Page 14 - UKRRptJan22

Germany is building its own munitions factory, which Ukraine needs. The German company Rheinmetall is building a new plant to produce medium-calibre ammunition (20-35 mm). Rheinmetall said the focus is to restore Germany's ammunition supply and establish its independence from foreign production facilities. It will begin operating in June 2023, and in July, Rheinmetall will be able to deliver the first ammunition supplies for Gepard anti-aircraft self-propelled guns. If the German federal government sends a corresponding order, Ukraine could receive up to 300,000 rounds of ammunition. Exactly where the new plant is being built has not been publicly announced. Rheinmetall manufactures some medium-caliber shells at the Swiss company Rheinmetall Air defence AG facilities. Among them are projectiles for Gepard anti-aircraft guns, which Germany has given to Ukraine in its military aid.
The US will supply Ukraine with equipment to create smart bombs. The Biden administration plans to provide Ukraine with modern electronic equipment to turn unguided aerial munitions into smart bombs, writes the Washington Post. The equipment necessary for the production of joint direct attack munitions (JDAM) includes global positioning devices to increase accuracy and can be attached to various weapons, including ground-based systems. The publication notes that it is unclear whether President Biden or any of his top national security advisers have approved the proposed JDAM transfer to Ukraine. There is also no information about how Ukraine may be able to use them. The delivery of JDAM would mark another important step by Washington in its assistance to Ukraine.
European Parliament recognizes Holodomor as genocide against Ukrainian people. The European Parliament members “strongly condemn these acts, which resulted in the deaths of millions of Ukrainians, and call on all countries and organizations that have not yet done so to follow suit and recognize it as genocide,” reads the resolution.
Russia launches 7th mass missile attack on Ukraine's energy system. Russia unleashed the seventh large-scale missile barrage on Ukraine on the morning of December 16, targeting energy infrastructure across the country. Explosions were reported in Kyiv, and multiple other Ukrainian cities after the air raid alert went off in all regions but occupied Crimea and Luhansk Oblast. 60 out 76 Russian missiles launched at Ukraine shot down. The list of destroyed missiles included air-launched Kh-101 and Kh-555 and sea-based Kalibr missiles were shot down in Russia's 7th mass missile attack on Ukraine on December 16, the Ukrainian Air Force reported.
Russia fortifies Crimea, Kherson Oblast amid concerns about Ukrainian offensive. Russian forces continue strengthening their defence lines on the border between Kherson Oblast and Crimea, Ukraine’s General Staff reported on December 16.
Scholz: We must continue talking with Russia to end war. There is a great danger of a further escalation of Russia's war against Ukraine, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz told Süddeutsche Zeitung. "If we don't speak, Russia is even less likely to end the war," he said on December 18.
Germany will not unilaterally transfer tanks to Ukraine next year. Germany will not unilaterally decide to send Western tanks to Ukraine in 2023, German
14 UKRAINE Country Report January 2023 www.intellinews.com