Russia-Ukraine war – live: Moscow launches hypersonic missile attack as UK pledges to send more drones
Kyiv suffers largest ever drone attack by Russia leaving five wounded
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Russia [1]launched a 'fearsome' hypersonic missile attack in the early hours of this morning after the UK promised to send thousands of drones to Kyiv. Air defences shot down Russian missiles in at least five regions across Ukraine[2], according to local officials from those provinces."As a result of being hit by the debris of an enemy missile, several private homes and non-residential buildings were damaged, one building was practically destroyed," the police wrote, adding that a dog had been killed but no people were hurt.However, no details were given on whether any targets were hit, and far less information about the attack than usual was provided by officials. The UK has pledged to send the highest number of military drones of any country to Ukraine as Rishi Sunak made a surprise visit to Kyiv.[3][4][5] The government announced on Friday that Britain would be increasing its support for Ukraine's fight against Putin[6] to GBP2.5 billion next financial year - an increase of GBP200 million.
Rishi Sunak[7] said: "Ukraine will never be alone. Putin might think that he can outlast us but he is wrong. We stand with you today, tomorrow and for as long as it takes."
Show latest update 1705262406French Mirage aircraft may reinforce Ukrainian Air Force, Kyiv says
Ukraine will not be able to give up Soviet aircraft in favour of Western ones overnight, and French military jets may coexist on Ukrainian airfields with American and Soviet ones, the head of the Ukrainian Air Force said.
Since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine began in February 2022, Kyiv has pressed Western allies to supply increasingly sophisticated arms and ammunition, including armoured vehicles, tanks, long-range missiles and U.S.-made F-16 fighters. The first F-16 jets are expected to arrive in Ukraine later in 2024, although their impact on the war could be limited by the strength of Russia's air force. Alexander Butler14 January 2024 20:00
[8]1705258806There is unlikely to be peace in Ukraine until at least May 2025 and constructive discussion at Davos on ending the conflict will not be possible because no Russian delegation will attend, Russian tycoon Oleg Deripaska said.
Russian President Vladimir Putin sent thousands of troops into Ukraine in February 2022, triggering the biggest confrontation between the West and Moscow since the 1962 Cuban Missile Crisis. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, French President Emmanuel Macron and key Middle East leaders are slated to attend next week's World Economic Forum, putting talks to end wars in Gaza and Ukraine at the top of the agenda for the global elite.
"It is a pity that a constructive talk about the situation in Ukraine will not happen AcAEURA" there will be no Russian delegation," Deripaska said in a post on the Telegram app. Alexander Butler14 January 2024 19:00
[9]1705255206UK aid provides Kyiv with confidence, Zelensky says
Ukraine-UK security agreement provides Kyiv with confidence in fighting Russia, Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky said. Mr Zelensky said Kyiv would continue working with its European partners to ensure development of the country's security and Nato membership
"The Ukraine-UK security agreement provides us with confidence as we defend ourselves against Russian aggression and lays the groundwork for strong security positions until Ukraine joins Nato," he said on X. "The United Kingdom is the first country with which we have reached such a security agreement. We will keep working with other partners to ensure the development of our security.
We are making Ukraine stronger step by step." Alexander Butler14 January 2024 18:00
[10]1705251606North Korean foreign minister to visit Russia
North Korea's foreign minister will visit Russia this month in a meeting reported to be related to weapon sales between Pyongyang and Moscow. Foreign minister Choe Son Hui will visit Moscow between January 15 and 17 after she was invited by her Russian counterpart Sergey Lavrov, according to Chinese state media.
Russia used North Korean missiles during one of its most recent mass strikes against Ukrainian cities, according to the country's officials. On the same day, Washington sanctioned three Russian companies and one individual involved in providing and testing ballistic missiles from North Korea. Alexander Butler14 January 2024 17:00
[11]1705248407China needed for Ukraine peace talks, Swiss diplomat says
China needs to be involved in efforts to end the war between Ukraine and Russia, a top Swiss diplomat told the World Economic Forum.
Swiss federal councillor Ignazio Cassis said the West must find ways to work with China on bringing about a peace settlement between Russia and Ukraine. "China plays a significant role. We must find ways to work with China on this.
A peace for the Ukrainian people is urgently necessary ... We must do everything to end this war," Mr Cassis said.
