Category: War in Ukraine

UNESCO has condemned Russia's overnight strikes on Odesa's historic center overnight on Nov. 15, which damaged numerous architectural monuments, according to a statement on its official website.

As a result of the Russian attack overnight on Nov. 15, a 35-year-old was killed. The strike also injured 10 people, with eight of them hospitalized with injuries of varying severity.

"UNESCO condemns these strikes, which contravene international law, and expresses its support for the victims, the population, and the local authorities," reads the statement published on Nov. 18.

The historical center of the southern city of Odesa was named a UNESCO World Heritage Site in January 2023.

"Once again, UNESCO is calling for an end to all attacks on cultural property protected under widely ratified international standard-setting instruments."

A UNESCO mission led by Chiara Dezzi Bardeschi, head of the UNESCO Office in Ukraine, arrived on Nov. 16 to inspect the recently damaged cultural heritage sites. The organization has not yet provided the results of the assessments.

Since the beginning of the all-out war, Russia has destroyed over 1,000 cultural heritage sites in Ukraine, including those under the protection of UNESCO, according to the Culture Ministry.

In July 2023, the Russian missile strike damaged more than 20 architectural monuments in the historical center of Odesa and heavily damaged the Transfiguration Cathedral.

On Oct. 28, the Russian bomb hit an iconic 13-story building situated in the very heart of Kharkiv, known as Derzhprom, or the State Industry House. Derzhprom was added to UNESCO's preliminary list in 2017 and was placed under provisional enhanced UNESCO protection after Russia's full-scale invasion.

As of Oct. 21, UNESCO confirmed the damage to 457 sites, including 143 religious sites, 231 buildings of historical or artistic interest, 32 museums, 33 monuments, 17 libraries, and one archive.

Russia seeks to obliviate Ukrainian heritage by demolishing UNESCO-protected sitesSince the beginning of the full-scale invasion, Russia has destroyed over 1,000 cultural heritage sites in Ukraine, including those under the protection of UNESCO, according to the Culture Ministry. Moscow destroys cultural monuments not only with missile or drone strikes. Several historical monume…The Kyiv IndependentIrynka Hromotska

On November 19, stabilization blackouts will be introduced in Kyiv and three regions due to damage to the energy infrastructure. The outages will last from 6:00 to 23:00 according to a special queue schedule.

On November 19, stabilization blackouts will be introduced in Kyiv, Kyiv, Dnipro and Donetsk regions due to the effects of enemy strikes that damaged the energy infrastructure. This was reported by DTEK, UNN reports.

Details

According to Ukrenergo's decision, the outages will last from 06:00 to 23:00.

According to the schedule, blackouts in these regions will be carried out according to the following scheme:

06:00-07:00 – one queue

07:00-09:00 – two queues

09:00-14:00 – one queue

14:00-18:00 – two queues

18:00-23:00 – one queue

Residents are asked to follow the latest changes through specialized chatbots available for each region.

Power engineers continue to work to eliminate the consequences of the attacks to restore power supply and minimize inconvenience to the public.

Ukrenergo revealed the schedule of power outages for November 19: when and how many lines will be cut offNov 18 2024, 05:30 PM • 17023 views

Editor's note: This story is being updated.

The U.S. has authorized Ukraine to strike military targets deep inside Russian territory, the European Union's top diplomat Josep Borrell confirmed on Nov. 18 following a meeting of EU foreign ministers in Brussels.

"The Biden administration has authorized the use of its weapons up to 300 kilometers inside Russian territory," he said. "The American administration said no for a long time, and they ended up saying yes."

Several media outlets reported on Nov. 17 that U.S. President Joe Biden permitted Ukraine to use its ATACMS missiles to strike against targets on Russian soil. According to some reports, this so far concerns only Russian and North Korean forces amassing in Russia's Kursk Oblast.

Kyiv and Washington did not provide a clear statement on whether the authorization to strike deep into Russia with US-made missiles was granted. Borrell was the first official to confirm the move.
Answering the question of why Joe Biden's administration decided to authorize long-range strikes against Russia now, Borrell said he did not know why the White House made this decision after the presidential election and not before.

Borrell also confirmed that this permit was indeed granted and is spread over a distance of 300 kilometers (187 miles).

"It's not that much by way of a distance. It's not a very long distance. It doesn't go deep into the country, but this is the decision by the administration," the diplomat said.

"I think it's reasonable to provide arms, not just to stop the arrows, but also to fight the bowmen," Borrell added.

The diplomat also highlighted that in the EU, each country makes its own decisions on the use of its weapons by Ukraine.
Biden has been long adamant about not allowing Western-supplied weapons to be used on Russian soil, fearing an escalation. He first eased the restrictions in May to allow Ukraine to use certain weaponry like HIMARS to strike at Russian troops just across the border in the wake of the Kharkiv offensive.

