China News Agency, Beijing, December 17th. Comprehensive news: According to media reports from Russia and Ukraine, on the 16th local time, the Ukrainian capital Kyiv and other places sounded air defense alarms.
The Russian side said that the Russian armed forces launched an attack on Ukrainian infrastructure that day.
Russian media said on the 17th local time that Russian President Vladimir Putin will listen to the recommendations of Russian military officers on special military operations.
Ukrainian President Zelensky admitted in an interview with French media that some Western countries called on him to start negotiations with Russia.
Russia intensively strikes Ukrainian infrastructure and sounds air defense sirens
The Russian Satellite News Agency reported on the 17th local time that the Ukrainian air defense warning online map data showed that on the night of the 16th local time, Poltava, Kharkiv and Dnepropetrovsk regions issued a second air defense warning. .
Ukrainian media reported on the 16th local time that air defense sirens were sounded in many places in eastern, southern, and central Ukraine, including the capital Kyiv.
The Ukrainian National News Agency reported on the same day that the air defense system in the Kyiv area was working, calling on people to take refuge in shelters.
According to a report by Russia Today TV station, on the 16th local time, after the Russian armed forces launched an attack on Ukrainian infrastructure, the Minister of Energy of Ukraine stated that the energy facilities in the east and south of Ukraine were damaged.
Uzbekistan's national energy company declared a state of emergency, saying that the loss of Uzbekistan's energy system exceeded 50% that day.
According to reports, the water supply in all areas of Kyiv city was cut off that day.
An emergency power outage occurred in the city of Nikolayev and other areas.
Some railway sections in Kharkiv and other places were cut off.
The city of Kremenchug was unable to heat due to a power outage.
The Russian Satellite News Agency reported later that on the 17th local time, the mayor of Kiev stated that the water supply in Kyiv has been restored, and the power supply covers two-thirds of the citizens, but half of the area still has no heating.
The Kyiv city government is working to restore heating to all citizens, while the electricity sector is asking for continued power savings.
Putin takes advice from Russian military officers on special military operations
According to a report by the Russian Satellite News Agency on the 17th local time, Putin told Russian military officers at a meeting of the combat command that he was ready to listen to suggestions on the short-term and mid-term actions of special military operations, and "will listen to the opinions of commanders in each combat direction." ".
Russian Presidential Press Secretary Peskov said earlier that Putin was informed of the work of the Joint Staff of various arms of the special military operation.
On the 16th local time, Putin worked in the Joint Staff for a whole day, learned about the work of the staff, listened to reports on the progress of special military operations, and held meetings and individual meetings with commanders.
Zelensky acknowledges calls from some Western countries to start talks with Russia
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky admitted in an interview with French television on the 16th that some Western countries called on him to start the negotiation process with Russia.
But Zelensky believes that "this will not lead to results."
According to the Russian Satellite News Agency, French President Macron emphasized that he will retain the dialogue channel with Putin.
Macron said recently that he hopes to discuss with Putin as soon as possible the issue of ensuring the safety of Ukraine's nuclear facilities.
According to US media reports, US President Biden also said that he is willing to have a dialogue with Putin.
A source said that the US government urged Zelensky to rule out the option of "not negotiating with Putin".
Earlier this month, Russian Presidential Press Secretary Peskov said that Putin was open to contacts and negotiations in the past, present and future.
Russia responds to EU's ninth round of sanctions against Russia
According to a report by the Russian Satellite News Agency on the 17th, the Russian Permanent Representative Office to the European Union issued a statement in response to the ninth round of EU sanctions against Russia, saying that the new anti-Russian restrictions were "illegal" and emphasized that "the sanction machine has not slowed down."
The statement stated that unilateral measures have become Europe's favorite tool, and the imposition of sanctions contradicts the international financial and trading system and violates the basic principles of the WTO.
The statement also said that banning Russian media from broadcasting in the EU violates the right of Europeans to learn about different points of view.
On the 15th local time, leaders of EU member states reached an agreement on the ninth round of sanctions against Russia.
The plan includes imposing sanctions on about 200 Russian individuals and entities and three additional Russian banks, curbing investment in Russia's mining and energy industries, and banning more Russian TV channels.
(Finish)