Even two days after the devastating impact of a Russian missile on a residential building in the industrial city of Dnipro, the many civilian casualties remain the main theme in Ukraine. President Volodymyr Zelensky wants to punish the perpetrators and is calling for more weapons from the West, citing Britain’s promise to supply tanks as a positive example. The Russian leadership denied any responsibility for the shelling of the apartment building.
Zelenskyj praises British tank deliveries
Zelenskyy was referring to Britain’s pledge of aid to Ukraine, which other countries should follow. “A new defense assistance package has been announced – just what is needed: main battle tanks, other armored vehicles and artillery,” the Ukrainian president said in his daily video address on Monday night. He awaits decisions on further arms deliveries from the World Economic Forum in Davos, which begins Tuesday, and from the conference of the so-called Ukrainian Contact Group of the country’s Western allies, which meets Friday in Ramstein, Rhineland-Palatinate.
About 40 people were killed this weekend when a Russian missile hit the apartment building in Dnipro, Zelensky said. About two dozen are still missing. Ukraine will do everything it can to find the guilty and bring them to justice, Zelenskyy said. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres issued a statement condemning all attacks against civilians and civilian infrastructure as in violation of international law.
The Kremlin denied any responsibility for the momentous missile strike and the many fatalities. “Russian forces are not attacking residential buildings or objects of social infrastructure,” Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Monday. Representatives of the Ukrainian side themselves said that the “tragedy” over the weekend was caused by the Ukrainian air defense. Peskov clearly alluded to statements made by the adviser in the Ukrainian presidential office, Oleksiy Arestovych. He cited the launch of a Russian anti-aircraft missile as a possible cause of the disaster.
Unknowns lay flowers for victims of Dnipro in Moscow
Unknown people laid flowers at a memorial in Moscow after the devastating missile strike. “In Moscow, people brought flowers and toys in memory of the dead from Dnipro,” the opposition internet portal “Astra” reported on Monday. The monument in the center of the Russian capital commemorates the Ukrainian poet Lessja Ukrajinka. There was also a framed photo of the destroyed apartment building in Dnipro.
The most violent spate of Russian attacks since the turn of the year again targeted Ukraine’s energy infrastructure this weekend. President Zelenskyj subsequently accused the Russian people of “cowardly silence” over the attacks.
Selenskyj urges rapid delivery of weapons
He warned the West to hurry to deliver the tanks wanted by Kiev. Russia’s attack on Dnipro and the attackers’ renewed attempts to take the initiative in the war required “new solutions” and faster decisions. Zelenskyy pointed to strong Russian troop concentrations in the Donbass, especially around the cities of Bakhmut and Soledar, but also in southern Ukraine. “We’ll see what Russia is preparing here,” he said.
Phone call with Erdogan: Putin from accusations against Ukraine
Kremlin chief Vladimir Putin had a telephone conversation with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, blaming the Ukrainian side for the recent intensification of fighting. The Kremlin said Monday after the call that it was “with the help of Western sponsors” to intensify the fighting. Kiev shows a lack of willingness to negotiate – for example by rejecting a ceasefire ordered by Putin for the period of Orthodox Christmas celebrations in early January.
Ukraine had rejected the advance from Moscow as hypocritical and many international observers also spoke of a pure propaganda gesture by Putin. Shooting continued from both sides. Ukraine has repeatedly stressed its readiness to negotiate – but only if Russian soldiers return occupied territory in violation of international law.
At the suggestion of the Turkish side, Putin’s talks with Erdogan also included further prisoner exchanges between Russia and Ukraine, the Kremlin said. The newspaper “Hürriyet”, citing Turkish ombudsman Seref Malkoc, reported that about 800 Ukrainians and 200 Russians were involved in the exchange. Details about this were not known.
What will be important on Tuesday
On Tuesday afternoon (3 p.m.), President Selenskyj speaks via the Internet with students from the European University Viadrina in Frankfurt (Oder) and Humboldt University in Berlin.
Polish President Andrzej Duda wants to make the supply of Leopard main battle tanks to Ukraine a topic at the World Economic Forum in Davos. This is evident from a report from the Polish news agency PAP on Monday from his area. At the meeting in the Swiss Alps, Duda wanted to ask for support for the project of supplying Leopard tanks in the European network. (sda/dpa)
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.
