, adding that damage of various kinds was recorded in ten private residential buildings and two vehicles were also damaged. Shortly before, the Russian Defense Ministry had said that 13 Kiev army rockets had been destroyed by anti-aircraft fire over the Belgorod region, bordering Ukraine to the south.
00:02 hours – Russia in Kiev, expect worse news in the near future
Kiev’s military plans have failed, so the Kiev regime and its Western patrons will face “the worst news” in the near future. This was stated by Russia’s permanent representative to the UN, Vasily Nebenzya, at the Security Council meeting. «The military plans of the Kiev regime have suffered a total fiasco, so expect the worst news for you and your Ukrainian proxies in the near future, regardless of whether the new military and financial assistance packages for Zelensky and his gang are approved in Washington or Brussels”, his words quoted by Ria Novosti. “This will only delay the agony of his regime, but it will not prevent it,” he added. Nebenzya also stressed that Ukraine does not and will no longer have the resources to achieve a turning point in the conflict in its favor.
11.18pm – Russia at the UN: «Our special operation is against the Kiev regime»
«Our special operation is against the Kiev regime». Russia stated this at the UN Security Council, underlining that Kiev’s military plans were a fiasco and that Ukraine is now a private military company in Western hands.
11.02pm – China at the UN: «We are for peace and dialogue regarding Ukraine»
“Our position on Ukraine has never changed: we are for peace and dialogue.” China stated this during the UN Security Council.
10.37pm – UN: «The Russian attacks on Ukraine are appalling aggressions»
The Deputy Secretary General of the United Nations, Mohamed Kiari, during a meeting of the United Nations Security Council condemned the “appalling” Russian airstrikes which, according to Kiev, killed at least 30 people in Ukraine today. “Regrettably, today’s appalling assaults were only the latest in a series of escalating attacks by the Russian Federation,” said Khiari, “The Secretary General unequivocally condemns, in the strongest possible terms, today’s appalling attacks on cities and countries throughout Ukraine.” “Attacks against civilians and civilian infrastructure violate international humanitarian law, are unacceptable and must stop immediately,” the official concluded.
10.36pm – The US at the UN: «We with Ukraine, we will not abandon it»
«The United States stands next to Ukraine. We will not abandon the brave Ukrainians in their fight for freedom.” The United States stated this at the UN Security Council.
10.31pm – Kiev: «Large-scale Russian attack in Kherson in the evening»
The Russians bombed the city of Kherson “on a large scale” in the evening, after this morning Ukraine suffered its worst attack since the start of the war with at least 30 deaths. This was reported by RBC-Ukraine, citing a post on Telegram by the head of the Kherson regional military administration Oleksandr Prokudin.
10.06pm – Zelensky: «It is important that the world responds to this new act of terrorism»
The emergency meeting of the Security Council requested by Ukraine after last night’s attacks by Russia will take place today at the UN Security Council. «Ukraine, together with three dozen member countries, asked the Presidency of Ecuador to convene an emergency meeting of the Council to address the Russian missile and drone attack, which resulted in multiple casualties and heavy destruction of civil infrastructure,” Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba wrote in X. In his daily address to the nation, Volodymyr Zelensky said that «it is important that the world responds to this latest act of terrorism, many leaders have already expressed their support for Ukraine and Ukrainians and I am grateful to everyone».
8.41pm – UN Security Council meeting at 10pm on Ukraine
The UN Security Council will meet at 10pm Italian time on Ukraine. This is what emerges from the work calendar of the security council itself posted online.
8.16pm – Lithuania: «Russia shows that it does not want peace»
«I don’t see any “encrypted signal” that Russia wants peace. All I can see is ruined shopping malls, burning houses and destroyed maternity wards – the results of yet another Russian terrorist attack.” The Lithuanian Foreign Minister, Gabrielius Landsbergis, wrote this on his X account commenting on today’s attacks carried out by Russia on various cities in Ukraine. “We must send clear signals that such crimes cannot continue,” Landsbergis underlined. Similar indignation was expressed by the president of the Baltic country, Gitanas Nauseda, who called the attack “a reminder from terrorist Russia that there is no limit to its cruelty and its desire for war.”
