Russian invasion: War against Ukraine: That's the situation

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has warned of possible Russian attacks in the coming public holidays and during the holiday period.

Russian invasion: War against Ukraine: That's the situation

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has warned of possible Russian attacks in the coming public holidays and during the holiday period. Meanwhile, Kremlin chief Vladimir Putin is boosting Russia's defense industry. Russian reinforcements were spotted on the fronts. On Saturday, Ukraine has been defending itself against the Russian war of aggression for 304 days.

Zelenskyj warns of new Russian attacks

"With the approaching holiday season, the Russian terrorists could become active again," said Zelenskyj in his daily video address on Friday evening. "They despise Christian values ​​and any values ​​in general."

Zelenskyy urged Ukrainians to be extra vigilant in the coming days. "So please heed the air raid shelter signals, help each other and always look out for each other," he said. At the same time, he addressed an unusually harsh warning to Russia. "The citizens of Russia must clearly understand that terrorism never goes unanswered," he said - without further elaborating.

In the past few days, the Ukrainian military leadership has repeatedly warned of possible new rocket attacks on the country's infrastructure and energy supply. Among other things, the military pointed out that a Russian naval unit was underway in the Black Sea, which also included a warship equipped with cruise missiles.

In recent weeks, the Russian military has repeatedly attacked Ukraine's energy supply network with cruise missiles, rockets and so-called kamikaze drones. Despite the high numbers of Ukrainian air defenses shot down, the attacks caused great damage; This resulted in massive power and water supply failures. Russia wants to put the Ukrainian population under pressure in winter.

US Congress passes budget with billions in aid for Ukraine

The US Congress has passed the new government budget, which, among other things, provides for billions in aid for Ukraine. The US House of Representatives approved the budget with a volume of 1.7 trillion US dollars (1.6 trillion euros). The Senate had previously approved the law. Defense spending accounts for about half of the budget. Around 45 billion US dollars have been earmarked for supporting Ukraine.

Putin climbs on tanks and calls for more armament efforts

Kremlin chief Putin has called on the Russian defense industry to do more to support his country's armed forces. "The key task of defense industry companies is to supply all units with all the necessary weapons, technology, ammunition and equipment," said the Russian President during a visit to a defense factory in Tula, south of Moscow. "Furthermore, this supply must be provided in the required scope and quantity, and within the deadlines."

In a workshop, Putin climbed onto a highly polished tank, as photos showed. He called for "past combat experience" to be incorporated into the production of weapons. He avoided any reference to where this "combat experience" was gained. Russia invaded Ukraine at the end of February.

At a meeting at the Defense Ministry on Wednesday, Putin called for a faster pace of upgrading and modernizing the armed forces. There are "no financial restrictions" on further upgrading of the army, he said. In addition, the armed forces are to be expanded by almost 350,000 soldiers to a strength of 1.5 million men.

Melnyk wants a "European tank alliance" for Ukraine from Berlin

The Ukrainian Deputy Foreign Minister Andriy Melnyk has again called on the federal government to supply Kyiv with main battle tanks and armored personnel carriers for the defense against Russia. He wished that Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD) "finally reconsidered the restraint, for example, with the Leopard battle tank and the Marder infantry fighting vehicle," said the former ambassador of Ukraine in Germany to the editorial network Germany (RND).

"If the federal government does not want to go it alone with the delivery, then Germany could pursue a leading role on the continent, forge a European tank alliance."

Melnyk had already suggested in October that the European states with existing stocks of Leopard 2 tanks join forces and deliver ten percent of the 2,000 units to Ukraine. Ukraine has long been asking its allies for Western-style battle tanks and infantry fighting vehicles.

Kyiv: Russia brings new troops to the front to reinforce them

According to Ukrainian reconnaissance, the Russian armed forces are bringing reinforcements to their troops on the fronts in eastern and southern Ukraine. "The enemy has increased the volume of rail transport of troops, equipment and ammunition to combat zones," the General Staff said in Kyiv.

The area around the frontline town of Bakhmut in the east, as well as the towns of Avdiivka, Kupyansk and Limansk in the Donbass region, were considered the main combat zones. Reinforcements on the Russian side were also recognized in the south of the country, it said. However, the new units in the Cherson region would only be used to expand the defense lines. The information could not be independently verified.

Trams in Kyiv are at a standstill due to a lack of electricity

Due to the acute lack of electricity as a result of the Russian attacks on the Ukrainian energy network, local public transport with trams and trolleybuses in the capital Kyiv has been suspended for the time being. In their place, 222 additional regular buses would be used, Mayor Vitali Klitschko said. The subway, Kiev's main traffic artery, is not affected by these energy-saving measures.

That will be important on Saturday

The Ukrainian armed forces expect new Russian attacks against the frontline town of Bakhmut. The Russian-controlled cities of Donetsk and Luhansk in the Donbass are expecting new Ukrainian attacks from Ukrainian tube and rocket artillery.

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