War in Ukraine: a woman killed in Kursk, seriously injured in Belgorod, Taurus missiles… an update on the situation

Belgorod on January 5, 2024. MAXPPP – BELGOROD REGION GOVERNOR

Every day, Midi Libre takes stock of the situation in Ukraine. This Tuesday, January 9, 2024, discover the latest news around this conflict.

Ukraine strikes Russian Kursk region, woman killed

A woman was killed by a Ukrainian bombing on the Russian region of Kursk and drones hit an oil site in the neighboring region of Oryol, we learned this Tuesday from local authorities.

According to Roman Starovoit, the governor of the region, the victim was in Gornal, a town located near the border with Ukraine. At least five drones were also shot down over the Kursk region, report Roman Starovoit and the Russian Defense Ministry.

In the Oryol region, two drones struck an oil site, injuring three and causing a fire, said local governor Andreï Klychkov. Three drones were shot down. The governor of the neighboring Bryansk region, Alexander Bogomaz, and the Defense Ministry said another drone had been destroyed, without further details.

Ukraine has repeatedly attacked Russian border regions in recent months. On December 30, Russian media reported that at least 20 people were killed in a missile strike on the town of Belgorod, located 40 kilometers from Ukraine.

For its part, Russia has also recently fired hundreds of missiles and drones at Ukrainian towns, some located far behind the front line, according to Ukrainian officials. In its latest attack on Monday, Russia fired 51 missiles of various types into Ukraine, killing at least four people and hitting civilian infrastructure.

Why do "Taurus Bunker Busters" what Ukraine needs may never reach kyiv ?

Ukraine has been demanding this ultra-modern long-range missile since the start of the war. On Saturday, the partners of the German Chancellor Olaf Scholzurged him to cede these weapons that Kiev considers essential, reportsRFI.

Taurus missiles are formidable, note Geo. Equipped with double warheads, stealthy, with a range of 500 kilometers, weighing 481 kilograms, operating in two stages, programmable… the functions of this weapon are multiple and make this versatile machine a particularly useful tool. coveted by Ukraine. 

A significant feature of the Taurus missiles: they are manufactured by Germany and it is up to the country's chancellor, Olaf Scholz, to grant their delivery to others nations. In October, he decided not to deliver them to kyiv.

Three seriously injured in bombing from kyiv to Belgorod

Belgorod has been the target of repeated attacks by Ukraine in recent weeks. Twenty-five civilians were killed there at the end of December in a missile and drone attack.

"The city of Belgorod was shelled again last night and people were injured,” Belgorod Oblast Governor Vyacheslav Gladkov said on Telegram messaging.

"There are now three people in intensive care, all have had surgery. Doctors judge that they are in a stable and serious condition, he added, specifying that the windows of a residential building had exploded and that several cars had been damaged. Ukraine has not commented on this bombing.

The Russian Defense Ministry said air defenses shot down 10 missiles fired from Czech-designed RM-70 Vampire multiple rocket launchers. Since the start of the war triggered by Russia's invasion of Ukraine, the Ukrainian army has reportedly received several RM-70s from the Czech Republic.

Vyacheslav Gladkov said he asked other Russian regions for help to accommodate children evacuated from Belgorod. He added that, if necessary, teachers would also be evacuated.