211th Brigade commander detained, Aliyev accuses Russia of shooting down Azerbaijani plane: December 29 highlights

The commander of the 211th Brigade was detained

Law enforcement officers detained and pressed new charges against the commander of the 211th Pontoon and Bridge Brigade, Colonel Oleh Poberezhniuk, who covered up the abuse of soldiers.

According to the investigation, Poberezhniuk did not react to the facts of inhumane treatment and torture of subordinates.

He was previously charged with abuse of office. The colonel was released from custody on bail of 908,400 hryvnias ($21,621).

Aliyev: Azerbaijan Airlines plane was attacked from the ground

Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev confirmed on December 29 that the plane that crashed in Aktau was damaged by ground fire. Aliyev also noted that the aircraft was taken out of control by electronic warfare.

According to the Azerbaijani leader, he was saddened and surprised that "the Russian side wants to hush up the issue."

After this statement, he received another call from Russian President Vladimir Putin. He apologized for the fact that the disaster occurred in Russian airspace, but tried to shift the blame to the attack by Ukrainian drones.

Ukraine received 150 million euros for weapons production

Ukraine has received more than 150 million euros from Denmark, France and Lithuania to finance the defense-industrial complex, the Ministry of Defense reports.

These funds will be used to produce missiles, deepstrike drones, and artillery systems.

How many conclusions of the medical expert commissions have already been overturned?

Law enforcement officers transferred to the Ministry of Health more than 2,000 cases of questionable disability, which was previously established by the conclusion of medical and social expert commissions (MSEC).

Almost a thousand proceedings have already been considered. 188 people had their disability decisions revoked.

Britain allocates $5.6 million to punish war criminals

The British government has announced the allocation of 4.5 million pounds sterling (about $5.6 million) to bring to justice Russian military personnel who committed war crimes during the full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

The funds will be used to support the documentation, investigation, and prosecution of war crimes in Ukraine.

Croatia elects new president

The first round of presidential elections in Croatia has been held. Initial exit polls show that incumbent President Zoran Milanović, who is considered pro-Russian, in particular due to his controversial statements regarding Ukraine, received 51.48% of the vote.

However, the role of the president in Croatia is largely ceremonial, although he has a say in foreign policy, defense, and security matters.

Malanka took place in the center of Kyiv

A reenactment featuring Malanka, Vasyl, Koza, Did, and the Devils swept through the streets and institutions of Kyiv — with music, songs, and festive bells.

Other news

• Russia launched 280 guided aerial bombs and 370 drones across Ukraine in a week.
• The candidate for German chancellor believes that the deployment of peacekeepers in Ukraine is possible, but only with the consent of the Russian Federation.
• Joe Biden still believes he could have beaten Trump in the election, WP writes.
• In Tbilisi, protesters took to the streets with "red cards" against the inauguration of former football player Mikheil Kavelashvili.