Unnamed U.S. officials, as well as a source familiar with the decision, who spoke to Reuters following the decision, said that Kyiv plans to conduct its first long-range strikes in the coming days.

As the decision came in the last months of Biden's term in office, it remains unclear whether Trump will uphold the policy after he returns to the White House.

‘Nothing new under the sun’ — German, French foreign ministers react on Ukrainian long-range strikes“Ukrainians shouldn’t have to wait for rockets to cross the border — they should be able to destroy launch sites directly,” German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock said.The Kyiv IndependentKateryna Hodunova

A series of explosions were recorded in Zaporizhzhia as a result of an attack by enemy drones. According to preliminary data from RMA Chairman Ivan Fedorov, there are victims.

The drone attack on Zaporizhzhia continues. According to the head of Zaporizhzhia RMA Ivan Fedorov, there are victims, UNN reports.

"The enemy continues to attack Zaporizhzhia. Preliminary, there are casualties," said Fedorov.

He urged citizens to stay in safe places.

A series of explosions occurred in Zaporizhzhia: the region is under attack by enemy dronesNov 18 2024, 07:14 PM • 3577 views

Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico criticized the U.S. decision to allow Ukraine to strike Russia with long-range ATACMS missiles in his Nov. 18 statement posted on Facebook.

Several media outlets reported on Nov. 17 that U.S. President Joe Biden permitted Ukraine to use its ATACMS missiles to strike against targets on Russian soil. According to some reports, this so far concerns only Russian and North Korean forces amassing in Russia's Kursk Oblast.

Fico claimed that Biden has authorized the use of ATACMS against targets in Russia "to disrupt or delay peace talks completely."

"This is an unprecedented escalation of tension," Fico said, echoing the Kremlin's stance.

The prime minister added that he had instructed Slovak Foreign Minister Juraj Blanar and Defense Minister Robert Kalinak not to support the U.S. decision "in any international forum or in any way."

"Those who want to see the war in Ukraine continue are harming national and state interests," Fico said, adding that it is "extremely important" for Slovakia, as a neighbor of Ukraine, to achieve peace there.

Fico is known for inflammatory statements on Ukraine and the war that often echo Moscow's talking points. He has repeatedly criticized military aid for Ukraine and called for restoring relations with Russia after the war.

On Nov. 18, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said that the outgoing U.S. administration intends to "provoke an escalation of the war" in Ukraine.

Several Russian lawmakers called the step an escalation that could "lead to World War III" and the end of Ukrainian statehood. Russia has repeatedly set supposed "red lines" on Western assistance for Ukraine, sometimes accompanied by veiled or overt nuclear threats.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has previously said that long-range strikes against Russia with Western arms would mean NATO's involvement in the war, adding that Moscow is preparing "various responses" to such a step.

‘Nothing new under the sun’ — German, French foreign ministers react on Ukrainian long-range strikes“Ukrainians shouldn’t have to wait for rockets to cross the border — they should be able to destroy launch sites directly,” German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock said.The Kyiv IndependentKateryna Hodunova

Ukrenergo has announced a schedule of scheduled power outages for November 19 with varying numbers of outages throughout the day. The restrictions are related to damage to power facilities as a result of a massive missile attack.

Power outages are scheduled for tomorrow in Ukraine. Ukrenergo has announced when and how many power outages are planned, UNN reports.

According to the company, on November 19, the time of application and the scope of restrictions will be as follows:

6:00 – 7:00 – one turn of outages

7:00 – 9:00 – two rounds of outages

9:00 – 14:00 – one turn of outages

14:00 – 18:00 – two rounds of outages

18:00 – 23:00 – one turn of outages

Ukrenergo reminded that the schedule of outages can be found on the official pages of the distribution system operator.

"The reason for the temporary introduction of restrictions is the damage to power facilities during yesterday's massive missile and drone attack. Power engineers are working to eliminate the consequences in order to return the equipment damaged by the enemy to operation as soon as possible," Ukrenergo summarized.

Electricity consumption decreased amid outages due to the Russian attack, but there is a need to save – UkrenergoNov 18 2024, 09:27 AM • 16478 views

The Kremlin on Nov. 18 dismissed a peace plan for Ukraine reportedly to be put forward by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, describing it as "unacceptable."

Erdogan's proposal would include Ukraine abstaining from joining NATO for at least 10 years, freezing the current front line, providing Ukraine with weapons, and deploying international troops to a demilitarized buffer zone in the country's east, Bloomberg reported.

The news outlet also said Erdogan would propose the plan during G20 talks commencing on Nov. 18.

Reacting to the reports, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov dismissed the proposal.

"The option of freezing the line of military conflict is unacceptable for the Russian side," he said in comments reported by Interfax.

Erdogan's proposal comes as NATO countries prepare for a Donald Trump presidency, which many fear will lead to the U.S. pressuring Ukraine to end the war quickly, even at the cost of territorial concessions.

