A major Russian oil depot has been set ablaze after Ukrainian troops launched a “massive drone attack” over 100 miles inside Russian territory.
The Stalnoy Kon oil refinery, part of Vladimir Putin’s “military industrial complex” that supplies Russian troops, was struck overnight, Kyiv’s chief of staff said.
The Russian governor of Oryol said on Telegram that fuel had caught fire at “a facility” in the region after the “massive drone attack”.
Russian media reported images, purportedly of the attack, showing clouds of smoke billowing up into the night sky from a fire.
It comes after Poland was forced to scramble fighter jets to “ensure the security of Polish airspace” after Russia launched a massive aerial attack against Ukraine.
The Polish military said ground-based air defences and radar reconnaissance systems reached the highest state of readiness during the attack overnight yesterday.
Meanwhile, Russia fired 93 missiles and almost 200 drones at Ukraine, with Volodymyr Zelensky describing it as one of the heaviest bombardments on the country’s energy sector since Russia’s full-scale invasion in 2022.
Key Points
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Russian oil depot set ablaze after ‘massive drone attack’ by Kyiv
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Russia fires nearly 300 missiles and drones at Ukrainian energy infrastructure
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Ukraine downs 58 of 132 Russian drones, Kyiv says
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British ex paratrooper unlawfully killed in Ukraine by someone claiming to be his friend, coroner finds
Russian oil depot set ablaze after ‘massive drone attack’ by Kyiv
16:48 , Alexander Butler
A major Russian oil depot has been set ablaze after Ukrainian troops launched a “massive drone attack” over 100 miles inside Russian territory.
The Stalnoy Kon oil refinery, part of Vladimir Putin’s “military industrial complex” that supplies Russian troops, was struck overnight, Kyiv’s chief of staff said.
The Russian governor of Oryol said on Telegram that fuel had caught fire at “a facility” in the region after the “massive drone attack”.
Russian media reported images, purportedly of the attack, showing clouds of smoke billowing up into the night sky from a fire.
Full story: British ex paratrooper unlawfully killed in Ukraine by someone claiming to be his friend, coroner finds
16:00 , Alexander Butler
A British former paratrooper who traveled to fight in Ukraine and whose body was later found miles from the frontline was “unlawfully killed” by someone claiming to be his friend, a court has concluded.
The body of Daniel Burke, 36, from Wythenshawe in Manchester, was found last September some 27 miles from the frontline in Zaporizhzhia, eastern Ukraine, after being reported missing in August. Mr Burke had traveled there to help fight against the full-scale Russian invasion.
An inquest at Manchester City Coroner’s Office has now concluded that his killer was somebody purporting to be his friend and believed to be fighting on the same side.
British former paratrooper unlawfully killed in Ukraine, coroner finds
AP photos from Ukraine in 2024 convey wartime horror and hope
15:00 , Alexander Butler
AP photos from Ukraine in 2024 convey wartime horror and hope
The Russian glide bombs changing the face of the war in Ukraine
14:00 , Alexander Butler
The Russian glide bombs changing the face of the war in Ukraine
Where Putin’s forces are making gains in eastern Ukraine
13:00 , Alexander Butler
Ukraine-Russia war map: Where Putin’s forces are making gains in eastern Ukraine
What will it cost to defend Britain from a growing Russian threat?
12:00 , Alexander Butler
What will it cost to defend Britain from a growing Russian threat?
Recap: Watch as Zelensky says Ukraine could temporarily cede territory in exchange for Nato membership
11:00 , Tara Cobham
Full story: British ex paratrooper unlawfully killed in Ukraine by someone claiming to be his friend, coroner finds
10:00 , Tara Cobham
A British former paratrooper who traveled to fight in Ukraine and whose body was later found miles from the frontline was “unlawfully killed” by someone claiming to be his friend, a court has concluded.
The body of Daniel Burke, 36, from Wythenshawe in Manchester, was found last September some 27 miles from the frontline in Zaporizhzhia, eastern Ukraine, after being reported missing in August. Mr Burke had traveled there to help fight against the full-scale Russian invasion.
An inquest at Manchester City Coroner’s Office has now concluded that his killer was somebody purporting to be his friend and believed to be fighting on the same side.
