2024-01-15 12:59:50
► Ukraine claims to have shot down two Russian airborne command planes
The Ukrainian Air Force said on Monday (January 15) it had shot down two Russian airborne command planes over the Sea of Azov, in what would be a major blow to Russia in an area it is supposed to control.
“I thank the Air Force for this perfectly planned and executed operation in the Azov Sea region! »reacted the commander-in-chief of the Ukrainian army Valery Zalouzhny, after the announcement of the destruction of an A-50, an airborne detection and command device, and an Il-22, an aircraft also serving as command post.
► Switzerland agrees to organize a peace summit, without Russia
Switzerland agreed to organize, at the request of Ukraine, a ” summit “ high-level peace talks, the presidents of the two countries announced at a press conference in Kehrsatz, near the Swiss capital Bern. But Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky immediately warned that Russia would not be welcome at the summit.
“As for the countries that want to participate, we are open to everyone, to all countries in the world that respect our sovereignty and territorial integrity. So we can deduce who will be invited”he said in response to a journalist’s question about Russia’s possible participation in the summit.
► Russia says it has sentenced more than 200 Ukrainian prisoners of war
Russia claimed to have sentenced more than 200 Ukrainian soldiers, prisoners of war, to heavy prison terms, almost two years after the start of the Russian offensive. Several thousand soldiers were captured by each of the two camps, although their exact number is not public.
In recent months, Moscow has also increased the number of trials of certain prisoners, accusing them of war crimes. These prosecutions were denounced by kyiv and human rights organizations.
Russian authorities accuse these soldiers, many of whom were taken prisoner during the siege of Mariupol in 2022, of abuses against civilians. However, it was the Russian army which carried out a devastating siege of Mariupol, causing, according to kyiv, tens of thousands of deaths.
► Volodymyr Zelensky visits Switzerland
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is due to arrive in Switzerland today at a time when Ukraine is trying to secure reliable support from its allies as the second anniversary of the Russian invasion approaches.
“President Zelensky will begin his visit to the Swiss Confederation on January 15”declared the presidency, specifying that there must “meet the leaders of both houses of Parliament, party leaders as well as the Swiss president and participate in the World Economic Forum” from Davos.
Volodymyr Zelensky, who in the past addressed the leaders present at this annual meeting by video message, will on this occasion make a “special speech”. Conflicts in Ukraine and the Gaza Strip are expected to dominate the Davos forum. Ukrainian officials will face their allies’ weariness with their country’s long war.
► The UN demands $4.2 billion for Ukrainians in 2024
The United Nations has announced that it needs 4.2 billion dollars (3.8 billion euros) in 2024 for humanitarian aid to Ukraine and the millions of refugees who have fled the country since the Russian invasion there. almost two years ago.
“The recent wave of attacks is a reminder of the devastating cost of this war for civilians, as a harsh winter increases the urgent need for life-saving humanitarian assistance”insists the UN.
According to the UN, 14.6 million people will need humanitarian aid in Ukraine this year, or 40% of the population, including 8.5 million to be reached as a priority.
The call for donations for Ukraine amounts to 2.8 billion euros. It was 3.57 billion euros for 2023, but only 64% has been financed. Also, this year, the UN decided to revise it downwards, choosing to focus on the most urgent needs.
► Five years in prison for a student accused of collaborating with Ukraine
A Russian student, accused of collaborating with Ukrainian special services and preparing acts of sabotage in Russia, was sentenced to five years in prison, Russian authorities announced Monday.
“The Kurgan Regional Court found the 20-year-old student, recruited by the Ukrainian special services, guilty” to work for these services, the local branch of the Russian security services (FSB) said in a press release. The student, whose name is not specified, “planned acts of sabotage of military and social infrastructure, planned to disseminate pro-Ukrainian propaganda information on the Internet, as well as collect and transmit (in kyiv, Editor’s note) data on the position of military units » Russians, according to the same source.
He was sentenced to five years in a penitentiary camp, the press release added, without specifying the date of the verdict.
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