7.00 pm – Sullivan speaks with Warsaw after the story of the Russian missile that entered Polish airspace
The White House expresses “the solidarity of the United States with Poland, our close NATO ally, after the news of a missile temporarily entering Polish airspace”. This is what we read in a note reporting the phone call between the National Security Advisor, Jake Sullivan, and the Polish Secretary of State, Jacek Siewiera, to whom he assured that “President Biden is following the matter carefully” and offered American «technical assistance» «if necessary».
6.52pm – The death toll after the Russian attack on Ukraine rises to 30
The death toll in the massive Russian attack on Ukraine rises to 30, while 160 are injured, according to Ukrainian government sources.
6.39pm – Biden: «Putin threatened some of our NATO allies»
«The stakes of this battle are far beyond Ukraine: it affects the entire NATO alliance, the security of Europe and the future of transatlantic relations. Putin didn’t just try to destroy Ukraine, he also threatened some of our NATO allies.”
“When dictators and autocrats are allowed to roam around in a brutal way in Europe – continues the US president – the risks that the United States will be directly involved increase and the consequences reverberate throughout the world”, concludes the American president, recalling having mobilized a coalition of “over 50 countries to support the defense of Ukraine.”
6.21pm – Biden: «Putin’s objectives have not changed, he must be stopped»
«Overnight, Russia carried out the largest air assault against Ukraine since the beginning of the war» and this «reminds the world that, after almost two years of devastating war, Putin’s objectives remain unchanged. He wants to obliterate Ukraine and subjugate its population. He must be stopped.” Joe Biden says so.
6.16pm – Biden: «Without quick action from Congress we will not be able to continue sending aid to Kiev»
Joe Biden urges Congress to approve new aid to Ukraine in light of the Russian attack in the last few hours. “He must act without further delay,” says Biden, underlining that the “stakes could not be higher. Putin didn’t just try to destroy Ukraine, he also threatened some of our NATO allies.”
6.01pm – Moscow warns Tokyo for sending Patriot missiles to the US
Japan’s decision to supply Patriot missiles under license to the United States risks further widening geopolitical tensions in the Asia-Pacific region. Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Andrey Rudenko reported this to the Japanese ambassador summoned to Moscow, accusing Tokyo of helping to replenish the reserves of its US ally, which would thus be able to send its arsenals to Ukraine. Rudenko criticized the Tokyo government for “destructive actions” which will inevitably affect relations between the two neighboring countries, which have already deteriorated during the war with Kiev. Ambassador Akira Muto, as reported by Japanese media, said that the move is part of the objective of contributing to the stability of the Indo-Pacific, adding that the supply will not imply direct use in the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. Last week the executive led by conservative Prime Minister Fumio Kishida loosened the restrictions on the embargo on the sale of military equipment enshrined in the pacifist Constitution: a legal practice started in 2014 by former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, to allow production and export of the Patriot Pac-3 surface-to-air missile defense system in the United States, in this case paying a licensing fee to the American defense developer Lockheed Martin. A request made directly by President Joe Biden to Kishida in the August meeting at Camp David, and then again at the Apec summit in San Francisco, local media report. On Wednesday, Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova also condemned the Japanese government’s choice, anticipating “serious repercussions” on diplomatic relations if the Japanese-produced anti-missile system were deployed in Ukraine. In recent days, an editorial in the progressive newspaper Mainichi Shimbun urged the government to seek a parliamentary discussion, and if possible a national debate on such a delicate topic, recalling the pacifist principles on which the Constitution is based, and the need to “place a brake” on legislation to avoid a potential widening of the conflict.
