20:22
The EU bans the export of drone engines to Russia
The European Union on Friday banned the export of drone engines to Russia and “all third countries” that can supply Russia with these elements, in order to deprive the Kremlin of these weapons used against Ukraine.
This measure is one of the provisions of the 9th sanctions package, which was decided on Thursday evening at a European summit in Brussels and came into force on Friday with its publication in the Official Journal of the EU.
20:12
Croatian parliament refuses to train Ukrainian soldiers
The Croatian government on Friday failed to persuade parliament to welcome Ukrainian soldiers for training in the Balkan country after controversial debates.
The European Union has announced the launch of the largest military training mission in its history, aimed at training and training 15,000 Ukrainian soldiers in different member states to help them fight against Russia.
The issue has divided the political class of the small EU and NATO member state.
18:08
The European Union condemns “the blind terror of the Kremlin”
The head of European diplomacy, Josep Borrell, this Friday condemned Russia’s rocket attacks on Ukraine as a war crime and denounced “another example of the Kremlin’s blind terror”.
“These cruel and inhuman attacks are aimed at increasing the suffering of the Ukrainian population, but also at hospitals, emergency services and other essential services, and depriving them of electricity, heating and water. They constitute war crimes and are barbaric. All those responsible will be held accountable.” He said in a statement.
16:29
Kievans flee to the subway
At least 40 Russian rockets were fired at the city of Kyiv on Friday. Faced with this new wave of strikes, residents fled to the subway.
15:48
At least nine Ukrainian power plants hit by Russian strikes
Nine Ukrainian power plants were damaged on Friday as Russia encountered massive energy infrastructure, Ukraine’s energy minister said in a remark reported by Portal.
“What we are already seeing is damage to at least nine manufacturing sites. We’re still checking the damage,” said German Galushchenko.
15:25
The commander of the armed forces said Russia fired 76 missiles at Ukraine on Friday
Russia fired 76 rockets at Ukraine on Friday, 60 of which were shot down, according to the Supreme Commander of the Ukrainian Armed Forces.
Earlier this morning it was reported that more than 40 rockets had been fired at the city of Kyiv alone. Again, most were shot down by Ukrainian defense systems.
15:14
Kiev subway paralyzed by power outages after Russian strikes
The metro in Kyiv, the Ukrainian capital, has been at a standstill all day this Friday due to power outages following a new early-morning Russian bomb salvo.
“Due to damage to the energy system and emergency power outages, the subways will not run until the end of the day,” the city government said on Telegram.
13:02
Kyiv without water and electricity: “People become even more lonely in these situations,” a resident testified to BFMTV
“When I went to work, there were explosions. At first I thought it was demining because I didn’t hear the alarm,” tells BFMTV Alina, a Belarusian living in Kyiv.
“I have children who were at home, I took a taxi very quickly to pick them up” to escape to the subway, the resident continues.
“People get even lonelier in such situations. Maybe we have no water, no electricity. But the main thing is that there are no Russians here in Kyiv,” Alina clings.
12:38 p.m
Strikes in Kharkiv: According to the regional head, a dozen rockets hit the city
In Kharkiv, “the air raid alarm went off around 7:30 this morning,” reports local journalist Quentin Baulier.
“It was around 9 a.m. when a series of very powerful explosions shook the city,” he told BFMTV.
“A dozen rockets, according to the head of the regional administration, hit the area around the city on strategic targets,” such as energy sites.
To find shelter and warmth, many residents took refuge on the city’s subway, which stopped when the power went out.
12:09 p.m
Russia fired “about 40 rockets” at Kyiv on Friday morning
Moscow fired “about 40 rockets” at Kyiv on Friday morning, which has caused water shortages in particular, regional authorities in the Ukrainian capital said.
“About 40 missiles were registered in the capital’s airspace. 37 of them were destroyed by the air defense forces,” the military administration of the Kyiv region said on Telegram, saying it had “resisted one of the largest missile strikes” since the Russian invasion began in late February.
11:51
In Kryvyi Rig, the rescue operation continues after the Russian attack on a building
“These photos released by the National Emergency Service of Ukraine show a residential building in Kryvyi Rih hit by a Russian missile on December 16. According to the agency, 2 people were killed and 6 injured, including 3 children. The rescue operation continues. ” reports the Kyiv Independent.
11:00 a.m
Vladimir Putin meets Alexander Lukashenko in Minsk on Monday
Russian President Vladimir Putin will visit Belarus on Monday, the press service of the President of Belarus said on Friday, as strikes followed in several Ukrainian cities this morning.
He will meet Alexander Lukashenko in Minsk for a summit meeting intended to further strengthen the alliance. Belarus, Russia’s only ally in that war, had lent its territory to facilitate the Russian attack on Kyiv early in the invasion.
According to Alexander Lukashenko, Monday’s summit “will be devoted primarily to the economic sphere,” but the two leaders will also talk about “the politico-military situation in our countries.”
10:42
Eight dead in Ukrainian strikes in Lugansk region
Russian occupation authorities in Ukraine’s Lugansk region (east) accused Ukrainian forces of artillery fire on two locations on Friday morning, killing eight and injuring 23.
“Early this morning, nationalist artillery fire was aimed at the town of Stakhanov and the village of Lanratovka in the Troitsky district.
10:18
Two dead in a Russian attack on a building in Kryvyi Rig
At least two people were killed and five others injured in a Russian strike at an apartment building in Kryvyi Rig in southern Ukraine on Friday, regional governor Valentin Reznichenko said.
“A Russian missile hit a residential building. (…) Two people died,” Valentin Reznichenko announced on Telegram.
“At least five people were injured, including two children. Everyone is in the hospital,” he added.
10:11
To cope with the bombardment, the “electric trains” drive with “reserve locomotives”
Due to the strikes in various Ukrainian cities, “electric trains” operating in the Kharkiv, Kivograd, Donetsk and Dnipropetrovsk regions “will run with reserve locomotives,” Ukrainian Railways announced on Friday morning.
10:09 a.m
Water cuts out in Kyiv after strikes, Kharkiv and Poltava without electricity
In Kyiv, therefore, the morning Russian strikes led to the closure of the subway so that the stations could serve as emergency shelters. The mayor of the capital also indicated water cuts.
The mayors of Kharkiv (northeast) and Poltava (middle-east) announced that their cities were without power after the morning bombings. Strikes also targeted the Zaporizhia region.
9:59
Russian attacks target several Ukrainian cities
This Friday morning, a volley of Russian strikes fell on several cities in Ukraine. Among them: Kyiv, Kharkiv, Poltava, Kryvyï Rig, but also the Zaporijia region.
9:48
Hi!
Welcome to this live dedicated to the war in Ukraine this Friday December 16, 2022.