As the Russo-Ukrainian War enters its 340th day, we will review the main events.
Here is the situation as of Sunday, January 29, 2023:
Struggle
- Russia has accused the Ukrainian military of a deliberate attack on a hospital in a Russian-held area in eastern Ukraine, which it called a war crime that left 14 people dead and 24 patients and medical personnel injured. There was no immediate reaction to the accusations from Ukraine.
- The Russian attack killed three people in a residential area in the eastern Ukrainian city of Konstantinovka, the regional governor said.
- Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky described the situation at the front as “extremely acute”, especially in the east of the Donetsk region, where Russia is stepping up its offensive.
- Zelenskiy reported significant fighting for Vuhledar southwest of the Donetsk regional capital and Bakhmut to the northeast.
Weapon
- German weapons maker Rheinmetall is ready to significantly increase production of tank and artillery munitions to meet strong demand in Ukraine and the West, and may begin production of HIMARS multiple launch rocket systems in Germany, CEO Armin Papperger told Reuters.
- Talks are underway between Ukraine and its allies over Kyiv’s requests for long-range missiles, which he says are needed to prevent Russia’s destruction of his cities, a senior Zelenskiy aide said.
- Several countries have promised Ukraine 321 heavy tanks, its ambassador to France said.
- Poland will send an additional 60 tanks to Ukraine in addition to the promised 14 German Leopard 2 tanks, the Polish Prime Minister said in an interview with Canadian television.
Diplomacy
- North Korea has again criticized the US decision to send tanks to Ukraine, calling it an “unethical crime” aimed at perpetuating the unstable international situation.
- Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov will meet with new US Ambassador to Moscow Lynn Tracy early next week, RIA Novosti reports.
- Zelenskiy denounced the idea of neutrality in sport at a time when his country’s athletes fight and die in war while their Russian counterparts may be allowed to compete.
Children at war
- Russia violates “fundamental principles of child protection” in wartime by issuing Russian passports to Ukrainian children and giving them up for adoption, the head of the UN refugee agency told Reuters.
Sanctions
- Ukraine has imposed sanctions on 182 Russian and Belarusian companies and three individuals, the latest in a series of moves by Zelenskiy to block their ties with his country.
- A senior U.S. Treasury Department sanctions official who will travel to Turkey and the Middle East next week will warn countries and businesses that they could lose access to the U.S. market if they do business with entities subject to U.S. restrictions while how Washington suppresses Russia’s attempts to evade sanctions.
