New Belgian aid to kyiv of 93 million euros: Zelensky says he is “grateful” to Belgium
The Ukrainian president said this Saturday “grateful” to Belgium for its new promise of funding for civil aid and the supply of missiles, machine guns, ammunition and armored vehicles.
“Grateful to Alexander de Croo (Belgian Prime Minister’s note) for the Belgian government’s decision to greatly strengthen defensive support” which should make it possible to “liberate Ukrainian territory”, he said. “Thank you friends!”
The new Belgian Defense effort, announced on Friday, was valued at 93.8 million euros, bringing the total of Belgian aid to nearly 228 million since the start of the war in February 2022.
At least three people killed after a Russian strike on a residential building in the east of the country
At least three people were killed in a Russian strike on a residential building in the town of Kostiantynivka, in Donetsk Oblast, located in eastern Ukraine, announced the regional governor.
Pavlo Kyrylenko asserts on Telegram that a building and a hotel were hit by the strike and that emergency services are on the spot.
North Korea condemns Washington’s decision to send tanks to Ukraine
North Korea on Friday condemned Washington’s decision to send tanks to Ukraine, saying the United States is fueling a “proxy war” to destroy Russia.
Washington “is crossing the red line further,” Kim Yo Jong, sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, said in a statement Friday, accusing the United States of being responsible for the war in Ukraine.
On Wednesday, US President Joe Biden promised to send 31 Abrams tanks, one of the powerful and sophisticated combat vehicles of the US military, to kyiv.
Why France is reluctant to supply Mirage 2000 aircraft to Ukraine
Up to now, Ukrainian hopes have essentially focused on the reinforcement of Western heavy tanks, start with German Leopard-2s. Now that Ukraine has got the warranty that these will be satisfied, she asks for fighter planes.
“We must also allow the delivery of long-range missiles to Ukraine, it is important. We must also (…) make it possible to send fighter planes,” Volodymyr Zelensky called on Wednesday.
France is however reluctant to provide its Mirage 2000.
>> The rest can be read in our full article.
Ukrainian ambassador to France announces that 321 heavy tanks have been promised by Westerners
Vadym Omelchenko, Ambassador of Ukraine to France, said on Friday on the BFMTV set that more than 300 tanks were promised by Western countries in kyiv to stand up to Russian soldiers.
“Today, many countries have officially confirmed their agreement to deliver 321 heavy tanks to Ukraine,” the diplomat said on our antenna.
However, Ukraine will have to be patient. “As for delivery times, they vary in each case,” he said.
>> Find more in our article.
The deserter of the Wagner group claims to have seen his comrades being shot while trying to flee the front
A former Russian mercenary from the Wagner group who took refuge in Norway says he saw some of his comrades being shot at while they were trying to flee the Ukrainian front, assures his lawyer to Reuters.
Andrei Medvedev, 26, fled Russia to take refuge in mid-January near Oslo, Norway. He says he feared for his life after seeing Russian prisoners enlisted by the Wagner group being killed or mistreated.
He was released by Norwegian police this week after being arrested under immigration law.
The IOC does not respond to Ukraine’s call for the 2024 Olympics, Zelensky invites its leader to the Ukrainian front
Volodymyr Zelensky on Friday denounced the “hypocrisy” of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), while the committee did not respond to repeated calls from the Ukrainian president to ban Russian and Belarusian athletes from the 2024 Olympics.
“It is obvious that any neutral flag of Russian sportsmen is stained with blood,” denounced Volodymyr Zelensky in his daily video address.
“I invite Mr. Bach to Bakhmout so that he can see with his own eyes that neutrality does not exist”, he added, inviting the head of the IOC to visit a city considered one of the hottest in the war with Russia.
>> Find the full article here.
Emmanuel Macron assures that he will continue to “talk to Russia”
French President Emmanuel Macron assured Friday that he would continue to “talk to Russia”, despite the criticism this arouses, but also called on China to speak out against the “imperialist war” in Ukraine.
“All our countries have a position to hold, that of respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity (…) whatever the friendships, the alliances that we can nurture”, he said during a reception at the Élysée on the occasion of the Lunar New Year.
“Some in other times have been able to reproach me for speaking to Russia and I will continue to speak to Russia,” he assured.
>> Find our full article on the subject here.
Poland to deliver 60 more tanks to Ukraine
Poland will deliver to Ukraine, in addition to 14 German-made Leopard 2 tanks, some sixty tanks including 30 PT-91, a modernized version of the Soviet T-72.
The decision was welcomed by Volodymyr Zelensky. “I thank (…) for such important decisions to provide Ukraine with 60 Polish tanks, including 30 PT-91s, as well as 14 Leopards,” he said on Twitter.
Fierce fighting for control of Vougledar, eastern Ukraine
Ukrainian troops are engaged in a “fierce” confrontation with Russian forces trying to seize Vougledar, southwest of Donetsk in eastern Ukraine, where fighting has intensified in recent days.
“Soon Vougledar could become a very important new success for us,” said Denis Pushilin, head of the Moscow-appointed Donetsk region, on Friday.
Both sides have claimed victory, but the city remains contested according to Kyiv.
Hello everyone!
Welcome to this direct dedicated to the news of Saturday January 28 related to the war in Ukraine.