My colleague Tom Watling has the full story:
British former paratrooper unlawfully killed in Ukraine, coroner finds
Child killed in Ukrainian drone attack in Russia, says Russian governor
09:24 , Tara Cobham
A nine-year-old child was killed in a Ukrainian drone attack on Russia’s Belgorod region on Saturday, regional governor Vyacheslav Gladkov said.
Two other people, including another child, were injured in the attack, the Russian official said on the Telegram messaging app.
Ukrainian drones hit ‘fuel infrastructure facility’ in Russia’s Orlov region, governor says
08:30 , Tara Cobham
Ukrainian drones struck a “fuel infrastructure facility” in Russia’s Orlov region, the local governor said this morning, causing a fire to break out.
In a statement on Telegram, Orlov regional governor Andrei Klychkov provided no further information about the site struck, but said that 11 drones had been shot down over the region. He said there had been no casualties and that the fire had been localised.
Unconfirmed video circulated on social media showed a major blaze at what appeared to be an industrial facility.
Ukraine downs 58 of 132 Russian drones, Kyiv says
07:36 , Tara Cobham
Ukraine’s air defences shot down 58 of 132 Russian drones launched in an overnight attack, the Ukrainian air force said on Saturday.
It said 72 Russian drones were “lost” due to the use of electronic warfare interference tactics. There were no immediate reports of major damage.
Where Putin’s forces are making gains in eastern Ukraine
07:30 , Namita Singh
Ukraine is battling against a “prevailing” Russia in the eastern Donetsk region, Kyiv’s military chief has admitted, as Vladimir Putin’s forces look to secure as much territory as possible before US president-elect Donald Trumpre-enters the White House.
Ukrainian military chief Oleksandr Syrskyi described the fighting as “extremely tough” as he was pictured visiting the Pokrovsk area in Donetsk on Wednesday, where Russian forces have advanced to within just a few miles of the city’s outskirts.
The area is a linchpin of the wider region’s defence and war trackers have expressed concern that should it fall, it could pave the way for Russia to seize swathes of more territory.
Report:
Ukraine-Russia war map: Where Putin’s forces are making gains in eastern Ukraine
Russia launches barrage of 300 missiles and drones against Ukraine
07:00 , Tom Watling
Russia launches aerial assault of 300 missiles and drones against Ukraine power grid
Explained: What will it cost to defend Britain from a growing Russian threat?
06:30 , Namita Singh
New secretary general of Nato Mark Rutte has warned that Russia is preparing for “long-term confrontation… with Ukraine, and with us” and has called for more defence spending to combat threats from Russia and its allies: China, Iran and North Korea.
In the former Dutch PM’s chilling words: “If we don’t spend more together now to prevent war, we will pay a much, much, much higher price later to fight it. Not billions, but trillions of euros. That’s if we come out on top… and that’s if we win”.
He is far from alone in urging Western powers to adopt a “shift to a wartime mindset”. It will be a big ask, not least for the fiscally challenged UK, writes Sean O’Grady.
What will it cost to defend Britain from a growing Russian threat?
Where Putin’s forces are making gains on the frontline in east Ukraine
06:00 , Tom Watling
Ukraine-Russia war map: Where Putin’s forces are making gains in eastern Ukraine
Biden administration loops in Trump’s team on Ukraine war
05:30 , Namita Singh
President Joe Biden administration is sharing information with the incoming administration of president-elect Donald Trump about the the ongoing effort to establish ceasefire, reported NBC News, citing sources.
White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan has had multiple conversation with Mike Waltz, Mr Trump’s NSA, focussing on sharing information for expected peace negotiations.
“The goal is for the world to understand there is a desire for the time of transition to be seen as a strong America, working for peace and stability around the world, until President-elect Trump is sworn in,” said a member of Mr Trump’s transition team as he confirmed that two officials were in contact.
Mr Trump, who is to inaugurated on 20 January, has suggested that he would end the war within 24 hours but has refrained from sharing details of the plan.
