An ally of President Vladimir Putin has warned that delivering weapons to Kyiv which threaten Russia will lead to a global catastrophe; UK’s MoD says Moscow will struggle to staff planned armed forces expansion. Listen to the latest episode of Ukraine War Diaries as you scroll.
Unity Day is a national holiday celebrated annually on January 22.
It marks the day in 1919 that the Unification Act was signed.
The act brought together the Ukraine People’s Republic and Western Ukraine People’s Republic into one independent country.
Yet Ukraine’s independence in 1919 was short-lived, as the Soviets soon took over most of Ukraine’s territory.
Marking the day, Ukrainian World Congress President Paul Grod said that this year, more than ever, Ukrainians around the world are united.
“Today, after almost a year of Russia’s brutal full-scale war of aggression, Ukrainians around world are united like never before and are standing fearlessly in defence of their families and homeland,” Mr Grod said.
“I am confident that together we will be victorious and liberate all the Ukrainian people suffering under Russia’s torturous occupation.”
On the front-line, soldiers in King Danylo’s 24th Separate Mechanized Brigade raised a Ukrainian flag over the city of Bakhmut, in the Donetsk region, in order to celebrate Unity Day.
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau also released a statement marking the historic day, focusing on the “close bilateral relationship” between the two countries.
“Canada’s ties with Ukraine run deep. We are home to the second largest Ukrainian diaspora in the world, with over 1.4 million people of Ukrainian descent living in this country today,” he said.
“On this Day of Unity, we stand together against violence, authoritarianism, and threats to democracy.
“We honour the lives tragically lost in the fight to protect Ukraine’s sovereignty, territorial integrity, and independence.”
A 67-year-old woman was killed in the eastern region of Kharkiv after Russian missiles hit a residential building.
Kharkiv Oblast Governor Oleh Syniehubov confirmed the news on Facebook.
The village, which is located close to the Russian border, was struck around 2.30pm.
In the southeastern region of Zaporizhzhia, Russian forces have launched a missile strike on critical infrastructure, the general staff of Ukraine’s armed forces said in its evening briefing.
Speaking at a joint news conference Mr Macron said that he does not rule out the possibility of sending Leclerc tanks to Ukraine.
He said that sending tanks must not escalate the situation and must take into account the time to effectively train Ukrainians, whilst not endangering France’s own security.
“Regarding the Leclercs, I asked the army minister to work on it, but nothing has been ruled out,” he said.
Meanwhile, Germany’s Mr Scholz said that all future decisions on weapons deliveries will be made in coordination with allies, including the United States.
When confronted about the mounting pressure on the country to provide tanks to Ukraine, Mr Scholz said that all weapons deliveries to Ukraine so far have taken place in close coordination with Western partners.
France and Germany sought to overcome differences laid bare by Russia’s war in Ukraine, while marking 60 years since a landmark treaty sealed a bond between the long-time enemies.
Around 300 politicians from both countries came together at the Sorbonne University in Paris for a day of ceremonies and talks on Sunday.
Both countries have contributed significant weaponry to Ukraine, but the war has exposed differences in strategy between the two.
Most notably European talks have focused on how to deal with the resulting energy crisis and punishing inflation, as well as over future military investment.
“Putin’s imperialism will not win,” German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said of the war in Ukraine during the ceremony.
“We will not allow Europe to revert to a time when violence replaced politics and our continent was torn apart by hatred and national rivalries.”
The city of Bakhmut is almost under siege.
As you approach, the rumbling percussion of artillery echoes all around – it’s the sound of a coming storm.
The first thing that draws your eye is the smoke from shelling in the centre, spiralling up against a bruised skyline.
Russia‘s advance is choking routes into this desperate place, which is at the epicentre of this war.
We travelled on one of the remaining roads in.
You can read Sky’s international correspondent, Alex Rossi’s, full eyewitness account from Bakhmut below…
Retired Air Vice-Marshal Sean Bell explains why Western tanks given to Ukraine could prove decisive against Russian forces – and why Germany is reluctant to supply them.
Berlin is facing increasing pressure to allow the shipment of German-made Leopard 2 tanks and recent talks have failed to convince the country to send them to Ukraine.
Marshal Bell says this is not Germany “being difficult” but “as ever, it’s tied up in history”.
Watch his full explanation of why world actions post-WW2 are behind this decision here…
Ukraine’s government has praised the ex-prime minister in the wake of his visit, saying: “Friends like this are worth more than a squadron of tanks.”
Kyiv has reportedly dismissed deputy minister Vasyl Lozynskiy who allegedly received a $400,000 (£322,870) bribe.
The National Anti-Corruption Bureau detained Deputy Minister Vasyl Lozynskiy on 21 January.
The deputy minister allegedly accepted $400,000 in bribes for the procurement of electricity generators.
Boris Johnson has met President Volodymyr Zelenskyy during a surprise visit to Ukraine. The former prime minister was also seen visiting Borodianka, Bucha and the other suburbs of Kyiv.
Mr Johnson is under fire amid allegations BBC chairman Richard Sharp helped the former prime minister arrange a guarantee for a loan – and that Mr Johnson later recommended Mr Sharp for the role of BBC chair.
Rishi Sunak is “supportive” of Boris Johnson’s visit to Ukraine, Downing Street has said.
The Prime Minister’s press secretary said he is “always supportive of all colleagues showing that the UK is behind Ukraine and will continue to support them”.
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