Reports of Shelling in Russian-Controlled Donetsk; 25 Killed

Denis Pushilin, the head of the Donetsk region in eastern Ukraine appointed by Russia, stated on Sunday, January 21, that 25 people were killed and 20 injured in the shelling of the city by Ukrainian forces. According to Alexey Kolomzin, the mayor of Donetsk, Ukrainian forces shelled a busy area containing shops and a market. Reuters reported that as of the time of this news report, there had been no immediate comment from Ukraine. Donetsk is one of four Ukrainian regions that Russia annexed last year, an action deemed illegal by most countries in the UN General Assembly. Russia does not fully control any of the four regions. On Thursday, January 18, Ukraine also reported a drone attack on an oil terminal in St. Petersburg. Reuters reported this news citing a Ukrainian military source and emphasized that it could not independently verify the claim. A Russian official appointed in northeastern occupied Ukraine had previously stated that Ukraine made an unsuccessful attempt to target a Russian oil terminal in the Baltic Sea with a drone. St. Petersburg is located 850 kilometers from the nearest border area of Ukraine. Kyiv is attempting to produce higher-range attack drones to get closer to Russia's offensive capabilities, which regularly targets Ukraine with long-range missiles and drones. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky called on the people of his country on Wednesday to take the initiative to help determine the course of the 22-month war against Russia and garner global support. Zelensky made this request upon his return from the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, where he met with several global political and business leaders, urging the West to increase sanctions pressure on the Kremlin and enhance support for Kyiv. A few months after Ukraine's counteroffensive against Russia, which had limited results, Zelensky expressed confidence that U.S. aid to Ukraine, delayed due to disagreements among U.S. congressional lawmakers, would soon be delivered. In his nightly video address, he stated, 'Ukraine needs an ambitious and proactive vision so that the initiative is in our hands and not in the hands of the enemy, and the end of the war must depend on Ukraine's actions.' Support from Western countries for Ukraine continues despite challenges and obstacles. The French Defense Minister stated on Thursday, January 18, that Ukraine has purchased six Caesar howitzers and mentioned that Paris will send 50 precision-guided missiles to Kyiv each month. Ukraine currently possesses 49 Caesar howitzers donated by France and Denmark. President Zelensky thanked Emmanuel Macron, the President of France, for Paris's commitment to producing dozens of howitzers and Caesar munitions this year. Macron is expected to visit Ukraine in February to finalize an agreement under which Paris will deliver more sophisticated weapons, including long-range cruise missiles, to Ukraine. The NATO Military Committee Chairman stated that Ukraine is engaged in a 'critical battle' and that Western armies and political leaders must be prepared for 'unexpected events in Ukraine' and significantly change how they assist the country in repelling Russian invading forces.