Russia wants to start new offensive, says Ukraine
Zelenskyi said winter shelters with basic services such as heating, water and a first-aid kit would be available free of charge to citizens across the country.
Handout | News from Getty Images | Getty Images
According to senior Ukrainian officials, Russia could launch a new offensive in Ukraine as early as January.
The head of Ukraine’s Armed Forces General Valery Zaluzhny, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and General Oleksandr Syrsky all spoke to The Economist magazine, published on Thursday, which detailed its forecasts for the next year.
“The Russians are preparing around 200,000 fresh troops,” Salusschny told the publication.
Read more here.
-Matt clinch
At least 3 cities attacked
The Associated Press is now reporting, citing Ukrainian authorities, that explosions are said to have occurred in at least three Ukrainian cities on Friday morning – Kyiv, Kryvyi Rih in the south and the northeastern city of Kharkiv.
“Explosions in Kharkiv for the second day in a row. An infrastructure facility was previously attacked by rockets. There may be electrical problems… Be careful and stay under cover,” Kharkiv Mayor Ihor Terekhov said via telegram, according to a Google translator.
-Matt clinch
Explosions in Kyiv, Mayor says
Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko said explosions hit the capital on Friday morning after air raid sirens were heard across the country.
“Explosions in the Desnyan district of the capital. All services go to the place … Stay in shelters!” Klitschko said, according to a Google translation of his Telegram post.
“Another explosion in Kyiv, in the Dnipro district.”
Kiev Mayor Vitali Klitschko stands in front of a damaged building following Russian strikes in Kyiv April 29, 2022 amid Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
Genya Savilov | AFP | Getty Images
Air raid sirens sound over Ukraine
A volley of fresh Russian attacks was expected early Friday, when Portal reported air raid sirens were sounding in places including the capital Kyiv.
Kyrylo Tymoshenko, the deputy head of the president’s office, said via messaging app Telegram: “Don’t ignore air raid alerts, stay in shelters.”
– Matt Clinch
US expands combat training for Ukrainian troops
The Pentagon will expand military combat training for Ukraine’s armed forces and use the slower winter months to train larger units in more complex combat skills, US officials said.
The US has already trained about 3,100 Ukrainian soldiers in the use and maintenance of specific weapons and other equipment, including howitzers, armored vehicles and the High Mobility Artillery Rocket System known as HIMARS. But senior military leaders have been discussing expanding this training for months, touting the need to improve the ability of Ukraine’s company- and battalion-sized units to maneuver and coordinate attacks across the battlefield.
A battalion can contain up to 800 soldiers; a company is much smaller, with a few hundred employees.
According to official information, the training will take place at the Grafenwöhr military training area in Germany. And the goal is to use the winter months to hone the capabilities of Ukraine’s armed forces so they are better prepared to counter a surge in Russian attacks or efforts to expand Russia’s territorial gains.
— Associated Press
EU approves new sanctions on Russia, diplomats say
European Council President Charles Michel and Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal attend a news conference in Odessa, Ukraine May 9, 2022, as Russia’s attack on Ukraine continues.
Ukrainian Government Press Service | Portal
The European Union has passed a new package of sanctions aimed at increasing pressure on Russia over its war in Ukraine.
The package, details of which were not disclosed, was approved after days of deliberations during a meeting of ambassadors from the 27-nation bloc.
The Czech Republic, which holds the rotating EU presidency, said the package would be confirmed by written procedure on Friday. Details will then be published in the legal acts of the bloc.
The European Commission, the EU’s executive arm, last week proposed travel bans and asset freezes for nearly 200 more Russian officials and military officers as part of the new round of measures.
Targets of the latest recommended sanctions included government ministers, lawmakers, regional governors and political parties.
— Associated Press
Four ships leave Ukrainian ports as part of the Black Sea Grains Initiative
The Maltese-flagged bulk carrier Zante en route to Belgium crosses the Bosphorus carrying 47,270 tons of rapeseed from Ukraine after being detained at the entrance to the Bosphorus because Russia pulled out of the Black Sea Grains Agreement in Istanbul November 02, 2022. Turkey.
Chris McGrath | Getty Images
Four ships carrying wheat and vegetable oil have left ports in Ukraine, the organization that manages agricultural exports from the country said.
The ships are destined for India and Turkey.
Under the Black Sea Grain Initiative, a deal negotiated in July between Ukraine, Russia, Turkey and the United Nations, three key Ukrainian ports have reopened after a Russian naval blockade halted exports for months. Since the agreement came into force, more than 13.9 million tons of grain and other products have left Ukraine.
The deal between the signatories expires in about three months.
– Amanda Macias