Russia says respecting ceasefire, accuses Ukraine of shelling
Russian military officials in Moscow stated Friday that their side was holding to a unilateral ceasefire in Ukraine as of 0900 GMT, despite accusations of shelling from the Ukrainian side.
Despite Russian forces adhering to a ceasefire as of 12:00 pm on January 6, the Kyiv government continued artillery bombardment on civilian centres and Russian army positions, according to a statement posted by the defence ministry on social media.
As soon as yesterday’s presidential directive from the Kremlin mentioned the ceasefire, Ukraine rejected it, calling it “hypocrisy,” and added, “Russia wants to use truce as cover to stop our gains in Donbas and bring in additional equipment.”
In the early hours of Friday, a Ukrainian official accused Russia of launching rocket strikes while accusing Ukraine of shelling the Russian army.
The deputy head of the Ukrainian presidential administration claimed that Russian forces attacked the city of Kramatorsk in eastern Ukraine on Friday, hours after the reported start of a unilateral Russian ceasefire.
Kyrylo Tymoshenko stated on social media that “the occupants blasted the city with rockets twice,” adding that a residential structure had been hit, but that no casualties had resulted.
The first Russian truce since the beginning of the Russian onslaught in February 2022 was announced on the eve of the Orthodox holiday of Charismas. The truce went into effect after noon on January 6 (today), but both sides blame the other for any violations.
It’s worth noting that Ukraine claimed 400 lives were lost in its attacks on Russia on Monday, although the real number is likely closer to 60.
Plans are underway to provide aid to Ukraine.
Ukraine has brushed off Russia’s unilateral order for a 36-hour ceasefire beginning on Friday as a ploy, and the leaders of the United States and Germany have announced they will be sending armoured assault vehicles to support the Kyiv administration.
US authorities have stated that the $2.8 billion in security assistance, which will be disclosed on Friday, will include approximately 50 Bradley Fighting Vehicles.
According to Vice President Joe Biden of the United States, “the war in Ukraine is at a critical stage” right now. All efforts must be made to support the Ukrainians as they stand up against Russian aggression.
Biden and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz announced Thursday that Germany would supply Marder Infantry Fighting Vehicles.
It further stated that the two nations will cooperate to teach Ukrainian military personnel how to handle these weapons. Ukraine has had some success on the battlefield since Russian soldiers invaded in February, prompting the country to urge its friends for more powerful weapons. Germany has offered to deliver such a weapon in the form of a Patriot air defence battery.