Topless women protesting the Ukraine war are detained for vandalizing sculpture near UN building
05:00 , Tom Watling
Topless women protesting the Ukraine war are detained for vandalizing sculpture near UN building
EU to enforce first-ever sanctions on Russian intelligence over disinformation operations – report
04:30 , Namita Singh
The European Union is preparing to impose its first sanctions against Russian intelligence for orchestrating disinformation and hybrid activities, Bloomberg reported. The proposed sanctions will target over a dozen individuals and three entities, including Russian intelligence officials and media entrepreneurs.
This move aims to counteract global destabilising operations attributed to Moscow.
Additionally, the EU intends to impose sanctions on approximately two dozen Belarusian individuals for alleged human rights abuses or connections to president Alexander Lukashenko’s regime.
This is part of a comprehensive sanctions package set to be ratified by EU foreign ministers on 16 December in Brussels.
The latest proposals align with the EU ambassadors’ recent endorsement of a 15th sanctions package against Russia. Announced by the Hungarian Presidency of the EU Council on 11 December, this package targets Russia’s “shadow fleet” of older tankers used to circumvent oil export restrictions.
British ex paratrooper unlawfully killed in Ukraine by someone claiming to be his friend, coroner finds
04:00 , Tom Watling
British former paratrooper unlawfully killed in Ukraine, coroner finds
Ukraine’s Zelensky to meet European leaders in Brussels on Wednesday
03:45 , Namita Singh
Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky will attend a meeting with the leaders of Britain, France, Germany, Italy, Poland, Nato and the EU in Brussels on Wednesday to discuss support for his country in its war with Russia, sources familiar with the plan told Reuters.
The meeting comes as European countries face the possibility of the US, Ukraine’s largest source of support, changing its approach to the conflict when Donald Trump returns to the White House in January.
Mr Zelensky and some of his European allies have called for European troops to be deployed to Ukraine to act as a deterrent to further military action by Russia after any ceasefire.
“It won’t be a meeting that has concrete decisions, but more political to discuss the coming weeks and months,” said a source familiar with the meeting.
The gathering, hosted by Nato secretary-general Mark Rutte, will be held on the day leaders were already due to meet for the EU-Western Balkans summit in Brussels, and involve a joint meeting and several bilateral meetings with Mr Zelensky.
Yellen won’t rule out sanctions on Chinese banks, curbs on ‘dark fleet’ oil tankers
03:30 , Namita Singh
US treasury secretary Janet Yellen told Reuters on Friday that the US is looking at further sanctions on “dark fleet” tankers and will not rule out sanctions on Chinese banks as it seeks to reduce Russia’s oil revenue and access to foreign supplies to fuel its war in Ukraine.
Ms Yellen said in an interview that the US and its allies also could consider lowering their $60-per-barrel oil price cap on Russian oil, which prohibits Western insurance and maritime services on cargoes above that level.
The treasury has already sanctioned individual tankers and their owners for operating above the price cap and can do more in this area, Ms Yellen added, suggesting additional measures in the five weeks before she leaves office.
“There are a number of possibilities here. We don’t preview sanctions, but we’re always looking at oil revenues and if we can find ways to further impair Russian oil revenues, that would, I think, strengthen Ukraine’s hand. That remains on our list,” Ms Yellen said.
Earlier this week, Ms Yellen said softness in the oil market presents an opportunity for more sanctions. Benchmark Brent crude traded at $74.50 per barrel on Friday, down from $85.57 when the $60 cap was set in December 2022.
President Joe Biden’s administration has been racing to shore up support for Ukraine before president-elect Donald Trump takes office on 20 January, given the Republican leader’s frequent complaints about the cost of US support for Ukraine.
Why we should all be drinking Ukrainian wine (yes, really)
03:00 , Tom Watling
The Ukrainian wine producers who are working through war and the best bottles to try
Ukrainian drones hit fuel storage area in central Russia
02:50 , Namita Singh
Ukrainian drones attacked an infrastructure facility storing fuel in central Russia’s Oryol region, sparking a fire and smashing windows in homes, regional governor Andrei Klychkov said early on Saturday.
Mr Klychkov, writing on the Telegram messaging app, said a “mass attack” on an infrastructure site caused fuel to catch fire. Fragments from downed drones smashed windows in homes, he said.
Video posted on Ukrainian military blogs showed a fire blazing at what was described as a fuel storage facility. Reuters could not independently verify reports from either side.
