New Russian missile attack rocks country, hits power grid

(This content was created in Russia, where the law restricts reporting of Russian military operations in Ukraine.)

At its final meeting this year, Russia’s central bank kept its key rate unchanged at 7.5%, but said recent military mobilizations were exacerbating labor shortages and changed its rhetoric slightly to acknowledge rising inflation risks.

Governor Elvira Nabiullina said at a press conference, “We have given a neutral signal that the next decision, namely the trajectory of interest rates, will depend on future data as to whether pro-inflationary or disinflationary factors will prevail. It means to depend,” he said.

“In our opinion, the pro-inflationary factors are now spread across the short term as well as the medium term. Or we can raise it, and if the disinflationary factor materializes, we will lower it.”

The Bank of Russia has put policy on hold since September after six rate cuts that gradually reversed February’s emergency rate hike to 20%. The action came after Russia sent tens of thousands of troops to Ukraine and urged Western countries to impose broad sanctions.

President Vladimir Putin warned again that partial military mobilization ordered in September could lead to inflation due to a shrinking workforce.

— Reuters

The war between Russia and Ukraine has forced the United States to rethink its approach to international sanctions, said U.S. Deputy Secretary of the Treasury Wally Adiemo. wrote in a new essay in foreign affairs.

This overhaul began in early 2021 when Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen asked for a review of US sanctions policy. Its review found that sanctions are most effective when aligned with U.S. allies, closely tied to foreign policy objectives, and grounded in detailed economic analysis.

“Past sanctions have not always been properly calibrated,” Adeyemo wrote. “Overall, the number of U.S. sanctions designations has increased by more than 900% from 2000 to 2021. Some are designed more carefully than others.”

Since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine began, US sanctions against Russia have been guided by three goals, writes Adeyemo. “Deny Russia access to the revenues needed for the war, cut off Russia from the resources to support its failing economy, and reduce its military capabilities.”

read the entire essay and diplomatic issue.

— Christina Wilkie

Russian shelling has damaged energy infrastructure in southern and eastern Ukraine. German Energy Minister Garshchenko said on Facebook:, according to Google Translate. He warned of potential reductions in power generation or emergency outages.

Kharkiv Mayor Ihor Terekhov confirmed today that the latest Russian shelling of Ukraine has damaged the local energy infrastructure. Moscow has already launched more than 60 missiles as part of the attack, Ukrainian state news agency Ukrinform quoted Ukrainian military air force spokesman Yuri Inat. as they say.

Ihor Terekhov, mayor of the Kharkiv city in Ukraine, said the recent Russian missile strikes had destroyed critical infrastructure.

“There is huge infrastructure disruption. First of all, the energy system,” he said. According to Google Translate for his Telegram post.

“I want you to be patient with what is happening now. do my best to

According to other reports, the entire city of Kharkiv is currently without electricity, and emergency shutdowns are being implemented across the country.

・Matt Clinch

Russian forces shelled the Kherson region 30 times on December 15, killing four and wounding nine more, said Yaroslav Yanushevich, head of the Kherson Regional Military Administration. His comments were reported by Ukraine’s state-run news agency Ukrinform.

Yanushevich noted that Russian shelling hit homes, transport routes, medical facilities and humanitarian aid facilities.

MSC, the world’s largest shipping company, said Thursday that it continues to ship goods through the Black Sea while avoiding Ukrainian ports such as Odessa that are deemed too dangerous.

CEO Soren Toft told CNBC that while “of course we are complying with sanctions,” we are continuing to ship food, humanitarian aid and medical supplies to Russia.

“I don’t think it’s my job to act politically,” he said. “Russians, he has 150 million people, do not want to deprive them of the basics.”

— Karen Gilchristrice field

A senior Ukrainian official said Russia could launch a new offensive in Ukraine as early as January.

Ukrainian military chiefs General Valery Zalzhny, President Volodymyr Zelensky and General Oleksandr Shirsky spoke with The Economist magazine published Thursday and detailed their predictions for next year.

“Russia is preparing about 200,000 recruits,” Zarzhny told the newspaper.

read more Here.

・Matt Clinch

The Associated Press is now reporting, citing Ukrainian officials, that explosions were said to have occurred in at least three Ukrainian cities on Friday morning.

“Explosions in Kharkov for the second day in a row. Infrastructure facilities have been hit by missiles before. There may be an electrical problem… Be careful and cover yourself,” said Kharkiv Mayor Ihor Terekhov. said via Telegram, according to Google Translate..

・Matt Clinch

Kyiv mayor Vitali Klitschko said Friday morning explosions hit the capital after air raid sirens were heard across the country.

“Explosion in the Desnjan district of the capital. All services go to the place … Stay in the shelter!”

“Another explosion in the Dnipro district of Kyiv.”

A new volley of Russian attacks was expected early on Friday as Reuters reported that air raid sirens were sounding in places like the capital Kyiv.

Deputy Chief of Staff of the Presidential Office Kirilo Tymoshenko Said via telegram message app: “Do not ignore the air raid warning and stay at the shelter.”

—Matt Clinch

The Pentagon will expand military combat training for the Ukrainian Army and use the later winter months to teach larger units more complex combat techniques, U.S. officials said.

The United States has already trained approximately 3,100 Ukrainian military personnel in how to use and maintain specific weapons and other equipment, including howitzers, armored vehicles, and a high-mobility artillery rocket system known as HIMARS. But senior military leaders have been discussing expanding its training for months, arguing that Ukrainian company- and battalion-sized units need to improve their ability to move around the battlefield and coordinate attacks. ing.

A battalion can contain as many as 800 troops. The company is much smaller, with several hundred troops.

Officials say the training will take place at the Grafenwoehr training area in Germany. The purpose is to use the winter months to hone the skills of the Ukrainian military and prepare them to counter a surge in Russian aggression and Russian territorial expansion efforts.

— Associated Press

The European Union said it had approved a new set of sanctions aimed at increasing pressure on Russia for the war in Ukraine.

Details were not disclosed, but the package was approved after days of deliberations at meetings of ambassadors from the bloc of 27 countries.

The Czech Republic, rotating EU Council Presidency, said the package would be confirmed by written procedure on Friday. Details will then be published in the block’s legal records.

The EU’s executive branch, the European Commission, last week proposed a travel ban and asset freeze for about 200 more Russian officials and military officers as part of new measures.

The latest recommended sanctions included government ministers, legislators, local governors and political parties.

— Associated Press

Four ships carrying wheat and vegetable oil left Ukrainian ports, according to the organization that controls agricultural exports from the country.

The ships are destined for India and Turkey.

The Black Sea Grain Initiative, a deal brokered between Ukraine, Russia, Turkey and the United Nations in July, reopened three of Ukraine’s main ports after months of halted exports due to a Russian naval blockade. Since the agreement entered into force, more than 13.9 million tons of grain and other products have left Ukraine.

The agreement between the signatories is expected to expire in approximately three months.

— Amanda Macias