Missile attacks on Kiev and Kharkiv – The night at a glance
Published: Thursday, Mar 21st 2024, 06:32
Volver a Live Feed
The Ukrainian capital Kiev was attacked with rockets in several waves on Thursday night. In the morning hours, explosions from anti-aircraft missiles could be heard in the city center, as a reporter from the German Press Agency reported. According to the Ukrainian army, the Russian military's strategic air force was deployed again from the Caspian Sea after an interruption of several weeks. Russian aircraft had previously dropped guided glide bombs on the Sumy region in the north-east.
Following the night-time siren alarm in Kiev, Mayor Vitali Klitschko reported that rocket fragments had fallen in several parts of the city. Several cars and a transformer house had caught fire. At least eight people were slightly injured. According to the Ukrainian air force, Russia also used "Kinschal" (Dagger) hypersonic missiles, which are difficult to intercept.
Meanwhile, the situation on the Russian-Ukrainian border between the cities of Belgorod and Kharkiv is escalating as a result of the ongoing exchange of fire. In Kharkiv, Ukraine's second largest city, a Russian missile attack killed at least five people on Wednesday. President Volodymyr Zelensky expressed his dismay in his evening video address: "Kharkiv and the region have been subjected to terrible Russian attacks for more than two years," he said. But Wednesday's deadly attack will only cause Ukraine to react even more forcefully.
On the Russian side, two men were killed by shelling from Ukraine in the Belgorod region in the district town of Graiworon near the border, according to Governor Vyacheslav Gladkov. He announced crisis measures for his region, which has been under fire from pro-Ukrainian militias for days. As supplies were deteriorating, food was to be distributed. Checkpoints would be set up in seven districts near the border to regulate access to villages. In these districts and in the regional capital Belgorod, the school vacations were also to begin early. In any case, around 9,000 children from the region are to be brought to safety, the first 1,200 of them as early as Friday.
In Kiev, Zelensky and the head of his presidential office, Andriy Yermak, met with US security advisor Jake Sullivan. The latter appealed for confidence in the continued support from the USA, even if new aid is currently still being blocked in parliament. Several other countries such as the Netherlands, Lithuania and Latvia announced arms aid for Ukraine. Thursday marks the 757th day of war.
Moscow threatens over the attacks on Belgorod
In Moscow, the Chairwoman of the Federation Council, Valentina Matviyenko, announced an "appropriate response" to the attacks on Belgorod and threatened to retaliate. The attacks by the Ukrainian armed forces targeted civilian objects and cities, said the confidante of Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin - without providing any evidence. She accused the USA, Great Britain and NATO of coordinating the actions of the Ukrainian army. She did not provide any evidence for this either. Pro-Ukrainian paramilitaries have claimed responsibility for the attacks, but not Kiev's regular armed forces. Putin had already said on Sunday evening that Russia could advance into Ukrainian territory in the border region in order to prevent attacks on Belgorod with a buffer zone.
US Security Advisor Sullivan in Kiev
Selensky spoke with US Security Advisor Sullivan about arms cooperation, as he reported after the meeting. He thanked the USA for their support. "Putin must lose - and this is a matter of life and death for the democratic world," said the Ukrainian head of state. As security advisor to President Joe Biden, Sullivan underlined the many ongoing US aid programs for the country attacked by Russia. At the same time, he called on the US Congress to release new money for Ukraine. Support for Kiev has been stuck for months in a dispute between Republicans and Democrats in the US Parliament.
Selenskyj appeals for Indian support
The Ukrainian president also spoke with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi about a planned summit on his peace formula, which is to take place in Switzerland. Zelensky's plan envisages the withdrawal of Russian troops from Ukraine. However, he is also concerned with compliance with international law, nuclear safety and global food supplies. Ukraine is using these issues to try to win over developing and emerging countries to its side.
According to the presidential office, Zelensky emphasized the importance of India's participation in the summit. India has traditionally maintained close relations with Russia and is one of the most important customers for Russian oil, which is no longer purchased by the West. New Delhi is neutral on the war of aggression against Ukraine, which has been going on for over two years, but has warned Moscow against the possible use of nuclear weapons.
Netherlands finances ammunition for fighter jets
The Dutch government wants to support the Ukraine in the war against Russia with ammunition worth 150 million euros. This was announced by the Ministry of Defense in The Hague. It concerns bombs for the F-16 fighter planes that Ukraine is to receive. The Netherlands is part of the coalition of countries providing the Ukraine with US F-16 fighter jets. Ukrainian pilots are currently being trained on these aircraft in Romania. It is unclear when the training will be completed and the F-16s can be deployed. The Netherlands intends to send a total of 24 F-16s to Ukraine. The Ministry of Defense has also announced that the Netherlands is providing around 200 million euros to purchase drones for Ukraine together with other countries.
The Baltic country of Lithuania has announced that it is contributing 35 million euros to a Czech initiative to procure artillery ammunition for Ukraine. Prague wants to buy around 800,000 shells from outside the EU. Latvia will also take part in the initiative. However, no amount has been specified. Ukraine has been complaining about a shortage of artillery ammunition for months. The army is increasingly on the defensive due to a lack of shells.
This will be important on Thursday
The heads of state and government of the 27 EU member states begin their two-day spring meeting in Brussels. They will also discuss how military aid for Ukraine can be increased and how the European defense industry can be strengthened.
©Keystone/SDA
Spanish 
English 
German 
French 
Arabic