Updated on 12/14/2022 at 6:16 am
- In fighting in the east, Ukrainian forces have allegedly inflicted heavy casualties on Russian occupiers.
- Meanwhile, there were explosions in Kyiv on Wednesday morning.
- What happened last night – and what will be important on Wednesday.
There were several explosions in the Ukrainian capital of Kyiv on Wednesday morning. Mayor Vitali Klitschko confirmed the explosions in the Telegram news service without giving any details.
Explosions in Kyiv: reports of Russian drone strikes
According to Ukrainian media reports, Russia’s armed forces flew drone attacks on the three-million metropolis and its surroundings. The authorities said the air defense was deployed. There were air raids in the capital, the surrounding area and in Zhytomyr and Vinnytsia. Nothing was initially known about possible damage and victims.
Zelenskyj thanks supporters for winter help
The Ukrainian
The US, meanwhile, is considering delivering Patriot air defense systems to Kyiv. And the International Atomic Energy Agency wants to monitor all nuclear power plants in Ukraine directly in the future.
Zelenskyy thanked the international community for the €1 billion emergency winter aid that was launched on Tuesday. “Every day we draw new strength for Ukraine to get through this winter and I thank everyone who is committed to this and helping our state,” he said in his daily video address in the evening.
Representatives from around 70 countries came together in Paris to help Ukraine, which had been badly hit by the Russian war of aggression. The aid is primarily intended to benefit the repair of the severely damaged power and heat supply, as well as the water supply, the transport and health systems and the supply of food. The Russian military recently targeted Ukraine’s entire energy infrastructure in order to wear down the population in winter and to put pressure on the country’s leadership.
Report: US considers Patriot anti-aircraft defenses for Ukraine
According to a report, the US government is planning to deliver the Patriot air defense system to Ukraine. The project still has to be approved by Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin, CNN reported on Tuesday, citing unnamed government sources. The plans could be made official later this week. The Patriot system is used to counter aircraft, tactical ballistic missiles and cruise missiles.
Ukraine, attacked by Russia, keeps pushing for better anti-aircraft defenses. The US is already delivering Himars multiple rocket launchers and the Nasams air defense system to Ukraine.
IAEA stationed safety experts in all Ukrainian nuclear power plants
Safety experts from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) are to be permanently stationed in all four Ukrainian nuclear power plants. IAEA chief Rafael Grossi and Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Schmyhal agreed on this on Tuesday in Paris.
Currently, only the Russian-occupied Zaporizhia nuclear power plant has an IAEA team constantly monitoring the situation and providing independent reports on Europe’s largest nuclear power plant, which has repeatedly come under fire. Indirectly, the presence of the IAEA is also intended to prevent serious attacks that could cause a nuclear accident. Now the three remaining nuclear power plants in the Ukraine are also to be permanently monitored by the IAEA. These facilities are under Ukrainian control.
Kyiv reports losses among Russian troops
According to their own statements, the Ukrainian armed forces inflicted heavy losses on the Russian occupiers in the course of heavy fighting in eastern Ukraine. In the village of Kadievka in the Luhansk region alone, around 60 Russian soldiers were killed and 100 others wounded, the general staff in Kyiv said on Tuesday evening.
Around 150 Russian soldiers were wounded in attacks on a command staff and artillery positions near Melitopol in the south of the country. The information could not be independently verified.
Ukrainian foreign minister expects Russian offensive in early 2023
In his own words, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmitro Kuleba expects a new major Russian offensive in January or February. “I think that Russia will probably have restored its ability for a major offensive by the end of January or the beginning of February – they will try and we will try to prevent it,” he said Tuesday night speaking to press officials in Kyiv. Ukraine will do everything to thwart these plans of the Russian military.
UN emergency aid coordinator in Kherson – Russians angry
UN Emergency Relief Coordinator Martin Griffiths sparked anger among Russian occupiers across the Dnipro River by visiting the recently liberated southern Ukrainian city of Kherson. Moscow’s regional head of administration, Vladimir Saldo, accused the UN representative on Tuesday of illegally crossing the border into Russian territory. “This is outrageous, shameful and indecent,” Saldo was quoted as saying by the Russian state agency Tass.
After invading Ukraine, Russia held sham referendums and illegally annexed four territories in southern and eastern Ukraine, including the Kherson Oblast. In the autumn, however, Ukrainian troops managed to liberate the city of Cherson and push back the Russian occupiers across the Dnipro River. UN spokesman Stéphane Dujarric pointed out that the United Nations does not recognize the referendums orchestrated by Moscow either.
What does the day bring?
The European Parliament will award the renowned Sakharov Prize to the Ukrainian people in Strasbourg this Wednesday. Three Ukrainians who are committed to civil society will receive the award. The Sakharov Prize has been awarded by the European Parliament since 1988 to a person or organization defending human rights and freedom of expression.
© dpa
In a video message, Zelenskyi made a proposal to the Russian President for Christmas: If he withdraws his troops from Ukraine, this would lead to an immediate cessation of hostilities. (Image source: Imago)