Three other crew members were injured. The civilian ship, flying the Tanzanian flag, was headed towards a Ukrainian port. Overnight, Russia launched an attack with drones and missiles against Kiev, also damaging a school facility and injuring at least 18 people. 7 also injured in Odessa, where a 19-storey residential building was hit. Russian intelligence services are planning targeted assassinations in the US and in EU countries that support Ukraine starting at least from 2024. The alarm comes from the US Department of Justice after FBI investigations
A Russian drone attacked a civilian ship flying the Tanzanian flag, headed towards one of the Ukrainian ports: the captain was killed and three other crew members were injured. This was reported by the Ukrainian Ministry of Community and Territorial Development, as reported by Ukrainska Pravda. At least 10 people have been killed and 71 injured in Russian attacks in Ukraine over the past 24 hours. During the night, Moscow launched an attack with drones and missiles against Kiev, hitting residential buildings, educational institutions, administrative buildings, offices, petrol stations, warehouses, cars and the railway. 18 people were injured, including two children, according to local authorities. Russian raids also hit Zaporizhzhia and the Odessa region. In Odessa, a 19-story residential building was damaged and seven people were injured, according to Ukrainian emergency services. Ukraine attacked a refinery in the Russian city of Yaroslavl (250 kilometers north of Moscow) and a military airport in the southern region of Rostov-on-Don, local authorities said.
Russian intelligence services plan targeted assassinations in the US and in EU countries that support Ukraine starting at least from 2024, as well as having instructed accomplices to carry out acts of terrorism against civilian and military infrastructure. The alarm comes from the US Department of Justice following investigations by the FBI. Five people, currently at large, have been indicted. "Until they provide concrete evidence, we do not consider it necessary to comment on these accusations," the Kremlin replied. Meanwhile, Putin is calling the Russians to the polls in view of the elections for the renewal of the Duma over the weekend: "The citizens know what we are fighting for, no one will be able to divide us".
Kremlin: "US sanctions make peace in Ukraine more difficult"
Russia considers the US Congress' approval of sanctions against the sale of Russian oil a "hostile action". If they are applied, "they will certainly make efforts to find a peaceful solution in Ukraine more difficult", warned Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov, quoted by Russian agencies.
Zelensky: "Beijing has enormous influence on Russia, it can push Putin towards negotiations"
"I don't see China pushing Russia to end the war. I've never seen that. Maybe they do it during some of their bilateral meetings. I don't know. But I think they have a huge influence on Russia, especially now that there are a lot of sanctions, the shadow fleet and the blocked energy and banking systems. Of course, China can find a way to push Putin towards negotiations. I'm sure of that, but they haven't done it." This was declared by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, who posted on X some excerpts of the interview given to the Japanese broadcaster NHK.
"It's a shame that China is not on our side in this war, politically. It's not even about weapons. It's about political will," he adds. "And it's a shame because this war could be stopped immediately by strong leaders, including China. It's a shame that they are not on our side. But that's not the problem. The problem is that they don't remain neutral. Because they are a little closer to Russia. And for them to be a little closer to Russia, I mean, not supply weapons directly, but to be more available to them, more available to them than to us, for such a big country, 'a little' is a lot."
Zelensky: "Sanctions are a very powerful tool, thanks to the US Congress"
"It is symbolic that the US House of Representatives passed the 'Lindsey Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act' on the very night of yet another Russian attack on Ukraine using ballistic missiles, other types of missiles and drones." Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky wrote it in X, after the approval of a new package of sanctions against Russia by American deputies.
“The Lindsey Graham bill, along with other strong sanctions measures taken by our partners against the root cause of this war, Russia – he continues – constitutes an extremely powerful tool capable of ending this terrorist war and forcing Russia to make peace. Sanctions must be severe so that all peace efforts, including our joint diplomatic efforts with the United States, Europe and our other allies, can be successful. I thank the members of the House of Representatives, the senators and the leaders of the United States Congress for supporting this law. Russia must end this war,” concludes Zelensky.
Von der Leyen: "With the adoption of the Graham Bill, a clear message from the USA to Moscow"
“In yesterday's State of the Union address, I made it clear that the EU must continue to put pressure on Russia, taking every measure possible to weaken its war machine. The adoption of the Graham Bill by the US House of Representatives sends a clear message. My friend, Senator Graham, was adamant that targeted and coordinated action on both sides of the Atlantic could make the difference in ending the war.” Ursula von der Leyen writes this in X, adding: "I hope that this important opportunity will be seized, in the interests of peace."
Zelensky: "Refinery hit in Rostov and planes at the airport"
President Volodymyr Zelensky released a video showing Ukrainian drones hitting an oil refinery and several planes at Rostov Airport, Russia. "This night, thanks to a joint operation by SBU, SBS, Gur and SZR, the Yaroslavl oil refinery was hit. The security services also carried out a precise operation at the Rostov military airport, confirming the shooting down of an An-12 plane, two An-26s and three other helicopters", writes the Ukrainian leader on social media.
Lavrov: "The US wants to talk to us, unlike the Europeans"
The United States remains "ready to talk" with Russia, and this is an "important difference" with the Europeans. Russian Foreign Minister Serghei Lavrov said this, adding however that at the moment this dialogue with Washington has not brought "concrete effects in the restoration of relations, which is not expected for now". "There is an important difference between the elites of the United States and Europe - underlined Lavrov, quoted by Russian agencies -. The USA is ready to talk. This is always important, even when the positions are completely opposite. And we always talk to those who want to do it seriously. This is the way the USA works with us".
