(Formulation in the third sentence of the first paragraph more precise)
Kyiv / MOSCOW (dpa-AFX) – With his signature, the Russian President Wladimir Putin completed the illegal annexations of four regions in eastern Ukraine. The corresponding laws came into force, as the Kremlin announced on Wednesday. From Russia’s point of view, the Cherson, Zaporizhia, Luhansk and Donetsk regions officially belong to the nuclear power. They are sometimes still hard fought, Ukraine reported recaptures.
Because of the Russian losses, there are growing concerns about a further escalation and the use of nuclear weapons. EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell warned that Moscow could feel compelled to take this step as a result of the setbacks it has suffered. Kremlin spokesman Dimitri Peskov made it clear that the Russians wanted to recapture the areas they had recently lost to the Ukrainian armed forces. According to information from Kyiv, Russia attacked targets near the Ukrainian capital with kamikaze drones for the first time.
Meanwhile, the European Union has launched an eighth package of measures against Moscow. The sanctions, which were approved by the permanent representatives of the member states, include, among other things, the legal requirements for a price cap on oil imports from Russia. The German Press Agency learned this from several diplomats. The agreement should be confirmed in writing by the capitals in the next few hours.
Putin signs law annexing Ukrainian territories
By signing the corresponding decrees, Vladimir Putin completed the illegal annexation of the occupied parts of the Ukrainian regions of Cherson, Zaporizhia, Luhansk and Donetsk. He signed and implemented the laws on the integration of regions into Russian territory passed by the State Duma and the Federation Council. These regions are thus officially under the protection of the nuclear power. However, Moscow only controls parts of these areas in southern and eastern Ukraine. The Ukraine has recently reported land gains there again and again. Initially, the regions will be headed by officials appointed by Moscow, because the regional parliaments are not to be elected until September next year.
Russia does not want to give up areas liberated from Ukraine
Moscow does not want to give up the areas lost again in the recent Ukrainian counter-offensive. The goal is to get them back under control as quickly as possible. “They will always belong to Russia,” said Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov, according to the TASS agency. However, the attacks by Ukraine are causing problems for Russia in supplying its units, British secret services have reported.
EU chief diplomat warns of nuclear escalation in Ukraine war
In view of Ukraine’s successes on the battlefield, EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell warned against Russia using nuclear weapons. The war has entered a new phase, in which a nuclear power is going backwards and there are threats that nuclear weapons will also be used, said the EU chief diplomat. You shouldn’t close your eyes to that. “It’s certainly a worrying scenario in which we have to show that our support for Ukraine doesn’t waver,” the Spaniard underlined.
Czech President Milos Zeman also warned of the “serious risk” of a nuclear conflict. In his view, the West should warn the Kremlin that in such a case it would have to reckon not just with a diplomatic reaction, but with a “decisive military response”: “With all the consequences that may have.”
Ukraine: Russia uses combat drones to attack targets near Kyiv
Meanwhile, according to Ukrainian sources, the Russians attacked targets near Kyiv with kamikaze drones for the first time. The governor of the Kyiv region spoke of six impacts and explosions. Infrastructure was hit, one person was injured. During the night there had been air alerts in the capital and the surrounding area for more than three hours. According to the air force, a total of 12 Iranian drones have flown towards targets from the south. Iran had officially denied a delivery.
EU countries launch new sanctions package against Russia
The EU countries have launched an eighth package of sanctions against Russia. Among other things, the permanent representatives of the member states approved the legal requirements for a price cap for oil imports from Russia supported by the G7 states. This was confirmed by diplomats from the German Press Agency in Brussels. The agreement still has to be confirmed by the capitals in the written procedure. This should be done by Thursday morning. Part of the basic agreement on the new sanctions are various export bans that affect certain key technologies for aviation. In addition, there should be an import ban for certain steel from Russia. EU citizens are also said to be banned from holding seats on the governing bodies of Russian state-owned companies.
Russian war opponent Ovzyannikova escaped from house arrest
Former Russian TV editor Marina Ovsyannikova, known for her criticism of Russia’s war against Ukraine, says she has escaped from house arrest. The 44-year-old wrote this in the Telegram news service. According to earlier information, the house arrest had been scheduled until next Sunday. Ovsyannikova is on a wanted list. The detention is part of a criminal case in which she is charged with spreading alleged misinformation about the Russian armed forces.
By decree, Putin annexes Europe’s largest nuclear power plant
Putin instructed his government by decree to nationalization of the Ukrainian nuclear power plant Zaporizhia. The nuclear power plant is the largest nuclear power plant in Europe and has been occupied by Russian troops since early March. It has come under fire several times during heavy fighting in recent months and has even had to be shut down.
NATO declares new battle group on eastern flank ready for action
The NATO battle group set up in Slovakia to better protect the eastern flank is ready for action. As the defense alliance announced on , the multinational combat force has shown in the recently completed exercise Strong Cohesion (“strong cohesion”) that it can fulfill its tasks. This followed several months of preparation.
Germany is also involved in the new battle group in Slovakia. the armed forces According to its own statements, around 550 soldiers were present in the EU country west of Ukraine after the end of September. The Czech Republic, the United States, Slovenia and the guest country Slovakia will also be there./msw/DP/he