Anti-Putin paramilitaries ‘destroy’ Russian squadron in cross-border raid – live

Russia said on Sunday it would deepen oil export cuts in December by potentially 50,000 barrels per day or more, earlier than promised, as the world’s biggest exporters try to support the global oil price.

Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak, Putin’s top oil and gas point man, was quoted by Russia‘s three main news agencies as saying that Russia would deepen cuts beyond the 300,000 barrels per day of cuts already agreed for this year.

“Already in December we will add additional volumes,” Novak was quoted as saying by Interfax news agency. “By how much, we’ll see based on the results of December – there may be an additional 50,000 bpd, maybe more.”

He said: “Together we have achieved success, and we still have a lot more to do together in the interests of Russia.

“Today, everyone bears an enormous responsibility. We have, without exaggeration, historic challenges facing us. Their magnitude requires joint efforts and cohesion of all patriotic forces.

“For United Russia and our supporters, who represent our entire multi-ethnic society, all the regions, social and professional groups, this primarily means readiness for intense work, readiness to move forward and achieve more: To defend, together with the entire people of Russia, the country’s sovereignty, freedom and safety, everything that we hold dear – our history, culture, values, and traditions.

“It also involves strengthening the economy, the social sphere, the scientific and technological potential in the interests of people and for the well-being of millions of Russian families. And, of course, it means working towards consolidation of society.”

In a message on the Telegram messaging app they said:

“According to the investigation, on December 17 2023, at around 12:50 p.m, the enemy, according to preliminary information from a self-propelled artillery installation, fired at the civilian infrastructure of the city of Krasnopill, Sumy region.

“One shell of the occupiers hit a private house, the 69-year-old owner died. Houses and vehicles were also damaged.”

They added that an investigation into violations of the laws of war had been launched:

“Under the procedural leadership of the Sumy Regional Prosecutor’s Office, a pre-trial investigation has been launched into the fact of violation of the laws and customs of war, combined with intentional murder (Part 2 of Article 438 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine).”

The Freedom of Russia Legion, a Ukrainian-based paramilitary group of Russians who oppose President Vladimir Putin, claimed responsibility on Sunday for a cross-border attack a few miles into Russia’s Belgorod region.

The group, designated as terrorist in Russia, said it had destroyed a platoon stronghold of Russian troops near Trebreno village, without specifying whether it had destroyed infrastructure or killed soldiers, and said it had left mines behind.

Reuters could not verify the claims of the group, which says it was formed in spring 2022 to fight Putin’s forces from within the ranks of the armed forces of Ukraine, which has in the past denied involvement in attacks in Belgorod by Freedom of Russia Legion and another Russian anti-Putin group.

Earlier on Sunday, Vyacheslav Gladkov, the governor of Belgorod region, which experiences frequent attacks by Ukrainian forces, said Trebreno was under fire from Ukraine’s Armed Forces and that a “shooting battle” was under way on the village edge.

He said no civilians had been injured but three houses and power lines were damaged. On Saturday he posted on the Telegram messaging app that 19 villages or farms had come under attack from Ukrainian shelling or from explosive devices dropped by drones.

On Sunday, relatives and friends of Ukrainian military prisoners of war held placards during a rally calling for their quick exchange with Russian prisoners of war.

The captives were detained following the defense of Mariupol and were dubbed “Azovstal defenders”.

The demonstration took place at Saint Sophia Square in Kyiv.

“All political prisoners with yellow tags are subjected to extra trouble and humiliation every day,” Sudalenka said. “Methods of bullying can range from punishment cells and complete information isolation, to refusing a meeting with a lawyer and denying of medical care and medicine.”

About a third of Vitba-3’s 1,000 inmates are political prisoners, he said, noting their number “increased noticeably after the start of the war in Ukraine,” when arrests were stepped up against Belarusians who opposed the Russian invasion.

Belarusian opposition leader-in-exile Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, whose husband is serving a 19-and-a-half year prison term, met this month with State Department officials and lawmakers, and a Belarus-US working group on political prisoners was formed.

“We are willing to talk about changing our policies, easing sanctions, and improving our relations once the regime releases all of its political prisoners, stops its repression of the Belarusian people, and ends its complicity in Russia’s war against Ukraine,” said State Department spokesman Matthew Miller.

He shared footage of visits to Cape Verde, Argentina to attend the inauguration of their new president, to the US to meet with President Biden and to Norway and Germany to meet state leaders.

He said: “This was an important week. Supporting Ukraine means protecting the rules-based international order. I am grateful to all of the leaders and countries who help us safeguard lives. I thank them for their vital support for our defense.”

As the two year anniversary of the Ukraine war looms, Vladimir Putin appears confident that the cards are stacked in his favour. However, there is a flaw in his game plan, says Russian expert and author Mark Galeotti – and it could prove fatal.

Last week Vladimir Putin held his annual marathon press conference and town hall, and he gave no hint of any give in his approach to the war. After all, he may well feel that, after a disastrous 2022, this past year has been more successful than expected, allowing him to gamble on 2024 as the year he may be able to wrest some kind of victory from the initial catastrophic blunders of the invasion.

When Russia’s invasion of Ukraine ignited into war, back in Moscow, a young Russian who now goes by the name of Karabas was plunged into despair. Shocked by images of what was happening to Ukrainians in Russian-occupied areas, he decided to act — against Russia, his home and country.

Today, he is part of the Siberian Battalion, a unit made up of Russians who have joined Ukrainian military ranks to fight against their homeland, hoping someday to help oust Russian President Vladimir Putin. Its members hail mostly from ethnic minorities from Russia’s far east.

“I was disillusioned with my own people,” recounted Karabas, who like other fighters in the battalion spoke to The Associated Press on condition that only his military call sign be used.