Ukraine war latest: Belarus summons Ukrainian ambassador after missile ‘lands in its territory’
Belarus summons the Ukrainian ambassador after a missile “lands in its territory”; several cities across Ukraine are under Russian attack; the city of Lviv, in western Ukraine, is mostly without power; watch Michael Clarke’s analysis of how the war played out in 2022 as you scroll.
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Ukraine under attack as dozens of missiles launched View post
90% of Lviv is without electricity View post | Two people killed in strikes View post
Belarus says it ‘downed’ Ukrainian S-300 missile View post
Minsk summons Ukrainian ambassador – demands ‘thorough’ probe View post
Are Russian strikes revenge for US Patriot donation? View post
Live reporting by Faith Ridler. Updates from Neville Lazarus and Yousra Elbagir in Kyiv, and Diana Magnay in Moscow
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1h ago
17:20
In pictures: Puppies left behind in eastern Ukraine as people flee war
Two people who have remained in the town of Siversk in the Donetsk region have found a pair of puppies who were abandoned by those fleeing.
Larysa, 62, who was photographed with the two dogs, later ventured further into the bombarded down to receive vital humanitarian aid.
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1h ago
16:40
‘We’ll look back on 2022 as the year that changed everything’
To mark the end of the year, Niall Paterson sits down with Sky’s international affairs editor Dominic Waghorn to discuss the unforgettable events of 2022, including Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
He tells Niall that this year will go down in the history books as the most consequential year since the Second World War.
“I think we’ll look back on this year as the year that changed everything.’ He said.
“NATO effectively is fighting a war with Russia with everything but troops. And obviously it’s not over yet. The consequences, the implications of that, are enormous for the future.”
On the Daily, Niall also asks Dominic what lies ahead for Ukraine and Russia in 2023.
He said: “Putin’s best chance of not losing is dividing Europe. It’s going to be a very tough winter for the Ukrainians, but also for Europe. And those divisions, that disunity in Europe, is also is already under enormous pressure.”
You can listen to this episode of Sky News Daily below
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2h ago
16:00
UK vows to provide £2.3bn in aid to Ukraine
Defence Secretary Ben Wallace today reiterated the UK’s commitment to providing military support for Ukraine as the war with Russia continues.
He said: “Another £2.3bn worth of support next year and in that we make sure they have the weapon systems they need and at the moment the United Kingdom will go and help them buy it from elsewhere around the world.
“We’ll resource weapon systems that match their Soviet era, we recently donated thousands of anti-air missiles so we can bring down these drones.
“At the same time Britain is providing their knowledge and expertise about making sure we coordinate better the air defence on the ground.”
Mr Wallace said this will also “make sure that Ukraine can win on the ground – that it can push back Russia’s forces”.
“We should point out and remind the world that what we’re seeing is Russia breaking international law, systematically being involved in war crimes and rape and all those things and you can’t ignore.
“We have to all stand up to that and make sure Russia understands that unless it ceases what it is doing now, there will be long term consequences.”
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3h ago
15:20
‘This is a crime against humanity’, says victim of Kyiv strikes – as Klitschenko says Ukrainians are simply angry
By Yousra Elbagir, Sky News correspondent
Half of Leonid Fatkulin’s home in the southern Osokorki suburb of Kyiv is now crumbling into a crater in his back garden. Just after 9am this morning, he was woken up by a loud blast as the wreckage of a Russian warhead fell into his house.
“I was about to wake up and have a shower and shave. Then I heard a blast and at first, I didn’t understand what it was. I opened my eyes and saw the door was wide open and something had fallen,” says Leonid, who we found smoking a cigarette and drinking a coffee outside the remains of his house.
“The first thing I wanted to know is if my son is ok. I yelled out to him ‘are you alive?’ He said yes and then I calmed down.”
In one of the most extensive attacks since the early days of the war, Russia has launched a mass wave of missiles on cities across Ukraine.
The country’s air force says they intercepted 54 out of 69 rockets fired. Officials claim that sixteen of those targeted Kyiv where three people were wounded by the falling debris – including a 14-year-old girl.
