Ukraine War Updates: Strike missiles, drones cost $400M to $700M, estimate (2024)

• Russia launched heavy missile and rocket attacks on Kyiv and other Ukrainian cities Monday.
• Ukrainian leaders called the actions "terrorist attacks" that have caused power outages, infrastructure damage and at least 11 fatalities.
• The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine said Russia hit Ukraine with 84 winged missiles and 24 drones.
• Russian President Vladimir Putin said these attacks were in retaliation to Kyiv's own "terrorist" attacks on the Kerch Bridge to Crimea.
• Several European leaders have condemned the Russian attacks and pledged to continue sending support to Ukraine.

Live updates have ended.

07:05 PM EDT

Missiles, Drones in Strike Cost $400M to $700M, Estimate

The missiles and drones launched in Ukraine on Monday as part of Russia's latest military move are believed to be valued at a collective price between $400 million and $700 million, according to an estimate compiled by Forbes.

Russia launched more than 84 rocket and air strikes targeting Ukraine on Monday, according to an operational update by the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. The kinds of systems reportedly used were identified by Forbes as Kh-101, Kh-555, Caliber, Iskander, S-300 and Tornado-S missiles. The business magazine then created its cost estimate for the military equipment Russia used in the strike based on the impact the hits had and how those impacts correlated with the types of systems that were reportedly used.

With those details in mind, Forbes concluded that the total cost of the missiles and the "several million dollars" of drones used in the strike equaled somewhere between $400 million and $700 million. The magazine noted that its estimate might be adjusted as additional information becomes available.

06:34 PM EDT

Photo Shows Damage Strike Caused at University

Photos shared on social media documented some of the impact Russia's Monday strikes on Ukraine had on local cities and residents.

One photo shared by Ukraine's Ministry of Defense showed the inside of a university building after it was hit by a missile strike. The glass covering the windows was broken and strewn across the room, and other debris littered the floor. The defense ministry identified the room as being part of the Russian philology department at the Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv.

Other photos shared by the Ukrainska Pravda, a local online newspaper, showed dark city streets in Lviv photographed after nightfall. Russia's military strikes impacted the civilian infrastructure in many regions, with places like Lviv experiencing widespread power outages as a result.

Ukrainian officials have identified Monday's strike by Russia as one of the largest experienced since the war began in late February. The strikes spread over several regions in Ukraine at a time when many civilians were on their way to work or school, leading officials like Ukrainian presidential adviser Andriy Yermak to allege that the strikes aimed to create "a humanitarian crisis" rather than secure a particular military objective, according to The Associated Press.

06:00 PM EDT

EU May Give Ukraine $1.5B Per Month, Reports

The European Union is reportedly considering a new Ukraine aid plan that, if approved, would give $1.5 billion to Ukraine every month in 2023, according to reports by Politico.

Talks of the plan are in progress within the European Commission, a person familiar with the plan told Politico.

About $9 billion has already been earmarked for Ukraine by the EU since Russia invaded Ukraine in February, but the ongoing war has elongated Ukraine's need for financial and military assistance. The U.S. is reportedly considering contributing $1.5 billion per month to Ukraine in 2023 and has asked international partners to consider doing the same, according to Politico and Bloomberg.

Details regarding the exact amount that would be set aside each month for Ukraine under the EU's plan and how that money would be dispersed were reportedly still being discussed.

05:30 PM EDT

Zelensky Identifies Top Priority in Call With Biden

President Joe Biden and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky spoke on Monday about Russia's latest missile strikes on Ukraine and about what Ukraine's current needs are as its war with Russia continues.

Zelensky identified air defense as "the number 1 priority in our defense cooperation" in a Monday tweet that followed his conversation with Biden. Zelensky said Ukraine also needs the U.S. to support Ukraine's latest resolution before the United Nations General Assembly and to provide leadership on a "tough stance" with the G7.

During the two leaders' call, Zelensky gave Biden an overview of the damage caused by Russia's Monday strikes on Ukraine, which officials have said impacted civilian infrastructure ahead of the cold winter months.

Zelensky and Biden also "discussed the importance of air defense, and continued U.S. contributions to increase this capability," according to an overview of the call posted on the website for Zelensky's office.

