Russia-Ukraine war: List of key events, day 289

Because the Russia-Ukraine conflict enters its 289th day, we check out the principle developments.

Bells are seen surrounded by particles of a destroyed Orthodox church, amid Russia's assault on Ukraine, within the village of Bohorodychne within the Donetsk area, Ukraine [Yevhen Titov/Reuters]

Right here is the scenario because it stands on Friday, December 9:

Diplomacy

• US basketball star Brittney Griner has been launched from a Russian jail and is on her means again to the US after a prisoner trade with convicted arms vendor Viktor Bout.
• The Kremlin mentioned the Russia-US prisoner swap was not a step in the direction of enhancing ties between Washington and Moscow, which stay “grievous”.
• Russian President Vladimir Putin mentioned the West’s need to take care of its dominance of worldwide affairs was growing the danger of potential conflicts.
• Putin says the goals of the conflict in Ukraine embrace an enlargement of Russia’s borders, in distinction with feedback made originally of the “particular army operation” when he mentioned Russian plans didn't embrace the occupation of Ukrainian land.
• The US is anticipated to impose new sanctions in opposition to Russia over Moscow’s deployment of Iranian drones in Ukraine and different actions, the Wall Avenue Journal newspaper reported, citing officers accustomed to the matter.

Combating

• Ukrainian officers say Russian forces have shelled your complete entrance line within the Donetsk area in japanese Ukraine as a part of what seemed to be Russia’s scaled-back ambition to safe solely the majority of lands it has claimed.
• The Ukrainian normal workers mentioned its forces attacked Russian positions and troop meeting factors in not less than half a dozen cities in southern Ukraine.
• Within the settlement of Posad-Pokrovske within the southern area of Kherson, retaken by Ukraine, some villagers have returned to houses broken or decreased to rubble by Russian shells.

Navy help

• The US Home of Representatives handed a defence invoice that gives Ukraine with not less than $800m in further safety help subsequent 12 months.
• The US was additionally making ready to ship Ukraine a $275m army help package deal providing new capabilities to defeat drones and strengthen air defences, in line with a doc seen by the Reuters information company and other people accustomed to the package deal.