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10:23 p.m.: Ukraine prepares for all defense scenarios, says Zelensky
Defending Ukraine's borders is a "permanent priority" and the country is ready for all scenarios against Russia and its allies, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Sunday December 18.
“The protection of our border, both with Russia and with Belarus, is our permanent priority,” Volodymyr Zelensky said in his recorded speech.
"We are preparing for all possible defense scenarios."
Volodymyr Zelensky was speaking on the eve of Russian President Vladimir Putin's trip to Belarus as talks of a possible Moscow offensive against Ukraine from Belarus are being discussed.
7:37 p.m.: Iran says it doesn't need 'permission' to develop ties with Russia
Iran has said it does not need anyone's "permission" to develop relations with Russia, after the United States raised concerns about the "large-scale military partnership" between Tehran and Moscow.
kyiv and its Western backers accuse Russia of using Iranian-made drones to carry out attacks in Ukraine.
Iran admitted having supplied drones to Russia, but assured that these deliveries had taken place before the offensive in Ukraine, without however escaping a salvo of Western sanctions.
7:33 p.m.: Ukrainian Jews celebrate “Festival of Lights” amid blackout
War-weary, Ukraine's Jews gathered in prayers and candlelight vigils to launch Hanukkah, the "Festival of Lights", vowing to defy the blackouts caused by persistent Russian bombardment.
In Kyiv's famous Independence Square, also known as Maidan, worshipers huddled together for warmth near what authorities say is the world's largest menorah (a nine-branched candelabra) Hanukkah in Europe.
3:23 p.m .: the toll of Ukrainian strikes against the Russian region of Belgorod revised upwards
The Ukrainian strikes that hit the Russian region of Belgorod left one dead and eight injured, regional governor Vyacheslav Gladkov announced on Telegram.
The previous toll was five injured.
3:17 p.m .: heating has been restored in kyiv, according to the mayor of the capital
The heating system has been restored in kyiv, said the mayor of the city Vitali Klitschko.
"The capital's heat supply system has been fully restored," the Kyiv mayor said on Telegram.
According to Ukrainian officials, Russia fired more than 70 missiles on Friday, in what is one of the largest bombardments since the start of Russia's invasion of the country on February 24, causing power cuts across the country. country and reducing access to heating and water.
12:31 p.m .: Ukrainian strikes against the Russian region of Belgorod
Ukrainian strikes hit the Russian region of Belgorod on Sunday, injuring five according to the governor of the region, Vyacheslav Gladkov.
According to him, the shots targeted Belgorod, the regional capital, injuring four people, as well as a district located nearby where "there is unfortunately one dead and one injured".
The windows of several buildings were smashed and 14 houses were damaged, the Russian governor said on Telegram.
11:18 am: Germany inaugurates its first LNG terminal to turn the page on Russian gas
Germany inaugurated its first liquefied gas terminal on Saturday, intended to avoid shortages and replace Russian deliveries, stopped by the war in Ukraine.
But short-term supply remains uncertain.
6:02 a.m .: electricity restored for “nearly 6 million Ukrainians”
"Electricity was restored to nearly six million Ukrainians during the day on Saturday. Repair work is ongoing and continues uninterrupted since yesterday's terrorist attack," the Ukrainian president said in the evening. Volodymyr Zelensky.
3:59 a.m .: Russian Defense Minister inspects his troops
Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu has inspected military units participating in Moscow's "special military operation" in Ukraine, the ministry said on Sunday.
"The (minister) went near the areas where the soldiers are deployed in order to examine the positions of the Russian units," the Russian Defense Ministry explained on Telegram.
Sergei Shoigu spoke with soldiers "on the front line" and in a "command post", according to the press release issued by the ministry.
However, it was not indicated when this trip had taken place or if Sergei Shoigu had gone to Ukraine.
11:30 p.m .: basic services restored in Kyiv
Basic services were restored in kyiv on Saturday evening after the new series of intense Russian bombardments on infrastructure.
The mayor of the capital Vitali Klitschko, indicated that a quarter of the capital was however still without heating but that the metro was again in service.
A third of the city is also still without electricity and emergency cuts will be implemented, according to the mayor, to save energy.
With AFP
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