Heads up: Russia said on Tuesday, December 23, it has captured two villages in eastern Ukraine just days after the US-led peace talks in Miami ⚔️.
The Russian Defense Ministry named the villages as Prylipka in Kharkiv region and Andriivka in Dnipropetrovsk region, claiming Ukrainian forces lost 1,405 combatants.
This morning, Moscow launched a coordinated missile and drone bombardment, killing at least three people, including a 4-year-old child, and triggering emergency power outages across western Ukraine. Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko warned some areas could be without power for days 💥🔋.
President Zelenskyy blasted the attack on social media, calling it 'an extremely clear signal about Russia's priorities' and criticising the timing amid ongoing negotiations.
Officials report the strikes hit 13 regions, using over 650 Shahed drones and 30 missiles. Ukraine's air force says most munitions were shot down, but some crossed the border into Poland, prompting Warsaw to scramble aircraft 🛡️.
Zelenskyy urged Western allies to step up support and dial up pressure on Russia: 'Putin still cannot accept that he must stop killing. Now is the time to respond.'
Just days before Christmas, he had warned that Moscow often conducts strikes over the holiday period.
Hours after the talks in Miami, a car bombing in Moscow killed a Russian general—an event that may have fueled further escalation, though Kyiv has not officially claimed responsibility.
While the Miami talks were labelled 'constructive', Russia rejected a 20-point peace plan covering nearly 90% of Ukraine's demands. Western allies remain split: Hungary’s Viktor Orban pushes an immediate ceasefire, while many EU leaders back a long-term strategy against Russia 🤝🕰️.
As Moscow steps up strikes on critical infrastructure, rising energy costs and the war’s economic toll are boosting domestic opposition in Europe to the ongoing conflict.
Reference(s):
Russia claims taking 2 Ukraine villages, Kyiv condemns Russian strike
cgtn.com
