Ukraine war: German Leopard tanks ready in 2024, hopes fade in Dnipro, Putin says war is going well

1. Ammo dump explodes in Russia

Three individuals had been killed and 13 injured in an ammunition explosion in Russia’s Belgorod area, RIA Novosti information company reported on Sunday. 

Authorities stated earlier on Sunday that 10 Russian servicemen had been injured within the blast in a cultural centre within the Belgorod area, which borders Ukraine and is the placement of a number of Russian army bases and coaching grounds.

The 112 and Baza Telegram channels, that are related to Russia’s legislation enforcement businesses, stated the lifeless and injured had been Russian conscripts who had been known as as much as combat in Ukraine below Russia’s mobilisation drive, introduced final September.

They reported that the blast occurred after a soldier mishandled a grenade in a neighborhood cultural centre that had been transformed to retailer ammunition.

2. Hope fade for survivors in Dnipro

The dying toll from a Russian missile strike on an residence constructing within the southeastern Ukrainian metropolis of Dnipro rose to 25 Sunday, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy reported as rescue employees scrambled to drag survivors from the rubble.

Emergency crews labored via the frigid evening on the wrecked multi-story residential constructing, the positioning of the worst casualties from a widespread Russian barrage Saturday.

The assaults, which additionally focused the capital, Kyiv, and the northeastern metropolis of Kharkiv, ended a two-week lull within the airstrikes Russia has launched in opposition to Ukraine’s energy infrastructure and concrete centres virtually weekly since October.

Russia fired 33 cruise missiles on Saturday, of which 21 had been shot down, in keeping with Gen. Valerii Zaluzhny, the commander-in-chief of the Ukrainian armed forces. 

Zelenskyy reported that at the least 73 individuals had been wounded and 39 individuals had been rescued as of Sunday afternoon. Town authorities in Dnipro stated 43 individuals had been reported lacking.

“Search and rescue operations and the dismantling of harmful structural parts continues. Across the clock. We proceed to combat for each life,” the Ukrainian chief stated.

3. Repaired German Leopard tanks prepared in 2024, says arms maker

German weapons producer Rheinmetall may ship repaired Leopard 2 battle tanks to Ukraine in 2024 on the earliest, its chief govt was quoted as saying by Bild newspaper on Sunday.

It will additionally want a confirmed order to start repairs

Germany introduced earlier this month that it might present Ukraine with 40 Marder infantry preventing autos to assist repel Russian forces.

However Kyiv has additionally requested heavier autos such because the Leopards, which might signify a big step-up in Western help to Ukraine. 

Earlier this month, Economic system Minister Robert Habeck stated delivering the Leopard tanks couldn’t be “dominated out”. 

The German military has solely round 350 Leopard 2 tanks as we speak, in comparison with some 4,000 battle foremost tanks on the peak of the Chilly Warfare.

Germany has grow to be one among Ukraine’s prime army supporters in response to Russia’s invasion after final yr, overcoming a taboo that’s rooted in its bloody Twentieth-century historical past on sending weapons to battle zones.

Nonetheless, critics say German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and his ruling SPD are too sluggish, ready for allies to behave first as a substitute of assuming Germany’s accountability because the Western energy closest to Ukraine.

4. Putin says Russian ‘army operation’ going effectively

Russian President Vladimir Putin stated that the army operation in Ukraine had gained optimistic momentum, after Russia claimed management of Soledar in japanese Ukraine. 

This declare is disputed by Ukraine, which says its forces are nonetheless within the besieged salt-mining city within the dontesky area. 

Talking on Sunday the Russian chief stated he hoped his troopers would ship extra wins.

“The dynamic is optimistic,” Putin instructed Rossiya 1 state tv when requested concerning the taking of Soledar. “All the things is growing throughout the framework of the plan of the Ministry of Protection and the Basic Workers.”

“And I hope that our fighters will please us much more with the outcomes of their fight,” Putin stated.

If Russia is certainly answerable for Soledar it might signify a conflict success for Moscow, following months of battlefield setbacks. 

Putin now casts the conflict in Ukraine as an existential battle with an aggressive and smug west, and has stated that Russia will use all obtainable means to guard itself and its individuals in opposition to any aggressor.

The US and its allies have condemned Russia’s invasion of Ukraine as an imperial land seize, whereas Ukraine has vowed to combat till the final Russian soldier is ejected from its territory.

Euronews can’t confirm the state of affairs in Soledar. 

**5.**Britain to ship 14 of its foremost battle tanks to Ukraine

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s workplace stated late on Saturday that Britain would ship 14 of its foremost battle tanks to Ukraine, amid criticism from the Russian Embassy in London. 

Further artillery help was additionally promised. 

A squadron of 14 Challenger 2 tanks will go into the nation within the coming weeks and round 30 self-propelled AS90 weapons, operated by 5 gunners, are anticipated to observe, the British prime minister’s workplace stated in an announcement.

The UK can even start coaching Ukrainian forces to make use of the tanks and weapons within the coming days.

“Because the individuals of Ukraine method their second yr dwelling below relentless Russian bombardment, the Prime Minister is devoted to making sure Ukraine wins this conflict,” a spokesperson for the prime minister stated in an announcement.

“Alongside his closest army advisors, he has analysed the army image, regarded on the strategic impression of the UK’s help and recognized a window the place he thinks the UK and its allies can have most impression.”

Sunak’s workplace stated earlier this week that Britain would coordinate its help with allies after Germany, France and america — all indicated final week they would offer armoured autos to Ukraine.

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