Yahoo News Ukraine-Russia war – live: Anti-Putin paramilitaries ‘destroy’ Russian squadron in surprise cross-border raid
Anti-Putin Russian paramilitaries based in Ukraine have claimed responsibility for a cross-border attack on Sunday.
The Freedom of Russia Legion said they carried out a cross-border raid a few miles into Russia’s Belgorod region.
The group, designated as terrorist in Russia, said it had destroyed a platoon stronghold of Russian troops near Trebreno village, without specifying whether it had destroyed infrastructure or killed soldiers, and said it had left mines behind.
Its claims could not immediately be independently verified.
The group says it was formed in spring 2022 to fight Putin’s forces from within the ranks of the armed forces of Ukraine.
Earlier, Russia launched an overnight air assault on Ukraine, according to the Ukrainian Air Force. One civilian has been reported dead in the attack.
Ukraine’s air defence systems are reported to have destroyed the Iskander ballistic missile and 20 attack drones, with the air force reporting the Iskander missile “did not reach its intended target”.
Russia has fired dozens of drones across Ukraine as its winter campaign of hitting civilian infrastructure looks to be underway.
Key Points
Anti-Putin paramilitaries ‘destroy’ Russian squadron
Hungary blocks £43bn EU funding for Ukraine hours after Kyiv membership talks agreement
Putin holds first major news conference since full-scale invasion of Ukraine
Watch Vladimir Putin’s news conference live here with translation
In case you missed it: Putin says Biden’s comment about Russian plan to attack Nato ‘complete nonsense’
07:00 , Maira Butt
Russian president Vladimir Putin has responded to Joe Biden’s claims that support for Russia could mean an attack on Nato.
Earlier this month, Biden warned that if Putin won a victory over Ukraine then Russia would attack a Nato country. Biden offered no clear evidence for his remarks.
“It is complete nonsense - and I think President Biden understands that,” Putin said in an interview published on Sunday by Rossiya state television, saying it was an attempt by Biden to justify his “erroneous policy” on Russia.
“Russia has no reason, no interest - no geopolitical interest, neither economic, political nor military - to fight with Nato countries.”
In pics: The latest from the war in Ukraine
06:02 , Maira Butt
In case you missed it: Drone attacks target Putin’s air base and Black Sea coast
05:08 , Maira Butt
Karl Ritter reports:
Russia and Ukraine have launched over a dozen drones at each other’s territory for a second day straight.
Russia and Ukraine launched over a dozen drones at each other’s territory for a second straight day Sunday, one of which apparently targeted a Russian military airport while a Ukrainian civilian was killed after drone debris slammed into his house near the Black Sea.
At least 35 Ukrainian drones were shot down overnight over three regions in southwestern Russia, the Russian Defense Ministry said in a post on the messaging app Telegram.
Also Sunday morning, Ukraine’s air force said it shot down 20 Iranian-made Shahed drones launched overnight by Russian troops in southern and western Ukraine, as well as one X-59 cruise missile launched from the country’s occupied south.
Drone attacks target Putin’s air base and Black Sea coast
Putin says ‘West wants to destroy Russia’ and will ‘have to find common ground'
04:05 , Maira Butt
In an interview published on Sunday by Rossiya state television, Russia’s President Putin was asked about how common ground could be found with the West given the rhetoric on both sides, Putin said: “They will have to find common ground because they will have to reckon with us.”
The West, Putin said, had failed to understand the extent of the changes ushered in by the 1991 collapse of the Soviet Union, which he said had removed any genuine ideological basis for a confrontation between Russia and the West.
“The reality is that after the fall of the Soviet Union, they considered that they just had to wait for a bit to completely destroy Russia,” Putin said.
Russia eyes additional oil export cuts of about 50,000 barrels per day in December
03:04 , Maira Butt
Russia said on Sunday it would deepen oil export cuts in December by potentially 50,000 barrels per day or more, earlier than promised, as the world’s biggest exporters try to support the global oil price.
Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak, Putin’s top oil and gas point man, was quoted by Russia‘s three main news agencies as saying that Russia would deepen cuts beyond the 300,000 barrels per day of cuts already agreed for this year.
“Already in December we will add additional volumes,” Novak was quoted as saying by Interfax news agency. “By how much, we’ll see based on the results of December - there may be an additional 50,000 bpd, maybe more.”
