Every day, Midi Libre takes stock of the situation in Ukraine. This Friday, December 20, 2024, discover the latest news around this conflict.
Russia attacks kyiv in response to use of Western missiles
Russia launched an attack on the Ukrainian capital kyiv on Friday, employing long-range, high-precision weapons in response to Ukraine's attack on the Russian region of Rostov this week, for which missiles supplied by the United States and the United Kingdom were used according to the Russian Defense Ministry.
The governor of the Russian region of Kursk, Alexander Khinshtein, also announced the death of six people, including a child killed by a Ukrainian missile attack on the town of Rylsk. Russia said on Thursday that Ukraine launched six US-made long-range ATACMS missiles and four British-made Storm Shadow missiles at the Rostov region in southern Russia on Wednesday.
Ukrainian authorities said Friday's Russian attack killed one person and damaged buildings in kyiv, as explosions were heard in the Ukrainian capital. According to the kyiv administration, 11 people were injured, five of whom were taken to hospital.
Fires broke out in several buildings, said Serhiy Popko, head of kyiv's military administration. Photos taken at the scene show the devastated roof of an office building with windows blown out and firefighters putting out a blaze. The Russian Defense Ministry said in a statement that it had struck a command center belonging to the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU), a Patriot anti-aircraft missile system manufactured by the United States as well as the Luch design bureau in kyiv, suspected of being involved in the design and manufacture of missiles.
“The objectives of the strike were achieved. All targets were hit”declared the ministry. Reuters was unable to verify this information. According to kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko, Russian forces used eight missiles in the attack, including Kinzhal hypersonic missiles and Iskander/KN-23 ballistic missiles. Ukraine's Air Force says it has shot down all five Iskander-M/KN-23 ballistic missiles used to attack the capital
The USA will announce the final military aid package to Ukraine in the coming days
The administration of outgoing US President Joe Biden will announce in the coming days the latest package of support and aid to Ukraine under the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative (USAI), including Remaining funds will be used to purchase new weapons, according to two sources familiar with the matter.
This aid includes air defense interceptors and artillery munitions, according to a third source, and will be worth around $1.2 billion (1.15 billion euros), the sources said. Military equipment was purchased from the defense industry or partners rather than taken from U.S. stockpiles, which could slow delivery to Ukraine.
Since Russia's invasion in February 2022, the United States has pledged $175 billion in aid to Ukraine, including about $61.4 billion for security. About half of this security assistance was provided through the USAI program, with the remainder used to draw down existing military stockpiles through the Presidential Drawdown Authority (PDA). There remains $5.6 billion in presidential drawdown authorization.
The State Department and Pentagon declined comment, saying they do not discuss aid packages before they are officially unveiled. The USAI program has been a boon for American defense companies, which have been able to book arms orders and create new sources of revenue. The VAMPIRE system from L3Harris Technologies is an example.
The palletized, agnostic modular ISR counter-drone system received its first USAI-funded order in August 2022. L3Harris delivered its first four units within 12 months. The American group saw increased interest in the system and subsequently placed several orders under the USAI program.
The package the Biden administration is preparing to unveil could be one of the last steps the United States takes to provide direct military support to Ukraine, as President-elect Donald Trump is inaugurated on January 20 . During the US presidential campaign, Donald Trump publicly questioned military aid and promised to end the war in Ukraine within 24 hours of taking office.
He has also repeatedly questioned the level of U.S. involvement in the conflict, suggesting that European allies should bear more of the financial burden. This stance, despite the US Congress' strong past support for sustained aid to Ukraine, has raised concerns among kyiv's supporters in Washington and questions how the US will continue to help its ally in the absence of dedicated funding for USAI.