Drone attacks were reported in other Russian regions.
The governor of Krasnodar region, Vladimir Kondratyev, said air defences had destroyed Ukrainian drones in several areas of the region south and east of Ukraine. One drone smashed windows in village houses, but there were no injuries.
Air defences destroyed seven drones over Bryansk region on Ukraine’s northern border, regional governor Alexander Bogomaz said.
And in Russia’s Belgorod region, often targeted by Ukraine’s military on the northeastern border, governor Vyacheslav Gladkov said Ukrainian forces attacked two villages, injuring one resident and triggering a fire in a house that was quickly extinguished.
UK war-games major conflict to test durability of weapons stockpiles
02:00 , Tom Watling
UK war-games major conflict to test durability of weapons stockpiles
The Russian glide bombs changing the face of the war in Ukraine
01:00 , Tom Watling
The Russian glide bombs changing the face of the war in Ukraine
Russian forces edge closer to key Ukrainian city
00:00 , Tom Watling
Russian forces edge closer to key Ukrainian city as Putin faces ‘massive cost’
AP photos from Ukraine in 2024 convey wartime horror and hope
Friday 13 December 2024 23:00 , Tom Watling
AP photos from Ukraine in 2024 convey wartime horror and hope
Britain will provide intel to Cyprus to help fight Russia’s sanctions evasion
Friday 13 December 2024 22:00 , Tom Watling
Britain will provide intel to Cyprus to help fight Russia’s sanctions evasion
In pictures: Ukrainians on the frontline in eastern Ukraine
Friday 13 December 2024 21:00 , Tom Watling
Ukrainian PM congratulates new French PM
Friday 13 December 2024 20:00 , Tom Watling
🇫🇷Congratulations, @Bayrou, on your appointment as Prime Minister of France. I look forward to working closely with you to protect our common values, the principles of freedom and democracy. I wish you every success. We are grateful to France for solidarity and comprehensive…
— Denys Shmyhal (@Denys_Shmyhal) December 13, 2024
Russia launches barrage of 300 missiles and drones against Ukraine
Friday 13 December 2024 19:00 , Tom Watling
Russia launches aerial assault of 300 missiles and drones against Ukraine power grid
British ex paratrooper unlawfully killed in Ukraine by someone claiming to be his friend, coroner finds
Friday 13 December 2024 18:00 , Tom Watling
British former paratrooper unlawfully killed in Ukraine, coroner finds
Russia avdance in eastern and northeastern Ukraine, says Estonian intelligence
Friday 13 December 2024 17:01 , Tom Watling
⚡️Russia advances toward Pokrovsk, Kurakhove, Ukraine makes progress near Kupiansk, Estonian intelligence says.
Russian troops continue to advance toward Pokrovsk and Kurakhove in Donetsk Oblast, while Ukrainian forces have made gains near Kupiansk in Kharkiv Oblast, the…
— The Kyiv Independent (@KyivIndependent) December 13, 2024
US military confirms drone sightings at air base in Germany
Friday 13 December 2024 16:31 , Tom Watling
Drones were spotted flying over the US air base at Ramstein in Germany in early December, a spokesperson for the US Air Force said on Friday.
There were “no impacts to base residents, facilities, or assets,” the spokesperson said. “In concert with host nation authorities, we continue to monitor the airspace to ensure safety and security of the community.”
A security source told Reuters that German authorities had not traced the operators of the drones, but had ruled out the possibility that the drones were operated by amateurs.
The drone sightings over Ramstein were first reported by German news magazine Spiegel, which said a report by German security authorities had flagged a number of unexplained drone sightings over the base in the evening hours of 3 and 4 December.
Spiegel said drones were also sighted over locations belonging to German arms manufacturer Rheinmetall and chemicals group BASF.
“The safety of BASF sites is our top priority,” a company spokesperson said in an emailed statement. “We therefore keep an eye on suspicious activities at all times and work closely with the relevant security authorities.”
