Newsletter 19/12/2024
A daily news digest covering important war, political, economic, and cultural topics in Ukraine
TOP
Chemical enterprise in Russia’s Rostov region comes under attack - CCD
Kamensky Combine, one of Russia's largest chemical enterprises located in the Rostov region, came under attack.
It produces rocket fuel and specializes in manufacturing solid fuel components for rocket engines, particularly for multiple launch rocket systems (MLRS) and solid-fuel intercontinental ballistic missiles.
The plant also manufactures explosives and ammunition components, as well as utilizes and disposes of spent missile systems.
Oil refinery in Russia’s Rostov region struck with Ukrainian-made missiles and drones - source
“Today's special operation was carried out using unmanned aerial vehicles and missiles produced in Ukraine. This once again proves the effectiveness and power of Ukrainian weapons. This includes its ability to destroy enemy logistics working for the war in Ukraine,” the source said.
The attack on the oil refinery resulted in a large-scale fire. The damage was caused to the ELOU-AVT-2.5 unit, designed to produce liquefied petroleum gases. Preliminary information confirms that the joint operation of the SBU and the Navy caused significant damage to the oil refinery's production facilities.
Zelensky holds talks with NATO Secretary General
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky and NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte met in Brussels to discuss strengthening Ukraine’s air defense and ways to ensure lasting peace for the country.
The President expressed gratitude to the NATO Secretary General and all partners for their willingness to intensify efforts to enhance Ukraine’s air shield and to work together for effective security guarantees.
Denmark allocates over EUR 280M to enhance Ukraine's air defense
This latest contribution marks Denmark's 23rd aid package for Ukraine. The package also includes financial contributions to the operational support of Ukraine's F-16 fighter jets.
"One of Ukraine's most urgent needs is the ability to defend itself against Russian airstrikes. That’s why we are prioritizing increased support for air defense," Danish Defense Minister Troels Lund Poulsen stated.
Commander of 211th Pontoon Bridge Brigade to be held in custody
A court has ordered the commander of the 211th Pontoon Bridge Brigade of the AFU Support Forces to be held in custody, with the option of posting bail set at 908,400 UAH. The commander was previously charged with abuse of power.
"At the request of prosecutors from the Ternopil Specialized Defense Prosecutor's Office of the Western Region, the court imposed a preventive measure on the commander of the 211th Pontoon Bridge Brigade of the AFU Support Forces — detention in custody with the option of posting bail in the amount of 908,400 UAH. In addition, higher command has suspended him from his duties," the statement reads.
Russian fuel tankers burned in Novosibirsk – Ukraine’s intel
In the Russian city of Novosibirsk, members of the resistance set fire to several fuel tankers located on the grounds of a military facility.
European Council calls for urgent increase in military assistance to Ukraine
The European Union Heads of State and Government called on the EU Member States to increase military support for Ukraine as soon as possible in its fight against Russian aggression, in particular, to accelerate the delivery of air defense systems, ammunition and missiles, and to provide necessary military equipment for new Ukrainian brigades.
The European leaders underscored the importance of intensifying work to further support and develop Ukraine’s defence industry and to deepen its cooperation with the EU defence industry.
The recalled the importance of the implementation of all components of the G7 ‘Extraordinary Revenue Acceleration Loans for Ukraine’ (ERA) initiative, including the military needs component, and calls for decisions under the European Peace Facility to be operationalised as soon as possible.
They also called on the European Council to accelerate work to strengthen the EU Military Assistance Mission in support of Ukraine.
War
North Korean losses in Ukraine's war surpass 200 soldiers – CCD
"North Korean soldiers have sustained losses, both killed and wounded. By now, the total exceeds 200 casualties. Despite Russia's attempts to conceal their setbacks by quickly evacuating the wounded, videos of strikes on North Korean troops, their failures, and images of their bodies are now circulating publicly. Footage from hospitals has also emerged," wrote Andrii Kovalenko, Head of the Center for Countering Disinformation (CCD) under the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine.
Kovalenko added that Russia shows little regard for the lives of North Korean soldiers. "Furthermore, Russian commanders openly express dissatisfaction with the presence of North Koreans, who they claim 'do not understand the language and are outright incompetent.' Their training for modern warfare is inadequate, and they are often sent on infantry assaults from wooded areas, sometimes alongside Russian troops," he noted.
