Closing summary
We’re wrapping up our coverage of the war in Ukraine for the day. In case you missed anything, here’s a quick round-up of all the latest developments.
Ukraine has said it has carried out “successful actions” on the eastern bank of the Dnipro River. It comes after both Ukraine and Russia acknowledged earlier this week that Ukraine had established positions on the eastern side of the river, which marks part of the frontline in south-east Ukraine.
Celebrating the development, President Zelenskiy published pictures showing Ukrainian soldiers on the eastern bank of the river. “Left bank of Kherson. Our warriors. Thank you for your strength and for moving forward! Glory to each and everyone who is returning freedom and justice to Ukraine!” he said.
Thousands of people living near the frontlines in southern and eastern Ukraine have been left without power after Russian strikes on energy facilities, the Ukrainian government has said. Last winter, systematic targeting of Ukraine’s energy infrastructure by Russia left millions without light or heating. Zelenskiy said this week that western support had allowed Ukraine to improve its air defences ahead of the coming winter months.
At least nine people were killed in Russian shelling of the southern Ukrainian city of Kherson, according to local officials. Oleksandr Prokudin, head of the Kherson regional military administration, said shelling on Thursday had targeted residential areas, shopping districts, and administrative buildings. Another two people were killed in the eastern region of Donetsk, according to the acting head of its military administration.
Russian casualties since the start of the war now stand at 316,760, according to the Ukrainian military.
Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov has said he has “no doubt” Vladimir Putin will still be Russian president after the election in March. Putin has not yet announced his intention to run but is widely expected to stand for another six-year term. Asked what the next president should be like in an interview with student journalists, Peskov said: “The same.”
A total of 4.4m tonnes of cargo, including 3.2m tons of grain, has been shipped via Ukraine’s new Black Sea shipping corridor since it was established in August, according to a report by the Interfax-Ukraine agency. A UN-brokered deal that had allowed Ukrainian exports to pass through the Black Sea fell through in July after Russia withdrew, prompting Ukraine to announce a “humanitarian corridor” hugging the sea’s western coast.
The British foreign secretary, David Cameron, followed his trip to Ukraine on Thursday with a visit to neighbouring Moldova. Moldovan president, Maia Sandu, posted a photo of her and Cameron together to social media and said the two had met on Thursday night to discuss “Black Sea security, bilateral cooperation and our united stance against corruption”.
The Dutch government has announced that it has earmarked an additional €2bn in military aid for Ukraine in 2024. It is part of a wider package that includes an initial €102m (£89m) for reconstruction and humanitarian aid that will be increased during the year if needed.
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Finland’s government has announced a new package of defence equipment for Ukraine worth €100m (£88m).
It said the package would be the 20th provided by Finland since the start of the war and would bring the value of all support given to €1.5bn (£1.3bn).
The country’s defence minister, Antti Häkkänen, said in a statement that further details on the package’s contents and the delivery schedule would not be disclosed for security reasons.
“What is at stake in Ukraine’s defence struggle is the security environment outlook on Europe and Finland,” he said.
“Together with our allies, we remain unwavering in our commitment to support Ukrainians.”
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