Volodymyr Zelensky says the war in Ukraine would not continue if Vladimir Putin died
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Three people have been killed after Russia launched more than 70 missiles at energy infrastructure targets, Ukrainian officials said.
Many people rushed to shelters during the morning rush hour to protect themselves from the latest major attack on vital infrastructure since October, which a Kyiv official described as one of the biggest missile barrages since Russia invaded in February.
Ukraine’s second largest city, Kharkiv, is now without electricity, water and heating after the bombing. At least 60 missile attacks swept the country on Friday morning.
It comes as new video shows a Yars nuclear missile being moved for at least a third time and being driven into a garage north-west of Moscow.
“A missile regiment in the Tver region in the Bologoye formation has entered combat service with a road-mobile Yars system,” Russian Colonel General Sergey Karakayev told Zvezda broadcaster according to the Tass news agency.
A Yars missile can be launched in seven minutes, with a range of 7,500 miles so it can reach both the UK and the US.
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Ukraine says it needs thousands more generators to get through the winter
Ukrainian small and medium-sized companies have imported nearly half a million power generators, but the country needs thousands more that are bigger and stronger to get through the winter, Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal said.
Ukraine has suffered increasing blackouts and blackouts due to Russian attacks on its energy infrastructure since October.
Today’s strikes again focused on power production, with operator Ukrenergo warning that it would take longer to restore power than after previous strikes.
“Small and medium-sized Ukrainian entrepreneurs have already imported 500,000 low-power generators. But to get through the winter we will need about 17,000 industrial and large generation units,” Shmyhal told a government meeting.
“We hope to cover some of these needs with the help of our partners,” he said.
An electric generator outside a shop in the center of Odesa
(AFP/Getty)
A woman crosses the street during the snowfall, as power cuts continue in Kyiv
(AP)
Liam James December 16, 2022 5:45 pm
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Three dead, one child missing under rubble in Kryvyi Rih – Officials
The latest from Kryvyi Rih, according to regional governor Valentyn Reznichenko:
- Three people died in a strike at a residential building: a 64-year-old woman and a young couple
- The child remains under the rubble
- Thirteen people injured, including four children, all of them in hospital
Associated Press reporters confirmed damage to the residential building.
(Valentyn Reznichenko)
(Valentyn Reznichenko)
Firefighters work to put out a fire at the strike site
(AP)
Liam James December 16, 2022 5:25 pm
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Clowns Without Borders: Send children’s entertainers to support Ukrainian children
A children’s charity is sending clowns to Europe to provide ’emotional first aid’ to young Ukrainian refugees.
Clowns Without Borders UK works in war and disaster zones to provide “critical emotional first aid through laughter and play”, providing performances, delivering workshops and training local clowns.
The 19 clowns, who have operated in conflict zones such as the Lebanon-Israel border and the Turkey-Syria border, were deployed as part of Project Laughter, a mission that has supported 1,850 Ukrainian refugee children since September 2022.
“We’re very lucky because basically the work is about human connection,” Samantha Holdsworth, chief clown and managing director of Clowns Without Borders UK, told the PA news agency.
“The question we ask ourselves is why the clowns, why isn’t it something else? The point is that through play you say to a young child, I see you and I care what happens to you.”
Liam James December 16, 2022 5:14 p.m
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Recap today as Russia launches one of its biggest missile strikes of the entire war
Russia on Friday launched one of its biggest waves of missile attacks during its 10-month invasion of Ukraine, with strikes in at least four cities, including Kyiv, triggering emergency blackouts across the country.
Gunshots from air defense systems and muffled explosions combined with the wail of air raid sirens as the bombardment targeted critical infrastructure not only in Kyiv, but also in Kharkiv, Kryvyi Rih and Zaporhizhzhia.
Russian strikes on electricity and water systems have occurred regularly since mid-October, increasing the suffering of the population as winter approaches.
Russia launched missiles at Ukrainian cities
(Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved)
Lucy Skoulding December 16, 2022 5:00 p.m
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Ukraine’s first lady speaks after the bombing
Ukrainian First Lady Olena Zelenska has spoken out following Russia’s massive missile attack on Ukraine this morning.
