16 dec 2023 om 16:49
NU.nl regularly gives you an overview of the situation in Ukraine. This time: Ukrainian troops are faced with ammunition shortages and therefore have to use it sparingly. Furthermore, the Russian army is increasing pressure to capture the city of Kupyansk.
Developments in Ukraine are following each other in rapid succession. We therefore regularly list recent events. Subscribe to the tag ‘Ukraine update’ to receive a notification when we post another overview.
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Kupyansk, located in the Kharkiv region, was still in Russia’s hands from the start of the war until September last year. A Ukrainian counterattack drove Russian troops out of the city. Since then, Russia has been trying to take the city back, because the logistics are extremely favorable to supply the south and west from there.
A spokesperson for the Ukrainian army told the Ukrainian news site Ukrinform that Russia has recently deployed large equipment to Kupyansk. Many Russian units would also be sent that way.
Meanwhile, the governor of the Kharkiv region has announced Kyiv Independent confirmed that all families with children in and around Kupyansk have now been evacuated to safer areas.
Families with children have now been evacuated from Kupiansk, which is preparing for a Russian offensive. Photo: Getty Images
Ukrainian troops must use ammunition sparingly
Ukrainian army units in the east of the country must use ammunition very sparingly, reports the BBC. The news organization visited the front line and spoke with several soldiers there. The conclusion: ammunition stocks are declining rapidly.
The problem is that the troops need more bullets than Western allies can currently provide. According to the troops, they need more ammunition. If not, they must stop recapturing areas occupied by Russia. They also argue that this way they cannot stop the Russian attacks and will lose the war.
“During the peak of the counter-offensive, the ratio between our artillery fire and that of the Russians was about equal or even in our favor,” soldier Sashko told the broadcaster. “Now we fire one bullet for every four or five bullets Russia fires.”
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Dozens of Ukrainian drones have been shot down, according to Russia
Russia says its own air defenses have downed about 40 drones from Ukraine, mainly over Crimea. Nothing has yet been announced about possible damage in that area.
The Defense Ministry says 32 of the unmanned aircraft were downed over Crimea, a peninsula that Russia annexed in 2014. Other drones are said to have been disabled over the Kursk and Belgorod regions.
Both warring parties use drones to carry out attacks. Earlier on Saturday, Ukraine announced that it had shot down 30 of the 31 drones used by Russia in an attack.
The number of people injured by a Russian missile attack on Kyiv is rising. Authorities say there are at least 53 victims, including six children. Attacks and debris from rockets fired from the sky caused damage to houses, a children’s hospital and parked cars.
Many people have been injured in a rocket attack on Kyiv. There was also damage to houses, cars and a children’s hospital. Photo: AFP
Lithuania completes repairs of first Ukrainian Leopard 2 tanks
The first Ukrainian Leopard 2 tanks have been repaired in Lithuania. The tanks supplied to Ukraine were used in the war against Russia and are expected to return to the battlefield next month.
“Lithuania consistently supports Ukraine’s struggle for independence and not only sends military aid but also helps repair Leopard tanks,” said Arvydas Anusauskas, the NATO country’s defense minister.
Ukrainian village chief explodes grenade during meeting
At least 26 people have been injured in the Transcarpathia region of western Ukraine after a local representative exploded a grenade during a village meeting. Six victims are in critical condition. The person who fired the grenade had to be resuscitated by emergency workers.
The police have not yet determined what the perpetrator’s motive was. Video footage shows how, after a brief consultation, he takes a grenade from his pocket and throws it on the ground, after which it explodes.
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2023-12-16 15:49:00
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