Russia requests UN Security Council meeting for January 22 on arms supplies to Kiev
A meeting on the supply of Western weapons has been requested for January 22," a source in the world organization said
"A meeting on the supply of Western weapons has been requested for January 22," he said.
Earlier, Western countries requested a meeting of the UN Security Council on January 10 in connection with arms supplies to Russia attributed to North Korea.
The Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova repeatedly stressed that accusations by Western countries of illegal military-technical cooperation between Russia and North Korea are unfounded and unsubstantiated. Earlier Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov called Washington's allegations that Pyongyang is providing military assistance to Moscow rumors.
Russia says Ukraine attacks Belgorod region again with missiles and drones
Jan 3 (Reuters) - Ukraine launched 12 missiles and several drones in the early hours of Wednesday on Russia's southern region of Belgorod, Russia's defence ministry and local authorities said.
Regional governor Vyacheslav Gladkov said the situation "continues to remain tense" in Belgorod, where Russia says 25 civilians including five children were killed in Ukrainian attacks on Saturday.
There was no word of any casualties from the latest attacks. Gladkov said the extent of damage would be assessed throughout the day.
Ukraine's escalation of attacks on Belgorod over the New Year period has come as Russia launched some of its most intense strikes on Ukraine since the war began almost two years ago. Kyiv said on Tuesday that Russia had launched well over 300 attack drones and missiles of various kinds at cities across Ukraine since Friday.
Belgorod, like other Russian regions on the border with Ukraine, has seen frequent low-level attacks since the start of the war, but Saturday's was by far the deadliest. President Vladimir Putin said it would "not go unpunished".
One person was killed and seven more wounded in the region on Tuesday, Russian authorities said.
In Wednesday's attacks, Russia's defence ministry said Ukraine fired six Tochka-U ballistic missiles and six guided missiles launched from a Vilkha heavy multiple rocket launcher.
Gladkov said Ukraine also launched several drones on the region and the city of Belgorod, which is the administrative centre of the region.
Reuters could not independently verify the reports. There was no immediate comment from Ukraine.
Russia Ukraine
ANKARA
In an effort to secure claims to rich seabed resources through next-generation technologies, the US has expanded its continental shelf to an area twice the size of California.
This move, announced by the State Department last week, sets new geographic coordinates to define the extended continental shelf boundaries, covering approximately one million square kilometers (10.8 million square feet) spread across seven regions.
The US claims its right, under international law, to protect and manage resources and vital habitats above and beneath its extended continental shelf.
The delineation of geographical coordinates for areas located 200 nautical miles from the coast reflects adherence to the relevant provisions of the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and international customary law, as outlined in the Scientific and Technical Guidelines of the Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf.
This expansion has the potential to transform the Arctic, including the Arctic Circle region and the Bering Sea between Russian East Siberia and the US state of Alaska, into a new arena for tension and conflict, akin to China's claims in the South China Sea.
Mead Treadwell, former lieutenant governor of Alaska and ex-chair of the US Arctic Research Commission, stressed that decades of scientific research, numerous icebreaker missions, and detailed seafloor mapping helped substantiate the US claims.
Treadwell underscored the vastness of the newly controlled area, comparing it to "two Californias," adding: "America is now larger than it was yesterday."
- US claims stir discomfort in Russia, potential for territorial dispute looms
The US assertion of an extended continental shelf has unsettled Russia, raising the possibility of a territorial dispute between the two states. While Moscow has not issued an official statement on the matter, there is concern that this move may escalate into a land dispute between the nations.
Grigory Karasin, from the Foreign Affairs Committee of Russia’s Federation Council, the upper chamber of the Russian parliament, told Sputnik that the US’ unilateral expansion of the continental shelf was "unacceptable.”
Asked whether the US claims pose a threat to Russia, he responded: "We have taken and will continue to take all necessary measures for our national interests in this geographical area."
Karasin said Moscow's Arctic claims are evaluated based on evidence gathered by a subcommittee of the UN, while the US has not even ratified the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea.
President Vladimir Putin has highlighted the strategic importance of the Arctic for Russia.
