Ukraine-Russia war latest: Putin launches 400 drones in huge attack hours before US-backed talks in Geneva
Ukrainian forces are assessed to have taken back over 78 sq miles in the last week as diplomats gathered for talks on land in Geneva
Vladimir Putin blitzed Ukraine with more than 400 drones and missiles ahead of US-backed peace talks in Geneva on Tuesday.
Russia launched 396 drones and 29 missiles overnight, with 18 drones and four ballistic missiles striking targets across the country, according to the Ukrainian air force.
Russia’s defence ministry claimed responsibility for a “massive strike” against military-industrial and energy targets, with Ukraine’s battered energy infrastructure increasingly under strain amid the coldest winter in nearly 20 years.
At least one person was killed in the overnight strikes and 25 were injured, according to local authorities in Ukraine. The victim was identified as a 68-year-old woman in Kyrykivka, in Sumy oblast.
Six other residents, including two children, were said to have been injured in drone attacks at the same time.
Heavy Russian strikes came ahead of a third round of talks with Ukraine in Switzerland, expected to tackle the thorniest issue of the conflict - the fate of Ukrainian territory claimed by Russia.
Ukraine returns to talks with some momentum after recapturing 78 square miles of land from Russia between Wednesday and Sunday, according to the US-based think tank, the Institute for the Study of War.
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Ukraine claims attack on Krasnodar oil refinery
Ukraine has now claimed responsibility for the attack on an oil refinery in Russia’s Krasnodar region (see 10:09 post).
Sanctioned Russian shadow fleet tanker allowed to leave France with a fine
The sanctioned Russian shadow fleet tanker GRINCH was allowed to leave France after paying a fine worth “several million euros”, foreign minister Jean-Noel Barrot said on Tuesday.
"Circumventing European sanctions comes at a price. Russia will no longer be able to finance its war with impunity through a ghost fleet off our coasts," Barrot said in a post on social media.
The ship was seized in the Mediterranean last month, and then diverted to anchor off the French port city of Marseille.
Russia suffers nearly 900 casualties in one day, Ukraine reports
Russia has lost around 1,255,340 troops in Ukraine since the beginning of its full-scale four years ago, Ukraine’s military reported on Tuesday.
The figure reflects a rise of 890 assessed casualties over the past day.
Moscow only understands the language of pressure, says Ukrainian FM
Ukraine’s foreign minister Andrii Sybiha said this morning that heavy strikes overnight ahead of talks in Geneva show “the extent to which Russia disregards peace efforts”.
Sharing a map of extensive drone and missile strikes across Ukraine, he said: “Moscow only understands the language of pressure. It will not take diplomacy seriously if it is not backed by strength.”
“New sanctions packages are critical,” he urged. “Blocking shadow fleet. Maritime services ban. Entry ban for participants of Russian aggression. Only our unity and strength will bring an end to this war.”
One killed, 25 injured in latest strikes on Ukraine: local authorities
At least one person was killed and 25 were injured in the overnight attacks across Ukraine, local authorities are reporting.
The victim was identified in local media as a 68-year-old woman in Kyrykivka, in Sumy oblast.
Six other residents, including two children, were injured in drone attacks at the same time, authorities said.
Krasnodar fire extinguished, authorities say
The fire at an oil refinery in Russia’s Krasnodar region (see 09:45 post) has now been extinguished, local authorities are saying.
Kremlin claims 'massive strike' on Ukraine
Russia’s defence ministry claimed responsibility for a “massive strike” on Ukraine ahead of peace talks in Geneva later today.
The ministry said it had targeted military-industrial and energy facilities, as Ukraine battles rolling blackouts and freezing temperatures.
Inferno at Russian oil refinery following drone strike, Russia says
A fire broke out at an oil refinery in Russia’s Krasnodar region following a drone attacks, local authorities said this morning.
Officials said the Ilsky refinery, producing around 138,000 barrels a day, had been hit. It was unclear whether operations had been affected.
Trilateral talks to continue tomorrow, says Russia
Ahead of crunch talks with Ukraine in Geneva today, the Kremlin said that three-way talks involving the US will continue tomorrow.
Trump pressures Ukraine ahead of peace talks in Geneva
Donald Trump is pressuring Ukraine to reach a deal with Russia ahead of the US-brokered talks in Geneva.
“It’s easy… Ukraine better come to the table, fast,” the US president said, speaking to the reporters onboard Air Force One while en route to Washington.
Officials in Kyiv confirmed a Ukrainian delegation was heading to Geneva on Monday for another round of talks with Russian officials, ahead of next week's fourth anniversary of Russia's full-scale invasion.
Trump’s remarks did not call for action from the Russian side, which has been seeking Ukraine’s territory and political concessions from Kyiv without budging from its demands.
Moscow wants Ukraine to cede the entirety of the Donbas area, including areas it has failed to capture by force.
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