The city of Kyiv was targeted by the largest drone attack ever carried out by Russia, resulting in five people being injured.
To receive breaking news notifications directly to your email inbox, sign up for our free real-time alerts.
Join our mailing list to receive complimentary updates on breaking news.
Ukraine has stated that they are successfully resisting ongoing efforts from Russia to encircle the town of Andriivka and causing notable harm to Vladimir Putin’s troops.
According to the General Staff of Ukraine’s Armed Forces, there were six enemy attacks near Novobakhmutivka and Andriivka in the past 24 hours, as well as 15 attacks near Pervomaysky and Nevelsky in the Donetsk region. The Defence Forces successfully defended against all of these attacks.
Officials reported that on Monday morning, a major missile strike from Russia struck numerous residential and industrial buildings, prompting a three-hour air raid warning throughout Ukraine.
The Air Force of Ukraine stated that the nation is facing multiple waves of danger from cruise missiles and possibly ballistic missiles in certain areas. Officials in Zaporizhzhia and Kharkiv have reported injuries, while others have described a “massive” assault.
On Christmas Eve, President Vladimir Putin held services at his residence in Novo-Ogaryovo, located in the western suburbs of Moscow. He was accompanied by families of military members who lost their lives in the Ukrainian war. This is seen as an attempt to increase support for his upcoming March presidential bid.
Four people were killed and 30 were injured when Russia launched a series of hypersonic and cruise missiles.
According to reports, Russia has launched a new round of hypersonic and cruise missile attacks on Ukraine on Monday morning, resulting in the deaths of four civilians and injuries to 30 others.
Prior to this, government officials and experts had cautioned that Russia was accumulating its cruise missiles in anticipation of a plan to bomb Kyiv’s defense industry during the winter, following last year’s attacks on Ukraine’s power grid.
On Monday, a series of attacks occurred in multiple cities, targeting residential areas and a shopping center. Russia launched 51 missiles and 8 Shahed drones, while the Ukrainian Air Force successfully intercepted 18 missiles and all drones, according to Ukrainian commander-in-chief Valerii Zaluzhnyi.
The Russian Defence Ministry claimed that they utilized accurate sea-launched and air-launched long-range missiles, such as the Kinzhal hypersonic missiles, to attack what they referred to as “facilities of Ukraine’s military-industrial complex.”
A woman was killed in a missile strike near the city of Kryvyi Rih in the southeastern region of Dnipropetrovsk, while 24 individuals were wounded in an attack on Novomoskovsk. According to Serhii Lysak, the regional governor, the attack caused damage to over 20 houses and a shopping center in Kryvyi Rih.
At least four missiles hit Kharkiv, the country’s second-largest city, injuring one person, said mayor Ihor Terekhov. A woman rescued from the rubble of a building later died, regional governor Oleh Syniehubov said, warning that more people may be trapped.
Officials in the western Ukrainian region of Khmelnytskyi reported two fatalities and six explosions occurring in a missile attack this morning. Yurii Malashko, the governor of Zaporizhzhia, a significant city located along the Dnipro River in the south, stated that two individuals were wounded in a residential area from a missile strike.
Governor Oleksandr Prokudin reported that during this time period, Russian troops launched 131 artillery attacks on the Kherson region resulting in the deaths of two individuals and injuries to five others.
In a significant speech, the pope declares that targeting innocent civilians is considered a war crime.
During his yearly speech to diplomats, Pope Francis stressed that targeting civilians without discrimination is considered a violation of the laws of war. He also addressed the ongoing conflicts in Ukraine and Gaza.
At the age of 87, Francis delivered remarks that lasted 45 minutes to envoys accredited by the Vatican. This address is often referred to as his “state of the world” speech.
In his comments connecting the primary conflicts present in the world today, Francis asserted that contemporary warfare frequently fails to differentiate between military and civilian targets. He noted that every conflict ultimately results in some form of “indiscriminate strikes” on innocent civilians.
These current events in Ukraine and Gaza serve as strong evidence of this fact. It is important to remember that serious breaches of international humanitarian law are considered to be war crimes. Simply acknowledging these violations is not enough; we must also take action to prevent them from occurring.
He stated that the international community must make a stronger effort to protect and enforce humanitarian law, as it appears to be the sole means of safeguarding human dignity during times of war.
Ukraine alleges that they are repelling Russian military forces near the village of Donetsk.
The Ukrainian military has stated that they are resisting Russian efforts to encircle the village of Andriivka in Donetsk.
The General Staff of Ukraine’s Armed Forces stated that our soldiers are strongly defending and inflicting significant damage on the invaders.
In the past 24 hours, the Defence Forces successfully defended against six enemy attacks near Novobakhmutivka and Andriivka, as well as 15 attacks near Pervomaysky and Nevelsky in the Donetsk region.
The mother of a Ukrainian poet has stated that her son was killed while fighting against the Russian invasion in war.
According to his mother, a poet from Ukraine who had enlisted as a volunteer to fight against Russia’s invasion on the war front has been fatally injured.
