Newsletter 10/12/2024
A daily news digest covering important war, political, economic, and cultural topics in Ukraine
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Russian strike on Zaporizhzhia: Three killed, injury toll grows to 14
On Tuesday, December 10, at around 15:00, the enemy launched a missile attack on Zaporizhzhia, destroying a private clinic. Three people were reported killed and 14 injured in the strike.
The number of wounded in the Russian attack on Zaporizhzhia has increased to 11. One of them is in a critical condition.
People may be trapped under the rubble. The search and rescue operation is ongoing.
Lack of equipment, training must not be compensated with soldiers' youth - Zelensky
President Volodymyr Zelensky of Ukraine says Ukraine's priority is curbing Russia's military potential rather than lowering the military draft age.
"There’s a lot of discussion in the media about lowering the draft age for Ukrainians to go to the frontlines. We must focus on equipping existing brigades and training personnel to use this equipment. We must not compensate the lack of equipment and training with the youth of soldiers," Zelensky noted.
He emphasized that the priority should be the supply of missiles and reducing Russia's military potential, not lowering the military draft age in Ukraine.
"The goal should be to preserve as many lives as possible, not to preserve weapons in storages," the President wrote.
Zelensky: Ukraine launches mass production of Palianytsia missile, Ruta undergoing trials
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced that the Ukrainian-made Palianytsia missile has entered mass production, the Peklo missile drone has successfully passed its first combat deployment, and the new Ruta missile is undergoing successful trials.
"Now, these are not just words; these are very specific results. Your personal achievements. And thus, the achievements of the entire state. These are works that have been brought to life – collaborative efforts where an idea is born in a bright mind, developed within a scientific team, implemented at a defense enterprise, and then directly strikes the enemy on the front lines and in their territory," Zelensky said.
He emphasized that this refers, in particular, to Ukrainian missiles and drones.
"The reconnaissance drone Hor, the night bombers Vampire and Heavy Shot, the FPV drones Kolibri and Kamik, the FPV planes Darts, and our long-range capabilities – drones such as Liutyi and Firepoint-1, along with your other developments and Ukrainian achievements. All this is Ukrainian production. All of this is already being actively used. Both at the front and behind enemy lines. This is what gives Ukraine strength. What gives us, Ukrainians, protection. What will bring us, I am sure, a just peace. Your works bring Ukraine closer to this," Zelensky said.
Drones attack military airfield in Russia’s Saratov region - media
Roman Busargin, the governor of Russia's Saratov region, reported that drones attacked a military airfield located in the region.
Busargin said the attack had been stopped and the drones destroyed. No casualties or damage were reported.
Earlier, drones attacked the military airfield in Engels, Saratov region, several times.
War
Ukrainian border guards deny Russian troops breached border in Sumy region
Ukraine's State Border Guard Service has refuted claims of any Russian troop incursion into the Sumy region.
The border agency's spokesperson, Andrii Demchenko said that border units in this sector, within their area of responsibility and the positions they hold, have not recorded any attempts by Russian forces to enter Ukrainian territory. Additionally, no such information has been received from other Ukrainian Defense Forces stationed in the area.
He said it would be difficult for the enemy to advance in that area in the Sumy region, because the terrain is swampy and it is quite difficult to gain a foothold there.
Border guards of "Pomsty" work in the Kreminna area
British intelligence shows consequences of Ukrainian strike on Russian S-400 in Crimea
The Ukrainian defense forces successfully targeted the positions of a Russian S-400 air defence system in temporarily occupied Crimea.
It is noted that social media highlighted an explosion and detonation of rocket fuel associated with the destruction of air defence system components.
The Ministry of Defence also recalled that this is the second successful targeting of Russian S-400 air defence systems by the Ukrainian Armed Forces in November, following the destruction of a S-400 air defence system in Kursk region on 23 November.
Captured defenders in colonies were forced to learn names of children killed by Russia in Donbas
Prison guards in the colonies forced captured Ukrainian defenders to study a list of 160 names of Ukrainian children from Donetsk and Luhansk regions who were killed by the Russian army.
