Skip next section What you need to knowWhat you need to knowGerman Defence Minister Boris Pistorius pledged continued German support to Ukraine in its resistance of Russia’s invasion. Pistorius also paid tribute to those killed during the demonstrations on Maidan square ten years ago.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy told Ukrainians that 10 years ago, “Ukrainians launched their first counteroffensive” against Russian attempts to “deprive Ukraine of a European future,” referring to the pro-European Maidan protests.
Meanwhile, the US said it will provide Ukraine with another $100 million in military aid, US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin said during a visit to Kyiv.
The US State Department also announced it was imposing sanctions against two members of the Russian military, including the so-called “Butcher of Bucha,” over alleged human rights violations in Ukraine.
Here’s a look at the latest developments of Russia’s war in Ukraine from Tuesday, November 21.
Skip next section German Defense Minister Pistorius arrives in KyivNovember 21, 2023
German Defense Minister Pistorius arrives in KyivGermany has been a top supplier of military aid to Ukraine since the Russian invasion Image: Tobias Schwarz/AFP/Getty ImagesGerman Defense Minister Boris Pistorius arrived by train in Kyiv on Tuesday on an unannounced visit, where he is due to meet President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
Pistorius said he wanted to express Germany’s “deep solidarity and admiration for the courageous, brave and costly fight that is being
waged here.”
The visit will touch upon military aid to Ukraine, as well as reaffirming Germany’s support in resisting the Russian invasion. Pistorius is scheduled to meet his Ukrainian counterpart, Rustem Umerov.
Pistorius also visited a makeshift memorial for those killed during the Maidan protests in Kyiv, which started on November 21, 2013.
“Courageous people of all ages took to the streets for freedom, for rapprochement with Europe, and paid for it with their lives,” he
said.
Tuesday’s visit is Pistorius’ second time in Ukraine. He visited in February 2023, and pledged the delivery of German tanks.
Russia has stepped up its attacks on Ukraine in recent weeks, amid growing concern that Western countries have shifted their attention away from Ukraine, due to the situation in the Middle East.
Germany is the second biggest military supplier to Ukraine after the US. Washington’s military support to Ukraine amounts to €42.1 billion ($46 billion), and Berlin’s €17.1 billion, according the Kiel Institute for World Economy research center.
https://p.dw.com/p/4ZEwlSkip next section Zelenskyy says Maidan protests 10 years ago were ‘the first victory of today’s war’November 21, 2023
Zelenskyy says Maidan protests 10 years ago were ‘the first victory of today’s war’President Volodymyr Zelenskyy addressed Ukrainians on the “Day of Dignity and Freedom,” which commemorates two pro-democracy protest movements: the “Orange Revolution” of 2004 and the so-called “Revolution of Dignity.”
The latter was sparked by protests on November 21, 2013 centered on Kyiv’s Maidan square against the former pro-Russian President Viktor Yanukovych scrapping an agreement to bring Ukraine closer to the EU.
“Ten years ago, we started a new page in the struggle. 10 years ago, Ukrainians launched their first counteroffensive. Against lawlessness, against the attempt to deprive us of our European future. Against our subjugation,” he said a statement.
Standing in front of the flags of Ukraine and the European Union, Zelenskyy said that the country’s candidate status and further accession negotiations should certainly lead to Ukraine’s full membership in the EU.
Zelenskyy said that by winning the Revolution of Dignitiy, Ukrainians achieved “the first victory in today’s war.”
The Ukrainian president linked the Maidan protests to Russia’s ongoing full-scale invasion of Ukraine, saying that “the defense of democratic values turns into the defense of sovereignty and territorial integrity.”
Zelenskyy called on Ukrainians to unite and on the world to show support and solidarity with Ukraine. “When the civilized world begins to seek compromises with terrorists and make concessions to tyrants. Then we all definitely lose,” he said.
https://p.dw.com/p/4ZFFcSkip next section Russian strikes kill 2 in east UkraineNovember 21, 2023
Russian strikes kill 2 in east UkraineOvernight Russian missile attacks and shelling killed two people and wounded six in Ukraine’s eastern Donetsk and Kharkiv regions, Ukrainian officials said.
Missiles hit a hospital in the Donetsk town of Selydove and a coal mine, Interior Minister Ihor Klymenko said on the Telegram messaging service.
“Two buildings of the hospital were damaged, six civilians were injured. There may be victims under the rubble, search operations continue,” Klymenko said. One worker was killed in the attack on the coal mine, he added.
“Four buildings, 19 vehicles and a power line were damaged. 39 miners were trapped underground. As of now, all miners have been brought to the surface,” he said.
Separately, in Kharkiv, one person was killed in Russian shelling, the region’s governor, Oleh Synehubov, said.
Meanwhile, Ukraine’s air force said its air defenses shot down one missile and 9 of 10 drones in a Russian attack overnight.
Russian drones change Ukraine’s tactics on eastern front To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video
https://p.dw.com/p/4ZF6oSkip next section US Secretary of Defense Austin announces $100 million aid in KyivNovember 21, 2023
US Secretary of Defense Austin announces $100 million aid in KyivUS Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin announced a fresh package of US military aid to Ukraine worth $100 million (approximately €91.38 million), during a surprise visit to Kyiv.
The State Department said the new package includes three million rounds of small-arms ammunition and equipment for the HIMARS precision rocket launchers.
The US has supplied Ukraine since the start of the war with some $40 billion worth of security assistance, which has proved integral in Kyiv’s fight against Moscow.
“The message that I bring you today, Mr. President, is that the United States of America is with you. We will remain with you for the long haul,” Austin told Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy during the visit.
Zelenskyy told Austin that his visit was “a very important signal” for Ukraine.
“We count on your support,” he added.
Recently, the sustainability of such key support has been called into question, with Republicans only advancing military aid to Israel out of an aid package for both Ukraine and Israel requested by President Joe Biden.
Biden says House turmoil could hurt Ukraine aid To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video
https://p.dw.com/p/4ZEqlSkip next section US bars 2 Russian armed forces membersNovember 21, 2023
US bars 2 Russian armed forces membersThe United States has banned the entry of two Russians over their alleged involvement in human rights violations in Ukraine, the US State Department said on Monday.
The sanctions extend to their immediate families.
The State Department accused Russian Colonel Azatbek Omurbekov and Russian Guard Corporal Daniil Frolkin of committing extrajudicial killings of unarmed civilians in Ukraine.
Omurbekov, who has been called the “Butcher of Bucha,” led a unit of soldiers that allegedly killed, dismembered and burned civilians in the town of Bucha, close to Kyiv, during the Russian occupation.
Russian President Vladimir Putin subsequently praised the unit and promoted Omurbekov.
Frolkin has been accused of executing an unarmed civilian in the eastern Ukrainian town of Andriivka.
“The reports that Omurbekov and Frolkin were involved in gross violations of human rights, as documented by NGOs and independent investigations, are serious and credible,” the State Department said in a press release.
https://p.dw.com/p/4ZEqn
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