2023-12-18 21:04:00
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Latvia wants to train Ukrainian soldiers. The Ukrainian air force spokesman fears daily attacks by Russian drones. The news ticker.
- After Republicans-Blocked: Ukrainian military complains of lack of ammunition
- Ukraine demands F-16 jets: Air force spokesman insists on “advantage in the air”
- The information processed here comes from international media and news agencies, but also from the warring parties in Russia and Ukraine as well as their allies. In particular, the information on losses suffered by the armies involved in the Ukrainian war cannot be independently verified.
Update from December 18th, 10:02 p.m.: As further support in the Ukraine war, the EU wants to decide on new financial aid worth billions by February 1st at the latest. EU Council President Charles Michel announces that a special summit of heads of state and government will be organized on this day. That reports n-tv.
Weapons deliveries in the Ukraine war: USA has funds available for Kiev
Update from December 18th, 7:31 p.m.: The USA is holding out the prospect of further arms deliveries in the Ukraine war. According to the US government, there would still be funds for an aid package this year. “But once this is done (…) Congress must act immediately,” said National Security Council Communications Director John Kirby on Monday in Washington. Only then could the country attacked by Russia continue its fight for freedom. Kirby did not give an exact figure as to how much money is still available for military support for Ukraine.
Since the outbreak of the war in Ukraine, the USA has been considered Ukraine’s most important ally. Since the war began in February 2022, the United States, under the leadership of Democratic President Joe Biden, has provided or promised billions of dollars in military aid to Kiev.
Because of losses in the Ukraine war: Expert sees war of attrition
Update from December 18th, 6:42 p.m.: According to political scientist Gerhard Mangott, the war in Ukraine will become even more of a war of attrition in the coming weeks. Losses for Russia and Ukraine have been high for months, and a counteroffensive in the summer of 2023 is now considered a failure. Mangott currently sees no way out of the war in Ukraine. He told n-tv in an interview that Kiev would have an advantage this winter, but major offensives are not expected at the moment.
Ukraine War: The Origins of the Conflict with Russia
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At the moment, only a few movements are possible on the front in the Ukraine war; if any, the initiative would lie with the Russian troops. Mangott expects strong attacks from Russia in the coming months. Putin’s soldiers had recently increased drone attacks and repeatedly attacked targets in the Ukraine war.
Casualties in the Ukraine War: Russia loses over 1,000 soldiers in one day
Update from December 18th, 5:44 p.m.: The Ukrainian General Staff has released new figures on Russia’s losses in the Ukraine war. Also the Ukrainian news site Ukrainska Pravda reports on developments in the war in Ukraine. The information cannot be independently verified. Below is an overview of Russia’s losses in the Ukraine War:
- soldiers: 34.7160 (+1090 on the previous day)
- Panzer: 5783 (+44)
- Armored vehicles: 10.7521 (+60)
- Artilleriesysteme: 8175 (+38)
- Multiple rocket launchers: 926 (+3)
- Anti-aircraft guns: 610 (+1)
- Airplanes: 324
- helicopter: 324
- Drones: 6290 (+12)
- Ships: 22
Russia’s soldiers are said to be fighting wounded in the Ukraine war – report reveals details
Update from December 18th, 5:10 p.m.: On Monday afternoon, the British Ministry of Defense announced that soldiers from Russia would be sent back to the Ukrainian war with unhealed wounds and even amputations. His daily update on the situation in the war in Ukraine also said that Putin’s Storm Z infantry troops were receiving minimal or no treatment. As the daily News writes, the troops are penal battalions made up of former prisoners and disgraced soldiers.
New sanctions due to war in Ukraine: Diamonds from Russia are subject to import ban
Update from December 18th, 4:50 p.m.: The EU states have decided on a new package of sanctions against Russia because of the war in Ukraine. This also includes a ban on the import of Russian diamonds, as the Council of Member States announced in Brussels on Monday.
The package also envisages tightening the price cap for Russian oil exports to third countries, which has recently had little effect. Trade restrictions and punitive measures against people and organizations that support the Russian war of aggression are also planned for other goods. These include, for example, lithium batteries, thermostats and certain chemicals.
Support for soldiers in the Ukrainian war: Latvia wants to train 1,500 Ukrainians
Update from December 18th, 3:40 p.m.: NATO member Latvia has apparently agreed to expand the training of Ukrainian troops because of the war in Ukraine. This is reported by the Ukrainska Pravda citing the Ukrainian Defense Ministry. A corresponding decision was made at a meeting between Ukrainian Defense Minister Rustem Umjerov and his Latvian counterpart Andris Spruds. Latvia is expected to train around 1,500 Ukrainian soldiers by the end of the year.
Ammunition shortage in the Ukraine war: US blockade is noticeable at the front
Update from December 18th, 2:15 p.m.: According to Ukrainian Brigadier General Oleksandr Tarnavskyi, Ukrainian troops are currently fighting a shortage of ammunition on all front lines in the Ukrainian war. Republicans in the US Congress are currently blocking an aid package worth $60 billion. Tarnavskyi told the news agency Archyde.com, there are particular difficulties with 122 and 152 mm howitzer shells, which is why operations on all front lines have been forced to scale back. The ammunition we have is not enough. The brigadier general explained that they were therefore rescheduling.
Russian troops launch an artillery attack towards Avdiivka. (Screenshot from handout video) © SNA / Sputnik / Imago Images
Drone strikes against Ukraine: Warning about Russia’s arsenal in the Ukraine war
First report from December 18th: Kiev – In the Ukraine war, Kremlin boss Vladimir Putin’s military repeatedly attacks Ukraine with drones and missiles, especially at night. Ukrainian Air Force spokesman Yuri Ignat fears that the frequency of these attacks will increase even more than usual. This was reported by the news agencies Union and Ukrinform. “It’s not easy to figure out their plans, but the enemy is accumulating certain capabilities,” Ignat said.
Russia is now using many more ballistic missiles such as Kh-101 or Kh-555 in winter. But the threat from drones is still the greatest. “They are still drones, they have enough drones to attack Ukraine from different directions every day,” warned the air force spokesman, answering the question of whether the Russian army is preparing for new major attacks.
Ukraine demands F-16 jets in war: Air force spokesman insists on “advantage in the air”
However, the use of Western F-16 fighter jets instead of Soviet aircraft will significantly improve the effectiveness of the defense, said the spokesman. The effectiveness of the missiles in the Ukrainian Air Force’s inventory will increase several times once they are used together with the F-16 jets, he claimed.
Nevertheless, in response to a corresponding question, Ignat admitted that Ukraine cannot shoot down Russian missiles in the air with the F-16 aircraft: “It is unlikely that these aircraft will somehow help in the fight against ballistic missiles that have been launched, they cannot combat ballistic missiles Rockets work.”
It is difficult to switch from Soviet to Western jets anyway. “We want to do this in record time, we need the advantage in the air, otherwise it will be difficult for ground troops,” he admitted. In any case, it is expected that the F-16 jets can be used to fend off Russian aircraft. (bb/nak with agencies)
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