Putin gives address at 21st congress of the United Russia political party
02:05 , Maira Butt
President Vladimir Putin gave an address at the 21st congress of the United Russia political party. It is the largest party in the Russian Federation holding 325 out of 450 seats in the State Duma.
He said: “Together we have achieved success, and we still have a lot more to do together in the interests of Russia.
“Today, everyone bears an enormous responsibility. We have, without exaggeration, historic challenges facing us. Their magnitude requires joint efforts and cohesion of all patriotic forces.
“For United Russia and our supporters, who represent our entire multi-ethnic society, all the regions, social and professional groups, this primarily means readiness for intense work, readiness to move forward and achieve more: To defend, together with the entire people of Russia, the country’s sovereignty, freedom and safety, everything that we hold dear – our history, culture, values, and traditions.
“It also involves strengthening the economy, the social sphere, the scientific and technological potential in the interests of people and for the well-being of millions of Russian families. And, of course, it means working towards consolidation of society.”
Civilian killed in Sumy Oblast identified as 69-year-old woman
01:02 , Maira Butt
A civilian who died in Sumy Oblast on Sunday has been identified as a 69-year-old woman according to Ukraine’s prosecutor general’s office.
In a message on the Telegram messaging app they said:
“According to the investigation, on December 17 2023, at around 12:50 p.m, the enemy, according to preliminary information from a self-propelled artillery installation, fired at the civilian infrastructure of the city of Krasnopill, Sumy region.
“One shell of the occupiers hit a private house, the 69-year-old owner died. Houses and vehicles were also damaged.”
They added that an investigation into violations of the laws of war had been launched:
“Under the procedural leadership of the Sumy Regional Prosecutor’s Office, a pre-trial investigation has been launched into the fact of violation of the laws and customs of war, combined with intentional murder (Part 2 of Article 438 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine).”
In pictures: The aftermath of Russian drone strikes on Odesa
00:03 , Maira Butt
Ukraine-based Russian paramilitaries claim cross-border attack
Sunday 17 December 2023 23:10 , Matt Mathers
The Freedom of Russia Legion, a Ukrainian-based paramilitary group of Russians who oppose President Vladimir Putin, claimed responsibility on Sunday for a cross-border attack a few miles into Russia’s Belgorod region.
The group, designated as terrorist in Russia, said it had destroyed a platoon stronghold of Russian troops near Trebreno village, without specifying whether it had destroyed infrastructure or killed soldiers, and said it had left mines behind.
Reuters could not verify the claims of the group, which says it was formed in spring 2022 to fight Putin’s forces from within the ranks of the armed forces of Ukraine, which has in the past denied involvement in attacks in Belgorod by Freedom of Russia Legion and another Russian anti-Putin group.
Earlier on Sunday, Vyacheslav Gladkov, the governor of Belgorod region, which experiences frequent attacks by Ukrainian forces, said Trebreno was under fire from Ukraine’s Armed Forces and that a "shooting battle" was under way on the village edge.
He said no civilians had been injured but three houses and power lines were damaged. On Saturday he posted on the Telegram messaging app that 19 villages or farms had come under attack from Ukrainian shelling or from explosive devices dropped by drones.
Relatives and friends of Ukrainian prisoners of war hold banners in human chain
Sunday 17 December 2023 23:00 , Maira Butt
On Sunday, relatives and friends of Ukrainian military prisoners of war held placards during a rally calling for their quick exchange with Russian prisoners of war.
The captives were detained following the defense of Mariupol and were dubbed "Azovstal defenders".
The demonstration took place at Saint Sophia Square in Kyiv.
Belarus political prisoners face abuse, no medical care and isolation, former inmate says
Sunday 17 December 2023 22:04 , Maira Butt
“All political prisoners with yellow tags are subjected to extra trouble and humiliation every day,” Sudalenka said. “Methods of bullying can range from punishment cells and complete information isolation, to refusing a meeting with a lawyer and denying of medical care and medicine.”
About a third of Vitba-3’s 1,000 inmates are political prisoners, he said, noting their number “increased noticeably after the start of the war in Ukraine,” when arrests were stepped up against Belarusians who opposed the Russian invasion.
