Live updates: Russian squadron destroyed by anti-Putin fighters in cross-border attack Live updates: Anti-Putin fighters destroy Russian squadron in cross-border raid

Live updates: Russian squadron destroyed by anti-Putin fighters in cross-border attack


Live updates: Anti-Putin fighters destroy Russian squadron in cross-border raid


Moscow carries out biggest drone assault on Kyiv, resulting in injuries to five individuals.

Russian paramilitaries opposed to Putin and operating from Ukraine have taken credit for a cross-border assault that occurred on Sunday. According to the Freedom of Russia Legion, they conducted a raid just a few miles into the Belgorod region of Russia.

The organization, labeled as a terrorist group in Russia, claimed responsibility for destroying a Russian military base near Trebreno village. However, they did not specify whether they caused damage to the infrastructure or casualties among the troops. They also mentioned leaving behind mines.

The accuracy of its assertions could not be immediately confirmed by an outside source. The organization asserts that it was established in the spring of 2022 with the purpose of combating Putin’s troops from within the Ukrainian military.

According to the Ukrainian Air Force, Russia carried out an overnight air attack on Ukraine. One civilian has been confirmed killed in the assault.

The Ukrainian air defense systems have allegedly successfully neutralized the Iskander missile and 20 attack drones. The air force has stated that the Iskander missile did not hit its intended destination.

Russia has launched numerous unmanned aerial vehicles over Ukraine as it appears to have started its winter operation of targeting civilian infrastructure.

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Russian paramilitary fighters from Ukraine claim to have carried out an attack across the border.

On Sunday, the Freedom of Russia Legion, a paramilitary organization comprised of Russians residing in Ukraine who are against President Vladimir Putin, took credit for a transnational assault that occurred just a few miles into the Belgorod region of Russia.

The organization, labeled as a terrorist group in Russia, claimed responsibility for demolishing a Russian military outpost located near the village of Trebreno. However, it did not specify if any infrastructure was destroyed or if any soldiers were killed. The group also stated that they had planted mines in the area.

Reuters could not verify the claims of the group, which says it was formed in spring 2022 to fight Putin’s forces from within the ranks of the armed forces of Ukraine, which has in the past denied involvement in attacks in Belgorod by Freedom of Russia Legion and another Russian anti-Putin group.

On Sunday, Vyacheslav Gladkov, the governor of Belgorod region, reported that Trebreno was being targeted by the Ukrainian Armed Forces and that a conflict was taking place on the outskirts of the village.

According to him, there were no civilian casualties, but three houses and power lines sustained damage. In a post on the Telegram messaging app on Saturday, he stated that 19 villages or farms were targeted by Ukrainian shelling or explosives dropped by drones.

Matt Mathers17 December 2023 23:10

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Families and acquaintances of Ukrainian prisoners of war display signs while forming a link.

During a rally on Sunday, loved ones and acquaintances of Ukrainian soldiers who are prisoners of war displayed signs demanding for their prompt exchange with Russian prisoners of war.

After defending Mariupol, the captives were held in custody and were known as the “Azovstal defenders”.

The event occurred at Kyiv’s Saint Sophia Square.

<p>Relatives and friends of Ukrainian prisoners of war hold placards</p>

in front of the Kiev Court of Appeals

The loved ones and acquaintances of Ukrainian soldiers being held captive display signs outside the Kiev Court of Appeals.

Maira Butt17 December 2023 23:00

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According to a former prisoner, political detainees in Belarus are subjected to mistreatment, lack of medical attention, and solitary confinement.

Sudalenka stated that individuals labeled as political prisoners with yellow tags face daily difficulties and disgrace. The forms of harassment they may endure vary from being placed in solitary confinement and being cut off from all communication, to being denied access to legal representation and medical treatment and medication.

According to the speaker, approximately one third of the 1,000 prisoners at Vitba-3 are individuals who have been incarcerated for political reasons. He mentioned that the number of political prisoners has significantly risen since the beginning of the conflict in Ukraine, as there has been an increase in arrests of Belarusians who were against the Russian invasion.

Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, the exiled leader of the opposition in Belarus, recently held meetings with officials from the State Department and representatives from Congress. During these meetings, a working group was established to address the issue of political prisoners in Belarus, where Tsikhanouskaya’s husband is currently serving a 19-and-a-half year prison sentence.

According to State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller, we are open to discussing modifications to our policies, relaxing sanctions, and enhancing our relationship. However, this can only happen if the regime releases all political prisoners, ceases its suppression of the Belarusian people, and discontinues its involvement in Russia’s conflict with Ukraine.

Maira Butt17 December 2023 22:04

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President Zelensky described this past week as significant due to various international trips.

He posted videos of his trips to Cape Verde, Argentina for the inauguration of their new president, the US for a meeting with President Biden, and Norway and Germany to meet with state leaders.

He expressed that this past week was significant, as supporting Ukraine also means upholding the rules and principles of the international community. He expressed his gratitude towards the leaders and nations that assist in safeguarding lives, and thanked them for their crucial aid in defending our nation.

