Newsletter 11/12/2024
A daily news digest covering important war, political, economic, and cultural topics in Ukraine
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Zelensky explained Ukraine's need for security guarantees at meeting with Trump - Reuters
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky used his first meeting with Donald Trump since the U.S. election to explain Ukraine's need for security guarantees in any negotiated end to the war with Russia, two sources familiar with the Dec. 7 discussions said.
That's according to two sources familiar with the negotiations, Ukrinform reports, citing Reuters.
French President Emmanuel Macron hosted the meeting in Paris, during which Ukraine's leader sought to build a rapport with Trump, whose promise to end the conflict swiftly has raised concerns in Kyiv that it could be largely on Moscow's terms.
Reuters spoke to a total of five people who were briefed on the meeting.
The three leaders, who talked for 35 minutes without advisers, did not discuss specific details of any vision for peace, but Trump repeated that he wanted an immediate ceasefire and negotiations to end the war quickly, four of the people said. Trump behaved in a friendly, respectful and open manner and appeared to be in listening mode, one of the sources said.
Zelensky on Orban's call to Putin: Talks about peace cannot be held without Ukraine
"We all hope that Viktor Orban at least won't call Assad in Moscow to listen to his hour-long lectures as well. It's absolutely clear that achieving real peace and guaranteed security requires America’s determination, Europe's unity, and the unwavering commitment of all partners to the Purposes and Principles of the UN Charter. No one should boost personal image at the expense of unity; everyone should focus on shared success. Unity in Europe has always been key to achieving it. There can be no discussions about the war that Russia wages against Ukraine without Ukraine," Zelensky said.
Belarus tests new missile for Buk air defense system near border with Ukraine
On December 10, a new anti-aircraft guided missile for the Buk-MB2 air defense system - 9M318 - was tested on the territory of the Olmanskoye swamp and the new flight restriction zone in southern Belarus.
According to Belaruski Gayun, the tests took place on the territory of the former 41st aviation training ground, where bombing exercises have been conducted since the 1960s.
According to the available information, the 9M318 missile is designed to hit high-speed maneuvering aerial targets (drones), tactical missiles of various types, helicopters, and ground targets.
The monitoring group reminded that the restriction zone is valid until December 20, so it is possible that missile launches in this area will continue in the coming days.
Turner says NATO aims to strengthen Ukraine's battlefield capabilities
Patrick Turner, Head of the NATO Representation in Ukraine, explained that at the Washington Summit in July, NATO had pledged to provide Ukraine with over $40 billion in security assistance for 2024. He noted that nearly EUR 21 billion had already been delivered in the first half of the year, and efforts were being made to ensure that all promised contributions would be fulfilled by year's end. He emphasized that NATO's focus in Ukraine was to provide the necessary support and deliver on its commitments. Turner stressed that NATO sought to position Ukraine as strongly as possible on the battlefield, enhancing both its defensive and offensive capabilities with the appropriate systems.
He added that the NATO Representation in Ukraine would also help build relations between NATO and Ukraine on the country's path to membership.
Canada’s Parliament approves nearly USD 600M in military aid for Ukraine
According to Canada’s Defense Minister Bill Blair, the funds will be used for ammunition, training, and other resources critically needed by Ukrainians to secure victory.
The document also includes 400 million Canadian dollars (about 307 million USD) in financial assistance for Ukraine, allocated through a special IMF account.
Additionally, the Parliament has approved the allocation of 45 million Canadian dollars (approximately 35 million USD) for humanitarian demining and strengthening Ukraine's cyber resilience.
Death toll in missile strike on Zaporizhzhia rises to nine
All city emergency services are actively working at the scene, with SES psychologists providing assistance to affected residents.
Chief of the Zaporizhzhia Regional Military Administration, Ivan Fedorov, reported that SES rescuers pulled two women from the rubble during the night. Both women are now in the hospital.
Russia reports strikes on aviation complex in Taganrog, oil depot in Bryansk/Video
The General Staff of the Ukrainian Armed Forces has confirmed a strike on an oil depot in Russia's Bryansk region.
On the night of December 10-11, units of the Unmanned Systems Forces of the Ukrainian Armed Forces and the Ukrainian Defense Ministry's Main Intelligence Directorate struck the Bryansk oil depot. This is a loading point for the Druzhba oil pipeline, which plays a critical role in the reception, storage, distribution, and shipment of diesel fuel to tanker trucks and rail transport. It is actively used to supply the Russian army.
Preliminary reports indicate that the oil depot was hit and caught fire. The results of the operation are still being clarified, according to the General Staff.
Earlier reports indicated that drones and missiles struck Russia's Bryansk and Rostov regions during the same night. Bryansk Region Governor Alexander Bogomaz claimed that ten drones were intercepted before causing major damage. However, a drone attack did lead to a fire at a production facility in Bryansk, which was extinguished without casualties.
Shmyhal names seven promising areas for cooperation between Ukraine and EU
Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal stated this at the 7th German-Ukrainian Business Forum, according to an Ukrinform correspondent.
