Ukrainian soldiers in action (symbolic image)
Quelle: epa
This week Russia carried out several serious missile and drone attacks on Ukraine. Unlike last year, these attacks primarily target Ukrainian defense industry facilities. However, in addition to precision-guided weapons, Russia has also used many Shaheed drones and S-300 missiles. Both types, while notoriously inaccurate, are capable of overloading Ukrainian air defenses.
Some of the S-300 missile strikes hit the city of Pokrovsk, killing at least 11 people, including five children. Rescue work is underway, but the number of victims could rise further.
North Korea also supplies missiles to Russia
Visual evidence has emerged that Russia used North Korean-made ballistic missiles against Kharkiv. This is the first such deployment during the war. It suggests that Moscow has procured ballistic missiles from Pyongyang in addition to artillery ammunition and guns.
Kiev was the target of a heavy Russian missile and drone attack in early January. Kharkiv was also attacked.02.01.2024 | 1:52 minutes
It remains to be seen whether this first attack is just a kind of test or a precursor to the mass use of North Korean ballistic missiles in the war. In any case, it shows that the threat of further Western sanctions should not deter Pyongyang from supplying Russia with such missiles.
Dr. Christian Mölling …
Which: DGAP
… is research director at the German Council on Foreign Relations (DGAP) in Berlin and heads the Security, Defense and Armaments program there. He has been researching and publishing on the topics of security and defense, armaments and technology, stabilization and crisis management for over 20 years. He regularly analyzes military developments in the Ukraine conflict for ZDFheute.
Dr. András Rácz …
Which: DGAP
… is an Associate Fellow in the Security and Defense Program of the German Council on Foreign Relations (DGAP) in Berlin. He researches and publishes on armed forces in Eastern Europe and Russia and hybrid warfare.
Ukraine lacks anti-aircraft missiles
While Ukrainian air defenses have proven quite effective against Russian attacks, the lack of anti-aircraft missiles is a growing problem.
The US has already announced that due to the ongoing stalemate in the US Congress over financial aid to Ukraine, Washington may no longer be able to supply the missiles needed for the Patriot system, one of Ukraine’s most efficient air defense weapons .
Free training camps, comprehensive advertising campaigns: Ukraine is struggling to find replacements for fallen soldiers. But many young Ukrainians are afraid of being deployed.06.01.2024 | 2:47 minutes
Russian advances not very successful
The Russian troops managed to advance towards Kupyansk in the Kharkiv region. The fighting has reached the very edge of the village of Synkivka. If the settlement falls, Russian troops could advance on the city of Kupiansk, although the terrain in this direction is extremely complicated. Heavy fighting occurred in both Bakhmut and Avdiivka. At Avdiivka, the Russians attempted several smaller attacks, but all were repelled by Ukraine. The losses on the Russian side are extremely high, while the Russian artillery is constantly bombarding the Ukrainian positions.
During the Christmas holidays in Russia, President Putin received relatives of fallen soldiers. This year he did not declare a ceasefire over the holidays.07.01.2024 | 1:23 minutes
According to a New York Times report, about 70 percent of all Ukrainian casualties, including dead and wounded, were due to Russian artillery and MLRS strikes. MLRS stands for Multiple Launch Rocket System, a multiple rocket launcher artillery system.
Heavy fighting took place near Krynky, on the left bank of the Dnipro River. The Russians launched several ground attacks against the Ukrainian positions in the hope of driving out the defenders. However, all attacks failed in the fire of Ukrainian precision artillery and drone strikes. The Russian troops suffered heavy losses in both personnel and equipment.
The West lacks a strategy when it comes to supporting Ukraine, says military expert Nico Lange. Germany must do everything it can do. 02/01/2024 | 25:53 minutes
Small town of Marjinka under Russian control
The small town of Maryinka in the Donetsk region is now firmly and completely under Russian control, according to newly surfaced visual evidence. While Russia claimed to have captured the settlement at the end of December, Ukraine continued to claim for several days that its troops were fighting on the outskirts.
Denmark delivers F-16 fighter jets six months late
Denmark has announced that the delivery of F-16 fighter jets will be delayed by about six months. The reason for this is that neither the training of the Ukrainian crew nor the necessary logistical preparations are progressing at the expected speed. Norway is now also starting to train Ukrainian pilots for the F-16.
You can find current reports on Russia’s attack on Ukraine at any time in our live blog:
Russia attacks Ukraine
:Current news about the war in Ukraine
Since February 2022, Russia has been waging a war of aggression against Ukraine. Kiev has launched a counteroffensive and fighting continues. News and background information in the ticker.
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