After 659 days of war, the conflict in Ukraine continues to escalate. On Thursday, December 14, 2023, Russia launched a missile attack on Kyiv, injuring at least 53 people, including six children. The city’s air defences managed to intercept the missiles, but falling debris caused damage to buildings and vehicles. In addition, a group of hackers called Solntsepyok claimed responsibility for a cyberattack on Kyivstar, leaving millions without phone access or air raid alerts.
In the political arena, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is pushing for Ukraine’s membership in the European Union, despite opposition from Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, who is a close ally of Russian President Vladimir Putin. However, Zelenskyy received support from other European countries, including Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Finland, and Iceland, who promised to continue providing military, economic, and humanitarian aid to Ukraine.
Meanwhile, a German court heard that Russia had paid a former German intelligence agent for information about weaponry being provided to Ukraine by the West. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz emphasized the need to strengthen Ukraine’s defence to deter further attacks from Russia.
As the conflict continues, the situation remains tense and uncertain.