European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced on Friday (October 21st) that the European Union plans to provide aid of 1.5 billion euros per month to Ukraine in 2023. Russian authorities accused Friday the Ukraine strikes that killed four people, including two journalists, in Kherson, in the south of the country. Franceinfo takes stock of the day’s news on the war front in Ukraine.
Europeans call for UN investigation into Iranian drones in Ukraine
France, the United Kingdom and Germany called on Friday, in a letter addressed to the UN, for an investigation “impartial” on the Iranian drones supplied according to the West to Russia in its war against Ukraine.
“A survey by the UN Secretariat’s implementation team œImplementation of Security Council Resolution 2231 would be welcome and we are prepared to support the work of the secretariat to conduct its technical and impartial investigation.”notes the letter consulted by AFP and addressed to the Security Council and the Secretary General of the United Nations, Antonio Guterres.
Volodymyr Zelensky praises the “good results” of his army against the Russians in the Kherson region
The Ukrainian President on Friday welcomed the “good results” of its army against Russian troops in the region of Kherson, in the south of the country, where kyiv claims to have taken over dozens of localities and recovered Russian weapons.
“Thank you also to the soldiers of the 60th Separate Infantry Brigade, whose units show good results in the Kherson region”Volodymyr Zelensky said in a video, announcing the capture of more than 30 armored vehicles, a thousand tank projectiles and three artillery pieces.
kyiv accuses Russia of “deliberately” delaying Ukrainian grain exports
The Ukrainian president accused Russia of delaying “deliberately” the passage of ships loaded with Ukrainian grain, a vital supply for many countries in Africa and Asia.
“More than 150 ships are in a queue to fulfill contractual obligations to supply our agricultural products. This is an artificial queue, which has arisen only because Russia deliberately delays the passage of ships “Volodymyr Zelensky said in a video, without specifying what he accused Moscow of.
Ukraine calls for an international observation mission at the Kakhovka dam
Ukraine called on Friday for an international observation mission at the Kakhovka dam, in the Kherson region (south) occupied by Russian forces, which kyiv accuses Moscow of having undermined.
“We call on the UN, the EU and other organizations to organize an international observation mission from Kakhovka. International experts must arrive immediately (to the site), as well as Ukrainian personnel”Prime Minister Denys Chmygal urged at a government meeting.
Moscow denounces 4 dead, including two journalists, during a strike in Kherson
Russian authorities announced on Friday the death of four people, including two journalists, during a night bombardment on a bridge in Kherson, a city under Russian occupation in southern Ukraine, kyiv denying having carried out the strike.
In a statement, the Russian Investigative Committee, in charge of the main criminal investigations, said that a “column of civilians” suffered a Ukrainian bombardment as it crossed the Dnieper River which borders Kherson. Evacuations are underway there in the face of the advance of the Ukrainian army. According to this source, at least four people were killed, “including two journalists who were with the population”, and 13 other people injured. No details have been given at this stage on the identity of the journalists killed.
EU plans aid of 1.5 billion euros per month for Ukraine
The European Union plans to provide aid of 1.5 billion euros per month to Ukraine in 2023 to support this country at war, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced on Friday after a meeting. a summit of the Twenty-Seven.
“So this will give an overall figure of 18 billion for next year (…), a predictable, stable and reliable income stream”said Ursula von der Leyen at a press conference in Brussels. “We have instructed finance ministers to develop the appropriate mechanism”, she added. While the Ukrainian economy is devastated by eight months of Russian offensive, kyiv estimates the government’s monthly financing needs at between three and four billion euros.
The US Secretary of Defense spoke with his Russian counterpart
Pentagon chief Lloyd Austin and his Russian counterpart Sergei Shoigu spoke to each other on Friday for the first time in months, Washington assuring at the same time that the Kremlin did not see any desire for a discussion aimed at stopping the war in Ukraine.
During this rare telephone exchange, Lloyd Austin underlined “the importance of maintaining communication channels” as the West fears a possible mad rush by President Vladimir Putin to use atomic weapons in the ongoing conflict, according to the US Department of Defense. The Pentagon did not provide further details of their conversation, but the Russian ministry said earlier that the two men discussed “several topical issues of international security, including the situation in Ukraine”.
Ukraine claims to have recaptured 88 localities from Russian forces in the Kherson region
Ukraine said on Friday it had recaptured 88 localities from Russian forces in the Kherson region of southern Ukraine as the pro-Russian occupation administration evacuated thousands of civilians in the face of the surge. “Kherson region: 88 localities recaptured”, said on Telegram an adviser to the Ukrainian presidency, Kyrylo Tymoshenko. A previous assessment, on October 13, reported 75 towns and villages taken over by kyiv.