Ukraine-Russia latest: Moscow strikes Kyiv’s energy infrastructure after downing fighter jet
It comes after the latest Russian drone attack on Kyiv killed a prominent scientist couple and left six people injured
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Your support makes all the difference.Russia has said it had attacked energy facilities in Ukraine that support Kyiv’s military-industrial complex.
The Russian Defence Ministry said that over the last 24 hours, it had used its air force, drones, missiles and artillery to target energy facilities, military airfields and Ukrainian military personnel across multiple locations.
The Independent could not confirm the extent of the attacks or the damage they inflicted.
Russia regularly reports such strikes, describing recent ones as retaliation for Kyiv’s use of Western-supplied missiles to strike deep into Russian territory
The ministry also reported that Russian troops had downed a Ukrainian Su-27 fighter jet, 97 drones and six US-supplied HIMARS missiles overnight.
It comes after the latest Russian drone attack on Kyiv killed a prominent scientist couple and left six people injured, education and scientist minister Oksen Lisovyi said.
The minister identified the couple as prominent neurobiologist Ihor Zyma and doctor of biological sciences Olesia Sokur.“The family devoted almost their entire lives to science,” Mr Lisovyi said.
More than 100 drones targeted the Ukrainian capital in the early hours of Wednesday as the rest of the world was celebrating the arrival of 2025.
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Ukraine is right to turn off the flow of Russian gas – whatever the cost
Ukraine ends Russian gas pipeline to Europe – but how much will it cost Moscow?
Putin makes pledge to Russia’s soldiers in New Year address
Zelensky thanks Ukrainian people in New Year’s address
Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky has thanked the Ukrainian people and soldiers for their steadfastness in a New Year’s address, as the war approaches its fourth year.
He wrote on X: “Today, I address all those who value Ukraine, cherish their state, and lovingly call it ‘Mine’.
“Those who cannot imagine themselves without Ukraine, no matter where they are. All those who have been fighting for it – so steadfastly and so bravely – for more than 1,000 days. This is you – our people. Ukrainians – men and women.
“To all of whom I am grateful to for this year, 2024. Our people who endure all difficulties with dignity. People for whom being citizens of Ukraine is a source of pride.
“For me, it is an honor to be the President of such people – Ukrainians who prove that no cruise missile can defeat a nation that has wings.”
One person killed in drone attack on Kyiv
One person was killed in the drone attack on the Ukrainian capital of Kyiv, city officials have said.
Two floors of a residential building were partially destroyed in the strike, before a woman’s body was pulled from the debris, officials added.
Firefighters tackled a blaze caused by the drone strike on Wednesday morning, which also injured six other people.
In pictures: Firefighters respond to major Russian drone attack
Russia launched a drone strike on the Ukrainian capital Kyiv early on Wednesday, wounding at least six people and damaging buildings in two districts, city officials said.
Explosions boomed across the morning sky as Ukraine’s air force warned of drones approaching the city and Mayor Vitali Klitschko said air defences were repelling an enemy attack.
Two floors of a residential building were partially destroyed in the strike, Klitschko said. Photos posted by the State Emergency Service showed firefighters dousing a gutted corner of a building and helping elderly victims.
Debris from downed drones also damaged a non-residential building in another neighbourhood, Klitschko added.
“This is yet another reminder to the world that Russian aggression knows no holidays or days off,” Yulia Svyrydenko, Ukraine’s first deputy prime minister, wrote on X shortly after the morning attack.
Kyiv’s military said it had shot down 63 out of 111 drones launched by Russia overnight across various regions of Ukraine. Another 46 had been downed by electronic jamming, it added.
Russia has carried out regular air strikes on Ukrainian towns and cities far behind the front line of its nearly three-year-old invasion.
Hundreds of soldiers freed in the latest prisoner exchange between Russia and Ukraine
Russia and Ukraine have exchanged prisoners of war in the latest such swap that saw the release of hundreds of captives and was brokered with the help of the United Arab Emirates, officials said.
Volodymyr Zelensky said 189 Ukrainian prisoners, including military personnel, border guards and national guards — along with two civilians — were freed. He thanked the UAE for helping negotiate the exchange.
Russia’s defence ministry said that 150 Russian soldiers were freed from captivity as part of the exchange in which each side released 150 people.
The reason for the discrepancy in numbers wasn’t immediately clear.
Hundreds of soldiers freed in the latest prisoner exchange between Russia and Ukraine
Russia and Ukraine have exchanged prisoners of war in the latest such swap that released hundreds of captives and was brokered with the help of the United Arab Emirates
Austria says gas supply is secure after Ukraine transit ends
Austria was ready for the ending of a gas transit deal between Russia and Ukraine and supplies to the country continue through other sources such as feed-in points in Germany or Italy and from storage facilities, the government said today.
“We did our homework and were well prepared for this scenario,” Austrian energy minister Leonore Gewessler said in a statement. “Austria is no longer dependent on gas from Russia - and that is a good thing,” she added.
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