Newsletter 13/12/2024
A daily news digest covering important war, political, economic, and cultural topics in Ukraine
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Zelensky on massive attack: Russia fires 93 missiles, Ukraine intercepts 81
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has reported that Russia launched 93 missiles and nearly 200 drones in a massive attack on Ukraine, with Ukrainian air defenses intercepting 81 missiles.
"Another Russian missile strike against Ukraine. Cruise missiles, ballistic missiles. According to preliminary reports, 93 missiles were launched, including at least one North Korean missile. A total of 81 missiles were shot down, 11 of which were cruise missiles intercepted by our F-16s. Additionally, the Russians used nearly 200 drones in this attack. This was one of the largest strikes targeting our energy infrastructure," Zelensky said.
He emphasized that this is Putin's "peace plan" -- to destroy everything.
"This is how he wants 'negotiations' - by terrorizing millions of people. He is neither limited in long-range capabilities nor in acquiring the necessary components to produce missiles. Oil gives Putin enough money to believe in his impunity. A strong reaction is needed from the world: a massive attack must be met with a massive reaction. This is the only way terror can be stopped," Zelensky said.
Ukrainian Defense Forces shoot down 81 Russian missiles, 80 drones during large-scale attack
Radar and air defense units detected 287 airborne threats during this period, including 94 missiles and 193 drones:
four Kh-47M2 Kinzhal aeroballistic missiles launched from MiG-31K fighter jets (launch area: Tambov region);
two Iskander-M ballistic missiles (launch area: Bryansk region and temporarily occupied Crimea);
one KN-23 ballistic missile (launch area: Bryansk region);
55 Kh-101/Kh-55SM cruise missiles launched from Tu-95MS bombers (launch area: Volgograd region);
24 Kalibr cruise missiles (launch area: Black Sea);
seven Iskander-K cruise missiles (launch areas: Voronezh and Rostov regions);
one guided air missile Kh-59/Kh-69 (launch area: temporarily occupied Luhansk airspace);
193 strike drones, including Shahed UAVs and other unidentified types, launched from Kursk, Primorsko-Akhtarsk, Oryol, Bryansk, and Millerovo areas.
At 11:30 the following airborne threats were confirmed to have been destroyed:
80 cruise missiles (Kh-101/Kh-55SM/Kalibr/Iskander-K);
one ballistic missile (Iskander-M);
80 drones (Shahed and unidentified types).
Consequences of a massive missile strike on Ukraine:
In Kharkiv, Shahed drone hits roof of apartment block
Russia's missile attack on Ukraine's power grid cuts electricity for half of Ternopil region
DTEK’s TPPs damaged in Russia’s recent massive attack
Critical infrastructure site hit in Ivano-Frankivsk region during massive attack
In Odesa district, rocket debris damaged transport company building, 8 trucks
Russians attack critical infrastructure facility in Drohobych district, Lviv region
Five out of Ukraine’s nine nuclear reactors reduce power output due to Russian attack – IAEA
Sybiha calls for delivery of 20 NASAMS, HAWK, IRIS-T systems to Ukraine
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha has reiterated his appeal to the international community for the transfer of a significant number of air defense systems, including 20 NASAMS units, following a fresh wave of Russian missile strikes on Ukraine.
Sybiha noted that a large-scale Russian missile attack on Ukraine this morning was primarily directed at the country's energy infrastructure.
Biden Administration accelerates arms deliveries to Ukraine amid Trump's statements – CNN
This acceleration comes in response to statements by President-elect Trump, who has sharply criticized allowing Ukraine to use U.S.-supplied missiles to strike targets in Russia. According to the official, the Biden team is making every effort to ensure that Kyiv receives all previously announced arms packages before Biden leaves office.
"DoD is undertaking a historic effort to move massive quantities of weapons into Ukraine in the next five weeks,” the senior administration official said. “Between now and mid-January, we will deliver to Ukraine hundreds of thousands of artillery rounds, thousands of rockets, hundreds of armored vehicles, and other critical capabilities."
Ukrainian intelligence unveils data on 238 tankers of Russia's 'shadow fleet'
HUR said that fossil fuel exports are a primary source of funding for aggressive regimes, enabling activities like nuclear programs, advanced drone and missile development, and the financing of transnational crime and terrorism. In 2023, Russia earned $188 billion and Iran $53 billion from oil exports.
Ukrainian intelligence said that Russia's "shadow fleet" comprises over 1,000 outdated and poorly maintained tankers, representing approximately 17% of the global oil tanker fleet. These vessels operate under murky ownership structures, fly “convenient” flags, and rely on jurisdictions that shield their activities. With a total deadweight of more than 100 million tonnes, the fleet employs deceptive tactics to conceal cargo origins, creating environmental risks and endangering maritime safety.
Since February 2022, over 50 incidents involving these tankers have been reported worldwide, including in the Denmark Straits and Malaysian waters. These vessels often navigate narrow international shipping lanes without pilot services, threatening environmental and economic stability.
Ukraine’s government extends ban on import from Russia into 2025
The Ministry reminded that the list of goods prohibited for import from Russia was approved by a Cabinet of Ministers resolution on December 30, 2015 (No. 1147) and has been periodically updated.
Additionally, on December 10, the government extended the validity of the Cabinet's resolution No. 1146 from December 30, 2015, which establishes import duty rates on goods originating from Russia, for another year, until December 31, 2025.
"Since April 9, 2022, the government has imposed a full embargo on goods from the Russian Federation (government resolution No. 426 of April 9, 2022). No trade with Russia is taking place. However, we must not forget the pressure Russia exerted before the full-scale invasion. Therefore, it is necessary to maintain the measures that were previously implemented as countermeasures against Russia. Over time, Russia's economic pressure will receive an appropriate legal assessment," said Taras Kachka, Deputy Minister of Economy and Ukraine's Trade Representative.