5.56pm – Zelensky’s advisor on minors “stolen” by Russia: «Italy and Europe help us to avoid things happening elsewhere»
(by Marta Serafini) Illia was born in Mariupol 11 years ago. When the Russian bombings begin at the end of February 2022, his mother dies under the rubble and he is injured by shrapnel. The Russians transported him to a hospital in the Donetsk region, where a fragment was extracted from his leg without anesthesia. He is told not to use the Glory to Ukraine greeting as an expression and is forced to write in Russian. Ilia survives despite physical and psychological abuse. Thanks to a large team of governmental and non-governmental structures and organizations, in close collaboration with the boy’s grandmother, Olena, Illia manages to return home. He is now in rehabilitation and dreams of becoming a doctor. (…)
Read the full interview here
5.39pm – Kiev: «Moscow shows the world that it only wants terror and genocide of Ukrainians»
«The Russians killed and injured our citizens, destroyed the infrastructure. Again and again Russia proves to the whole world that it has no other purpose than terror, murder, genocide of Ukrainians.” Ukrainian Defense Minister Rustem Umerov wrote this on Facebook, confirming that today’s attack was “the most massive attack since the beginning of the war”. For many months, Umerov says, “the Russians have been stockpiling rockets for this: to hit residential buildings, shopping centers, hospitals in peaceful Ukrainian cities.” For all this, he comments, “there will be a just punishment”.
5.34pm – Great Britain: «200 of our air defense missiles immediately in Kiev»
Britain will send around 200 air defense missiles to Ukraine. This was announced by British Defense Minister Grant Shapps after the new massive wave of Russian attacks on the country. «The UK is moving quickly to strengthen Ukraine’s air defense in the wake of Putin’s bloody airstrikes. Hundreds of British-made air defense missiles will be sent to ensure Ukraine has what it needs to defend itself from Putin’s barbaric bombing,” Shapps wrote on X.
The UK is moving quickly to strengthen Ukraine’s air defense in the wake of Putin’s bloody airstrikes.
Hundreds of British-made air defense missiles will be sent to provide security @Ukraine it has what it takes to defend itself from Putin’s barbaric bombings. #SlavicUkrainepic.twitter.com/eoJ1pQPpe7
5.25pm - Zelensky in Adviivka: «The most difficult area on the front»
Ukrainian President Zelensky says he visited the city of Avdiivka, in eastern Ukraine, which is under constant attack by Russian forces. “This is one of the most difficult areas of the front line,” Zelensky wrote on Telegram, adding that Ukraine has “survived” into 2023 thanks to the soldiers serving on the front.
5.15pm – EU: «Ready to deliver further military aid to Kiev in 2024»
“The EU remains committed in 2024 to providing further military equipment to support Ukraine in resisting the Russian invasion.” The EU High Representative, Josep Borrell, wrote this in X after a telephone conversation with the Ukrainian Foreign Minister, Dmytro Kuleba. “Ukraine’s fight for freedom against tyranny is a shared fight,” underlines Borrell, calling the new attacks carried out today by Russia “barbaric”.
2.56pm – Poland: Russian missile in our airspace
Poland reported that a “Russian missile” entered and exited its airspace.
2.55 pm – «Attack on the Russian region of Belgorod, no victims»
Ukrainian armed forces attacked a village in the Krasnaya Yaruga district of Russia’s Belgorod region without causing any casualties. This was announced by the governor of the region, Vyacheslav Gladkov. «The village of Vyazovoye in the Krasnaya Yaruga district was attacked by the Ukrainian Armed Forces. There were no casualties. Bullet fragments damaged a fence and an outbuilding in a private complex,” Gladkov said on his Telegram channel. The border territories of the Belgorod region have been sporadically attacked by Ukraine since February 24, 2022. Civilian casualties have been reported. The region declared the yellow (high) level of terrorist alert and a state of emergency in 15 border settlements.
2.25pm - Sunak, Putin will not stop, we will be with Kiev as long as necessary
«These widespread attacks on Ukrainian cities demonstrate that Putin will stop at nothing to achieve his goal of eradicating freedom and democracy. We won’t let him win. We must continue to stand by Ukraine, for as long as necessary.” British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak writes this on X, commenting on the latest barrage of Russian air strikes that hit Ukraine.
