Ukraine Invasion: Part 46

[MagicFox]

With thanks to all keeping these threads going 🇺🇦

**
Agreed thread guidance:

A. The agreed purpose of the thread is for the sharing of information and commentary on current events

B. If you post a link please tell us where it leads/give a precis of the content

C. Discussion and debate is welcome, but please keep it respectful

Ducks, you're quite welcome. When I joined MN five or six years ago, I never would have imagined that my military experience would be an asset here.

Surplus, the pulse jet cleaning system was added after the first Gulf War when sand in the filters proved to be a bigger problem than expected. Prior to that, some poor sod did have to get out of the tank to clean them. That's okay if you're back at base, but not so good while under fire or in enemy territory. Everything in the Abrams is designed to be as easy to operate as possible. They even have a steering wheel, like a car, rather than a power lever for each set of tracks, as I believe the Challenger does. They are really very easy vehicles to fight in.

Articles like this one from Forbes piss me off a bit because it's so apparent that they don't have anyone with a military background reviewing them.

If I tell you, I'll have to kill you. Which is not really in keeping with the spirit of the thread.

Wouldn't want to divert your hunting exertions from where they're most needed, MrTiddles.

Happy hunting, MrTiddles. Cats have true warrior spirit.

Cute.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-67593041
After the first incident in the Severomuysky tunnel, on Wednesday evening, [...] A senior Ukrainian official told the BBC that the freight train had in fact exploded in the tunnel.
The Russians then fell into the "trap" - claimed the official - of using an alternative bridge route.
"This is exactly what the SBU (Security Service of Ukraine) was counting on," said the official.
"During the passage of the train on this high 35m-long bridge, explosive devices planted in it went off."
The second explosion has not been corroborated elsewhere although Russian telegram channel Baza has reported that another train was later blown up in the same area.

Crafty buggers aren't they? admiring

https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-november-30-2023

• A recent Russian opinion poll indicates that the number of Russians who fully support the war in Ukraine has almost halved since February 2023 and that more Russians support a withdrawal of Russian forces from Ukraine than do not.
• The Russian war in Ukraine has created new social tensions and exacerbated existing ones within Russia, which remain highly visible in the Russian information space despite ongoing Kremlin censorship efforts.
• The Kremlin is likely concerned about how changing Russian perceptions of the Russian war in Ukraine will affect the outcome of the March 2024 Russian presidential election and is implementing measures to ensure that Russian President Vladimir Putin’s actual electoral support does not rest on Russian battlefield successes.
• Kremlin Spokesperson Dmitri Peskov confirmed on November 30 that Russian President Vladimir Putin will hold his annual live “Direct Line” forum and annual press conference in tandem on December 14.
• Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov notably did not promote Kremlin information operations feigning interest in negotiations during his speech at the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) Council of Foreign Ministers meeting in North Macedonia on November 30, and instead promoted escalatory rhetoric about Moldova.
• Russian forces conducted multiple series of missile and drone strikes on Ukraine that struck civilian infrastructure on November 29 and 30.
• Russian milbloggers claimed that Russian military bureaucracy is impeding Russian drone usage and acquisition among Russian forces operating on east (left) bank Kherson Oblast amid continued complaints about weak Russian capabilities on the east bank.
• The Ukrainian Security Service (SBU) was reportedly involved in an explosion that caused disruptions on a section of the East Siberian Railway connecting Russia and China on the night of November 29.
• The Kremlin continues to advance its strategic slow-burn effort to absorb Belarus through the Union State structure.
• Russian forces continued offensive operations along the Kupyansk-Svatove-Kreminna line, near Bakhmut, near Avdiivka, west and southwest of Donetsk City, in the Donetsk-Zaporizhia Oblast border area, and in western Zaporizhia Oblast but did not make any confirmed advances.
• A Ukrainian military observer stated that Russian authorities’ plan to form two tank battalions in about four months using equipment from two long-term weapons and equipment stores indicates a lack of combat-ready weapons and military equipment.
• Occupation and Russian government officials continue efforts to militarize Ukrainian youth in occupied Ukraine.

