2024-01-05 16:52:00
Russia and Ukraine exchange 400 prisoners. Ukraine fears a shortage of ammunition. All information in the news blog.
The most important things at a glance
Zelenskyj awards Baerbock the Ukrainian Order of Merit
6:10 p.m.: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyj awarded German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock (Greens) with an Order of Merit for her support for his country. Parliamentarians Marie-Agnes Strack-Zimmermann (FDP) and Anton Hofreiter (Greens) were also honored with Ukrainian medals.
In the decree issued shortly before the New Year, the Ukrainian president honored 32 foreign people. They made “a significant personal contribution to strengthening intergovernmental cooperation, supporting state sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine.” Strack-Zimmermann, chairwoman of the Defense Committee in the Bundestag, called the award a great honor. She will continue to advocate “that Ukraine gets the support it needs in the fight once morest the brutal Russian attack,” she said.
The FDP politician is considered one of the most committed advocates of aid for Ukraine. In the traffic light coalition, she makes no secret of the fact that she considers the approach of Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD) to be too hesitant. Hofreiter, as chairman of the European Committee, also advocates military aid for Ukraine. Baerbock has visited the attacked country several times and advocates a “Europe from Lisbon to Luhansk”. The Minister of Foreign Affairs received the third degree of the Order of Yaroslav the Wise. Strack-Zimmermann and Hofreiter were awarded the third level of the Ukrainian Order of Merit.
Russian authorities want to partially evacuate Belgorod
5:21 p.m.: According to Governor Vyacheslav Gladkov, the authorities in the Russian city of Belgorod are ready to partially evacuate the city, writes the Russian-language internet newspaper “Meduza” from exile in Riga. According to Gladkov, people who want to escape can contact his office, the mayor of Belgorod or the police.
“We are ready to transport you to Stary Oskol and Gubkin (editor’s note: two towns northeast of Belgorod), where you will be in good circumstances and in warm and safe spaces.” However, there is not enough space for everyone in the temporary accommodation, which is why he will ask governors of other regions for help.
According to authorities, the Russian border town of Belgorod was attacked by rockets on Saturday, killing 25 people. Russia accused Ukraine of being responsible for the attacks. Kyiv has not yet commented.
Ukrainian foreign exchange reserves rose in 2023 despite the war
5:16 p.m.: Despite the ongoing Russian war of aggression, foreign currency reserves in Ukraine, which is dependent on foreign money, rose by 42 percent in 2023. At the end of December, the central bank had the equivalent of more than 36.8 billion euros, the authority said. It is said that the reserves can be used to finance imports for more than five months. Three months of coverage is considered a minimum for financial stability.
At the same time, the central bank emphasizes that Kiev received international financial aid worth the equivalent of over 38.8 billion euros last year. The bank calls the support unprecedented. According to information from Kiev, European Union states contributed almost half.
For 2024, Prime Minister Denys Schmyhal has estimated a need of 33 billion euros from abroad, which is less than in 2023. However, further financial support for the ailing country from the EU and the USA is still pending.
Ukraine: Secret service ambushed Russian commanders near Belgorod
3:06 p.m.: The Ukrainian military intelligence service HUR said it carried out a cross-border attack 80 kilometers west of the Russian city of Belgorod. This is what the Ukrainian online newspaper “The Kyiv Independent” writes.
Accordingly, the secret service had learned that Russian commanders wanted to inspect army positions in the Gayvoron district. HUR fighters then mined the only road to the area and attacked a squad of Russian soldiers. The extent of the losses is still unclear. The information cannot be independently verified.
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