Newsletter 04/12/2024
A daily news digest covering important war, political, economic, and cultural topics in Ukraine
On December 4, Ukraine celebrates Rocket Forces and Artillery Day
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Ukrainian president, CoE secretary general discuss special tribunal for Russia
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky met with Secretary General of the Council of Europe Alain Berset in Kyiv to discuss the need to establish a special tribunal on the crime of Russia's aggression against Ukraine.
"We discussed the need to create a special tribunal on the crime of aggression. It is important to bring Russian war criminals to justice," he said.
The meeting also focused on the release of prisoners and the return of Ukrainian children illegally deported by Russia.
Zelensky highlighted Ukraine's appreciation for the Council of Europe's role in establishing the Register of Damage as part of an international compensation mechanism. He also expressed hope for the creation of a Commission for Considering Applications, a Compensation Fund, and continued leadership from the Council of Europe in these efforts.
Read also: Zelensky: Yale University researchers identified hundred
Ukraine signs loan agreement with EU for up to EUR 35B in macro-financial assistance
Ukrainian Finance Minister Sergii Marchenko, Governor of the National Bank of Ukraine Andriy Pyshnyy, and Vice-President of the European Commission Valdis Dombrovskis have signed a Memorandum of Understanding and a loan agreement with the European Union to secure up to EUR 35 billion in Macro-Financial Assistance (MFA).
Drones attack air base near Ryazan, port in Novorossiysk
The channel shared a video showing an explosion attributed to the drone attack.
Following the incident, Pavel Malkov, governor of the Ryazan region, stated that "the air defense forces of the Ministry of Defense shot down three drones over the Ryazan region," adding that there were no casualties or damage.
Russia’s Ministry of Defense reported in its morning update that 24 Ukrainian drones were intercepted overnight across six regions. These included six drones over the Rostov region, five each over Bryansk and Krasnodar, four over Belgorod, three over Ryazan, and one over Astrakhan.
The Dyagilevo air base, located 500 kilometers from the frontline, hosts Il-76 tanker aircraft, Tu-22MS bombers, and serves as a retraining center for long-range aviation pilots. Adjacent to the base is a repair facility that services Russian strategic aircraft, including Tu-22M bombers, Tu-95MS bombers, and various Il-76 military transport aircraft.
Without bases in Syria Putin loses positions in Mediterranean - U.S. general
This opinion was expressed by the former commander of the U.S. Army European Command, General Mark Hertling (Ret.), who spoke with CNN.
Hertling recalled that there are Russian naval and air bases in Syria.
"Both of those bases give him (Putin - ed.) access to the Mediterranean. Once he loses that because of a potential overthrow of Assad, he has lost capability to influence the Mediterranean," the former commander said.
He stressed that Russia has also lost some of its influence in the Black Sea based on the ongoing war with Ukraine, and Russian naval bases in the Baltics, in Kaliningrad, are also under threat.
Ukraine already producing missiles together with Italy and Belgium - DM of Ukraine
“Ukrainian cruise and ballistic missiles will allow our Armed Forces to act independently, delivering precision strikes on key enemy targets. This not only strengthens our defense, but also creates an effective mechanism for deterring the aggressor,” said Defense Minister Rustem Umerov.
He emphasized that Ukraine is not only developing its own potential but also integrating into the European defense industry. This cooperation makes it possible to localize the production of foreign technologies in Ukraine.
Russia conducting information campaigns on prisoner exchange to discredit Ukraine – ISW
Russian officials continue to perpetuate information operations about prisoner-of-war (POW) exchanges in order to portray Ukraine as unwilling to negotiate and to undermine Ukrainians' trust in their government.
Experts from The Institute for the Study of War (ISW) in their report noted that Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) Spokesperson Maria Zakharova claimed on November 27 that Russia has a list of 630 Ukrainian POWs that Russia is "immediately" ready to swap in a one-to-one exchange. ISW also recalled that Russian Human Rights Ombudsman Tatyana Moskalkova published the list of the alleged 630 Ukrainian POWs on December 2 and claimed that Ukraine refused the swap after Russia suggested it.
A Russian insider source similarly noted on November 29 and December 3 that Zakharova's and Moskalkova's statements about Russia's alleged willingness to conduct a large POW exchange are an attempt to present the false narrative that Ukrainian leadership is unwilling to negotiate to Ukraine's Western partners and allies, while falsely portraying Russia as the party interested in negotiations.
War
The "Sychi" left no chance - the scouts burned Russian cannons and communications equipment
Russian soldiers fighting in Ukraine given “suicide instructions” - intel
Soldiers of the Russian invasion army deployed in the combat zone are being given instructions by their commanders for committing suicide, thus discouraging them from surrender.
“The headline calls for ‘retaining dignity till the end’ and describes the algorithm for committing suicide using a firearm or grenade. The ‘soldier of Great Russia’, if facing a critical situation, is ordered to shoot himself in the temple, under the chin or in the forehead,” This was reported by the Main Intelligence Directorate of the Ministry of Defense.
As noted, the instructions state that “it is important to remain calm and confidently pull the trigger.” And if there is no weapon or ammunition available, soldiers are advised to use a grenade.
"Forpost" imposes movement restrictions on the enemy infantry fighting vehicle
Russia pulling strategic reserves for assaults in Kurakhove, Pokrovsk axes
Almost 50K houses, infrastructure objects destroyed in Ukraine this year - Kuleba
Ukrainian forces shoot down 29 Russian drones, 18 more disappear from radar
Politics
NATO ministers agree on “proactive measures” against Russia’s shadow fleet - Rutte
At a meeting in Brussels, Allied foreign ministers agreed on active measures to counter hybrid attacks and hostile operations against NATO countries.
"Today, Ministers discussed Russia’s increasingly aggressive posture, as well as its escalating campaign of hostile actions in NATO countries. We have seen a steep increase of these attacks, and we must hold the perpetrators to account. Both Russia and China have tried to destabilize our countries and divide our societies with acts of sabotage, cyber-attacks, and energy blackmail," said Mark Rutte.
NATO to ensure reliable deterrence rather than respond to Russia's nuclear rhetoric - Rutte
Alliance must help Ukraine change war trajectory “once and for all” - Rutte
UN Security Council to hold meeting on Russia's crimes against Ukrainian children
Explaining: German support, demining in Ukraine, collapse of Kremlin’s “alternative Olympics”
Economy
EBRD Board of Directors approves investments in Ukraine amounting to over EUR 1.3B
“The Board of Directors of the EBRD has approved investments in Ukraine totaling more than EUR 1.3 billion. This involves eight projects to support the public and private sectors. In particular, in the area of restoring transport and energy infrastructure, supporting government programs to develop decentralized power generation and strengthening energy efficiency,” Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal announced this on Telegram