Belarusian opposition leader-in-exile Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, whose husband is serving a 19-and-a-half year prison term, met this month with State Department officials and lawmakers, and a Belarus-US working group on political prisoners was formed.
“We are willing to talk about changing our policies, easing sanctions, and improving our relations once the regime releases all of its political prisoners, stops its repression of the Belarusian people, and ends its complicity in Russia’s war against Ukraine,” said State Department spokesman Matthew Miller.
Belarus political prisoners face abuse, no medical care and isolation, former inmate says
President Zelensky: ‘This was an important week’ after multiple international visits
Sunday 17 December 2023 20:58 , Maira Butt
Ukraine’s President Zelensky took to X, formerly known as Twitter, to say it had been an “important week” for the country.
He shared footage of visits to Cape Verde, Argentina to attend the inauguration of their new president, to the US to meet with President Biden and to Norway and Germany to meet state leaders.
He said: “This was an important week. Supporting Ukraine means protecting the rules-based international order. I am grateful to all of the leaders and countries who help us safeguard lives. I thank them for their vital support for our defense.”
This was an important week. Supporting Ukraine means protecting the rules-based international order. I am grateful to all of the leaders and countries who help us safeguard lives. I thank them for their vital support for our defense. pic.twitter.com/CYRcRDpaQb
— Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) December 17, 2023
How to read Putin’s poker face as he bets large on victory in 2024
Sunday 17 December 2023 19:51 , Maira Butt
As the two year anniversary of the Ukraine war looms, Vladimir Putin appears confident that the cards are stacked in his favour. However, there is a flaw in his game plan, says Russian expert and author Mark Galeotti – and it could prove fatal.
Mark Galeotti reports:
Last week Vladimir Putin held his annual marathon press conference and town hall, and he gave no hint of any give in his approach to the war. After all, he may well feel that, after a disastrous 2022, this past year has been more successful than expected, allowing him to gamble on 2024 as the year he may be able to wrest some kind of victory from the initial catastrophic blunders of the invasion.
How to read Putin’s poker face as he bets large on victory in 2024
The Siberian Battalion: Meet the Russian nationals fighting against Putin in Ukraine’s army
Sunday 17 December 2023 18:57 , Maira Butt
When Russia’s invasion of Ukraine ignited into war, back in Moscow, a young Russian who now goes by the name of Karabas was plunged into despair. Shocked by images of what was happening to Ukrainians in Russian-occupied areas, he decided to act — against Russia, his home and country.
Today, he is part of the Siberian Battalion, a unit made up of Russians who have joined Ukrainian military ranks to fight against their homeland, hoping someday to help oust Russian President Vladimir Putin. Its members hail mostly from ethnic minorities from Russia’s far east.
“I was disillusioned with my own people,” recounted Karabas, who like other fighters in the battalion spoke to The Associated Press on condition that only his military call sign be used.
Russia’s ruling party backs Putin election bid and says fifth term should ‘absolutely indisputable’
Sunday 17 December 2023 18:06 , Maira Butt
Delegates from Russia’s ruling party have unanimously backed President Vladimir Putin’s bid for re-election at a conference in Moscow, state agencies reported.
The move came just a day after the Kremlin leader’s supporters formally nominated him to run in the 2024 presidential election as an independent.
A little-known Russian presidential hopeful who calls for peace in Ukraine also inched closer towards formally registering as a candidate, securing a nomination from a group of more than 500 supporters in the Russian capital.
Dmitry Medvedev, United Russia’s chairman and a former Russian president and prime minister, called on fellow party members to “mobilise all activists and supporters” in support of Mr Putin before the vote, scheduled for March 15-17, according to reports by Russian state agencies.
In a speech at the conference, Mr Medvedev referred to Mr Putin as “our candidate”, and asserted that his re-election for a fifth term as head of state “should be absolutely logical, legitimate and absolutely indisputable”.
Drone attacks target Putin’s air base and Black Sea coast
Sunday 17 December 2023 17:22 , Maira Butt
A civilian was killed overnight near Odesa, a key port on Ukraine’s southern Black Sea coast, after the remnants of a destroyed drone fell on his house, Ukraine’s military said.
