Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy made a surprise visit to Bakhmut, a city hailed by his deputy defense minister as “our eastern fortress” amid heavy fighting over the past few weeks.
(Bloomberg) — Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy made a surprise visit to Bakhmut, a city hailed by his deputy defense minister as “our eastern fortress” amid heavy fighting over the past few weeks.
As the president handed awards to servicemen, Ukraine’s government said it had reached a deal with Elon Musk’s Space Exploration Technologies Corp. to get thousands more Starlink antennas to help keep people online amid Russia’s attacks on infrastructure.
In Russia itself, an explosion hit a natural-gas pipeline that goes to Ukraine for further supply to Europe. The blast occurred on a section of the Urengoy-Pomary-Uzhgorod link, though the local unit of Gazprom PJSC said transportation of fuel was being provided to consumers in full through parallel pipelines.
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Key Developments
- Ukraine to Get Thousands More Starlink Antennas, Minister Says
- Ukraine Gets IMF Nod for Non-Cash Program, Paving Way for Aid
- US Lawmakers Release Huge Spending Bill Before Year-End Deadline
- Germany Demands Rheinmetall Fix Faulty Puma Armored Vehicles
On the Ground
Ukrainian units have downed 67 drones since Dec. 7, Air Force spokesman Yuriy Ihnat said at a briefing. Yesterday’s attack was the most powerful, as Russia launched 35 UAVs, 30 of which were shot down, Ihnat said. Russian forces had launched four missile attacks, 60 air strikes and more than 80 salvos from multiple-launch rocket systems over the past day, Ukraine’s General Staff had said earlier on Facebook.
(All times CET)
Russian Gas Flows to Europe Unaffected After Pipeline Blast (3:30 p.m.)
A blaze at the site of the incident, which reportedly happened during scheduled maintenance work on the link, has been extinguished, according to local emergency services. Gas nominations for Wednesday transit via Ukraine so far remain unchanged, grid data show.
The Urengoy-Pomary-Uzhgorod is one of the oldest gas conduits linking Russia and Europe via Ukraine. Gas flows through Ukraine are scrutinized by the market as it remains the last route delivering Russian fuel to western Europe amid the Kremlin’s war in Ukraine.
Dutch front-month gas futures, Europe’s benchmark, briefly surged as much as 6.6% on the explosion reports before trading lower.
Steinmeier Calls on Xi “use his influence” on Russia (3:17 p.m.)
German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier asked Xi Jinping to “use his influence” on Russia to end the war in Ukraine in an hour-long phone call with the Chinese president to mark 50 years of bilateral relations between Germany and China on Tuesday, Steinmeier’s office said in a statement.
Bakhmut Servicemen Hand Zelenskiy Flag (1:45 p.m.)
Ukrainian soldiers in Bakhmut handed over the flag of Ukraine to the president, asking for it to be passed on to “our brothers in America.”
“We have a difficult situation, the enemy is increasing its numbers,” Zelenskiy said in comments shown on the Freedom TV channel. “We will pass on to the US Congress, to President Biden, our gratitude for their support.”
Ukraine’s Capital Restoring Water Supplies (12:04 p.m.)
Damage caused by Russia’s shelling is being fixed and water supply is resuming in Kyiv, according to mayor Vitali Klitschko. The power situation remains “critical” for the whole region, with 80% of residents still facing blackouts, the region’s military authorities said on their Telegram-channel.
More Than Half of Kyiv Has Power Problems, Ukrenergo Says (11:30 a.m.)
Less than half of power demand in Kyiv city is being met on Tuesday following Russian drone attacks, national grid operator Ukrenerego said on Telegram.
City authorities are prioritizing the supply of electricity to key infrastructure as the country’s energy system continues to experience a significant power deficit, Ukrenergo said.
Putin Says Situation in Southeastern Ukraine ‘Extremely Difficult’ (11:15 a.m.)
President Vladimir Putin said the situation in southeastern Ukrainian regions occupied by Russia is “extremely difficult,” following Ukraine’s success in wresting back control of an increasing part of this territory.
Putin referred to Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporozhzhia and Kherson as “new regions of Russia,” in a video address on Tuesday marking a holiday dedicated to the country’s security agencies.
Russia annexed the four provinces in September but has been steadily losing ground there in the face of a Ukrainian counter-offensive. Last month Russia withdrew from Kherson City, the only regional capital it controlled since invading Ukraine 10 months ago.
Ukraine to Get More Starlink Antennas (8 a.m.)
“SpaceX and Musk quickly react to problems and help us,” Mykhailo Fedorov, deputy prime minister and minister for digital transformation, said in an interview in Kyiv, adding that he spoke directly with Musk.
“Musk assured us he will continue to support Ukraine. When we had a powerful blackout, I messaged him on that day and he momentarily reacted and has already delivered some steps. He understands the situation.” More than 10,000 devices, which provide internet service beamed down from satellites, will be sent to Ukraine, according to Fedorov.
Starlink played an important early role in the war, as Russia’s military focused on destroying communications. But Musk, SpaceX’s chief executive officer, drew the wrath of Ukrainians in October when he tweeted that Kyiv should remain neutral — an apparent suggestion that it not join military alliances like NATO — and should cede territory to Russia in exchange for a peace deal.
Kyiv Has Significant Power Cuts, Mayor Says (7:41 a.m.)
Periods of power cuts will be extended in the capital, Mayor Vitali Klitschko said on Telegram. There is enough power to supply critical facilities and about 20% of residents.
The oldest line of Kyiv’s subway network was partially closed for passengers due to a voltage drop, the subway operator said on Telegram. Two other lines resumed operation.
Ukraine Gets IMF Nod for Non-Cash Program (1:21 a.m.)
The International Monetary Fund’s management approved a new four-month program for Ukraine that doesn’t envisage lending money but may serve as a bridge to a multi-billion-dollar loan package.
The IMF executive board discussed so-called program monitoring with board involvement, or PMB, for the war-torn nation on Monday, the Washington-based lender said on its website.
The PMB “is tailored to Ukraine’s exceptional circumstances,” and helps the nation’s government implement prudent policies and catalyze donor financing,” IMF First Deputy Managing Director Gita Gopinath said.
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