A Russian defector was found dead in Spain. The USA probably wants to supply Ukraine with long-range missiles. More information in the news blog.
The most important things at a glanceLoading…
Embed
Taurus for Ukraine? Traffic light factions are putting Scholz under pressure
The traffic light factions want to call on the federal government to supply additional, long-range weapon systems to Ukraine. In the draft for a joint coalition proposal, the Taurus cruise missiles, which Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD) has so far resisted, are not mentioned by name. The paper by the group leaders, which is available to the magazine “Stern” and the German Press Agency, calls for “the delivery of additionally necessary long-range weapon systems and ammunition in order to enable Ukraine (…) to carry out targeted attacks in accordance with international law to strategically relevant targets far in the rear area of the Russian aggressor”.
According to “Stern”, the proposal from the SPD, Greens and FDP will be put to a vote in the Bundestag this week. The formal occasion is the tenth anniversary of Russia’s invasion of the Ukrainian Black Sea peninsula of Crimea.
“In particular, Ukraine must continue to be in a position to carry out attacks on military targets such as ammunition depots, supply routes and command posts far behind the front lines and to protect its soldiers as best as possible from the diverse attacks of the Russian military,” says the application . “The Bundestag therefore welcomes the deliveries of guided missiles from our French and British partners to Ukraine. The use of precise stand-off weapons for national defense is compatible with international law and indispensable for the protection of Ukraine.” There are also calls for Ukraine to be “further strengthened by supplying armored combat systems and protected vehicles.” You can read more about the cruise missile here.
Eleven abducted children on their way back to Ukraine
5:51 p.m.: Eleven abducted Ukrainian children have made their way back from Russia to their families in Ukraine with Qatar’s mediation. The children, aged between two and 16, some with medical conditions, were taken to the Qatari embassy in Moscow on Monday. On Tuesday they are supposed to travel via Belarus to the northwest of Ukraine. They should be accompanied by Qatari diplomats.
In October, with the mediation of Qatar, groups of children from Russia began to be brought to Ukraine. According to Russian information, a total of 59 children were returned to Ukraine. Qatar has worked closely with its Russian and Ukrainian interlocutors and made progress in the reunification initiative, but “is also looking for ways to build trust in other areas,” explains Qatari State Minister Lolwah al-Chater, who is responsible for international cooperation.
Among the children being returned to Ukraine is a 16-year-old boy. His family members died during the evacuation of the Luhansk region in Ukraine. He should now be taken to his aunt. A five-year-old boy who lived with his grandparents in Russian-controlled areas is to be brought to his mother. A 14-year-old boy should also be able to see his mother again. The mother, a soldier, was held by Russia as a prisoner of war for several months in 2022.
Russian defector found dead in Spain
5.30 p.m.: A former Russian Air Force pilot who defected to Ukraine last year has been found dead in Spain. This is reported by the Ukrainian news portal “Kyiv Post”. The Ukrainian military intelligence service GUR confirmed the man’s death to the newspaper. Russian state media had previously reported on the case. Here you can read more about it.