PEN Ukraine, the writers association, has also verified the passing of poet Maksym Kryvtsov.
His mother, Nadiia Krytsova, wrote a heartfelt message on her Facebook page. She quoted one of his poems, saying, “My beloved son will blossom like violets.”
My colleague, Arpan Rai, has informed:
During the recent Russian attacks, Ukraine successfully neutralized 18 out of 51 missiles launched against them.
The air force of Ukraine reported that, during a series of Russian air attacks on Monday, they successfully destroyed 18 out of 51 missiles of various types that were launched.
According to the report, Russia launched a total of 32 cruise missiles and eight “Shahed” drones overnight, and all of the drones were successfully taken down.
According to the air force, there were attacks on critical infrastructure facilities as well as industrial, civilian, and military facilities.
The number of fatalities from Russian attacks in the western region of Ukraine has increased to two.
According to officials from the Khmelnytskyi region, a missile attack by Russia on Monday resulted in the deaths of two individuals and caused damage to essential infrastructure.
Earlier, authorities in the area announced that there had been at least six explosions, but did not provide any immediate information on the extent of harm. According to a high-ranking advisor to the president, one person has been confirmed dead.
Is Russia resurrecting its Soviet-era anti-spy agency?
According to the Ministry of Defence in Britain, Russian agents have been seen wearing patches on their uniforms with the name of a Soviet agency established by Joseph Stalin during World War II.
The Russian government announced in late 2023 that they were reviving the Soviet counter-intelligence organization known as “Smersh.” In early January 2024, a publicly available image revealed operatives wearing Smersh uniform patches, according to the ministry.
Stalin created the initial group known as “Death to Spies” in 1941-1946, which is the shortened version of the Russian phrase. This organization gained recognition in the Western world through its depiction in Ian Fleming’s James Bond novels.
It is uncertain if the name change signifies any significant changes in Russia’s CI function or if it is simply a renaming. Nonetheless, it showcases how the Russian government deliberately links the Russia-Ukraine conflict to WWII and their emphasis on the alleged infiltration of foreign threats into their nation.
Two deaths have been reported due to Russian missile attacks on Ukraine.
Russian missile strikes on Ukraine have resulted in the deaths of at least two individuals.
According to Serhiy Lysak, the governor, a number of private buildings and a shopping center were harmed in the city of Kryvyi Rih in the south central region. He also stated that the enemy intentionally targeted civilians by launching missiles at them.
A 62-year-old man was fatally injured outside the city, according to his statement.
Four individuals sustained injuries in the southeastern metropolis of Zaporizhzhia, where governor Yuriy Malashko disclosed five detonations and noted that residential zones were targeted.
Authorities in the western region of Khmelnytskyi have reported a minimum of six explosions, however, they have not provided any information regarding the extent of damages. According to a high-ranking advisor to the president, one individual has been confirmed dead.
Putin holds a meeting with families of deceased soldiers before the Orthodox Christmas in anticipation of the upcoming election.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has maintained his support for Russian military personnel and their loved ones prior to the upcoming presidential elections in March. He recently gathered with the families of deceased Russian servicemen who lost their lives in Ukraine at his residence in Novo-Ogaryovo to observe Orthodox Christmas.
It is probable that Mr. Putin is utilizing these frequent, well-publicized meetings as a tactic for his election campaign. The Institute for Study of War think-tank suggests that the public backing of Russian servicemen and their families is crucial for the Kremlin’s ability to portray the majority of the Russian population as supportive of the conflict in Ukraine.
According to a US-based think-tank, the Kremlin selectively invited families to attend Mr. Putin’s meeting in order to avoid any potential for them to voice or inquire about uncomfortable topics.
According to the investigative Russian website Agentstvo, on Sunday, a meeting was attended by relatives of five deceased Russian servicemen, most of whom have connections to the Russian government and military.
Ministers have announced a boost of £300 million for nuclear fuel, stating that Russian President Vladimir Putin will not use it as leverage against the UK.
The United Kingdom plans to invest £300 million in advanced nuclear fuel technology in order to decrease Vladimir Putin’s influence in the international energy market.
Officials will make a pledge to put an end to Russia’s monopoly on the production of a specific form of enriched uranium necessary for the development of future reactors.
The government announced that the proposed measures will contribute to the development of cost-effective and environmentally-friendly sources of energy within the country. This will entail a £300 million allocation towards the procurement of high-assay low-enriched uranium (HALEU).
The program aims to create employment opportunities and attract investments in the northwest region of England. This is in line with the goal of meeting 25% of the UK’s electricity demands through nuclear power by 2050.
According to energy secretary Claire Coutinho, Britain was the first country to introduce a functional nuclear power plant and is now set to become the first European nation, aside from Russia, to manufacture advanced nuclear fuel.
This will be crucial for ensuring energy security both domestically and internationally, and it further enhances Britain’s longstanding competitive strengths.
Kate Devlin, our editor for Whitehall and politics, has the complete report.
The source of the information is independent.co.uk.
