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LIVE UPDATES: US Reportedly Prepping $2.2Bln Ukraine Arms Package, Including Longer-Range Rockets

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Russia launched a special military operation in Ukraine on February 24, 2023, following the plea from the Donetsk and Lugansk People`s Republics to protect their citizens amidst increased attacks from Kiev

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LIVE UPDATES: US Reportedly Prepping $2.2Bln Ukraine Arms Package, Including Longer-Range Rockets

04:32 GMT 31.01.2023 (Updated: 21:26 GMT 30.03.2023)

Russia launched a special military operation in Ukraine on February 24, 2022, following the plea from the Donetsk and Lugansk People's Republics to protect their citizens amidst increased attacks from Kiev.

Since October 2022, the Russian military has been performing precision strikes on Ukrainian military and energy infrastructure in response to Ukrainian terrorist attacks on Russian territory, particularly the bombing of the Crimean Bridge carried out by Ukrainian intelligence.

Over the past months, air raid alerts have been sounded in regions of Ukraine every day, with many parts of the country experiencing power cuts.

The United States and western countries ramped up their military support for Ukraine after Russia launched a special military operation.

Last week, Germany pledged to send 14 Leopard 2A6 tanks to Ukraine, after being repeatedly urged to do so by some of its EU and NATO allies. The United States said it would send Ukraine 31 Abrams tanks and eight M88 recovery vehicles, noting that the delivery would take considerable time.

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03:52 GMT 01.02.2023

Transfiguration Cathedral in Odessa, Ukraine, dedicated to the Saviour's Transfiguration. Part of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (Moscow Patriarchate). File photo. - Sputnik International, 1920, 01.02.2023

World

Moscow: Kiev's Persecution of Orthodox Church May Cause Major Sectarian Conflict in Europe

1 February 2023, 03:58 GMT

00:57 GMT 01.02.2023

A foreign currency dealer in Ampang - Sputnik International, 1920, 01.02.2023

Americas

Nearly Four Times as Many Americans Now Say US Gives ‘Too Much’ to Ukraine – Poll

1 February 2023, 01:02 GMT

23:42 GMT 31.01.2023

Moscow, Kiev Negotiating Corridor for Exchange of Prisoners of War - Erdogan's Spokesman

Turkish presidential spokesman Ibrahim Kalin said on Tuesday that Russia and Ukraine were engaged in talks on the opening of a new corridor for the exchange of prisoners of war (POWs).

"The issue is on the agenda and contacts are being held at various levels. Initiatives in this direction are being taken under the leadership of [Turkish] President [Recep Tayyip] Erdogan; we hope to achieve some results," Kalin told journalists when asked about a new humanitarian corridor for the exchange of POWs between Moscow and Kiev.

Erdogan said in early January that Ankara was in favor of the opening of the humanitarian corridor between Russia and Ukraine to help women and children, as well as those wounded and affected by the Ukraine crisis.

In January, Russian Commissioner for Human Rights Tatiana Moskalkova held several rounds of talks with her Ukrainian counterpart, Dmytro Lubinets, and Turkish human rights commissioner Seref Malkoc in Turkey's capital Ankara and via teleconferencing.

23:15 GMT 31.01.2023

Air Raid Warnings Issued in Ukraine's Sumy, Chernihiv Regions - Authorities

22:27 GMT 31.01.2023

Report: US Prepping $2.2Bln Ukraine Weapons Package, Including Longer-Range Rockets

The United States is preparing to provide Ukraine with a new $2.2 billion weapons package, including longer-range rockets for the first time, Reuters reported, citing two US officials familiar with the matter.

The US will provide Ukrainian forces with longer-range rockets despite previous concerns by the Biden administration about providing Kiev with systems capable of striking deep into Russian territory, the report said on Tuesday.

The package will also include other weapons and munitions, the report added.

21:08 GMT 31.01.2023

France to Train 600 Ukrainian Soldiers Per Month in Poland - Defense Minister

French Defense Minister Sebastien Lecornu said Tuesday that 150 French soldiers will arrive in Poland at the end of February to train up to 600 Ukrainian soldiers there each month.

Earlier in the day, Ukrainian Defense Minister Oleksiy Reznikov paid his first visit to Paris.

"We will participate in the training of Ukrainian soldiers in Poland together with our Polish friends. I confirm that 150 French military will come to Poland at the end of February to train soldiers. Our goal is to train up to 600 Ukrainian soldiers every month," Lecornu told a joint press conference with his Ukrainian counterpart.

In mid-November, the EU officially launched the European Union Military Assistance Mission in support of Ukraine, designed to train at least 15,000 Ukrainian soldiers, and agreed on additional funding to enhance the country's armed forces.

18:58 GMT 31.01.2023

The PMF-1 Lepestok (Petal) antipersonnel pressure-type landmine - Sputnik International, 1920, 31.01.2023

Russia's Special Operation in Ukraine

UN Says Alleged Use of Banned Landmines by Ukraine Should Be Investigated

31 January 2023, 18:58 GMT

18:31 GMT 31.01.2023

Company in Russia's Far East Launches Mass Production of Drones for Use in Ukraine

A company in Russia's far eastern Primorsky Territory has launched the serial production of drones for the Russian army's needs during the military operation in Ukraine, the regional government said on Tuesday.

The facility was inspected by Deputy Russian Prime Minister and Presidential Envoy to the Far Eastern Federal District Yury Trutnev, Minister of Development of the Far East and the Arctic Aleksey Chekunkov and Primorsky Territory Governor Oleg Kozhemyako. The officials visited enterprises of the military-industrial complex in the city of Vladivostok and checked the military equipment.

