Live ticker Donetsk and Zaporizhia
Ukraine again says hundreds of Russian soldiers have been killed
France wants to supply light combat tanks to Ukraine
Ukraine to get light battle tanks from France The tank is said to be the AMX-10 RC Scout Tank. A wheeled tank with a cannon is mainly used for reconnaissance.
After the attack on the military camps, Ukraine again announced a violent attack against Russian forces. More than 800 soldiers were killed in Zaporizhia and Donetsk regions. Russia disputed the report. More on Live Ticker.
DHe announced that the Ukrainian army had launched another successful attack against the Russian army. At least 80 Russian soldiers were killed or wounded in an attack on Tuesday in the occupied town of Dokmakh in the southern Ukrainian region of Zaporizhia, public officials in Kyiv said on Wednesday. By Thursday morning, another 800 people were reported dead in the Donetsk region. The information could not be independently verified. Both warring parties often talk about heavy losses on the opposing side.
A spokesman for the Russian occupation administration of Zaporizhia Vladimir Rogov said the Ukrainian attack targeted the Tokmak district hospital. An army doctor and several patients were killed. Also, pictures of the badly damaged building were shown. However, there is no independent confirmation of the information.
For several days, Ukraine has repeatedly announced massive strikes on Russian troop concentrations. According to Kiev sources, 400 enemy soldiers were killed alone on the Russian military camp in Makivka, Donetsk region, and another attack killed 500 in the village of Chulakivka in Kherson. Moscow, on the other hand, has so far only acknowledged at least 89 deaths among its own ranks in light of Ukrainian artillery strikes on New Year’s Eve.
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8:33 am – FDP puts pressure on Scholz: After Macron’s yes, Berlin must supply battle tanks
After France’s decision to supply light combat tanks to Ukraine, the FDP called on President Olaf Scholes (SPD) to reverse course. FDP security expert Marie-Agnes Strack-Zimmermann told the AFP news agency in Berlin on Thursday morning that Schaals could no longer refuse such supplies from the German side. “The Federal Chancellery’s constant argument that Germany should not go it alone has completely passed,” said the head of the defense committee.
“France is again taking on the role that Germany expects,” Strack-Zimmermann said. “In the spirit of Franco-German friendship, the chancellor must finally recognize the signs of the times and follow suit – the ball is now in Berlin’s court.” Ukraine must now “win to protect our freedom and our values - and that’s the only way.” Support tanks,” said Liberal.
French President Emmanuel Macron announced in a phone call to his Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelenskyy that Paris would deliver French-made “light battle tanks” to Kyiv. These are AMX-10 RC tanks.
8:10 am – Germany needs more gas-fired power plants to ensure electricity security, according to experts
According to a study by the Federal Network Agency (BNetzA), Germany will need more gas-fired power plants in the coming years to ensure a secure electricity supply.
Germany’s last three nuclear power plants were shut down in mid-April and pipeline gas imports from Russia have been halted. In this scenario, further increase in LNG imports will be required during this decade, the report said.
The analysis for the period 2025-2031 assumes a decrease in overall gas consumption as households are expected to increasingly switch to heat pumps. However, to meet the growing demand for electric cars, more gas will be needed to generate electricity.
According to the report, if the filling of gas storage facilities is regulated and gas consumption continues to fall, the complete phase-out of coal is possible as early as 2030.
4:31 am – CSU: Berlin to launch bid for tank deliveries to Ukraine
The CSU in the Bundestag has called for a European initiative by the central government to work with allies to supply Ukraine with Western-style main battle tanks. “We want Ukraine to exercise its right to self-defense. For this she needs more heavy weapons – including the Panther 2 tanks,” said Alexander Dobrindt, head of the CSU regional group, to the German press agency. He demanded that the “central government initiate a European initiative for joint sale of battle tanks”.
The request can also be found in a draft resolution for the retreat of the CSU state committee starting on Friday at the Sion monastery in Upper Bavaria. It says Ukraine must win the war against Putin’s Russia. “This is the only way we can maintain a free and peaceful Europe.” To do this, Ukraine needs a “continuous supply of weapons, spare parts and ammunition.”
00:07 – The US is considering providing armored personnel carriers to Ukraine
The US government is considering supplying Bradley armored personnel carriers to Ukraine. According to the U.S. Army, armored reconnaissance vehicles typically have artillery, machine guns, and armor-piercing missiles. Asked by a reporter whether the government was considering providing armored personnel carriers to Ukraine, US President Joe Biden said yes. He did not provide any details. It was initially unclear which model variant of the “Bradley” would be suitable for Kiev.
18:10 – Ukraine is preparing to receive Patriot missiles from the United States
Ukraine is preparing to deliver US Patriot missiles. Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba said on Wednesday that preparations for this are already underway. The defense system is a priority in Ukraine’s efforts to counter Russian airstrikes.
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