Because the conflict enters its 674th day, these are the principle developments.
Right here is the scenario on Friday, December 29, 2023.
Combating
- Ukraine’s common prosecutor stated two fishermen have been killed after Russia shelled a village on the banks of the Dnipro river alongside southern Ukraine’s entrance line. 5 folks have been additionally injured within the assault.
- Ukraine’s southern navy command stated a Panama-flagged bulk service that was heading to one of many nation’s River Danube ports to load grain hit a Russian mine within the Black Sea inflicting it to lose pace and management and beginning a fireplace. Two members of the 18-strong crew have been injured, and one in all them, an Egyptian, was taken to hospital. The captain deliberately ran the ship aground to cease it from sinking and Ukraine will use tugs to take it into port.
- Ukraine’s air pressure stated air defence programs shot down seven out of eight Shahed drones launched by Moscow throughout the evening in a single day, the nation’s air pressure stated on Thursday. The drones got here down in three central and southern areas, the air pressure added.
- Odesa regional governor, Oleh Kiper, stated a fireplace broke out at a multistorey constructing within the Black Sea port metropolis that was hit by a downed drone. Kiper stated details about casualties was being verified and urged residents to remain in shelters amid an ongoing drone assault.
- The Russian Defence Ministry stated it thwarted a Ukrainian drone assault over Crimea, which Russia seized and annexed from Ukraine in 2014.
Politics and diplomacy
- The USA proposed that the Group of Seven (G7) international locations discover methods to grab $300bn in frozen Russian property, based on Britain’s Monetary Instances. Washington, backed by the UK, Japan and Canada, has proposed that choices be prepared for G7 leaders to contemplate at a possible assembly round February 24, the report stated.
- A Moscow court docket jailed two males for collaborating in a poetry recital vital of Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine. Poet Artyom Kamardin, 33, was sentenced to seven years for reciting the poem, whereas Yegor Shtovba, 23, acquired 5 and a half years for attending the anti-mobilisation protest. Supporters shouted “Disgrace!” after the sentences have been introduced and a few folks have been later detained by police, based on the AFP information company.
- Belarus’s President Alexander Lukashenko attended a government-organised occasion for a brand new group of youngsters introduced from Russia-occupied areas of Ukraine, amid worldwide outrage over his nation’s involvement in Moscow’s compelled deportation of Ukrainian youngsters. Officers didn’t say what number of Ukrainian youngsters have been within the newest group.
- Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated he mentioned Ukraine’s peace method in a name with Pope Francis, noting that greater than 80 international locations have been “already concerned” within the course of. Zelenskyy has stated the framework will subsequent be mentioned in Davos, Switzerland. The method requires Russia to withdraw all its troops from Ukrainian territory, together with areas it has been occupying since 2014, earlier than talks can start.
- Andriy Yermak, Zelenskyy’s chief of employees, stated he had a “productive cellphone name” with Hungarian International Minister Peter Szijjarto to debate a gathering between Zelenskyy and Prime Minister Viktor Orban within the “close to future”. Earlier this month, all European Union states besides Hungary agreed to begin accession talks with Ukraine, and Budapest blocked a brand new EU funds offering assist to Ukraine.