today
Sunday 22 January 2023
16:29
CORRUPTION
A senior Ukrainian ministry official suspected of embezzlement was fired on Sunday while the defense ministry launched an internal investigation following press revelations about an alleged contract signed at an inflated price.
“The Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine orders the dismissal of VM Lozynkiy as Deputy Minister for Development of Municipalities, Territories and Infrastructures of Ukraine,” Prime Minister of Ukraine Denys Shmygal told Telegram. On Saturday, the Ukrainian National Anti-Corruption Bureau (NABU) arrested Vasyl Lozynkiï on suspicion of embezzlement.
Mr. Lozynkiï, in office since May 2020, “received ($400,000) to facilitate the conclusion of contracts for the purchase of equipment and generators at inflated prices,” NABU said in a press release.
14:44
SPAIN
Spanish police announced on Sunday that they had dismantled a network managing three tobacco factories where Ukrainians who fled to Spain after the Russian invasion worked and were “crammed” into makeshift shelters.
The network is accused of smuggling “large amounts” of tobacco, which it transformed into counterfeit cigarettes sold across Spain and neighboring countries, the Spanish Civil Guard said in a press release. 27 people were arrested in Spain as part of investigations carried out with the help of the European police agency Europol.
13:46
RUSSIAN OFFENSIVE
The Russian army is advancing on two villages in the Zaporijia region of southern Ukraine. This area is the scene of clashes with Kiev troops that have intensified this week. The front is mobile, mainly in two directions: Orikhiv and Gulyaipole,” Vladimir Rogov, a head of the Moscow-installed regional occupation authority, told Russian news agency Ria Novosti Krieg, located 65 km and 100 km southeast of Zaporijjia, the capital of the Russian Federation, respectively region of the same name controlled by Ukrainian troops.
12:20 p.m
CORRUPTION FEE
Ukraine’s Defense Ministry on Sunday denied signing contracts that overpriced food for its soldiers and dismissed any allegations of corruption.
The comments come a day after press reports in the national media accused the Ukrainian ministry of agreeing on prices “two to three times higher” than current tariffs on staple foods. The signed contract in question for 2023 would amount to 13 billion hryvnia, or $350 million at the current exchange rate, according to news site ZN.UA.
12:03
GERMAN-FRENCH SUPPORT WILL LAST “AS LONG AS NECESSARY”
“We will provide Ukraine with all the necessary support for as long as necessary,” Chancellor Olaf Scholz promised on Sunday together with French President Emmanuel Macron.
10:47
ADVANCES OF THE RUSSIAN ARMY
The Russian army is advancing on two villages in the Zaporizhia region of southern Ukraine where clashes with troops from Kyiv intensified this week, a leader of the Moscow-installed occupation authority said on Sunday. “The front is mobile, primarily in two directions: Orikhiv and Gulyaipole,” Vladimir Rogov told Russia’s Ria Novosti news agency.
These two cities, each with a pre-war population of about 15,000, are 65 km and 100 km south-east of Zaporijia, respectively, the capital of the eponymous region controlled by Ukrainian troops.
09:26
GERMAN “INACEPTABLE” POSITION FOR POLAND
Poland’s prime minister on Sunday called Berlin’s refusal to supply Leopard heavy tanks to Kyiv “unacceptable”, urging them to do so when the Russians are on the offensive.
“Germany’s position is unacceptable. Almost a year has passed since the beginning of the war. Innocent people die every day. Russian bombs wreak havoc in Ukrainian cities. Civilian objects are being attacked, women and children are being murdered,” Mateusz Morawiecki told PAP News agency.
07:49
UPDATE ON THE SITUATION
Ukraine is still demanding the delivery of heavy tanks to its allies, so far without success. At the same time, Russia conducted air defense exercises in the Moscow region. Here are the highlights of the last 24 hours.
International
Posted today at 7:46am
06:52
Hello and welcome to TF1info to follow the news about the war in Ukraine this Sunday 22nd January.