Kyiv/Moscow, Jan 15: Russia launched cruise and ballistic missiles at Ukraine on Wednesday morning in a new massive attack, the Ukrainian Air Force said.

A series of explosions were heard in the eastern city of Kharkiv, while air defence systems were active near the city of Cherkasy in central Ukraine, public broadcaster Suspilne reported.

The missile attack followed overnight drone strikes by Ukraine.

The Ukrainian army carried out its “largest strike” on Russian military targets, 200 to 1,100 kilometres deep into the Russian territory on Tuesday, General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine confirmed on Facebook.

Targets of the strike included oil storage facilities, military plants and other locations in such areas as Bryansk, Saratov, Tula regions and the Republic of Tatarstan, according to a statement.

Russian Defence Ministry confirmed the attack on Tuesday, accusing Ukraine of using US and British-made long-range missiles and drones.

The Ukranian actions “supported by Western handlers will trigger retaliation,” the ministry said in a statement.

Dozens of drones were shot down overnight across multiple regions in Russia, with damage reported at industrial plants and residential buildings, TASS news agency reported, citing local officials.

No casualties were recorded, it added.

Meanwhile, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said during his annual press briefing on Tuesday that Moscow is prepared to discuss security guarantees for Ukraine, however it is important to agree on broader security issues to end the ongoing conflict.

Lavrov said that eliminating threats on Russia’s western borders would be essential, as this has been one of the root causes of the ongoing conflict. He noted that these threats can only be removed within the framework of broader agreements.

The Russian foreign minister noted that after US President-elect Donald Trump takes office, Moscow will study his official position on Ukraine.

He further said Moscow welcomes the fact that the incoming US administration has focused more on the realities on the ground in Ukraine within the context of a potential resolution to the Ukrainian crisis.

Lavrov reiterated that Russian President Vladimir Putin is ready to meet Trump, adding however that there have currently been no proposals from the United States.

Islamabad, Jan 15: Pakistan government’s decision to hike petrol price by at least Rs 3.5 per litre from Thursday has invited widespread censure from citizens across the country who are already battling inflation and financial stress.

As per sources in the government, a summary for increase in fuel and petroleum prices has been proposed due to the variation in the global market. Details suggest that the price of light speed diesel may be increased by at least Rs 5 while kerosine oil price may also see a hike of at least Rs 6 per litre.

The proposal to increase prices, submitted by the Federal Petroleum Ministry through a working paper to the Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (OGRA), recommends major adjustments.

The proposed prices will be reviewed by OGRA before being sent to Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif for the final approval. The revised rates will stay from January 16 to January 31.

This is the second such hike in January 2025. The fuel and diesel prices were increased by Rs 0.56 and Rs 2.96, respectively on January 1 till the midnight of January 15.

The latest move is expected to put more pressure on the masses and the transport sector. Locals argue that the increase in prices dents their monthly budget with a direct impact on the cost of basic utilities.

“Increase in fuel price makes it almost impossible for poor people like me to save enough money at the end of the day and provide my family with food. We suffer every time but the government continues to ignore our suffering,” said a rickshaw driver in Rawalpindi.

While the fortnight revision of fuel prices has invited ire of the citizens, the government maintains that the country’s overall economic position has improved and some good measures could finally be in store for the public in near future.

“We have already brought down inflation levels to a single digit and will continue to work to ensure that it keeps decreasing. Our progress is consistent and the country is surely coming out of its economic turmoil,” said Muhammad Aurangzeb, Federal Minister of Finance.

Amman, Jan 15: Jordan’s Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi emphasised the alignment of positions between Jordan and Denmark in supporting efforts to reach an agreement that would lead to a halt in the “aggression on Gaza.”

He made the remarks on Tuesday in a joint press conference in Amman following a meeting with the Danish Foreign Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen, according to a statement by the ministry.

Current efforts should lead to an agreement that provides all needed to address the humanitarian disaster caused by the conflict, sending sufficient, practical, rapid, and immediate aid to Gaza, Safadi said.

The minister also emphasised the importance of ensuring the Palestinians’ right to an independent state with sovereignty over the 1967 borders, including East Jerusalem as its capital, based on the two-state solution, he said.

The two ministers’ talks also covered the situation in Syria and witnessed a consensus between the two sides on the necessity of supporting a comprehensive transitional process in Syria that leads to the rebuilding of a free, sovereign, and independent Syria where all Syrians can live in security, stability, and enjoy their full rights.

Safadi emphasised that the threat posed by the Islamic State remains ongoing and that Jordan is coordinating and collaborating with the new Syrian administration to address the danger.

For his part, the Danish minister praised the deep, strong relations between Denmark and Jordan, expressing hope to coordinate with Jordan on regional issues.

“Jordan has been and remains a stable partner and a bastion of stability in the region,” Rasmussen said, voicing support for Syria in its transitional process.

Rasmussen highlighted Denmark’s call for a ceasefire in Gaza, expressing hope for a sustainable, immediate agreement that would facilitate increased access to humanitarian aid for the strip.

He stressed that the two-state solution is the only solution and the only path to sustainable peace in the region.