Weekly Exclusives
Weekly Exclusives - a newsletter that contains author publications, interviews, exclusive comments, photos and videos.
Photos and videos of the week
Fastiv depot after Russian shelling
The Defence Intelligence of Ukraine (DIU) showcased the universal mobile platform “Ravlyk,” produced in Ukraine.
This ground robotic complex (GRC) is a fully Ukrainian development. One of the machines has just returned from Pokrovsk, where it performed excellently.
The DIU also developed and presented its own ground robotic complex (GRC) called “Legit,” which is a compact multipurpose platform for logistics, evacuation of the wounded, mounting weapons, or being used as a kamikaze drone to destroy Russian fortifications and equipment — as demonstrated by engineers and operators of the DIU International Legion.
Video: Oleksandr Klymenko, Ukrinform
Interview
Denis “Rocky”, commander, gun missile division, 3rd Separate Assault Brigade
Denis “Rocky”, commander of a gun-launched missile division within the 3rd Separate Assault Brigade, belongs to those military men who embarked on their combat carrier long before the full-fledged invasion. A native of a small village outside Vinnytsia, he passed a path from member of patriotic youth movements and the OUN*** [Organization of Ukrainian Nationalists] volunteer battalion to an officer at the 3rd Assault Brigade. He met February 24, 2022 wearing a police uniform, but soon returned to the war zone. Today, Rocky is in command of a team of the artillerymen who were fighting near Bakhmut, Avdiivka, and are currently holding the defense in the Kharkiv region.
Matthias Schmale, UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Ukraine
Mr. Schmale was appointed to his current position in August last year. He has over three decades of experience in international humanitarian operations. He has worked with the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, held senior positions at the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) in Lebanon and Gaza, and coordinated programs in Africa and Nigeria. A German by origin, he grew up in Botswana, South Africa, and near Berlin, and from childhood was concerned with the problems of apartheid and injustice.
He recently stated that he does not feel optimistic about an end to hostilities in the Russian war.
We speak with Matthias Schmale about ongoing peace efforts, UN assistance to Ukraine, and the challenges of the current winter.
Petra Holm, Digital Transformation Adviser at e-Estonia
Estonia is a pioneer in the digitalization of public services. It took the first steps towards online access back in the 1990s and has been opening up e-services one by one since the early 2000s. Now the country allows its population to use an electronic ID card and vote in national elections from home. Anyone is allowed to do business with Estonian digital citizenship.
Ukrinform spoke with Petra Holm, digital transformation advisor at e-Estonia. This organization contributed to the creation and development of all the processes described. Perta Holm says that 100% of public services are available to citizens online and reveals the philosophy behind this choice of the Estonians.
Publications
US updated national security strategy changes a lot for Ukraine and Europe. It will be difficult, but not hopeless
On December 5, Donald Trump’s administration published an updated National Security Strategy. This 33-page document has become more than just a formal bureaucratic creation, which is usually of interest only to a narrow circle of specialists. It is, in fact, a manifesto of a new era - an era in which the United States officially abandons the role of Atlas that holds up global security on its shoulders, and returns to the concept of “Fortress America”.
The document, which sets the tone for Washington’s foreign policy for the coming years, has already caused shock in European capitals and, probably, restrained hopes in Moscow and Beijing. It breaks fundamentally with the traditions not only of Democratic administrations, but also of classical republicanism of the Reagan era. It replaces democracy with pragmatic bargaining, the expansion of alliances with a demand to “pay the bills” and threats to reconsider the partnership. Instead of unconditional support for Ukraine, there is talk of “viability” and “realism.”
Call sign “Trump”: Surrender Donbas? But how then will you look into the eyes of children of the soldiers who fought and died there?
Viktor Trompak received his call sign “Trump” at the beginning of the all-out war. This story has no relation to his American namesake – president Donald Trump. However, the officer says, he would not talk to the latter should he meet him face to face. Viktor’s comrades often jokingly ask Viktor questions about lend-lease and missiles, and he jokes back.
But everything else in his military life is no joke at all. Over the past four years of Armed Forces service, Viktor has passed a path from private to officer, from the trenches to the staff headquarters. An officer of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, who has been fighting on the front lines in Luhansk, Donetsk, Zaporizhzhia, and Kharkiv regions, explains in a frank conversation with Ukrinform why surrendering all of Donbas to Russia would amount to a betrayal of the fallen defenders’ memory, what it is like to fight for the children you don’t have yet, and why those who are shy of military service want peace the most.
Fact Checks
Russian fake news claims drugs were being ‘distributed’ inside brigade in Sumy region
Russian propaganda media and Telegram channels are circulating a screenshot allegedly showing a news item from a Ukrainian outlet. It claims that a servicemember of the 101st Territorial Defense Brigade was detained in the Sumy region for “distributing” drugs.
This is false. Using graphic editors, Russian propagandists altered the headline and text of the original news story. They inserted a claim that the suspect was a servicemember involved in drug dealing within the brigade.
They also added a reference in the body of the text stating that the suspect was supposedly a fighter of the 101st Brigade – a detail that does not appear in the original report. Official sources have not stated that the detained man has any connection to the Ukrainian Defense Forces.
This fake news is intended to discredit Ukrainian troops and undermine public trust in the Ukrainian Armed Forces.
As reported earlier, Russian propaganda has already circulated false claims about “serious crimes” allegedly committed by Ukrainian soldiers in the Sumy and Chernivtsi regions.
Andriy Olenin
News:
War
Politics
Ukraine’s Ambassador hints at possible “good news” in military cooperation with Cyprus
Ambassador: Ukraine’s experience in overcoming war consequences could benefit Cyprus
Poland effectively combating anti-Ukrainian disinformation, Deputy PM says
Russia turns Cyprus into its Middle Eastern stronghold, Ukrainian Ambassador says
Poland may transfer MiG-29 aircraft to Ukraine in January-February
Society
Return of Ukrainian children key element of peace process – Betza
Drones, Starlink, medical kits: volunteer from Cayman Islands donates nearly $70,000 to UAF
VR headset in Hague shows cells where Russians illegally hold Ukrainians
Ukraine, Poland to hold cross-border epidemiological exercises in 2026
Ukraine to inspect 50 more educational institutions amid surge in students aged 25+
See you next Friday!