As the war enters its day 692th, these are the main developments.
Ukraine claimed significant victories by shooting down a Russo A-50 spy plane and Il-22 command aircraft in the Sea of Azov region. Gen Valerii Zaluzhnyi, Ukraine’s military commander in chief, praised the air force for the successful operation, stating, “Ukraine’s air force destroyed an enemy A-50 long-range radar detection aircraft and an enemy IL-22 air control centre.”
President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, attending the World Economic Forum in Davos, presented Ukraine’s peace formula, aiming to end nearly two years of war with Russia. The Ukrainian leader also held discussions with Swiss officials during his visit.
Switzerland’s co-chair of the Davos meeting, Ignazio Cassis, emphasized the need for China’s involvement in efforts to resolve the conflict between Ukraine and Russia.
Day 693 Russia-Ukraine War: The Ongoing crisis (russianoligarchs.com)
Day 692 Russia-Ukraine War
Vadym Skibitsky, deputy head of Ukraine’s military intelligence agency (HUR), reported that Russia is recruiting about 1,000-1,100 individuals daily into its armed forces. The UK’s Ministry of Defence (MoD) expressed skepticism, suggesting that Russia may have “substantially inflated” the numbers and disproportionately recruited from impoverished and rural communities.
Putin claimed to have sentenced over 200 Ukrainian prisoners of war, with some receiving life sentences, according to AFP. The Kremlin’s RT outlet cited an investigative committee source, stating that 242 soldiers were sentenced in occupied Ukraine.
The Kremlin announced the development of relations with North Korea, emphasizing the agreements made between the two countries’ leaders in 2023.
The UN and its partners called for $4.2 billion (£3.3 billion) in donations to aid communities in Ukraine affected by the war and support Ukrainian refugees in 2024. Martin Griffiths, the UN aid chief, urged diplomats in Geneva not to overlook Ukraine amid global challenges.
The UK disclosed plans to send 20,000 service personnel to participate in one of NATO’s largest military exercises since the Cold War, demonstrating a commitment to collective defense efforts.