* *

The ironic thing is that the Baikal-Amur line was built by the Soviets as a backup for the Trans-Siberian because they viewed the latter as vulnerable as it runs close to the Chinese border. The Severomusky Tunnel was opened in 2003 to bypass the twisting, steeply graded Soviet route.

Need to hit the Trans-Siberian next to cut Russia off from Chinese and North Korean supplies.

Kyiv Independent Telegram

⚡️Putin signs decree to increase size of Russian army by 170,000 https://kyivindependent.com/putin-signs-decree-to-increase-size-of-russian-army-by-170-000/ troops.

⚡️Zelensky acknowledges need https://kyivindependent.com/zelensky-acknowledges-need-for-greater-war-mobilization/ for greater war mobilization.
n November, the BBC reported official EU data revealing 650,000 Ukrainian men of fighting age had fled Ukraine for Europe. The real figure is thought to be much higher because many refugees are not officially registered.

New Ukrainian-made electromagnetic warfare systems to protect soldiers from radar-guided weapons and FPV drones were successfully tested and recommended for use, Deputy Defense Minister Ivan Havryliuk told ArmyInform on Dec. 1. https://kyivindependent.com/official-ukraine-develops-new-electromagnetic-warfare-systems/

⚡️Counteroffensive 'did not achieve desired results,' https://kyivindependent.com/zelensky-war-has-entered-new-phase/ says.

⚡️Zelensky says https://kyivindependent.com/zelensky-says-hes-ready-to-hold-elections-but-most-ukrainians-are-against-it/ he's ready to hold elections, but most Ukrainians are against it. His statement comes in line with a recent poll showing that 62% of Ukrainians believe elections should only be held after the war is over.

⚡️ Poll: Half of Ukrainians make no long-term life plans https://kyivindependent.com/poll-half-of-ukrainians-make-no-long-term-life-plans-amid-full-scale-war/ amid full-scale war. [Life on hold]

Belarus hosted the Collective Security Treaty Organization’s (CSTO) summit on Nov. 23, with the notable attendance of Putin and the absence of Armenia’s representative. https://kyivindependent.com/belarus-weekly-putin-attends-the-csto-summit-in-minsk-armenia-skips/

Russia was not re-elected to the council of the International Maritime Organization (IMO), a United Nations specialized agency responsible for regulating shipping. https://kyivindependent.com/russia-expelled-from-international-maritime-organizations-council/

⚡️Overnight blackout reported https://kyivindependent.com/zaporizhzhia-nuclear-plant-blackout/ at Russian-occupied Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Plant. It was forced to rely on diesel generators overnight during a blackout, threatening the safety of the largest nuclear power plant in Europe, Ukraine's state nuclear energy company Energoatom reported on Dec. 2.

⚡️Ukraine secures extra 500 MW hours of https://kyivindependent.com/ukraine-secures-extra-500-mw-hours-of-electricity-imports-from-eu/ electricity imports from EU.

⚡️Russian drones use Ukrainian SIMs for flight guidance. https://kyivindependent.com/russian-drones-use-ukrainian-sims-for-flight-guidance/
Ukrainian SIM cards issued by the Kyivstar mobile operator have been found in downed Shahed drones, local media reported on Dec. 1.

⚡️Rheinmetall aims https://t.me/KyivIndependentofficial/26664 to start production of armored vehicles in Ukraine in 2024.

⚡️RFE/RL: Ukrainian truckers stuck at Polish border plan hunger strike https://kyivindependent.com/rfe-rl-ukrainian-truckers-stuck-in-blockade-at-polish-border-planning-hunger-strike/

⚡️Border Guard: 600 trucks in line https://kyivindependent.com/border-guard-600-trucks-in-line-at-slovakia-ukraine-border-ahead-of-blockade/ at Slovakia-Ukraine border ahead of blockade.

⚡️Swiss government estimates $8.8 billion https://kyivindependent.com/swiss-government-freezes-8-8-billion-in-russian-assets/ worth of Russian assets frozen inside the country.
It was only a slight increase from the amount the Swiss government announced in December 2022, $8.5 billion.

