Ukrainian forces have struck the meeting place of Wagner’s group, which was located in Kadyivka, Luhansk region, writes BBC.
The exiled governor of Luhansk, Serhiy Haidai, said the strike was carried out on a hotel in Kadyivka, which was used as a meeting place by members of Wagner’s group. The BBC has not been able to confirm that the fighters have been to this hotel. Wagner’s group are government-funded mercenaries acting in the Kremlin’s interests and linked to war crimes and violence against civilians.
Fierce fighting took place over the weekend in southern Ukraine, where Russian forces carried out strikes in Odesa while Ukraine bombed targets in occupied Melitopol. Haidai pointed out that in the attack on Kadyivka, Russia suffered considerable losses, and about half of the survivors could die due to the lack of access to adequate medical care.
US President Joe Biden said during a call with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky that the US is gathering forces to provide the necessary assistance to Ukraine.
On 10th of December Ukraine managed to intercept ten strike drones. However, Russia also managed to damage the energy infrastructure in Odesa. Zelensky said:
«The situation in the Odesa region is very difficult. Unfortunately the hits were critical, so it takes more time to restore power supply. It doesn’t take hours, but a few days.»
On Monday, 12th of December, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz planned to convene an online meeting of the G7 leaders to discuss tougher sanctions against Iran and Russia.
Pro-Moscow officials of Melitopol report that two people were killed and ten more injured in the Ukrainian strikes. The recreation center was destroyed in the strike, and Ukraine used HIMARS missile systems supplied by the United States. This weapon plays a vital role in Ukrainian counterattacks. Melitopol has been occupied since March and is an important transport hub for the Russian army.
In recent weeks, the most extensive hostilities have been taking place in eastern Ukraine, especially around Bakhmut in the Donetsk region. Zelensky’s adviser, Oleksiy Arestovich, stated that Melitopol is currently the main target of Ukraine: «If Melitopol falls, the entire Russian defense line in the direction of Kherson will collapse.» He added that such a development would open the way for Ukrainian forces to Crimea, which was annexed by Russia in 2014.
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