What has happened in the last few hours
On the 315th day of the war against Ukraine started by Russia, these are the key data at 8:00 p.m. this Wednesday, January 4th:
France announces that it will send light combat vehicles to Ukraine. French President Emmanuel Macron has informed his Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelenskyy that France will send AMX-10 light armored combat vehicles to help in the war against Russia. “This is the first time that Western-made armored vehicles have been delivered in support of the Ukrainian army,” the official said, without specifying the scope or timing of the delivery.
Federal Foreign Minister on aid to Ukraine: “We must continue to develop European unity.” German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock said on Wednesday that her country was looking for new ways to help Ukraine protect its people and infrastructure, stressing that any crack in the resolve of European support for Kyiv would be a boon for Moscow. “And this year we must protect and develop the common European unity that made us strong last year,” he said.
Kuleba explains that preparations for the transfer of Patriot defense systems to Ukraine have already begun. Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmitro Kuleba said on Wednesday that preparations for deploying the Patriot defense systems to Ukrainian territory had already started, indicating that Kyiv hopes the process will be completed as soon as possible. “Last year we put an end to a revolutionary decision to secure the delivery of Patriot systems to Ukraine, something agreed by the leaders of Ukraine and the United States, Volodymyr Zelensky and Joe Biden. We appreciate this big move by the United States and look forward to their full transfer,” he said during a press conference, according to Ukrinform news agency.
Putin announces the departure of a frigate with new hypersonic missiles to the Atlantic. Russian President Vladimir Putin announced on Wednesday that he has sent a frigate armed with Zircon hypersonic cruise missiles into the Atlantic. In a video conference with Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu and Igor Krokhmal, the commander of the Gorshkov frigate, Putin said the ship was armed with Zircon hypersonic weapons. “This time the ship is equipped with the latest Zircon hypersonic missile system, which has no equal,” Putin said. “This is a sea-based hypersonic system,” he added. Shoigu said that the Gorshkov would sail in the Atlantic and Indian Oceans and the Mediterranean Sea.
Five killed in shelling of Russian-held town in Zaporizhia, Moscow says. At least five people have died in the town of Vasilivka, 60 kilometers south of the provincial capital Zaporizhia (central-east). and in the territory occupied by Russian forces. Another 15 were injured, said interim governor of the provincial occupation forces, Yevhen Balitski, quoted by the Interfax agency. According to Moscow, four of the wounded are from the Ministry of Emergency Situations.
The head of Ukraine’s military intelligence service has insisted that “more attacks” will take place inside Russia. The head of Ukraine’s military intelligence, Kirilo Budanov, has said in an interview with the US ABC network that there will be more attacks on military installations in Russia, but has refused to clarify the responsibility that Kyiv may have . Referring to the bombing of an airbase on the 26th, more than 800 kilometers from the border, which killed three soldiers, according to Moscow, Budanov said he was “pleased to see it,” but hinted that he could only give more could details with end of war.
In the photo by Oleksandr Ratushniak, for Portal, a Ukrainian soldier on the Kherson front.