War in Ukraine: a France24 journalist pursued by Moscow, record attack by Russian drones… an update on the situation

France24 journalist prosecuted for entering Kursk region

A Russian court has ordered the arrest of Catherine Norris Trent, a journalist for the France24 news channel, accused of illegally entering the Russian border region of Kursk, the TASS news agency reported on Tuesday.

The journalist entered the region with the Ukrainian army in order to produce a report, adds TASS.

The procedure was initiated in absentia and the journalist risks arrest if she goes to Russian territory.

Russia has initiated criminal proceedings against a number of Western journalists who reported from Kursk, where Ukrainian troops crossed the border on August 6 and seized part of Russian territory.

In a press release, France 24 denounced “with the greatest firmness this decision which targets a journalist in the exercise of her profession” et “contradicts the rights granted to journalists under the Geneva Convention and international law.”

G7 foreign ministers on Tuesday expressed support for Ukraine and condemned what they called “irresponsible and threatening nuclear rhetoric” from Russia.
They also warned of the risks posed by North Korea's support for Russia, seeing it as a dangerous extension of the conflict, with serious repercussions for the security of Europe and the Indo-Pacific region.

The G7 ministers also called on China, North Korea's long-time ally, to take steps to end this support. “Russia's use of an intermediate-range ballistic missile on November 21 is further evidence of its reckless behavior and escalation”they declared in a joint press release at the end of their meeting.

“Our support for the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of Ukraine will remain unwavering”they added.
Russia has made a major advance along the front lines in eastern Ukraine, where Russian forces have made some of their biggest territorial gains since 2022.

G7 ministers announced plans to begin distributing funds from a $50 billion (€47.76 billion) loan from frozen Russian assets by the end of the year.
They also pledged to take action against groups that are helping Russia evade sanctions imposed on it after its invasion of Ukraine almost three years ago.

Their joint statement was issued after a two-day meeting in Fiuggi, near Rome, attended by Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha.

Russia launches record drone attack on Ukraine

Russia launched its largest drone attack on Ukraine overnight Monday, cutting power to much of the western Ternopil region and damaging residential buildings in the Kyiv region, people said on Tuesday. the Ukrainian authorities.

The intensification of nighttime drone strikes against Ukrainian cities comes at a time when Russia is making major advances on the front lines in eastern Ukraine, with Russian forces making some of their largest monthly territorial gains. important since 2022.

Of the 188 drones used that night, Ukraine shot down 76 and lost track of 96, likely due to active electronic warfare, the Air Force said. Five drones headed towards Belarus.

“The enemy launched a record number of Shahed attack drones and unidentified drones…”the Air Force said. Russia uses cheap “suicide” drones and “decoy” drones, which hamper Ukrainian air defenses.

“Unfortunately, critical infrastructure was affected and private and residential buildings were damaged in several regions due to the massive drone attack”said an air force statement, adding that no casualties had been reported.

The attack damaged the power grid in Ternopil, a large city in western Ukraine, and cut power to about 70% of the region, Governor Vyacheslav Nehoda said on national television.

Ternopil, located some 220 km east of NATO member Poland, and the surrounding region had more than a million inhabitants before the Russian invasion of February 2022, which expelled many Ukrainians towards the west.

“The consequences are serious, as the installation has been significantly affected and this will impact the electricity supply of the entire region for a long time”and declared by Vyacheslav Nehoda.

The attack also cut off water and disrupted heating supplies, regional defense headquarters chief Serhi Nadal said via Telegram.

Vyacheslav Nehoda said emergency services had largely restored water supplies by the morning and local authorities were planning to implement planned power cuts following the attack.

The electric buses serving the city will be replaced by ordinary buses and generators will make up for power outages in schools, hospitals and government institutions, he added.

Russia also targeted the city of kyiv overnight, the Ukrainian capital's military administration said on Telegram, adding that air defense units destroyed more than 10 Russian drones.

Falling debris damaged four private residences, two high-rise buildings, two garages and a car in the region surrounding the capital, its governor Ruslan Kravchenko said.
There was no damage or injuries in the city, Serhi Popko, head of kyiv's military administration, said on Telegram.