Debt Brake Tied to Ukraine Support: SPD’s Stance in Ongoing Conflict

The SPD is advocating for a suspension of the debt brake to secure three billion euros for arms deliveries to Ukraine. The Ukrainian Air Force successfully intercepted a majority of Russian drones, while Ukraine targeted a fuel depot and a gunpowder factory in Russia. UK Prime Minister Starmer met with President Zelensky to establish a long-term partnership. Meanwhile, a Russian court sentenced an air defense officer for negligence after an incident that resulted in casualties.

The SPD has called for a suspension of the debt brake to allocate three billion euros for arms deliveries. Meanwhile, the UK is seeking a long-term alliance with Kyiv. Stay updated with the latest developments in our live blog.

Ukraine Successfully Intercepts Russian Drones

The Ukrainian Air Force has reported that they successfully intercepted 34 of the 55 Russian combat drones that approached their airspace overnight. In addition, 18 decoy drones, which were not armed, were neutralized through electronic defense measures. The drones were taken down across eleven different regions, but debris from these drones caused damage to the energy infrastructure in the central Poltava region, leading to power outages.

Ukrainian Drone Attack Targets Russian Fuel Depot

In the Voronezh region, a Russian fuel depot was set ablaze due to a drone strike conducted by Ukraine. According to regional authorities, several drones impacted the site, but fortunately, no injuries were reported. The governor, Alexander Gussev, confirmed that a fuel reservoir near Liski was affected.

The Russian Ministry of Defense stated that they intercepted 27 Ukrainian drones over the Belgorod, Voronezh, Tambov, and Kursk regions overnight. However, these claims have not been independently verified.

As part of its defense strategy against the ongoing Russian invasion, Ukraine has been targeting strategically important industrial sites in Russia using drones and missiles in recent days.

Ukraine Strikes Russian Gunpowder Factory

Reports indicate that Ukraine has launched an attack on a gunpowder manufacturing facility in Tambov, a key supplier of explosives to the Russian military. Andrij Kowalenko, head of the Ukrainian Center for Countering Disinformation, shared this information via Telegram. The plant has reportedly increased its production significantly since the war began.

Kowalenko did not provide details on the impact of the attack, nor did he explicitly claim responsibility for it on behalf of Ukraine. Tambov is situated approximately 460 kilometers southeast of Moscow.

UK Prime Minister Starmer Meets with Zelensky in Kyiv

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has arrived in Kyiv for discussions with Ukrainian President Zelensky. During this visit, Starmer pledged to bolster Ukraine’s security for the next century. As part of this commitment, both leaders are set to sign a treaty establishing a “100-year partnership” that will encompass defense, science, energy, and trade cooperation.

Starmer emphasized that this initiative goes beyond immediate concerns, marking a significant investment in the future of both nations. The agreement will enhance collaborative efforts in defense, particularly focusing on maritime security in the Baltic Sea, Black Sea, and Sea of Azov, in light of Russian activities in these areas.

Starmer made the journey to Kyiv by train.

SPD Advocates Suspension of Debt Brake for Ukraine Support

The SPD is pushing for a decision regarding new arms deliveries to Ukraine, amounting to three billion euros, before the upcoming federal election. They are advocating for the suspension of the debt brake due to the urgent need for financing. “I encourage other factions to respond swiftly to this legally permissible and necessary measure,” stated faction leader Rolf Mützenich to the dpa news agency. “We can reach a decision on this before the federal election.”

Chancellor Olaf Scholz had previously proposed this during discussions on the 2025 budget, which ultimately led to coalition negotiations collapsing.

Defense Minister Pistorius has dismissed claims that Chancellor Scholz is obstructing an additional aid package for Ukraine.

Russian Court Sentences Air Defense Officer

In a recent ruling, a Russian court has sentenced an air defense officer to two years and ten months in a penal colony following the accidental downing of a military helicopter from his own forces. This incident, which occurred over the Black Sea on October 18, 2023, resulted in the deaths of three individuals. The military court in Rostov-on-Don found the officer guilty of negligence, as reported by the newspaper Kommersant. The officer, stationed in Crimea, mistakenly believed he was targeting a Ukrainian drone.

Key Developments from Wednesday

Chancellor Scholz has indicated a willingness to provide additional military assistance to Ukraine, albeit with certain conditions. Additionally, Ukraine and Russia have exchanged 25 prisoners of war each. Stay informed on the latest updates regarding the conflict as detailed in our live blog.

This topic was reported by Deutschlandfunk on January 16, 2025, at 08:00 in the news.

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