Ukraine-Russia war map: Where Putin’s forces are making gains in eastern Ukraine
Friday 13 December 2024 16:04 , Tom Watling
Ukraine-Russia war map: Where Putin’s forces are making gains in eastern Ukraine
Ukrainian general to overhaul training, management amid manpower woes
Friday 13 December 2024 15:36 , Tom Watling
The new commander of Ukraine‘s ground forces plans a “massive transformation” of his branch to improve troop training, management and recruitment, Kyiv said on Friday, as it grapples with manpower problems at the front.
The overhaul by Maj. Gen. Mykhailo Drapatyi, who assumed his post last month, comes as Ukraine‘s outmanned and outgunned army is struggling to halt a grinding Russian march in the east that has brought Moscow’s fastest gains since 2022.
The military said the changes would cover training regimes as well as battlefield and logistics management, including by cutting corruption, embracing technology and strengthening the role of non-commissioned officers.
“Today, the ground forces need changes, new energy among its soldiers, and a modern approach to the development of their capabilities,” the military quoted Drapatyi as saying at a high-level security meeting.
Ukraine has sought to replenish its ranks through mobilisation and Western-style recruitment, but has faced difficulties as reports of corruption, poor training and mismanagement have dented enthusiasm for service.
Authorities are also battling a rise in desertions as frontline troops grow physically and mentally exhausted from nearly three years of war.
“Changes will certainly come,” Drapatyi said. “No matter how difficult it is, we have no right not to do it.”
Russian forces edge closer to key Ukrainian city
Friday 13 December 2024 15:09 , Tom Watling
Russian forces edge closer to key Ukrainian city as Putin faces ‘massive cost’
Zelensky to meet European leaders in Brussels on Wednesday, sources say
Friday 13 December 2024 14:41 , Tom Watling
Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky will attend a meeting with the leaders of Germany, France, Poland and Nato, among others, in Brussels on Wednesday to discuss support for his country in its war with Russia, sources familiar with the plan told Reuters.
Kyiv ready to supply food to Syria as Russia supplies suspended
Friday 13 December 2024 14:09 , Tom Watling
Ukraine, a global producer and exporter of grain and oilseeds, is ready to supply food to Syria following the fall of Bashar al-Assad, Ukrainian Agriculture Minister Vitaliy Koval told Reuters on Friday.
Russian and Syrian sources said earlier that Russian wheat supplies to Syria had been suspended over uncertainty about the new government and payment delays.
Syria imported food from Russia during the Assad era and it is unclear how relations between Damascus and Moscow will take shape under the new government.
“Where it is difficult, we have to be there with our food. We are open to supplying our food and if Syria needs food – then we are there,” Koval told Reuters.
Ukraine‘s exports were buffeted by Russia’s February 2022 invasion, which severely reduced shipments via the Black Sea. Ukraine has since broken a de facto sea blockade and revived exports from its southern ports of Odesa.
Kyiv traditionally exports wheat and corn to Middle Eastern countries, but not to Syria.
Traders say that only about 6,000 metric tons of Ukrainian corn reached the Syrian market in the 2023/24 season, out of a total corn export volume of 29.4 million tons.
A look at how Russia’s latest attack tracks with previous aerial assaults
Friday 13 December 2024 13:46 , Tom Watling
Today’s Russian missile attack in context: Compared to previous missile campaigns, the current attack demonstrates a similar number of missiles used as during the initial strikes on the power grid. Generally, Russian missile attacks on critical infrastructure occur every 10-15… pic.twitter.com/Ctw9Mx4vzi
— Konrad Muzyka – Rochan Consulting (@konrad_muzyka) December 13, 2024
Moldova declares a state of emergency over energy as fears of Russian gas shortage loom
Friday 13 December 2024 13:14 , Tom Watling
Moldova declares a state of emergency over energy as fears of Russian gas shortage loom
British ex paratrooper unlawfully killed in Ukraine by someone claiming to be his friend, coroner finds
Friday 13 December 2024 12:45 , Tom Watling
British former paratrooper unlawfully killed in Ukraine, coroner finds
Topless anti-Russia protesters damage monument outside UN in Geneva
Friday 13 December 2024 12:32 , Tom Watling
Topless members of the Ukrainian feminist protest group Femen took chainsaws to a giant wooden sculpture outside the United Nations in Geneva on Friday, prompting police to intervene, witnesses said.
