Newsletter 23/12/2024
A daily news digest covering important war, political, economic, and cultural topics in Ukraine
In Lviv, the 80th separate airborne assault brigade of the Galician Army presented the largest trident of the didukh*
It was created last year by paratrooper Yaroslav Kuchma. The trident is included in the Book of Records of Ukraine as the largest trident of the grandfathers. The height of the trident is over 7 meters. It will stand in Lviv until December 26, and then it will go to Zhytomyr.
*Didukh - a Ukrainian Christmas decoration, made from a sheaf of wheat
TOP
Warehouse with parts for Shahed drones worth $16M destroyed in Russia’s Alabuga economic zone - intelligence
The premises contained 65 drone fuselages, as well as engines, navigation systems, and thermal imaging cameras for the production of 400 Shahed-136 UAVs. All stocks burned down, the HUR agency emphasized.
The damage incurred is estimated at $16 million.
Ship evacuating Russian equipment from Syria breaks down in open sea - intelligence
"They didn’t make it. The ship evacuating Russian troops from Syria broke down in the open sea. The cargo ship Sparta, which Russia sent to evacuate its weapons and equipment from Syria, broke down along the way – the fuel pipe of the main engine failed. The Russian crew are trying to fix the problem while drifting in the open sea off the coast of Portugal," Main Intelligence Directorate of Ukraine’s Defense Ministry
At the same time, the agency noted that the remaining part of the Russian contingent in Syria has completed the withdrawal from remote areas and is now amassed at only two bases, Khmeimim and Tartus.
Germany delivers significant military aid package to Ukraine
The package includes: sixth IRIS-T SLM and fifth IRIS-T SLS air defense systems, each consisting of two launchers and missiles; two additional Patriot launchers, supplementing the two previously delivered; 12 armored vehicles with kinetic defense systems (manufactured by Diehl Defense, marking their first delivery to Ukraine).
Also, Germany has delivered to Ukraine two Gepard self-propelled anti-aircraft guns with 65,000 rounds of ammunition (manufacturing of which was recently resumed), two TRML-4D air surveillance radars, and AIM-9L/I-1 Sidewinder missiles (quantity undisclosed).
Besides, the package includes 15 Leopard 1 A5 main battle tanks (part of a joint project with Denmark, following the delivery of 88 such tanks earlier), ammunition for Leopard 2 tanks, Panzerhaubitze 2000 self-propelled howitzer, and over 50,000 rounds of 155 mm artillery ammunition.
Additionally, there have been delivered 30 Vector drones with spare parts, 30 RQ-35 Heidrun reconnaissance drones, and 14 Hornet XR reconnaissance drones; 30 MRAP vehicles with mine and ambush protection, five remotely operated demining systems, and approximately 4,500 anti-tank mines.
To transport personnel and materials: seven Caracal airborne vehicles, 12 Zetros trucks, eight fuel tankers, one armored border service vehicle, and 45 diving scooters for specialized operations.
Five AMPS helicopter self-defense systems have been delivered as well as 15,000 mortar rounds (120 mm), 120 GMW grenade launchers, 200 MG4 machine guns and 420 MK 556 assault rifles, 80 HLR 338 sniper rifles, 100 CR 308 rifles, and over 4.3 million rounds of small arms ammunition.
Additional supplies include emergency generators, tents, tourniquets, bandages, and other humanitarian supplies.
Seoul: N. Korea set to dispatch more troops, send suicide drones to Russia
"A comprehensive assessment of multiple intelligence shows that North Korea is preparing to rotate or increase the deployment of troops (in Russia), while currently supplying 240 millimeter rocket launchers and 170 mm self-propelled artillery," the South Korean Joint Chiefs of Staff said.
In addition, there are "some signs" that the DPRK is moving to manufacture and supply suicide drones, first unveiled during Kim Jong-un's on-site inspection in November.
POW list released by Russia includes civilian hostages, Ukraine officials say
According to Artur Dobroserdov, the Commissioner for Persons Gone Missing in Special Circumstances, it was also established that Russia is illegally holding civilian hostages. “In accordance with the Geneva Convention relative to the Protection of the Civilian Population of 1949, their detention is prohibited. Accordingly, they are not subject to exchange as prisoners of war and must be released immediately,” the post says.
War
Ukrainian pilots destroyed an enemy Ural carrying fuel and lubricants
Ukraine downs 47 Russian drones, 25 veer off course
General Staff reports 234 combat clashes on frontline, Vremivka sector hottest spot
Russian army abandons frontal assault tactics in Kurakhove sector - military
Ukrainian SOF eliminate 77 North Korean soldiers in Kursk region over three days
Russian Shaheds breach Belarusian airspace, again
Three people killed in Russian strikes on Kherson region over 24 hrs
Information about encirclement of Ukrainian forces on Vremivka front false – military
Over thousand applications submitted to Ukrainian Legion in Poland – Ambassador
Russian POWs claim North Korean troops fighting alongside them in Kursk region
At least 60% of ammo used by Russia against Ukraine supplied by North Korea – CCD
40% of Ukrainians believe Kursk operation strengthens Ukraine’s negotiating position
Russia intensifies militarization of youth for long-term war against Ukraine - ISW
According to analysts, Russian dictator Vladimir Putin continues to expand the network of military-patriotic education programs for young people in Russia and the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine on the eve of the Kremlin's “Year of the Defender of the Fatherland” in 2025. Putin approved a list of four instructions for the Russian government on December 20, which include orders to: create and develop a network of “military sports camps” to promote military service among young people; expand the Kremlin's Roads of Victory program; create an online platform for organizing military-patriotic education programs for Russian youth; and transfer one children's “health camp” to a year-round operation.
Fact Check
Polish-speaking bots on social media platforms falsely passed off China's Wintastar Shanghai ski resort as one in Kyiv
Polish-speaking bots on social media platforms have spread disinformation, falsely claiming the opening of an indoor ski resort in Kyiv. The video, circulated on X and TikTok, is captioned: "No, this is not Dubai. A ski lift has opened in Kyiv - Protasiv Yar. Meanwhile, in Poland, electricity and food prices are rising, so they could have fun in Kyiv."
This is a fake. The video actually shows Wintastar Shanghai, the world's largest indoor ski resort, which opened in Shanghai this September.
Politics
Explaining: Visit of Slovakia’s PM to Moscow, disproving claims by The Guardian, new technologies in AFU
Fico makes statement after meeting with Putin
Czech FM calls Putin mass murderer and criticizes Fico's visit
MP: Rada is preparing bill to allow foreign university students to leave Ukraine freely
New ambassadors of China, Saudi Arabia, Serbia start work in Ukraine
Economy
Ukraine receives $1.1B from IMF to direct money for critical budget expenditures - Shmyhal
This is the sixth tranche under the joint program within the framework of the Extended Fund Facility (EFF), he noted.
"The funds have already been received in Ukrainian accounts. We will direct them to finance critical budget expenditures," noted Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal.
EU allocates EUR 65M for school meals in Ukraine
The European Union has transferred the second tranche of budget support to Ukraine in the amount of EUR 150 million, a significant part of which is aimed at providing hot meals in Ukrainian schools.