⚡️Russian media: Two incidents https://kyivindependent.com/russian-media-two-incidents-involving-civilian-aircraft-reported-in-one-day/ involving civilian aircraft reported in one day. @notimagain
A flight from the Russian exclave of Kaliningrad to Moscow was forced to land prematurely in St. Petersburg, and another flight from Moscow to the far east city of Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk suffered a drop in cabin pressure and had to make an emergency landing.

Major General Anatoly Kazmirchuk on Dec. 1 officially accepted the role of Commander of the Medical Forces of Ukraine, according to the Defense Ministry. https://kyivindependent.com/defense-chief-appoints-new-head-of-ukraines-medical-forces/
Combat medics have repeatedly said that poor quality supplies and lack of training were costing soldiers’ lives on the frontline. Cheaply produced medical tools, many made in China, have flooded Ukraine and made their way into soldiers’ equipment.

⚡️Government appoints https://kyivindependent.com/government-appoints-new-top-cyber-defense-official/ new top cyber defense official.
The Ukrainian government appointed Yurii Myronenko as the new head of the State Special Communications Service after the previous chief was charged with embezzling public funds, the service announced on Dec. 1.

⚡️Central bank lifts restrictions on FX sales.
https://kyivindependent.com/central-bank-lifts-restrictions-on-fx-sales/
The National Bank of Ukraine on Dec. 1 lifted all restrictions on financial institutions linked to the sales of foreign currencies to the public, the central bank announced

Ukrainian resistance forces blew up a gas station used by Russian occupation forces to refuel military equipment in Melitopol in Zaporizhzhia Oblast on Dec. 1 https://kyivindependent.com/military-intelligence-resistance-blow-up-russian-refueling/

⚡️ US official: Washington aims to halve Russia's energy profits https://kyivindependent.com/us-official-washington-aims-to-halve-russias-oil-gas-profits-by-2030/ by 2030.

⚡️Russian Media: Moscow police raid https://kyivindependent.com/russian-media-moscow-police-raid-lgbtq-clubs/ LGBTQ clubs.

⚡️Prosecutor General's Office: 2 Russian-led militants sentenced 12 years for treason. https://kyivindependent.com/prosecutor-generals-office-2-russian-led-militants-sentenced-for-treason/

⚡️Russia extends https://kyivindependent.com/russia-extends-pre-trial-detention-of-jailed-us-journalist-kurmasheva/ pre-trial detention of jailed US journalist Kurmasheva.

⚡️Mediazona confirms the identity of more than 38,000 Russian soldiers https://kyivindependent.com/mediazona-confirms-the-identity-of-more-than-38-000-russian-soldiers-killed-in-ukraine/ killed in Ukraine.

First Lady Olena Zelenska told The Economist that she does not want President Volodymyr Zelensky to lead another term and that he needs to find something new in life. https://kyivindependent.com/first-lady-says-she-doesnt-want-a-second-term/ When asked about how she envisions her future, she said "our family will reunite. We will live together all the time. After that we’ll take a vacation.”

Ragnar Gudmundsson
WAR IN #UKRAINE - DEC 2
■ Strikes on both sides below 7-day average
■ Engagements slightly up, fewer settlements under artillery fire
■ Casualties slightly above 7-day average, record 7-day troop losses
■ Equipment losses below 7-day average

Just finished listening to the Londongrad podcast by Tortoise Media. Would recommend, it’s all about Russian money in the UK and in particular the Lebedevs and their relationship with power. It’s both fascinating and horrifying. The rot runs so deep.

Can it be eradicated?

UNITED 24 Media Telegram

Zelenskyy said that he does not feel pressure on Ukraine from partners regarding negotiations with Russia because of the "immovable front line"

Ukraine to produce air defense systems with a range of over 100 km.
Starting in 2024, the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine and the Ministry of Strategic Industries of Ukraine will multiply the production of missiles, ammunition, weapons and military equipment.

The CEO of Rheinmetall, Armin Papperger, mentioned in an interview with WirtschaftsWoche that he anticipates finalizing a contract with Ukraine for the production of Fuchs armored personnel carriers and Lynx BMPs in Ukrainian facilities by the beginning of the upcoming year.
Upon signing the contract, the aim is to commence the production of the initial Fuchs within a timeline of six to seven months. Regarding the Lynx, production is planned to span around 12 to 13 months.

