Its president called it critical Ukrainian, Volodymyr Zelenskythe further strengthening the Ukrainian army with advanced weapons systems, arguing that the Russia gathers forces in order to escalate its attacks.
“The free world has what it takes to stop Russian aggression and deliver a historic defeat to the terrorist state”Zelensky said in his standard video message. “It’s time for strong decisions, for strong support”he said characteristically. “Because this is not only important for us, but for peace around the world. The defeat of Russia must become a reality no matter what she throws at the battle”.
He also emphasized that he had spoken with Charles Michel, president of the European Council, whom he thanked for his understanding in maintaining constant support for Ukraine. “Russia must get the message that we are willing to go all the way”. He underlined that they discussed further financial and military assistance to Ukraine from the European Union.
At the same time, he announced that he was suspending the Ukrainian citizenship of four pro-Russian politicians – among them Viktor Medvedchuk, who is accused by Kyiv of high treason.
“Based on documents drawn up by the security and immigration services, and in accordance with the Constitution, I decided to revoke the citizenship of four citizens,” Zelensky said, naming Viktor Medvedchuk, Taras Kozak, Renat Kuzmin and Andriy Derkats.
After about five months in captivity, Medvedchuk was handed over to Russia as part of a prisoner exchange between Kiev and Moscow in late September.
Wagner says her forces control Solentar
The head of the Russian mercenary organization Wagner, Yevgeny Prigozhinhastened late on Tuesday night (10/1) to announce that his forces are in control of the city of Solentar, in eastern Ukraine, but the fighting continues, as reported by the Reuters agency citing Russian imgs.
Yevgeny Prigozhin claimed that Solentar was now under the control of his forces, which surrounded the THEUkrainian soldiers resisting. “The number of prisoners will be announced tomorrow (as of today)“, he said in a statement carried by Russian media. Something that the Ukrainians allegedly deny.
The Ukrainian soldiers are still holding their positions in the city of Solentar, despite the fierce attack launched by the Russian forces, assured the Deputy Minister of Defense of Ukraine Hana Maliar.
Wagner’s founder and an ally of Russian President Vladimir Putin had stressed on Saturday that Solentar is of strategic importance because there is a network of underground tunnels in the area, due to the mines located there.
Kharkiv is bombed hours after the visit of the German Foreign Minister
Russian shelling hit Kharkiv last Tuesday (10/1) night, a few hours after German Foreign Minister Analena Berbock made a surprise visit to the northeastern Ukrainian city, accompanied by her Ukrainian counterpart Dmytro Kuleba, who continues to pressures Berlin to immediately send Leopard 2 heavy tanks to the Ukrainian army.
“The longer this decision is delayed, “the more the victims will be”, “the more the dead among the civilians will be”emphasized the Ukrainian Foreign Minister Kouleba.
An AFP journalist heard a series of explosions in Kharkiv, which has recently been the target of Russian strikes more rarely.
“Stay in the shelters. The occupation forces are bombing once more”the governor of the region of the same name, O. warned via Telegram Oleg Sinegubov.
It is not known if there have been any casualties so far, but according to videos released on social media, several targets were hit, including a factory that makes fireworks.
Earlier on Tuesday Mrs Burbok went to the war-torn town, near the border with Russia. With her Ukrainian counterpart at her side, she assured that Kyiv can count on Germany’s “solidarity” and “support”. He added that he brought a “new package” of aid, 20 million euros for the removal of minefields and the neutralization of explosives and another amount for the development of Internet access infrastructure through Starlink. He also announced new deliveries of generators for the Ukrainian energy infrastructure, which since the end of last year has been systematically bombed by the Russian military.
Ukraine, for its part, is demanding Western-made main battle tanks be sent to it, with Berlin yet to give the green light to the supply of Leopards.
Kharkiv was repeatedly bombed when the war broke out, but Ukrainian forces were able to hold the city. The battle front has now moved away, it is about 130 kilometers from its borders. For Mr. Kuleba, it is a “symbol of the successful Ukrainian counterattacks”, which according to him “proves that Ukraine can win (the war) with sufficient help from its partners”.
Ms Burbok assured that Kyiv could count on the delivery of weapons needed to “liberate” the citizens of Ukraine “who still suffer from the terror of Russian occupation”.. He repeated this on the return train from Kharkiv, speaking to a German television network.
After months of discussions, Germany recently announced that it will send 40 Marder-type armored fighting vehicles (APVs) to Ukraine by spring.
But in Chancellor Olaf Solz’s coalition government the Greens — Ms Burbok’s party — and the Free Democrats are increasingly vocal in favor of supplying Kyiv with Leopard tanks.
“I have no doubt that Ukraine will receive German Leopard tanks, as the federal government (of Germany) is well aware that this is necessary,” Mr Kuleba said yesterday.
Canada is sending an American-made air defense system
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced yesterday Tuesday (10/1) the purchase from the US of an anti-aircraft defense system that will then be donated to Ukraine.
This is the first NASAMS system to be offered by Canada to Ukraine, said Ottawa, which estimated the value of this donation at 406 million Canadian dollars (282 million euros). The announcement was made after a bilateral meeting between Mr. Trudeau and US President Joe Biden in Mexico.
The system to be donated is intended to counter Russia’s massive bombing of critical Ukrainian infrastructure.
“That’s the number one priority. That’s why Canada is buying an advanced surface-to-air missile system from the US to donate to Ukraine”summarized Anita Anand, Canada’s defense minister, after her conversation with her Ukrainian counterpart.
THE THEUkrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky immediately welcomed the gesture on Twitter, “thanking” Canada for “helping to protect our airwaves” and adding that the system being sent would provide “a shield to our cities and citizens”..
This air defense system is in addition to the armored vehicles, cannons, winter clothing and ammunition that Canada has sent to Ukraine to help it repel the Russian military invasion, which began on February 24, 2022.
Other countries have already sent US-made air defense systems to the Ukrainian military, including Norway, Spain, France, Germany and the US. The latter two countries also recently promised to send Patriot arrays, the most advanced integrated air defense systems in the US arsenal. Their development, however, according to experts, will only take place in months, given the need to train Ukrainian operators.
Source: News Beast
Bruce Belcher is a seasoned author with over 5 years of experience in world news. He writes for online news websites and provides in-depth analysis on the world stock market. Bruce is known for his insightful perspectives and commitment to keeping the public informed.
