Kiev suffers Russia's largest drone attack to date, leaving five injured
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Ukraine has launched a new volley of missile attacks on the Russian border town of Belgorod as the war in the skies between Kiev and Vladimir Putin's forces intensifies.
The attacks are the latest in hundreds of drone and missile attacks carried out by Russia and Ukraine in recent days after Moscow launched one of its largest airstrikes in the nearly two-year war in late December.
On Tuesday, Russian forces also attacked the capital Kiev and the eastern city of Kharkiv. According to the Interior Ministry, at least five people were killed and more than 120 injured.
The Russian Defense Ministry claimed that Ukraine fired 12 missiles into Belgorod Oblast, a small region in northeastern Ukraine, in the early hours of Wednesday morning. They said all the rockets were destroyed.
This came as NATO announced it would help purchase up to 1,000 Patriot missiles to allow allies to better protect their territory as Russia steps up its airstrikes on Ukraine.
NATO's support and procurement agency said it would help a group of nations including Germany, the Netherlands, Romania and Spain buy the Patriots, which will be used to defend against cruise and ballistic missiles as well as enemy aircraft.
Important points
Show latest update 1704354312
Here are some of the latest images from Ukraine
1 Below are some of the latest images from Ukraine
Funeral workers lower a coffin into a grave during a funeral ceremony for Sviatoslav Romanchuk, a Ukrainian soldier, at the cemetery in Kiev
(AP)
The head of Ukrainian intelligence, Lieutenant General Kyrylo Budanov, took part in the release of Ukrainian soldiers during a prisoner of war exchange with Russia
(Press Secretary of the Ukrainian President)
Volunteers clear the rubble of a residential building heavily damaged by the Russian attack in Kiev
(AP)
Tom Watling4 January 2024 07:45
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Russia fires several drones and missiles overnight
According to the Ukrainian Air Force, Russia fired two drones and three missiles into Ukrainian territory overnight.
In an update on Telegram this morning, the Air Force said two Iranian-made Shahed drones were fired from the southeast and intercepted in western Ukraine near the city of Khmelnytsky.
Another three anti-aircraft missiles were fired at Kharkiv Oblast in the east and Donetsk Oblast (one half of Donbass) in the southeast.
There have been no confirmed victims yet.
Tom Watling4 January 2024 07:29
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Ukraine and Russia fire hundreds of missiles and drones in an escalating air war
Russia has fired more than 450 missiles and drones into Ukrainian civilian areas in the past week, killing more than 60 civilians and wounding hundreds more. Ukraine has fired dozens of drones and missiles across the Russian border and into Moscow-occupied Crimea in return, as the air duel between the two escalates while front lines on the ground remain deadlocked.
The British Ministry of Defense (MoD), in his latest intelligence updateindicated that Russia had committed a significant portion of its weapons stockpile to the airstrikes. It added that Russia appeared to have moved from targeting critical energy infrastructure to targeting Ukraine's defense industry – with the aim of limiting Kiev's ability to fire missiles and drones. This recognizes that the Kremlin is expecting a long war of attrition both in the air and on the ground.
“Russian planners almost certainly recognize the growing importance of the relative capabilities of the defense industry in preparing for a long war,” the Defense Ministry said.
Maryam Zakir-Hussain4 January 2024 07:00
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Russian poet sentenced to seven years in prison for reciting verses against war in Ukraine
A Russian poet has been sentenced to seven years in prison for reciting verses against Russia's war in Ukraine, a harsh punishment imposed during the Kremlin's relentless crackdown on dissent.
Moscow's Tverskoy District Court convicted Artyom Kamardin of calls endangering national security and inciting hatred, which related to his reading his anti-war poems during a street performance in downtown Moscow in September 2022.
Yegor Shtovba, who attended the event and recited Kamardin's verses, was sentenced to 5 1/2 years in prison on the same charge.
Maryam Zakir-Hussain4 January 2024 06:00
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Russia and Ukraine are holding a major prisoner of war exchange after mediation by the UAE
Ukraine and Russia announced on Wednesday their first exchange of prisoners of war in nearly five months. More than 200 were released by both sides after both sides held complex negotiations mediated by the United Arab Emirates.
According to the Russian Defense Ministry, 248 military personnel have been extradited by Ukraine. Kiev said it had brought home 230 people – 224 soldiers and six civilians – in what was the largest documented troop exchange to date.
