Newsletter 16/12/2024
A daily news digest covering important war, political, economic, and cultural topics in Ukraine
Ukrzaliznytsia brought the Bethlehem Fire to Kharkiv
TOP
EU approves 15th package of sanctions against Russia
In particular, the Council agreed on a significant package of 84 listings, which consists of 54 persons and 30 entities responsible for actions undermining or threatening the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of Ukraine.
As regards individuals, the EU is sanctioning the military unit responsible for the striking of the Okhmadyt children hospital in Kyiv, senior managers in leading companies in the energy sector, individuals responsible for children deportation, propaganda and circumvention, as well as two senior DPRK officials.
As to entities, the EU targeted primarily Russian defense companies and shipping companies responsible for the transportation of crude oil and oil products by the sea, providing important revenues to the Russian government. It also listed a chemical plant, a civil Russian airline which is an important provider of logistical support to the Russian military. For the first time, it imposes fully-fledged sanctions (travel ban, asset freeze, prohibition to make economic resources available) on various Chinese actors supplying drone components and microelectronic components in support of Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine.
Italian government approves tenth military aid package for Ukraine
The new package, which marks Italy's tenth military contribution since the start of the Russian invasion, will be presented on Wednesday by Defense Minister Guido Crosetto at a meeting of the Italian intelligence service's parliamentary oversight body, COPASIR. The details of the materiel to be sent to Kyiv remain confidential.
SBU drones destroy enemy ammo depot in Donetsk region - source
The Security Service of Ukraine's drones struck enemy artillery and mortar depots near the village of Markyne in the temporarily occupied territory of the Donetsk region.
War
Efficiency of FPV drone use by AFU, Russian forces – 20-40% – Ukrainian military
"Electronics may fail, and the drone won’t explode; it can detonate en route; a significant percentage is suppressed by various electronic warfare systems, and some are shot down with small arms. Therefore, the efficiency of FPV drones in the Ukrainian Armed Forces and among Russians is 20 to 40%," explained the commander of the separate regiment of strike unmanned aerial systems Madiar's Birds, Robert Brovdi.
According to Madiar, this figure specifically refers to cases where a drone reached its target, struck it, and the impact was recorded. The regiment's statistics are compiled based on this data using their own methodology.
"We have our own accounting system at the unit level without any orders from the command. We do this for ourselves. I can review any month, analyze the crew’s efficiency, quantitative and qualitative performance, and the types of targets – whether they are moving or stationary," Madiar said.
Drones to independently identify targets due to AI – Ukrainian military
“When artificial intelligence becomes capable of independently identifying targets stored in its memory and distinguishing one type of equipment from another — not just in prototypes, which already exist and are even used in combat, but on a mass scale — the consequences of UAV use will become significantly more threatening,” he stated.
According to Brovdi, the development of AI is the next stage in the evolution of drones. At present, both Ukraine and Russia are working on the widespread use of fiber-optic drones, which cannot be suppressed by electronic warfare (EW) systems. Such drones receive commands and transmit feedback digitally via a wire that unwinds from a spool over distances of 10-15 (or even more) kilometers. The drone's flight range depends on its payload capacity; a larger drone can carry a spool of up to 50 kilometers.
Russians fail to occupy Luhansk region: AFU report unsuccessful enemy assaults near Siversk
Kurakhove under AFU control, Russians assaulting town from two directions
No enemy SRGs in Pokrovsk, Russian forces pushed back near Pishchane – Voloshyn
In occupied areas Russia luring men into army with promises to write off debt\
Ukraine MoD greenlights use of new Sova 10 drone
Ukrainian SOF fighters destroy Russian platoon, three APCs in Kursk region/Video
Drone attack: Ukrainian forces shoot down 27 Russian UAVs overnight Monday
Two civilians injured in Russian shelling of Kherson region
General Staff: 228 clashes at front in past day, fighting most intense in five sectors
Russia shells Zaporizhzhia region over 200 times in past day
Bull's eye shot: HUR operative takes down Russian soldier at 2,069m
A sniper from the active operations unit at the Main Intelligence Directorate (HUR) of Ukraine’s Defense Ministry, call sign Lector, hit a Russian soldier at a range of 2,069 meters.
