01/05/2024
Ukraine war in the live ticker
+++ 00:43 Apparently more explosions in Crimea +++
After the Ukrainian air strikes in Crimea in the afternoon, explosions were again reported on the Russian-occupied peninsula in the evening. According to information from “Ukrainian Pravda” Local media report explosions in the town of Saky, about 70 kilometers north of Sevastopol. In addition, Russian air defense is deployed near the Kerch Bridge.
+++ 22:19 Zelenskyj is confident that arms support will come soon +++
According to President Volodymr Zelensky, Ukraine is expecting new foreign arms aid soon. “I am grateful to all of our partners who are already putting together new support packages,” said the head of state in his video address. There will be “a lot of relevant announcements” in January. Zelensky does not give any details. What Ukraine needs most urgently is anti-aircraft weapons and ammunition, says Zelensky, after the heavy Russian bombardment from the air at the turn of the year. Artillery ammunition, electronic warfare equipment and drones are also required.
+++ 21:30 Meloni assures Zelenskyj of support from the G7 states +++
Italy’s Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni assures Ukraine of continued support from the Group of Seven major democratic industrialized nations (G7). According to Italian sources, in a telephone conversation with Head of State Volodymyr Zelensky, Meloni announced that Russia’s aggression against the neighboring country would be the focus of Italy’s G7 presidency. Italy has chaired the group since the beginning of the year. Other members include the USA, Germany, Canada, Great Britain, Japan and France. After the phone call, Zelensky thanked Meloni for his support – including the Ukrainian desire to join the EU.
+++ 20:41 Russia closes important border crossing due to construction work +++
According to the Estonian government, Russia will close an important border crossing with the Baltic state for two years starting next month due to road construction work. The government has received an official notification from Moscow that the border crossing between Narva in Estonia and Ivangorod in Russia will be closed from February 1, Estonian Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna told journalists. “According to the notice, the renovation work is expected to last until the end of 2025,” he added. For its part, Estonia will “continue the usual activities at the border,” assures Tsahkna. The crossing should remain open for pedestrians.
+++ 20:10 Germany delivers more tanks and Skynex air defense +++
The federal government publishes one List of other relief and military supplies, which go to Ukraine. Accordingly, ten more Marder tanks were delivered to Ukraine. For this purpose, Ukraine will receive a Skynex air defense unit, which is intended for short-range use. Germany also supplies ammunition, helmets and rifles.
Skynex air defense
(Photo: Rheinmetall)
+++ 19:35 USA: Russia used missiles from North Korea in recent attacks +++
According to the US government, Russia also used missiles supplied from North Korea in its recent airstrikes in Ukraine. North Korea recently delivered ballistic missiles and rocket launchers to Russia, some of which were used in attacks on December 30 and January 2, said White House National Security Council spokesman John Kirby. He called this a “significant and worrying escalation” in the Ukraine conflict.
+++ 19:23 Important border crossings between Ukraine and Poland blocked again +++
The four most important border crossings between Ukraine and Poland are blocked to trucks again. After a break over the holidays, farmers have resumed their protest at the Medyka crossing in southern Poland, says one of the organizers, Roman Kondrow. The blockade will be maintained until February 3rd – unless the protesters’ demands are met. Polish farmers complain that the price of grain has fallen sharply since the beginning of 2023 because cheap imports from Ukraine are coming into the country. They are demanding subsidies and cheap loans from the Polish government. The three other important border crossings have been blocked by Polish truck drivers since the beginning of November. They are protesting against “unfair competition” from Ukrainian companies after the EU suspended a number of requirements for border transport due to the Russian attack on Ukraine. At the Medyka border crossing, the waiting time for trucks was 48 hours, and at the Dorohusk border crossing it was six days.
You can read all previous developments here.