These widespread attacks on Ukrainian cities demonstrate that Putin will stop at nothing to achieve his goal of eradicating freedom and democracy.
We won’t let him win.
Should we continue to stand with Ukraine? for as long as necessary. https://t.co/cf6aDNwPjD
1.39 pm – Borrell: «Russian attack on Ukraine, cowardly and indiscriminate»
«Overnight, Russia launched one of the largest attacks since the full-scale invasion of Ukraine against cities and populations. It was yet another cowardly and indiscriminate attack against schools, a subway station and a hospital, which resulted in the deaths of at least 16 people and several injuries.” The EU High Representative, Josep Borrell, writes this on X, reiterating that “the EU is at Ukraine’s side for as long as necessary”.
Overnight, Russia launched one of the largest attacks since the full-scale invasion of Ukraine against cities and populations.
12.31pm – US Ambassador to Kiev: «Ukraine needs funds now»
The US ambassador to Kiev declared, after this morning’s heavy and deadly Russian attack, that Ukraine “needs funds now” to deal with the bombing of the Kremlin. “Ukraine needs funds now to continue fighting to free itself from this horror in 2024,” wrote Bridget Brink on X.
11.56 am – Kiev: «At least 18 dead in the Russian attack, 108 injured»
The Ukrainian Interior Minister announced that at least 18 people were killed and 108 injured in the Russian attack this morning in which 158 missiles and drones were launched on various regions of the country. In the videos released by the authorities, rescuers can be seen trying to extract people trapped in the rubble.
11.20am – Russian opponent close to Navalny sentenced to 9 years
Ksenia Fadeyeva, a former city councilor close to Russian opponent Alexei Navalny, was sentenced to 9 years in prison in Tomsk, Siberia, on charges of having “created an extremist organisation”. Her supporters made this known on Telegram, assuring that the defense “will obviously appeal this decision”. Ksenia Fadeyeva, 31, whose trial began in August, had led Navalny’s team to the city of Tomsk where Navalny was poisoned in 2020 during a pre-election support visit to his local aides.
11.09 am – Kiev: deaths from Russian attacks rise, at least 13
At least 13 deaths have been caused by the latest wave of Russian attacks on several Ukrainian cities, which occurred in the past few hours. The Ukrainian government authorities made this known.
09.34 am – Kiev: «At least 9 dead and dozens injured in Russian raids»
According to initial information provided by the Ukrainian authorities, there are at least nine victims of the massive Russian attack on various regions of the country, dozens injured, and many people are still under the rubble. The regions of Kiev, Lviv, Sumy, Odessa, Kharkiv, Zaporizhzhia and Dnipro were affected. An explosion damaged the building of the Lukyanivska metro station in the capital, rescuers have not yet managed to reach people trapped by debris. In Dnipro, a hospital and a shopping center were hit, as reported by the Ukrainian media.
09.25 am – Zelensky: «110 Russian missiles on Ukraine, we will respond»
“A total of approximately 110 missiles were fired at Ukraine, causing deaths and injuries,” in tonight’s massive Russian attack. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky writes this on X, reiterating that «today, Russia has used almost every type of weapon in its arsenal: Kindzhals, S-300s, cruise missiles and drones. Strategic bombers launched X-101/X-505 missiles.” «We will respond to terrorist attacks. And we will continue to fight for the safety of our entire country, every city and every citizen. Russian terror must and will lose,” he adds.
A maternity ward, educational facilities, a shopping center, multi-storey residential buildings and private houses, a commercial warehouse and a parking lot. Kiev, Lviv, Odessa, Dnipro, Kharkiv, Zaporizhzhia and other cities.