Swiss federal councillor Ignazio Cassis said the West must find ways to work with China (EPA)
Alexander Butler14 January 2024 16:06
[12]1705235407'The war is far from over'
Andriy Yermak, the Ukrainian president's chief of staff, and Swiss Foreign Minister Ignazio Cassis are hosting Sunday's conference which is being attended by more than 80 delegations and aims to build on the previous closed-door efforts in Denmark, Saudi Arabia and Malta last summer and autumn. Mr Zelensky has presented a 10-point peace formula which, among other things, seeks the expulsion of all Russian forces from Ukraine - at a time when both sides are fighting from largely static positions along a roughly 930-mile (1,500km) front line. Russian forces have recently stepped up missile and drone attacks that have stretched Ukraine's air defence resources, leaving the country vulnerable in the 22-month war unless it can secure further weapons supplies.
"The war is far from over and peace is still nowhere in sight," the Swiss department of foreign affairs said in a statement previewing Sunday's talks. Sam Rkaina14 January 2024 12:30
[13]1705233667Top foreign policy advisers from wWestern countries and Ukraine meeting today
Top foreign policy advisers from Western countries and Ukraine are meeting today to help push forward Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky's peace formula that aims to end Russia's war on his country. The fourth such gathering of national security advisers is taking place in the Swiss town of Davos, where Mr Zelensky is set to attend the World Economic Forum's annual meeting starting on Tuesday.
He will endeavour to keep up international focus on Ukraine's defence amid eroding support for Kyiv in the West and growing distractions like the conflict in the Middle East.
(EPA) Sam Rkaina14 January 2024 12:01
[14]1705231943Russians struggling to access hospital services as war impact bites
Russians are struggling to access healthcare services as the impact of the war hits home, the Ministry of Defence has said. In its daily update on the war, an MoD spokesperson said: "The impact of the war against Ukraine on healthcare in Russia is highly likely being felt by the civilian population.
"Russian media has reported that the general public is struggling to access hospital services throughout the country. a shortage of medical products is also being reported including broad-spectrum antibiotics. "The war is likely to be significantly contributing to this situation as hospitals are treating wounded personnel. The government is also being forced to reduce the civilian health estate nationwide, due to a lack of clinical staff and financial pressures."
Sam Rkaina14 January 2024 11:32
[15]1705228456One wounded in Ukrainian drone strike on Russia's Kursk region
One person has been wounded in a Ukrainian drone strike in Russia. The governor of Russia's Kursk region said in a statement on the Telegram messenger app on Sunday that drones struck the village of Tetkino, which is located on the border with Ukraine's Sumy region. It is the latest in a series of strikes by Kyiv's drone into Russian territory.
Sam Rkaina14 January 2024 10:34
[16]1705226131Ex-mayor of Russia city goes to fight in Ukraine after bribery conviction
A former mayor of the Russian city of Vladivostok has enlisted to fight in Ukraine and departed for the front after he was sentenced to 12 years in prison for corruption, the Kommersant newspaper reported on Sunday. Oleg Gumenyuk, a former Vladivostok mayor, was last year sentenced to 12 years in prison for taking bribes of 38 million roubles (£432,000). He served as mayor from 2018 to 2021, resigning amid a flurry of criticism of his record from local and federal officials.
"According to an order issued to Gumenyuk, he was supposed to report to his military unit on December 22," Kommersant cited Gumenyuk's lawyer Andrei Kitaev as saying. Kitaev could not be reached for immediate comment. Tens of thousands of Russian prisoners volunteered for service in Ukraine, taking advantage of an offer of clemency for those who survive their stints at the front.
Sam Rkaina14 January 2024 09:55
[17]References
- ^ Tearful Russian billionaire who spent £2 billion on art tells jurors Sotheby's cheated him (www.independent.co.uk)
- ^ Ukraine (www.independent.co.uk)
- ^ military drones (www.independent.co.uk)
- ^ Rishi Sunak (www.independent.co.uk)
- ^ visit to Kyiv. (www.independent.co.uk)
- ^ Ukraine's fight against Putin (www.independent.co.uk)
- ^ Ukrainians 'not alone' this winter, say UK volunteers sending ambulances of aid (www.independent.co.uk)
- ^ 1705262406 (www.independent.co.uk)
- ^ 1705258806 (www.independent.co.uk)
- ^ 1705255206 (www.independent.co.uk)
- ^ 1705251606 (www.independent.co.uk)
- ^ 1705248407 (www.independent.co.uk)
- ^ 1705235407 (www.independent.co.uk)
- ^ 1705233667 (www.independent.co.uk)
- ^ 1705231943 (www.independent.co.uk)
- ^ 1705228456 (www.independent.co.uk)
- ^ 1705226131 (www.independent.co.uk)