Fighters of the ACHILLES brigade repelled 21 units of enemy equipment
Russian strike on Kryvyi Rih: apartment buildings, hospital damaged
National Guard troops halt Russian assault in Siversk direction/Video
Ukrainian forces repel enemy attempt to expand bridgehead near Oskil River
War update: 103 clashes on frontlines, most intense fighting in Pokrovsk sector
Ukrainian border guards destroy Russian shelter, ammo depot in Kharkiv direction
In the Kharkiv direction, aerial reconnaissance units of Ukraine's State Border Guard Service destroyed several pieces of enemy equipment, a shelter, and a field ammunition depot of the Russian forces.
Special operations forces repel DPRK military assaults in Kursk region/Video
Soldiers from the 73rd Naval Special Operations Center of the Armed Forces of Ukraine repelled an assault by the North Korean military near one of the Ukrainian positions in Russia’s Kursk region.
Defense
MoD approves silent transporter for use by AFU
Ukraine's Ministry of Defense has codified and approved for supply the CRAB-LS, a domestically produced universal ground robotic system, for use by the Armed Forces.
It was noted that CRAB-LS systems are already being used by the Ukrainian Defense Forces for various tasks. These include evacuating dozens of wounded personnel and delivering tens of tons of supplies (ammunition, provisions) to areas of intense combat, saving the lives of many soldiers. There is also an example of the platform being used as a ground-based kamikaze drone, the ministry reported.
UK to provide Ukraine with £225M defense package
The package will comprise: 92 million pounds for equipment to bolster Ukraine’s navy, including small boats, reconnaissance drones, uncrewed surface vessels, loitering munitions and mine countermeasure drones; 68 million pounds for air defense equipment including radars, decoy land equipment and counter-drone electronic warfare systems; 26 million pounds to provide support and spare parts for systems previously delivered to Ukraine; 39 million pounds to provide more than 1,000 counter-drone electronic warfare systems and for joint procurement of respirators and equipment to enhance the protective capabilities of Ukraine’s Armed Forces.
Politics
Zelensky on meeting with European leaders: There will definitely be peace through strength
“It was a long meeting, almost until one in the morning. We are doing everything to ensure that Europe has a united and strong position to bring peace closer. Peace is possible if we defend ourselves against Russian madness in unity. We are outlining security guarantees. Together with America, Europe can push Russia to real peace. Peace through strength is bound to happen. Today we continue at the European Council meeting,” Zelensky emphasized.
According to the President's website, the meeting was attended, in particular, by German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen, and Dutch Prime Minister Dick Schoof, President of Poland Andrzej Duda, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, President of the European Council Antonio Costa, President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen, Foreign Ministers of Great Britain and France David Lammy and Jean-Noel Barrot.
Putin’s propaganda potential remains endless – German MP
"The new threats from Russia to target Oreshnik at decision-making centers in Kyiv are part of Russia's psychological war," Bundestag member from the CDU, Roderich Kiesewetter believes.
According to Kiesewetter, these statements aim to mentally exhaust, intimidate, and divide Ukraine, as Putin is betting that more Ukrainians, already worn down by psychological terror, might agree to a ceasefire, which Russia would then exploit brutally.
He added that the threats are directed not only against the Ukrainian population but also against the West, which Russia wants to mentally weaken, divide, and reduce its support for Ukraine.
Putin sees that the limits of nuclear threats have been reached, as China opposes the use of such weapons. Therefore, Putin is now ramping up threats by using conventional weapons, added the member of the Bundestag’s Foreign Affairs Committee and the Subcommittee on Disarmament, Arms Control, and Nonproliferation.
Zelensky names key topics of talks in Brussels: Security guarantees, strengthening army and air defense
Zelensky at European Council meeting: “Our priority is air defense”
Zelensky on negotiations with EU: Main topics include energy protection, weapons production
Economy
World Bank allocates first tranche from fund backed by frozen Russian assets to Ukraine
Switzerland allocates almost EUR 48M in winter assistance to Ukraine
European Commission announces decision on EUR 18.1B loan for Ukraine, with first tranche in January