⚡️The White House named three key directions for supporting Ukraine in the winter.
These include strengthening Ukraine's air defense, ensuring critical infrastructure protection, and enhancing the resilience of Ukraine's energy grid.

The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies has taken the decision to suspend the membership of the Belarusian organization. This action comes in response to the visit of its general secretary, Dmitrii Shevtsov, to Donbas and the subsequent refusal to release him by the specified deadline of November 30.

Ukraine and Lithuania collaborated to thwart the candidacy of the Russian Federation within the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW).

The Estonian government, as reported by Prime Minister Kaja Kallas to Postimees, is exploring ways to expel individuals from the country for accepting Russian citizenship.

🇺🇦 The Save Ukraine team returned two children together with their parents from the temporarily occupied territories.

❗️ Another blackout occurred at the Zaporizhzhia NPP: there is a threat to radiation safety.
Tonight there was a complete blackout at the Zaporizhzhia NPP.
The biggest security threat in this state exists at power unit No. 4. It is caused by the fact that the occupiers used it contrary to the terms of the license for the operation of nuclear reactor installations of the Ukrainian regulator and stored it in a hot state. De-energizing the main circulation pumps that cool the core leads to the transition of the reactor plant to the mode of natural circulation. This mode is difficult for the reactor plant, its duration is limited by the project and can lead to failure of the main equipment of the power unit. The block needed to be transferred to a cold state urgently.
Thanks to the efforts of Ukrainian specialists, at 7 a.m. on December 2, the connection with the Ukrainian power system was restored, namely, the operation of the 750 kV transmission line was restored. @BringBackCoffeeCreams could you ask your husband just how dangerous this actually was / wasnt maybe please?

In Germany, the second group of Ukrainian soldiers was trained to work with the Patriot complex. About 70 soldiers and officers of the Armed Forces of Ukraine completed the courses. It lasted more than six weeks.

Live: Ukraine Telegram Highlights

The daughter of Russian propagandist Vladimir Solovyov criticized the Russian Supreme Court's decision to recognize LGBT people as extremists

🚛 Ukrainian drivers have suspended their hunger strike after negotiations with Polish carriers. They agreed that seven trucks per hour will pass through the Korczowa-Krakovets checkpoint, and humanitarian and military cargo will move out of turn.
However, Ukrainians are ready to continue the hunger strike if the Polish side violates the agreement by December 3.
▫️Earlier, Ukraine and Poland agreed to partially unblock the border. [this is the only place Ive seen this said]

In Kamchatka, a Russian serviceman ran over a group of conscripts on their way to breakfast with a car. Preliminarily, 11 Russian soldiers were injured, according to Russian media.

I don’t think so, not with any ease at least. Particularly given that some Russian oligarchs still sit in the House of Lords with life peerages!

@DancesWithDucks

Hi..

”A flight from the Russian exclave of Kaliningrad to Moscow was forced to land prematurely in St. Petersburg, and another flight from Moscow to the far east city of Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk suffered a drop in cabin pressure and had to make an emergency landing.”

I think there’s no doubt Russian aviation will be suffering due to sanctions but it’s hard to really quantify how serious things are.

Just to give a bit of context there have been at least two diversions into airports in our part of France in this calendar year due to cabin pressure problems, (one by Ryanair, the other Volotea).

There was comment the last time this came up about forged aircraft parts…but TBF that’s an industry wide problem, Ryanair have just discovered forged parts on two of their aircraft in the last few weeks.

Worldwide “something” happens to cause a diversion or at the very least a report to be written multiple times everyday….we can’t really judge if Russian aircraft are really effected by sanctions until we can get some idea of incidents per flying hour (and we know if everything gets reported)

For info and to maybe provide perspective on what goes on that doesn’t make the MSM this site may help..a diversion and a depressurization is pretty run of the mill.

https://avherald.com/

https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-december-1-2023

Key Takeaways:

• Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and Ukrainian Commander-in-Chief General Valerii Zaluzhnyi signaled intent to increase Ukrainian defenses and fortifications around the Ukrainian theater, but notably did not include Zaporizhia Oblast in discussions of ongoing and future defensive measures.
• Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu continues to falsely characterize Russian offensive efforts in Ukraine as part of an “active defense” in an effort to temper expectations about the Russian military’s ability to achieve operationally significant objectives.
• Ukrainian intelligence reportedly damaged another train along a section of the Baikal-Amur Railway on December 1 in an apparent effort to degrade Russian logistics in the Russian Far East. [way hey!]
• Russian President Vladimir Putin officially changed the composition of the Russian Presidential Council for Civil Society and Human Rights (HRC) on December 1, removing several members and appointing a prominent anti-opposition media figure.
• Chechen Republic Head Ramzan Kadyrov claimed that a second group of Palestinian refugees from the Gaza Strip arrived in Chechnya on December 1, possibly partially funded by his daughter’s ”Children of Chechnya - Children of Palestine” organization.
• Russian milbloggers claimed that the Russian Ministry of Defense (MoD)’s disproportionate allocation of drones among frontline units and poorly-executed grassroots drone production campaigns are impacting frontline unit effectiveness.
• Russian sources complained that Russian soldiers' continued use of personal electronics and messaging apps in frontline areas is jeopardizing Russian operational security (OPSEC).
• Russian forces continued offensive operations along the Kupyansk-Svatove-Kreminna line, near Bakhmut, near Avdiivka, west and southwest of Donetsk City, and in western Zaporizhia Oblast and advanced in some areas.
• Russian Security Council Deputy Chairperson Dmitry Medvedev claimed on December 1 that the Russian military has recruited over 452,000 personnel between January 1 and December 1, 2023.
• Russian occupation officials continue to set conditions for the deportation of Ukrainians to Russia under various vacation schemes.

Dear fuck.

Fucking hell.

@notimagain I remember you saying that a number of quite small things can cause an 'incident' that should be recorded not too long ago. The field landing has to be rather notable tho - I remember you saying it was a very good landing in the circumstances.

"Fly2Sky A320 at Lagos and Asaba on Nov 26th 2023, aircraft flew to wrong airport"

:D oops!

Here's a bit of unexpected good political news from the US:

Mike Johnson Becomes Surprise Champion of More Ukraine Aid - Recently elected House speaker links Kyiv funds and U.S. border security in push to win over skeptical Republicans

Let's hope it comes up for a vote next week.

@MissConductUS fingers crossed. Thanks for sharing. Every bit of hope counts

And Santos is out .... at least.

Kyiv Independent Telegram

⚡️Reuters: Western allies raise pressure https://kyivindependent.com/reuters-western-allies-raise-pressure-on-countries-helping-russia-sell-oil-above-cap/ on countries helping Russia sell oil above cap.
Western countries are pressuring Liberia, the Marshall Islands and Panama to do a better job of ensuring their ships don't transport Russian oil above the price cap, Reuters reported on Dec. 1, citing an unnamed source.

⚡️Germany announces new military aid package includes vehicles, drone-detection systems.
The package included four HX81 tractors and their semi-trailers (used for the transportation of tanks and other heavy equipment), eight Zetros off-road trucks, four other vehicles, 15 HLR 338 precision rifles and 60,000 rounds of ammunition, five drone-detection systems, laser range finders, and more than 4,000 155mm shells. https://kyivindependent.com/germany-announces-new-military-aid-package-includes-vehicles-drone-detection-systems/

Russian authorities have sought to discredit the rare public display of dissent as well as offering increased cash payments for the families of mobilized soldiers if they agree to not protest. https://kyivindependent.com/uk-defense-ministry-russia-seeking-to-suppress-domestic-ant-mobilization-sentiment/

⚡️Poland tightens https://kyivindependent.com/ukraine-poland-take-steps-to-unblock-the-border/ controls on border with Ukraine amid truckers' protests. This was one of the demands of Poland's protesting haulers.

⚡️Russian forces hit over 100 settlements in Ukraine, injuring 3 over the past day.

⚡️SBU requested Poroshenko's travel permission https://kyivindependent.com/poroshenko-says-he-was-prevented-by-border-guard-from-leaving-ukraine/ be cancelled over planned meeting with Orban.

