Moscow [Russia], January 17: The Russian military announced on January 16 that it had attacked infrastructure used by Kyiv for airstrikes, a day after launching a series of missiles at energy facilities in Ukraine.
The Russian Defense Ministry said on January 16 that its forces had attacked military airports, unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) assembly and storage facilities. Russia said its fighter jets, UAVs, missile forces and artillery had coordinated attacks on the above-mentioned Ukrainian targets in 152 areas, TASS news agency reported.
In addition, Russian air defense forces said on January 16 that they had shot down 95 Ukrainian UAVs and 12 HIMARS multiple launch rockets in 24 hours. Russia added that Ukraine had launched 43 UAVs and nearly 90 projectiles at areas in the Belgorod region. The attack damaged a number of buildings and other infrastructure, including a business hangar.
Meanwhile, the Ukrainian air force reported repelling a Russian UAV attack on the city of Kyiv on January 16. Reuters quoted several witnesses as saying they heard explosions in Kyiv, while British Prime Minister Keir Starmer was visiting the Ukrainian capital. On January 16, the Ukrainian military announced that it had shot down 34 of 55 Russian UAVs. Ukraine also reported that Russia had used UAVs to attack Kharkiv province, injuring four people.
Ukraine also announced on January 16 that it had successfully attacked an oil depot in Russia's Voronezh province. The Ukrainian General Staff said at least three UAVs hit their targets and caused a major fire. Some witnesses in Voronezh said they heard explosions on the night of January 15 and the morning of January 16, while videos circulating on social media showed a fire that was said to have occurred at the oil depot that was attacked by Ukraine.
Russia and Ukraine did not comment on each other's statements.
Russia declares "retaliation" for attacking Ukraine's energy infrastructure
The Russian military announced on January 16 that the attack on energy infrastructure in Ukraine a day earlier was a response to Ukraine's attempt to sabotage the TurkStream pipeline, which is used to transport gas from Russia to Europe via Turkey , the Kyiv Post reported.
Russia accused Ukraine of targeting a compressor station in Russia's Krasnodar region on January 13, part of the TurkStream system. The Russian Defense Ministry said it had shot down the Ukrainian drones, but that falling debris had caused minor damage to the system.
Moscow launched a series of missiles on January 15 against Ukraine's energy infrastructure, including a gas storage facility in Lviv province. A day earlier, Kyiv announced its largest air strikes yet against Russian military equipment factories and energy centers.
British Prime Minister arrives in Ukraine to sign "100-year treaty"
Reuters reported that British Prime Minister Keir Starmer was in Kyiv on January 16 to sign a "100-year pact" with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. The British government said Mr. Starmer would sign a landmark, 100-year partnership agreement to strengthen security ties with Ukraine. This is Mr. Starmer's first visit since becoming British Prime Minister in July last year.
Under the agreement, the two sides pledged to cooperate militarily through a new mechanism to enhance maritime security in the Baltic, Black and Azov seas. The two countries will also coordinate the development of technology used in medicine, agriculture, space and the construction of UAVs. In addition, the UK is also developing a program to help Kyiv track "stolen" grain in Ukraine.
"This is not just about today, it is about investing in our two countries for the next century. This agreement will take our friendship to a new level," Mr Starmer said.
The British Prime Minister also announced nearly $50 million in support for Ukraine's post-conflict economic recovery. Britain is one of the leading military aid countries to Ukraine, having provided $16 billion in military and civilian aid to Kyiv after nearly three years of war. In addition, Britain and Ukraine on January 16 agreed on an annual military aid agreement for Kyiv worth $3.6 billion, pledging to last "as long as possible," according to Ukrainska Pravda .
UK, France discuss plans to send peacekeeping forces to Ukraine?
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and French President Emmanuel Macron are said to be considering sending troops to Ukraine as a peacekeeping force, in the scenario that Russia and Ukraine reach an agreement to end the conflict, The Telegraph reported on January 16.
The paper said the idea had been raised by Mr Macron and discussed with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. Spokesmen for Downing Street and the Elysee Palace did not deny that the discussion could have been part of the meeting between the British and French leaders last week.
However, some sources familiar with the British government said that Prime Minister Keir Starmer is still not really convinced about sending troops to Ukraine, when there are still many unresolved issues, such as the operation of the peacekeeping group, if any, or the solution if tensions escalate.
Source: Thanh Nien Newspaper