11/19/2022
Ukraine war in the live ticker
+++ 07:04 US report: Hundreds of Ukrainians disappeared in occupied Cherson +++
Hundreds of Ukrainians arrested during Russian occupation of the southern Ukrainian city of Kherson are still missing. This emerges from a study by the US University of Yale. The Conflict Observatory research group, whose work is supported by the US State Department, counts 226 unlawful arrests and enforced disappearances. About a quarter of the people were believed to have been tortured, and four of them died in captivity.
+++ 05:21 Precarious power supply in 17 regions of Ukraine +++
After the massive Russian attacks on Ukraine’s energy and electricity systems, technicians across the country are trying to restore power, according to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. For this reason, the number of extraordinary power cuts is already significantly lower, according to Zelenskyj in his evening video address. In 17 regions and the capital Kyiv, however, the power supply is still difficult. Among other things, the regions of Kyiv, Odessa, Vinnytsia and Ternopil are in a “very difficult situation”. The power supply will also be restored in Cherson, which was recaptured by the Ukrainian troops. People could charge their phones, warm up, drink tea and get help at certain points in the city.
+++ 03:24 Zelenskyj: A short ceasefire would make the situation worse +++
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has rejected the idea of a “short-term ceasefire” with Russia because he believes it would only make the situation worse. “Russia now wants a brief ceasefire, a respite to regain strength,” the president said in a speech broadcast at the International Security Forum in Halifax, Canada. “A (…) genuine, lasting and honest peace can only come about through the complete destruction of Russian aggression,” he adds. US Chief of Staff Mark Milley has twice said current Ukrainian recaptures may present an opportunity to start negotiations.
+++ 02:55 80 states sign declaration against explosive weapons in residential areas +++
At a conference in Dublin, 80 countries pledge to a declaration that restricts the use of explosive weapons in populated areas. The declaration should be relevant to “current and future conflicts by sending out an unequivocal message about the fundamental importance of protecting civilians,” Irish Foreign Minister Simon Coveney told the conference participants. Germany and all other G7 countries support the declaration. This is intended to protect the civilian population, which is affected by warfare that is increasingly focused on cities. The agreement is supported by the United Nations and the Red Cross. China and Russia did not accept the text. Moscow has been criticized for the bombing of urban areas in Ukraine. Attacks have increased in recent weeks.
+++ 02:19 Buschmann: International Criminal Court could take action against Putin +++
Federal Minister of Justice Marco Buschmann advocates strengthening the International Criminal Court to prosecute possible Russian war crimes in Ukraine. “The International Criminal Court can take action against Vladimir Putin if it can prove – or if there are suspicions – that Vladimir Putin committed crimes against humanity,” Buschmann said on Deutschlandfunk. According to the current regulations, however, the criminal court is not responsible for the crime of aggressive war – which is why the establishment of a special tribunal for alleged war crimes in Ukraine is being debated. Buschmann is rather skeptical about this: “The message must not be that the International Criminal Court is being sidelined,” he says.
+++ 01:11 Ukrainian Ambassador Makeiev accuses Russia of genocidal intentions +++
The Ukrainian ambassador to Germany, Oleksii Makeiev, accuses Russia of “genocidal” warfare in Ukraine with a view to the winter. “They are aimed at civilian objects, civilian infrastructure and many millions of Ukrainians today remain without electricity, without heating, without water,” Makeiev said in an interview with RTL/ntv. “We also need further support from our partners so that this infrastructure is quickly renovated and restored,” emphasizes Makeiev. “It depends on whether the Ukrainians don’t freeze and return to a semi-normal life.”
+++ 00:29 Zelenskyj: In Donetsk there is “no respite” +++
According to President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, heavy fighting is continuing in the eastern Ukrainian region of Donetsk. There is “neither relaxation nor a pause for breath,” says Zelenskyj in his daily video speech. About 100 Russian attacks had been fended off the day before in the Donetsk region. The Ukrainian troops would be supported by border guard units from Kharkiv and Sumy. A National Guard brigade is fighting in Bakhmut. “We will not give in to the enemy in any of the front areas,” Zelenskyy said.
+++ 23:34 Klitschko: Support for Ukraine secures peace in Europe +++
At the Young Union’s Germany Day, Kiev’s Mayor Vitali Klitschko emphasized the importance of his country’s aspired EU accession. “We see our future as part of the European family,” says Klitschko in a video greeting. “Our common goal is to bring peace back to Europe,” said Klitschko. Defense weapons are needed for this. One defends not only Ukraine, but also common values. He concludes with the words: “Together we are tens of times stronger. Support for Ukraine is a key to peace in Europe.”
+++ 23:00 Selenskyj calls for more pressure on Russia from the West +++
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyj is calling for new sanctions from the West in view of the massive increase in rocket attacks by Russia on Ukraine. “We need a new European sanctions package,” says Zelenskyj in a video message addressed to the Irish university community. Russian aggression, like Russian lies, does not stop for a day. “Therefore, the international pressure on Russia should not slacken for a single day,” said the head of state. Zelenskyj accuses Moscow of violating numerous points of the final declaration of the G20 summit on the Indonesian island of Bali, which Russia also supported. The declaration emphasizes the importance of international law and a multilateral system as a guarantee of peace and stability.
+++ 22:21 Ukrainian Ambassador Makeiev appreciates German support +++
The Ambassador of Ukraine, Oleksii Makeiev, expresses his thanks for the support and solidarity from Germany for his country during the Russian war of aggression. At the Germany Day of the Junge Union (JU) in Fulda, Makeiev said he felt that the hearts in Germany were also beating blue and yellow. A lot has been done by the German leadership since the outbreak of war. The German arms shipments would play a crucial role in winning the war and literally saving lives. Despite German-supplied anti-aircraft defenses, many Russian missiles would hit their targets, resulting in civilian casualties and a breakdown in Ukraine’s critical infrastructure.
+++ 22:03 Ukraine will develop and produce weapons with NATO countries in the future +++
Poland, the Czech Republic, France, Denmark and other NATO countries will work with Ukraine to develop and produce heavy weapons and other military equipment, the main Ukrainian defense company said Ukroboronprom with. Ukroboronprom says they will manufacture ammunition, armored vehicles and multiple rocket launchers. “To do this, we use both existing and newly created capacities in safe locations,” the company continued.
You can read earlier developments in the Ukraine war here.