The UAE Foreign Ministry acknowledged its role, saying in a statement that the swap was made possible by “strong friendly relations” with both Moscow and Kiev.
It offered both further humanitarian efforts and the search for a peaceful solution to the war.
A video released by Ukrainian authorities showed returning prisoners getting off a bus draped in the country's blue and yellow flag, singing the national anthem and shouting the patriotic greeting “Glory to Ukraine.”
Most, but not all, appeared to be in good health. . A returnee shouted: “We are home!” You haven’t forgotten us!”
The Russian Defense Ministry released a similar video of returning uniformed prisoners arriving on buses in Belgorod. “I will be home in five hours, roughly speaking, it will be a joy,” said an unnamed man.
Maryam Zakir-Hussain4 January 2024 05:00
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Ukraine has set its sights on the Russian border region and is trying to stir up discontent
The Russian military said on Wednesday that it had fired 12 Ukrainian missiles over Russia's southern Belgorod region on the border with Ukraine. Kiev's armed forces are trying to embarrass Russian President Vladimir Putin and undermine his argument that life continues as normal in Russia despite the 22-month war.
Belgorod Governor Vyacheslav Gladkov said the situation in the regional capital, also called Belgorod, “remains tense.” The city was shelled twice on Wednesday morning, Gladkow wrote on Telegram.
“The air defense systems were working,” he said, promising more details about possible damage after inspecting the area later in the day. Wednesday was a national holiday in Russia.
Maryam Zakir-Hussain4 January 2024 04:00
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Russia fired 500 missiles and drones into Ukraine in just five days, Zelensky told Sunak
“I spoke to British Prime Minister @RishiSunak about Russia's ongoing air terror against Ukrainian cities. “In the last five days, the enemy has fired at least 500 missiles and drones into Ukraine,” Mr. Zelensky said on Tuesday evening, thanking Britain for “significant and comprehensive help in strengthening Ukraine’s air defense, in particular with radars, advanced anti-drone systems and rockets”.
The Ukrainian president said he and Mr Sunak discussed further defense cooperation with a particular focus on air defense and long-range capabilities.
Maryam Zakir-Hussain4 January 2024 03:00
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As part of war sanctions against Russia, the EU is targeting the world's largest diamond mining company
The European Union on Wednesday imposed sanctions on the world's largest diamond mining company and its chief executive as part of its “unwavering commitment” to Ukraine in the war against Russia.
The move targeted Alrosa, which accounts for about 90% of Russia's diamond production, and CEO Pavel Marineychev. The EU headquarters said the company was “an important part of an economic sector that brings Moscow significant revenue.”
This means that Alrosa's assets in Europe will be frozen and EU citizens and companies will be prevented from providing funds to the company. Marineychev, who was appointed CEO for three years last May, also faces a travel ban in Europe.
Maryam Zakir-Hussain4 January 2024 02:00
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NATO is helping to buy 1,000 Patriot missiles to defend allies as Russia steps up its air strike on Ukraine
NATO announced Wednesday that it would help buy up to 1,000 Patriot missiles to help allies better protect their territory as Russia steps up its air campaign against Ukraine.
NATO's support and acquisition agency said it would help a group of nations including Germany, the Netherlands, Romania and Spain buy the Patriots, which will be used to defend against cruise and ballistic missiles as well as enemy aircraft.
According to industry sources, the order could be worth around $5.5 billion.
Maryam Zakir-Hussain4 January 2024 01:00
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Ukraine and Russia fire hundreds of missiles and drones in an escalating air war
Russia has fired more than 450 missiles and drones into Ukrainian civilian areas in the past week, killing more than 60 civilians and wounding hundreds more. Ukraine has fired dozens of drones and missiles across the Russian border and into Moscow-occupied Crimea in return, as the air duel between the two escalates while front lines on the ground remain deadlocked.
The British Ministry of Defense (MoD), in his latest intelligence updateindicated that Russia had committed a significant portion of its weapons stockpile to the airstrikes. It added that Russia appeared to have moved from targeting critical energy infrastructure to targeting Ukraine's defense industry – with the aim of limiting Kiev's ability to fire missiles and drones. This recognizes that the Kremlin is expecting a long war of attrition both in the air and on the ground.
Maryam Zakir-Hussain4 January 2024 00:00