Over two thousand assaults on healthcare establishments in Ukraine have occurred since the commencement of the conflict.
The UK's Ministry of Defence reveals 235 assaults on Ukrainian medical facilities since Russia invaded its neighbor in February 2022. The ministry claims that 176 individuals have perished as a result of Moscow's attacks on the healthcare system. Notably, a children's hospital in Kyiv was targeted by Russian artillery last month.
11:48 Ukraine confirms four fatalities after Russian shelling of police headquartersThe casualty count from a Russian assault on the police headquarters in Kryvyi Rih has risen to four. A police officer is still presumed trapped under the wreckage, and rescuers are still searching for survivors. The rocket attack on Kryvyi Rih marks the second assault on Ukrainian police in two days.
10:58 Military expert speculates on Russian advance in KurskAustralian military analyst Mick Ryan suspects that the Russian counterattack in Kursk has gained additional ground. In August, Ukrainian forces crossed into the Russian region of Kursk and seized territory. After an initial surprise, the Russians are mounting resistance, gradually recapturing ground despite doing so at a slower pace, according to Ryan. A possible Ukrainian incursion west of the Russian counterattack may have threatened the Russians' flank and cut off hundreds of their troops, Ryan claims, citing information from the U.S. Institute for the Study of War (ISW).
10:30 Ukrainian air force reports thwarting 69 drone attacks and two missile strikesThe Ukrainian air force reports that the Russian army utilized 73 combat drones and 4 missiles against Ukraine overnight. Ukraine successfully intercepted 69 drones and 2 missiles. The death toll from a Russian drone attack on a hospital in the Sumy Oblast has risen to 7.
09:52 Discussion between Trump and Zelenskyy rekindles following five-year hiatusAfter a five-year hiatus, discussions between Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy have resumed. Trump had lately criticized U.S. aid to Ukraine.
09:39 ISW: A few victorious long-range attacks could shift the balance of the warExperts at the Institute for the Study of War (ISW) remark that even a few successful long-range attacks by Ukraine could significantly alter the outcome of the war. "Russian authorities seem to be making substantial efforts to influence Western debate over whether Ukraine should be permitted to employ Western weapons for long-range attacks on Russian military installations," the ISW concludes, expressing severe worries that such assaults could exert widespread operational pressure on the Russian offensive. The U.S. remains adamant in refusing to allow Ukraine to launch long-range attacks on Russian territory.
09:18 Ukrainian General Staff: Over 1,400 Russian losses in the previous 24 hoursAccording to Ukraine's General Staff, Russian forces incurred an additional 1,470 casualties (killed or wounded) in the previous 24 hours. This brings the cumulative total to 650,640 since the start of the full-scale invasion two and a half years ago. In the past 24 hours, the Russians have also lost 42 armored combat vehicles, 14 tanks, 62 drones, and 55 artillery systems.
08:57 Sumy hospital under Russian attack, six people deadRussian forces have launched an attack on a hospital in Sumy, resulting in six fatalities, as reported by the military administration of the Sumy Oblast. The attack was carried out using Shahed drones, with a further drone assault on a residential area and another on the hospital following later. At the time of the assault, rescue services were evacuating patients and staff. The air force also reported that the Russians had dropped guided bombs on the Sumy Oblast.
08:21 Goldschmidt warns of threats to the Baltic Sea from Russian oilFollowing allegations of Russian oil exports via the Baltic Sea by Greenpeace, Schleswig-Holstein's environmental minister Tobias Goldschmidt has raised concerns over the dangers posed by tankers to the Baltic coast. "The Russian regime is blatantly circumventing the oil embargo imposed due to the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine," stated the Green politician. This conflict is jeopardizing the already weakened seas. Several Western nations accuse Russia of using poorly seaworthy ships to evade EU sanctions due to the war of aggression. "The risk of an oil spill is increasing," warns Goldschmidt. "And this oil would primarily end up on our shores, from Fehmarn to Eckernförde."
07:52 Ukrainian troops maintain their positions in Pokrovsk amid heavy bombardmentUkrainian and Russian troops continue to clash in eastern Ukraine. The region around Pokrovsk, where Russian units have been assaulting for months, was also the focus of yesterday's engagements. In its evening report, the General Staff in Kyiv reported that 19 Russian attempts to breach Ukrainian defense lines had been repelled during the day. "The Ukrainian defenders are holding their ground," it said. Russian troops are attempting to approach the city from all sides and secure their advance against Ukrainian counterattacks. Heavy fighting also persisted in the region around Kurachove. According to Ukrainian reports, around 17 Russian assaults were repelled during the day. The reports on the fighting cannot be independently verified.
07:41 Zelensky Views US Visit FavorablyDespite not receiving approval for extensive Western weapons usage during his trip to the USA, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky views his visit with optimism. He mentioned in a video broadcast on X platform that each discussion went as expected. The Ukrainian peace proposal was unveiled in America. Now, his team needs to focus on implementing each step and decision. In Washington, Zelensky conferred with U.S. President Joe Biden, Vice President Kamala Harris, and even met with the Republican presidential candidate, Donald Trump, in New York. Trump once more declared that if he won the election, the conflict would come to an end swiftly.
06:56 Ukraine Discusses Return of Detained ChildrenRecent reports indicate that out of thousands of children taken by Russia during the war, nine have been rescued. These children, whose parents were lost due to the war, were handed over to their grandparents. Dmytro Lubinez, Ukraine's Human Rights Ombudsman, reveals that negotiations for the return of more children are underway in Qatar. They have a list of 751 children for whom all necessary documentation is complete. Since the war began, an estimated 20,000 children have been illegally taken to Russia, with barely a few hundred returning home so far.