Biden was among many world leaders who condemned the latest Russian strikes, a position he reiterated during his call with Zelensky. Biden also "pledged to continue providing Ukraine with the support needed to defend itself, including advanced air defense systems" and said the U.S. is continuing to work with international partners to impose sanctions on Russia and provide assistance to Ukraine, according to the White House.

04:46 PM EDT

Poland Advises Its Citizens to Leave Belarus

The Polish government urged any Polish citizens who are currently in Belarus to leave in a directive issued Monday.

"We recommend that Polish citizens staying on the territory of the Republic of Belarus leave its territory with available commercial and private means," Reuters quoted the Polish government as advising. Poland is a neighboring nation to both Ukraine and Belarus. It issued a similar recommendation to citizens who were in Russia earlier this fall.

Poland's recommendation for citizens in Belarus came in the wake of Russia's most recent strike Monday on Ukraine, which officials have said was the largest in scope since Russia's war with Ukraine began in late February. Belarus, an ally of Russia's, issued a warning on Monday advising Ukraine against striking out at Belarus, according to the state-owned news agency Belarusian Telegraph Agency (BelTA). Officials in Ukraine have alleged that Russia sent strikes from Belarus on Monday as part of the latest military acceleration.

04:33 PM EDT

Ukrainian Ambassador Compares Kremlin to Hitler

During his address at the United Nations, Ukrainian Ambassador Sergiy Kyslytsya said his immediate family was under attack during Russia's air strikes Monday morning.

Kyslytsya said his day started 14 hours before the General Assembly met, when Ukraine was under attack.

"My immediate family was in a residential building under attack, unable to go to a bomb shelter," he said. "Russia has already killed some of my family members and we see no end to that cruelty."

Kyslytsya said Russia deliberately targeted civilians which constitutes a war crime.

"Russia has proven once again that it's a terrorist state," he said.

He then said Russia wants to bring the word back to the 1930s, comparing the Kremlin to Hitler.

Kyslytsya said Hitler, like the Russian Federation today, destroyed sovereign nations with invasion and fake referendums.

The United Nations is at a tipping point, Kyslytsya said, where the body will either "restore its credibility or it will ultimately fall in failure."

He said it is the General Assembly's job to maintain the principles of the U.N. charter.

"A trail of blood is left behind the Russian delegation when it enters the General Assembly and the hall is filled up with the smell of smoldering human flesh," Kyslytsya said. "That's what we have tolerated too long in Syria. That is what's happening today in Ukraine."

04:02 PM EDT

UN Rejects Russia's Secret Ballot Request

The United Nations General Assembly will hold a public vote on a resolution to condemn Russia's annexation of four Ukrainian regions.

The General Assembly voted to reject holding a secret ballot.

Albana Dautllari, Albania's representative to the U.N., opened the meeting by proposing a motion to oppose Russia's intention to propose a secret ballot.

In her address to the body, Dautllari said there is no precedent for a secret ballot vote on such a measure.

There were 107 votes in favor of a recorded vote, 13 votes against and 39 abstentions.

04:01 PM EDT

UN Reports at Least 15,592 Civilian Casualties

More than 15,500 civilian casualties have occurred in Ukraine since Russia invaded on February 24, according to the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR).

The OHCHR's latest civilian casualty report for the war in Ukraine showed a total of 15,592 casualties reported since the start of the war, with 6,221 recorded deaths and 9,371 recorded injuries. The data covered the time between the start of the war in late February through October 9.

The bulk of the civilian casualties "were caused by the use of explosive weapons with wide area effects, including shelling from heavy artillery, multiple launch rocket systems, missiles and air strikes," the OHCHR said.

The UN human rights office said it believes the actual numbers of civilian deaths and injuries are "considerably higher" than the numbers officials have confirmed thus far.

In a separate report on children casualties last updated on Monday, the Prosecutor General's Office of Ukraine said at least 422 children have died over the course of the war. More than 800 other children were also injured, the report said.

03:30 PM EDT

UN General Assembly Meets on Russian Annexation

The United Nations General Assembly has resumed its Emergency Special Session on the war in Ukraine hours after Russia launched a series of deadly air strikes across Ukraine.