"For Germany and all of Europe, Ukraine is a field of broad opportunities. This is a mutual movement, when German business invests in our economy and receives not only profit, but also strategic benefits in key industries. The first strategic benefit is critical raw materials. In the Ukrainian subsoil, there are 21 elements out of 30 identified by Europe as critical raw materials -- lithium, graphite, cobalt, titanium, etc. Today, Germany needs stable supplies of metals and rare earth elements to develop its production. This demand will only grow over time. Ukraine is able to satisfy it and, thus, give impetus to the growth of the German economy. We can become part of the EU's single industrial chains of extraction, processing and supply," said the Prime Minister of Ukraine Denys Shmyhal stated this at the 7th German-Ukrainian Business Forum.
War
From January, occupiers plan to deprive people without Russian passports of residence rights in TOT
“In the temporarily occupied territories, the Russians continue their policy of tightening the screws on those Ukrainians who refuse to take Russian passports. Starting from January 2025, the Russians promise to deprive 'stateless individuals' of their residence rights in the TOT. These ‘individuals’ are local residents whom the enemy makes ‘illegal migrants’ in their own homes,” that is according to the National Resistance Center of Ukraine.
In Kurakhove, “White Angels” came under heavy fire from enemy drones while evacuating wounded woman
According to the police, this visit was a real test for the White Angel unit. Upon arriving at the scene, law enforcement officers began to provide first aid to the victim, and at that time the occupiers struck near a car standing outside. The policemen quickly put the woman and her relative in the car and, risking their lives, began to make their way out of the city.
However, the severely damaged car stopped and could not move on. Fleeing from Russian attacks, the White Angels hid the civilians in an abandoned house.
“However, the enemy did not stop attacking - deadly “drops” fell on the house. Glass, ceiling, stones - everything was flying at people and police officers. It became dangerous to stay in the house, because in a little while it would collapse and bury everyone under the rubble,” explained the law enforcement officers.
Ukrainian border guards test Nomad amphibious all-terrain vehicle
The tests were conducted in various terrains, including swamps, ravines, hills, sandy roads, and reservoirs.
US intelligence warns Russia may soon use Oreshnik again - AP
British intelligence: Ukraine restraining Russia in Black Sea area
Zelensky hears CinC’s report on battlefield developments, strikes on targets inside Russia
Defense
DOS approves sale of F-16 sustainment services, equipment to Ukraine
The U.S. Department of State has made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale to the Government of Ukraine of F-16 Sustainment Services and related equipment for an estimated cost of $266.4 million.
Ukrainian forces receive 1.2 million drones since year-start – Defense Ministry
In the first 11 months of 2024, the Ukrainian Defense Ministry supplied the Ukrainian Defense Forces with over 1.2 million unmanned aerial vehicles of various types, including reconnaissance, strike, and FPV drones.
The deliveries included over 40,000 reconnaissance multirotor drones, among them more than 12,000 equipped for night operations. Additionally, 5,000 reconnaissance aircraft-type UAVs, such as the Shark, GOR, and Furia models, were supplied.
The Ukrainian Armed Forces also received 6,000 long-range strike drones, including models like the An-196 Liutyi and Firepoint. Over 2,000 reusable strike drones, including Nemesis, Kazhan, and Vampire, were distributed, alongside more than 5,000 reusable FPV drones.
Politics
U.S. considering tougher sanctions on Russian energy resources – Bloomberg
The administration of U.S. President Joe Biden is exploring the possibility of significantly stricter sanctions on Russian oil before Donald Trump’s inauguration.
"Details of the possible new measures were still being worked out, but President Joe Biden’s team was considering restrictions that might target some Russian oil exports," the source states.
Previously, Biden had opposed such measures, citing concerns over rising fuel prices in the U.S., especially ahead of presidential elections. However, with oil prices falling due to a global surplus and fears that Donald Trump might pressure Ukraine into a rapid agreement with Russia to end the nearly three-year war, the Biden administration is now open to more aggressive actions, Bloomberg notes.
Russia intends to supply fighter jets to North Korea - ISW
It is noted that the commander of the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command (INDOPACOM), Admiral Samuel Paparo, reported on December 10 that Russia and North Korea had concluded an agreement with Moscow agreeing to send MiG-29 and Su-27 fighter jets to Pyongyang in exchange for the deployment of DPRK troops to Russia to support the war effort in Ukraine.
Paparo emphasized that thanks to the fighter jets, North Korea will strengthen its military potential. In addition, as part of the deal, Pyongyang is likely expecting additional military equipment and technology from Russia, including ballistic missile recently vehicles, submarine technology, and air defense systems.
The admiral also noted that North Korean troops remain in hostility zones, likely referring to Kursk region, but they are not currently engaged in active combat, the report says.
Zelensky, Tusk to exchange visits early next year - Polish PM
Ukraine, Poland agree on procedure for returning seized funds
EU ambassadors agree on 15th package of sanctions against Russia, targeting in particular ‘shadow fleet’
Shmyhal proposes that Germany increase taxes on goods from Russia, use proceeds for Ukraine’s recovery