“In one of the last prisons, they gave us a list of 160 dead children and forced us to study the full date of birth, date of death, place of birth and circumstances of death,” said Volodymyr Ivanov, a marine defender of Mariupol who was released from captivity, who spent 895 days in Russian captivity.
The defense lawyer clarified that it was a list of 160 children from Donetsk and Luhansk regions who, according to the Russian Federation, died allegedly because of the actions of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, but were actually killed by Russia itself.
Killed two AFU soldiers, burned pickup truck: SSU announces suspicion to traitor who sided with Russians
DPRK troops remain in Kursk region, ready to engage in combat - Pentagon
Bring Kids Back UA: Five more Ukrainian children returned to their homeland along with families
Russians attack Bilopillia community in Sumy region with mortars
Russians launch three ballistic missile strikes on Zlatopil, civilian infrastructure damaged
Toretsk - a city among the spoil tips of Donbass
Source: Official channel of the 42nd Separate Mechanized Brigade.
A city on the right bank of the Kryvyi Torets River (which, in turn, belongs to the basin of the majestic Siverskyi Donets).
A city that has almost been wiped off the face of the earth by Russian KABs and artillery.
In 2014, about 70,000 people lived their full lives in Toretsk.
But by December 2024, about one and a half thousand locals refuse to leave the once-famous city. This is the current population of Toretsk.
Almost nothing remains of it after the arrival of the 'liberators.'
Russian court sentences New Zealander fighting for Ukraine to 14 years in prison in absentia
The Kursk Regional Court of the Russian Federation sentenced in absentia to 14 years in prison New Zealander Jordan O'Brien, who fought in the Kursk region as part of the Armed Forces.
O'Brien was charged in Russia with the article “participation of a mercenary in an armed conflict” and put on the international wanted list.
According to the Russian investigation, in 2022, O'Brien joined the Armed Forces of Ukraine “as a mercenary” and participated in hostilities “for material reward.” In August 2024, according to the prosecution, the New Zealander entered the territory of the Kursk region as part of the Armed Forces. The Russian court also ruled to confiscate and take into the ownership of the Russian Federation the funds “received by O'Brien as a result of the crime in the amount of more than 1.3 million rubles”.
The sentence may take effect in the event of extradition or deportation to Russia - from the moment he crosses the state border or from the moment of actual detention in Russia.
In September, the New Zealand edition of The Spinoff told about O'Brien, a 31-year-old soldier who arrived in Ukraine in 2022. He saw reports from the war and wanted to help. Now he serves in the 131st separate reconnaissance battalion and works with drones.
Defense
President orders increased funding for brigades for additional drone purchases
Ukrainian Defense Ministry approves ground combat drone for use in Armed Forces/Video
Politics
Frozen Russian assets, long-range capabilities, Russia sanctions: MEP speaks of S&D group’s priorities
“There are three important proposals from our side. The use of EUR 200 million worth of frozen (Russian – ed.) assets for Ukraine’s reconstruction. This is something that we insist to the new High Representative Kaja Kallas, that it's important to support Ukraine in its reconstruction by using these frozen Russian assets. It's very important. We ask her to present the relevant proposal which we will support,” said S&D President Iratxe Garcia Perez.
S&D is also “working hard” to facilitate the EU’s common position on the use of long-range weapons by Ukraine, the lawmaker said, adding that the group is aware of the criticality of this request on the part of Ukraine. “We work not only in the European Parliament, we will work with all of our member states, insisting how important is the issue”.
Another track backed by S&D is the 15th package of Russia sanctions. She recalled that before the EU Council meets to discuss the issue, European lawmakers will have a preparatory debate, where S&D will insist on the importance of supporting the new package.
Putin prioritizes war despite economic strain on Russia – CCD
Merz calls for close Europe-U.S. coordination on allowing Ukraine strikes into Russia
US, UK discuss war in Ukraine in Strategic Dialogue format - Pentagon
Economy
Ukraine to receive $454M from World Bank for healthcare development - PM
The funds will be provided under the THRIVE project, which aims to help reform the healthcare system and strengthen its capacity in times of war.
The funds will be provided under the THRIVE project, which aims to help reform the healthcare system and strengthen its capacity in times of war