All 27 EU leaders seal a deal on a 50 billion euro aid package for Ukraine. Ukraine strikes the Belbek airfield and sinks a Russian missile boat in Crimea.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
European Union leaders on Thursday reached a deal to provide EUR 50 billion in aid to Ukraine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cAll 27 leaders agreed on an additional EUR 50 billion support package for Ukraine within the EU budget,\u201d European Council President Charles Michel wrote on X, a few minutes after the formal start of the Council meeting on Thursday.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThis locks in steadfast, long-term, predictable funding for Ukraine. The EU is taking leadership and responsibility in support for Ukraine; we know what is at stake,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyi said he was \u201cgrateful\u201d to Charles Michel and EU leaders for establishing the EUR 50 billion Ukraine Facility.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIt is very important that the decision was made by all 27 leaders, which once again proves strong EU unity,\u201d Zelenskyy tweeted. \u201cContinued EU financial support for Ukraine will strengthen long-term economic and financial stability, which is no less important than military assistance and sanctions pressure on Russia,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The European leaders managed to persuade Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orb\u00e1n to drop his veto over funding to Ukraine with three additions, diplomats said, according to Politico.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
There will be an annual report by the European Commission on the implementation of the aid package, there will be a debate at leaders\u2019 level on the implementation of the package and, if it is needed, in two years the European Council will ask the Commission propose a review of the new budget, according to the latest version of the draft European Council conclusions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Ukrainian missiles struck five targets at the Belbek airfield in occupied Crimea, spokesperson for Ukraine\u2019s southern military command, Colonel Natalia Humenyuk said. The Ukrainian Air Force has \u201csome tools\u201d to target Russian military installments in Crimea, according to spokesperson for the Ukrainian Air Force Command, Colonel Yuriy Ihnat.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWe now have some tools to conduct regular air strikes [at Russian targets] and degrade their military capabilities, we can do that. We surely need more of [these tools]. We also need more fighter jets to launch the strikes. We would like to get the aircraft from our partners as soon as possible,\u201d Ihnat said in televised comments.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He asked to wait for satellite images and intelligence reports that would give an accurate account of the damaged Russian military equipment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWe hope [the attack] has put out of service as many planes as possible. Russia is decreasing its presence in Crimea, which is not the first time that has happened. Our tactical aircraft pilots are cleansing Crimea with partner-supplied cruise missiles,\u201d Ihnat said. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
In a separate episode on the night of January 31 into February 1, the special unit \u201cGroup 13\u201d of Ukraine\u2019s defense intelligence destroyed the \u201cIvanovets\u201d missile boat of the Russian Black Sea Fleet, Ukraine\u2019s Defense Ministry said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThe successful operation was made possible with the support of the Ukrainian Ministry of Digital Transformation and the United24 platform,\u201d the Main Intelligence Department of the Defense Ministry of Ukraine said in a statement Thursday.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The boat was destroyed in Lake Donuzlav in Crimea.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cAs a result of a series of direct hits to the hull, the Russian ship suffered damage incompatible with further movement \u2013 the Ivanovets listed to the stern and sank,\u201d the statement reads.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The cost of the ship is estimated to be between USD 60 and USD 70 million. A Russian search and rescue operation in the area was unsuccessful, it added.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Russia has up to five such boats in its Black Sea Fleet, according to open source information. The Ivanovets\u2019 crew consists of 40 members.<\/p>\n\n\n\n