As sanctions bite, Russia eyes Ukraine’s mineral resources to fund its invasion https://kyivindependent.com/as-sanctions-bite-russia-eyes-ukraines-mineral-resources-to-fund-its-invasion/
Russia's 2024 federal budget, signed by President Vladimir Putin earlier this week, revealed the Kremlin's vision for Russian-occupied areas of Ukraine.

⚡️Kyiv mayor says Ukraine is turning https://kyivindependent.com/klitschko-says-ukraine-is-turning-authoritarian-as-conflict-with-president-persists/ authoritarian as conflict with Zelensky persists.

⚡️Military: More than 5,000 explosive devices https://kyivindependent.com/military-more-than-5-000-explosive-devices-removed-over-past-week/ removed over past week.

⚡️UEFA leaves https://kyivindependent.com/uefa-leaves-russian-national-team-out-of-nations-league-for-2024-2025-season/ Russian football team out of Nations League for 2024/2025 season.

Ukraine’s fight to heal millions of children scarred by Russia’s war https://kyivindependent.com/ukraines-fight-to-heal-millions-of-children-scarred-by-russias-war/
A rehabilitation camp run by the Gen.Ukrainian nonprofit seeks to provide support for Ukrainian children affected by the Russian invasion. The number is just a fraction of the over four million children in Ukraine in need of psychological help, according to estimates provided to the Kyiv Independent by the Digital Transformation Ministry.

️Military confirms https://kyivindependent.com/military-confirms-russian-troops-executed-2-ukrainian-pows-in-donetsk-oblast/ Russian troops executed 2 Ukrainian POWs in Donetsk Oblast.

Just under 1000 today; mostly the last days it's been over. Russia must have lost ten thousand in the last 3 weeks.

Ragnar Bjartur Gudmundsson 🇺🇦
ragnarbjartur.bsky.social

⚡️ WAR IN #UKRAINE - DEC 3
■ Strikes on both sides below 7-day average
■ Engagements slightly up, number of settlements under artillery fire unchanged
■ 7-day average of casualties stays above 1k, daily losses below it
■ Equipment losses below 7-day average

UNITED24 Media Telegram Highlights

The Russians are not abandoning their plans for the full occupation of Ukraine, the summary of the General Staff.
The operational situation in the east and south of Ukraine remains difficult, 69 combat clashes took place during the day.

The USA, the EU and Great Britain are putting pressure on the three countries due to sanctions against Russian oil, — Reuters.
Panama, Liberia and the Marshall Islands bypass price restrictions on Russian oil. Most of the shadow fleet tankers are registered in these countries.

Russian occupiers who executed unarmed Ukrainian soldiers have been liquidated, reported the head of the Avdiivka city military administration, Vitaliy Barabash
"They surrendered because they ran out of ammunition. As far as I know, a little later our guys "stormed" these positions, and everyone who was there was eliminated," Barabash said

Live: Ukraine Telegram Highlights

A critical situation has developed in Ukraine, which may worsen due to insufficient western assistance, said NATO Secretary General Stoltenberg.
"We need to prepare for bad news. Conflicts develop in stages. But we must support Ukraine in both bad and good times," he added.

Prisoner exchanges take place on the battlefield - Zelensky in an interview with AP
"Over the past six months, we have returned a few people, up to 100 people. Over the whole time, several thousand people have been returned.
Very often we exchange prisoners of war not so loudly, not so publicly.
To be honest, we exchange them right on the battlefield. When we have 10 of their prisoners and they have a few of our guys, we exchange them. It happens in different ways," the President noted.

In one section of the frontline, Russians began to move in “mobile cocoons” for assaults
The enemy infantry is under these structures.
This is how they try to hide from drone strikes and camouflage themselves from thermal imagers.

Kyiv Independent Telegram Highlights

Russian forces have reduced the number of airstrikes against Ukraine but intensified infantry activity on the southeastern front line, General Oleksandr Tarnavskyi, the commander of the Tavria Group, reported on Dec. 3. https://kyivindependent.com/commander-russian-infantry-activity-rising-in-southeastern-front-line/

⚡️Energy Ministry reports https://kyivindependent.com/ministry-reports-power-outages-in-over-900-settlements-due-to-weather-war/ power outages in over 900 settlements due to weather, war.
Over 500 settlements in a dozen Ukrainian regions experienced power outages due to bad weather, and over 400 more lost power due to Russian attacks and equipment disturbances.