The G20 countries are set to convene in Brazil without the participation of Russian President Vladimir Putin. Brazil is a party to the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court (ICC), which issued an arrest warrant for Putin last year for the abduction of Ukrainian children. ‌

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky will also not be present, despite numerous appeals to receive an invitation.‌‌ Zelensky said on Nov. 16 that Ukraine must do everything possible to end the war through diplomatic means in 2025.‌‌

‘Step toward World War III’ — Russian MPs react to long-range strike permission reports“This is a very big step towards the start of World War III,” lawmaker Vladimir Dzhabarov said, according to Russia’s state-owned TASS state news agency.The Kyiv IndependentBoldizsar Gyori

The Ministry of Defense has announced the launch of the Pluses program to support military personnel through the Army+ app. The program will involve 100 of Ukraine's largest businesses that will provide bonuses and discounts to the military.

The Ministry of Defense plans to launch a nationwide program to support servicemen called “Pluses”. This was stated by Deputy Defense Minister Kateryna Chernogorenko during a briefing, UNN reports.

We want to launch a nationwide program to support military personnel, called “Plusy”, which is similar to the name “Army+”. The “Pluses” will be the virtual currency of our app, to which we will add 100 of the largest businesses in Ukraine that will support our military personnel

– Chernogorenko said.

Chernogorenko explained how it would work.

We give our military the opportunity to authorize themselves to receive bonuses, discounts, and priority purchasing opportunities for various products through the interaction between Army+ and the 100 largest businesses in our country. Therefore, I would like to take this opportunity to announce and invite our other businesses to join this nationwide program. A memorandum will be signed, 100 businesses will sign this memorandum with the Ministry of Defense

– Chernogorenko said.

She noted that Ukrzaliznytsia, Rozetka online store, Ukrnafta and Nova Poshta have already agreed to become partners.

Ministry of Defense announces appointment of military ombudsmanNov 18 2024, 02:05 PM • 8733 views

The governments of Norway, Sweden, and Finland have begun the distribution of informative pamphlets to citizens, providing them with advice in case of the outbreak of war or other emergency situations, BBC reported on Nov. 17.

Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine exacerbated fears among neighboring countries of a potential open conflict between Moscow and NATO.

Citizens of Sweden will begin to receive pamphlets in the mail on Nov. 18, providing basic information on a "worsening security situation" amid Russia's ongoing full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

In recent months, both Finland and Norway also provided pamphlets to its citizens. Helsinki provided a virtual pamphlet, as opposed to a physical copy, in an effort to save taxpayer money, while Oslo distributed 2.2 million paper pamphlets, "one for each household in Norway,” according to a spokesperson for Norwegian Directorate for Civil Protection, the BBC reported.

The advice provided in the pamphlets — which have been reprinted and updated from earlier versions — provides basic survival information, including information on meals and medicines, while stressing that the Nordic countries are prepared for "self-defense" in case of a war.

“If Sweden is attacked by another country, we will never give up. All information to the effect that resistance is to cease is false,” Stockholm's advice reads.

Both Sweden and Finland joined the NATO alliance in the two years following Russia's full-scale invasion in February 2022. Both countries abandoned their non-alignment policy, concerned that they may become a target of Russia's expansionist ambitions.

Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova previously threatened Sweden in February 2024 saying there would be a Russian response to the country's then-prospects of joining NATO, but did not clarify what it would entail.

Russian President Vladimir Putin also made similar vague threats to Finland after it joined the alliance, saying in December 2023 that Finland is "now going to have problems" because it joined NATO.

NATO militaries have strengthened their capacity and preparedness since the beginning of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine. While the prospect of the war escalating to an all-out clash between the alliance and Russia has so far been averted, there are concerns that the West has not truly accepted that it may still be a possibility.

In Lithuania, the LRT public broadcaster reported on July 25, citing the country's Interior Ministry, that the country's authorities are drawing up plans for mass evacuations of civilians in case of an armed conflict.

Several NATO commanders and other alliance leaders have warned in increasingly stark terms in recent months about the dangers of such a war and what impact it could have across Europe.

Biden authorizes Ukraine to target Russia with US long-range missiles, media reportsThe permission should initially apply to strikes against Russian and North Korean soldiers in Kursk Oblast but could eventually expand to other areas, undisclosed official sources told the New York Times.The Kyiv IndependentSonya Bandouil

President Zelenskyy held a meeting on life support in Donetsk region and inspected the construction of fortifications. According to him, most of the planned defense structures have already been completed.

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy held a meeting on life support in Donetsk region and inspected the construction of fortifications in the region. He announced this on Monday in Telegram, reports UNN.

Donetsk region. Construction of fortifications and a meeting on life support in the region. Security is a priority. Today I got acquainted with the progress of construction of defense structures. Most of the planned facilities have already been arranged. I thank everyone involved in this important work

– Zelensky said.

President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy visited Pokrovsk in Donetsk region, where he spoke with the military defending the city from the Russian army.