Despite the limited casualties, the message from Moscow is loud and clear.
This mass attack comes only three days after the Russian defence ministry announced that the rubble of a low-flying Ukrainian drone they shot down over critical Saratov airbase Engles-2 killed three of their military personnel. This was the second time Moscow had declared the strategic site has been targeted by a Ukrainian drone in just three weeks.
Word of a retaliatory attack has been circulating for days. Only a few hours after the blasts, Kyiv’s residents were walking around their city as normal.
Mayor Vitaliy Klitschenko told Sky News today that the capital may be resilient but its population is very angry.
“The Russians want to bring depression especially right now during Christmas and New Year. They want to bring us back to black times with no lighting and no heating. They must bring a depressed mood to everyone,” he said.
“Instead, Ukrainians are very angry and said better we stay with no electricity and heating than ever give up.”
Back in Osokorki, Leonid’s young neighbours gather to clean up the wreckage of his house. A young man yells over to him and his face lights up.
“They found the second row of my teeth. Now, I’ll be toothy,” he says grinning after putting in the dentures plucked out of the rubble.
His demeanour comes off as disillusioned yet saddened by the reality of the war he woke up to this morning.
“This is a crime against humanity, not only against me but against all people,” he says.
“This time I suffered but next time it will be someone else.”
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3h ago
14:40
Catherine the Great statue removed by Ukraine under ‘de-Russification’ of war-ravaged country
A statue of former Russian empress Catherine the Great in the Ukrainian city of Odesa has been removed.
The monument to the founder of Odesa was originally put up in the city centre in 1900 but was then removed by the then Bolshevik rulers in 1920 before the local council restored it in 2007.
At the time, with Ukraine having been independent from the Soviet Union for a few years, the Odessans wanted to bring back the statue as an act of gratitude for the founding of the city.
But on 20 November this year, authorities agreed to remove the structure after an online vote by Odesa residents.
Residents reacted with mixed feelings to the dismantling.
“I think that history is history. Of course, what they (Russians) have done to our Ukraine is not good, but history should be preserved whether it’s good or bad,” said local resident Valery.
You can read more on this story in the link below…
Catherine the Great statue removed by Ukraine under ‘de-Russification’ of war-ravaged country
Sky News
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4h ago
14:00
Ukrainian mayor ‘under suspicion for sharing unsanctioned military information’
Oleksandr Mamai, the mayor of the central city of Poltava, has been “placed under suspicion” for allegedly sharing unsanctioned information about Ukrainian military moves.
Mr Mamai allegedly passed on intelligence about the placement of Ukrainian troops, the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) reports.
Documents regarding the investigation said this information was not “made publicly available by the general staff of the armed forces, the ministry of defence, or other authorised state bodies”.
Local reports added Mr Mamai had allegedly revealed the formation of a new Ukrainian military unit – and shared the address of its headquarters.
It is understood searches of the Poltava City Council building are under way.
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5h ago
13:20
In pictures: Rescue efforts continue in Kyiv after Russian bombardment
Rescuers are still working at the site of missile strikes on the Ukrainian capital today – after some 69 rockets were launched at the country.
A number of houses were damaged and several entirely destroyed in the region, and three people were injured including a 14-year-old girl.
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5h ago
12:40
Ukraine marks ‘sea change’ in use of secret intelligence – GCHQ chief
The conflict in Ukraine has represented a “sea change” in the release of secret intelligence to inform public debate, the head of the GCHQ spy agency has said.
Sir Jeremy Fleming said the release of details by western intelligence agencies of the Russian military build-up in the run up to the invasion had helped counter Moscow’s narrative that Ukraine was threatening its neighbour.
However, speaking to the BBC, he acknowledged that it had proved more effective in the West than in other parts of the world.
“There is no point in collecting it (secret intelligence) unless you use it,” he said.
“The sea change we have seen during this conflict, getting the intelligence out there and using it to pre-bunk, to try and undermine that sort of narrative, I completely agree with that.
