Connect with us

Russia

Russia steps up Kherson shelling, dismisses Zelenskiy's peace plan

SHARE:

Published

on

We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you've consented to and to improve our understanding of you. You can unsubscribe at any time.

The recently liberated south Ukrainian city of Kherson was subject to intense mortar and artillery fire from Russian forces crossing the Dnipro River. Meanwhile, the Kremlin rejected a Ukrainian peace proposal, demanding that Kyiv agree to its annexation.

Kherson was still under attack by Russian forces, who had moved to the east bank when the city was retaken last month in a major victory for Ukraine.

According to Kyrylo Tymoshenko (Deputy Chief of Staff of President Volodymyr Zelenskiy), the shelling occurred Wednesday at a hospital's maternity wing. However, no one was injured. Tymoshenko posted on Telegram that staff and patients were moved into a shelter.

"It was terrifying... the explosions started abruptly, and the window handle began to tear off... my hands are still shaking," Olha Prysidko said, a mother of a newborn. The shelling continued when we reached the basement.

Moscow repeatedly denies targeting civilians.

Zelenskiy encouraged Ukrainians to hug their loved ones, tell their friends how much they appreciate them and support their colleagues. He also encouraged them to thank their parents, be more joyful with their children, and give thanks for their parents.

He said: "We haven't lost our humanity, even though we have suffered terrible months. And we won't lose it, even though there are difficult years ahead."

Advertisement

On 24 February, Russia invaded Ukraine. Kyiv and its Western allies denounce Russia's actions, calling them an imperialist-style land grab. Russian President Vladimir Putin called it a "specially military operation" to demilitarize the neighbor.

Russia has been subject to severe sanctions for its war on terror, which has resulted in the deaths of tens of thousands, forced millions of people from their homes, destroyed cities, and caused a shakeup of the global economy. This has pushed up food and energy prices.

Gazprom data and Reuters calculations reveal that Russian gas exports to Europe via its pipelines fell to a post Soviet low in 2022, as its largest customer cut imports from Ukraine. Also, a major pipeline was damaged during mysterious blasts.

'TODAY'S REALITIES'

Talks to end the war are not possible.

Zelenskiy vigorously promotes a 10-point Peace Plan, which envisages Russia respecting Ukraine’s territorial integrity and withdrawing all its troops.

Moscow rejected it on Wednesday (28 December), insisting that Kyiv must agree to Russia's annexed of the four regions – Luhansk, Donetsk, Kherson, and Zaporizhzhia, in the east.

Dmitry Peskov, a Kremlin spokesperson, stated that there can't be a peace plan "that doesn't take into account the realities of today regarding Russian territory and with the entry into Russia of four regions".

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov stated that Zelenskiy's plan to drive Russia out of Ukraine and Crimea using Western aid and get Moscow to compensate Kyiv for damages is an "illusion", according to the RIA news agency.

TASS quoted Lavrov as saying Russia will continue to increase its technological and fighting capabilities in Ukraine. He stated that Moscow's mobilized troops had received "serious training", and although many are now on the ground they do not yet have the majority.

Zelenskiy encouraged parliament to remain united, and thanked Ukrainians for helping the West "find its way again".

In an annual speech, he stated that "our national colours are today an internationally recognized symbol of courage and indomitability for the whole world."

KHERSON ATTACKS

According to the General Staff of Ukraine’s Armed Forces, Russia shelled more then 25 settlements in the area of Zaporizhzhia and Kherson. The Russian-annexed Crimea is accessible via the Kherson region at the mouth the Dnipro.

Heavy fighting continued around Bakhmut in Ukraine's eastern province of Donetsk and to its north around Svatove, Kreminna and Luhansk where Ukrainian forces are trying break the Russian defensive lines.

The British defense ministry stated that Russia likely strengthened the Kreminna section, as it is both logistically vital and vulnerable to Ukrainian advances.

Oleh Zhdanov, a Kyiv-based military analyst, noted that Kharkiv had also been under heavy attack which resulted in the destruction of a regional gas pipe.

Kharkiv Mayor Ihor Terekhov stated in Telegram that two attacks had occurred on Kharkiv, "presumably" by Iranian Shahed drones. Five of these drones were reported to have been downed over Dnipro by Ukraine's eastern command.

Share this article:

EU Reporter publishes articles from a variety of outside sources which express a wide range of viewpoints. The positions taken in these articles are not necessarily those of EU Reporter.

Trending