⚡️Lukashenko arrives https://kyivindependent.com/lukashenko-arrives-in-china-to-meet-with-xi/ in China to meet with Xi.
Belarusian dictator Alexander Lukashenko arrived in China for negotiations on economic and trade investments with Chinese leader Xi Jinping, Lukashenko's press office reported on Dec. 3.
According to the press release, the program for Lukashenko's visit also includes "a series of events in the social and humanitarian sphere."
In mid-October, Russian dictator Vladimir Putin was invited to China by Xi to attend the third Belt and Road Forum, an international forum highlighting China's global economic influence.

⚡️ Official: Russia has lost over 7,200 troops, 530 units of military equipment https://kyivindependent.com/official-russia-lost-over-7-200-troops-530-units-of-military-equipment-over-past-week/ over past week.

⚡️ Ambassador: Some compromises found https://kyivindependent.com/ambassador-certain-compromises-found-with-polish-side-on-border-blockade/ with Polish side on border blockade.
Kyiv and Warsaw reached some compromises during ongoing talks regarding the Ukrainian-Polish border blockade, Ukraine's Ambassador to Poland Vasyl Zvarych said in a comment for Ukrinform on Dec. 4.

⚡️ Processing of empty trucks begins https://kyivindependent.com/uhryniv-dolgobychuv-checkpoint-on-poland-ukraine-border-opens-for-empty-trucks/ at Poland-Ukraine border checkpoint. The registration began at 1 a.m. Kyiv time. Some 30 cargo vehicles with a weight over 7.5 metric tons have been processed as of 7 a.m., the Border Guard sai

⚡️ Finland seeks Poland's experience https://kyivindependent.com/finland-seeks-polands-experience-in-border-protection/ in border protection.
Finland plans to use Poland's experience with border security amid the ongoing migrant crisis on the Finnish-Russian border, the Polish Radio reported on Dec. 3.

⚡️Police dismiss https://kyivindependent.com/police-dismiss-mp-dubinskys-claims-of-being-beaten-injured-in-jail/ lawmaker Dubinsky’s claims of being beaten, injured in jail.

Somewhat lower losses today. I wonder how many are dying of hypothermia?

Ragnar Bjartur Gudmundsson 🇺🇦
1h
⚡️ WAR IN #UKRAINE - DEC 4
■ Strikes slightly below 7-day average, fewer combat engagements but more settlements under artillery fire
■ Troop & equipment losses below average
■ Oryx: 20 🇷🇺 15 🇺🇦 added to records (16:15 after removal of duplicates/corrections)

UNITED24 Media Telegram Highlights

Poland has already transferred 18 Krab self-propelled howitzers to Ukraine and is preparing to transfer 56 more — PAP agency.
AHS Krab is a self-propelled howitzer on a tracked chassis manufactured by Huta Stalowa Wola SA.

Eva Kalmus, the head of the border department of the Department of Police and Border Guard of Estonia, highlighted in a statement to Yle that Estonia possesses the capability to promptly close its border with the Russian Federation following a government decision.
The current trend shows an average increase of around one thousand individuals crossing the Estonian-Russian border per week since Finland's closure of its border crossing points with Russia. Kalmus stressed that Estonia is prepared to take similar action.

During his upcoming visit to Washington, the British Foreign Minister aims to persuade the United States to continue providing both financial and military support to Ukraine.

Dzharylgach became an island again: the storm washed away the embankment of the occupiers
According to data from the Sentinel-2 satellite from November 30, 2023, the sea has eroded the spit that connects the island to the mainland in three places.

Polar scientists stationed at the Ukrainian research base "Akademik Vernadskyi" have been engaged in digging a snow tunnel for over a week to facilitate access to Jacky's pier. This tunnel preparation is crucial as the icebreaker "Noosphere" is scheduled to arrive at the station in a few weeks, delivering essential cargo and a seasonal expedition team. The tunnel's completion will enable swift unloading of the ship's cargo upon arrival.