Russia has again attacked numerous targets in Ukraine with a heavy missile attack. The neighboring country of Belarus has since reported the discovery of a missile on its territory after the deployment of the Ukrainian air defense.
Thursday in Ukraine at a glance:
Heavy damage in Ukraine after attacks
Rocket debris has damaged two homes in the Ukrainian capital Kiev. Mayor Vitali Klitschko said three people were injured, including a 14-year-old. According to the Ukrainian air defense system, it shot down 16 missiles.
About 40 percent of consumers in Kiev were initially without power. The utilities are working to restore power, Klitschko said. Heat and water supply are functioning normally.
Ukrainian missile in Belarus
State media in Minsk reported that a missile launched by the S-300 air defense system fell on Belarusian territory. The reasons are currently being investigated.
The state agency Belta reported that the missile may have reached Belarusian territory as part of the operation of the Ukrainian air defense system. That would be a similar incident to the one in November when Polish territory was hit.
There is great concern in Ukraine that Russia could launch another attack from Belarus. Such a find could be used as a pretext by Minsk and Moscow.
Russia rejects Ukrainian terms for peace talks
“It goes without saying that we will not speak to anyone on these terms,” Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said in an interview published on the ministry’s website on Thursday. Russia will not give up the occupied territories, pay reparations or plead guilty in international courts.
Lavrov called the Kiev leadership “unable to negotiate”. Earlier, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy presented his “peace formula”. The main points are the complete withdrawal of Russian troops from Ukrainian territory and payment of reparations for the destruction caused by the Russian army.
New drone attack on Russian military airport
In the southern Russian region of Saratov, the air defense has shot down a drone near the Engels-2 military airfield, according to authorities. The military airport, where Russia deploys strategic bombers for missile attacks on Ukraine, was already attacked twice in December.
According to the British assessment, the Ukrainian drone strikes demonstrate the vulnerability of Russian air defenses. London’s Defense Ministry said it is becoming increasingly clear that Russia is struggling to fend off attacks deep inside the country. Modern air defense systems are likely rare because they are also needed to protect headquarters near the front line, it said.
Military situation in Eastern Ukraine
According to the Ukrainian army, it has advanced near the strategically important city of Kreminna in the Luhansk region. «Our soldiers continue their offensive actions in the area of the city of Kreminna. During the week, the defenders of Ukraine advanced up to 2.5 kilometers towards the said settlement,” General Oleksiy Hromov said at a General Staff briefing. Kreminna is considered a possible gateway to advance in eastern Ukraine.
Soource :Watson
I am Amelia James, a passionate journalist with a deep-rooted interest in current affairs. I have more than five years of experience in the media industry, working both as an author and editor for 24 Instant News. My main focus lies in international news, particularly regional conflicts and political issues around the world.
