4 killed, nine injured in Kherson shelling on Dec. 15, official says
Russian forces bombarded the Kherson region 30 times on Dec. 15, killing 4 people and injuring one other nine, in line with Yaroslav Yanushevych, head of the Kherson Regional Military Administration. His comments were reported by Ukrainian state news agency Ukrinform.
Russian shelling struck residences, transport routes, health care facilities and humanitarian aid points, Yanushevych noted.
MSC continuing to ship goods through the Black Sea
The world’s largest shipping company, MSC, said Thursday that it is continuous to ship goods through the Black Sea, while avoiding Ukrainian ports which are deemed too dangerous, corresponding to Odessa.
CEO Soren Toft told CNBC that while it’s “after all abiding by the sanctions,” it’s also continuing to move food, humanitarian aid and medical supplies to Russia.
“I do not think it’s my job to act politically,” he said. “There’s 150 million Russians, and I do not think I would like to deprive them of basic stuff.”
— Karen Gilchrist
Russia to launch latest offensive, Ukraine says
Zelenskyy said winter shelters with basic services including heat, water and a first-aid kit could be freely available to residents across the country.
Handout | Getty Images News | Getty Images
Russia could launch a latest offensive in Ukraine as soon as January, in line with top Ukrainian officials.
The top of Ukraine’s armed forces, General Valery Zaluzhny, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and General Oleksandr Syrsky have all spoken to The Economist magazine, published Thursday, which detailed their predictions for next yr.
“The Russians are preparing some 200,000 fresh troops,” Zaluzhny told the publication.
Read more here.
-Matt Clinch
A minimum of 3 cities under attack
The Associated Press are actually reporting, citing Ukrainian authorities, that there are said to be explosions in no less than three cities in Ukraine on Friday morning – Kyiv, Kryvyi Rih within the south and the northeastern city of Kharkiv.
“Explosions in Kharkiv for the second day in a row. An infrastructure facility was previously under missile attack. There could also be electrical problems … Watch out and stay in cover,” Kharkiv Mayor Ihor Terekhov said via Telegram, in line with a Google translate.
-Matt Clinch
Explosions in Kyiv, mayor says
Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko said Friday morning explosions had hit the capital after air raid sirens had been been heard across the country.
“Explosions in Desnyan district of the capital. All services go to the place … Stay in shelters!” Klitschko said, in line with a Google translation of his Telegram post.
“One other explosion in Kyiv, within the Dnipro district.”
Kyiv’s mayor Vitali Klitschko stands in front of a damaged constructing following Russian strikes in Kyiv on April 29, 2022, amid Russian invasion of Ukraine.
Genya Savilov | AFP | Getty Images
Air raid sirens sound across Ukraine
A volley of fresh Russian attacks were expected early Friday as Reuters reported that air raid sirens were sounding in places like capital Kyiv.
Kyrylo Tymoshenko, the deputy head of the president’s office, said via the Telegram messaging app: “Don’t ignore air raid alerts, remain in shelters.”
—Matt Clinch
U.S. to expand combat training for Ukrainian troops
The Pentagon will expand military combat training for Ukrainian forces, using the slower winter months to instruct larger units in additional complex battle skills, U.S. officials said.
The U.S. has already trained about 3,100 Ukrainian troops on find out how to use and maintain certain weapons and other equipment, including howitzers, armored vehicles and the High Mobility Artillery Rocket System, generally known as HIMARS. But senior military leaders for months have discussed expanding that training, touting the necessity to improve the flexibility of Ukraine’s company- and battalion-sized units to maneuver and coordinate attacks across the battlefield.
A battalion can include as many as 800 troops; an organization is far smaller, with a pair hundred forces.
Based on officials, the training will happen on the Grafenwoehr training area in Germany. And the aim is to make use of the winter months to hone the talents of the Ukrainian forces so that they shall be higher prepared to counter any spike in Russian attacks or efforts to expand Russia’s territorial gains.
— Associated Press
EU approves latest sanctions against Russia, diplomats say
European Council President Charles Michel and Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal attend a news briefing, as Russia’s attack on Ukraine continues, in Odesa, Ukraine May 9, 2022.
Ukrainian Governmental Press Service | Reuters
The European Union said it approved a latest package of sanctions geared toward ramping up pressure on Russia for its war in Ukraine.
The package, whose details haven’t been revealed, was approved after days of deliberations during a gathering of the 27-nation bloc’s ambassadors.
The Czech Republic, which holds the rotating presidency of the EU Council, said the package shall be confirmed by written procedure on Friday. Details will then be published within the bloc’s legal records.
The European Commission, the EU’s executive branch, last week proposed travel bans and asset freezes on almost 200 more Russian officials and military officers as a part of the brand new round of measures.
The targets of the newest really helpful sanctions included government ministers, lawmakers, regional governors and political parties.
— Associated Press
4 vessels depart Ukraine’s ports under Black Sea Grain Initiative
The Malta flagged bulk carrier Zante en-route to Belgium transits the Bosphorus carrying 47,270 metric tons of rapeseed from Ukraine after being held at the doorway of the Bosphorus on account of Russia pulling out of the Black Sea Grain agreement on November 02, 2022 in Istanbul, Turkey.
Chris Mcgrath | Getty Images
4 ships carrying wheat and vegetable oil have left ports in Ukraine, the organization managing agricultural exports from the country said.
The ships are destined for India and Turkey.
The Black Sea Grain Initiative, a deal brokered in July amongst Ukraine, Russia, Turkey and the United Nations, saw three key Ukrainian ports reopen after a Russian naval blockade stopped exports for months. Greater than 13.9 million tons of grain and other products have left Ukraine because the agreement took effect.
The deal among the many signatories is ready to run out in about three months.
— Amanda Macias
