New sanctions against Russia and Ukraine's strike on drone depot near Rostov - Friday brief
RBC-Ukraine collage
The United States imposed sanctions on more than 30 Russian oil companies. Meanwhile, the Security Service of Ukraine and the Navy hit an ammunition storage facility in the Rostov region of Russia.
Read more about what happened on Friday, January 10.
US imposes sanctions on largest oil companies in Russia
The US has imposed sanctions on over 30 Russian oil service companies. At the same time, restrictions have also affected a Serbian company linked to Gazprom Neft.
Today, the US Department of the Treasury took radical measures to fulfill G7 commitments to reduce Russian revenues from energy resources, including blocking two major Russian oil producers, namely Gazprom Neft and Surgutneftegaz.
In addition to them, the United States announced sanctions targeting more than 30 other Russian oil service companies.
UK, together with US, imposes sanctions on Russian oil giants
The UK has imposed sanctions on Russian companies Gazprom Neft and Surgutneftegaz for the first time. The restrictions will affect Russia's oil revenue.
The UK government noted that Gazprom Neft and Surgutneftegaz produce over 1 million barrels of oil per day, amounting to approximately $23 billion annually. This exceeds Jamaica's GDP.
"The profits from these 2 companies are lining Putin’s war chest and facilitating the war," the government clarified.
They added that every strike the UK makes against Russia's oil revenue is another step toward a just and lasting peace in Ukraine.
Russian drone storage facility hit with Neptune missile - Details of Ukraine's Security Service and Navy operation
During a joint operation of the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) and the Ukrainian Navy an ammunition storage depot in the Rostov region, Russia, was hit. The strike was carried out using the Neptune missile.
According to the sources, first, the Security Service's drones overloaded the Russian air defense systems, and then the Neptune missile struck the target.
The SBU noted that Russians complained on social media all night about the sounds of flying drones and the work of Russian air defense, and reported a powerful explosion, likely caused by the Neptune strike. Later, locals reported multiple explosions near Chaltyr, indicating secondary detonations of ammunition.
Ukrainian Armed Forces strike Russian command post in Svitlodarsk, Donetsk region
General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reports the attack on the command center of the 3rd Army Corps of the Russian Armed Forces in Svitlodarsk, Donetsk region.
This week the Armed Forces of Ukraine conducted a series of strikes on the facilities captured by the Russian troops in the Donetsk region.
Germany preparing new arms packages for Ukraine
Germany is preparing new large military aid packages for Ukraine. They may be provided in the first half of 2025.
The new packages will include 22 Leopard 1 main battle tanks, 25 Marder infantry fighting vehicles, and another Iris-T SLM/SLS air defense system.
Also, according to N-TV, Ukraine will receive 16 howitzers, 2 additional Patriot launchers, and seven Gepard anti-aircraft guns with 120,000 rounds of ammunition.
“Ukraine will also receive 3,500 armed drones from Helsing, 6 armed Sea-King helicopters, and 250,000 artillery rounds of ammunition. In addition, there are several other weapons and equipment for the Ukrainian army,” the agency reports.
EU provides Ukraine with first €3 billion secured by frozen Russian assets
Ukraine's state budget has received 3 billion euros from the European Union as part of the G7 initiative ERA. In total, the EU will provide 18 billion euros.
"This is the first tranche of funds from the European Union, secured through income from frozen Russian assets," Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal wrote.
Ukraine will direct these resources to priority budget expenditures.
The G7 ERA initiative provides $50 billion to Ukraine, with $20 billion coming from the European Union.
Trump announces preparations for meeting with Putin
US President-elect Donald Trump has stated that Russian President Vladimir Putin wants to meet with him. The meeting is already in the works.
Trump's statement came on Thursday (January 9 in the US) during his speech before a meeting with Republican governors at Mar-a-Lago in Palm Beach, Florida.
"President Putin wants to meet. He has said that even publicly and we have to get that war over with," said the US president-elect, who will soon take office.
