Russia Ukraine war latest: Putin says he wishes he had invaded earlier as Moscow launches deadly Kyiv strikes

Russia fired practically 50 missiles and drones at Ukraine in a single day, Kyiv’s air drive has reported.

In an replace on the Telegram messenger app, Ukraine’s air drive stated Russia fired 5 ballistic missiles and 40 drones, whereas a further 20 drones had been misplaced earlier than they reached their goal.

The 5 missiles had been fired at Kyiv at roughly 7am native time, the air drive added, killing no less than one individual and destroying the roof of a excessive rise constructing, in addition to a number of different homes.

Throughout boasts about Russia’s navy achievements in his annual marathon televised information convention, Vladimir Putin says he is able to compromise over Ukraine in doable talks on ending his conflict and has no circumstances for beginning discussions.

The Russian president informed one reporter he was prepared to fulfill Donald Trump, who he stated he had not spoken to for years.

My colleague Alastair Jamieson reviews:

Turkey has obtained an exemption for fuel funds to Russia from sanctions imposed on Gazprombank by the US, Turkish power minister Alparslan Bayraktar stated.

In November, the US imposed new sanctions on Russia’s Gazprombank as president Joe Biden stepped up actions to punish Moscow for its invasion of Ukraine earlier than he leaves workplace in January.

Russian fuel producer Gazprom stated it might ship 42.4 million cubic metres (mcm) of fuel to Europe by way of Ukraine right this moment, the identical quantity as yesterday.

Ukraine posts image of British missiles heading in the direction of Russian forces

The Ukrainian defence ministry has posted a photograph purporting to point out a British-made Storm Shadow missile being fired in the direction of Russian forces.

Restrictions on using missiles to strike inside Russia had been lifted just lately, prompting the Kremlin to accuse Ukraine’s western backers of attempting to escalate the conflict. These considerations had been dismissed on the premise that the transfer was nonetheless defensive in nature, supposed to blunt Russia’s skill to assault Ukraine.

One individual has been killed in a Russian missile assault on Kyiv, in response to the top of metropolis’s navy administration.

The morning assault sparked fires throughout the town, along with damaging an workplace constructing, Serhiy Popko stated this morning, citing preliminary info.

European leaders are voicing their assist for Ukraine as Russia continues to achieve floor on the battlefield.

“We have to stand with Ukraine, and each step … must be taken with Ukraine and within the presence of the European Union,” stated Luxembourg prime minister Luc Frieden. “The way forward for Ukraine is determined in Europe and never elsewhere,” he stated.

Dutch prime minister Dick Schoof underlined that solely Ukraine can decide the circumstances for talks, “and it’s not for us to speak about that. For the time being, Ukraine has not but indicated that they’re ready to take action.”

The message of assist for Ukraine has strengthened amid Ukraine’s weakened place within the conflict as president-elect Donald Trump is about to imagine workplace subsequent month.

Volodymr Zelensky has additionally doubled down on his diplomatic efforts, calling on the EU and the US to remain united subsequent yr, saying that “solely collectively the US and Europe can cease Putin and save Ukraine.” He stated that the one efficient safety assure stays Nato membership.

German chancellor Olaf Scholz stated it’s necessary to “guarantee long-term support to Ukraine – it should be clear that we’re ready to allow assist so long as it’s wanted.”

Air defence, artillery and ammunition are excessive on the record, he informed reporters.

On 20 January, Donald Trump returns to the White Home, having promised to finish the conflict in Ukraine shortly and talked up his relationship with Russian president Vladimir Putin. Many Europeans are involved that it would lead to a poor deal for Ukraine.

Requested about Mr Trump, Mr Scholz stated that his impression from speaking to the president-elect “is that good cooperation between Europe and the US is feasible”. He stated that “the precept is all the time: no choices over Ukrainians’ heads, and that after all means over these of the European states.”