While waiting for the arrival of Donald Trump at the White House and the possible negotiation to end the war, Russia and Ukraine continue to launch aerial attacks against enemy territory.
A Ukrainian missile bombardment with HIMARS missiles, of American manufacture, has left two civilians dead and 23 injured, including four children, in the town of Bejteri, located in the part of the Jersón region controlled by Russia. "Two impacts occurred near a school, where students and teachers were heading," wrote the regional governor appointed by Russia, Vladimir Saldo, on Telegram, describing the attack as "monstrous."
Meanwhile, the Ukrainian air force has claimed to have shot down 93 out of the 141 drones launched by Moscow overnight, while also targeting some military objectives in Kazan.
On Sunday, Volodymyr Zelensky denounced that over the past week, Russia attacked his country with 1,370 aerial systems: 550 drones, 660 aerial bombs, and 60 missiles of various types.
Slovak Opposition to Present Motion Against Pro-Russian Prime Minister Fico Tomorrow
The progressive and liberal opposition in Slovakia, a NATO and EU member country, will present a motion of no confidence against the government coalition formed by left-wing populists and ultranationalists, accusing them of aligning the country with Russia.
The opposition justifies the motion with "the government's steps, statements, non-transparent international visits, with Prime Minister Robert Fico at the helm, which cast doubt on the country's international orientation."
Fico visited Moscow at the end of December to discuss natural gas imports with Russian President Vladimir Putin, following Ukraine's announcement that it would cut off Russian gas transit through its territory starting in January.
Three Ukrainian Commanders Arrested for "Inaction" During Russian Offensive in Kharkiv in 2024
The Ukrainian Bureau of Investigation (DBR) announced on Monday the arrest of two generals and an army colonel whose "inaction" and "negligence" had "allowed" Russia to occupy part of the Kharkiv region in May 2024.
The individuals include a former commander of the Kharkiv combat group, the commander of the 125th territorial defense brigade, and the commander of a battalion whose "negligent attitude" had allowed Russia to occupy a border area that it still controls in the Kharkiv region, as reported by AFP.
Update - Ukraine Used American Missiles in the Attack in Jersón
Ukrainian troops used American-made HIMARS missiles in the attack on the town of Bejteri in the Jersón region controlled by Russia, according to local authorities.
"As a result of the attack, two people died, 23 were injured. Four of the injured are children," the press office of the Moscow-appointed governor informed the RIA Novosti agency, updating the previously provided information, which mentioned 13 injured.
Two Dead and 13 Injured in an Attack in Jersón Occupied by Russia
A Ukrainian attack on territory occupied by Russia killed two people and injured 13 in the Jersón region. "Following the bombing of the village of Bejteri, two dead and 13 injured, including three children, are reported," said the regional governor imposed by Russia, Vladimir Saldo, as cited by the Russian news agency Ria Novosti.
"Two attacks," carried out by the Ukrainian army "with cluster bombs," "took place near a school where children and teachers were heading to class," Saldo said.
Bejteri is less than 50 km from the city of Jersón, controlled by Ukraine and located across the Dnieper River, which serves as a natural demarcation point in the region between the Ukrainian and Russian armies.
Additionally, in the Kaluga region, bordering Moscow, the falling debris of downed drones caused a fire on Sunday night at a company's facilities, which was quickly contained, according to regional authorities.
In total, the Russian army claimed to have intercepted on Monday 31 drones heading to attack industrial facilities.
Transnistria Agrees with Moldova on Gas Supply
Transnistria leader Vadim Krasnoselski announced reaching an agreement with Moldova for gas supply through the state-owned company Moldovagaz to overcome the energy crisis affecting the separatist Moldovan region, as reported by Efe.
"We have accepted the proposal of Moldovan leaders, starting with the president (Maia Sandu), that gas to Transnistria be pumped by Moldovagaz," Krasnoselski said in a government meeting, as reported by his Telegram channel. This was communicated in writing on Saturday by the company Tiraspoltransgaz to its Moldovan counterpart in a note that also guaranteed gas payment, he added.
Moldovan President Maia Sandu expressed willingness to allow gas supply to the separatist region, but only under conditions set by Chisinau. Transnistrian authorities tried to seal a deal with the company Natural Gaz, but Moldovagaz strongly opposed.
Recently, Krasnoselski also announced an agreement with Russia for gas supply for humanitarian reasons, although the transit route for this gas had not yet been determined, which would be agreed upon during "additional negotiations," he said.
At Least Eight Civilians Injured by Ukraine in Donetsk
At least eight civilians were injured by Ukrainian artillery fire in the city of Gorlovka, controlled by the self-proclaimed Donetsk People's Republic (DPR), annexed by Russia in September 2022, as reported by local authorities.
"As a result of the artillery attack on the center of Gorlovka, carried out by Ukrainian terrorists, nine civilians were injured," wrote Ivan Prijodko, the head of this municipality, on Telegram.
Shortly after, the DPR Health Ministry specified to the official Russian news agency TASS that eight people were injured, all in moderate condition, as reported by Efe.
"One of the Ukrainian shells exploded about 50 meters from Hospital No. 2. The glass in 28 windows of the surgery building shattered," said Denis Pushilin, head of the DPR, on Telegram. He added that the Palace of Culture, two residential buildings, and a communal services company headquarters were also damaged.
Two Arrested for Planning the Murder of the Ukrainian Deputy Health Minister
The Police and the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) have arrested two individuals in Kiev who were planning the assassination of the Ukrainian Deputy Health Minister, as announced by the Police in a statement.
"During the investigation, law enforcement agents established that two Kiev residents, a 36-year-old man and a 29-year-old woman, were preparing the assassination of the Deputy Health Minister," the statement read.
The suspects had been monitoring the target for months, following his movements and daily routine, renting an apartment in the same residential complex where he lived, and practicing their shooting skills at a specialized training center.
Investigators were aware of the plans of the two detainees. "Both suspects were arrested while trying to buy a gun, and they face (a possible sentence of) life imprisonment," the statement read, without mentioning the motivation of the alleged terrorists.
Russian Army Claims Conquest of Two Towns in Eastern Ukraine
The Russian army claimed on Monday to have conquered two towns in eastern Ukraine, one of them six kilometers south of Pokrovsk, a key city for the logistics of Ukrainian forces, as reported by AFP.
The Russian Defense Ministry stated in a release that they had taken control of Shevchenko, south of Pokrovsk, as well as Novoyegorivka, a village in the Luhansk region. Despite significant losses, the Russian army has been advancing for months against Ukrainian forces with few men and fewer weapons.