December 23, 2022 Russia-Ukraine news

By Rhea Mogul, Aditi Sangal, Adrienne Vogt and Leinz Vales, CNN

Updated 7:09 p.m. ET, December 23, 2022
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7:43 a.m. ET, December 23, 2022

Russian forces shell front lines in southern Ukraine, while Ukrainians target "concentrations" of Russian forces

From CNN's Tim Lister

The Ukrainian military reports heavy shelling by Russian forces across the front lines in Zaporizhzhia region, with at least a dozen settlements being hit, but at the same time it has reported damaging strikes against Russian bases deep in occupied territory.

In Zaporizhzhia, Ukrainian defense forces said the towns of Huliapole and Novoandriivka were among those hit. 

"The enemy focuses its main efforts on holding the occupied borders, while shelling the positions of Ukrainian defenders with tank weapons, rocket and barrel artillery along the entire contact line," they said.

Police had received nearly 30 reports on the destruction of civilian properties, it added.

But the Ukrainians have confirmed that three days ago they hit a "concentration" of Russian troops some distance behind the front lines in Kherson region. The strike occurred in the Skadovsk district, near the border with Crimea. 

"Up to 140 Russian servicemen were wounded and 8 Kamaz trucks with ammunition were destroyed," the Ukrainian military said.

It also claimed another strike on December 20 in Kherson had killed up to 150 Russian troops. Another 50 had been injured in the strike, which targeted an enemy airfield near Kakhovka.

"Up to 20 units of military equipment of various types were destroyed," it said.

Local social media channels say there were also powerful explosions at a Russian base in the town of Tokmak in Zaporizhzhia on Thursday night, but neither side has made any official comment. Video shot at night showed several explosions but could not be geolocated. 

Members of a demining team work to clear mines and unexploded ordinance from the side of the main road leading to Kherson city on November 16 in Kherson, Ukraine.
Members of a demining team work to clear mines and unexploded ordinance from the side of the main road leading to Kherson city on November 16 in Kherson, Ukraine. (Chris McGrath/Getty Images)

In addition work continues on extensive demining operations in previously occupied areas.

The total area that is mined is about 880,000 hectares, of which about two-thirds are in Kherson region.

So far, engineering units have inspected 1,175 kilometers (730 miles) of roads, 456 kilometers of railroads and 660 kilometers of power lines as part of the demining operation.

"In total, about 40,000 explosive items were removed during these tasks," the military said. 

6:10 a.m. ET, December 23, 2022

Two injured after vehicle explodes in Russian-occupied Melitopol

From CNN's Anna Chernova and Tim Lister

Two people were injured by a car bomb in the Russian-occupied city of Melitopol, according to a local official.

Vladimir Rogov, a Russia-appointed member of the Zaporizhzhia region administration, described the incident as a terrorist act.

"This is, of course, a terrorist attack, behind which are militants of the Kyiv regime," Rogov told Russian state media outlet RIA Novosti.

The car exploded in a parking lot in front of Gorky Park in the center of Melitopol, he said. 

Images and video of the incident show an explosion and fire in a car on a city street.

Ivan Fedorov, the exiled mayor of Melitopol, said that eyewitnesses report that the car was "blown up." Fedorov is not currently in the city.

The identities of those injured is unconfirmed, but a well-known Russian blogger in the city said they were members of the Russian Security Service.

Several Russian-appointed officials in Ukraine have been assassinated or injured in similar attacks in recent months.

6:18 a.m. ET, December 23, 2022

Significant progress made in “demilitarization” of Ukraine, claims Kremlin

From CNN’s Anna Chernova 

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov watches Russian President Vladimir Putin addressing his annual press conference in Moscow, Russia on December 17, 2020.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov watches Russian President Vladimir Putin addressing his annual press conference in Moscow, Russia on December 17, 2020. (Photo by Natalia Kolesnikova/AFP/Getty Images)

"Significant progress” has been made in the “demilitarization” of Ukraine, which is one of the initial goals of Russia's invasion, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov claimed Friday.

“We can state that there is significant progress along the path of demilitarization,” Peskov told reporters during a regular briefing. 

Russian President Vladimir Putin said during a press conference Thursday that the Ukrainian military-industrial complex “if not completely reset to zero, is getting there fast.” 

Commenting on the US shipment of a Patriot missile defense system to Ukraine, Putin said Patriots are “old” systems and Russia will “always find the antidote.” 

9:37 a.m. ET, December 23, 2022

Slight improvement in Ukraine power situation, says state power provider

From CNN's Tim Lister

The Christmas tree at Sofiivska Square near St. Sophia cathedral is seen during a blackout in Kyiv on December 19.
The Christmas tree at Sofiivska Square near St. Sophia cathedral is seen during a blackout in Kyiv on December 19. (Sergei Chuzavkov/SOPA Images/LightRocket/Getty Images)

Ukraine's state power provider Ukrenergo says the deficit in the electricity grid has "slightly decreased," but remains significant.