“But it is also the case that for much of the world they haven’t completely bought into that side of the argument. Much as we know it to be truthful, there are different and counter-narratives.”
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6h ago
12:20
Decline in internet connectivity as Russian strikes hit
There was a sharp decline in internet connectivity in several parts of Ukraine on Thursday as a major Russian bombardment was launched.
Netblocks, which tracks cybersecurity, published a graph showing a huge drop off in connectivity in the Sumy, Odesa and Lviv regions.
Other parts of Ukraine saw a more modest fall – and quickly recovered.
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6h ago
12:00
What is happening in Ukraine today?
It’s been a busy day of fast-moving developments in Ukraine.
Another heavy wave of missile strikes rained down on the country on Thursday morning – before allegations emerged of a Ukrainian rocket entering Belarusian air space.
If you’re just joining us this afternoon, here’s what you need to know…
Dozens of Russians of missiles were launched at Ukraine early on Thursday – with blasts noted in Kyiv, Kherson, Odesa, Lviv and Zhytomyr;
Ukraine claimed it had shot down 54 of 69 cruise missiles launched;
90% of the western city of Lviv is without electricity – and 40% of Kyiv;
At least two people were killed and seven were injured in the strikes;
Belarus alleged it had shot down a Ukrainian S-300 missile over the western Brest region;
Sean Bell, retired Air Vice-Marshal, has told Sky News that today’s bombardment might have been launched in retaliation for the US providing Ukraine with the Patriot air defence system.
The map below details the situation in Ukraine at the moment…
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6h ago
11:44
Two killed and seven injured in Russian strikes
At least two people were killed and seven injured in a major wave of Russian bombardment which struck 10 regions of Ukraine on Thursday.
The deaths were reported in the northeastern Kharkiv region, where an additional person was injured.
Regional governor Oleh Syniehubov said Moscow had targeted critical infrastructure in Ukraine’s second-largest city.
Meanwhile, three people were injured in Kyiv – and one person was hurt when a missile struck a boarding school in the eastern Donetsk region.
The school was inhabited by displaced people at the time.
It was reported that a hospital in Kherson, southern Ukraine, was also hit by missiles, injuring two people.
Authorities had earlier said five people were injured across the country.
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6h ago
11:33
No particular signs Russia wants peace, says Italian PM
There are no particular signs that Russia wants peace in Ukraine, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni told her end-of-year news conference.
She went on to urge international backing for Ukraine to continue.
Ms Meloni said: “Continuing supporting Ukraine is the best way to reach the end of the war.
“I hope that sooner or later Russia realises the enormous error it is making – until then, we’ll defend Ukraine.”
She added that holding firm on support for Ukraine was a key precondition for maintaining a balance of power on the battlefield and creating the conditions for peace.
Ms Meloni said she intends to visit Kyiv before the one-year anniversary of the Russian invasion, which will fall on 24 February 2023.
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7h ago
11:10
Elderly man and son sleeping in Kyiv as rocket fragment hits their home
An elderly man and his son were sleeping in Kyiv as the debris of an intercepted missile hit their home today, Sky’s Yousra Elbagir has reported.
Speaking from the scene, she said: “The rubble of a missile has fallen and hit a house just behind me, this is where an older man and his son were sleeping.
“His son was on the top floor, he was on the ground floor. They said that the only reason that they weren’t hurt was because of this wall between them where the rubble of the missile fell and hit the house.
“This has been a period of relative calm in the Kyiv region, most of the fighting has been concentrated in the east and the south of the country but today – in what can only be described as a retaliatory attack from Russia – the air force intercepted 54 out of 69 missiles.
“The officials said 16 of those missiles that were fired towards the Kyiv region, all of them were intercepted and what we see here is the damage from the fallen rubble.”
You can hear more from Yousra in the clip below…
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7h ago
11:00
Putin oversees commissioning of new Russian navy warships
Vladimir Putin oversaw the commissioning of new Russian warships and vowed on Thursday to further strengthen his country’s navy.
