Author: dmitriy.vasyura@gmail.com

The U.S. Treasury Department imposed sanctions on dozens of Russian banks, including Gazprombank, securities registrars, and financial officials, according to a Nov. 21 statement.

The U.K. and Canada sanctioned Gazprombank during the first weeks of Russia's full-scale invasion in 2022. The U.S., however, had previously avoided strict measures against the bank.

"Today's sanctions targeting Russia's largest remaining non-designated bank, as well as dozens of other financial institutions and officials in Russia, will further diminish and degrade Russia's war machine," U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen said.

The U.S. had refrained from targeting Gazprombank to allow European countries to continue paying for Russian gas supplies, as the bank is the primary channel for energy-related payments, Financial Times reported.

"This sweeping action will make it harder for the Kremlin to evade U.S. sanctions and fund and equip its military."

The outlet also noted that Russia used Gazprombank to purchase military equipment, pay soldiers, and compensate the families of those killed in the war in Ukraine.

The new U.S. sanctions will close one of Russia's few remaining avenues for international banking, barring Gazprombank from conducting transactions in dollars.

In addition to Gazprombank, the U.S. Treasury Department's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) has sanctioned over 50 Russian banks connected to the international financial system, more than 40 securities registrars, and 15 financial officials.

OFAC also issued an alert detailing the sanctions risks associated with Russia’s financial messaging system, which the Kremlin is using to evade existing restrictions.

‘Russia only wins if the West quits’ — Gen. Ben HodgesThe first reports of Ukraine striking deep inside Russia with U.S.-supplied ATACMS emerged on Nov. 19, marking a long-awaited shift in White House policy that could bolster Ukraine’s defense against a 50,000-strong joint Russian-North Korean force assembled against them. President Joe Biden’s decis…The Kyiv IndependentChris York

The authorities of Sumy region have started a mandatory evacuation of the population of Krasnopillya due to the escalation of the operational situation. Residents will be relocated to safer areas, and must apply to the village council to be evacuated.

In Sumy region, authorities have announced the evacuation of residents of Krasnopillya. UNN reports this with reference to the message of the Krasnopillya village council.

In accordance with the Order of the Head of the Sumy Regional State Administration – Head of the Sumy Regional Military Administration, due to the aggravation of the operational situation in the territory of Sumy region, measures are being taken to compulsorily evacuate the population, material and cultural property from the village of Krasnopillya of the Krasnopillya settlement territorial community of Sumy district.

"The village council will organize the evacuation of the population to safer areas!

Anyone wishing to evacuate will be able to contact the Krasnopillia village council at 2 Mezenivska Street, Krasnopillia village, room 12, for an appointment.

To obtain the status of evacuee, settlement, assistance, etc., you will be issued an evacuation certificate at the following address: 7 Illinska Street, Sumy," the statement reads.

You must have the following documents with you:

– Identification document – passport

– Identification code

– Child's birth certificate

– Disability certificate, documents for benefits, etc.

In Sumy region, a hostel in Hlukhiv was hit: the death toll has risen to 6 people and the number of injured is 12Nov 19 2024, 05:32 AM • 44883 views

Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova received a call during her Nov. 21 press briefing instructing her not to comment on the latest ballistic missile attacks on Ukraine.

Zakharova gave the briefing following a Russian missile attack on the Ukrainian city of Dnipro earlier that day, allegedly involving an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM). If confirmed, it would mark the first use of an ICBM in war, a weapon primarily designed for long-range nuclear strikes.

During the briefing, Zakharova stood near the microphone, allowing a man's voice on the phone to be heard saying: "Masha, our strikes with ballistic missiles, which we did not talk about , are not commented on at all." Zakharova replied, "Yes, thank you."

Zakharova stood near the microphone, so an unnamed man on the phone could be heard telling her: "Masha, our ballistic missile strikes, which we didn't talk about, we don't comment on at all."

Zakharova replied: "Yes, thank you."

A recording of the exchange has circulated online and through various media outlets.

Zakharova later told Russia's state-owned TASS news agency that the call was to "clarify whether the Foreign Ministry could comment on the topic." She added, "The answer was received during the briefing — the Foreign Ministry does not comment. So, there is no intrigue."

Russia allegedly used the Rubezh intercontinental ballistic missile, capable of carrying nuclear warheads, during the Nov. 21 attack, Ukrainian broadcaster Suspilne reported, citing unnamed law enforcement sources.

The Kyiv Independent could not independently verify the report.

President Volodymyr Zelensky said an investigation is ongoing but noted that the missile's "speed and altitude suggest intercontinental ballistic capabilities."

Russia reportedly launches intercontinental ballistic missile against Ukraine — what we know so farIf confirmed, it would be the first time the Kremlin has used such a weapon in an attack on Ukraine.The Kyiv IndependentChris York

The United States said that Russia used an experimental intermediate-range ballistic missile rather than an intercontinental missile. According to the US side, Russia has only a few such missiles.

Russia's strike on Ukraine was not an intercontinental ballistic missile, but an “experimental” intermediate-range ballistic missile, a US official said on Thursday, according to AFP, UNN reports .

Details

“Russia may try to use this opportunity to try to intimidate Ukraine and its supporters… but it will not change the situation in this conflict,” the US representative said.

A US official said that the missile used in the strike was not an ICBM, but an “experimental intermediate-range ballistic missile” and that Russia “probably has only a few of these experimental missiles.

A U.S. official also told Reuters that Russia launched an intermediate-range ballistic missile, not an ICBM, at Ukraine, citing initial indications.

“Ukraine has withstood countless attacks from Russia, including missiles with warheads much larger than this weapon,” a US official told AFP.

According to the official, in recent days the United States has been informing Ukraine and its allies about Russia's possible use of these weapons.

The US official also recalled that US President Joe Biden announced plans earlier this year to provide Ukraine with hundreds of Patriot and AMRAAM missiles to strengthen its air defense.

“The United States will continue to provide security assistance to Ukraine to strengthen its capabilities, including air defense, and put Ukraine in the best possible position on the battlefield,” the official said.

AddendumAddendum

The Air Force of the Ukrainian Armed Forces reportedthat Russia fired an intercontinental ballistic missile and eight other missiles, and shot down six X-101s.

A Western official told ABC News that the West does not confirm the use of an intercontinental ballistic missile by the Russian army against Ukraine.

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy statedthat today Russia used a new Russian missile against Ukraine. All the characteristics – speed, altitude – of an intercontinental ballistic missile. Expert examinations are underway.