The Ukrainian military announced on December 26 that it had shot down 20 of the 31 unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) launched by Russia overnight. Reuters reported that the remaining 11 did not reach their targets because they were intercepted by Ukraine.
US steps up arms transfers
The attack came a day after Russia launched a massive missile and drone attack on Ukraine's vital energy infrastructure on Christmas Eve, December 24, and early on December 25. The Russian Defense Ministry said it had successfully hit all of its targets. Meanwhile, the Ukrainian military said it had intercepted 59 missiles and 54 drones out of 184 targets. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky condemned Russia's actions.
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This is the 13th major attack on Ukraine's energy sector this year, causing power outages in many areas amid freezing weather. Moldova confirmed that a missile had flown over its airspace and accused Russia of deliberately flying the missile low to avoid detection by military radar. US President Joe Biden issued a strongly worded statement, accusing Russia of wanting to cut off Ukrainians' power and heat during the winter, affecting the security of the power grid. Mr. Biden directed the US Department of Defense to continue to increase weapons transfers to Ukraine to help the country strengthen its defenses.
Scene of the attack in Kharkiv City on December 25
According to Reuters, after nearly 3 years of war between Ukraine and Russia, the US has pledged 175 billion USD in aid to Kyiv. However, it is unclear whether the incoming administration at the White House will continue such support, as President-elect Donald Trump has vowed to try to end the conflict quickly. Mr. Keith Kellogg, Mr. Trump's special envoy on the Ukraine conflict, wrote on social network X on December 25: "The world is closely watching the actions of both sides. The US is more determined than ever to bring peace to the region."
Russian conditions
Ukrainian firefighters extinguish a fire after an attack in Dnipropetrovsk province on December 25.
From the Russian side, Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov yesterday accused Ukraine of attacking targets in Russia with Western missiles and UAVs and Moscow would respond. On December 24, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov announced that Russia was ready to resolve the conflict through peaceful dialogue, but Ukraine refused to participate, so Moscow continued its military campaign.
What is Russia's next target in eastern Ukraine?
Meanwhile, the chairwoman of the Federation Council (the upper house of the Russian parliament) Valentina Matviyenko affirmed that the dialogue will definitely start in 2025 but it will be very complicated. Ms. Matviyenko emphasized that Russia will not stray from the conditions such as Ukraine must be permanently neutral, not join NATO, withdraw troops from Donbass and the regions annexed by Russia by 2022, and lift Western sanctions against Moscow. Foreign Minister Lavrov flatly rejected the ceasefire proposal and emphasized the need for legally binding agreements, which must ensure the security of Russia and its neighbors.
Russia accuses Ukraine of plotting to assassinate senior official
Russia's Federal Security Service (FSB) announced yesterday that it had foiled several plots by Ukrainian intelligence to assassinate senior Russian Defense Ministry officers in Moscow and their families. Four Russians were arrested for participating in the plans, according to Sputnik. Ukraine has not commented on the allegations.
Source: https://thanhnien.vn/nga-ra-dieu-kien-sau-dot-tan-cong-dem-giang-sinh-185241226195039173.htm
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