Russia carried out a massive night and morning shelling of Ukraine using Kh-101/55 cruise missiles and S-300 ballistic missiles. The enemy also attacked Ukrainian territories with Shahed drones.
Later, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) decided to allow individual athletes from Russia and Belarus to participate in the 2024 Olympic Games.
About these and other main events on December 8 in Ukraine and the world — read the digest on Facts ICTV.
Now watching
- Massive shelling
- Finland released war criminal Petrovsky
- The IOC allowed Russians and Belarusians to participate in the Olympics
- New aid package from Germany
- The Rada expanded the independence of the SAP
- Accident in the Kyiv metro
- Negotiations with the EU regarding accession
Massive shelling
The Air Force of the Ukrainian Armed Forces reported that on the night of December 8 and in the morning, Russia attacked Ukraine with numerous strikes from various types of weapons.
So, for the first time in a long time, the Russians fired Kh-101/555 cruise missiles from bombers. According to Kyiv authorities, all missiles heading towards the capital were shot down by air defense systems. At the same time, rocket debris damaged private homes. No injuries.
At the same time, the Russians launched attacks on the Pavlograd district of the Dnepropetrovsk region, where as a result of the Russian attack one person was killed and four more were injured.
In turn, six Russian S-300 missiles flew into Kharkov at night. As a result of the attack, two people were injured. Buildings and cars were also damaged.
In addition, the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported that five of the seven enemy Shahed drones were shot down during the night.
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Finland released war criminal Petrovsky
The Supreme Court of Finland decided not to extradite to Ukraine one of the leaders of the Russian neo-Nazi group Rusich, Jan Petrovsky (now Vojislav Torden), who fought in the Donbass in 2014-2015.
In its decision, the Supreme Court refers to the Constitution: a foreigner cannot be extradited if he faces the death penalty, torture or other treatment that violates human dignity.
The court also called for the immediate release of Petrovsky.
According to Jan Petrovsky's representative Heikki Lampela, the militant will now be transferred from prison to the disposal of the Finnish Border Guard.
What was Ukraine’s reaction to this and what is known about the war criminal Petrovsky — can be read on Facts ICTV.
The IOC allowed Russians and Belarusians to participate in the Olympics
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has decided to admit athletes from Russia and Belarus to the 2024 Summer Olympic Games in a neutral status. This is stated on the official website of the organization.
Representatives of the aggressor countries will only be able to compete in individual competitions. Teams will not be allowed to participate.
The IOC statement says that Russians and Belarusians will be able to qualify for the 2024 Games only through official qualifying starts.
The committee noted that as of December 8, 2023, only 11 “neutral” athletes have fulfilled the eligibility criteria to participate in the 2024 Olympics — eight athletes have a Russian passport, three more — Belarus.
Individual “neutral” Russians and Belarusians will have to sign a statement of support for the Olympic Charter. National symbols of Russia and Belarus, in particular the anthem, flag and other attributes, will be prohibited.
New aid package from Germany
Germany transferred new military aid to Ukraine. Specifically, projectiles, drones, and grenade launchers.
The new military package from Germany includes border vehicles, Zetros trucks, military first aid kits and reconnaissance drones.
Full list of military aid transferred to Ukraine from Germany — look at Facts ICTV.
The Rada expanded the independence of the SAP
The Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine voted for a draft law that expands the independence of such a government agency as the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office (SAP), and makes it a separate prosecutorial body.
Deputy from the Golos faction Yaroslav Zheleznyak noted that at the same time, the so-called Lozovoy’s amendments were not completely canceled in the bill.
The adoption of this bill is one of the main demands of the IMF, the European Union and the G7 ambassadors.
What does Law No. 10060 provide for and what are Lozovoy’s amendments — read on Facts ICTV.
Accident in the Kyiv metro
On Friday, December 8, the Kyiv City State Administration announced a stop in the movement of trains on the blue line of the Kyiv metro on the section between the Teremki — Demeevskaya. Duplicate ground transport routes will operate on this section.
Subsequently it became known that the reason for stopping the movement of trains in part of the Kyiv metro was the flooding of the tunnel. The public initiative Kyiv Passengers reported that traffic was stopped due to depressurization of the tunnel.
The mayor of Kyiv Vitaliy Klitschko said that more detailed information about the situation will be provided later. He added that previously, construction conditions could have been violated. However, the reasons will be finally announced after analysis and conclusions.
Klitschko stated that restoration work could last up to six months and would be carried out on the surface.
Negotiations with the EU regarding accession
Prime Minister Denis Shmyhal said that the Ukrainian side expects that the EU Council will approve the start of official negotiations on accession to the European Union next week. Kyiv has implemented four recommendations previously put forward by the European Commission.
— Ukraine is rapidly moving towards the EU. We expect that next week the European Council will make a final decision on the start of official negotiations on Ukraine’s membership in the European Union, — he emphasized.
Shmygal noted that the Verkhovna Rada and the Cabinet of Ministers have already implemented four recommendations identified in the November report of the European Commission.
In turn, President Vladimir Zelensky today signed four laws that were necessary for European integration. We are talking about expanding the composition of NABU, the powers of the NACP, the independence of the SAP and the law on the rights of national minorities in certain areas.
