This week was rich in events in Ukraine and the world. Thus, Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky was on a two-day visit to the United States, where he met with Joe Biden. Also in our country there was a malfunction in the work of Kyivstar, and Russia did not stop terrorizing Ukraine with missiles and drones.
- Rocket attack on Kyiv
- Russian drone crash in Romania
- Events at the front
- Kyivstar malfunction
- Sanctions against the Russian Federation
- Increase in prices for train tickets
- Zelensky in the USA and other countries
- Negotiations on Ukraine’s accession to the EU
- Hungarian veto regarding €50 billion for Ukraine
- Tranche from the IMF
- Military assistance to Ukraine
- The situation on the Polish border
- Election of Tusk as Prime Minister of Poland
Rocket attack on Kyiv
During the week, almost all of Ukraine was under attack from Russia, in particular, the Kherson region, Odessa region, Khmelnitsky region and other regions of our state.
December 14In Ukraine, due to the takeoff of MiG-31K aircraft, an air raid alert was announced four times. During the second signal, approximately at 14:15, the occupiers launched three Daggers from three MiG-31K aircraft from the airspace of the Tula region in the direction of Kiev and Starokonstantinov Khmelnytsky region.
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An anti-aircraft missile unit of the Ukrainian Air Force destroyed one Dagger in Kiev region.
The arrivals in the Starokonstantinov area already occurred approximately at 14:20, but the Air Force does not comment on the consequences.
The aggressor country delivered the most powerful blow to the capital this week. So, at 03:00 at night December 13 the Russian Federation attacked Kyiv with ten ballistic missiles. All 10 targets were shot down by anti-aircraft missile units of the Air Force.
However, debris fell on the territory of four districts of the capital, in particular, a residential building and a kindergarten were destroyed.
Photo : Olga Chaiko
During the night attack, 53 people were injured, including six children. 34 people — cut wounds to the body, eight more — acute reaction to stress.
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For others, doctors diagnosed a closed head injury, abrasions, burns, etc. Fortunately, there were no deaths.
Russian drone crash in Romania
During the night attack on Ukraine on December 14 Russian drone crashed in Romania.
The Romanian Ministry of Defense reported the formation of a crater 1.5 m deep near the village of Grind, which is 6.5 km from the border with Ukraine.
Indicated that Romanian Air Force F-16s and German Air Force Eurofighter Typhoons were scrambled for national airspace surveillance missions.
Events at the front
Avdeevskoe direction remains the scene of the most fierce fighting at the front.
Defense forces carried out a number of local counterattacks near Stepovoy.
— Ukrainian units likely carried out successful local counterattacks, depriving Russian troops of complete control over the village of Stepovoye. It is here that Russia is trying to seize Avdeevka and its well-defended industrial zone with one part of its pincer movement, — reported the UK Ministry of Defense on Twitter.
On Tavrichesky direction Ukrainian defense forces destroyed three Russian warehouses with ammunition and fuel and lubricants.
According to Alexander Tarnavsky, the Defense Forces destroyed five armored combat vehicles, including three BMD-4s, and one artillery system.
December 15 it was reported that in the area destroyed by the occupiers Marinka Heavy fighting continues, however, Russia’s significant progress on this section of the front is very doubtful.
Kyivstar malfunction
Photo: Getty Images
In the morning December 12After a large-scale hacker attack on Kyivstar, Ukrainians lost communications and mobile Internet. Only about a day later, on the evening of December 13, some were able to call their relatives.
As of December 15 international voice roaming is already working, communications in Kiev have been stabilized, 4G mobile Internet has appeared in a number of areas. < /p>
General Director of Kyivstar Alexander Komarov predicts the restoration of three basic services — mobile Internet, voice communications and SMS — until the end of the week.
However, the resumption of additional services, according to him, may even take several weeks.
The Kyivstar company promised compensation for mobile operator subscribers due to a large-scale cyber attack.
It is known that the failure in Kyivstar was caused by Russian GRU hackers.
Increase in prices for train tickets
The Ukrzaliznytsia company said that from December 10 a new schedule for passenger trains will come into effect, as well as new tariffs for some international trains.
In particular, the cost of tickets for the Kyiv-Warsaw-Kyiv train, the demand for which remains very high, will increase by 72%. The fare for night trains to Vienna and Przemysl will increase to 3%.
For which directions the price will still be raised, read the link.
Sanctions against the Russian Federation
This week was fruitful for the introduction of restrictions against Russia.
December 12 US President Joe Biden's administration imposed sanctions against more than 250 people and companies for supporting Russia's war in Ukraine.
The restrictions included more than 150 objects associated with the military-industrial base of the Russian Federation, and 100 legal entities, which are accused of evading sanctions and “strengthening the future energy production and export potential of Russia”.
Total on sanctions lists — 250 legal entities and 23 people, as well as three ships — Arkady Chernyshev, Captain Yakubovich and Maria.
December 15 European Union leaders agreed 12th package of sanctions against Russia.
It was also possible to reach agreement on a Directive on the definition of criminal offenses and penalties for violating EU restrictive measures.
“The European Union is determined to further weaken Russia’s ability to wage an aggressive war,” says the conclusions of the European Council after the first day of the EU summit in Brussels.
