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Damaged planes at Engels-2 military airport, picture taken on December 6th: The attack may have been carried out using a Ukrainian drone
Photo: Satellite Imagery © Maxar Technologies Provided by European Space Imaging
What has happened in the past few hours
Tesla CEO Elon Musk's Starlink US satellite internet service is taking steps to block Ukraine from using the system to control drones in its war against Russia.
Supplying the network was "never intended to be used as a weapon," says Gwynne Shotwell, president and COO of manufacturer SpaceX.
According to the contract, Starlink is only intended for humanitarian purposes, such as providing broadband internet to hospitals, banks and families affected by the Russian invasion.
“We know the military uses Starlink for communications, and that's fine.
But it was never our intention that it be used for offensive purposes.” Shotwell declined to give details of the actions.
Drones form an important part of Ukraine's defense strategy against the Russian invasion.
At the beginning of December 2022, Ukraine used drones to attack military targets far in the Russian heartland.
That says Kyiv
During a visit to Paris on Wednesday evening, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy again called for the delivery of fighter jets and heavy weapons to his country.
The military equipment must be delivered "as soon as possible," said Selenskyj at the meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron and Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD) in the Elysée Palace.
Scholz and Macron assured the Ukrainian of their support, but without specifically responding to the demands.
Zelenskyy said that the sooner Ukrainian pilots get planes, "the sooner this Russian aggression will end and we can return to peace in Europe."
The Ukrainian President had previously underlined his demands for fighter jets in London.
After his visit to the British capital, he traveled on to Paris.
Tomorrow Zelenskyy wants to take part in a meeting of the Council of Europe in Brussels.
Referring to Thursday's European Council meeting, which Zelenskyy will attend, Scholz said he was traveling to Brussels with a very clear message: "Ukraine is part of the European family."
Arms deliveries to Ukraine
The British Challenger 2 main battle tanks are to be used in Ukraine in the war against Russia as early as next month.
This was announced by Prime Minister Rishi Sunak during a joint visit with Zelenskyj to an army training ground in Dorset County.
"The Ukrainian crews who arrived last week will use the Challenger 2 tanks in the coming month to defend Ukraine's sovereignty," Sunak said.
Selenskjy had unexpectedly arrived in Great Britain on Wednesday.
After breakfast with Sunak at Downing Street, the seat of government, he addressed Parliament and was elected by King Charles III.
received at Buckingham Palace.
Sunak announced that it would check the availability of fighter jets.
He also assured the training of pilots and marines.
However, he did not accept a promise to deliver fighter jets.
But there is talk of longer-range missiles to help protect civilians.
Zelenskyy stressed the importance of missiles to ward off the threat posed by drones.
Great Britain has long been training Ukrainian fighters – now also on main battle tanks.
International reactions
Chancellor Scholz has promised President Zelenskyj further military, humanitarian and financial support - for as long as necessary.
"We stand closely with Ukraine on the way to advancing the defense of our own country," said Scholz in Paris.
“The fact remains: Russia must not win this war.”
Scholz said he was traveling to the EU summit in Brussels with the message: "Ukraine is part of the European family." Ukraine was declared a candidate for accession by the EU last year - shortly after Scholz and Macron were in Kyiv.
The meeting in Paris is now the second face-to-face meeting of the three politicians since Russia's war of aggression began almost a year ago.
Macron has also promised Ukraine "support until victory" in defending against the Russian war of aggression.
"Ukraine can count on France and Europe to win this war," Macron said.
“We stand resolutely with Ukraine to see them through to victory.
Russia cannot and must not win.«
Together, it is about creating a peace that is fair to Ukraine, Macron said.
"Ukraine can count on us to create peace." At the dinner in the Elysée Palace, Ukraine's operational needs should also be discussed, Macron said, without specifically promising the delivery of further weapons.
The Cost of War
According to Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg, the NATO member states have so far mobilized around 120 billion US dollars (around 112 billion euros) in support for Ukraine.
This is military, humanitarian and financial aid, said the Norwegian on Wednesday at a meeting with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken in Washington.
Since the start of the Russian war of aggression almost a year ago, the 30 allies have provided Ukraine with unprecedented support.
Regarding the different amounts of support provided by the individual states of the western alliance, Stoltenberg said that the USA, as the largest ally, played an indispensable role.
The European allies and Canada have also increased their aid.
Together they now provide more than half of the total support.
This also included tanks, modern anti-aircraft systems and other military equipment.
At the same time, Stoltenberg called on the Allies to supply more weapons.
“Unfortunately, we see no signs that Russia is preparing for peace.
On the contrary: Moscow is preparing for new military offensives.
That's why we must continue to provide Ukraine with the weapons it needs to reclaim territory and survive as a sovereign nation.” A Russian victory would be a tragedy for Ukraine, but also dangerous for NATO countries.
What is happening today
After his visits to London and Paris, the Ukrainian President Zelenskyj is expected in Brussels.
Zelenskyy announced that he would like to meet EU heads of state and government there.
A special EU summit will be held in Brussels on Thursday and Friday to discuss further aid to Ukraine.
Migration and the competitiveness of the EU are also topics.
Zelenskyy's participation in the summit, two weeks before the anniversary of Russia's attack on Ukraine on February 24, is intended to be a symbol of Europe's unity towards Russia.
jok/dpa/Reuters
