LIVE – Churches suspected of having ties to Moscow were raided in Ukraine

SEARCHERS OF CHURCHES

Ukrainian security services have announced that they have taken “counter-intelligence measures” in Orthodox religious buildings belonging to the Russian Church.

Nineteen monasteries, cathedrals and churches belonging to the Orthodox Church under the Moscow Patriarchate “are concerned about these measures aimed at combating the subversive activities of Russian special services in our country,” SBU wrote in a press release.

SPECIAL COURT

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy on Wednesday called for the creation of a special tribunal to try Russia’s crimes “as soon as possible” on the occasion of the official presentation of the Sakharov Prize for freedom of thought to the people of Ukraine.

“We cannot wait until the end of the war to bring to justice all those who started this war, and we must prevent this kind of aggression from happening again,” the leader said, speaking via video conference at the Hemisphere of the European Parliament in Strasbourg.

PRISONER EXCHANGE

According to the Ukrainian presidency, 64 Ukrainians and one American were released as a result of the exchange with Russia. “64 soldiers of the armed forces of Ukraine who fought in Donetsk and Lugansk regions, especially (…) are returning to their homeland”, the head of the presidential staff, Andriy Yermak, welcomed on Telegram, saying that he is an American Swede. Murekezi, “he was also released” in the exchange.

IMPACT OF RUSSIAN APPLICATIONS ON THE LIVES OF UKRAINIAN CHILDREN

The report says that Russian strikes targeting Ukraine’s energy infrastructure pose increased risks to “almost all of Ukraine’s children — some seven million children” — as the country’s winter temperatures plummet.

In a statement, the United Nations Children’s Fund expressed concern over the “extreme cold” as well as the impact on “online learning opportunities” that are the only means of access to education for many. .

“PRESSURE” ON CHRISTMAS

Pope Francis has called for a “low level of spending” this Christmas to save money and send donations to the “suffering” Ukrainians. “Brothers and sisters, I tell you: there is so much suffering in Ukraine. That’s it. I also want to draw attention to the upcoming Christmas holidays: it is wonderful to celebrate Christmas.” Weekly general audience at the Vatican.

“Let’s spend Christmas with more modest, more modest gifts. Let’s send what we save to Ukrainians in need: they suffer a lot, they are hungry, they are cold, many people die because there are no doctors and nurses,” he added.

13 SHAHED Drones

The President of Ukraine released a video on Telegram reacting to the attack that took place in the center of Kyiv on Wednesday. According to him, this is the “13 Shahed” drone, referring to the Iranian-made kamikaze drones sent by the Russian forces. “All 13 people were shot down by the air defense system of Ukraine,” Volodymyr Zelensky added.

The Ukrainian capital was targeted by “two waves” of drones, which did not cause any casualties, Sergey Popko, head of the city’s military administration, said in a press release published on Telegram. The weather warning was lifted shortly after 9am.

SITUATION UPDATE

Below, you can find the latest information on Russia’s war in Ukraine, now in its 293rd day of conflict.

HOLCIM LEAVES RUSSIA

Swiss cement maker Holcim will sell its Russian operations to its local leaders, it said on Wednesday, without disclosing the amount of the transaction.

The group, which started the process of withdrawing from the Russian market at the end of March, signed an agreement with the local management group to sell its activities in the country, he said in a press release. Holcim said that these activities will continue independently under a different brand.

Completion of the transaction must first be approved by regulatory authorities. The group announced its decision to leave the Russian market at the end of March, while many companies decided to leave the country after the invasion of Ukraine.

DAMAGE

After the morning attack of the Russian forces on Kyiv, the capital’s military administration said that debris from drones damaged two administrative buildings in the center of the city. There were no immediate reports of casualties.

STAY AWAY FROM WINDOWS

British Ambassador to Ukraine Melinda Simmons announced on her Twitter page that she stayed away from the windows after hearing the explosions. “Today is an early start for Russian attacks on Kiev,” he said.

BOMBED in Kiev

Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko said in a Telegram message that explosions occurred in the central district of Kyiv on Wednesday morning. “Emergency services have been dispatched,” he said, “more details later.” Oleksiy Kuleba, governor of Kyiv region, said that air defense systems are working.

ZELENSKY

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy on Wednesday asked the international community to help his country rid itself of landmines and other unexploded ordnance the size of Cambodia or Uruguay.

“To date, 174,000 square kilometers of Ukraine’s territory are filled with mines or other unexploded devices,” Zelensky said in a video address to the New Zealand parliament.

“There is no real peace for any child who could die from a hidden Russian anti-personnel mine,” he said, asking New Zealand, whose military is experienced, to lead efforts to clear the mines and mitigate the environmental impact of the conflict. .