Stepped-up drone attacks over the past month come as both sides are keen to show they aren’t deadlocked as the war approaches the two-year mark. Russia’s Defense Ministry on Friday evening said its anti-aircraft units destroyed 32 Ukrainian drones over the Crimean Peninsula, which Moscow annexed from Ukraine in 2014. Ukraine’s air force on Saturday said it had shot down 30 out of 31 drones launched by Russia against 11 Ukrainian regions the previous night.
Neither side has gained much ground despite a Ukrainian counteroffensive that began in June.
Drone attacks target Putin’s air base and Black Sea coast
Russia is not interested in extending Black Sea grain deal
Sunday 17 December 2023 16:30 , Maira Butt
Russia has no interest in extending the Black Sea grain deal, the RIA news agency reported on Sunday, quoting Russia’s agriculture minister Dmitry Patrushev.
He added that to a large extent this is a political decision, but Russia will continue to export its grain, as it has its buyers.
“Our grain export volumes, taking into account the winding down of the grain deal, have by no means fallen, they even slightly increased,” RIA quoted Patrushev as saying.
Russia withdrew in July from the deal which had allowed Ukraine to safely export grain from its Black Sea ports. Russia says it quit the deal because the arrangement was not delivering grain to the poorest countries, and because it still faces barriers to its own exports of grain and fertiliser.
Russia and Ukraine launch numerous drone attacks targeting a Russian air base and Black Sea coast
Sunday 17 December 2023 15:45 , Maira Butt
Russia and Ukraine launched over a dozen drones at each other’s territory for a second straight day on Sunday, one of which apparently targeted a Russian military airport while a Ukrainian civilian was killed after drone debris slammed into his house near the Black Sea.
At least 35 Ukrainian drones were shot down overnight over three regions in southwestern Russia, the Russian Defense Ministry said in a post on the messaging app Telegram.
Also Sunday morning, Ukraine‘s air force said it shot down 20 Iranian-made Shahed drones launched overnight by Russian troops in southern and western Ukraine, as well as one X-59 cruise missile launched from the country’s occupied south.
The latest images from Ukraine
Sunday 17 December 2023 15:00 , Maira Butt
Putin says there will be ‘problems’ with Finland after it joined Nato
Sunday 17 December 2023 14:15 , Maira Butt
Putin has claimed there will be “problems” with Finland after it joined Nato.
In an interview published on Sunday by Rossiya state television he said that Finland‘s entry into NATO in April would force Russia to “concentrate certain military units” in northern Russia near their border.
However, earlier in the interview he stated that he did not have any disputes with Nato, calling US President Biden’s claims he would attack “complete nonsense”.
Poland meeting with Baltic leaders cancelled over Covid
Sunday 17 December 2023 13:31 , Maira Butt
Poland’s new prime minister, Donald Tusk, was due to meet the leaders of the Baltic states on Sunday to discuss the Ukraine war and safe borders.
However, the meeting has now been cancelled as Estonia’s prime minister has tested positive for Covid.
Prime minister Tusk had previously vowed the “full mobilisation” of the West in supporting Ukraine.
Staggering Russian losses revealed in new aerial footage
Sunday 17 December 2023 12:45 , Maira Butt
As Russian forces press forward with an attempt to capture the town of Avdiivka in eastern Ukraine,The Associated Press have obtained aerial footage that gives an indication of their staggering losses.
A Ukrainian military drone unit near Stepove, a village just north of Avdiivka, where some of the most intense battles have taken place, shot the video this month.
“It’s an apocalyptic scene: In two separate clips, the bodies of about 150 soldiers — most wearing Russian uniforms — lie scattered along tree lines where they sought cover. The village itself has been reduced to rubble. Rows of trees that used to separate farm fields are burned and disfigured.
“The fields are pocked by artillery shells and grenades dropped from drones. The drone unit said it’s possible that some of the dead were Ukrainians. The footage was provided to the AP by Ukraine‘s BUAR unit of the 110th Mechanized Brigade, involved in the fighting in the area.
“The unit said that the footage was shot on 6 December over two separate treelines between Stepove and nearby railroad tracks and that many of the bodies had been left there for weeks.
The AP verified the location by comparing the video with maps and other drone footage of the same area shot six days later by the 47th Mechanized Brigade.”
Russian forces launched an offensive in Avdiivka in October. Though they have made some incremental gains, Western analysts say the push has resulted in thousands of casualties.
