► Russian strikes in Kramatorsk despite the ceasefire announced by Moscow
On the 317th day of the war in Ukraine, the Russian army struck twice on Friday January 6 the city of Kramatorsk, in the east of the country, after the announced start of a unilateral ceasefire decreed by Moscow, said the Deputy Head of the Ukrainian Presidential Administration: “The occupiers hit the town with rockets twice. A private residential building was hit. According to preliminary information, there are no casualties. »
The United States said Friday’s strikes in eastern Ukraine showed that the ceasefire announced by Vladimir Putin for Orthodox Christmas was a step “cynical”.
Artillery fire also continued Friday on both sides of the front in Bakhmout, the epicenter of fighting in eastern Ukraine, despite the entry into force of a unilateral truce announced earlier by Moscow.
Shots on the Ukrainian side as well as on the Russian side were heard after the start of the ceasefire on Friday in this city with largely destroyed and deserted streets, but their intensity was less compared to the previous days.
► Russia claims to respect its truce, but accuses kyiv of continuing the bombardments
The Kremlin army has assured respect for the two-day unilateral ceasefire decreed by Russia in Ukraine for Orthodox Christmas, but accused kyiv of continuing the bombardments.
“Despite the observance of the ceasefire regime by Russian troops (…)the kyiv regime continued to bomb Russian cities and positions,” the Russian Defense Ministry said in its daily report.
► The ceasefire “not credible” for the European Union
The head of European diplomacy, Josep Borrell, described as“hypocrisy” the ceasefire announced by Moscow in Ukraine, on the occasion of Orthodox Christmas, not judging it ” not credible “.
“The Kremlin completely lacks credibility, and this declaration of a desire for a unilateral ceasefire is not credible, Josep Borrell told reporters on the sidelines of a visit to Fez, Morocco. The answer that comes to mind for all of us is skepticism in the face of so much hypocrisy. »
► Germany will deliver 40 “Marder” armored vehicles by spring
Germany to send 40 armored vehicles to Ukrainian army « Marder » in the first quarter of 2023, the government said on Friday, the day after the announcement by Berlin and Washington of a new phase in military support for kyiv which provoked the wrath of Moscow.
“Forty vehicles will be ready in the first quarter, and can be sent to Ukraine”after one “eight-week course” provided to the Ukrainian army, said Steffen Hebestreit, the spokesman for the German government, during a regular press briefing on Friday.
► The United States provides new military aid of 2.8 billion euros to Ukraine
The United States will provide 2.8 billion euros in new military aid for Ukraine, which will include Bradley-type armored infantry, the White House announced on Friday.
This assistance, the details of which will be given by the Pentagon later in the day, must also include armored personnel carriers and Howitzer howitzers, said White House spokeswoman Karine Jean-Pierre.