— Volodymyr Zelenskyj / ????????? ????????? (@ZelenskyyUa) December 29, 2023
08.48 am – Kiev: «Never seen so many missiles launched against Ukraine»
According to the first information from the Ukrainian authorities after the devastating Russian attack on several Ukrainian cities, two people died in Kharkiv and Lviv, many were injured, there is damage and destruction, buildings on fire in several regions, numerous explosions. «We have never seen so many missiles simultaneously on our monitors», said the spokesman of the Ukrainian Air Force Yuriy Ihnat, «Daggers, ballistic missiles, S-300, cruise missiles, UAVs, X-22 or -32. About 18 strategic bombers shot X-101-X-505.”
07.57 am – Kiev: «Heavy Russian attack, we need more support»
«Massive terrorist attack, rockets fly over our cities again and civilians are targeted. Ukraine needs support. We will be even stronger, we are doing everything to strengthen our air shield. But the world must understand that we need more support and strength to stop this terror.” Ukrainian presidential advisor Andry Yermak wrote this on Telegram after the heavy wave of Russian attacks during the night on many Ukrainian cities, including the capital Kiev.
07.14 am – Explosions in Kiev, air alert throughout Ukraine
Explosions were heard this morning in Kiev, announced the mayor of the Ukrainian capital, Vitali Klitschko, while during the night Russian forces targeted several cities across Ukraine, leading to the activation of a national air alert. Half a dozen cities were targeted by the Russian attacks, including Kharkiv (northeast), Lviv (west) and Odessa (south), the respective local authorities said. A general air alert across the country was activated around 5:00 am (6:00 am in Italy).
06.40 am – Moscow, a Ukrainian drone shot down over the Kursk region
Russian air defenses shot down a Ukrainian drone over the Kursk region in the west of the country during the night: the Ministry of Defense announced this in a statement, as reported by Tass. «Another attempt by the Kiev regime to carry out a terrorist attack against Russian targets using a fixed-wing aircraft was foiled during the night – we read in the note -. Air defenses destroyed a Ukrainian drone over the Kursk region.”
04.55 am – Mayor Kharkiv: «Massive rocket launch on the city»
«Kharkiv is under massive rocket fire. There were at least six explosions in the city.” The mayor of Kharkiv, Ihor Terekhov, reported this on Telegram. Previously, the Air Force of Ukraine warned of the passage of missiles in the direction of Kharkiv. An air alert has been declared in most regions of Ukraine. People are asked to stay in shelters. The city of Kharkiv is located in north-eastern Ukraine.
11.11pm – Zelensky to the Pope: «Grateful for having supported our efforts»
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced on X that he had just had a phone call with Pope Francis. “I expressed my gratitude to His Holiness for his Christmas greetings to Ukraine and Ukrainians, as well as his wishes for a just peace for all of us.” Zelensky then specified that during the phone call we «discussed our joint work to implement Ukraine’s peace formula. Over 80 countries are already involved in this process at the level of their representatives. And there will be others. I am grateful to the Holy See for supporting our efforts.”
8.03pm – THE MILITARY POINT | The Russians are advancing in small steps (while the latest US package for Kiev arrives)
(by Andrea Marinelli and Guido Olimpio) The last month has been the most difficult for Ukrainians. Oleksandr Shtupun, a spokesman for the Ukrainian army, said this yesterday, commenting on the latest developments in the field. Russia is advancing slowly, regaining ground in the South and East, while the latest aid package approved by Congress in Washington is about to arrive for Ukraine.
After weeks of stalemate, in recent days Putin’s troops have made progress around the southern town of Robotyne, which the Ukrainians had retaken during the summer counteroffensive, and in Marinka, in Donbass, defended for months by the resistance: in the first case the Army it has regained a few square kilometers; in the second the Ukrainians were forced to retreat to more defensive positions. Russian progress is minimal and has a very high human cost, but the pressure from the Army, claims Jack Waitling, an analyst at the Rusi Institute, prevents Kiev from rotating units exhausted by months of fighting. (…)
Read the full article here.
December 29, 2023 (modified December 30, 2023 | 06:14)
