Newsletter 24/12/2024
A daily news digest covering important war, political, economic, and cultural topics in Ukraine
Third Christmas during war: Zelensky congratulated Ukrainians and wished peace
President Volodymyr Zelensky has congratulated Ukrainians on the upcoming Christmas. In his address, he recalled the fate of the composer Mykola Leontovych, who gave the world “Shchedryk.” He also pointed out the true intentions of the Kremlin dictator Vladimir Putin.
“For the second time in modern history, Christmas unites all Ukrainians. Today we are side by side. We will not get lost. Live or in our minds, we will congratulate each other, call our parents, kiss our children, hug our relatives, remember our own. In person, at a distance, or in our hearts, Ukrainians are together today. And as long as we do this, evil has no chance,” the President said.
He emphasized that “our unity and warmth towards each other is the true spirit of Christmas. Its unique atmosphere that we will keep inside us no matter what. And we will share it with those around us.”
Recalling the composer Mykola Leontovych, Zelensky noted that he had lived and worked for several years in the town that is now called Pokrovsk.
“He taught music to children here, created a choir and wrote the second edition of “Shchedryk” there, which is heard in every corner of the world these days. Thus, the Ukrainian gave the world the musical spirit of Christmas,” the President said in his greetings.
He wished that every person in the world would remember Ukraine when hearing “Shchedryk”. “The way we are fighting today for the main symbol of this holiday - for the hope and victory of life. On our land, in every city, in every town, including Pokrovsk,” Zelensky said.
In his greetings, the President also reminded of the true intentions of the Kremlin dictator Vladimir Putin.
“All we need is to live peacefully on our land, to see the sun, our sky, and the Christmas star in it, not Iranian “Shaheds” and Russian missiles. But some people are “bored and lack excitement.” These words are proof of how far they are from God, from Christianity, from real faith. And this is proof why their bondage and darkness are losing. We know this. The world knows it,” the President of Ukraine emphasized.
TOP
Russian ballistic missile hits apartment block in Kryvyi Rih/Photos
In Kryvyi Rih, a Russian ballistic missile hit a four-storey apartment block. Authorities retain hope that survivors may remain under the rubble.
As a result of a rocket attack on Kryvyi Rih that took place this afternoon, 13 people were injured.
Among the victims is a 16-year-old girl. Sven people were hospitalized.
The rescue operation is underway.
Drones attacked Millerovo airfield in Russia
The Millerovo airfield in the Rostov region of the Russian Federation is under attack, with shots and explosions.
The airfield serves as a base for frontline aviation, which performs tasks to support Russian infantry operating in eastern and southern Ukraine.
Social media reports of a drone attack on the airfield.
Russian bulk carrier sinks in Mediterranean after explosion
On the night of December 24, the Russian dry cargo ship Ursa Major sank in the Mediterranean Sea, which could have participated in the evacuation of the Russian military base in Syria.
The ship sank at night in international waters between the Spanish city of Aguilas and the Algerian city of Oran.
It is noted that 14 out of 16 sailors on board were taken by rescuers to the port of Cartagena. Two more are considered missing.
The cargo ship Ursa Major (“Big Bear”) left St. Petersburg on December 11, and its final destination was Vladivostok, where, according to the Vessel Finder service, it was supposed to arrive on January 22.
Pentagon: US to increase missile production, some to be provided to Ukraine
The US Department of Defense announced on Monday that it had awarded Williams International a USD 253.7 million contract under the Defense Production Act (DPA) to increase missile production, including as part of military assistance programs for Ukraine.
IAEA records damage to substations critical to NPP operation over Russian attacks
The IAEA mission assessed the damage sustained as a result of Russian attacks in November and December on energy infrastructure facilities that are critical for delivering nuclear power plants' capacity to consumers and ensuring the powere supply to cover NPP power units' own needs.
"Russia's attacks on civilian energy facilities, in particular key substations, directly threaten the nuclear and radiation safety of all of Europe. It is very important to involve international experts to record the consequences of actual damage to energy infrastructure, identified as key for the safe operation of NPPs," emphasized Energy Minister German Galushchenko.
