ISW Key Takeaways
Russian President Vladimir Putin is setting conditions for a protracted war of conquest in Ukraine.
Putin is using Russiaβs Human Rights Council to consolidate power while rejecting principles of international human rights law.
NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg made comments supporting ISWβs previous assessments that an operational pause in the winter of 2022-2023 would favor Russia.
Russian forces used Shahed-136 drones in Ukraine for the first time in three weeks.
Russian efforts to pressure Belarus into joining the war in Ukraine may be causing friction in the Belarusian military.
Russian forces are likely increasing the pace of their counterattacks in eastern Kharkiv and western Luhansk Oblast.
Russian forces continued offensive operations in the Bakhmut and Avdiivka-Donetsk City areas.
Russian forces continued defensive operations and the reorientation of their forces in eastern Kherson Oblast.
Independent Russian media sources indicated that mobilization efforts will continue despite statements from Russian officials to the contrary.
Russian occupation authorities are likely transforming Mariupol, Donetsk Oblast, into a rear military and logistics base for Russian forces.
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Kyiv Indep' Telegram
β‘οΈ Governor: Russia attacks (kyivindependent.com/news-feed/governor-russia-attacks-kherson-oblast-51-times-over-past-day-kills-2-and-wounds-1) Kherson Oblast 51 times over past day, kills 2 civilians and wounds 1.###
β‘οΈ Authorities search monasteries (kyivindependent.com/news-feed/authorities-search-monasteries-of-russia-affiliated-orthodox-church-in-ukraine) of Russia-affiliated orthodox church in Ukraine.
β‘οΈUS lawmakers agree to provide additional $800 million (kyivindependent.com/news-feed/us-lawmakers-authorize-additional-800-million-in-defense-aid-for-ukraine) in defense aid for Ukraine.
β‘οΈOfficial: Franceβs Supreme Court upholds International Court of Arbitration decision to recover $1.1 billion
(kyivindependent.com/news-feed/official-frances-supreme-court-upholds-international-court-of-arbitration-decision-to-recover-1-1-billion-from-russia-in-favor-of-ukraine)from Russia in favor of Ukraine.
β‘οΈGermany delivers 50 Dingo armored vehicles to Ukraine.
The German government said it had delivered to Ukraine 50 Dingo mine-resistant ambush-protected vehicles in addition to the 30 provided before.
β‘οΈZelensky: Ukraine has liberated 1,888 settlements since Feb. 24.
President Volodymyr Zelensky said that almost as many towns and villages remain under Russian occupation.
β‘οΈRussian proxies forcibly discharge civilian patients from hospitals in Luhansk Oblast to make room for wounded soldiers.
According to the center, the number of seriously-wounded Russian soldiers is increasing, and space in hospitals to accommodate them is running out.
β‘οΈPolitico: Ukraine used (kyivindependent.com/news-feed/politico-ukraine-used-home-modified-soviet-drones-to-strike-russian-bases) home-modified Soviet drones to strike Russian bases.
Ukraine used domestically-modified drones to strike two military airbases in Russia on Dec. 5, Politico reported, citing two people familiar with the operation.
β‘οΈGeneral Staff: Mobilized convicts deserted Russian army in Donetsk Oblast.
Around 20 mobilized former convicts deserted the Russian army in the Russian-occupied city of Yasinuvata in Ukraine's eastern Donetsk Oblast, the General Staff of Ukraine's Armed Forces reported.
β‘οΈ Media: Turkish company to supply (kyivindependent.com/news-feed/media-turkish-company-to-supply-ukraine-with-electricity-via-romania-moldova) Ukraine with electricity via Romania, Moldova.
Turkish energy company Karpowership intends to provide Ukraine with electricity through floating power plants in Romania and Moldova, Anadolu news agency reported, citing the companyβs president, Zeynep Harezi.
β‘οΈICRC visits Ukrainian, Russian POWs, inspects (kyivindependent.com/news-feed/icrc-visits-ukrainian-russian-po-ws-inspects-living-conditions) living conditions.
The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) reported (www.icrc.org/en/document/russia-ukraine-international-armed-conflict-new-visits-prisoners-war-bring-much-awaited) on Dec. 8 that it had met with the prisoners of war held in the custody of both countries to inspect their living conditions and provide them with books, personal hygiene items, blankets, and warm clothing. βWe are able to check how prisoners of war are being treated and to make sure families receive updates,β said ICRC President Mirjana Spoljaric.
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Live: Ukraine Telegram
Germany has received a signal from the United States regarding the supply of Leopard 2 tanks to Ukraine. The German edition FAZ, citing sources, writes that the adviser to the American president Jake Sullivan in October told the Chancellor's foreign policy adviser Jens Pletner that the United States supports the supply of German tanks to Ukraine, but it should be done on the initiative of Germany.
In Luhansk region, a priest of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the Moscow Patriarchate was sentenced to 12 years in prison for handing over Ukrainian military positions to the enemy.
π΅NATO countries are considering using funds from the fund, which was previously used to support the security forces of Afghanistan, to help Ukraine, the Politico newspaper reported citing five sources in the West.
Germany and Poland have agreed that Patriot systems will be deployed on the Polish territory near the border with Ukraine - the press service of the German government.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced the ninth package of sanctions against Russia.
The most important thing:
- almost 200 more individuals and legal entities were added;
- 3 more Russian banks under sanctions;
- restriction of Russia's access to UAVs through potential suppliers from third countries (Iran);
- new export control measures, in particular with regard to dual-use goods;
- removal of four more propaganda channels from the air.