Third Ukrainian truck driver dies waiting at Poland border
Sunday 17 December 2023 12:05 , Maira Butt
A Ukrainian lorry driver has died at the border with Poland, the third such incident in a month since Polish truckers started blocking entry to their country in protests triggered by the Russian war against Ukraine.
The driver fell ill at the Krakivets-Korczowa crossing, one of the four border points between Ukraine and Poland, and died while being rushed to the hospital, said Suspilne, a Ukrainian public broadcaster, on Saturday.
Pickup trucks and lorries bound for Ukraine have been stuck in a miles-long queue at the border with Poland for weeks. The Polish protesters have said their livelihoods are at stake after the European Union relaxed some transport rules.
At least two truckers died in the last month amid the blockade, which is also hampering the delivery of components needed to build drones for the Ukrainian military.
Ukrainian charities and companies supplying the war-torn country’s military warn that problems are growing as Polish truck drivers show no sign of ending a border blockade that has stretched past a month.
Putin: Russia has ‘no interest’ in attacking Nato
Sunday 17 December 2023 11:05 , Maira Butt
Russian president Vladimir Putin has responded to Joe Biden’s claims that support for Russia could mean an attack on Nato.
Earlier this month, Biden warned that if Putin won a victory over Ukraine then Russia would attack a Nato country. Biden offered no clear evidence for his remarks.
“It is complete nonsense - and I think President Biden understands that,” Putin said in an interview published on Sunday by Rossiya state television, saying it was an attempt by Biden to justify his “erroneous policy” on Russia.
“Russia has no reason, no interest - no geopolitical interest, neither economic, political nor military - to fight with Nato countries.”
Putin to run as ‘independent candidate’ in Russia’s presidential election – here’s what it means
Sunday 17 December 2023 10:30 , Maira Butt
Vladimir Putin has decided he will run as an independent candidate in next year’s heavily stage-managed presidential election, a faux-democratic process that will see him maintain his grip as Russia’s leader.
Mr Putin has been at the centre of power in the Kremlin – either as president or prime minister – for more than two decades, and throughout that time has stood for his ruling United Russia (UR) party.
The 71-year-old politician has twice had the constitution amended so he could theoretically stay in power until he’s in his mid-80s.
Mr Putin’s decision to run as an “independent” is likely to be an effort to present himself as a unifying force at a time when his full-scale invasion of Ukraine has isolated Russia from the world and put unprecedented strain on the country’s economy.
Putin to run as ‘independent candidate’ in presidential polls – here’s what it means
Russia says it downs 33 Ukraine-launched drones over Russian regions
Sunday 17 December 2023 10:00 , Maira Butt
Russia’s air defence systems destroyed 33 Ukraine-launched drones over several Russian regions, the Russian defence ministry said on Sunday.
The drones were intercepted or destroyed before they reached their targets over the Lipetsk, Rostov and Volgograd regions, the ministry said on the Telegram messaging app, but further details were not provided.
One civilian killed in Russian air attack on Ukraine, reports Odesa governor
Sunday 17 December 2023 09:26 , Maira Butt
Debris from a downed drone killed a civilian in the Odesa region, the governor of the southern Ukrainian region said on Sunday, after Ukraine‘s air force said it had destroyed 20 drones that Russia launched overnight.
Air defence systems destroyed nine Iran-made attack drones over Odesa, Governor Oleh Kiper said on the Telegram messaging app, calling it the third Russian air assault on the region in the past week.
“However, one of the downed drones fell into a residential area in Odesa district and exploded,” Kiper said, adding that several houses were damaged and one person was found dead in one of them afterwards.
The air force said its defence systems destroyed a cruise missile in addition to the drones. It said, without providing details, that Russia also launched an Iskander ballistic missile that “did not reach” its target.
The Russian air weapons were destroyed over Odesa, Kherson, Zaporizhzhia and Khmelnitskyi regions, the air force said.
Reuters could not independently verify the report. It was not clear how many drones Russia launched in total.
Russia attacks Ukraine with Iskander missile and drones report Ukraine’s Air Force
Sunday 17 December 2023 09:05 , Maira Butt
Russia launched an overnight air assault on Ukraine using an Iskander ballistic missile, a cruise missile and attack drones, Ukraine‘s Air Force said on Sunday.
