WAR IN UKRAINE – A new drone attack launched by Ukrainian forces hit an airbase in southern Russia, killing three people. Russian air defense systems reportedly shot down the drone while it was approaching the Engels base in Saratov region. According to TASS, three Russian technicians were killed in the crash. Located some 600 km from the Ukrainian border, the base was hit by another drone strike earlier this month. Also on Monday, Ukraine wants to call for excluding Russia from the UN Security Council, Ukraine’s Foreign Minister, Dmytro Kuyleba has said. „Does Russia have the right to remain a permanent member of the UN Security Council and to be in the United Nations at all?” he said, speaking during a national television marathon. „We have a convincing and reasoned answer — no, it does not”.
SEARCH – Romanian authorities will resume search and rescue operations to locate the four Ukrainian citizens who crossed the Maramureș Mountains to enter Romania. The Border Police spokesman said rescue teams failed to reach them on Sunday after having established contact previously. The caller was most likely located on the opposite side of a cliffy area, which prevented rescue teams from getting to him. Rescue teams managed to save another two Ukrainians on Saturday.
REFUGEES – Some 341 thousand people, both Romanian and foreign nationals, crossed the Romanian border over December 24-25, the Border Police Inspectorate announced. Some 204 thousand people entered Romania during the interval, of whom 18,325 were Ukrainian citizens. Starting February 10, 2022, some 3.1 million Ukrainians entered Romania, most of whom were en route to other countries in Western Europe. According to the Interior Ministry, over 4,000 people filed for asylum in Romania and thus benefit from every right under the Romanian law. Since March, some 100 thousand stay permits have been issued for temporary protection beneficiaries.
