01/22/2024
Ukraine war in the live ticker
+++ 06:23 Ukraine reports drone attacks on targets in the Leningrad region +++
Ukrainian forces have reportedly carried out drone strikes on targets in the Leningrad and Tula regions. It is said that Russian air defense systems were switched off. Accordingly, the Shcheglovsky Wal factory in the city of Tula is said to have been attacked. There was also an attack on the Nowateka plant and a gas terminal near the Russian Baltic Sea port of Ust-Luga. The reports rely on information from the Ukrainian special services. Explosions can also be seen on Russian videos.
+++ 05:34 Four-month NATO large-scale exercise “Steadyfast Defender” begins +++
Against the backdrop of Russia’s war of aggression, the largest NATO maneuver in decades begins today. According to NATO information, the military exercise “Steadfast Defender” with around 90,000 soldiers is intended to test a Russian attack on alliance territory in the event of an emergency. The major maneuver will therefore last until the end of May. All 31 alliance countries and candidate country Sweden are taking part in the four-month military exercise. According to the chairman of the NATO Military Committee, Rob Bauer, the military alliance is preparing for a conflict with Russia and terrorist groups with the exercise. In June, NATO held the large-scale NATO air force exercise “Air Defender” over German airspace. It was the largest relocation exercise of air forces since NATO was founded almost 75 years ago. 250 aircraft and around 10,000 soldiers from 25 countries took part.
+++ 04:02 Report: Ukrainians in occupied territories are denied medical care +++
Residents of regions in Ukraine occupied by Russian troops are apparently being denied medical care if they do not have a Russian passport. That’s what he reports “Kyiv Independent” citing the National Resistance Center. Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a decree in April 2023 setting a deadline for residents of the occupied territories to apply for Russian citizenship. Refusal to accept a Russian passport carries severe penalties, including loss of property rights, prison sentences and deportation, it said. The center explains that medical institutions in the occupied territories only offer services to residents with Russian health insurance. In order to take out Russian insurance, a Russian passport is required. According to the information, holders of Ukrainian passports can continue to use ambulance services in emergencies. This would give Ukrainians the same right to medical care as foreign visitors.
+++ 02:53 Personnel shortage: Union and FDP open to Bundeswehr soldiers without a German passport +++
In order to counteract the blatant personnel shortage in the Bundeswehr, Defense Minister Boris Pistorius has shown himself open to accepting soldiers without a German passport into the force. He receives support for the proposal from both defense politicians from the traffic light coalition and from the opposition. The chairwoman of the Defense Committee in the Bundestag, Marie-Agnes Strack-Zimmermann, tells the Düsseldorf “Rheinische Post”: “Basically, we have to think in a much more European way when looking for suitable young people who are willing to serve in the Bundeswehr.” This also includes the consideration “that soldiers without a German passport can get it more quickly through successful service in the Bundeswehr,” says the FDP politician. The deputy chairman of the Union parliamentary group for defense policy, Johann Wadephul, is also fundamentally open. At the same time, it raises questions that Defense Minister Pistorius must answer. “Does this option only apply to citizens of EU or NATO countries or even beyond? Is complete knowledge of the German language necessary?”
+++ 01:32 Ukrainian armed forces deny involvement in attack in Donetsk +++
According to pro-Russian Governor Denis Pushilin, 27 civilians were killed and 25 others injured in the attack on a market square in Donetsk on Sunday. Pushilin claims on Telegram that Ukrainian troops carried out the shelling. Again “Kyiv Independent” reports, the press office of Ukraine’s Tavria group, which is fighting on the southeastern front line, issued a statement denying involvement in the attack. “The Russians are spreading information about an attack on the market in Donetsk,” it says. “We responsibly declare that the forces subordinate to the Tavria military unit were not involved in hostilities in this case. Donetsk is Ukraine! Russia must be held accountable for the lives of Ukrainians that were taken.”
+++ 23:14 Kiev: “Russia will be held accountable for all this terror” +++
After a series of Russian attacks on Ukrainian cities and villages with numerous victims, President Volodymyr Zelensky reiterated that Russia must take responsibility. “Russia will be held accountable for all this terror,” says the Ukrainian leader in his nightly video address (see also entry 10:16 p.m). “Without Moscow’s decisions to unleash this aggression and this terror, thousands and thousands of people would still be alive today.” Therefore, both those responsible and the entire Russian state must be held accountable. “Russia must learn and always remember that the aggressor loses the most through aggression.”
+++ 22:16 Selenskyj names the most hotly contested cities recently +++
In his evening address, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky gives an overview of the areas most hotly contested recently. “Since the beginning of this day there have been about 60 clashes. The most intense [Kämpfe] “There have been more than 50 incidents of Russian shelling by multiple rocket launchers alone, as well as dozens of airstrikes and rocket attacks.”
+++ 21:18 Authorities in the Russian Baltic Sea region on alert because of drones +++
Authorities are on alert following reports of Ukrainian drone attacks in the St. Petersburg region. The regional administration says this applies to critical infrastructure facilities. Security forces throughout the Leningrad region have been instructed to neutralize unmanned aerial vehicles. A fire broke out at a gas and oil terminal in the Russian Baltic Sea port of Ust-Luga. The cause is said to be a Ukrainian drone attack.
+++ 20:33 EU foreign ministers exchange ideas with Kuleba +++
Tomorrow, Monday, the foreign ministers of the EU states want to discuss with colleagues from the Middle East about possible initiatives for a lasting settlement of the conflict between Israelis and Palestinians. The second important topic at the EU meeting in Brussels will be the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine. The ministers want to hear from their Ukrainian colleague Dmytro Kuleba about the current situation. In addition, possible long-term security commitments from the EU and further military support will be discussed.
+++ 19:34 Ukrainian intelligence chief: North Korea is Russia’s largest arms supplier +++
According to Ukrainian intelligence chief Kyrylo Budanov, North Korea is currently Russia’s largest arms supplier. According to Budanov, North Korea has transferred “a significant amount” of artillery ammunition to Russia. “That gave Russia a little bit of a sigh of relief,” the head of Ukrainian military intelligence told the Financial Times in an interview. “Without this help the situation would be [für Russland] been catastrophic.”
You can read all previous developments here.