Newsletter 17/12/2024
A daily news digest covering important war, political, economic, and cultural topics in Ukraine
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Russia violates human rights in occupied territories of Ukraine – UNGA resolution
The United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) has adopted an updated resolution entitled "Situation of human rights in the temporarily occupied Autonomous Republic of Crimea and the city of Sevastopol, Ukraine."
Russian general killed in Moscow blast/Video
Lieutenant General Igor Kirillov, the head of the radiation, chemical and biological protection troops of the Russian Armed Forces, has been killed along with his assistant in an explosion on Ryazansky Prospekt in Moscow.
The explosion that killed Lieutenant General Igor Kirillov was a special operation carried out by Ukraine's SBU State Security Service.
According to the source, an explosive device attached to an electric scooter detonated as Lieutenant General Igor Kirillov and his assistant entered the entrance of a residential apartment building on Ryazansky Prospekt in Moscow, killing both.
"Kirillov was a war criminal and a completely legitimate target, since he gave orders to use banned chemical weapons against the Ukrainian military. Such an inglorious end awaits all who kill Ukrainians. Retribution for war crimes is inevitable," the source said.
Zelensky says he does not need intermediaries in relations with Trump
"There is currently a transitional period in the United States. I communicate with President Trump. We have held several meetings and conversations. I don't need intermediaries here. Some politicians are merely trying to use this situation for self-promotion," Zelensky said.
In this context, he criticized Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban.
"I won't let him and others like him interfere. We need direct relations with the United States. We are a strong country – we've proven this on the battlefield throughout Putin's aggression. Does anyone in Europe have such a modern example? No. Does Orban have such an army? How will he pressure Putin? With a joke or a smile? Let him keep that to himself," Zelensky said.
Joint Expeditionary Force to provide EUR 12B in military assistance to Ukraine in 2025
"Our combined military assistance to Ukraine amounts to over 12 billion euros for 2025. We urge our other Allies and partners to continue or increase their military support for Ukraine as long as is required until Ukraine prevails. We pledge to further expand our training and equipment offer to Ukraine, in order to better support Ukraine's efforts to mobilize additional forces," the statement said.
Putin's claims about Zelensky's 'illegitimacy' signal Kremlin's reluctance to negotiate - ISW
ISW analysts said that on December 16, Putin falsely claimed on December 16 that the Ukrainian Constitution only provides for the extension of powers of the Ukrainian Verkhovna Rada (parliament) and does not extend the president's power, even under martial law.
Ukraine's constitution and domestic martial law legislation stipulate that presidential, parliamentary, and local elections cannot occur under martial law, and Ukraine has been under martial law since the start of Russia's full-scale invasion in February 2022. Zelensky was legally required to suspend Ukrainian elections in 2024 under these provisions and did so.
ISW has previously assessed that Kremlin officials are using a gross misrepresentation of the Ukrainian Constitution and Ukrainian domestic law to further this claim, which is consistent with Russian decade-long efforts to rhetorically delegitimize Ukraine's government and sovereignty.
War
Ukrainian special operations forces kill 50 North Korean soldiers in Kursk region/ Video
"Soldiers from the 8th Regiment of the Ukrainian Special Operations Forces gave a warm welcome to North Korean troops in Russia’s Kursk region. Over the last three days, SOF operators killed 50 enemy soldiers and wounded 47," The SOF's press service.
Ukraine downs 20 Russian drones, 10 fail to hit targets
Twenty-two combat clashes occurred in eastern sector since beginning of day - military
Russian drone debris falls in four districts in Kyiv
Russia holding more than 16,000 Ukrainian civilians captive – commissioner
Russians attack 30 settlements in Kherson region killing one person, injuring five others
Russia arrests man for handing Ukraine data on military assets in occupied Crimea
SBU dismantles extensive network of Russian agents tracking F-16 jets in Ukraine
North Korean troops establishing observation posts to counter Ukrainian drones – intel
Investigation into abuses in 211th Brigade: Searches conducted in military unit, commander notified of suspicion
The pre-trial investigation is being conducted by investigators from the territorial department of the State Bureau of Investigation located in Lviv.
