Ukraine news – live: US planning to send Bradley fighting vehicles as Putin parks frigate with Zircon hypersonic weapons

The US could give Ukraine Bradley fighting vehicles to amp up its combat against Russia.

Joe Biden confirmed that his administration is thinking of sending the medium-armoured combat vehicle but did not share more details. The Bradley is a light vehicle but more agile than a tank and can double up as a troop carrier.

The vehicle can help carry additional ammunition and communications equipment as the war heats up during the thick of winter. French president Emmanuel Macron has also offered light AMX-10 RC armoured combat vehicles to Volodymyr Zelensky after a call with the Ukrainian leader.

The West’s collective aid does not match the requirements of heavier tanks that Mr Zelensky wanted.

This comes as Vladimir Putin sent a frigate off to the Atlantic Ocean armed with hypersonic Zircon hypersonic cruise missiles on Wednesday, raising the stakes of the conflict.

Moscow claims the Zircon missile can evade any Western air defences by flying at an astounding 7,000 miles per hour (11,265 km/h).

Key Points

• Putin sends off frigate armed with missiles
• MoD says Russia’s ‘unprofessional’ tactics behind high number of deaths
• Russian politicians line up to call for punishment over troop deaths
• Ukraine charges Russian commanders over civilian attacks
• Ukraine air force claims to have shot down 500 drones

Zelensky demands Western tanks: ‘No rational reason’ not to send

05:54 , Arpan Rai

Volodymyr Zelensky has asked Ukraine’s allies for heavier weapons to fight against Russian forces as the US and France prepared to deliver it medium combat vehicles and tanks.

Kyiv has long raised calls for heavier weaponry and tanks to repel Russian attacks in the conflict.

“This is something that sends a clear signal to all our partners. There is no rational reason why Ukraine has not yet been supplied with Western tanks,” he said.

Mr Zelensky added: “Each of our partners will have very specific information about our defence needs. And we all have the same goal: to put an end to Russian aggression as soon as possible, to restore reliable and lasting peace.”

Despite its plans to send Bradley fighting vehicles, Washington’s latest tranch of aid will fall short of sending the Abrams tanks that Ukraine has sought along with German-made Leopard tanks.

Serbian president rejects calls for sanctions against Russia

05:06 , Eleanor Sly

Serbia’s president said Wednesday that the European Union‘s calls for his country to join sanctions against Russia over the war in Ukraine represent “a brutal” interference in the internal affairs of the Balkan state, which has asked to join the EU.

In his wide-ranging year-end address to the nation, Aleksandar Vucic praised his and his country’s economic and political achievements, comparing himself to a wolf who cannot be tamed under international pressure.

“Thank you very much for meddling in our internal affairs in such a brutal way,” he said, referring to the Western appeals.

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Serbian president rejects calls for sanctions against Russia