6 minutes agoWar reports as the so-called Kremlin truce enters into force
Periskopi(3 years ago)
(3 years ago)The truce announced by the Kremlin in Ukraine, on Orthodox Christmas, came into force on January 6th, but it is unclear whether any party will hold back after Kiev and some Western governments including the American Government called the truce Russia's pretext to regroup, following the impasses it has suffered on the battlefield during [...]
Russian television said the ceasefire went into effect at noon, with Moscow's local time, and would be implemented “along the entire contact line” in Ukraine.
But Ukrainian officials in Kramatorsk reported bombings and Russian state news agency TASS, said Russian forces have promoted Donjecku “specifically at noon”. Meanwhile, Ukrinform reported that almost an hour after the ceasefire was launched throughout the country, warning sirens for air strikes.
None of these reports could be verified independently.
Russian President Vladimir Putin announced the ceasefire and said he would enter into force by 0900 on January 6, according to local time, and will be in force by midnight on January 7th. But his Ukrainian counterpart, Wolfymyr Zelensky, rejected these calls, saying Russia would use this time to improve its position on the battlefield.
“Everyone in the world knows how the Kremlin uses its pause in the war to continue with a new force”, Zelensky said through a video message published in the late hours of January 5th.
It is not clear whether Ukraine will maintain the truce, nor has Moscow said whether to retaliate if the Ukrainian forces attack them.
During New Year's celebrations, Russia launched air strikes at several locations within Ukraine.
American President Joe Biden said Putin was “tinating to find oxygen” using the truce.
Russia's declared truce was condemned by Germany's Foreign Affairs Minister Annalena Baerbock, who said the ceasefire “does not bring freedom or security to residents who daily live in fear under Russian occupation”.
Putin announced the ceasefire on the same day that Berlin and Washington pledged additional military assistance to Kiev, including armoured infantry vehicles, Breadly and Marder. The United States has also promised other antiaircraft systems Patriot.
American officials said on January 5th that Washington's new aid package, which includes dozens of Bradley cars, totals almost $3 billion. This will be the highest-value package Washington will grant Ukraine, which has been facing Russian invasion since February 24th, 2022. / REL
