Russian anti-aircraft systems destroyed seven Ukrainian drones over the country’s southwestern Belgorod region, the Russian Defense Ministry said Tuesday morning, after the region’s governor said the city of Gubkin had been attacked by drones. Not a single drone hit the target, the ministry reported in Telegram, and Belgorod Governor Vyacheslav Gladkov said that no one was injured in the attack on the city of Gubkin, but four houses were damaged by drone debris.

All information about the war in Ukraine – day 713 – LIVE on HotNews.ro:

07:28 The Ukrainian publication of journalistic investigations bihus.info reported on Monday that a unit of the Internal Security Service of the SBU established illegal surveillance of its journalists. In a post on the Telegram messaging app bihus.info, which regularly publishes investigative articles about officials and wealthy people, reported that the SBU unit spied on 30 journalists during a corporate event in December.

“Who is the greatest threat to national security in wartime? Definitely journalists, according to the SBU,” wrote bihus.info in Telegram.

BU responded with a statement saying it supports the principles of a free press as part of its mission to protect national interests and that a criminal investigation into the use of spying technology has been launched.

A SBU source told the media that the head of one of its divisions, the Department for the Protection of National Statehood, was fired after the allegations were made public last month. (Reuters

01:07 President Volodymyr Zelenskyy appears to be preparing the public for the expected resignation of Ukrainian army chief Valery Zaluzhny, insisting in a video speech on Monday night that the country needs “strength, fresh energy and leadership” as Ukraine must win the war by the end of the year at the latest

A brief summary of recent events:

• Resuming US aid to Ukraine could be blocked indefinitely as Republican lawmakers angrily reject a deal reached in the Senate.
• Poland’s defense minister on Monday became the latest official in Europe to warn that his country must urgently prepare for the threat of war with Russia.
• Georgia says it seized a shipment of explosives that arrived from Odessa and was destined for the Russian city of Voronezh / The bomb was also supposed to pass through Romania.
• A Bulgarian officer, a suspected Russian spy, was arrested at the very headquarters of the Office for Combating Organized Crime / Investigating Espionage, it was announced with great fanfare in Sofia and then silenced.
• Reuters: Some Ukrainian military are worried about the possible dismissal of the head of the army. While the president appears ready to fire the head of his armed forces, Valery Zaluzhny, some soldiers fighting against Russia on the eastern front are skeptical, but say much also depends on who replaces him.
• The Kremlin on Monday declined to comment on reports that American TV host Tucker Carlson is in Russia to interview Vladimir Putin.
• Mayor of Kyiv Vitaliy Klitschko criticized the possibility of firing the popular commander-in-chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Zaluzhnyi, saying that thanks to the general’s leadership, “many Ukrainians really trust the Armed Forces.”
• “Frankly, Putin would win a democratic election in almost any country in Europe” – Russians, on the Internet, about the presidential election between adoration and anonymous irony.
• The prosecutor leading Sweden’s investigation into the 2022 explosions at the Nord Stream gas pipeline in the Baltic Sea plans to announce a decision this week whether to drop the case, press charges or ask for someone to be detained.
• The EU is preparing to introduce a new package of sanctions against Russia before the two-year anniversary of the start of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the dpa agency reported on Monday.
• America and Ukraine. A discussion between Alexandra Gussi and Armand Gochu. Contributors.ro offers to discuss an important topic these days: the financial package for Ukraine, blocked since October in the US Congress. There is a vote in the Senate, then the debate will resume in the House of Representatives, where, judging by the initial reactions of Republicans, there is little chance that this deal will be voted on. Is this the last chance for Ukraine?
• EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell announced to the press in Warsaw on Monday that he is “heading to Kyiv” and said the Union must support Ukraine by all means.
• Hungary: MPs from Fidesz, Viktor Orbán’s party, boycotted a parliamentary session calling for the ratification of Sweden’s accession to NATO. Thus, the procedure was postponed again.

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• Monday’s events related to Russian aggression were broadcast LIVE on HotNews.ro