Ukraine was the target, Thursday, January 26, of new large-scale Russian strikes. This new wave of bombardments comes the day after the green light from Washington and Berlin for the transfer of dozens of heavy tanks to kyiv, an unprecedented decision in eleven months of war. Here’s what to remember from the day.
Russian strikes kill 11 in several regions
“Eleven people were injured and, unfortunately, 11 others died” after the series of Russian strikes in Ukraine this morning, the relief spokesman said on television. He said 11 regions had been affected in total. Among them, ano one died and two were injured in kyiv, the capital’s mayor announced. “Two crucial energy infrastructure sites in the Odessa region” were also damaged, according to local authorities.
The air defense has “destroyed 47 cruise missiles, including 20 near the capital” kyiv, for its part detailed the commander-in-chief of the Ukrainian armed forces, on Telegram. In total, the Russians fired 55 missiles from the air and sea, added Valery Zalouzhny.
As a precaution, power cuts “emergency” have been put in place in Kyiv and in three regions in order to“avoid significant damage to electrical infrastructure in the event that enemy missiles hit their targets”announced the private electricity company DTEK. Two key energy sites in the Odessa region were also damaged in this new massive salvo of Russian missiles, according to local authorities.
Leopard 2s delivered to Ukraine “late March, early April”
After weeks of hesitation, the United States and Germany announced on Wednesday the delivery of heavy tanks to Ukraine. Berlin must provide Kyiv with 14 chariots Leopard 2 type 2A6 from the stocks of its army, the Bundeswehr, and decided to allow its Western allies with these German-made tanks to do the same. “It is expected that we will have the company at the end of March at the beginning of April” in Ukraine, Defense Minister Boris Pistorius said on Thursday.
Canada has announced its intention to deliver four Leopard 2 tanks to Ukraine. “These four tanks are ready for combat and will be deployed in the coming weeks”, Defense Minister Anita Anand said at a press conference. She also specified that the number of tanks delivered could “increase” in the future.
The delivery of tanks to Ukraine denounced by the Kremlin
Thursday, le Kremlin denounced “direct commitment” Westerners in the conflict in Ukraine, after the announcement of the delivery of dozens of European and American tanks to kyiv. “In Moscow, we see this as a direct involvement in the conflict and we see that (this involvement) is growing”Russian presidential spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters.
“We are not at war with Russia, and none of our partners are,” has assured the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs. “The delivery of military equipment in the exercise of self-defence (…) does not constitute co-belligerence”, hammered the Quai d’Orsay.
New US sanctions against Wagner
The US Treasury has expanded sanctions against the Wagner Group, the paramilitary organization affiliated with Moscow. They are now targeting a Russian satellite imagery company and African-based security companies, accused of supporting the operations of the paramilitary group. Last Friday, Washington named Wagner as a “international criminal organization”guilty of “vast atrocities and human rights abuses”.