Operations at St. Petersburg Airport are temporarily suspended due to security issues. In Russia, four teenagers were arrested for allegedly planning a bombing in Yekaterinburg, while an oil leak in Crimea prompted a state of emergency. In Transnistria, power outages continue amid gas supply cuts. Russia has threatened retaliation against Ukraine for missile attacks, as military activities escalate in eastern Ukraine. Calls for increased military support for Ukraine grow, emphasizing the need for a sustainable security framework in Europe.
Temporary Suspension of St. Petersburg Airport Operations
Authorities have announced a temporary halt to operations at the airport in St. Petersburg due to security concerns. Meanwhile, Ukraine successfully thwarted more than 80 drone attacks overnight. Stay tuned for ongoing updates.
Arrests and Environmental Concerns in Russia
In a separate incident, four teenagers in Russia, aged between 15 and 16, have been apprehended. The Russian intelligence service FSB claims they were plotting a bombing attack on busy locations in Yekaterinburg. Additionally, two of the suspects are accused of setting a police vehicle ablaze, although these claims remain unverified.
Officials in occupied Crimea have declared a state of emergency following an oil leak that affected four local beaches. Governor Mikhail Razvozhayev reassured the public via Telegram that the situation is under control and there is no significant pollution along the Sevastopol coastline. The leak originated from two storm-damaged tankers approximately 250 kilometers from Sevastopol, which is Crimea’s largest city. Recently, authorities in the Krasnodar region also declared an emergency due to oil traces found on their coast.
Mykhailo Podolyak, an advisor to the Ukrainian president, criticized the oil spill as a severe environmental disaster and called for stringent sanctions against Russian tankers.
Power Outages and Military Escalations
In Transnistria, the pro-Russian region of Moldova, power outages persist following the cessation of Russian gas supplies. The local leader, Vadim Krasnoselsky, announced a three-hour power cut today, with experts predicting an extension to four hours tomorrow to secure energy supply. This gas cut-off began on January 1, leading to many companies halting their operations just a day later.
Russia has issued threats of retaliation against Ukraine over an alleged missile attack targeting the Belgorod region, claiming that the attack was supported by Western allies. The Russian Ministry of Defense stated it intercepted eight US-made ATACMS missiles, along with 72 drones. President Vladimir Putin previously warned of a response involving hypersonic missiles if Ukraine continued attacks against Russian territory.
Reports indicate that Russian forces are advancing near Pokrovsk in eastern Ukraine, attempting to bypass the city and disrupt Ukrainian supply lines. In the last 24 hours, they have launched 34 attacks and sought to breach Ukrainian defenses south of the city.
St. Petersburg’s airport remains under a temporary suspension for security reasons, with no flights allowed to take off or land, as confirmed by the aviation authority, Rosaviatsiya.
Additionally, the Russian military has claimed to have intercepted eight ATACMS missiles, along with 72 drones, although details regarding damages or casualties have not been disclosed. Conversely, the Ukrainian Air Force asserts it shot down 34 of the 81 Russian drones deployed overnight, citing a tactic to disrupt drone electronics to divert them.
Manfred Weber, chairman of the conservative European People’s Party (EPP) in the European Parliament, has called for increased military support for Ukraine. He noted that Germany is currently contributing only about 0.64 percent of its GDP towards aid for Ukraine. Weber emphasized the importance of establishing a sustainable peace and security framework in Europe while advocating for an increase in German defense spending.
As the situation develops, Ukrainian President Zelensky expresses hope that the unpredictability of global leaders will primarily impact Russia. Recent conflicts have resulted in casualties on both sides, with five reported deaths from ongoing attacks.