She tweeted: “Friday started with a massive ru-shell of everything. No power or water due to infrastructure damage in some cities.
“In Kryvyi Rih, a missile hit a residential building: 2 people were killed, 3 children were injured. Ukraine is closing its fists, but hold on and you will win.”
Lucy Skoulding December 16, 2022 4:30 pm
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Missile attacks ‘one of the biggest bombardments since the war began’
Russia rained dozens of missiles into Ukraine’s power grid on Friday, killing at least three people, damaging nine power facilities and forcing Kyiv to introduce emergency nationwide blackouts as blackouts winter
Many people rushed to shelters during the morning rush hour to protect themselves from the latest major attack on vital infrastructure since October, which a Kyiv official described as one of the biggest missile barrages since Russia invaded in February.
The mayor of Kharkiv, Ukraine’s second-largest city, reported “colossal” damage and threatened to leave many people without heating in the cold winter temperatures. The governor of the central Dnipropetrovsk region reported “serious damage”.
Air defenses intercepted 60 of 76 incoming missiles fired at critical infrastructure, Ukraine’s top general said. Moscow deliberately tried to distract air defenses by flying warplanes near Ukraine, Air Force spokesman Yuriy Ihnat said.
“They want to destroy us and make us slaves. But we will not surrender. We will endure,” said Lidiya Vasilieva, 53, as she headed for shelter at a train station in Kyiv. “I want the war to end and soon. But I’m willing to wait as long as necessary.”
Three people were killed in the central city of Kryvyi Rih, authorities said, and a fourth died in a fire in the southern Kherson region after an apartment block was hit by shelling ahead of the missile strike.
The attack in Kryvyi Rih, the hometown of President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, also wounded at least 13 people, including four young children, a senior official said.
(AP)
Sam Rkaina December 16, 2022 4:28 p.m
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FIFA reportedly rejects request to share Zelensky’s world peace message
FIFA has reportedly rejected a request from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy to share a message of global peace at Sunday’s World Cup final.
A source told CNN that FIFA rejected Zelenskiy’s request to appear in a video link to fans at Qatar Stadium as France played Argentina in the final.
The source told CNN: “We thought Fifa wanted to use their platform for the greater good.”
Sam Rkaina December 16, 2022 4:10 p.m
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Ukraine’s state energy operator says restoring power will take longer than before
Ukrenergo, Ukraine’s state energy operator, said it would take longer to repair the national grid and restore electricity across the country than it has after previous attacks.
It will prioritize “critical infrastructure facilities” such as hospitals, water facilities, heat supplies and sewage treatment plants.
Ukrenergo said in a statement: “Given that this is already the ninth wave of missile attacks on energy facilities, the restoration of power supply may take longer than before.”
Russian bombing of Ukraine caused power outages across the country. Here a woman walks with a torch during the blackout.
(Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.)
Lucy Skoulding December 16, 2022 3:40 pm
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The head of the European Commission welcomes more sanctions against Russia
EU leaders agreed to provide 18 billion euros to Ukraine next year, as well as a new package of sanctions against Russia.
Ursula von der Leyen, head of the European Commission, has welcomed the measure.
He tweeted: “I welcome the agreement on the 9th package of sanctions against Russia. It focuses on technology, finance and media to push the Russian economy and war machine further off the rails.
“Sanctions almost 200 people and entities involved in attacks against civilians and abduction of children.”
Lucy Skoulding December 16, 2022 3:18 p.m
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Kharkiv without electricity, heating and water after Russian bombings
Ukraine’s second-largest city, Kharkiv, is without electricity, water or heating after Russian missile attacks this morning.
Kharkiv Mayor Ihor Terekhov said: “There is colossal damage to the infrastructure, mainly to the energy system. I ask you to be patient with what is happening now. I know that there is no light in your houses, nor heating, nor water supply”.
Three strikes have been recorded in critical infrastructure in the city.
Lucy Skoulding December 16, 2022 2:41 p.m