He stressed the vast economic opportunities in the region, linking the strengthening of the country's energy potential, the expansion of logistical capabilities, and the assurance of national security and defense to Arctic development.
Russia is rapidly increasing the importance of the Northern Sea Route while developing alternative routes in international trade due to sanctions.
The Northern Sea Route, called Russia's alternative to the Suez Canal, stands out as the most prioritized route among the alternatives by the Russian government.
Cargo transported via the Northern Sea Route rose from 4 million tons in 2014 to 34 million tons this year. The Russian government aims to surpass 100 million tons of cargo transported via the Northern Sea Route by 2030.
A container ship traveling from Tokyo to Hamburg needs approximately 48 days through the Suez Canal. In contrast, the same ship's travel time via the Northern Sea Route would be about 35 days.
- China in the Arctic
China, looking to position itself early in the transportation and competitive environment that will arise from the melting of ice in the near future, plans to build the necessary infrastructure in the region and is increasing its activities accordingly.
Seeking a larger role in the Arctic, China describes itself as a "state near the North Pole" and views the North Pole as a common environment for all nations.
Russia claims it took control of
Marinka town in Ukraine's Donetsk
ISTANBUL
Russia's defense minister claimed on Monday that the country's armed forces took control of the town of Marinka in Ukraine's eastern Donetsk region.
"During active offensive operations, assault detachments of the 'Southern' group today completely liberated Marinka," Sergey Shoygu said during a meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Shoygu further said that Russia's advance reduces Ukraine's capabilities in the area and provides the Russian military with additional opportunities.
He also claimed that the Russian army significantly moved Ukraine's artillery westward away from the city of Donetsk, thus allowing Moscow to "more effectively protect Donetsk from attacks."
Ukrainian officials are yet to comment on Shoygu's remarks.
Draft bill proposed as military looks for hundreds of thousands of new recruits in its fight to eject Russia
Ukraine has proposed reducing the age of those who can be mobilised into the armed forces from 27 to 25 after the military said it needed as many as 500,000 more soldiers in its now 22-month-long war against Russia.
The age reduction was in the text of a draft law posted on the website of Ukraine’s parliament late on Monday.
Ukraine’s president says continuation of war after 676 days 'not a New Year's miracle, not a fairy tale, not magic,' but merit of his people
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that his country will be stronger in the upcoming year, regardless of the obstacles it faces.
“And just like last Dec. 31, today we say: ‘We do not know for certain what the new year will bring us.’ But this year we can add: ‘Whatever it brings, we will be stronger’,” Zelenskyy said in his New Year’s address to the nation late Sunday.
Recalling the start of the Russia-Ukraine war 676 days ago, Zelenskyy said despite not knowing what lay ahead and that many not believing Ukraine would last a week, they are now facing 2024 after two years of conflict.
“This is not a New Year's miracle, not a fairy tale, not magic, but the merit of each of you. Each of the millions of Ukrainians. Everyone who throughout this year, day and night, proved: Ukrainians are stronger!” Zelenskyy said.
Zelenskyy further said that Ukrainians have shown the ability to cope with any energy shortage earlier this year during what he described as “the most difficult winter in history,” expressing his thanks to those who kept the country’s energy sector working.
The Ukrainian president said that he is proud of the country’s military, thanking his people for their work and efforts amid the ongoing war, as well as all those who know “victory is not received or granted – it is gained.”
Zelenskyy went on to say that their state is welcome in the European family through the decision last month to open EU accession talks with Kyiv, which he said is implementing “extremely difficult” and necessary reforms and changes during the war.
“And these are not just words – these are official decisions, official documents. And this process will definitely have a logical conclusion – full-fledged membership in strong Europe. A powerful one. From Lisbon to Luhansk,” he said.
Zelenskyy also thanked Ukraine’s international partners for their military support as well as for their support for his peace formula which, he said, has already been endorsed by 80 countries.
“And next year, the enemy will feel the wrath of domestic production. Our weapons, our equipment, artillery, our shells, our drones, our naval ‘greetings’ to the enemy and at least a million Ukrainian FPV (first-person view) drones. All of which we will generously use. On land, in the sky and, of course, at sea. Our Black Sea. And this year, the enemy felt like never before: he has no place there,” he added.
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