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The Czech Republic received Leopard 2 tanks from Germany as part of a “ring swap”.
Photo: VLADIMIR PRYCEK / EPA
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Klitschko requests Germany to supply Leopard 2 tanks
11:13 a.m .:
Vitali Klitschko has requested the delivery of Leopard 2 tanks from Germany.
“It will depend crucially on Germany that Leopard 2 tanks are finally delivered.
Without this type of tank, it will be difficult to recapture more areas in Ukraine," writes the mayor of Kyiv in a guest article in the "Bild am Sonntag".
The politician also expects a new attack on Kyiv.
Russia is mobilizing more forces, up to 300,000 soldiers could tackle another attack on Ukraine.
"Kyiv was a target and Kyiv remains a target," writes Klitschko.
The aim of the Russian army was to bring Ukraine "a dark Christmas, a dark New Year, a dark future," Klitschko continued.
“But, as always in this war, they miscalculated!
We are stronger, also thanks to Germany: The German Iris-T missile defense system helps like nothing else to ensure that our civil infrastructure is not completely destroyed, but that we have been able to renew it again and again.«
Despite requests from Kyiv, the German government has so far refused to hand over modern Leopard and Marder tanks to Ukraine.
Berlin relies on indirect tank deliveries via NATO partners.
Ukraine: 45 combat drones destroyed on New Year's night
10.50 a.m .:
Russia attacked Ukraine on New Year’s night with a total of 45 drones, according to the air defense in Kiev.
All Iranian Shahed-136 kamikaze combat drones were destroyed by air defense, the armed forces said on New Year's Day.
"It was not possible to spoil the celebration for the Ukrainians," the statement said.
Russia uses the drones under its own name Geran - in English: geranium - to cover up Iranian involvement.
Russia and Iran have long cooperated militarily.
»The soldiers of the Ukrainian Air Force congratulate their indomitable nation on the New Year 2023!
Together to victory! «It was said in the message from Sunday.
According to military sources in Kyiv, Russia also fired 20 rockets at Ukraine on New Year's Eve, most of which were destroyed.
The capital Kyiv and other cities in the country were affected.
Putin's decree for 137,000 additional soldiers came into effect
10:42 a.m .:
More than ten months after the start of Moscow’s war of aggression, the number of military personnel in Russia will increase by 137,000 at the beginning of the new year.
A corresponding decree on the increase to around 1.15 million contract soldiers and conscripts ordered by Kremlin chief Vladimir Putin in August officially came into force on Sunday.
According to this, the army strength should total more than two million people.
The rest of the military personnel are civilian personnel, including some administrative employees.
svs/Reuters/AFP/dpa
