Newsletter 02/12/2024
A daily news digest covering important war, political, economic, and cultural topics in Ukraine
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Drone attack on Ternopil: one dead, number of injured rises to 4
In Ternopil, as a result of an attack by a Russian “Geranium” drone on a five-story building, the number of victims increased to four, and a 45-year-old man was killed.
The 94 residents of the building were promptly evacuated and placed in shelters near the house. A mobile resilience center was deployed at the scene. Psychologists from the State Emergency Service and the police were also involved.
Most of the windows in the house that was hit and in the nearby school were damaged, and cars parked near the house were also damaged. Work is underway to assess the building's suitability for further use and the extent of the damage. The building is disconnected from the electricity supply.
Scholz promises continued military support for Ukraine, but not Taurus missiles
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz made this statement during a press conference with President Volodymyr Zelensky in Kyiv on December 2
"By December, the sixth Iris-T SLM system will be delivered, as well as additional launchers for Patriot and more Gepard anti-aircraft tanks. And in 2025, we will continue to deliver air defense systems, howitzers, reconnaissance drones, artillery, and six armed search-and-rescue helicopters," Scholz said, addressing a message to Putin: "We have long endurance, and we will stand by Ukraine for as long as it takes."
He noted that Germany had provided Ukraine not only with air defense systems, which are widely discussed, but also other "very powerful and dangerous weapons," including artillery systems, MLRS, tanks of various types, and more. To date, five Iris-T systems, three Patriot systems, and over 50 Gepards have been delivered.
He promised that next year, arms deliveries would not stop and would be "just as powerful" as before.
He also assured that Putin would not succeed in his cynical plan to freeze the conflict, halt Ukraine's economy, and stop the country's production. Germany is supplying the necessary equipment for the rapid restoration of the energy system.
Regarding talks with the man who started the war, Scholz, who recently spoke with the Kremlin leader, believes that a clear and firm language must be used with him when stating positions and intentions. The Chancellor recalled his meeting with Putin before the invasion of Ukraine. At that time, he said, he got the impression that Putin had decided to launch the invasion not spontaneously, but after planning it for a couple of years. The German leader had another conversation with him in December 2022. Throughout all these discussions, Scholz emphasized that Ukraine has the right to build an independent, democratic state, aiming to be part of the EU with a strong army.
Ukraine responds to statements by Georgian authorities about “Maidan scenario”
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine has expressed solidarity with the Georgian people and urged the Georgian government to stop intimidating its citizens with the myth of so-called “Ukrainian scenario,” while implementing a “Belarusian scenario” in practice.
"The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine strongly condemns the ongoing human rights violations and the use of force against peaceful demonstrators in Georgia. Violence will not remain without consequences. The Georgian authorities must respect the fundamental right of their citizens to peaceful protest. Particularly, when the protests are driven by the government’s decision to halt Georgia’s progress towards EU membership, contrary to the European aspirations of the Georgian people," the Ministry stated.
Russia at UN set to present guide on protecting energy from terrorism, Ukraine urges resistance
The terrorist state Russia intends to distribute among UN member states a "Technical Manual on Protecting Critical Energy Infrastructure from Terrorist Attacks" developed by the UN Office of Counter-Terrorism (UNOCT).
As a result of this meeting, Russia prepared a “technical manual” on behalf of the UN Counter-Terrorism Office, which it plans to present to member states.
Ukraine's Permanent Representative to the UN, Serhii Kyslytsia, sent numerous letters to UN member state missions explaining Ukraine's position on the matter.
“We consider it alarming and cynical that a UN body decided to cooperate on resolving the issue of protecting critical energy infrastructure with a state that almost daily attacks Ukraine’s energy facilities and continues to occupy a nuclear power plant,” reads one of the letters.
The chosen methods of organizing the event will only contribute to whitewashing Russia, unfortunately with UN support and to the detriment of the Organization’s reputation, Kyslytsia stated.
He called it a “self-destruction” of the UN, “which recently suffered a serious blow” due to UN Secretary General António Guterres’ meetings in Kazan with Russian dictator Vladimir Putin at the BRICS summit and “is now engaging in another destructive activity instead of working to restore its reputation.”
Russia fired about 60 North Korean missiles at Ukraine – intelligence
"Today, we have information that Russia used about 60 North Korean missiles against Ukraine. Their accuracy is generally low. We understand that the technologies used in their production are outdated. However, they still pose a threat, because there is no difference between dying from a missile made in 2014 and one made using old technologies," said Andrii Cherniak, a representative of the Main Intelligence Directorate of Ukraine's Ministry of Defense.
Border guards destroy Russian ammunition depot using drone
Border guards from the Steel Border brigade of the Offensive Guard destroyed a Russian ammunition depot in Sumy region using a Mavic drone.
War
Russia lost over 35,000 troops on eastern front in November – Ukrainian forces
Russian occupation forces carried out 1,156 assaults on Ukrainian positions in the area of responsibility of the Khortytsia Group of Troops in the past week, with Russian occupation forces suffering colossal losses in November - over 35,000 soldiers.
Ukraine's military intelligence comments on role of North Korean soldiers in Ukraine
Ukrainian Navy eliminates over 5K Russian troops in November
Russian diplomats, military flee Syria - intelligence
Galician paratroopers capture 11 more Russians in Kursk region
Soldiers of the 80th separate airborne assault Galician brigade of the Airborne Assault Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine captured 11 Russians in the Kursk region of the Russian Federation.
The prisoners were former prisoners who had signed a contact and were assigned to the 11th Air Assault Brigade of the Russian Army.
Politics
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz honored fallen soldiers near the national memorial on Maidan in Kyiv
President of EU Council: Ceasefire agreement will not necessarily mean peace
Ukraine to become full member of ICC Assembly starting Jan 1, 2025