Newsletter 13/11/2024
Daily news digest
TOP
Trump set to appoint special envoy for peace talks on Ukraine – media reports
U.S. President-elect Donald Trump is reportedly planning to appoint a special envoy to lead negotiations on behalf of the United States to end Russia's war in Ukraine.
South Korean intelligence confirms DPRK soldiers already in active combat in Kursk region
The National Intelligence Service of South Korea has confirmed that the North Korean military is already engaged in hostilities against the Ukrainian forces in Russia’s Kursk region.
SBU eliminates Russian navy officer in Sevastopol - source
A car bomb attack in Sevastopol, which killed Valery Trankovsky, chief of staff of the 41st brigade of missile ships and boats of the Russian Black Sea Fleet, was a successful special operation carried out by Ukraine's SBU State Security Service.
EU accession: Ukraine presents legislation for key negotiation cluster to European Commission
On November 12, a bilateral meeting between Ukraine and the European Commission on Chapter 18, dedicated to statistics, was held in Luxembourg. The meeting was held as part of the official screening of Ukrainian legislation for compliance with EU law. This was the final chapter in the block of issues under Cluster 1, Fundamentals, which is key to the entire negotiation process.
Russians disguised in AFU uniform attempt to breach defenses in Kupiansk – General Staff
"Starting from 14:30 today, the Russian invaders launched an assault to break through our defenses in the Kupiansk sector. Enemy assault groups attacked the positions of the Ukrainian defenders in four waves. In total, the enemy deployed around 15 units of equipment, including tanks, armored fighting vehicles, and a UR-77 mine-clearing vehicle," the report states.
Part of the Russian soldiers were dressed in uniforms similar to those of the Ukrainian Armed Forces. "This violates the laws and customs of war and constitutes a war crime," the General Staff added.
Ukraine receives 83% of promised ammunition, 67% of air defense systems since spring – Pentagon
Since April of this year, following additional funding approved by Congress, the United States has delivered to Ukraine 83% of the promised ammunition, 67% of the pledged air defense systems, and 60% of firepower capabilities from its own stockpiles by October.
The 83% of critical ammunition includes 155-mm artillery shells, GMLRS (rockets for HIMARS), and munitions for Patriot and NASAMS systems, among others. The 67% of the promised air defense systems encompass Stinger and HAWK missiles, while the 60% of the U.S. commitments for firepower include small diameter bombs and 105-mm caliber ammunition.
War
Russian drone targets ambulance vehicle on call in Kherson region
In the village of Stanislav, Kherson region, the Russians deployed an UAV to hit an ambulance vehicle that was transporting wounded civilians.
Russians launch heavy strike on Kherson damaging apartment buildings
On the evening of November 12, the Russian forces launched a heavy strike on Kherson’s Dniprovskyi district damaging several apartment buildings.
Five members of Dovbush film crew killed in action on Ukrainian battlefield, seven missing - director
"If we talk about the Dovbush film crew, five (of its members - ed.) were killed in action, seven went missing, and 70 are currently serving in the ranks of the Armed Forces of Ukraine and other elements of the Defense Forces, including actors, stuntmen, film technicians, artists, and cameramen," says Sanin.
In particular, the cameraman, Serhiy Mikhalchuk, serves with the Armed Forces, in a reconnaissance unit, currently deployed on the front line in Kursk region. Two actors are part of the 68th Oleksa Dovbush mountaineering brigade.
Warehouses, hangar, cars damaged in Russian drone attack on Kyiv region
Photos: Kyiv Regional Military Administration
The warehouses of a company, a hangar and eight vehicles were destroyed and damaged, and fires broke out due to falling drone debris in the Kyiv region.
Earlier reports said that a 48-year-old man had suffered a head injury in the drone attack. He was provided with medical care at the scene. The man refused hospitalization.
Ukrainian forces intercept four missiles, 37 drones
Russians shell 20 settlements in Kherson region, 10 people wounded
Russia deploys most capable units to revive assaults in Kursk region - military
Ex-deputy mayor of Popasna sentenced in absentia for siding with enemy
Politics
Sybiha meets with Lammy in Brussels to coordinate work during UK presidency of UNSC
Ukraine, U.S. top diplomats discuss Kyiv’s military needs in Brussels
Scholz backs further support for Ukraine, given it doesn’t hinder Germany’s development
Economy
Rebuilding Ukraine: Ministry of Finance signs USD 750M agreements with World Bank
Ukraine's Finance Minister Sergii Marchenko and Bob Som, the World Bank's Regional Director for Eastern Europe, have signed agreements under the "Support to Ukraine's Government Reforms" (SURGE) project, totaling USD 750 million.
Frozen Russian assets only viable source of funding EU must direct to Ukraine – lawyer
"The decision is obvious, but it requires political will, as well as a greater sense of urgency. So far, we have not seen this urgency, but I hope that with the changing political landscape, Europe will wake up, because this war is happening in Europe's backyard. The victims are in the European countries, and we must do everything possible to ensure that Ukraine could defend itself and win this war. These assets could play a fundamental role in that," emphasized Yulia Ziskina, senior lawyer of the Ukrainian-American organization ‘Together for Ukraine’.
According to her, frozen Russian assets are the only viable source of funding.
"In fact, the only viable source of funding is the frozen Russian assets. Currently, there are USD 300 billion in frozen Russian assets around the world. A significant portion of them is in Europe, but they are scattered globally," Ziskina said.
Finland to allocate EUR 20M for Ukraine's education sector reform
Draft state budget for 2025 includes more than UAH 55B for weapons production