"All types of generating facilities are working," it said Friday, but "there are still certain restrictions in the power transmission system caused by damage to the main networks by Russian attacks."

"In the east of Ukraine, there is damage to power grids in the frontline areas as a result of Russian shelling. Emergency repair work will be started immediately after the military give permission," Ukrenergo said.

"Repairs at energy facilities continue around the clock, but the damage is complex and large-scale, so their restoration requires considerable time," it added.

In the capital Kyiv, the city administration said that peoples' efforts to consume power more wisely were helping improve the situation. 

"Heat and water are supplied to all districts of the capital in a regular mode," it said. "Power engineers continue repairing the damage in the Kyiv power grid. The city still lives in the mode of emergency shutdowns."

Those shutdowns mean that many Kyiv households have electricity for fewer than twelve hours a day.

The city administration appealed to residents not to turn on all electrical appliances at once when the power is turned on. 

"Instant peak load negatively affects the grid," said Serhii Popko, head of Kyiv city military administration.

9:51 a.m. ET, December 23, 2022

Russian forces stepping up shelling of liberated parts of Kherson, say Ukrainian officials

From CNN's Tim Lister

A damaged apartment in the aftermath of Russian shelling in Kherson seen on December 20.
A damaged apartment in the aftermath of Russian shelling in Kherson seen on December 20. (Dimitar Dilkoff/AFP/Getty Images)

Ukrainian officials say that Russian shelling across the Dnipro river in Kherson has increased, with more than sixty strikes on Wednesday alone.

Yaroslav Yanushevych, head of the Kherson region military administration, said that the Russians "shelled the territory of Kherson region 61 times. The invaders attacked peaceful settlements of the region with artillery, MLRS, mortars and tanks."

About half the strikes hit the city of Kherson, including private and apartment buildings, he said. One person was killed in action, while two residents of Kherson region sustained injuries.

Russian shelling of Kherson city and areas along the Dnipro has been sustained since Ukrainian forces liberated the west bank in November.

Serhiy Khlan, a member of Kherson regional council, said the number of attacks was increasing. 

"The occupiers have now started using S-300 missiles and more precise rockets. They are destroying administrative buildings, shelling educational facilities, humanitarian aid centers," he said.

"The occupiers are randomly shelling residential areas of the city of Kherson with multiple rocket launchers," Khlan said.

A pedestrian walks past a residential building damaged by Russian shelling in Kherson, Ukraine, on December 20.
A pedestrian walks past a residential building damaged by Russian shelling in Kherson, Ukraine, on December 20. (Dimitar Dilkoff/AFP/Getty Images)

The strikes were also impeding efforts to restore power to the city.

"Within a month we have managed to restore almost 100% of electricity supply to Kherson region," he said.

"However, constant shelling, including of critical infrastructure, does not allow the city of Kherson to have permanent electricity supply. Kherson city is without electricity again," added Khlan.

Ukrainian forces are retaliating and say they hit a concentration of Russian weaponry in the town of Kakhovka on the east bank.

But they say the Russians are digging in along the west bank, creating fortifications.

Khlan said that in a strip of land known as the Kinburn Spit, close to the Black Sea, the Russians are using mobile mortar groups that are difficult to hit.

Yurii Sobolevskyi, first deputy head of Kherson regional council, said that occupying forces were taking harsher action against Ukrainian civilians still living in occupied areas of the region.

"Recently, the occupiers have carried out a series of filtration raids in the Henichesk district of Kherson region," he said, adding that they had been more aggressive than usual.

Sobolevskyi claimed that Russian troops are "experiencing mounting problems with morale and discipline."

8:09 a.m. ET, December 23, 2022

Zelensky posts video from office saying he has returned to Kyiv following US trip

From CNN's Niamh Kennedy in Dublin

(Zelensky Official Telegram)
(Zelensky Official Telegram)

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has posted a video from his office, saying he has returned to Kyiv following his historic trip to the United States this week. 

"Good morning, everyone. I wish everyone good health. Can you hear, our phones are working again! I’m in the office," said Zelensky in the video posted on his official Telegram account Friday.

"We’re working for victory. Have a good day everyone! We all shall win!" 

During the high-profile visit, Zelensky addressed the US Congress on Wednesday calling on US lawmakers to slap further sanctions on Russia to make the country "feel how ruinous its aggression truly is."

12:22 a.m. ET, December 23, 2022

North Korea denies report claiming it sent arms to Russia

From CNN's Artemis Moshtaghian and Emiko Jozuka 

North Korea on Friday denied a media report that claimed it had recently sent arms to Russia.