Barrot: "We must not fall into the trap of Russian hybrid warfare"
France must not fall "into the trap" of the hybrid war waged by Russia. The appeal comes from the French Foreign Minister, Jean-Noël Barrot, who spoke today on the LCI broadcaster.
“Be careful not to fall into the trap that Vladimir Putin would like us to be in, of being afraid, intimidated and hindered in our support for the Ukrainian resistance,” he said, as rumors circulated about possible Russian involvement behind a train derailment in France.
The accident, which occurred last Friday in Normandy, caused 44 injuries. It is at the center of numerous speculations about its exact origin due to the presence of a piece of rail on the tracks, the causes of which have not yet been clarified.
"The investigations must dispel any suspicion," said Barrot, when asked about Russian sabotage. “We are not at peace, but we are not at war with Russia,” he continued. "We must not allow ourselves to be dragged into this escalation into which Vladimir Putin would be happy to see the Europeans fall," he reiterated.
Moscow: "Two population centers taken in the Ukrainian regions of Zaporizhzhia and Kharkiv"
Moscow's Defense Ministry announced that Russian armed forces have captured Rozovka, in the Zaporizhzhia region of Ukraine, and taken control of the village of Malaya Vovchya, in the Kharkiv oblast. "Units of the East group of forces liberated the village of Rozovka in the Zaporizhzhia region," we read on the Telegram channel of the Ministry of Defense. “Units of the Northern grouping have taken control of the village of Malaya Vovchya in the Kharkiv region,” the Russian ministry reported.
Kiev: "10 dead and 71 injured in Russian attacks in the last 24 hours"
At least 10 people have been killed and 71 injured in Russian attacks in Ukraine over the past 24 hours. Russia launched a large-scale attack overnight on several Ukrainian cities, using ballistic and cruise missiles, Shahed-type one-way attack drones and Oniks anti-ship missiles. According to the Ukrainian Air Force, the main targets of the Russian attack included the Kiev, Zaporizhzhia and Odessa regions. Kiev's forces shot down or neutralized with electronic warfare 124 of 157 Russian drones of various types, as well as seven of 10 low-cost "Banderol" cruise missiles, the air force said, adding that Russian missile and drone attacks were recorded at 36 locations in Ukraine, while drone debris was also reported at five other locations. In Kiev, 16 people, including two children, were injured in a series of overnight attacks by Russian drones and missiles, Mayor Vitali Klitshchko said. In Donetsk Oblast, two people were killed and five others injured, governor Vadym Filashkin said. In the Dnipropetrovsk region, five people died and seven were injured when a Russian drone hit a bus in the Nikopol area. In the Kherson region, one person was killed and 14 others injured in a series of Russian drone, missile and aircraft attacks targeting the city of Kherson and surrounding settlements. In the Kirovohrad region, Russian attacks hit the center of Kropyvnytskyi, wounding at least four people, local authorities said. In Sumy oblast, a man was killed in a Russian air raid, while 14 other people, including two children, were injured. In the Odessa region, one person was killed in a Russian attack, while six others were injured overnight, governor Serhii Lysak said. Finally, in the Zaporizhzhia region, five people were injured in attacks against the city of Zaporizhzhia and the surrounding areas.
France, Macron tomorrow calls party leaders on Ukraine and M.O.
Emmanuel Macron has invited the leaders of the parties represented in the French Parliament, or their presidential candidates, to a meeting tomorrow to discuss the "rapid deterioration" of the international situation and its "consequences in France for security and energy". The Elysée announced it. The meeting, chaired by the president and attended only by Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu and military and intelligence officials, is scheduled for 10.30am at the Presidential Palace. "Faced with the rapid deterioration of the international situation in recent days, Macron has convened, in a 'Saint-Denis' format, the leaders of the parties represented in Parliament, for a meeting on the conflicts in the Middle East and Ukraine and their consequences in France for security and energy," the Presidency said. "Military authorities and intelligence services will share information in the president's possession," he added. These include domestic and foreign intelligence services, military intelligence, the General Secretariat of Defense and National Security and the Director General of Energy. Party leaders from La France Insoumise to the Rassemblement National can attend in person or be represented by their party's presidential candidate for the spring elections. According to a source within the executive power, Macron, who cannot run for another mandate, believes that his aspiring successors should have access to the same information in his possession, in order to fuel the public debate in view of the electoral campaign.
Russia-India, Putin's best wishes to Modi: "We will continue to collaborate"
Russian President Vladimir Putin sent birthday greetings to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, saying he was confident that Moscow and New Delhi will continue their constructive joint work on pressing issues of the bilateral and international agenda. "I would like to express my gratitude for the warm and friendly welcome and hospitality extended to me and the Russian delegation during my visit to New Delhi last week. The talks we had were undoubtedly substantive, frank and productive. As always, it was a real pleasure to talk to you, and our discussions once again demonstrated your extraordinary political wisdom and foresight," Putin said in his message published on the Kremlin website. “We will, of course, continue our constructive cooperation on pressing bilateral and international issues for the benefit of our friendly nations,” he said. Putin also highlighted Modi's personal contribution to strengthening the strategic partnership