According to the minister, coordination between the Ukrainian side and international partners is aimed at reducing the risks of nuclear incidents in the context of Russia’s military aggression against Ukraine.
War
Border guards show how they destroy enemy equipment, warehouses, hideouts near Kreminna
A unit of the “Phoenix” brigade of the “Pomsta” brigade destroyed a tank, an infantry fighting vehicle, 12 enemy vehicles, as well as its fuel and lubricant depots and infantry near Kreminna.
Putin possibly orders advances through fields, small settlements instead of siezing Pokrovsk – ISW
Analysts note that during his annual Direct Line press conference on December 19, Putin claimed that Russian forces were advancing not in "100, 200, or 300 meters," but in square kilometers along the entire front line. It appears, they say, that Putin is increasingly characterizing the progress of Russian forces in terms of square kilometers rather than highlighting the seizure of specific settlements, as he had previously done.
"It remains unclear which effort the Russian military command will prioritize, as Russian President Vladimir Putin may have tasked the Russian military with securing territorial gains rather than seizing significant settlements," the analysts believe.
The report suggests that Putin may have instructed the Russian military command to delay the capture of Pokrovsk in favor of making further gains through open fields and small settlements, particularly as Russian forces advance closer to Donetsk-Dnipropetrovsk region administrative boundary.
First unit of Ukrainian Legion departs for Ukraine – Ambassador
Russians fired 20 times at border of Chernihiv, Sumy regions over
Ukrainian paratroopers capture 11 Russian soldiers, including Belarusian citizen
Two civilians injured in Kherson region by Russian drone
While retreating from Kherson, Russians kidnap 48 Ukrainian infants from orphanage – Zelensky
Enemy attacked Nikopol district 35 times during day with artillery, drones, one man wounded/Photos
Ukrainian border guards foil Russian motorcycle assault in Siversk direction
Taking advantage of overcast weather, Russian forces attempted to breach the frontline of Ukraine’s Defense Forces in small groups using motorcycles.
"Their maneuvers were promptly detected by aerial reconnaissance units of the 1st Border Commandant’s Office equipped with drones from the GALA drones company," the Border Guard Service noted.
As a result of precise drone strikes, eight invaders and several of their motorcycles were destroyed.
Defense
Italy approves further military aid to Ukraine
Aid to Ukraine from 45 countries passes through Jasionka hub - Poland’s defense chief
Politics
Expert: Repressions will intensify before “elections” in Belarus
Biden may impose new major sanctions on Russia's energy sector - media
Economy
Profits from frozen Russian assets: Ukraine receives from U.S. first $1B of pledged $20B
“This is the first tranche of the planned 20 billion dollars that the U.S. intends to provide as part of the G7 initiative,” Shmyhal noted.
Next year, MoD will allocate UAH 2.1B for food for military in hospitals
Society
Ukrainian soldier survives 36 days in hostility zone with tourniquet on
A soldier who survived 36 days with a tourniquet on a limb, unable to evacuate the battlefield amid an intense drone threat, survived the ordeal and underwent surgical intervention in Kharkiv.
It is noted that for more than a month, wounded soldier Oleksandr, 41, could not evacuate his positions outside Vovchansk. Throughout this time, a tourniquet remained on his right leg (it is normally recommended that a tourniquet be removed in under two hours since application).
Kherson law enforcers detain Russian torture chamber guard
The Security Service of Ukraine and the State Bureau of Investigation detained in Kherson a former employee of a pre-trial detention center, who during the temporary occupation of the city by Russian troops agreed to be a guard at the torture chamber set up in the penitentiary facility.
The suspect is a junior inspector at the Kherson pre-trial detention center, who sided with Russian invaders at the onset of the full-scale invasion.
The Russians appointed him a guard at the torture chamber, which was set up on the premises of the pre-trial detention facility.
The suspect guarded the cells in which the Russian military imprisoned local residents. Most of the victims were the participants of the resistance movement.
In addition, the defendant campaigned for his acquaintances to join the so-called "Russian establishment." He promised potential candidates a salary in rubles and the good attitude on the part the Russians.