Ukraine‘s air defence systems destroyed the cruise missile and 20 attack drones, the air force said on the Telegram messaging app.
The Iskander missile “did not reach its target,” it said but did not provide additional details.
It was not clear how many drones Russia launched in total or whether the attack caused any damage or casualties.
Reuters could not independently verify the report.
Putin: Biden’s comment about Russian plan to attack NATO is ‘complete rubbish’
Sunday 17 December 2023 08:12 , Maira Butt
Russian president Vladimir Putin said on Sunday that President Joe Biden’s remark that Russia would attack a Nato country if he won in Ukraine is “complete rubbish”.
He added that Russia had no interest in fighting with the Nato military alliance.
Kyiv protesters demand more spending on the Ukraine's war effort and less on local projects
Sunday 17 December 2023 06:00 , Matt Mathers
Hundreds of protesters angered by what they view as wasteful spending by municipal officials gathered outside Kyiv City Hall on Thursday and demanded that the money should go to Ukraine’s war against Russia instead of local projects.
The Money for the AFU (Armed Forces of Ukraine) civic group, which organized the protest, was formed in September by people concerned by what they term “unnecessary” and “poorly timed” spending by the Kyiv City Council.
Full report:
Kyiv protesters demand more spending on the Ukraine's war effort and less on local projects
In Putin’s bizarre, four-hour TV address, the devil was in all the detail that he let slip
Sunday 17 December 2023 05:00 , Matt Mathers
The appearance of an AI-generated Vladimir Putin in conversation with the real one wasn’t even the most surprising moment in the Russian leader’s state-of-the-nation address, writes Chris Stevenson.
In Putin’s bizarre TV address, the devil was in all the detail that he let slip
Ramaswamy says eastern Ukrainians don’t mind Russian occupation
Sunday 17 December 2023 04:00 , Matt Mathers
Republican presidential hopeful Vivek Ramaswamy has claimed that Ukrainians in the eastern part of the country do not mind Russian occupation.
The biotech CEO told a CNN town hall in Iowa that he would give Russia some concessions to end its unprovoked attack on Ukraine.
Full report:
Ramaswamy says eastern Ukrainians don’t mind Russian occupation
Ukraine’s a step closer to joining the EU. Here’s what it means, and why it matters
Sunday 17 December 2023 03:00 , Matt Mathers
Ukraine got a green light Thursday to start sped-up talks on joining the European Union. That’s a big boost for war-ravaged Ukraine and a loud message to Vladimir Putin — but it could be years before the country actually becomes a member of the EU.
Here’s a look at what Thursday’s decision means, and why joining the EU is especially important, and especially hard, for Ukraine.
Ukraine’s a step closer to joining the EU. Here’s what it means, and why it matters
ICYMI: How the US keeps funding Ukraine's military — even as it says it's out of money
Sunday 17 December 2023 02:00 , Matt Mathers
The White House has been increasingly pressuring Congress to pass stalled legislation to support Ukraine‘s war against Russia, saying that funding has run out.
On Tuesday, however, President Joe Biden touted a new military aid package worth $200 million for Ukraine.
Full story:
How the US keeps funding Ukraine's military — even as it says it's out of money
Former FBI agent gets over four years in prison for aiding Russian oligarch
Sunday 17 December 2023 01:00 , Matt Mathers
A former top officer with the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has been sentenced to over four years in prison for working for a Russian oligarch, violating US-imposed sanctions.
Charles McGonigal, 55, was sentenced by the Manhattan Federal Court to four years and two months in prison after he pleaded guilty in August to one count of conspiring to launder money.
Full report:
Former FBI agent gets over four years in prison for aiding Russian oligarch
ICYMI: EU releasing 5 billion euros to Poland by year's end as new government works to restore rule of law
Sunday 17 December 2023 00:01 , Matt Mathers
The European Union will by year’s end transfer to Poland the first 5 billion euros in funding that was frozen over democratic backsliding under the previous government, the new Polish prime minister and the European Commission president said Friday.
The money is part of a larger tranche that was held up due to laws passed by the previous national conservative government that eroded the independence of judges — something that the EU deemed to be a violation of the democratic separation of powers.
