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

Live: Ukraine Telegram Highlights

🇧🇬Bulgarian President Rumen Radev vetoed the transfer of 100 armored personnel carriers to Ukraine.
He explained that some members of parliament were not sufficiently familiar with the details of the transfer of equipment. Also, the needs of the Ministry of Internal Affairs were allegedly not taken into account. These APCs-60 belong to the Ministry of Internal Affairs - they were manufactured in the 60s and 70s and have never been used.
▪️In November, the country's parliament approved their transfer along with weapons and spare parts.

🇺🇸 The Pentagon says the U.S. defense industry lacks the capacity to stay ahead in the high-tech arms race with rivals like China, in part because of the wars in Ukraine and Israel - Politico
In its draft report, the Pentagon emphasizes that the United States creates the best weapons in the world, but cannot produce them fast enough.

According to Russian media, the warehouses of a factory producing special vehicles are on fire in Moscow

Polish carriers blocked American patrol boats for Ukraine at the border.
The day before, one of the carriers published a photo of a truck transporting a boat. The cover, as you can see, bears the logo of the manufacturer SAFE Boats International.
This company does not produce boats for civilian use, as their field of activity is to meet the needs of rescuers, police, military and border guards, Militarny writes https://mil.in.ua/uk/news/u-polshhi-zablokuvaly-amerykanski-patrulni-katery-dlya-ukrayiny/

Worrying draft report from the Pentagon.

It looks like Estonia's now the target of Russian hybrid warfare with sending people over the border.

I am slightly wondering about the provenance of a news item which I have now heard on the World Service several times: they have got hold of what is appearing to be a first-hand frontline account of how things are on the Dnipro for a Ukrainian soldier, and it's pretty-much doom, gloom and despondency with a small sprinkle of "it's hell here". How likely is it that someone on that front line would a] have the time to bother with the BBC and b] provide them with something so calculated to lower morale and make anyone who is not actually there think this a doomed enterprise? It smells very strongly of Russian misinformation to me, but I keep on not hearing them say how they got hold of it. Does anyone happen to know about it?

I dont know how they got it but it kinda fits with a number of aspects to be honest; not least that the Russians are suffering from these conditions and so presumably the Ukrainians are too.

When you're in the mud in icy conditions, possibly without great clothing and not enough hot food it has to effect your mental state; plus I think Ukraine is feeling let down after promises of enough aid for a successful counteroffensive and very worrying signs from both the US and the EU. The 50billion promised by the EU is running into trouble; I think everyone knows what will happen if Trump is elected; there is apparently growing unhappiness within Ukraine. The ammunition shortage is real.

I'm sorry to be so dispiriting.

https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-december-3-2023

Key Takeaways:

• Russian President Vladimir Putin’s December 1 decree is likely a formal recognition of the Russian military’s current end strength and not an order to immediately increase the number of Russian military personnel.
• Ukrainian air defense coverage along the front line is reportedly incentivizing Russian forces to rely more heavily on remote strikes with glide bombs.
• Ukrainian officials appealed to international organizations to investigate video footage published on December 2 showing Russian forces killing surrendering and reportedly unarmed Ukrainian soldiers.
• Russian forces launched a series of missile and drone strikes on the night of December 2 and 3.
• The Russian government is likely continuing attempts to censor relatives of mobilized Russian military personnel on social media out of concern about their protests’ possible negative effect on Russian President Vladimir Putin’s still unannounced 2024 presidential campaign.
• A prominent Russian milblogger claimed to have given a “masterclass” to press heads and communications personnel at Russian state-owned defense conglomerate Rostec, likely in support of an effort that allows the Russian government to normalize the war without directly involving the Kremlin.
• The milblogger’s “masterclass” represents an avenue by which the Kremlin can further benefit from milbloggers and shows how possible financial incentives could temper milbloggers’ criticisms of the Russian leadership.
• Russian forces conducted 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 and advanced near Avdiivka.
• Russia continues to use the Russian Orthodox Church (ROC) to indoctrinate Russian children into Russian nationalism and set conditions for long-term force generation efforts.
• Russian occupation officials continue to strengthen the Kremlin-backed United Russia party in occupied Ukraine ahead of the March 2024 Russian presidential elections.

Even in a country so controlled and the size of Russia cant hide such enormous casualty figures for ever

Like many I've got some serious concerns about at least some of the BBCs output recently...

That said is what you heard anything to do with this:

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-67565508

Yes, that looks like it, notimagain.

Where is the Russian soldier's tale of woe for balance, I wonder.

It's not good journalism, to be honest. It's all quotes from a messaging app, so there's no context or verification about who sent them. And they're all reportedly from a single soldier. The Beeb is not winning any Pulitzers for this.

