War in Ukraine: Iranian ballistic missiles, EU sanctions, downed Russian drones… update on the situation

Belgorod on February 15, 2024. (illustration) MAXPPP – BELGOROD GUVERNER VYACHESLAV GLADCOV TELEGRAM CHANNEL

Every day, Midi Libre takes stock of the situation in Ukraine. This Wednesday, February 21, 2024, discover the latest news around this conflict.

Air Force says it shot down 13 drones launched by Russia

Russia launched 19 drones and six missiles against Ukraine overnight from Tuesday to Wednesday, the Ukrainian Air Force said, adding that Ukrainian air defense systems had destroyed 13 drones and a missile.

Some of the drones that were not destroyed did not reach their target, the Air Force said on Telegram without providing More details. Most of the 13 drones shot down were over areas close to the front line. The Air Force also claimed to have destroyed a Kh-59 cruise missile in the Poltava region of central Ukraine.

The military said Russia launched five more missiles, without specifying whether the missiles that were not destroyed had hit their target. Russia did not' ;#39;did not immediately comment.

EU approves 13th package of sanctions against Russia

The European Union (EU) approved this Wednesday a 13th package of sanctions against Russia, announced the Belgian presidency of the European Council on the social network X (formerly Twitter).

"EU ambassadors have just given their agreement in principle to the 13th package of sanctions in the context of the aggression of Russia against Ukraine", she said. The sanctions in force since the invasion of Ukraine will be extended to some 200 entities and individuals, European sources said, but not extended to a new sector as had been the case. case with the diamonds in the previous package.

Many voices have been raised in recent days within the EU to demand new sanctions against Moscow due to the continuation of Russian aggression but also the suspicious death in prison of Russian opponent Alexeï Navalny.

The 13th sanctions package should be formally approved by the Twenty-Seven before the second anniversary of the Russian invasion, on February 24.

Iran sent hundreds of ballistic missiles to Russia

Iran has supplied Russia with hundreds of powerful surface-to-surface ballistic missiles, six sources told Reuters, highlighting strengthening military cooperation between Tehran and Moscow, all two targeted by sanctions imposed by the United States.

According to three Iranian sources, around 400 missiles were supplied by Tehran, including mainly short-range missiles from the Fateh-110 family, such as the Zolfaghar – a road-transportable missile capable of hitting targets. at a distance of between 300 and 700 kilometers. Iran's Defense Ministry and Iran's Revolutionary Guard Corps, an elite army unit that oversees Iran's ballistic missile program, declined requests for comment.

According to one of the Iranian sources, deliveries to Russia began in early January, following an agreement finalized at the end of ;last year during meetings organized in Tehran and Moscow between military and security representatives of the two countries. An Iranian military official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said there have been at least four missile deliveries and that additional deliveries would be made. over the next few weeks. He declined to provide further details.

Some of the missiles were transported by ship, via the Caspian Sea, and others by plane, another senior Iranian official said. "There will be additional deliveries. There is no reason to hide this. We are allowed to export weapons to any country according to our wishes", one of the representatives said.