“We will speed up and increase the volumes of construction of ships of various projects, equip them with the most modern weapons, and conduct the operational and combat training using the experience received during the special military operation,” Mr Putin said, referring to Russia’s war in Ukraine.
The newly commissioned vessels included a corvette, a minesweeper and the Generalissimus Suvorov nuclear submarine.
“It will ensure Russia’s security for decades ahead,” Mr Putin said.
Another submarine of the same type, Emperor Alexander III, was launched during Thursday’s ceremony.
The navy plans to commission it following trials.
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7h ago
10:40
Watch: Statue of Russian empress removed from Odesa
A statue of Catherine the Great was last night removed from the southern Ukrainian city of Odesa after an online vote on its future.
The video below captures the moment it was taken from its position.
It is thought the statue – first installed in 1900 – will be moved to the Odesa Fine Arts Museum.
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8h ago
10:20
In pictures: Friends embrace after heavy bombardment hits Kyiv
The Ukrainian capital faced yet another wave of Russian bombardment early on Thursday, with homes destroyed and three people injured.
These photographs are the latest to emerge of the aftermath, capturing the moment friends reunited after taking to underground bunkers to shelter from the shelling.
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8h ago
10:17
Belarus demands ‘thorough investigation’ into Ukrainian missile landing
Belarus has summoned the Ukrainian ambassador to discuss claims that a Ukrainian missile landed in Belarus today, the BelTA news agency has said.
It is alleged that the S-300 rocket was shot down by Belarus over the western region of Brest at around 7am GMT on Thursday.
The missile allegedly fell into a field near the village of Harbacha, around nine miles from the Belarus-Ukraine border.
Anatoly Glaz, of the Belarusian foreign ministry, said: “We have demanded that Ukraine carry out a thorough investigation into all the circumstances of the missile launch, bring those responsible to justice and take comprehensive measures to prevent the recurrence of such incidents in the future.
“Which could lead to catastrophic consequences for everyone.”
Ukraine has yet to respond to the claims – or the summons.
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8h ago
10:00
Russia ‘shoots down drone near Engels air base’
Moscow has alleged its air defences shot down a drone near to the Engels air base.
The base, which is far from the Ukrainian border, is reportedly home to long-range strategic bombers.
It is the third time Russia has claimed an attack on Engels in December alone, which Moscow alleges has killed at least six troops.
The base is located near Saratov, around 450 miles southeast of Moscow.
“Air defence systems shot down an unmanned aerial vehicle in the Engels region,” regional governor Roman Busargin said.
He claimed that falling debris had damaged a residential building – but no injuries were reported.
The Engels base is one of two that host Russia’s airborne nuclear forces.
The strikes have raised questions about the effectiveness of Russian air defences, particularly when the front line is so far away.
There was no immediate response from Ukraine, which has never publicly claimed responsibility for attacks inside Russia – but calls them “karma”.
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8h ago
09:32
Five injured in Russian strikes
A total of five people were injured in heavy Russian strikes on Ukraine on Thursday, the country’s emergency service has confirmed.
Three of these were in Kyiv, which included a 14-year-old girl.
Spokesman Oleksandr Khorunzhy said 10 Ukrainian regions were affected by the strikes, and 28 buildings were damaged.
Ten of these were critical infrastructure facilities, and the rest were private homes.
Mr Khorunzhy said: “As a result of the shelling, three men, one woman and one child were injured.”
He added that at least 100 emergency workers were involved in the response to the strikes – and 87 generators are currently in use.
“Currently, our rescuers are still working on the ground,” he said.
“They conduct search and rescue operations. Information about the victims throughout Ukraine is being clarified.”
It is possible that the number of injured could still rise.
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9h ago
09:20
Aftermath in Kyiv at site of missile strike
Sky’s Neville Lazarus is in the Ukrainian capital, at the site of a missile strike which has destroyed the home of an elderly man.
The house is in a residential district, and was entirely destroyed in the blast – as was a car parked outside and an adjoined garage.
The aftermath is captured in the devastating images below…
