Ukraine Wants "Missile Power", Russia's Wagner Claims More Donetsk Gains, Putin Open To Scholz Call

Ukraine’s military and Russia’s Wagner group are both claiming control in the area of Blahodatne in the Donetsk region. Zelensky said Ukraine wanted to preempt Russian attacks on urban areas and civilians with more firepower. Russia has accused the Ukrainian military of deliberately attacking a hospital in a Russian-held area of eastern Ukraine. Luhansk Governor Serhiy Haidai claims that Russia’s newly mobilised troops will arrive on the Luhansk front in February. The US-based Institute for the Study of War says Russian troops are likely replacing exhausted Wagner mercenaries in Bakhmut. Ukrainian presidential aide Mikhail Podoliak said that Kyiv and the West are engaged in “fast-track” talks for more missiles and aircraft. Kremlin has said that Russian President Vladimir Putin is open to having a conversation with Germany’s Olaf Scholz.