Ukraine-Russia war latest: More than a dozen killed in daytime Russian glide bomb attack in Zaporizhzhia
Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky describes the latest Russian glide bomb attack as ‘cruel’
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Your support makes all the difference.More than a dozen people have been killed after a Russian glide bomb hit a pedestrian street in the Ukrainian city of Zaporizhzhia, local officials have reported.
The missile hit some of the city’s industrial infrastructure just before 3.45pm local time while civilians were out in the street.
Images released by local governor Ivan Fedorov showed bodies lying on the street with vehicles smashed and engulfed in flames behind them.
“Thirteen killed in enemy attack on Zaporizhia,” Mr Fedorov wrote. “Russia is a terrorist country.”
Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky described the attack as “cruel” and carried out in full knowledge that it would maim or kill civilians.
“There is nothing more cruel than launching aerial bombs on a city, knowing that ordinary civilians will suffer,” he wrote.
“Russia must be put under pressure for its terror. The protection of lives in Ukraine must be supported. Only through strength can such a war be ended with a lasting peace.”
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Blinken says any Ukraine deal would need to deter further Russian aggression
US secretary of state Antony Blinken said any future deal to end the war in Ukraine would need to build into it deterrence to prevent Russia once again attacking Ukraine.
Speaking in Paris, the outgoing Biden administration’s top diplomat warned that Russian president Vladimir Putin would try to use any ceasefire in Ukraine to refit Russian forces and eventually attack Ukraine again.
Western leaders meet at Ramstein air base meeting today
Dozens of Ukraine’s defence partner nations will meet at Ramstein Air Base in Germany for the 25th UDCG meeting today.
The meeting will include “those who can help boost our capabilities not only to defend against missiles but also against guided bombs and Russian aviation,” Volodymyr Zelensky had said.
“We’re not sunsetting the group. The next administration is completely welcome and encouraged... to take the mantle of this 50 country strong group and continue to drive and lead through it,” said a senior US defence official, speaking on the condition of anonymity.
The official added that today’smeeting would look to endorse roadmaps for Ukraine’s military needs and objectives through 2027.
“It will endure in some capacity, in some form going forward, I believe, regardless of exactly how the next team does or doesn’t pursue it,” the official said.
Donald Trump will have a few billion dollars in appropriated money that he could use for Ukraine’s military needs once he takes office.
More than 12,300 civilians have been killed in the Ukraine war since Russia invaded nearly three years ago, the United Nations said, noting a spike in casualties due to the use of drones, long-range missiles and glide bombs.
US to announce $500m in weapons to be sent to Ukraine today
The US is expected to announce $500m in military aid for Ukraine today at a final gathering of president Joe Biden’s weapons pledging conferences, meetings Kyiv says have been critical to its defence against Russia.
The Ukraine Defense Contact Group (UDCG), comprised of about 50 allies who usually meet every few months at Ramstein Air Base in Germany, was started in 2022 by US defence secretary Lloyd Austin to speed and synchronise the delivery of arms to Kyiv.
Washington has committed more than $63.5bn in security assistance to Ukraine since Russia’s invasion and the additional $500m could be announced yesterday, a US official said, speaking on the condition of anonymity.
The group’s future is unclear with president-elect Donald Trump set to take office on 20 January. Advisers to Mr Trump have floated proposals to end the Ukraine war that would cede large parts of the country to Russia for the foreseeable future.
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North Korea becoming better prepared for war fighting against Ukraine, says US
The US has warned that North Korea is benefiting from its troops fighting alongside Russia against Ukraine, gaining experience that makes Pyongyang “more capable of waging war against its neighbours.”
“The DPRK is significantly benefiting from receiving Russian military equipment, technology and experience, rendering it more capable of waging war against its neighbours,” deputy US ambassador to the UN Dorothy Shea told the 15-member council, which met over what Pyongyang said was a test of a new intermediate-range hypersonic ballistic missile on Monday.
“In turn, the DPRK will likely be eager to leverage these improvements to promote weapons sales and military training contracts globally,” she said, using the acronym for North Korea’s formal name - the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea.
More than 12,000 North Korean troops are in Russia and last month began fighting against Ukrainian forces in Russia’s Kursk region, Ms Shea told the UN security council.
Russia has forged closer diplomatic and military ties with North Korea since Moscow invaded Ukraine in February 2022.
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