"Those present paid special attention to unmanned aerial vehicles [UAV]. Each drone weighs only 1.5 kilograms [3 pounds]. There is a mechanism for dropping cargo at the enemy’s deployment site. Currently, the company has manufactured 45 such devices and is preparing to launch mass production, expecting to release about 60-100 more UAV’s," the government said in a statement.

In addition, the officials had an opportunity to look at a novel aircraft-type drone whose software was developed entirely in Primorsky Territory. Manufacturers are ready to produce up to 30 such units per month, according to the statement.

Kozhemyako noted that he will hand over the drones to Russian troops when he goes to the military operation area.

Primorsky Territory-based companies started production of military equipment for use in the area of hostilities last year.

16:29 GMT 31.01.2023

White House Says More Security Assistance for Ukraine to Be Announced 'Soon'

The White House expects that more security assistance for Ukraine will be announced “soon,” Principal Deputy Press Secretary Olivia Dalton said on Tuesday.

“I expect we're gonna have more security assistance to announce soon,” Dalton said during a press briefing.

15:30 GMT 31.01.2023

Biden Says Will Discuss Ukraine Weapon Requests With Zelensky

US President Joe Biden told reporters on Tuesday that he will discuss the weapons requests made by Ukraine with Volodymyr Zelensky.

"We're going to talk," Biden told White House pool reporters on departure to New York City, where he plans to continue promoting his infrastructure agenda.

President Joe Biden and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy walk along the Colonnade of the White House, Wednesday, Dec. 21, 2022, in Washington. - Sputnik International, 1920, 31.01.2023

Biden, Zelensky to Hold Talks on Ukraine's Latest Weapons Requests

31 January 2023, 15:29 GMT

15:18 GMT 31.01.2023

Possible Fighter Jet Deliveries to Ukraine 'Not Under Taboo' in France, Defense Minister Says

The issue of possible deliveries of fighter jets to Ukraine are "not under taboo" in France, French Defense Minister Sebastien Lecornu said on Tuesday.

On Monday, French President Emmanuel Macron that Paris would consider sending more weapons, including warplanes, if Ukraine lodged a formal request. According to Macron, in the issue of arms supplies, France proceeds from three criteria: usefulness and effectiveness of a particular type of weapon for the Ukrainian army, that supplies should not lead to an escalation of the conflict, and that they should not weaken the defense capability of the French army.

"As for fighter jets, we have no taboos on this matter. On this issue, we proceed from three criteria, which the President of the republic has already mentioned," Lekornyu said at a joint press conference with Ukrainian Defense Minister Oleksiy Reznikov in Paris.

13:35 GMT 31.01.2023

Ukrainian Air Force Calls F-16s Likely Candidate for Military Aviation Rearmament

Ukrainian Air Force Command spokesman Yuriy Ignat said on Tuesday that consultations are under way with partners to rearm the country's military aviation, calling the F-16 fighter "the most likely candidate" to replenish the fleet, which is lacking about 200 aircraft.

While a group of US military officials have reportedly been quietly lobbying to get F-16 multirole fighter jets delivered to Ukraine, US President Joe Biden said Tuesday that Washington would not send F-16s to Ukraine. French President Emmanuel Macron said Monday that Paris would consider sending more weapons, including warplanes, if Ukraine lodged a formal request.

"At the moment, the most likely candidate to replace the old Soviet aircraft is the F-16, because there are certain objective reasons for this. And it is not an individual decision, there are ongoing consultations with partners," Ignat said, as quoted by Ukrainian newspaper.

According to the spokesman, at the initial stage of rearmament Ukraine needs to prepare flight personnel, aviation engineers and airfield infrastructure.

"Then [there will be] the formation of aviation brigades: up to five, each of which can include up to three squadrons," Ignat added.

A squadron normally ranges from 12 to 24 aircraft. Thus, the country needs about 200 new aircraft to "fully rearm and replace old Soviet equipment," according to the spokesman.

Ignat also noted that the Ukrainian air force currently has 11 brigades: one training, three transport, one attack, one bomber and five fighter brigades. The Ukrainian air force's newest aircraft, Russian-made Su-27s, were supplied back in 1991.

12:43 GMT 31.01.2023

Air Raid Alerts Go Off Across Ukraine

12:34 GMT 31.01.2023

Poland Not Negotiating Transfer of F-16 Fighter Jets to Ukraine

Poland is not currently involved in negotiations on the transfer of F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine, Deputy Defense Minister Wojciech Skurkiewicz said on Tuesday.

"There are no official discussions on transferring F-16s at the moment," Skurkiewicz told AFP.

12:21 GMT 31.01.2023

London Considers Transfer of Jets to Ukraine is Inexpedient, Will Continue to Discuss Assistance to Kiev With Its Allies, Reports Say

London believes that sending UK fighter jets to Ukraine is "not practical" due to the complexity of their use, the Prime Minister’s official spokesman said on Tuesday.

"The UK’s Typhoon and F-35 fighter jets are extremely sophisticated and take months to learn how to fly... Given that we believe that it’s not practical to send those jets into Ukraine," the spokesman was quoted as saying by the UK newspaper.

The official added that London will continue to provide military support to Ukraine.

12:16 GMT 31.01.2023

Russia's MoD Briefing on Progress of Special Military Operation in Ukraine

12:15 GMT 31.01.2023

Poland Not Negotiating Transfer of F-16 Fighter Jets to Ukraine, Deputy Defense Minister Says

Poland is not currently involved in negotiations on the transfer of F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine, Deputy Defense Minister Wojciech Skurkiewicz said on Tuesday.

"There are no official discussions on transferring F-16s at the moment," Skurkiewicz said.

11:55 GMT 31.01.2023