UPDATE ON THE SITUATION – This statement by Ursula von der Leyen comes as Westerners are planning to supply tanks and the toll from the Dnipro strike could still rise.
Moscow, which denies responsibility for the Dnipro slaughter and blames Ukrainians, the European Union, which reiterates its support for Ukraine, Putin, who denounces the West’s increasing arms shipments to Kyiv… Le Figaro pulls at this one Tuesday balance January 17 on the conflict in Ukraine.
Deadly Russian attack in Dnipro: Ukrainian rescuers stop searching
Ukraine on Tuesday halted its search for survivors in Dnipro, under the rubble of an apartment building destroyed by a Russian missile in one of the deadliest bombing raids of the war. “Rescue operations lasted 69 hours. 39 people were rescued, including six children. 79 people were injured, including 16 children. 28 people are currently hospitalized with 10 in serious condition. 45 people were killed, including six children, the youngest of whom was 11 months old,” Ukrainian Presidency adviser Kyrylo Tymoshenko wrote on Telegram in the evening.
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Prosecutor General of Ukraine Andriï Kostine made a first report on his investigations in Dnipro to President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy. “Fragments of the missile were found, allowing for preliminary identification as a Kh-22 supersonic cruise missile. These missiles are only available in one unit of the Russian Aerospace Forces, the 52nd Heavy Bomber Regiment,” the presidency said in a statement. In the afternoon, Ukrainian Aid announced on Telegram the end of “search and rescue operations at the site of the strike” at 13:00 (11:00 GMT).
Emergency crews work on the building damaged by Russian fire in Dnipro, Ukraine January 16, 2023. CLODAGH KILCOYNE/ Portal
Russia denies responsibility for the Dnipro slaughter
Russia, as in previous episodes, denied any involvement in the slaughter, blaming the Ukrainians. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov spoke on Monday of a “tragedy” that he believes could be due to a shot by Ukrainian anti-aircraft defenses. The building was hit during a new wave of massive bombing raids on Ukrainian power plants, a campaign launched by the Kremlin in October intended to plunge Ukrainians into cold and darkness after Russia suffered a string of military setbacks. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy vowed Monday that “anyone guilty of this war crime will be identified and brought to justice.”
” SEE ALSO – War in Ukraine: A strike on a building in Dnipro kills at least 20 people
EU will continue to support Kyiv ‘as long as it lasts’
Europe will continue to support Ukraine “as long as necessary” in the face of Russia, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen promised during a speech at the global economic forum meeting in Davos on Tuesday. “Our unwavering support for Ukraine will never waver. Whether it’s restoring power, heat and water supplies, or preparing for long-term reconstruction efforts,” she stressed. Kyiv has also received a first tranche of three billion euros from an 18 billion envelope provided by the European Union, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on Tuesday. Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte told him of his “intent” to supply Patriot missiles to Ukraine during an interview with US President Joe Biden in Washington on Tuesday.
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First meeting between the Supreme Commander of the Ukrainian Army and the American Chief of Staff
Commander-in-Chief of the Ukrainian Army Valery Saluzhny announced on Tuesday that he had met with US Chief of Staff Mark Milley for the first time against the background of intensive negotiations over an increase in Western arms supplies to Kyiv. “My first face-to-face meeting with General Mark Milley was in Poland today,” Valery Zaloujny said via Telegram, adding that he thanked the American for his country’s “unwavering” support and listed “the emergencies.” of the Ukrainian army.
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Westerners consider sending tanks
On the diplomatic front, Westerners have reiterated their support for their Ukrainian ally, which is still demanding more weapons, particularly tanks, to further push back the Russian army from occupied territories. “The message we are sending to (President Vladimir) Putin is that we are committed to defending the Ukrainians until they win,” British Foreign Secretary James Cleverly told a research center in Washington. On Saturday, London announced the delivery of Challenger 2 armored tanks to Kyiv, which will be the first delivery of western-made heavy tanks to Ukraine.
Also readWestern tanks on the way to Ukraine
Chancellor Olaf Scholz faced increased pressure from several European leaders at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland on Tuesday to authorize the delivery of the Leopard 2 tanks to Ukraine, including by equipped third countries, that Kyiv has demanded for weeks. “We hope and try to organize more support for Ukraine,” said Polish President Andrzej Duda, whose country has said it is ready to supply Leopard 2 tanks to Kyiv. “We hope that the manufacturer of these tanks, Germany, will also participate,” he added. A meeting on Western military support for Ukraine is scheduled for Friday at the US base in Ramstein, Germany.
” SEE ALSO – War in Ukraine: Britain sends Challenger 2 tanks
Heavy fighting in Bakhmout
The Russian army and the Wagner paramilitary group have stepped up efforts in eastern Ukraine to capture the town of Bakhmout and its environs, a bloody battle that has been ongoing since the summer. AFP journalists noted on Tuesday that heavy artillery battles were ongoing around Bakhmout, a town of 70,000 people before the war and now largely destroyed.
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Russian troops awarded for their service
This Tuesday, January 16, the Russian army said, Sergei Shoigu went to the headquarters of the Vostok military group, where he spoke with the commander of that group and those of other units and saw them give a report on the situation on the ground and made “progress” in carrying out combat tasks in the main directions,” the same source said. The army did not specify in its press release where the personnel are located, which could be in both Russia and Ukraine. A video released by the Russian Defense Ministry showed Sergei Shoigu holding a meeting with Russian commanders in person and via video conference. Notably, among those who participated via video conference was the Chief of the Russian General Staff, Valery Gerasimov, who was recently appointed to head the Russian operation in Ukraine.
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According to the video, Sergei Shoigu also presented decorations to the soldiers. “You serve with dignity, protect our homeland, help those in need and do everything you can to advance towards the day called ‘Victory Day,'” he said at the ceremony. In December, according to the Defense Ministry, Sergei Shoigu twice traveled to the area of Russian military operations in Ukraine, in particular to inspect army positions on the front line.
Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu (left) and Russian Chief of General Staff Valery Gerasimov (right) during a visit by the Russian President to the General Staff of troops involved in Russia’s military operation in Ukraine, at an undisclosed location. Gavriil GRIGOROV / Sputnik / AFP