After two days of intensive bombardments claimed by Russia, Ukraine affirmed, Wednesday, October 12, to have taken back several localities from the Russians in the south of the country. kyiv has also welcomed the arrival of a new Western air defense system, predicting “a new era”. Its allies, including France, have pledged in Brussels to strengthen its anti-aircraft defense “as soon as possible”. Franceinfo takes stock of the day’s news on the frontline of the war in Ukraine.
Five new localities have been reconquered in the Kherson region
On the southern front, in the Kherson region, one of the four which Moscow has claimed for annexation, five new localities have been reconquered, the Ukrainian presidency announced on Wednesday. These are Novovasylivka, Novogrygorivka, Nova Kamianka, Tryfonivka, and Chervone. This would be the latest setback for the Russian army, which has been retreating in this area as in the northeast and east since the beginning of September.
kyiv, however, noted that Russian artillery was putting up resistance “to deter counter-offensive along the line of contact”.
At least seven dead in Ukrainian market
A Russian strike on a market in the town of Avdiivka, near the front line in eastern Ukraine, has left at least seven people dead and eight injured, announced the Ukrainian governor of the Donetsk region, Pavlo Kyrylenko, on Telegram. “The Russians hit the central market, where many people were at that time”he added.
Ukraine’s allies, including France, will strengthen its anti-aircraft defense
Ukraine’s allies met in Brussels on Wednesday to bolster its air defence, “priority” after a series of massive Russian strikes on several cities in the country. The day before, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky had asked the G7 to create an anti-aircraft “shield” over Ukraine.
Ukrainians have “an urgent need” anti-aircraft defenses to deal with indiscriminate bombing by Russia, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg admitted at the start of a meeting of Alliance Defense Ministers. “Some Allies have provided such defense systems”he pointed out. “But Ukrainians need more”.
France has rightly undertaken to do more. Emmanuelle Macron announced on France 2 that the country was going “deliver radars, systems and missiles [anti-aériens] to protect [les Ukrainiens] attacks, in particular to protect them from drone attacks”, he said. The French president also reiterated that France plans to deliver six additional Caesar guns to Ukraine.
The Kremlin says it expects that the Turkish president plays the role of mediator
A meeting is scheduled for Thursday in Kazakhstan between the Turkish president and his Russian counterpart. Lhe Kremlin signaled on Wednesday that it expects Recep Tayyip Erdogan to make Vladimir Putin a concrete offer to mediate the conflict when they meet. “The Turks offer their mediation. If (Russian-Ukrainian) contacts were to take place, they would be made on the territory” Turkish, added to the press the diplomatic adviser of the Kremlin, Yuri Ushakov. “Erdogan will probably officially come up with something”he added, specifying to expect a “interesting and useful discussion”.
The French president for his part urged Vladimir Putin to “return to the discussion table”. Emmanuel Macron assured France 2 that he would continue to talk to him “whenever necessary”.
UN condemns ‘illegal annexation’ of Ukrainian territories by Russia
Still on the diplomatic ground, the UN General Assembly on Thursday condemned with a large majority the “illegal annexations” territories of Ukraine by Russia, after Moscow vetoed a similar text presented to the Security Council.
The General Assembly of 193 Member States, meeting in emergency since Monday, adopted this resolution with 143 votes in favor, against five countries against and 35 who abstained, including China, India, Pakistan and South Africa. South, despite diplomatic efforts by the United States.