War in Ukraine. Deadly strikes in the east, changes to government… Updates in the evening
On this 335th day of conflict in Ukraine, fighting is concentrated in the south and east of the country. On Monday, a local occupation authority leader installed by Moscow said that Russian troops were advancing towards two areas in the Zaporizhja region. In the evening, the General Staff of the Ukrainian army calmly reported this “on January 20 and 21, the enemy carried out offensive actions in the sector”near Mali Shcherbaky.
Update on Monday, January 23, 2023.
One died near Bakhmut
The Russian attack on a building in the town of Chassiv Yar, near Bakhmut, in the Donetsk region, left one person dead and two injured late Monday.
“One person was killed, and two others were injured, following the shelling by the Russian occupation forces in the town of Chassiv Yar”said Governor Pavlo Kyrylenko, on Telegram, quoted by The Kyiv Independent. “The invaders attacked residential areas with multiple rocket launcher systems, damaged at least nine high-rise buildings and cut off the supply of electricity and gas to the neighborhood. »
Changes in the Ukrainian government team
Volodymyr Zelensky said late on Monday that changes would be made over the next twenty-four hours for senior government posts and regional posts.
In daily video speeches, the President of Ukraine indicated that several decisions had been made “today (Monday), another tomorrow” regarding position “from various levels in ministries and other central government structures, as well as in the regions and law enforcement agencies”.
In the past, Volodimir Zelensky has vowed to fight corruption at all levels, amid a series of accusations of bribery and questionable practices among the ruling political class.
South Africa has declared itself a “friend” of Russia
South Africa, which has refused to condemn Moscow since the start of the war in Ukraine, took a new step Monday by declaring itself ” friend “ Russia.
The South African Army has confirmed that tripartite maneuvers with Russian and Chinese ships are planned from February 17 to 27 near the port city of Durban. “All countries carry out military exercises with their friends”said South African Foreign Minister Naledi Pandor at a news conference after a meeting with his Russian counterpart, Sergei Lavrov.
Documentary film about Ukraine directed by Sean Penn premiered at the Berlinale
American actor and director Sean Penn will premiere a documentary about Russia’s invasion of Ukraine starring President Volodymyr Zelensky at the Berlin film festival next month, organizers said Monday.
The 73rd Berlinale, which will take place from February 16 to 26, will this time highlight the war in Ukraine, whose Russian invasion began on February 24, 2022.
“Super strength” (“super power”), presented as “the chronicle of a project forced by reality into something less controllable but more meaningful”will be the most important Ukrainian film presented at the festival.
Sean Penn was in kyiv filming a documentary in late February 2022 when the Russian invasion began. The actor who won two Oscars – for ‘Harvey Milk’ and ‘Mystic River’ – is pictured at a Ukrainian government press conference in Kyiv. We also see him with Mr Zelensky in a video posted on the Ukrainian president’s Instagram account.