The two women wearing the Ukrainian flag as garters shouted “Keep Russia out of the UN” and “Fuck Russia” as they sawed into a monument known as the Broken Chair, leaving over a dozen gashes.
The three-legged structure, a work by Swiss artist Daniel Berset erected on the Place des Nations in 1997, has become a landmark in the city of Geneva. It was designed to raise awareness about the impact of landmines on civilians in conflict zones.
A Geneva police spokesperson confirmed that four people had been brought in for questioning in relation to the incident.
Since it was founded in Kyiv in 2008, the Femen movement has won fame and notoriety in Europe for its protests – usually topless – against sex tourism, homophobia and religious institutions.
Russia signs $13bn-a-year oil deal with India in blow to sanctions
Friday 13 December 2024 12:05 , Tom Watling
Russia signs $13bn-a-year oil deal with India in blow to Western sanctions
More than half of Ukraine’s nuclear reactor units affected by Russian attacks, says UN nuclear watchdog
Friday 13 December 2024 11:45 , Tom Watling
More than half of Ukraine’s nine working nuclear reactor units have “reduced power output due to renewed attacks on energy infrastructure” the United Nation nuclear watchdog has reported.
A statement from the International Atomic Energy Agency said that five of Ukraine’s 9 reactor units had been affected.
Today, 5 of Ukraine’s 9 operating nuclear reactor units have reduced power output due to renewed attacks on energy infrastructure.
— IAEA – International Atomic Energy Agency ⚛️ (@iaeaorg) December 13, 2024
Russia drones fly into Belarusian airspace – monitor
Friday 13 December 2024 11:21 , Tom Watling
Russian drones intended for Ukraine crossed into Belarusian airspace overnight, a monitor tracking Belarus has reported.
Belarusian Hajun project said eight drones flew across the Ukrainian border into Belarus.
You can read more about this below.
On December 12-13, at least 8 Russian Shahed drones flew into Belarus from Ukraine.
The drones again entered Belarus flying towards Homiel, Mazyr, Yelsk, Brahin, Vasilevichy and passing through the “Belarusian corridor.”
The first entrance was recorded at 15:27 in the afternoon… pic.twitter.com/qttlKtLIxQ
— Belarusian Hajun project (@Hajun_BY) December 13, 2024
Kremlin praises Trump’s criticism of Ukrainian strikes deep into Russia
Friday 13 December 2024 11:01 , Tom Watling
The Kremlin has praised US president-elect Donald Trump’s criticism of Ukrainian strikes with US missiles deep into Russian territory and said the position was fully in line with Moscow’s own position.
Trump criticised Ukraine‘s use of US-supplied missiles for attacks deep into Russian territory in a Time magazine interview published on Thursday, comments that suggest he could alter US policy toward Ukraine.
“The statement itself completely coincides with our position,” Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters. He said Mr Trump’s statement was in line with “our vision of the causes of escalation”.
“It appeals to us,” he added.
Mapped: Russia make advances in eastern Ukraine
Friday 13 December 2024 10:42 , Tom Watling
Trump calls North Korean troops in Russia a ‘complicating factor’ and boasts of relationship with Kim Jong Un
Friday 13 December 2024 10:22 , Tom Watling
Trump calls North Korean troops in Russia a ‘complicating factor’
Details of the latest US military package to UKraine
Friday 13 December 2024 10:00 , Tom Watling
The US announced a new military aid package for Ukraine valued at $500 million.
The package includes:
▪️Counter-UAS munitions
▪️Ammunition for HIMARS
▪️155mm and 105mm artillery ammunition
▪️High-speed Anti-radiation missiles
▪️Unmanned Aerial Systems
▪️MRAPs
▪️HMMWVs
▪️Light… pic.twitter.com/aoOGm46FDq— Defense of Ukraine (@DefenceU) December 13, 2024
In pictures: Ukrainians on the frontline
Friday 13 December 2024 09:32 , Tom Watling
Russia launches a massive aerial attack against Ukraine with dozens of cruise missiles and drones
Friday 13 December 2024 09:09 , Tom Watling
Russia launches a massive aerial attack against Ukraine with dozens of cruise missiles and drones
In pictures: Ukrainians shelter from massive Russian aerial attack
Friday 13 December 2024 08:53 , Tom Watling
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