Category: War in Ukraine

Russia gave the U.S. a brief advance warning of the intermediate-range ballistic missile strike on Dnipro before the attack, according to comments a U.S. administration official made at a briefing on Nov. 21.

“The United States was pre-notified briefly before the launch, through nuclear risk reduction channels,” Defense Department Deputy Spokesperson Sabrina Singh said.

The warning, sent 30 minutes before the launch, was also confirmed by Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov.

The U.S. had previously alerted Ukraine and its allies that Russia might test such an experimental missile.

In the early hours of Nov. 21, a country-wide air raid alert sounded due to the threat of ballistic missiles, and later, the launch of several Russian Tu-95MS bomber aircraft.

According to Ukraine's Air Force, the attack targeted the city of Dnipro using a number of different missile types.

Late on Nov. 21, Putin said in a televised address that the attack was a test of Russia's "newest missile," an IRBM called "Oreshnik."

Russia regularly uses close, and short range ballistic missiles in aerial attacks against Ukraine, but IRBMs and ICBMs are far larger, can be equipped with nuclear payloads, and are designed to hit targets at far longer ranges.

Russia reportedly uses new ‘Oreshnik’ ballistic missile against Ukraine — what we know so farRussian President Vladimir Putin said in a televised address that the attack was a test of Russia’s “newest missile,” an IRBM called “Oreshnik.”The Kyiv IndependentChris York

The Verkhovna Rada canceled the session due to the possible threat of a Russian strike on the government quarter. The MPs left the parliamentary hall, even though the president had recently called on everyone to work for Ukraine.

The Verkhovna Rada has canceled a meeting scheduled for November 22, and MPs have been warned of a possible threat of a Russian strike on the government quarter. This was reported in social media by MPs Iryna Gerashchenko and Oleksiy Honcharenko, UNN reports .

Today, when the requests to the president were announced, the hall was already half empty,

– The MP noted.

According to Gerashchenko, it is difficult to explain why the meeting of the Verkhovna Rada, which was supposed to hear challenges in foreign policy, was canceled.

It is obvious that Putin is a serial maniac and is planning attacks on Ukraine. We have been living under attack in Kyiv for 2.5 years in Kyiv, and Russian shelling has been going on in the east for 10 years. But only on Tuesday did the president say that everyone should work for Ukraine. And here we have already had enough and gone home,

Russia’s missile strikes on Nov. 16-17 hit three of the five operational thermal power plants owned by Ukraine’s largest private energy company, DTEK, leaving one plant offline, Reuters reported on Nov. 21, citing unnamed sources.

The strikes targeted energy facilities across Ukraine in one of the heaviest assaults on the country’s power grid since the start of the full-scale war, with Russia launching approximately 120 missiles and 90 drones.

DTEK reported “heavy damage” to its equipment following the attack, marking the eighth mass assault on its energy plants this year. According to the source, two of the damaged facilities have resumed partial electricity production, while the third remains offline.

An unnamed official confirmed to Reuters that power plants and distribution stations were damaged during the Nov. 17 strikes but declined to provide specific figures on power losses, calling the information “too sensitive.”

Ukraine reintroduced rolling blackouts on Nov. 18, with outages lasting four to eight hours at a time and occurring multiple times daily.

Officials have warned that Russia may continue targeting the energy grid as winter approaches, repeating a strategy used during spring and summer and throughout the autumn-winter season of 2022-2023.

In September, President Volodymyr Zelensky said Russian attacks had destroyed all of Ukraine’s thermal power plants and most of its hydroelectric capacity. Ukrainian authorities and energy companies have been working to repair and reinforce the grid in anticipation of renewed attacks.

According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), Ukraine’s electricity shortage could reach 6 gigawatts this winter—around one-third of peak demand. By comparison, the summer shortage was 2.5 GW, which already resulted in prolonged blackouts in Kyiv.

Deputy energy minister: How Ukraine’s energy infrastructure has endured over 1,000 attacks in 1,000 days of full-scale warOver nearly 1,000 days of full-scale war, Russia has attacked Ukraine’s energy system more than 1,000 times. Despite this relentless onslaught, Ukrainian power engineers have achieved a historic feat: maintaining energy supply stability by repeatedly repairing equipment, sometimes three or four time…The Kyiv IndependentMykola Kolisnyk

President Zelenskyy announces Russia's second step toward escalating the war after a new ballistic missile strike on the Dnipro River. The first step is the deployment of 11,000 North Korean soldiers.

With the ballistic missile strike on the Dnipro River, Kremlin dictator Vladimir Putin has admitted that he has taken the second step this year to escalate the war. The president said this in his evening address, UNN reports.