06:27 Blinken Addresses China's Support of Russian Arms IndustryUS Secretary of State Antony Blinken voiced concerns over China's support for Russia's arms industry to Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi. Blinken stated that if China asserts a wish for peace and an end to the conflict, but simultaneously allows its companies to aid Russia in continuing aggression, it seems contradictory. Similarly, Wang proclaimed China's stance on the Ukrainian war emphasizing the necessity of dialogue for peace.
05:31 Ukrainian Forces Allegedly Kill Two Russian Soldiers on Jet SkiUkrainian forces appear to have utilized a drone to generate an explosion on a Russian jet ski, allegedly killing two soldiers, as mentioned by pro-Ukrainian news site Defense Express. Two Russian soldiers were on a jet ski traveling on the Dnipro River when a drone filled with explosives struck the jet ski as depicted in footage shared by activist Serhiy Sternenko.
04:10 Mediazona Reports Over 71,000 Russian Soldiers Killed in UkraineAccording to the independent Russian news outlet Mediazona, an estimated 71,000 Russian soldiers have lost their lives in Ukraine. The death toll climbed to nearly 2,000 more soldiers since mid-September. Mediazona points out that the actual figures are likely higher as they gather information from sources such as obituaries, social media posts, regional media reports, and alerts from local authorities.
02:18 Nine Children Return from Russia to UkraineNine children who were taken to Russia during the war returned to their home country on Friday with assistance from Qatar, acting as a mediator. The Ombudsman for Human Rights in Ukraine, Dmitro Lubinez, confirmed the information through a Telegram post. The children, aged between 13 and 17, and a 20-year-old man were involved in the operation. The action was carried out via an agreement and with the assistance of Qatar. The information could not be independently verified initially, but the children originated from areas like Kherson, Zaporizhzhia, or Luhansk, according to Lubinez.
00:31 Lukashenko Warns of World War III if Belarus Attacked
The leader of Belarus, Alexander Lukashenko, accuses NATO of having attack plans against his country and hints at the potential use of nuclear weapons. "An attack on Belarus means World War III," Lukashenko proclaimed, adding that both Belarus and Russia would retaliate with nuclear weapons if provoked. Lukashenko thanked Russian President Vladimir Putin for recent changes in Russia's nuclear policy and claimed that NATO has a planned attack on Belarus. "The Americans and Poles have already positioned themselves along the border, particularly on the Polish side. We know that the Polish leadership is preparing for this," he stated.
A group of ex-military leaders and specialists in the U.S. have suggested President Joe Biden take strong actions to finish the war in support of Ukraine and tackle a potential threat from China. Included in this group are previous commanders of U.S. forces in Europe, Ben Hodges, and NATO's former deputy commander, German Army Major General Gert-Johannes Hagemann. They propose actions against Russia, as well as regarding China. They urge the lifting of constraints on employing Western weapons against Russian targets on their soil and the deployment of 300 Abrams tanks and 1,000 Stryker armored vehicles to Ukraine. Additionally, they propose a comprehensive arms and technology embargo against Russia, China, Iran, North Korea, Belarus, and Azerbaijan. Furthermore, they suggest broadening NATO beyond transatlantic boundaries including Japan, Australia, South Korea, the Philippines, and any other democratic nation eager to join, such as Argentina.
22:15 Russian intelligence scrutinizes global journalists in Kursk
Russia's domestic intelligence agency, the FSB, is investigating three more foreign correspondents for reporting from regions under control of the Ukrainian army in the Russian border area of Kursk. The accused include Kathryn Diss and Fletcher Yeung from Australian broadcaster ABC News, and Romanian journalist Mircea Barbu. Charges against them include illegal border crossing, carrying potential sentences of up to five years. However, it seems that none of the three are presently in Russia. Media outlets like the German broadcaster Deutsche Welle, US news channel CNN, and the Italian broadcaster Rai have reported from the Ukrainian-controlled regions in Kursk.
21:35 White House dismisses Republican criticism of Zelensky's U.S. visitThe White House has countered accusations from Republicans in Congress that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky violated U.S. election laws by visiting an ammunition factory. Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre deemed the allegations a "political stunt" and urged Republicans to drop the matter. She reaffirmed that the Ukrainian delegation had requested the visit, which the Defense Department facilitated by arranging transportation. "This is standard procedure," Jean-Pierre stated. Zelensky made the stop in Pennsylvania during his multiday trip to the U.S., where critical artillery shells are manufactured. Several Democrats, including Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro, were present. Following the visit, Republican lawmakers initiated an investigation and the House speaker sent a letter to Zelensky demanding that he dismiss the Ukrainian ambassador to the U.S.
21:09 Countries caution against Russian nuclear threatChina, Brazil, and other nations have warned against the usage or threat of nuclear weapons against Ukraine. In a joint statement, twelve countries expressed "serious concern" over the risk of "escalation" and called for all parties to abstain from employing or threatening to employ weapons of mass destruction, specifically nuclear, chemical, and biological weapons. They also highlighted that civilian infrastructure, including peaceful nuclear facilities and other critical energy installations, should not be targeted in military operations. The warning follows recent statements from Russian President Vladimir Putin. He suggested that Russia could deploy nuclear weapons if there were significant air strikes on Russian territory and that any assault supported by a nuclear power would be regarded as "joint" aggression. Zelensky had previously accused Russia of planning to target Ukrainian nuclear reactors.
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The Ukrainian conflict continues to take a toll on civilians and infrastructure, as evidenced by the attack on a children's hospital in Kyiv last month and the recent increase in Russian shelling of civilian targets, such as the police headquarters in Kryvyi Rih, which resulted in four fatalities.
In response to these atrocities, international organizations and governments continue to call for an end to the conflict and the protection of civilian populations, emphasizing the importance of adhering to international law and respecting humanitarian norms.
