Newsletter 26/11/2025
A daily news digest covering important war, political, economic, and cultural topics in Ukraine
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Russia rules out making concessions in peace deal with Ukraine
Russia’s Foreign Ministry said it welcomes US efforts to seek a peaceful resolution to Russia’s war against Ukraine but stressed that Moscow will not make any concessions.
Russia receives about 60% of critical components for defense industry from China – Vlasiuk
About 60% of all critical components and production tools needed for Russia’s defense-industrial complex come from China. Russia has also established supplies of necessary missile components through third countries.
Umerov testifies to NABU in Mindich case
The Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council, Rustem Umerov, testified to employees of the National Anti-Corruption Bureau on November 25 as part of Operation Midas.
They clarified that the NSDC Secretary appeared as a witness and answered questions related to the criminal proceedings concerning interference in the activities of a state official.
No further details about Umerov’s visit to the NABU were provided by the press service.
Kremlin masks unwillingness to end war with references to “spirit” of Alaska summit – ISW
Russian officials are attempting to exploit the lack of clarity about the outcome of the August 2025 US-Russian Alaska summit to conceal the Kremlin’s continued unwillingness to compromise and its commitment to its maximalist demands.
Finland joins maritime capability coalition to support Ukrainian Navy
Finland is joining the maritime capability coalition led by the United Kingdom and Norway, which aims to support the development of the Ukrainian Navy.
Politics
Ukraine’s capitulation can encourage Putin and others like him – Pistorius
The Federal Minister of Defence, Boris Pistorius, made this statement during budget debates in the Bundestag on Wednesday, Ukrinform’s correspondent reports.
Kallas outlines security guarantees EU can provide to Ukraine after war
The European Union has pledged to provide security guarantees to Ukraine, which will include funding, military training, and support for the defense industry.
Putin cannot achieve goals on battlefield so will try to negotiate his way there – Kallas
EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaja Kallas “welcomed the US’s push for the war to end,” but said that any peace agreement must include concessions from Russia.
NATO secretary general: We are still far from achieving peace in Ukraine
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte praised the outcome of negotiations in Geneva, but stressed that the end of the war in Ukraine is still a long way off, and that separate discussions between NATO and the EU are also needed on a number of issues.
Ursula von der Leyen outlines key conditions for peace agreement in Ukraine
The essential priorities for the European Union on the path toward achieving a just and lasting peace include security guarantees for Ukraine without limitations on its military, unconditional respect for Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, as well as ensuring the financial stability of the Ukrainian state in 2026–2027, particularly through the use of Russian assets.
Witkoff advised Kremlin on how to present peace proposals on Ukraine to Trump – Bloomberg
U.S. Presidential Envoy Steve Witkoff advised Yury Ushakov, a top foreign policy aide to Russia’s leader, on how Moscow should present its proposals for ending the war against Ukraine to U.S. President Donald Trump in a way that would ensure a favorable response.
Trump drops Thursday deadline for Ukraine, Russia to reach peace deal
U.S. President Donald Trump on Tuesday backed away from a Thursday deadline for Ukraine to agree to a U.S.-backed peace plan.
War
Ukrainian SOF drones strike Russian troops preparing to advance in Pokrovsk
Ukraine’s Special Operations Forces (SOF) used long-range drones to destroy a concentration point of Russian troops in Pokrovsk, where they were preparing for further regrouping and advancement.
Russian army attacking on nearly all axes, Pokrovsk, Lyman remain hottest sectors
As many as 144 combat engagements have taken place on the front lines since midnight. Fighting continues on seven frontline axes, with the enemy applying the greatest pressure in the Pokrovsk and Lyman sectors and increasing its activity near Kostiantynivka.
Ukrainian forces strike missile and drone navigation factory in Chuvashia
Ukrainian Defense Forces have struck a factory producing navigation equipment for cruise and ballistic missiles, as well as drones, in Russia’s Chuvashia.
In Cheboksary, drones hit plant producing antennas designed to shield Russian UAVs from electronic warfare/Videos
In the capital of the Chuvash Republic of the Russian Federation, the city of Cheboksary, the enterprise VNIIR-Progress came under a drone strike. The plant manufactures Kometa antennas for the Russian army, which protect UCAVs from Ukrainian electronic warfare systems.
Ukraine’s Defense Forces debunk claims of encirclement in Huliaipole sector
The situation in the Huliaipole sector of the front is difficult, but Ukraine’s defenders are not encircled, logistics are functioning, and evacuation of the wounded is underway.
Drone operators destroy Russian Solntsepyok multiple rocket launcher in Donetsk region
In the Lyman district of the Donetsk region, operators of the unmanned systems battalion of the 63rd Separate Mechanized Brigade “Steel Lions” of the Armed Forces of Ukraine destroyed the Russian Solntsepyok multiple rocket launcher.
Russians shell Kherson again, two districts partially without power
About 1,250 civilians remain in Pokrovsk, three evacuated over past week
Russian forces shell Tsentralnyi district of Kherson, woman wounded
In Zaporizhzhia, university buildings and dormitories damaged after Russian attack
Enemies intensify attacks near Huliaipole, trying to block logistics
Enemies strike Sumy region more than 70 times in 24 hours, one woman wounded
Defense
Ukrainian Air Force reveals details of operations with French Mirage 2000 jets
The Ukrainian Air Force has disclosed details of how Ukrainian pilots operate French Mirage 2000 fighter aircraft.
“There are not many Mirages in Ukraine’s Air Force, so spotting this aircraft at a forward airbase is a real stroke of luck for our film crew – especially while the pilot was carrying out an actual combat mission,” the caption to the video notes.
The pilot showed his aircraft at a tactical airfield and shared his impressions of flying it.
Ukrainian pilots and their forward-based teams must constantly change airfields, as the enemy persistently tries to destroy Defense Forces equipment, and combat missions are often carried out under missile and drone attacks.
Czech Republic delivers self-propelled howitzer DITA, artillery ammunition to Ukrainian border guards
The Czech Republic has provided another package of defense assistance to Ukraine’s Border Guard Service, including a self-propelled artillery system DITA and ammunition.
Geopolitics
US seeks negotiations with Belarus on release of more than 100 political prisoners – Reuters
Representatives of US President Donald Trump’s administration are holding talks with Minsk about the possible release of at least 100 political prisoners in Belarus in the near future.
Economy
Germany provides EUR 170M in emergency aid to Ukraine – Merz
Germany will not reduce its support for Ukraine; it is increasing military assistance and immediately providing €170 million in winter aid, aiming to show, among other things, to Putin that he will not succeed in Ukraine.
Society
Ukrinform introduces project on relocation of lyceum from Kramatorsk to Zakarpattia region
Ukrinform has produced the project Kramatorsk.Relocation about how, after four years of war, children from the frontline Kramatorsk returned to their desks; this time in a safe community in the Zakarpattia region.
Memorial service for victims of Russian attack held in Ternopil
In Ternopil, the Head of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church (UGCC), His Beatitude Sviatoslav Shevchuk, together with the Apostolic Nuncio to Ukraine, Archbishop Visvaldas Kulbokas, as well as bishops of the UGCC and the Roman Catholic Church, met with residents of buildings destroyed by the Russian attack and held memorial services for the deceased.
Documentary “Hell Jumper” about Ukraine war wins International Emmy
The British documentary Hell Jumper on BBC Two about the Russia-Ukraine war won the International Emmy Award for Best Documentary.
The British documentary Hell Jumper on BBC Two about the Russia-Ukraine war won the International Emmy Award for Best Documentary.