Japanese outlet Tokyo Shimbun reported Thursday that North Korea delivered munitions by rail to Russia last month, citing an unnamed source familiar with the situation in the country.

"The Japanese media's false report that the DPRK offered munitions to Russia is the most absurd red herring, which is not worth any comment or interpretation," a Foreign Ministry spokesperson said in a statement carried by state news agency KCNA, referring to North Korea's official name.

The arms deal between Russia and North Korea "has never happened," the spokesperson added.

Additional supplies and weapons are expected to be delivered from North Korea to Russia in the upcoming weeks, Tokyo Shimbun reported, citing its source.

Wagner denial: Pyongyang's denial comes as a top US official said that Wagner, a Russian mercenary group engaged in the Ukraine war, took a delivery of arms from North Korea last month.

US National Security Council spokesman John Kirby said Thursday that Wagner had received infantry rockets and missiles from North Korea.

The head of Wagner later denied the claim.

North Korea last month denied US officials' claim that Kim Jong Un's regime is delivering a "significant" number of artillery shells to Russia. 

2:43 a.m. ET, December 23, 2022

Putin calls fighting in Ukraine a "war" for first known time in public

From CNN's Radina Gigova and Rhea Mogul

Russian President Vladimir Putin gestures during his briefing after the State Council meeting at the Grand Kremlin Palace, on December 22, in Moscow, Russia.
Russian President Vladimir Putin gestures during his briefing after the State Council meeting at the Grand Kremlin Palace, on December 22, in Moscow, Russia. (Contributor/Getty Images)

Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday used the word “war” to refer to the conflict in Ukraine, the first known time he has publicly deviated from his carefully crafted description of Moscow’s invasion as a “special military operation” 10 months after it began.

“Our goal is not to spin the flywheel of military conflict, but, on the contrary, to end this war,” Putin told reporters in Moscow, after attending a State Council meeting on youth policy. “We have been and will continue to strive for this.”

Putin’s critics say that using the word “war” to describe the Ukraine conflict has effectively been illegal in Russia since March, when the Russian leader signed a censorship law that makes it a crime to disseminate “fake” information about the invasion, with a penalty of up to 15 years in prison for anyone convicted.

So Putin’s use of the word did not go unnoticed.

Nikita Yuferev, a municipal lawmaker from St. Petersburg who fled Russia due to his antiwar stance, on Thursday said he had asked Russian authorities to prosecute Putin for “spreading fake information about the army.”

“There was no decree to end the special military operation, no war was declared,” Yuferev wrote on Twitter. “Several thousand people have already been condemned for such words about the war.”

A US official told CNN their initial assessment was that Putin’s remark was not intentional and likely a slip of the tongue. However, officials will be watching closely to see what figures inside the Kremlin say about it in the coming days.

Some context: Thousands have been killed, entire villages wiped out and billions of dollars of infrastructure destroyed since Putin’s invasion of Ukraine began on Febr. 24.

That day, Putin used the term “special military operation” to describe his attack. He has framed the ongoing brutality as a campaign of “denazification” — a description dismissed by historians and political observers — and has increasingly described Russia’s unprovoked invasion as a patriotic and almost existential cause.

Read more here.

7:59 p.m. ET, December 22, 2022

US believes Wagner mercenary group is expanding influence and took delivery of North Korean arms

From CNN's Kevin Liptak

Newly downgraded US intelligence suggests the Russian mercenary group Wagner has assumed expanded influence and is recruiting convicts — including some with serious medical conditions — from prisons to supplement Moscow’s flagging military.

The group recently took delivery of arms from North Korea, a top US official said, a sign of its growing role in the war in Ukraine.

And the US believes Wagner could be locked in a power battle with the Russian military itself as it jockeys for influence with the Kremlin.

“In certain instances, Russian military officials are actually subordinate to Wagner’s command,” said John Kirby, the strategic communications coordinator at the National Security Council. “It’s pretty apparent to us that Wagner is emerging as a rival power center to the Russian military and other Russian ministries.”

The revelations about the Wagner group came a day after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s historic visit to Washington, where he thanked the United States for its military assistance and said more was needed to fend off Russian advances.

Wagner has emerged as a key player in the 10-month conflict. The group is often described as President Vladimir Putin’s off-the-books troops. It has expanded its footprint globally since its creation in 2014, and has been accused of war crimes in Africa, Syria and Ukraine.

The group’s founder, Yevgeny Prigozhin, said Thursday that Kirby’s claims that his group took weapons deliveries from North Korea are “nothing more than gossip and speculation.”

“Everyone knows that it’s been a long time since North Korea has supplied weapons to the Russian Federation,” Prigozhin said in a statement published on his Telegram channel. “And no other such attempts have even been made. Therefore, these arms deliveries from the DPRK are nothing more than gossip and speculation.”

Read more here.