The meeting was supposed to focus on Russia's annexation of four Ukrainian regions. Western leaders have called this annexation "illegal" following the Kremlin's "sham" referendums.

Assembly members will consider a proposed resolution to condemn the referendums and declare the annexations illegal.

Members may take this time to also condemn the recent Russian attacks on civilian infrastructure.

The measure would demand Russia "immediately and unconditionally" scrap its annexations, call on all countries not to recognize them as legitimate and insist on an immediate withdrawal of Russian forces from Ukrainian territory.

Russia proposed voting via secret ballot, but the general assembly rejected the proposal. The body, therefore, will decide on the resolution by recorded vote. The vote is expected later this week after the debate.

U.S. Ambassador to the U.N. Linda Thomas-Greenfield said Russia's "barbaric attacks" on civilians Monday have "only heighten the stakes."

We must stand together with conviction," she said in a tweet. "Now is not the time for placation or abstentions."

02:59 PM EDT

German Official Under Scrutiny for Alleged Russian Ties

A German cybersecurity official is facing criticism over reports of his alleged ties to Russian intelligence.

Before he was the president of the Federal Office for Information Security (BSI), Anre Schonbohm co-founded a cybersecurity group that brings experts from public institutions and the private sector together a decade ago.

According to German media reports, one of the group's members is a company founded by a former Russian intelligence agent.

The German Interior Ministry said it is taking the matters "seriously" and will is investigating them "comprehensively."

This comes after a German train communications system was sabotaged Saturday, forcing German rail company Deutsche Bahn to stop passenger and cargo trains for almost three hours.

02:45 PM EDT

US Embassy Urges Americans to 'Depart Ukraine Now'

The U.S. Embassy in Kyiv told U.S. citizens who are currently in Ukraine to leave "now" following Russia's latest military strike on Monday.

Russia's recent military activity poses "a direct threat to civilians and civilian infrastructure," the U.S. Embassy said in a security alert issued Monday. "The U.S. Embassy urges US citizens to shelter in place and depart Ukraine now using privately available ground transportation options when it is safe to do so."

Russia's Monday strike against Ukraine impacted civilian infrastructure, but the U.S. Embassy said it "remains open."

The embassy's security alert included instructions on how U.S. citizens in Ukraine should react if they hear explosions or sirens. In the event that an incoming strike is intercepted by Ukrainian forces, the embassy said, debris can still bring "significant risk."

With the current security situation in Ukraine "highly volatile," the embassy said Americans who are there should be cognizant of where they can find shelter and keep their identification cards, proof of their COVID-19 vaccination and travel documents within easy reach. Americans in Ukraine were also encouraged to follow the instructions of local officials and stay updated on the latest war-related news.

According to the embassy's travel advisory levels, the current advisory for Ukraine is at Level 4, which is the highest advisory level and instructs citizens to avoid traveling.

02:15 PM EDT

Ukrainian Activists Raise Over $5M 'For Revenge'

Two Ukrainian activists are crowdsourcing money that they say will be used to purchase Ukrainian-made kamikaze drones and thus support Ukrainian forces as Russia's war with Ukraine continues.

The fundraising campaign was launched in the wake of Russia's Monday military strike on Ukraine, which officials say is the largest attack since the early days of the war.

About $5.6 million has been donated to the crowdfunding campaign in the hours since it launched, the people behind the campaign said.

The fundraising effort is led by Serhiy Prytula, a Ukrainian politician and army volunteer, and Ukrainian activist Serhii Sternenko. Prytula shared information on social media regarding how donors can contribute money to their cause and encouraged people to "help us defeat russian terrorists and drive them out of our country!"

A donation link shared by Sternenko said the money is being raised "for revenge."

By the time evening fell on Monday in Ukraine, Prytula said the campaign raised about $5.6 million and encouraged people to continue contributing.

"Ukrainians are enraged by russian terror attacks! And we will answer," Prytula wrote on Twitter. "Great, but we can do better! The campaign will end tomorrow at 12:00. So pls join our cause!"

02:01 PM EDT

Russian Forces Likely Include Prison Recruits, UK Intel Says

Ukrainian forces continue putting pressure on Russian forces in the northeast and in the Kherson Oblast in southern Ukraine, the U.K. Ministry of Defence said Monday.

