This Thursday became a historic day for Ukrainians, since it was on December 14, 2023 that the European Council agreed on the start of negotiations with Ukraine on membership in the European Union.
At the same time, the terrorist state intensified attacks on the territory of Ukraine, attacking Ukrainian cities and towns with both Kinzhal hypersonic missiles and drones.
Read about these and other main events on December 14 in Ukraine and the world in the digest on Facts ICTV.
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Massive attacks on Ukraine
On the night of December 14, 2023, Russian invaders attacked with attack UAVs and S-300 anti-aircraft guided missiles.
According to the Ukrainian military, the enemy fired six anti-aircraft guided missiles from the occupied territories towards the Nikolaev region and the Kherson region controlled by Ukraine.
At the same time, on Thursday night the enemy fired 42 Shahed-136/131 drones in several waves, and the main direction of attack was the Odessa region.
The defenders of the Ukrainian sky managed to destroy 41 out of 42 drones, the vast majority of which — in Odessa region.
As reported by the Air Force of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, in general, the enemy used three air-launched aeroballistic missiles Kh-47M2 Kinzhal from three MiG-31K aircraft from the airspace of the Tula region in the direction of the cities of Kiev and Starokonstantinov, but by the anti-aircraft missile unit of the Armed Forces The Ukrainian Armed Forces destroyed one X-47M2 Kinzhal missile in the Kyiv region.
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At the same time, the military confirmed the attack on the Khmelnitsky region, but did not specify the consequences.
The Air Force also added that some of the targets released in Ukraine were imitated by enemy electronic warfare.
The EU agreed to start negotiations with Ukraine
The President of the European Council, Charles Michel, which includes the leaders of the EU countries, said that a decision had been made to begin negotiations with Ukraine and the European Union.
It is noted that 26 out of 27 countries voted “for”, but the Prime Minister of Hungary, who had previously opposed the start of negotiations, left the voting room, thereby abstaining.
Official Kyiv welcomed the decision of the leaders of the European Union countries, and Foreign Minister Dmitry Kuleba called this day historic.
Note that EU accession negotiations were also approved with Moldova, when Georgia was granted candidate membership status.
Russian drone fell on NATO territory
During a night attack on Ukraine, the Russian army attacked Ukrainian ports on the Danube and one of the UAVs fell on the territory of neighboring Romania.
The Romanian Ministry of Defense confirmed that a Russian drone actually fell near the village of Grindu on the banks of the Danube. According to Romania, no one was injured, but a crater formed at the scene of the accident.
The Romanian Ministry of Defense also stated that Romanian F-16 and German Eurofighter Typhoon aircraft were scrambled to monitor Romanian airspace.
At the same time, NATO stated that it does not believe that the Russian drone that fell on Romanian territory is an attack on the Alliance. Also, the military-political bloc stated that they have no information that the Russian drone was intended to hit targets on NATO territory.
US Congress approved defense budget with assistance to Ukraine
The House of Representatives followed the Senate on Thursday in passing the annual defense authorization bill, sending the $886 billion Pentagon policy and funding package to President Joe Biden for his signature.
The defense bill would allocate $11.5 billion to contain China in the Indo-Pacific region and another $800 million to support Ukraine against a Russian invasion.
The Hill indicates that the draft legislation would extend one of the Ukraine aid measures — Initiatives to promote the security of Ukraine — through the end of 2026, providing $300 million for the program in the fiscal year ending September 30, 2024, and the following.
However, as Reuters writes, this figure is paltry compared to the $61 billion in aid to Ukraine that Biden asked Congress to approve to help Kiev fight the Russian invasion. This emergency spending request has been blocked in Congress because Republicans have refused to approve aid to Ukraine without Democratic agreement to significantly tighten immigration laws.
Ukraine received a 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.
The court extended the preventive measure for Shufrich
People's Deputy Nestor Shufrich, suspected of high treason, will remain in custody until February 9.
The Pechersky District Court of Kyiv extended the preventive measure for almost two months, reports Suspilne.
It is indicated that the deputy’s defense is already preparing an appeal.
Putin's press conference
Russian President Vladimir Putin, for the first time in almost 22 months of a full-scale war against Ukraine, decided to hold a direct line and a press conference.
The head of the Kremlin began with the fact that “Russia’s existence without sovereignty is impossible, so the main thing — its strengthening”.
Putin talked a lot about the war, tried to reassure Russians by voicing figures from the economic sector and assured that there would be no mobilization in Russia.
Learn more about what the Russian dictator said — read the material on Facts ICTV.
