Another massive missile attack, the ninth package of sanctions from the EU: today's highlights

Russia again massively fired missiles at Ukraine

On the morning of December 16, the Russian occupation forces fired missiles at the territory of Ukraine. It is known about explosions in different regions and strikes on critical infrastructure, there are victims. This was reported by local authorities.

Russians struck three times on critical infrastructure in Kharkiv Oblast, said the head of the regional military administration Oleh Syniehubov. According to preliminary information, there were no casualties.

In Dnipropetrovsk Oblast, Ukrainian air defense forces shot down 10 Russian missiles in the skies over the region, said Valentyn Reznichenko, head of the regional military administration. Kryvyi Rih was hit by missiles, reported the mayor Oleksandr Vilkul.

Air defense was working in Kyiv, Poltava, Mykolaiv, and Vinnytsia Oblasts. In Kyiv, there were three explosions in Desnianskyi, Dniprovskyi, and Holosiivskyi districts, said Mayor Vitali Klitschko.

Two missiles were fired at Zhytomyr Oblast, and one of them was shot down by air defense forces, wrote the head of the Regional Military Administration Vitalii Bunechko. The other hit an infrastructure facility on the territory of Korosten city territorial community, said Mayor Volodymyr Moskalenko.

According to the updated data of the General Staff, Russians launched 70 cruise and 4 guided missiles during a massive missile attack on December 16. Air defense forces shot down 60 cruise missiles.

Russians hit a three-story building in Kryvyi Rih

On the afternoon of December 16, Russian occupation forces shelled Kryvyi Rih in Dnipropetrovsk Oblast. A three-story residential building was hit. This was reported by the press service of the State Emergency Service of Ukraine.

As a result of the incident, three people were killed, and thirteen people were injured, including four children, the head of the State Emergency Service Valentyn Reznichenko wrote.

The EU has finally approved the ninth package of sanctions against Russia

On December 16, the Council of the European Union finally approved the ninth package of sanctions against Russia. It provides for new restrictions on technology and Russian TV channels. This is stated on the website of the EU Council.

Among other things, the ninth package includes:

• new restrictions on the export of goods and technologies that Russia can use for war;
• extension of the ban on exports to Russia of goods and technologies related to the aviation and space industry;
• freezing the assets of two more Russian banks;
• suspension of broadcasting licenses of several TV channels.

Russians damaged nine power generation facilities

A massive missile attack by Russian occupation forces on December 16 damaged several energy facilities in Ukraine, including power plants and substations that transmit electricity. This was announced by Energy Minister Herman Halushchenko during a telethon.

“There is damage to about 9 generation facilities, now we are still verifying these damages. Accordingly, stations and substations that transmit electricity are damaged,” he said.

Halushchenko said that this primarily caused restrictions on electricity production at the facilities. The agency is now monitoring the situation and will work to increase production in the coming hours.

A helicopter crashed in Russia

A Mi-8 helicopter crashed in the Russian Republic of Buryatia. There were three crew members on board: all were killed. This was reported by RIA Novosti and the head of Buryatia Alexei Tsidenov.

According to the head of the region, the helicopter caught fire while landing at the airport "Baikal". The fire occurred on the taxiway, the runway was not damaged.