War in Ukraine: Dozens of Russian missiles fired, energy infrastructure targeted… an update on the situation

Every day, Midi Libre takes stock of the situation in Ukraine. This Friday, December 13, 2024, discover the latest news about this conflict.

The Kremlin considers that the “prerequisites” for negotiations on Ukraine are not met

The Kremlin said Friday that the “preconditions” for negotiations on Ukraine have not been met, as speculation about possible talks grows ahead of Donald Trump's return to power in the United States in January.

“We don't want a ceasefire, we want peace, once our conditions are met and all our goals are achieved,” Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters, adding that the “preconditions” have not been met, with Moscow demanding Ukraine's de facto surrender before negotiating terms of the peace.

Russia fired 93 missiles at Ukraine on Friday morning

Russia fired 93 ballistic and cruise missiles at Ukraine in its latest massive attack Friday morning, President Volodymyr Zelensky said.

“93 missiles were launched, including at least one from North Korea. A total of 81 missiles were shot down, including 11 by F-16 fighter jets” that Ukraine finally began receiving this year from its Western allies, he said on X.

Russia says it struck Ukraine “massively” Friday after kyiv's ATACMS launches

Russia said Friday it struck Ukraine “massively” Friday, in response to kyiv's launches with American ATACMS missiles two days earlier.

“In response to the use of long-range US weapons, the Russian armed forces have carried out a massive attack on critical facilities of the energy infrastructure” of Ukraine, the Russian Defense Ministry said in a statement posted on Telegram.

Russia launches major attack on energy infrastructure

Russia carried out a major attack on Ukraine's energy infrastructure on Friday, during the morning rush hour, according to kyiv, as explosions were heard in Odessa and cities in western Ukraine.

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“The enemy continues to sow terror. Once again, the energy sector in Ukraine is under attack massive”, Ukrainian Energy Minister German Galushchenko wrote in a Facebook post. No casualties were immediately reported.

An industry source told Reuters that the attack targeted Ukrainian power substations and that the strikes on gas infrastructure were more numerous on Friday than in previous assaults. “Russia wants to deprive us of energy. Instead, we must deprive it of the means of terror. I reiterate my call for the urgent delivery of 20 NASAMS, HAWK or IRIS-T air defense systems,”, Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha wrote in a message on X.

As the attack unfolded, energy officials announced longer emergency power outages, without specifying whether they were due to new damage or a precautionary measure. About half of the 3.5 million customers of the Yasno power company were without power Friday morning, according to its CEO. The extent of the damage is difficult to assess.

After Russia’s repeated attacks on the power grid, authorities are releasing little detailed information about the outcome of the strikes and the state of the grid. Authorities in the western Lviv region confirmed that energy facilities had been attacked and that the schedule for power outages would have to be changed, suggesting that damage had been caused.

Russia says it is not targeting civilian infrastructure, but considers the power grid a military target. The morning missile strike was preceded by a nighttime attack involving dozens of drones.

Zelensky to meet EU leaders in Brussels on Wednesday

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky will meet with the leaders of France, Britain, Germany, Italy, Poland, NATO and the European Union on Wednesday to discuss support for Ukraine, people familiar with the matter told Reuters.

The meeting comes as European countries step up diplomatic efforts in the face of the prospect of Donald Trump returning to the White House, who has been pushing for a swift negotiated end to the conflict sparked by Russia's invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.

Zelensky and some of Ukraine's European allies have called for the deployment of European troops to the country as a security guarantee in the event of a peace agreement with Russia.

“This will not be a meeting that will result in concrete decisions, but rather a political meeting to discuss the weeks and months ahead,”, a source said. The meeting, hosted by NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, will be held on the same day as the European Union-Western Balkans summit in Brussels. A joint meeting is planned, as well as bilateral meetings with Volodymyr Zelensky.