Full report:
EU releasing 5 billion euros to Poland by year's end as new government works to restore rule of law
ICYMI: The EU's drip-feed of aid frustrates Ukraine, despite the promise of membership talks
Saturday 16 December 2023 23:00 , Matt Mathers
Drop by drop, Ukraine is being supplied with aid and arms from its European allies, at a time when it becomes ever clearer it would take a deluge to turn its war against Russia around.
On Friday, EU leaders sought to paper over their inability to boost Ukraine’s coffers with a promised 50 billion euros ($54.5 billion) over the next four years, saying the check will likely arrive next month after some more haggling between 26 leaders and the longtime holdout, Viktor Orban of Hungary.
The EU's drip-feed of aid frustrates Ukraine, despite the promise of membership talks
ICYMI: Russia and Ukraine exchange drone attacks after EU funding stalled
Saturday 16 December 2023 22:00 , Matt Mathers
Russia and Ukraine each reported dozens of attempted drone attacks in the past day, just hours after Hungary vetoed 50 billion euros ($54.5 billion) of EU funding to Ukraine.
Ukraine’s air force said Saturday that Ukrainian air defense had shot down 30 out of 31 drones launched overnight against 11 regions of the country.
Full report:
A symbolic victory for Kyiv on EU membership – but the real headache over Western aid remains
Saturday 16 December 2023 21:00 , Matt Mathers
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban’s one-man mission to block critical European funds, mixed with a similar impasse in the US Congress leaves Ukraine with a big problem, writes Askold Krushelnycky
Read the full story here:
A victory for Kyiv on EU membership – but the headache over Western aid remains
ICYMI: Village council member in Ukraine sets off hand grenades during a meeting and injures 26
Saturday 16 December 2023 20:00 , Matt Mathers
A village council member in western Ukraine detonated three hand grenades during a meeting Friday, critically injuring himself and at least two dozen other people, authorities said.
A video posted on social media showed a man entering a room where the village council of Keretsky was meeting to discuss and approve the community’s budget.
Full report:
Village council member in Ukraine sets off hand grenades during a meeting and injures 26
Sadiq Khan rejects call to send scrapped Ulez cars to Ukraine
Saturday 16 December 2023 19:00 , Tom Watling
Sadiq Khan has rejected a call to send cars that will be scrapped under his controversial Ulez scheme to Ukraine, according to reports.
The mayor of Kyiv had urged the vehicles be transported to his war-torn country, where he said they could be used for a “variety of life-saving and transport roles”.
But Mr Khan has said the proposal would not meet a “legal threshold” that requires that Londoners benefit, according to the Daily Telegraph.
Sadiq Khan rejects call to send scrapped Ulez cars to Ukraine
A symbolic victory for Kyiv on EU membership – but the real headache over Western aid remains
Saturday 16 December 2023 18:00 , Tom Watling
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban’s one-man mission to block critical European funds, mixed with a similar impasse in the US Congress leaves Ukraine with a big problem, writes Askold Krushelnycky
A victory for Kyiv on EU membership – but the headache over Western aid remains
Village council member in Ukraine sets off hand grenades during a meeting and injures 26
Saturday 16 December 2023 17:00 , Tom Watling
A village council member in western Ukraine detonated three hand grenades during a meeting Friday, critically injuring himself and at least two dozen other people, authorities said.
A video posted on social media showed a man entering a room where the village council of Keretsky was meeting to discuss and approve the community’s budget.
The man, who was preliminary identified as Serhii Batryn, a council member who belongs to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s Servant of the People party, took three grenades from his pockets, removed the pins and threw the weapons on the floor in front of him.
Village council member in Ukraine sets off hand grenades during a meeting and injures 26
Ukraine puts head of Russia’s Orthodox church on ‘wanted’ list
Saturday 16 December 2023 16:30 , Tom Watling
Officials in Ukraine have put the head of Russia’s Orthodox church, a pro-Kremlin figure who has supported Vladimir Putin’s invasion of the country, on its “wanted” list.
Patriarch Kirill is now “an individual in hiding from the bodies of pre-trial investigation”, according to a post of Ukraine’s interior ministry’s wanted list. Kyiv’s security services accused him of stoking the war.
Kirill, who is seen in his clerical robes in the photo, is listed as “missing” since 11 November on the ministry’s page.
Ukraine puts head of Russia’s Orthodox church on ‘wanted’ list
