The White House urges defense companies to provide technological assistance to Ukraine.
Officials from the White House held a meeting on Monday with leaders from the technology and defense industries to explore ways to provide Ukraine with advanced equipment from the United States, including unmanned aerial systems and demining gear. This support aims to assist Ukraine in defending itself against Russia, according to aides from the U.S. National Security Council.
Jake Sullivan, the national security adviser for the White House, organized a five-hour discussion between government officials and experts in the field to discuss new technological advancements that could assist Ukraine in identifying and neutralizing Russian unmanned aerial systems, as well as clearing large areas of landmines. This meeting took place as President Joe Biden’s proposed $100 billion supplemental aid package, which includes aid for Ukraine, remains in limbo in Congress.
On January 8, 2024, a Russian missile attack caused damage to private homes in Novomoskovsk, near Kryvyi Rih, Ukraine. The Ukrainian Emergency Service shared a photo of the damage.
On Monday, Olaf Scholz, the Chancellor of Germany, implored other European Union nations to provide greater military and monetary aid to Ukraine. He expressed disappointment in EU member states for not providing enough weaponry to Kyiv and urged them to take further action.
Despite initially lacking support for Ukraine during the war, Germany has now become a major contributor of weapons and financial assistance. In late 2020, they committed to increasing their military aid to Ukraine by 2024 to $8.8 billion, double the current amount.
During a news conference in Berlin, Scholz stated that while Germany’s contribution is important, it will not be sufficient to guarantee Ukraine’s long-term security.
On Monday, air defense units in Russia successfully intercepted 10 projectiles that were heading towards the city of Belgorod, located near the Ukrainian border. According to regional Governor Vyacheslav Gladkov, the shelling resulted in three civilians sustaining injuries.
A member of the fire department is working to put out a fire caused by a Russian missile strike in Kryvyi Rih, Ukraine on January 8, 2024.
In the past few weeks, Belgorod has been targeted by attacks from Ukraine. In a missile and drone strike at the end of last month, 25 civilians, including five children, lost their lives.
Earlier today, Russia resumed its winter bombing tactic, attacking multiple regions in Ukraine with its most advanced hypersonic and cruise missiles. This resulted in the deaths of at least four individuals and left 30 others injured.
The Defense Ministry of Russia reported that their troops utilized accurate missiles launched from the sea and air, including Kinzhal hypersonic missiles, to attack what they referred to as “installations of Ukraine’s military-industrial complex.”
Government authorities and experts had cautioned that Russia had been accumulating its cruise missiles in preparation to primarily attack Ukraine’s military sector during the upcoming winter season, rather than focusing on the country’s infrastructure like they did last winter. However, it appears that Russian attacks have been frequently impacting civilian regions.
Missiles, drones shot down
The Ukrainian air force reported that their air defenses successfully intercepted and destroyed 18 cruise missiles and eight Shahed drones that were launched by Russia.
The Ukrainian air force reported that the missiles were aimed at “essential infrastructure facilities” and both civilian and military industrial sites. They also mentioned that not all of the missiles that were not stopped successfully hit their intended targets.
According to Oleksiy Kuleba, the deputy leader of Ukraine’s government, a shopping center and tall buildings in the city of Kryvyi Rih were targeted by Russian missiles. Kuleba stated that one individual has been reported dead as a result.
On January 8, 2024, in Novomoskovsk, near Kryvyi Rih, Ukraine, rescuers assisted an injured individual following a Russian missile strike that destroyed residential homes. The Ukrainian Emergency Service captured this event in a photograph released by the Associated Press.
Officials in the western region of Khmelnytskyi reported that a missile strike carried out by Russia resulted in the deaths of at least two individuals.
According to Oleg Synegubov, the governor of the Kharkiv region in eastern Ukraine, one individual was fatally wounded in the city of Zmiiv.
On Sunday, Zelenskyy stated his belief that Russia could be overcome and cautioned that the conflict in Ukraine has highlighted the need for Europe to collaborate with Ukraine on weapon manufacturing and bolster their defense capabilities.
“It has been demonstrated by the past two years of this conflict that Europe requires its own substantial weapons reserve in order to defend freedom. It must possess the ability to protect itself and possess the necessary resources to enable all of Europe, or any portion of it, to remain standing and safeguard itself in any potential global scenario,” he stated.
Zelenskyy shared his thoughts through a video call during a defense conference in Stockholm, while Swedish Foreign Minister Tobias Billstrom reaffirmed their dedication to assisting Kyiv.
On Sunday, Japan promised its backing to Kyiv during an unannounced visit by Japanese Foreign Minister Yoko Kamikawa. This made her the initial foreign official to visit the Ukrainian capital in 2024.
During an air alert in Kyiv, Kamikawa was compelled to take refuge in a bomb shelter. She strongly denounced Russia’s use of missiles and drones to attack innocent civilians. Additionally, her nation has pledged an extra $37 million to a NATO trust fund in order to acquire drone-detection technology.
The Associated Press, Agence France-Presse, and Reuters provided some of the information included in this report.
Source: voanews.com
