Because the conflict enters its 676th day, these are the principle developments.
Right here is the scenario on Sunday, December 31, 2023.
Preventing
- Russia mentioned no less than 21 folks, together with three kids, have been killed and dozens extra injured after an assault Moscow blamed on Kyiv hit a residential space of Belgorod close to the border with Ukraine.
- Ukraine mentioned no less than 21 folks have been injured after Russia fired two S-300 surface-to-surface missiles on the northeastern city of Kharkiv, hours after the Belgorod assault. The Kharkiv regional chief prosecutor mentioned the missiles got here from the route of Belgorod, about 30km (19 miles) from the Ukrainian border.
- The Basic Workers of the Ukrainian Armed Forces reported that 10 Iranian-made Shahed drones had been shot down throughout Ukraine’s Kherson, Khmelnytskyi, and Mykolaiv areas. Kyiv’s navy administration mentioned air defence programs within the area surrounding the capital repelled a brand new Russian bombardment late on Saturday evening.
- The Polish Military mentioned it ended a floor search after discovering no components of a suspected Russian rocket that it mentioned had violated the nation’s airspace on Friday morning. Poland earlier summoned the Russian cost d’affaires and demanded a proof for the breach of its airspace.
Politics and diplomacy
- Russia drew sharp criticism on the United Nations Safety Council (UNSC) for its enormous air assault on Ukraine on Friday that broken a maternity hospital, condominium blocks and faculties and killed no less than 41 folks. Kyiv and its allies referred to as for an pressing assembly of the 15-member physique to deal with the strikes. Russia additionally referred to as for the UNSC to convene on Saturday following the Belgorod assault, which it described as “a terrorist assault by the Kyiv regime towards a civilian metropolis”.
- United States President Joe Biden mentioned Russia’s missile assault was a “stark reminder” that Russian President Vladimir Putin remained dedicated to destroying Ukraine and that “he have to be stopped”. Biden urged Congress to “step up” and again continued funding for Ukraine amid opposition from right-wing Republicans.
- Ukraine’s Infrastructure Minister Oleksandr Kubrakov mentioned the nation had exported about 13 million tonnes of cargo on some 400 ships since establishing a protected maritime hall in August, after Moscow deserted the Black Sea grain deal brokered by the UN and Turkey that had beforehand allowed secure passage for Ukraine’s exports.