Real Madrid will give Ukraine 20 generators
β‘οΈThe U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee approved a resolution recognizing Russia's actions as genocide against the Ukrainian people. Next, the document may be put to a vote in the Senate.
π₯€Coca-Cola and the Red Cross will deliver 70 thousand food packages (β¬4.7 million) to help Ukrainians, - Coca-Cola Company.
Politico named Putin "loser of the year"
The reason for this was his failure in Ukraine, which led to the loss of reputation not only in the world, but also in Russia itself.
The US Presidential Administration is considering the transfer of cluster munitions to Ukraine, CNN reports.
The White House has been considering Ukraine's request for their supply for several months and has not rejected it. The US considers this option as an emergency. The Ukrainian side is asking for cluster munitions for HIMARS and 155 howitzers. The United States has considerable stocks of such ammunition, as they have been withdrawn from service in the country since 2016.
Cluster munitions are banned by the Convention of 2008. It has been signed by almost 100 countries, but Ukraine, the United States and Russia have not joined it. The latter actively uses such ammunition in Ukraine.
Uzbekistan refused to join the gas union with Russia and Kazakhstan.
According to Uzbekistan's energy minister, his country "cooperates only on a commercial basis" and will not adhere to political conditions in exchange for energy resources.
βοΈUS Senate blocks Republican bill to cut military aid to Ukraine - The Washington Post.
They noted that there would be no audit or suspension of US military aid to Ukraine.
UNITED24 Media Telegram
Washington will seek the exclusion of Russia from the G20 and a number of other international organizations
This is one of the provisions of the new draft US defense budget.
The document also provides for the allocation of more than six billion dollars to contain Russia in Europe.
β‘οΈ The Howard G. Buffett Foundation will provide Ukraine with energy equipment worth $30 million, said Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba. The first batch of generators will arrive next week.
β«οΈ While some countries refuse to cooperate with the Russian Federation, others deepen cooperation
Chinese customs reported a record increase in trade with Russia β by 32% in 11 months. It is currently a record $172.4 billion. For comparison, a year earlier, this figure was $146.8 billion.
Iran and Russia will soon sign an agreement on comprehensive cooperation β Iranian Ambassador to Moscow
South Korea handed over pickup trucks and excavators to Ukraine
100 Ssang Yong Musso pickups and 5 DOOSAN DX17Z mini-excavators were sent from the port of Incheon to Ukraine.
Belarus may introduce the death penalty for high treason for officials and military
The bill has already been approved in the first reading. In addition to the death penalty, it is also planned to introduce liability for misinformation "defaming the armed forces."
Belarus is the only country in Europe where the death penalty is legal. The EU has repeatedly urged Minsk to abandon this, but, as we see, it did not work.
π©πͺGermany reported that 20 Dingo armored personnel carriers and 2 large-tonnage M1070 Oshkosh semi-trailers have already arrived in Ukraine. In addition, they plan to provide:
β«οΈ18 RCH 155 wheeled howitzers;
β«οΈ80 pickups;
β«οΈ90 sensors of protection against drones and silencers;
β«οΈ2 hangar tents;
β«οΈ7 8x6 trucks with variable loading system.
The delegation of Ukraine did not allow the representative of Russia, Mikhail Yemelyanov, to be approved for the post of deputy secretary general in the Parliamentary Assembly of the Black Sea Economic Cooperation Organization
Canada and the Netherlands have joined Ukraine's claim to the International Court of Justice of the United Nations regarding genocide committed by the Russian Federation
Activists in Georgia raised funds for 200 generators for Ukraine in a week β News of Georgia
In eight days, 1,176 people made donations, nine more people provided generators.
The Armed Forces of Ukraine adopted the domestic automated combat control system "Dzvin-AS", β Minister of Defense of Ukraine
This system successfully passed departmental tests in the spring of 2022, and later β state tests.
Washington Post Telegram
Here is the latest from Ukraine:
(www.washingtonpost.com/world/2022/12/07/russia-ukraine-war-latest-updates/?utm_campaign=wp_main&utm_medium=social&utm_source=telegram)- Russian forces killed at least 441 civilians extrajudicially, in what likely amounted to war crimes, in the first month of its invasion of Ukraine, during the push to take Kyiv, the capital, according to a report by the U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights.
- The report, based on investigations launched after hundreds of bodies of civilians were found following the initial Russian retreat from the Kyiv area, found indications that civilians were targeted intentionally.
- The recent strikes show that Ukraine βcan operate in Russia at will β and that will scare the Russians,β the Western official said Tuesday.
- Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov called a U.S. plan to deliver a further $800 million to Ukraine βextremely confrontationalβ on Wednesday.
- Russia is working to extend defensive positions along its international border with Ukraine and inside its Belgorod region, Britainβs Ministry of Defense said Wednesday.
Breaking news: Brittney Griner released in swap for arms dealer Viktor Bout, Russia says
(www.washingtonpost.com/national-security/2022/12/08/brittney-griner-freed-russia-viktor-bout/?utm_campaign=wp_main&utm_medium=social&utm_source=telegram)WNBA star Brittney Griner has been released from Russian detention in swap for arms dealer Viktor Bout, Russiaβs foreign ministry says.
[Viktor Bout is an absolutely horrible dealer in death]
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Fewer personnel and equipment losses yesterday, seems like it was a quiet day