Today, Putin admitted that he has taken the second step this year to escalate, to expand this war. A new ballistic missile was used. Putin hit our city of Dnipro, one of the largest cities in Ukraine. This is a clear and serious increase in the scale and brutality of this war, a cynical violation of the UN Charter by Russia. And let me emphasize: this is Russia's second step towards escalation in a year. The first step was the involvement of North Korea in the war against Ukraine – a contingent of at least 11,000 soldiers

– the message says.

Zelenskyy noted that the Russian dictator took both of these steps, ignoring everyone in the world who calls for not expanding the war. He also added that the Russian dictator does not care what China, Brazil, European countries, America, and all other countries of the world are calling for. Putin is the only one who started this war, a completely unprovoked war, and who is doing everything to keep the war going for more than a thousand days.

Today's ballistic missile against Ukraine is yet another proof that Russia definitely does not want peace. And Putin is lying when he says that Ukraine's alleged use of long-range weapons is somehow a new step. This is not the first time we have used these weapons. And we have every right to do so under international law; our right to self-defense is the same as that of any other nation. And when Russian missiles are hitting our cities, when Iranian "shahids" are attacking Ukraine every night, when a contingent from North Korea is deployed on our border, Putin is not only making the war longer, he is simply spitting in the face of those in the world who really want peace to be restored,

– Zelensky emphasized.

The Ukrainian president said that the world should react to this. He emphasized that there is no strong reaction from the world right now. He also noted that Putin is very sensitive to this and he is testing European leaders.

It is obvious to everyone who is the only culprit in this war, who started this war on February 24 and is investing all his resources in keeping the war going. It must be stopped. If there is no tough reaction to Russia's actions, it means that they see that it is possible. That's what Putin is doing,

– Zelensky summarized.

Recall

Russia used an "advanced" intermediate-range ballistic missile during a strike on Ukraine.

Russian dictator Vladimir Putin is quoted by the Russian media as saying that Russia has attacked Ukraine by testing a "new" medium-range ballistic missile, the Oreshnik.

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.

Ukraine is the first country in the world against which an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) has been used, Ukraine's Center for Strategic Communications (Stratcom) said on Nov. 21.

"We will do everything to ensure that Russia is remembered in history only for its crimes," Stratcom said in a statement.

Russian forces launched a missile attack on the city of Dnipro earlier in the day, allegedly using a conventional ICBM. The attack injured two people.

If Russia did use an ICBM against Ukraine, it would be the first use in war of a weapon designed to deliver long-range nuclear strikes.

The missile was launched from Astrakhan Oblast, a Russian region 740 kilometers (460 miles) from Dnipro, according to Ukraine's Air Force.

The attack damaged an industrial enterprise, two houses, and nine garages and caused two fires, said Dnipropetrovsk Oblast Governor Serhii Lysak. A rehabilitation center for people with disabilities was also damaged, Mayor Borys Filatov said.

Russia allegedly used the Rubezh intercontinental ballistic missile, which is capable of carrying nuclear warheads, Ukrainian broadcaster Suspilne reported, citing unidentified 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."

"It's clear that (Russian President Vladimir) Putin is using Ukraine as a testing ground. It's also clear that he is terrified of normal life next to him. A life where people live with dignity," Zelensky said on the occasion of Ukraine's Day of Dignity and Freedom, commemorating the Orange Revolution in 2004 and the EuroMaidan Revolution in 2013-14.

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

Kalinowski's regiment offers to contribute to the exchange fund its former soldier with the call sign “Patsuk,” who was extradited to belarus by Vietnam. They plan to exchange him for captured russian soldiers.

The Kastus Kalinowski Regiment proposes to add its former soldier, who was handed over to belarus by Vietnam the day before, to the exchange fund's lists to exchange him for russian prisoners. This is stated in the regiment's statement, UNN reports.

Regarding the extradition of a former fighter to belarus. It is not known whether this was a KGB special operation, but the incident shows that the authorities are particularly "compassionate" towards those former members of the Armed Forces of belarus who chose the side of good. Although all volunteers, without exception, are under great threat. That is why, until the moment of victory, Ukraine is the safest country for legionnaires

– said the regiment.

Polk also denied the information that the GUR banned volunteers from entering Ukraine, noting that these issues are within the competence of the SBU and the State Border Guard Service.

The Kastus Kalynowski Regiment calls for the ex-fighter to be included in the exchange fund and exchanged for captured russian soldiers at the earliest opportunity

– added to the regiment.

Recall

A 34-year-old soldier of Kalinowski's regiment with the call sign "Patsuk" was detained in Vietnam and transferred to minsk.

Lithuanians with dual citizenship of Russia or Belarus may be banned from military serviceNov 4 2024, 11:48 PM • 20432 views