Summary of the day
Grant Shapps, the British secretary of state for defence, said today that “together with our partners we’ll make sure North Korea pays a high price for supporting Russia.”
The comments came after the White House said on Thursday it had information indicating that North Korea recently provided Russia with ballistic missile launchers and several dozen ballistic missiles.
Micheál Martin, Ireland’s foreign minister, said that the international community must “remain firm in its resolve to support” Ukraine.
Ukraine said it caused “serious damage” to Russia’s defence systems on the Crimean peninsula during an attack on a military command post there on Thursday.
Russia said it air defences downed dozens of Ukrainian drones in occupied Crimea and southern Russia.
Ukraine’s air force said its forces shot down 21 out of 29 Shahed drones launched by Russia.
A British defence intelligence update on Ukraine noted that “over the last week, ground combat has continued to be characterised by either a static frontline or very gradual, local Russian advances in key sectors”.
Germany delivered more air defence for Ukraine, as well as ammunition and infantry fighting vehicles.
Nepal decided to stop issuing permits for its citizens to work in Russia and Ukraine.
2,000 trucks were waiting on the Ukrainian-Polish border, according to the Ukrainian border guard service.
Updated
“Ukraine and Norway will promote defence industry cooperation,” Ukrainian defence minister Rustem Umerov said following a call with his Norwegian counterpart.
Discussed with Norway’s Minister of Defence, Bjørn Arild Gram @Bjornarildgram the developments on the frontlines as well as russia's recent massive combined air attack on Ukraine.
— Rustem Umerov (@rustem_umerov) January 5, 2024
Grateful for Norway’s contribution to strengthening our air defence and fostering the Maritime… pic.twitter.com/d1D7AI1Hb8