"However, Russia continues to give high priority to its own offensive operations in the central Donbas sector, especially near the town of Bakhmut," the Monday intelligence update said.

"Over the last week Russian forces have advanced up to 2km towards the town on two axes, coming closer to breaking into Bakhmut, which has suffered very extensive damage from shelling. These forces have likely included Wagner private military company units, including personnel recently recruited from Russian prisons."

The update came hours before a series of deadly Russian strikes hit several regions across Ukraine Monday.

"Russia's continued efforts to progress its grinding Donbas offensive, in the face of serious threats on its operational flanks highlight the imperative to deliver operational success while also underlining the inflexible operational design which has undermined its plans thus far," the ministry's update concluded.

The ministry also shared its latest map showing a swath of land across the east and south still under Russian control.

01:45 PM EDT

EU Protection Extended to 2024 for Refugees

The European Union (EU) is extending its temporary protection status for Ukrainian refugees as Russia's war with Ukraine continues.

EU Commissioner for Home Affairs Ylva Johansson announced during a Monday press conference that the temporary protection status will be extended "at least until March 2024."

Johansson mentioned Russia's latest strike on Ukraine, which Russian President Vladimir Putin said was made in response to an attack on the Crimean bridge over the weekend. "It's important that we continue to welcome those that need to flee to the European Union," she said.

The EU provided "immediate protection" to Ukrainians shortly after Russia's invasion of Ukraine began in late February, Johansson said. About 4.2 million Ukrainians are currently under EU protection, she added.

Ukraine has recently made strides on the battlefield, the commissioner said, but Russia's most recent strike demonstrates that "the security situation remains very unstable." Even so, she said many Ukrainian refugees are eager to return home.

For the Ukrainian refugees who do decide to go home, Johansson said the door will remain open to them if they need to flee their homes a second time. She explained that while the EU's temporary protection policy traditionally expires for an individual after they return home for an extended period of time, refugees will not have to deregister from their temporary protection status in case their situation changes again.

"If or when you decide to go back home to Ukraine, and then the situation suddenly can change and you need to flee again, the EU will always welcome you and continue protecting you," Johansson said.

01:15 PM EDT

Eight Regions Hit With Russian Air Strikes

The United Nations Office for the coordination of Humanitarian Affairs is tracking the latest Russian air strikes on cities across Ukraine.

In addition to killing civilians and knocking out key infrastructure, the attacks have also impacted humanitarian operations. The movement of aid workers and emergency supplies deliveries may be interrupted in areas in need.

The capital city of Kyiv was hit with several strikes, hitting a pedestrian bridge, civilians buildings and a park playground.

At least eight deaths and 24 injuries have been reported in Kyiv. City officials have shut down subway services to convert stations into shelters for civilians.

This was the first missile attack on the capital since late June.

At least three strikes hit the city of Kharkiv.

"The impact was at an energy infrastructure facility. Some areas of the city lost power, there is no water supply," Kharkiv Mayor Ihor Terekhov said.

In the Dnipropetrovska oblast, civilians have been killed and wounded. Water and electric services have also been impacted.

Humanitarian hubs in the region, including cities of Dnipro and Kryvyi Rih were hit.

Valentyn Reznichenko, the head of the regional military administration, told residents to remain in shelters as there is still a threat of rocket attacks.

The western city of Lviv was also hit.

"Strikes on energy infrastructure facilities in the Lviv region were recorded," Maksym Kozytskyi, head of the Lviv regional military administration, said on Telegram.

He asked residents to stay in shelters and warned there was a "threat of new missile attacks."

Parts of the city remain without electricity, leading to the temporary suspension of the city's thermal power stations.

Zaporizhzhia continues to be hit by Russian attacks Monday.

"Another multi-story residential building was destroyed as a result of a rocket attack in the center of Zaporizhzhia," regional military administration chief Oleksandr Starukh said on Telegram.

Casualties were reported as rescue teams and medics survey the damage.

The city, which is home to Europe's largest nuclear power plant, was hit by Russian strikes last week. The attack on a civilian apartment building killed several people.