Kyiv Independent Telegram Highlights

⚡️The U.S. is set to run out of funds to support Ukraine in the coming weeks if Congress does not take action, White House Budget Office Director Shalanda Young informed congressional leaders in a letter on Dec. 4. https://kyivindependent.com/white-house-u-s-to-run-out-of-money/

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer announced that President Volodymyr Zelensky will address U.S. senators by video on Dec. 5 as efforts intensify to secure a $105 billion aid package. https://kyivindependent.com/zelensky-to-address-us-senators-amid-push-to-secure-aid-package/

U.S. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, representing the Democratic Party, has scheduled the first procedural vote on Biden's $106 billion funding request, including $61 billion for Ukraine, for later this week, The Hill reported on Dec. 5.
The vote set up for Dec. 6 is expected to fail due to disagreements with the Republican Party on border security funding. https://kyivindependent.com/us-senate-schedules-vote-on-ukraine-aid/

⚡️ Rheinmetall wins over $150 million contract https://kyivindependent.com/rheinmetall-wins-142-million-euro-contract-to-produce-shells-for-ukraine/ to produce shells for Ukraine
The order involves tens of thousands of 155mm NATO standard shells and is expected to be delivered in 2025. It will be produced by Rheinmetall Expal Munitions, a Spanish subsidiary.

⚡️ Minister: Finland plans shell production boost https://kyivindependent.com/finland-plans-munition-production-boost-to-support-ukraine/ to arm Ukraine.

Zelensky is allegedly "bypassing" Commander-in-Chief Valerii Zaluzhnyi in communication with some military commanders, complicating the latter's ability to fully command Ukraine's Armed Forces, Ukrainska Pravda reported on Dec. 4, citing anonymous sources. https://kyivindependent.com/media-zelensky-bypasses-zaluzhnyi-in-communication-with-some-commanders/

⚡️ President's Office: Discussions on future EU security guarantees for Ukraine https://kyivindependent.com/presidents-office-discussions-on-future-eu-security-guarantees-for-ukraine-have-begun/ have started. Deputy Presidential Office head Ihor Zhovkva sat down with Charles Fries, the Deputy Secretary General for Peace, Security and Defense of the European External Action Service.

Poland’s national security agency estimates that Russia could attack NATO in less than 36 months, the head of the country’s National Security Bureau said in an interview with Polish media outlet Nasz Dziennik on Dec. 2. https://kyivindependent.com/polands-national-security-chief-russia-could-attack-nato-within-3-years/

⚡️UK Defense Ministry: Russia loses https://kyivindependent.com/uk-defense-ministry-russia-loses-estimated-320-000-troops/ 320,000 troops in Ukraine.

⚡️ Infrastructure Minister: 7 million metric tons of cargo transported through Black Sea humanitarian corridor. https://kyivindependent.com/minister-7-million-tons-of-cargo-transported-through-black-sea-humanitarian-corridor/

The Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) said on Dec. 4 that its operatives used two drones to destroy Russian ammunition and equipment depots near the occupied city of Svatove in Luhansk Oblast. https://kyivindependent.com/sbu-2-russian-ammunition-equipment-depots-in-occupied-luhansk-oblast-destroyed-by-drone-strikes/

Ukrainian retailers face big losses, disruptions due to Polish border blockade https://kyivindependent.com/ukrainian-businesses-face-big-losses-disruptions-due-to-polish-border-blockade/
As the Polish trucker blockade of Ukrainian haulers heads toward the one-month mark, the toll on Ukraine’s businesses is adding up.

Lawmaker: Exports through Ukraine-Poland border down by 40% https://kyivindependent.com/lawmaker-exports-through-ukraine-poland-border-down-by-40-over-blockade/ due to blockade.

The blockade of trucks at the Uzhhorod-Vysne Nemecke crossing on the Slovak-Ukrainian border had been suspended, Deputy Infrastructure Minister Serhii Derkach announced on Dec. 4. https://kyivindependent.com/infrastructure-ministry-slovakia-ukraine-border-crossing-reopened-after-blockade/

⚡️ Media: Russia planned interference campaigns to disrupt NATO accession https://kyivindependent.com/media-russia-planned-interference-campaigns-to-disrupt-nato-accession-of-finland-sweden/ of Finland, Sweden.
The planned activities, which YLE said did not appear to have actually taken place in Finland, sought to increase discord between Turkey and other NATO countries, especially Sweden, as the two Nordic countries began the process of joining the alliance.

