In a video message, Chancellor Scholz continued to pledge a prudent Ukraine policy. Several people are said to have died in a Russian attack in the Ukrainian city of Kostyantynivka. The developments in the live blog.
10:52 a.m
Apparently a Russian attack in Kostyantynivka
As the Reuters news agency reports, Russian troops are said to have attacked a residential area in the eastern Ukrainian city of Kostyantynivka. The agency relies on information from the local regional governor Pavlo Kyrylenko.
According to Kyrylenko, several residential buildings and a hotel were damaged in the attack. At least three people died and several were injured.
10:52 a.m
Scholz: “Always have an eye on Germany’s security”
Opinions differ among the German population regarding the delivery of “Leopard-2” tanks to Ukraine announced by Germany. In his “KanzlerKompekt” video message, Olaf Scholz assured that he would “always keep an eye on” Germany’s security when making future decisions.
“It will always be about coordination, consideration and coordination,” said Scholz, but at the same time emphasized that Russia should not get away with “pushing borders by force”. He is aware that many citizens wish “that the war does not come any closer, that the government and the chancellor keep their nerves”. And Scholz added: “That’s exactly my promise to you.”
10:52 a.m
Ukraine criticizes possible change of course by the IOC
Athletes from Russia and Belarus could again take part in Olympic competitions as “neutral athletes” – this was the suggestion made by the International Olympic Committee. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy sharply criticized the move.
10:52 a.m
Great Britain: Inaccurate information on Russian casualties
According to British intelligence, Russia publishes false figures on soldiers killed in the war against Ukraine. The British Ministry of Defense was referring to a Ukrainian attack on a Russian military barracks in the Donetsk region on New Year’s Eve. Russia put the number of soldiers killed in the attack at 89. However, the British secret service assumes more than 300 victims on the Russian side. This example illustrates the “ubiquity of disinformation in all public Russian statements”.