In the south, 47 projectiles were fired on the region of Mykolaiv, targeting civilian infrastructure, according to regional civil military administration head Vitalii Kim said.

Attacks have also been reported in the western Ivano-Frankivska, Khmelnytska and Ternopilska oblasts and the norther Zhytomyrska, Rivnenska and Sumska oblasts. Widespread power outages have been reported in these regions.

01:00 PM EDT

World Leaders Condemn Russian Attacks

Several world leaders have condemned Russia's deadly missile strikes on Ukraine Monday.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said she is "shocked and appalled by the vicious attacks" on Ukrainian cities.

She said these strikes show Russia's "brutality" and "terror" and said those responsible will be held accountable.

European leaders said they will continue its support of Ukraine, including sending more air defense systems.

Josep Borrell, the High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, said additional military support from the EU is "on its way."

EC spokesperson Peter Stano said Russia's latest strikes are a violation of international humanitarian law.

Stano said the "barbaric" attacks that indiscriminately target civilians "amount to a war crime."

European leaders, including European Council President Charles Michel and the French, Polish and Canadian foreign affairs ministries are echoing these war crimes accusations.

Michel said he will address holding Russia accountable with G7 partners.

NATO Chief Jens Stoltenberg told with Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba that he condemns the "horrific and indiscriminate attacks on civilian infrastructure" in Ukraine.

He said NATO will continue to support "the brave Ukrainian people to fight back against the Kremlin's aggression for as long as it takes."

Kuleba said Stoltenberg assured him that he will continue to work with allies to provide Ukraine with air defense systems and equipment to tackle electricity supply challenges.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said he has spoke to French President Emmanuel Macron, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, Emir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, Polish President Andrzej Duda, Netherland President Mark Rutte and British Prime Minister Liz Truss Monday following the Russian strikes.

Zelensky discussed increase defense support for Ukraine and increased pressures and sanctions against Russia.

12:40 PM EDT

Biden Condemns Russian 'Brutality'

President Joe Biden has condemned the Russian missile attacks on Ukraine.

Biden said the attacks that targeted civilians infrastructure "with no military purpose" once again demonstrate "the utter brutality of Mr. Putin's illegal war on the Ukrainian people."

The latest strikes "reinforce" the United States' commitment to support Ukraine, Biden said.

"Alongside our allies and partners, we will continue to impose costs on Russia for its aggression, hold Putin and Russia accountable for its atrocities and war crimes, and provide the support necessary for Ukrainian forces to defend their country and their freedom," Biden said.

The president added that the U.S. is calling on Russian to end the "unprovoked aggression immediately" and withdraw troops from Ukraine.

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken spoke with his Ukrainian counterpart Monday to "reiterate U.S. support for Ukraine following the Kremlin's horrific strikes this morning."

Blinken promised to continue sending economic, humanitarian and security assistance so Ukraine can defend itself.

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba said he mentioned "strengthening of Ukraine's defense capabilities, new sanctions on Russia, and holding Moscow accountable for its terrorism" with Blinken.

12:15 PM EDT

Putin Discusses Ukraine Strike With Security Council

Russian President Vladimir Putin held a meeting with Russia's security council on Monday to discuss the explosions that occurred over the weekend on the Kerch Strait Bridge and to explain how Russia decided to respond.

The attack on the bridge, which links Russia to the Crimean Peninsula, was "an act of terrorism aimed at destroying Russia's civilian and critical infrastructure," Putin said during the meeting. He added it was "clear" that Ukrainian officials were behind the explosions.

Putin alleged that Ukraine has committed acts of terrorism against Russia several times before and that the "Kyiv regime" has "put itself on the same level as international terrorist groups, and with the most odious of those."

He added it is "simply no longer possible to leave crimes of this kind without retaliation."

Putin said Russia's Ministry of Defense and the General Staff of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation made a plan to carry out a "massive strike" against Ukraine in response to the bridge explosions, the details of which he asked Russia's defense minister to share with the council. Before the defense minister spoke, Putin added that Russia will have a "harsh and commensurate" response if there are "more attempts to stage terrorist attacks on our territory."

