Tag: Ukraine

Zelensky vows to wreak ‘wrath’ against Russia in 2024

KYIV, Ukraine, Dec 31, 2023 (AFP) – Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky vowed in his New Year’s address Sunday to wreak “wrath” against Russian forces in 2024, despite what he said were attempts to “undermine” support for Kyiv. His message came less than 72 hours after Moscow launched a barrage of missiles and drones at Ukrainian cities, killing 39 people in one of the biggest aerial attacks since the war began. “Next year, the enemy will […]

Putin praises army in scaled-back New Year’s address

MOSCOW, Dec 31, 2023 (AFP) – President Vladimir Putin praised the Russian army in his New Year’s Eve address Sunday, arguing society had “united” behind the Kremlin in a scaled-back message that did not mention Ukraine. In stark contrast to last year, when the Kremlin leader gave a combative speech flanked by soldiers, Putin described 2024 as the “year of the family” in front of the traditional backdrop of the Kremlin. “We have repeatedly proved […]

Ukraine downs drones as Russia retaliates for Belgorod attack

KYIV, Ukraine, Dec 31, 2023 (AFP) – Kyiv said Sunday it had destroyed 21 of 49 Iranian-made drones fired after Russia vowed to retaliate for what it called a “terrorist attack” on a border city that left 24 dead. The Ukrainian air force said the “Shahed” drones were particularly targeted at “the front line of defence, as well as at civilian, military and infrastructure facilities in the front-line territories”. Six guided missiles had also targeted […]

Russia vows ‘punishment’ after strike on Belgorod kills 14

MOSCOW, Dec 30, 2023 (AFP) – Russia accused Ukraine of targeting the city of Belgorod with missiles and rockets on Saturday, killing at least 14 people and wounding dozens more in an attack Moscow warned would “not go unpunished”. Belgorod lies about 30 kilometres (19 miles) from the border with Ukraine and has been repeatedly struck by what Moscow says is indiscriminate shelling by Kyiv’s forces. Unverified footage showed debris strewn across the street and […]

‘Massive’ Russian strikes kill at least 30 across Ukraine

By Anna MALPAS with Florent Vergnes KYIV, Ukraine, Dec 29, 2023 (AFP) – Russia launched a massive air attack over Ukraine on Friday, killing at least 30 people and wounding over a hundred across the country in the fiercest assault since the first days of the war nearly two years ago. Schools, a maternity hospital, shopping arcades and blocks of flats were among the buildings hit in the barrage, said Ukrainian officials. The attacks — […]

Poland says Russian missile passed through its airspace

WARSAW, Dec 29, 2023 (AFP) – A Russian missile passed through Polish airspace Friday, entering from and then back into Ukraine, the Polish army said, as Russia pummelled Ukraine with one of the biggest air attacks of the war. “Everything indicates that a Russian missile entered Polish airspace… It also left our airspace,” said General Wieslaw Kukula, chief of the general staff of the Polish armed forces. “We have national and allied radar confirmation,” he […]

Air alert as Russia pummels Ukrainian cities with missiles

By Anna MALPAS KYIV, Ukraine, Dec 29, 2023 (AFP) – Russia launched a wave of missile strikes on Friday across Ukrainian cities, including the capital, officials said, as they raised a nationwide air alert. “We are doing everything to strengthen our air shield. But the world needs to see that we need more support and strength to stop this terror,” Ukrainian presidential aide Andriy Yermak wrote on Telegram. AFP reporters in central Kyiv heard several […]

US releases final package of authorized military aid for Ukraine

WASHINGTON, Dec 27, 2023 (AFP) – The US government on Wednesday announced what it said was the last remaining package of weapons available for Ukraine under existing authorization, with Congress now needing to decide whether to keep supporting Kyiv’s battle against Russian invasion. “The year’s final package” includes air-defense and artillery munitions, the State Department said in a statement. It added that Congress, where Republicans are split on supporting Ukraine, should “act swiftly” to renew […]

Ukraine says it shot down three Russian Su-34 fighters

KYIV, Ukraine, Dec 23, 2023 (AFP) – Ukraine’s military said it has shot down three Russian fighter-bombers in the south of the country. Air force commander Mykola Oleshchuk said the Su-34 jets were downed around noon on Friday. In his announcement he noted a message found on a downed Russian drone which read “Die, bitches”. “Great idea! Here is our response!” he said on Telegram. In his nightly address on Friday, President Volodymyr Zelensky thanked […]

US starts targeting banks that help Russian war in Ukraine

By Shaun TANDON WASHINGTON, Dec 22, 2023 (AFP) – The United States said Friday it will impose sanctions on foreign banks that support Russia’s war in Ukraine, in a new bid to exert pressure on Moscow as it diversifies from the West to China. Under an executive order signed by President Joe Biden, the United States will slap so-called secondary sanctions against financial institutions that back companies already targeted for supporting Russia’s defense industry. “We […]

Zelensky says ‘no one knows’ when war in Ukraine will end

By Victoria LUKOVENKO with Anna MALPAS KYIV, Ukraine, Dec 20, 2023 (AFP) – President Volodymyr Zelensky said Tuesday that there was no end in sight to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, as fatigue builds among Kyiv’s allies nearly two years into the war and the Kremlin voices growing confidence of victory. Zelensky said he had turned down a request from the military — for now — to mobilise as many as 500,000 Ukrainians for the army, […]

US Senate leaders say no Ukraine aid before year’s end

By Camille CAMDESSUS WASHINGTON, Dec 20, 2023 (AFP) – The Democratic and Republican leaders of the US Senate said Tuesday that Washington will not be able to approve new aid for Ukraine before year’s end, as the two sides continue to seek a compromise. “As negotiators work through remaining issues, it is our hope that their efforts will allow the Senate to take swift action… early in the new year,” Democrat Chuck Schumer and Republican […]