01/03/2024
Ukraine war in the live ticker
+++ 07:01 ISW: ISW: Putin wants to persuade the West to betray Ukraine +++
According to the Institute for the Study of War (ISW), Russian President Vladimir Putin’s recent comments suggest that “Russia is fighting in Ukraine to defeat the West.” During a recent visit to a military hospital, Putin said that Western actors were Russia’s real enemies – not Ukraine. This indicates according to the ISW indicates that Putin has no intention of negotiating with Ukraine. Rather, he is creating conditions “that are intended to convince the West to betray Ukraine through negotiations.” The Russian president also emphasized that Western rhetoric has recently focused on how to “quickly end the conflict.” This shows, according to the ISW, “that he will perceive and/or present any wavering of Western support for Ukraine and any Ukrainian defeat on the battlefield as a Russian victory in this supposed Russian-Western confrontation.”
+++ 06:33 Ukraine reports 46 explosions in Sumy region +++
According to Ukrainian sources, Russian forces have attacked the Sumy region ten times in the past 24 hours. The region’s military administration writes this on Telegram. Accordingly, Russian troops used mortars, artillery and rockets – the region registered 46 explosions during the day. The communities of Krasnopillia, Khotin, Velyka Pysarivka and Yunakivka came under fire. The village of Chotin, with around 2,200 residents, was the hardest hit with 24 explosions. The community is located just ten kilometers south and 25 kilometers west of the Ukrainian-Russian border. There have been no reports of deaths or injuries so far.
+++ 06:08 British oil refinery gives loan to company linked to sanctioned oligarch +++
One of the UK’s largest oil refineries appears to be lending to an oil company linked to a sanctioned Russian oligarch. This reports the Guardian. Documents show that Essar Oil UK has granted a $500 million “payment facility” to Litasco. Litasco belongs to the Russian oil company Lukoil. Its founder Vagit Alekperov is a close confidant of Russian President Vladimir Putin and was sanctioned in April 2022. He then resigned from his position as director, but he continues to have a stake in the company. The two-year contract between Essar Oil UK and Litasco was originally scheduled to end in May 2023, but was extended until June 2024.
+++ 05:40 Russia: Ukraine shells Belgorod in vain +++
According to Russian information, Ukraine is carrying out a drone attack on the Russian city of Belgorod. The governor of the region bordering Ukraine says several drones were destroyed while approaching the city of Belgorod.
+++ 04:29 Zelenskyj on Russian bombing: 500 rockets in five days +++
The number of Russian drone and missile attacks on Ukraine has been increasing since the New Year. According to Ukrainian President Zelensky, Russia fired 500 missiles and drones in the past five days. With the series of heavy night bombings from the air, the Russian army is demonstrating that it can shell every corner of the neighboring country.
+++ 02:26 Five dead and 130 injured due to Russian attack +++
Five people were killed and 130 people injured in the major Russian attack on Kiev and Kharkiv by evening. This is reported by Ukrainian media with reference to the state rescue service. “My condolences go out to everyone who lost their loved ones. May all victims of Russian terror rest in peace,” said Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in his evening video address.
+++ 01:25 UN Human Rights Office complains about escalation +++
UN Human Rights Commissioner Volker Türk is calling for an immediate de-escalation in the fighting between Russia and Ukraine. “Alarming escalation of fighting, dozens of civilians have been killed in Ukraine and Russia,” writes the UN Human Rights Office on online service X. “International humanitarian law prohibits indiscriminate attacks and attacks on civilian facilities.” Türk calls for immediate measures to de-escalate, protect civilians and comply with international law.
+++ 00:14 Moscow reports successes in air defense +++
The Defense Ministry in Moscow said nine Ukrainian rockets were fired over the Belgorod region. This thwarted a terrorist attack on Russian territory. The governor of Russian-occupied Crimea also reports air defense successes. A rocket was intercepted over Sevastopol, writes Mikhail Razvoshayev on Telegram. Nobody was injured and no damage was caused. Several Telegram messages stated that there were loud explosions over various parts of Sevastopol.
+++ 23:15 UN Security Council: Situation in Ukraine is getting worse +++
The current chairman of the UN Security Council is pessimistic about the fighting in Ukraine in 2024. “I think the situation is not improving, it is getting worse,” says France’s UN Ambassador Nicolas de Rivière in New York. The country chaired the body in January. The number of Russian drone and missile attacks is increasing and they are obviously targeting Ukraine’s civilian infrastructure, warns de Rivière. “There is a clear agenda that is clearly aimed at instilling fear in the population.”
+++ 22:07 Russian attacks on Kharkiv again +++
The sounds of explosions can be heard again in the eastern Ukrainian city of Kharkiv. Ihor Terekhov, mayor of Ukraine’s second largest city, reports this on Telegram. According to authorities, the attacks were Russian. Residents are urged to stay in shelters. The Air Force reports a missile heading towards the city.
You can read all previous developments here.