Image: Atlantic Council

Jump to Original Entry

EA-Times Radio Special: Invasion of Ukraine, Russia’s “Election”, and the Putin-Trump Threat

Wednesday’s Coverage: Invasion of Ukraine, Russia’s “Election”, and the Putin-Trump Threat

Map: Institute for the Study of War

UPDATE 1125 GMT:

Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskiy and Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal have responded to the news of European Union agreement on a €50 billion fund for Kyiv.

UPDATE 1109 GMT:

The European Union has reached unanimous agreement, overcoming the blockade of Hungary’s Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, on a €50 billion fund through 2027 for Ukraine.

To prevent Orbán’s veto, the European Council agreed to an annual debate on the Ukraine Facility. If needed, in two years the European Council will invite the Commission to make a proposal for review.

Orban gave way after a series of meetings last night and this morning with Italian, German, and French leaders.

European Council President Charles Michel announced from the emergency summit in Brussels:

Latvian Prime Minister Evika Siliņa echoed:

UPDATE 0728 GMT:

Ukrainian air defense units shot down two of four Iran-made attack drones launched overnight by Russia.

The two intercepted drones were over the Kharkiv region. A few hours earlier, Russian forces hit the village of Velykyi Burluk in the Kupyansk area of the region with guided aerial bombs, damaging a hospital.

About 38 people were evacuated after the strike just before 10 p.m. The roof, facade, and windows of the building were damaged. Four people were treated for minor injuries.

UPDATE 0714 GMT:

In his nightly address to the nation, Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskiy antipicated today’s emergency European Council summit on aid to Kyiv.

Last month Hungary’s Prime Minister Viktor Orbán — a long-time ally of Vladimir Putin — vetoed a European Union budget through 2027 which authorizes €50 billion in financial and economic assistance to Ukraine.

The budget must have the approval of all 27 EU member states.

The Orbán Government has indicated that it may accept the funding, if there is an annual review. EU officials are concerned that the arrangement might give Orbán indefinite leverage, and even the capacity for blackmail, as the EU continues to hold up support money for Budapest because of the Government’s violations of rights and rule of law.

Earlier in the day, Zelenskiy welcomed the freeing of 207 Ukrainian POWs, exchanged for 195 Russian troops held by Ukraine (see Wednesday’s coverage).

ORIGINAL ENTRY: Ukraine says it carried out missile strikes on Russia’s military facilities, including an airbase and a military radar, in Russian-occupied Crimea on Wednesday.

Ukraine Air Force commander Gen. Mykola Oleshchuk reported the attack on the Balbek airfield, with possible losses of Russian warplanes and personnel. Military sources said French-made SCALP and UK-supplied Storm Shadow missiles were used.

Oleshchuk posted a video of an explosion, hailing the “cleansing of Crimea” — occupied by Moscow since 2014 — “from the Russian presence”.

The Russian Defense Ministry did not refer to any damage of bases, warplanes, or equipment. It claimed 20 missiles were intercepted, 17 on the approaches to Sevastopol and three elsewhere over occupied Crimea. Russia’s proxy governor in Sevastopol, Mikhail Razvozhaev, said missile fragments damaged buildings and a garden association near the Belbek airfield.

Ukraine has struck key Russian military positions in Crimea since summer 2023, including airbases and warplanes, port structures and warship, the Black Sea Fleet Headquarters in Sevastopol, oil and ammunition depots, and other supply and logistics facilities.

Another Oil Facility Struck Inside Russia

A Ukrainian “military intelligence source” said Ukraine hit another oil facility deep inside Russian territory on Wednesday.

The governor of St. Petersburg reported a loud blast at an industrial site outside Russia’s second city. Local media said S-400 missiles systems fired at a drone that crashed on an oil storage facility in the Nevsky district.

“It was a GUR [military intelligence service] operation,” the Ukrainian source said, explaining that the target served “military purposes”.

Ukraine has stepped up strikes on Russian oil and gas facilities in recent months. Earlier in January, it hit four refineries within a week.