The UN aims to aid 8.5 million people in Ukraine and support 2.3 million refugees and host communities in eastern Europe….reports Asian Lite News
The United Nations has emphasised the necessity of $4.2 billion in humanitarian aid for Ukraine in 2024, addressing both the conflict’s impact within the country and the millions of refugees. While recent headlines have focused on the Gaza war, Russia’s prolonged conflict in Ukraine is approaching its third year this February.
The UN’s ambitious goal is to assist 8.5 million people within Ukraine and provide aid to 2.3 million refugees and their host communities in eastern Europe. A recent surge in attacks has underscored the severe toll on civilians, magnified by the approaching harsh winter, intensifying the urgent need for life-saving humanitarian assistance.
The full-scale Russian invasion in February 2022 marked the largest European invasion since World War II, resulting in the continent’s most significant refugee crisis since the 1939-1945 conflict. The UN estimates that 14.6 million people, constituting 40% of Ukraine’s population, will require humanitarian aid in 2024, with a primary focus on reaching the 8.5 million most vulnerable.
UN aid chief Martin Griffiths emphasized the dire situation for children living in frontline communities, expressing the urgent need to provide more humanitarian assistance to Ukraine. The ongoing conflict has led to repeated strikes on homes, schools, hospitals, and essential infrastructure like water, gas, and power systems, causing profound societal damage and consequences.
Ukraine claims to destroy Russian spy plane
Ukraine has claimed to destroy a Russian spy plane over the Sea of Azov.
Ukraine’s Commander-in-Chief Valerii Zaluzhnyi initially said on Telegram on Monday that two aircraft had been destroyed, writing: “Warriors of the Air Force of the Armed Forces of Ukraine destroyed an enemy A-50 long-range radar detection aircraft and an enemy IL-22 air control centre,” CNN reported
He also thanked the Air Force for “the perfectly planned and executed operation” in southern Ukraine.
In a statement, the Ukrainian Air Forces called the special operation in the Azov Sea region “successful”.
Yuriy Ihnat, a spokesman for the Ukrainian Air Force, later said in a post on Facebook that one of the Russian planes targeted was able to make a landing, but said it appeared “beyond repair”.
“So, no matter how you slice it, the target is destroyed, and resuscitation will not help!” he wrote.
“The long-range radar detection aircraft A-50 was and is a priority target for us. And until today, the destruction of this aircraft seemed an impossible task for the Air Force.”
Information about the downing of two Russian military aircraft by Ukrainian forces over the Sea of Azov appeared in social media late on Sunday, CNN reported.
Russia has not commented on the development.
The Sea of Azov separates Ukraine and Russia at the northeastern point of the Black Sea, north of the occupied Crimean Peninsula.
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