In the east of Ukraine, there is fierce combat as Russian soldiers try to push following a humiliating retreat a few weeks ago. Sergei Lavrov, the foreign minister of Russia, issued a caution against military conflict between nuclear-armed nations.
Russian forces are attempting to gain ground in Ukraine’s Kherson while continuing their aggressive offensive in the war-torn nation’s south, Kyiv claimed on Wednesday after making a swift retreat weeks earlier.
The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (Nato) conducted a conference of its foreign ministers in response to Russian aggression, and they vowed to support Ukraine and its neighbours, Moldova, Georgia, and Bosnia-Herzegovina. Moscow criticised the meeting’s conclusion and claimed it demonstrated Nato’s “total lack of interest in a political and diplomatic settlement in Ukraine.”
Top latest developments in the Russia-Ukraine war
Russian forces attempted to advance further in the Donetsk region of eastern Ukraine, the scene of the fiercest fighting, and shelled a number of towns, including Bakhmut and the nearby towns of Soledar and Opytne, according to a statement released by the General Staff of the Ukrainian Armed Forces on Wednesday night.
The provincial capital of Kherson, which Russian troops had earlier in November abandoned, was the target of defensive positions taken up by Russian forces on the southern front and tank, mortar, and artillery fire.
Sergei Lavrov, the foreign minister of Russia, claimed on Wednesday that the West was pressuring Ukraine to keep up the conflict with Russia. A military conflict of any kind between nuclear countries must be avoided, he added.
“Even with the employment of conventional weapons, any military conflict between nuclear countries must be avoided. The escalation could spiral out of control “As reported by the TASS news agency, Lavrov added.
Britain has issued new sanctions against 22 Russians who are reportedly involved in recruiting criminals to fight in Ukraine, adding to the trouble for Moscow, according to the Guardian. New targets for the sanctions include Deputy Prime Minister Denis Manturov, who is in charge of providing troops with equipment.
Putin approved a decree authorising the conscription of individuals convicted of major offences like murder, robbery, and drug trafficking before taking this move.
The European Union has suggested creating a court with UN backing to look into potential war crimes Russia committed in Ukraine and to utilise frozen Russian assets to rebuild the country that has been torn apart by war. Ukraine has accused Russian armed personnel of mistreatment, including murders in Bucha, lethal assaults on public buildings, and the torture of citizens in the just-liberated Kherson.
The energy deficit in Ukraine was reported to have decreased to 27% as officials reported progress in restoring power nationwide. Zelenskyy stated on Wednesday night that despite a severe winter, approximately six million people in the majority .
Russian President Vladimir Putin, according to US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, has “focused his ire and his fire” on the civilian population of Ukraine. Blinken also warned Russia that its strategy would fail to splinter Ukraine’s supporters.
“These are President Putin’s newest targets: heat, water, and electricity. He is striking them firmly. It is cruel that the Ukrainian people are being brutalised “added Blinken.
According to UN aid director Martin Griffiths, an agreement was nearly reached to resume Russian ammonia exports through a pipeline to a Ukrainian Black Sea port. He emphasised its importance and cautioned that if Russia’s fertiliser exports were not restored, there might be a food shortage a year later