DEPLOYMENT OF RUSSIA’S BLACK SEA FLEET UNLIKELY TO BE IN PREPARATION FOR ATTACK: UK

Kyiv residents shelter in underground metro station Russia launches missile attacks FILE PHOTO

Sat 14 January 2023:

The British defence ministry has said the deployment of a group of at least 10 vessels of Russia’s Black Sea Fleet (BSF) on January 11 was unlikely to be in preparation for amphibious assault operations.

The BSF “continues to prioritise force protection over offensive or patrol operations,” the ministry said in its latest intelligence update.

Tensions remain high in Ukraine as officials expect Russia to step up its “special military operation” as it hits the one-year mark.

Latest Defence Intelligence update on the situation in Ukraine – 14 January 2023

Find out more about the UK government’s response: https://t.co/rplsUvpx6O

🇺🇦 #StandWithUkraine 🇺🇦 pic.twitter.com/DkfwwwZUO2

— Ministry of Defence 🇬🇧 (@DefenceHQ) January 14, 2023

Russian missiles hit Kyiv infrastructure

Explosions have been reported in the Dniprovskiy district of the Ukrainian capital as a Russian missile attack hit critical infrastructure.

“Missile attack on critical infrastructure facilities. Details are being checked,” said Kyrylo Tymoshenko, deputy head of Ukraine’s presidential office.

Kyiv’s military administration confirmed an infrastructure facility had been hit but did not say which.

Russia has been pounding Ukraine’s vital energy infrastructure with missiles and drones since October, causing sweeping blackouts and disruptions to central heating and running water as winter bites.

Ukraine disputes Russia’s claim that it controls Soledar

Russia says its forces have taken control of the war-scarred town of Soledar in east Ukraine, its first claim of victory in months of battlefield setbacks, while Ukraine maintains fierce fighting is still under way.

The Russian defence ministry announced on Friday it had “completed the liberation” of Soledar the previous day and that the victory would pave the way for more “successful offensive operations” in the Donetsk region.

Top UN political affairs official says ‘no end in sight’ for Ukraine war

The head of UN Political and Peacebuilding Affairs has told the Security Council that the fighting and suffering in Ukraine continues “with no end in sight”.

“It has created a humanitarian and human rights catastrophe, traumatised a generation of children, and accelerated the global food and energy crises”, Rosemary DiCarlo told ambassadors on Friday. “And yet, this grave damage could pale in comparison with the consequences of a prolonged conflict.”

DiCarlo said the UN human rights office (OHCHR) had verified 18,096 civilian casualties since the invasion began.

Briefing the Security Council this afternoon on #Ukraine, Under-Secretary-General @DicarloRosemary said the grave damage the war has caused would pale in comparison with the consequences of a prolonged conflict. Full remarks: https://t.co/4lYKPxyX1S pic.twitter.com/pLq1e3MMZq

— UN Political and Peacebuilding Affairs (@UNDPPA) January 13, 2023