DIRECT. War in Ukraine: Petition by Russian mothers denounces ‘endless empty talk’

Tough week ahead

In his daily address last night, President Zelensky warned: “The coming week could be as challenging as the one that just passed,” he said, referring to Russia’s massive strikes Wednesday on energy infrastructure that shut down most of the electricity and water supply, and the temperature has plummeted.

Calling his people to unity, he asks them “not to leave without help those whom you can help.” And pay close attention to air raid alerts this week.

Shelling continues in Kherson

Russian troops have withdrawn from Kherson since November 10 but continue to shell the city in southern Ukraine. As a result of Russian artillery strikes in recent days, 16 civilians have been killed and 37 injured. The evacuation began by the Ukrainian authorities.

Petition launched for Mother’s Day in Russia

On Mother’s Day in Russia, a group of mothers of Russian soldiers joined activists who demanded the withdrawal of Russian troops from Ukraine through an online petition. She has amassed over 4,100 signatures on Change.org since yesterday. It is addressed to Russian parliamentarians.

“For nine months now, the so-called special forces operation has been going on, bringing destruction, grief, blood and tears,” the petition says. “Regardless of our nationality, religion or social status, we – the mothers of Russia – are united by one desire: to live in peace and harmony, raise our children in a peaceful environment and not be afraid for their future.” They claim that many families had to pay for equipment to protect their soldiers, “even bulletproof vests.”

The text also claims that wives, sisters and mothers of Russian soldiers organize strikes, write petitions, sign collective calls for peace, but “no one hears them.”

Since the beginning of the partial mobilization, Russian mothers have tried to make their voices heard. On Friday, to defuse anger, the Kremlin organized a women’s round table around Vladimir Putin. The word was very precise, and the words of the women present were not broadcast.

What is the strategy for Ukrainians?

In the northeast of the country, Ukrainians hope to seize a key highway that serves the cities of Severodonetsk and Lysichansk. These two industrial cities were taken by the Russians after a brutal summer campaign in which both sides lost large numbers of soldiers.

Military experts say the pace of fighting could soon pick up as frost hardens on roads that are currently covered in mud.

Until now, millions of people without heating and electricity

Ukrainian authorities are gradually restoring power, helped by the reconnection of the country’s four nuclear power plants, but millions of people are still without heat and electricity after the war’s most devastating Russian airstrikes. Network operator electricity covers almost 80% of the country’s consumption needs.

Welcome to our live stream

Hi all ! Welcome to our new live broadcast, once again dedicated to the news of the 278th day of the war in Ukraine.