The criminal proceedings are investigating possible illegal actions of the brigade officers, including the use of physical violence against subordinates under martial law, extortion of money, and abuse of disciplinary power. The materials collected during official inspections of the brigade by the Main Inspectorate of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine, media and social media reports, etc., are being studied.
Russian units intensify nighttime attacks in Ukraine’s south using thermal vision devices
“Over the past few days, the number of enemy assaults has increased precisely in the dark. As per our intelligence, the enemy is now receiving additional tools for running combat operations in the dark, that is, thermal imaging sights, night vision devices, night sights, and thermal imagers. This suggests that they are preparing for nighttime assaults to exhaust Ukrainian defenders. That is, along with daytime assaults and strikes, now they plan to remain active throughout the night as well,” Voloshyn reported.
He noted that the enemy’s numerical advantage in the southern direction has not increased as the Russians are only replenishing losses. It is estimated that enemy loses 10 to 12 assault teams on a daily basis.
Defense
Ukrainian Defense Ministry allocates additional UAH 1.89B for drone purchases
Of the total amount, 55% will be used to acquire Mavic drones, including models equipped with night vision capabilities, while 18% will fund the purchase of FPV suicide drones. Significant portions of the budget will also go toward reconnaissance UAVs, bombers, and spare parts.
This rapid implementation follows an order from Defense Minister Rustem Umerov, aimed at expediting decentralized procurement. Under this approach, brigades independently purchase the drones they need for combat missions. These UAVs will be deployed directly to the front lines.
Rheinmetall to supply Ukraine with 20 more Marder IFVs
In December 2024, the Düsseldorf-based technology group Rheinmetall received an order to supply Ukraine with a further 20 Marder 1A3 infantry fighting vehicles. Delivery is scheduled for the first half of 2025. The order is worth a mid-range double-digit million euro amount.
Politics
Seoul slaps sanctions on Russia, DPRK
The sanctions list includes Kim Yong-bok, deputy chief of the General Staff of the Korean People's Army, Sin Kum-chol, director of its operations bureau, Ri Pong-chun, an army general who's allegedly heading the "Storm Corps" special troops deployed to Russia's western war front lines, and Ri Song-jin, a missile developer believed to have been sent to the war border regions.
South Korea has also hit with sanctions seven other individuals and 15 entities for engaging in illegal military cooperation with Russia in violation of multiple UN Security Council resolutions.
All seven are Russians suspected of involvement in arms trade with North Korea, from financial support and provision of military communications equipment to arms supplies.
The 15 entities targeted are mostly Russian, with the exception of the Storm Corps and a bank based in South Ossetia.
Putin's claims about Zelensky's 'illegitimacy' signal Kremlin's reluctance to negotiate - ISW
ISW analysts said that on December 16, Putin falsely claimed on December 16 that the Ukrainian Constitution only provides for the extension of powers of the Ukrainian Verkhovna Rada (parliament) and does not extend the president's power, even under martial law.
Ukraine's constitution and domestic martial law legislation stipulate that presidential, parliamentary, and local elections cannot occur under martial law, and Ukraine has been under martial law since the start of Russia's full-scale invasion in February 2022. Zelensky was legally required to suspend Ukrainian elections in 2024 under these provisions and did so.
Yermak: Peace talks will begin when Russia has no resources left to wage war
Zelensky signs bill on oversight of court decision enforcement into law
Ukraine's MFA comments on Belarus' claims for "seat at peace talks table"
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine expressed surprise by the statement made by an official of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Belarus, suggesting that Belarus allegedly seeks a "seat at the table of peace negotiations" in order to ensure certain "security guarantees."
"The only right that Belarusian officials may claim is to face a fair consideration in the framework of a process of holding the aggressor and its accomplices accountable under international law for the crime of aggression against Ukraine," the MFA spokesperson declared.
Economy
Society
Ukraine to create registry of children deported to Russia – Zelensky signs law
This law (No. 4071-IX) establishes a registry containing information about children who were deported or forcibly displaced due to Russia's armed aggression against Ukraine.
Additionally, the state has defined the principles for creating and operating a system to record harm caused to the personal non-property rights of individuals as a result of Russia’s aggression.