Russia's military aggression against Ukraine continues.
Fighting between Russian and Ukrainian forces continues across Ukraine, forcing thousands of civilians to flee the country.
We will keep you updated on the developments regarding the situation in Ukraine on the 17th (Japan time), including the situation of the fighting and the diplomacy of the countries concerned.
(There is a 7-hour time difference between Japan and Ukraine, and a 6-hour time difference with Moscow, Russia.)
Ukraine: Russia's missiles, which are difficult to intercept, pose a threat
A Ukrainian Air Force spokesman said at a press conference on the 16th that the Russian military used missiles that are difficult to intercept, posing a threat to the Ukrainian side.
A spokesman said recent attacks have often used missiles originally developed to shoot down targets from the ground up in the air, some of which have ranges of hundreds of kilometers. .
In order to intercept such missiles, the spokesman said that Western air defense weapons would be necessary, and that "the missiles must be destroyed at the point where they are launched." He showed a policy of not hesitating to attack missile systems deployed in controlled areas.
On the other hand, regarding the background of the Russian military's use of missiles, which were originally intended for air defense, "because there are fewer short-range ballistic missiles," he said that the Russian military, which has repeatedly carried out large-scale missile attacks, , pointed out that there is a shortage of ballistic missiles.
German Defense Minister resigns Inappropriate remarks about military invasion of Ukraine, etc.
German Defense Minister Lambrecht has resigned after being accused of making inappropriate comments about Russia's military aggression in Ukraine.
At the end of last month, Germany's Defense Minister Lambrecht posted a New Year's message on social media amid the sound of fireworks in the capital Berlin, saying, "There is a war going on in the heart of Europe, and I was able to meet wonderful people involved in it." The post was strongly criticized by local media and opposition parties for being inappropriate as Ukraine was invaded.
Russian and Turkish presidents meet
Russian President Vladimir Putin has held a telephone conversation with Turkish President Erdogan.
“The Ukrainian government is adopting destructive policies and intensifying hostilities with Western military support,” Putin said at the meeting.
In addition, in the beginning of this month, in conjunction with the Russian Orthodox Christmas, the Russian side unilaterally declared a ceasefire, accusing the Ukrainian side of refusing the ceasefire due to its hypocritical policy.
Putin and Erdogan also addressed the exchange of wounded prisoners of war after Russian and Ukrainian human rights officials met in the Turkish capital Ankara earlier this month.
Meanwhile, Turkey's presidential office has said it has reiterated to Putin that Erdogan is ready to mediate a peace deal.
A human rights official in the Ukrainian parliament told NHK on the 13th that President Zelensky and President Erdogan are also expected to talk by phone about exchanging prisoners of war.