Maira Butt17 December 2023 20:58

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Interpreting Putin’s stoic expression as he makes a bold move towards securing victory in 2024

As the Ukraine war approaches its two year mark, Vladimir Putin seems to be assured of his advantage. However, Russian specialist and writer Mark Galeotti points out a flaw in his strategy that may prove to be detrimental.

Mark Galeotti reports:

Vladimir Putin recently hosted his yearly extended press conference and town hall, where he showed no signs of changing his stance on the war. Despite a difficult 2022, he likely sees this past year as a success, giving him hope for a potential victory in 2024 and recovering from the initial mistakes made in the invasion.

Maira Butt17 December 2023 19:51

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“The Siberian Battalion: Get to know the Russian citizens who are actively fighting against Putin within the Ukrainian military forces.”

After Russia’s invasion of Ukraine sparked a war, a young Russian named Karabas in Moscow was filled with despair. Horrified by the suffering of Ukrainians in areas occupied by Russia, he made the bold decision to take action against his own country and home.

Currently, he belongs to the Siberian Battalion, a group consisting of Russians who have enlisted in the Ukrainian armed forces in order to combat their own country, with the goal of eventually aiding in the removal of Russian President Vladimir Putin. The majority of its members come from ethnic minorities in Russia’s eastern regions.

“I was disappointed with my fellow comrades,” recalled Karabas, who, like other members of the battalion, spoke to the Associated Press under the condition of using only their military aliases.

<p>Pictures of the Week Global Photo Gallery</p>

Weekly Global Photo Gallery Featuring Pictures

Maira Butt17 December 2023 18:57

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The governing party in Russia supports Putin’s candidacy for re-election and believes that his fifth term should be unquestionable.

The decision was made one day following the official nomination of the Kremlin’s leader by his supporters to run as an independent candidate in the 2024 presidential election.

A relatively unknown Russian candidate for president, advocating for peace in Ukraine, has moved one step closer to officially registering by receiving a nomination from a group of over 500 supporters in Moscow.

According to reports from Russian state agencies, Dmitry Medvedev, who is the chairman of United Russia and a former president and prime minister of Russia, urged party members to rally their activists and supporters in favor of Mr. Putin before the March 15-17 vote.

During his address at the convention, Mr. Medvedev mentioned Mr. Putin as “our chosen candidate” and declared that his fifth term as leader of the country “must be completely reasonable, lawful, and without question”.

<p>Former Russian president Medvedev called on members to “mobilise all activists and supporters” to ensure Putin win</p>

Medvedev, the ex-president of Russia, urged fellow members to rally all activists and supporters in order to secure a victory for Putin.

Maira Butt17 December 2023 18:06

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Russian President Putin’s air base and the Black Sea coast are being targeted by drone attacks.

According to Ukraine’s military, a non-military person was fatally injured last night in Odesa, a strategic harbor on the southern coast of Ukraine’s Black Sea. The cause of death was attributed to debris from a damaged drone that landed on the individual’s residence.

Increased drone strikes in recent weeks have been utilized by both parties to demonstrate that they are not at a stalemate as the war nears its two-year mark. The Russian Defense Ministry announced on Friday night that 32 Ukrainian drones were destroyed by their anti-aircraft units over the Crimean Peninsula, which was annexed by Moscow from Ukraine in 2014. In response, the Ukrainian air force reported on Saturday that they had successfully taken down 30 out of 31 Russian drones that were launched against 11 regions in Ukraine the previous night.

Although a Ukrainian counteroffensive was launched in June, neither side has made significant progress.

Maira Butt17 December 2023 17:22

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The Russian government has no desire to prolong the Black Sea grain agreement.

According to the RIA news agency, Russia’s agriculture minister Dmitry Patrushev stated on Sunday that Russia is not interested in prolonging the Black Sea grain agreement.

He stated that this is predominantly a political choice, however, Russia will persist in exporting its grain since it has customers.

According to RIA, Patrushev stated that our grain exports have not decreased, despite the decrease of the grain deal. In fact, they have even slightly increased.

In July, Russia pulled out of an agreement that had permitted Ukraine to securely ship grain from its ports on the Black Sea. Russia stated that it ended the deal due to its failure to supply grain to underprivileged nations and ongoing obstacles for its own grain and fertilizer exports.

Maira Butt17 December 2023 16:30

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Russia and Ukraine have initiated multiple drone assaults on a Russian air base and the coastline of the Black Sea.

On Sunday, for the second consecutive day, Russia and Ukraine deployed more than twelve drones towards each other’s land. One of the drones seemed to have aimed at a Russian military airport, while a Ukrainian civilian lost their life when debris from a drone hit their home near the Black Sea.

According to a message on the messaging app Telegram, the Russian Defense Ministry reported that over three regions in southwestern Russia, at least 35 Ukrainian drones were destroyed overnight.

On Sunday morning, the Ukrainian air force reported shooting down 20 Shahed drones, which were launched by Russian troops in the southern and western regions of Ukraine overnight. They also successfully intercepted one X-59 cruise missile that was launched from an occupied area in the south of the country.

<p>Aftermath of a Russian drone strike in Odesa</p>

The consequences of a drone attack by Russia in Odesa.

Maira Butt17 December 2023 15:45

Source: independent.co.uk