Two events plunged into the war in Ukraine this past weekend. The British government has broken Western reluctance to supply modern tanks to Ukraine – and Western countries will discuss this further on Friday. Meanwhile, a Russian missile on an apartment building in Dnipro killed dozens of people.

On Saturday, the Orthodox New Year’s Day, Russia launched a massive missile attack on Ukrainian cities across the country for the 10th time since the invasion began. Dnipro, Ukraine’s third largest city, was the hardest hit. Heavy one Kh-22 cruise missileAccording to the Ukrainian Air Force fired a Tu-22M3 bomber over Kursk in southern Russia, An apartment building was destroyed With nine floors.

On Sunday evening, the death toll rose to thirty, according to news agencies, and at least 73 people were injured. It is one of the deadliest attacks on civilians since Russia invaded Ukraine nearly a year ago. It may be a “business card” of General Valery GerasimovChief of Staff of the Russian Armed Forces, who was appointed commander of the war in Ukraine last week.

We must do everything we can to stop Russification, just as the free world once stopped Nazism

Volodymyr Zelensky President

Pro-Russian sources spread a rumor that the missile deviated after hitting Ukrainian air defenses, a rumor aided by the Ukrainian government’s advisor Olekseyj Aristovich. Nonsense, I mentioned the commander Ukrainian Air Force, Ukraine does not have air defenses capable of intercepting Kh-22 missiles. This is possible with the Patriot anti-aircraft system, which the United States promised in December.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky pointed out in one Saturday night speech at the site of the damaged building. The street along the Dnieper is called Naberezhna Peremohy, Victory Pier. It refers to the victory over Nazi Germany. The “Russians” are now the enemies of the free world, according to Zelensky. “We must do everything we can to stop Russification, just as the free world once stopped Nazism.”

The end of the deadlock

Shortly before the offensive in the Dnipro The British government announced The UK will deliver 14 Challenger 2 tanks within weeks, as well as around 30 AS90 howitzers. According to British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, the international approach should end the stalemate on the battlefield in Ukraine. So the British Foreign Secretary is visiting the United States and Canada this week.

Read also about Debate about tanks for Ukraine

The British decision puts more pressure on Chancellor Olaf Schultz to supply Ukraine with Leopard 2 tanks, or at least to allow Poland and Finland to supply them. Since the Tiger is made in Germany, Germany has to give permission for it. despite the increasing pressure Until now, Schulz insisted on international cooperation in the supply of tanks, preferably with the United States. Vice Chancellor Robert Habeck already said that that his government should not withhold supplies from other nations. This position is expected to be confirmed at a meeting of Western defense ministers on Friday at the Ramstein military base. The next step in terms of tanks can also be taken for Ukraine.

However, Scholz has another problem. Defense Minister Christine Lambrecht will step down this Monday. German newspaper reported picture Saturday. Schulz’s party mate Lambrecht, who has been performing poorly since taking office and is particularly known for his blunders, recently posted a silly New Year’s message on Instagram. the Timing to change ministers Very unhappy, precisely in the week that the German government has to decide on military aid to Ukraine.

Read also This column was written by Caroline de Grueter