Zelensky in the USA and other countries
On December 10 in Argentina, the President of Ukraine held important meetings with the leaders of Paraguay, Uruguay and Ecuador.
And the very next day I went on a two-day visit to the USA. There Zelensky met with US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin and the head of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, General Charles Brown.
December 12 the head of state in the US Congress held negotiations with Republicans and Democrats from both houses of parliament. He also spoke with Speaker of the House of Representatives Mike Johnson.
More details about what Zelensky discussed with American legislators — read in material on Facts ICTV.
After talking with congressmen, Zelensky, at the invitation of Joe Biden, went to the White House. Read about the main things from the press conference of the presidents at link.
Photo: Office of the President
December 13 the head of state arrived on an unannounced visit in Norway, where the Nordic summit took place.
December 14 it became known about Zelensky’s unannounced visit to Germany.
Negotiations on Ukraine’s accession to the EU
December 14-15 A summit of leaders of EU member states was held in Brussels. At it, the EU countries agreed to begin negotiations on Ukraine's membership in the bloc.
It is known that 26 out of 27 countries voted for such a decision, but the Prime Minister of Hungary, who had previously opposed the start of negotiations, left the voting hall, thereby abstaining.
Official Kyiv welcomed the decision of the leaders of the European Union countries, and Foreign Minister Dmitry Kuleba called this day historic.
Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky wanted to personally attend the EU summit in Brussels, but in the end the head of state spoke via video link.
– 10 years ago in Ukraine, people rose under the flags of the European Union. To them it was a symbol of truth, and it should remain so. I ask you one thing today – do not betray the people and their faith in Europe. If no one believes in Europe, what will help the European Union survive? People in Europe will not see any benefit if Moscow gets a pass from Brussels in the form of negativity towards Ukraine.
Putin will probably use this against you personally and against all of Europe. Don't give him this first – and only – win of the year. Europe must win, agreements must be respected and words must matter. Thanks for your support! Glory to Ukraine! – said the President of Ukraine.
Hungary’s veto on €50 billion for Ukraine
At the summit of leaders of EU member states, the issue of long-term financial support for Ukraine was considered.
The European Union was unable to agree on the allocation of macro-financial assistance to Ukraine €50 billion until 2027. Hungary opposed.
— We will return to this issue next year in the European Council after appropriate preparation, — noted Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban.
The next meeting of the European Council is scheduled for March 2024.
Tranche from the IMF
Ukraine's accounts received about $900 million from the International Monetary Fund (IMF), Prime Minister Denis Shmyhal said.
— Ukraine's accounts received about $900 million from the IMF. These funds will be used to finance priority budget expenditures, — Shmygal wrote on X (Twitter).
He thanked the foundation for its quick decisions in favor of the country and for appreciating its efforts to implement reforms.
Military assistance to Ukraine
December 14 The US House of Representatives followed the Senate in passing the annual Defense Authorization Bill, sending a Pentagon policy and funding package of $886 billion to sign for President Joe Biden.
Of these funds $800 million will go to military support for Ukraine.
On the same day the government of Sweden approved the transfer of €124 million to Ukraine as part of the so-called winter aid package. These funds will be used to support Ukrainians during the winter period, in particular for the purchase of heating equipment, increasing the capacity of the energy network and building shelters.
— Ukraine is fighting for its survival, as well as for the security and freedom of Europe. This is a critical time to support her. Today the Swedish government approved a winter package of €124 million for Ukraine for civil infrastructure, — the statement said.
December 13 Prime Minister of Norway Jonas Gahr Stere announced additional aid to Ukraine in the amount of $800 million. It should arrive before the end of the year.
— We also want to announce that we will support the Ukrainian people in 2024 from the very first months. Direct economic support for these critical services so that there are no delays in the delivery of aid to Ukrainians, — emphasized the country's prime minister.
According to him, we are also talking about strengthening the protection of critical infrastructure, thanks to the supply of additional air defense systems.
Denmark will provide Ukraine with a €1 billion aid package, which will include tanks, ammunition, drones and other equipment.
Biden also said at a meeting with Zelensky that he had signed an agreement to allocate $200 million in aid to Ukraine.
The situation on the Polish border
On the border with Poland, where traffic continues to be blocked by carriers, the situation is improving; several checkpoints have been unblocked, in particular Yagodin and Wyszne-Niemeckie.
Photo: DPSU
However, many trucks still remain in queues at the border. As of the morning December 13 there were about 2,600 trucks at three checkpoints on the border with Poland:
- Shegini — 1 300,
- Rava-Russian — 720,
- Krakovets — 570.
December 15 on the Ukrainian-Slovak border they began to gradually unblock the movement of freight transport.
— According to information received by Ukrainian border guards last night, representatives of Slovak carriers have indefinitely unblocked the movement of trucks entering Slovakia in front of the Vyshne-Niemecke checkpoint, — says a statement from the State Border Service.
Election of Tusk as Prime Minister of Poland
On December 11, Donald Tusk became the new Prime Minister of Poland.
The Seimas expressed a vote of confidence to the leader of the Civic Platform. 248 deputies voted for, against — 201.
President Vladimir Zelensky congratulated Tusk on his election to office and thanked the country for its support and assistance. According to the head of state, he is convinced that Ukraine and Poland will remain committed to defending global freedom.
