Russia and Ukraine launched drones on each other’s territory for the second day running. The Russian Defence Ministry said 35 Ukraine drones were shot down overnight in three regions in south-western Russia. A Russian airbase hosting bomber aircraft used in Ukraine was among the targets, according to a Russian Telegram channel critical of the Kremlin.
Russian troops launched 20 Shahed drones in southern and western Ukraine, as well as one X-59 cruise missile from the country’s occupied south. Ukraine’s air force said it shot down the Iranian-made drones. A civilian was also killed overnight near Odesa, a key port on Ukraine’s southern Black Sea coast, after the remnants of a destroyed drone fell on his house, Ukraine’s military said.
Russian president, Vladimir Putin, vowed to make Russia a “sovereign, self-sufficient” power. In a campaign speech he accused the west of unsuccessfully trying to “sow internal troubles” in Russia.
Putin also warned of “problems” with neighbouring Finland after it joined Nato earlier this year. Russia plans to reorganise military divisions to station more troops in its north-west region, by the EU and Nato border.
But Putin dismissed claims from the US president, Joe Biden, that Russia could attack a Nato country as “nonsense”. It came after Biden said Russia would not stop at Ukraine if it secures victory, as he pleaded with Republican lawmakers to authorise further aid to Kyiv.
The Freedom of Russia Legion, a Ukrainian-based paramilitary group of Russians who oppose Putin, claimed responsibility on Sunday for a cross-border attack a few kilometres into Russia’s Belgorod region. The group said it had destroyed a platoon stronghold of Russian troops near Terebreno village. The Guardian could not verify their claims. Earlier on Sunday, Vyacheslav Gladkov, the governor of Belgorod region, which experiences frequent attacks by Ukrainian forces, said Terebreno was under fire from Ukraine’s Armed Forces and that a “shooting battle” was under way on the village edge.
A 69-year-old was reported killed in a Ukrainian border village in the northern Sumy region, about 25 kilometers west of Terebreno. According to the Ukrainian regional prosecutor’s office, the woman died after a Russian shell flew into her home. It wasn’t immediately clear whether her death was linked to the reported clashes.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said Ukraine will “officially launch” an assessment with the European Commission. The country will begin assessing Ukrainian legislation for compliance with EU legislation, Zelenskiy said in his nightly address on Sunday. EU accession talks are expected in the spring.
Ukraine foreign minister, Dmytro Kuleba said German Chancellor Olaf Scholz has won “sincere and well-deserved admiration” among Ukrainians for his role in the EU’s recent decision to open membership talks for Kyiv, Ukraine.
Ukraine security services reported a bug found in one of the offices of the country’s army command. The bug was not found in the direct office of Ukraine army chief, Valery Zaluzhvy, but a premises which could be used by the army official, according to a statement.