Over 2,000 Ukrainian soldiers poisoned due to Russia’s use of chemical agents
This was announced during a briefing by Artem Vlasiuk, Chief of the Environmental Safety and Civil Protection Division within the Radiation, Chemical, and Biological Defense Command of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, as reported by Ukrinform.
"Since the beginning of the full-scale invasion, over 2,000 military personnel with varying degrees of poisoning by unknown or identified chemical substances have been admitted to both military and civilian medical facilities across Ukraine. These include irritant agents like CS and CN, used in munitions for riot control," said Vlasiuk.
War
IAEA to remain at Zaporizhzhia NPP despite clear intention to intimidate observers - Grossi
"The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) remains committed to maintaining a presence at Ukraine’s Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant (ZNPP) to help prevent a nuclear accident during the military conflict, despite this week’s drone attack on one of its armored vehicles during a regular rotation of IAEA teams stationed at the site, Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi said today," said Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency, Rafael Mariano Grossi.
Artillerymen of the 111th Separate Brigade of the Ukrainian Air Defense Forces continue to successfully strike enemy manpower
Enemy tries to level front line in Pokrovsk sector - AFU
Ukrainian border guards repel saboteurs' attempt to cross into Kharkiv region
Over 100 Russian troops eliminated in Toretsk by Ukrainian NG fighters
Ukraine’s MoD allocates UAH 1.1B to brigades for UAV procurement
Ukrainian air defense soldier shoots down cruise missile with Igla MANPADS/Video
Aerial reconnaissance of the "Steel Border" brigade destroyed an enemy BK compound
Ukraine starts assembling NATO-standard assault rifles
A JSC Ukrainian Defense Industry enterprise has begun assembling NATO-standard rifles under a licensing agreement with the Czech firearms manufacturer Ceska zbrojovka.
"Licensed assembly of Bren 2 rifles began in November 2024 at one of the enterprises belonging to JSC Ukrainian Defense Industry. This marks a practical continuation of our cooperation with Ceska zbrojovka, a subsidiary of Colt CZ (the Czech Republic)," the report said.
Defense
Blinken details new $500M defense aid package for Ukraine
The package includes:
Counter-unmanned aerial systems (c-UAS) munitions;
Ammunition for HIMARS;
155mm and 105mm artillery ammunition;
High-speed anti-radiation missiles (HARMs);
Unmanned aerial systems (UAS); and
Mine-resistant ambush protected vehicles (MRAP).
In addition, as part of this package, Ukraine will receive HMMWV multi-purpose wheeled vehicles; light tactical vehicles; chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear (CBRN) protective equipment; Javelin and AT-4 anti-armor systems; TOW missiles; small arms ammunition; grenades and training equipment, as well as spare parts, ancillary equipment, service, training, and transportation.
Politics
Compensation for assets seized in Crimea: Russia loses cassation appeal versus Naftogaz in Dutch court
The Supreme Court of the Netherlands has dismissed the cassation appeal of the Russian Federation to overturn the Partial Award of the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague regarding compensation for damages caused by the illegal expropriation of Naftogaz Group’s assets in the temporarily occupied Crimea.
“The decision of the Supreme Court strengthens the position of Naftogaz Group in enforcement proceedings to recover the debt owed by Russia for the illegal seizure of assets in Crimea. We are grateful to our legal advisors, Covington & Burling and NautaDutilh, for their outstanding work. Naftogaz is on the path to restoring justice,” Naftogaz of Ukraine NJSC Board Acting Chairman Roman Chumak noted.
As emphasized by Naftogaz Group, the Dutch courts have confirmed for the second and final time the legality and validity of the Partial Award issued by the arbitral tribunal at the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague.
Trump suggests deploying European peacekeepers in Ukraine – media
Sybiha discusses strengthening Ukraine’s, EU’s defense industries with Commissioner Kubilius
Netherlands provides Ukraine with nearly EUR 4B security assistance – ambassador
Economy
U.S. State Dep’t announces four packages of economic aid to Ukraine
The Biden administration recognizes that agriculture has been and will remain one of the supporting sectors of the Ukrainian economy, said a State Department official.
In this regard, the U.S. administration, in cooperation with Congress, is allocating $74.7 million to support Ukraine's export-oriented agriculture. According to the Assistant Secretary of State, this is necessary so that Ukrainian farmers and food industry enterprises can play a greater role in the economic recovery of Ukraine.
Culture
Culture should be part of each of blocks at conference on reconstruction in Rome - MoC
After the cultural Ramstein to be held in Ukraine in early 2025, the Ministry of Culture and Strategic Communications is preparing a concept according to which the cultural component will be represented in each of the blocks to be considered at the next international conference on the reconstruction of Ukraine.
Minister of Culture and Strategic Communications Mykola Tochytskyi told an Ukrinform correspondent on the sidelines of an international conference at the Council of Europe in Strasbourg.
“The next major conference on the reconstruction of Ukraine will be held in Rome in July, and we would like culture to become an organic part of each of the issues that will be considered. There are main blocks: social, defense, and reconstruction. We want to weave a cultural element into each of these blocks. Because there is a culture of the warrior, engineer, and IT specialist, and it is this culture that sews together all human activity,” the minister said.
These issues were discussed with the Secretary General of the Council of Europe in Strasbourg, as well as with the ministers of culture in Paris, Warsaw, and Brussels. The forum in Rome will also include a separate panel dedicated to the restoration of cultural heritage.