The report says the confirmed record for the particular caliber belongs to the British sniper, Corporal from the Royal Guards Regiment Blues and Royals, Craig Harrison. In November 2009, during the war in Afghanistan, he hit two Taliban fighters at a range of 2,475 meters, also damaging their machine gun.
"Harrison fired while lying down, being in a significantly more elevated position than the target. Accuracy, according to the corporal, was also facilitated by calm weather and clear visibility. However, before hitting the target, the British sniper had to make nine adjusting shots," the HUR specified.
Ukrainian military investigating alleged abuse in 211th Pontoon Bridge Brigade
On December 16, media outlets reported on possible abuse by officials of the 211th Pontoon Bridge Brigade of the Support Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
In response, Commander-in-Chief of the Ukrainian Armed Forces Oleksandr Syrskyi ordered the Ukrainian Military Law and Order Service to send a commission to the military unit to verify the claims. Pending the investigation, the commander of the military unit has been suspended from official duties.
The General Staff also noted that the progress and results of the inspection would be disclosed in accordance with Ukrainian law.
The General Staff recalled that a previous inspection had been conducted in September 2024 concerning some of the same allegations. Following that investigation, materials were gathered and transferred to the relevant authorities, leading to the initiation of criminal proceedings.
Verkhovna Rada Human Rights Commissioner Dmytro Lubinets expressed concern over the media reports of abuse and sent letters to the General Staff and the Military Law and Order Service requesting verification of the allegations.
He said that today he saw the media report about alleged abuse of service members in a Ukrainian Armed Forces unit. Therefore, he immediately contacted the General Staff and the Military Law and Order Service to verify the information and ensure an official investigation is carried out.
Ukrainian paratroopers repel massive Russian assault near Borivske
Defense
Norway to provide $241M to strengthen Ukraine's navy
"Ukraine needs more support to deter Russian naval forces in the Black Sea in the time ahead. It is essential to protect the Ukrainian population and Ukrainian infrastructure from attacks by Russia's Black Sea Fleet. It is also important to protect exports by sea of grain and other products, which generate crucial revenues for Ukraine," Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Stoere said during his visit with UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer to Haakonsvern Naval Base on Monday.
Politics
SPD’s campaign program rules out Taurus missiles for Ukraine
In the campaign program for the Bundestag elections, the Social Democrats declare their support for Ukraine, while emphasizing that Germany "must not become a party to the conflict," therefore stressing that Taurus deliveries would be unacceptable.
At the same time, Scholz's party supports the future deployment of American long-range missiles on German soil, as well as the policy of bringing defense spending to at least two percent of gross domestic product. They will also advocate the introduction of a tax for the "ultra-wealthy", whose fortune is estimated at EUR 100 million and above, with a simultaneous easing of the tax burden on 95% of citizens and businesses, and also intend to introduce a speed limit on autobahns to a maximum of 130 kilometers per hour and increase the minimum hourly wage to EUR 15.
Blinken, Lammy talk increased military aid to Ukraine - State Department
EU Foreign Affairs Council to discuss Ukraine in context of Zelensky-Trump meeting – French MFA
Ukraine’s MFA reminds Slovakia that territorial concessions during WWII brought no peace
Economy
Over 4,000 tonnes of fuel oil spill into Black Sea: Expert details Russian tanker accident
An accident involving Russian tankers in the Kerch Strait, caused by negligence on the part of the shipping company's management, has resulted in the spill of over 4,000 tonnes of fuel oil into the Black Sea, significantly impacting the local microflora despite experts ruling out a regional ecological catastrophe.
Yevhen Khlobystov, Advisor to the Chairman of the Board of the Crimean Tatar Resource Center, and Coordinator of the Ecology and Economics Working Group of the International Committee of the Crimean Tatars explained that the Soviet tankers, Volgoneft-212 and Volgoneft-239, were built 50 years ago at a shipyard in Volgograd, Russia, and are no longer suitable for safe operation.
Khlobystov noted that while the spill is unlikely to cause a regional environmental disaster, the timing of the accident played a crucial role. Had it occurred during the summer, the consequences could have been far more severe.