12:01 PM EDT

Key Infrastructure Damaged by Russian Strikes

Russian missile strikes have caused significant damage to Ukrainian infrastructure.

The Ukrainian National Police reported that the attacks have damaged 70 infrastructure sites, including 29 critical infrastructure facilities, 35 residential houses, four multi-storied buildings and a school.

The attacks have left civilians without electricity, water, heat and communication. As a result, the Ukrainian government is asking people limit their energy use Monday night.

"W kindly ask everyone, if possible, to limit electricity consumption today from 17:00 to 22:00," Kyrylo Tymoshenko, deputy head of the Office of the President of Ukraine, said on Telegram. "This will help to pass the critical loads of our power grids."

There have been 11 fatalities and 82 injuries reported by the national police so far.

11:30 AM EDT

Playground Reportedly Hit in Russian Strikes

Officials in Ukraine listed a children's playground as among the locations impacted by Russian strikes on Monday.

In a post on Facebook, the head of the National Police of Ukraine described strikes on Ukrainian infrastructure as "proof of Russia's meanness" while detailing some of the sites that officials said were hit.

"While Ukrainian defenders confidently drive the enemy out of our lands, they sneakily beat on critical infrastructure, schools, residential buildings and playgrounds," the national police official's post said.

Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal also said a playground was impacted by the strikes Russia has claimed credit for, according to The Washington Post.

Joe English, a communications official in UNICEF's New York office, said on Twitter that the reportedly impacted playground was in Kyiv.

"Hard to imagine the psychosocial impact on children," English wrote.

11:00 AM EDT

Germany Sends First of Four Air Defense Systems to Kyiv

Germany announces the first delivery of key air defense weapons to Ukraine Monday, after Russia launched several deadly missile strikes.

The first of four IRIS-T SLM air defense systems will arrive in Ukraine within the next few days, according to German Defense Minister Christine Lambrecht.

Lambrecht said the missile and drone attacks "terrorize the civilian population in particular."

"The recent Russian missile attacks on Kyiv and other cities shows how important the air defense capability for Ukraine's self-defense is," the German Ministry of Defense said in a tweet.

German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock called the latest Russia attacks on Ukrainian cities and civilians "vile and unjustifiable."

"We are doing everything we can to quickly reinforce [Ukrainian] air defense, she said in a tweet.

10:30 AM EDT

Russian Official Warns of More Attacks on Ukraine

A Russian official threatens more attacks on Ukraine following the deadly missile strikes Monday.

Dmitry Medvedev, the acting deputy chairman of Russia's Security Council, said the latest strike is just the first attack.

"The first episode is played," he said on Telegram. "There will be others."

The former Russian President added that Ukraine and it's "Nazi political regime" poses a "constant, direct, and clear" threat to Russia.

"Therefore, in addition to protecting our people and protecting the country's borders, the goal of our future actions, in my opinion, should be the full dismantling of the political regime of Ukraine," Medvedev said.

Medvedev also called the attack on the Kerch Bridge "a terrorist act and sabotage committed by the criminal Kiev regime."

"Russia can only respond to this crime by directly killing terrorists, as is the custom elsewhere in the world," Medvedev said, according to state news agency Tass. "This is what Russian citizens expect."

10:01 AM EDT

Russia Hits Kyiv With Deadly Missile Attacks

Russia hit Ukraine with several deadly strikes Monday, targeting key infrastructure.

At least 11 people were killed and 64 were wounded, according to Ukraine's Emergency Service. Ukrainian officials reported widespread power outages as a result of the attacks on key energy infrastructure.

"The enemy wants us to be afraid, wants to make people run," Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said in a video address. "But we can only run forward - and we demonstrate this on the battlefield. It will continue to be so."

According to the General Staff of Ukraine's Armed Forces, Russia used 84 winged missiles, 24 unmanned aircraft, including 13 Iranian Shahid-136.

Russian President Vladimir Putin said the latest attacks in in retaliation for the attack on the Kerch Bridge connecting Russia and Crimea.

Putin called the attack a "terrorist act" from Ukrainian forces aimed at destroying "critically important civilian infrastructure of the Russian Federation."

Several European leaders have condemned the attacks and promised to continue their support for Ukraine.

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