The Ukrainian energy conglomerate DTEK said on Dec. 4 that it signed a memorandum of understanding with the Danish wind turbine manufacturer Vestas on a project to construct what would be the largest wind farm in Eastern Europe.
The Tylihulska Wind Power Plant project, which will involve an investment of more than 650 million euros ($702 million), is a joint venture that includes DTEK, the Ukrainian and Danish governments, and Western banks. https://t.me/KyivIndependent_official/26722

⚡️Guardian: UK nuclear site hacked https://kyivindependent.com/guardian-uk-nuclear-site-hacked-by-russian-chinese-groups/ by Russian, Chinese groups.
Russian and Chinese-linked cyber groups have hacked a major nuclear waste site in the U.K., a year-long investigation by the Guardian revealed on Dec. 4.

⚡️ Lithuania provides over $1 million to Ukraine Solidarity Fund https://kyivindependent.com/lithuania-provides-1-million-euros-to-ukraine-solidarity-fund-for-reconstruction/ for reconstruction.

⚡️Military confirms https://kyivindependent.com/military-russian-ukrainian-pows/ death of Russian troops who killed Ukrainian POWs.

⚡️SBU detains https://kyivindependent.com/detains-man-suspected-of-trying-to-sell-aircraft-components/ man suspected of trying to sell aircraft components to Russian military.

Russia -is- advancing it seems, unfortunately, but my god the price in men and hardware.

Ragnar Gudmundsson

WAR IN #UKRAINE - DEC 5
■ Strikes on both sides above 7-day average
■ Combat engagements & settlements under artillery fire below average
■ 1000+ troop losses & 7-day troop losses reach new heights ■ Equipment losses well above average

UNITED24 Media Telegram

Deputy Minister of Defense Ivan Havryliuk announced that Ukraine is currently in the process of developing a new modification of the Neptune missile, referred to as the "long Neptune." No details.

Britain handed Ukraine Martlet missiles to fight Shahed drones, — Times.
This is a light multi-purpose guided missile that has already been used in Ukraine before, they shot down aircraft and UAVs (on video).

Time included Putin on the shortlist of candidates for the title of “person of the year.”
The list of finalists also included the heroine of the film “Barbie” directed by Greta Gerwig, prosecutors of former US President Donald Trump, participants in the Hollywood strike, Chinese leader Xi Jinping, American singer Taylor Swift, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, British King Charles III and the head of the Federal Reserve systems (Fed) Jerome Powell. [what the fuck?]

Putin will be invited to the G20 summit in Brazil, but he will have to deal with the ICC warrant, — Brazilian President Lula da Silva.
Da Silva reminded that Brazil is a signatory of the Rome Statute, and is obliged to execute the warrant for the arrest of the President of the Russian Federation, who is accused of deporting Ukrainian children to Russia.

Orbán insists that the EU summit in mid-December should not even consider the issue of starting negotiations with Ukraine on joining the EU.
In a video for his X (Twitter) account, the head of the Hungarian government noted that the EC proposal does not meet the interests of "many member countries", particularly Hungary.

Poland will demand from the European Union the restoration of permits that limit transit for Ukrainian truckers. Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki said that such demands will be "unequivocal" and "decisive".
The permits were canceled after February 24, 2022. Polish carriers blocking traffic at the border want the permissive mode of crossing the border to be restored from January 1.

Zelenskyy reported that the International Maritime Organization adopted a resolution on supporting Ukraine in the Black Sea.

NATO Eastern Flank states have 3 years to prepare for a possible Russia attack, — the head of the National Security Bureau and minister in the Office of the President of Poland, Jacek Siewiera in an interview with Nasz Dziennik, The Times reports.
In a scathing report, the German Council on Foreign Relations (DGAP) stated that the North Atlantic military alliance should be ready to repel a Russian attack within the next six to ten years.
However, Jacek Siewiera noted that analysts probably underestimate the urgency of the situation:
“Unfortunately, this analysis is consistent with studies conducted in the United States. However, in my opinion, the time frames presented by German analysts are too optimistic.
If we want to avoid war, then NATO countries on the eastern flank should adopt a shorter, three-year timeline to prepare for confrontation. This is the time when we have to create a capability on the eastern flank that would be a clear deterrent to aggression.
The arms industry in Russia works three shifts daily and can restore its resources over the next three years".

🇪🇺The EU Council extended the EU’s Global Human Rights Sanctions Regime for a further 3 years.
The European Council's website states that the current sanctions, which currently apply to 67 natural and legal individuals and 20 entities, will be reviewed annually.

Russian fencers were allowed to compete by the International Fencing Federation under “neutral” status. They are anything but.

Ukraine began production of six "Bohdana" self-propelled guns per month 🇺🇦

Live: Ukraine Highlights

European Council President Charles Michel will cut short his visit to Beijing amid risks that Hungarian Prime Minister Orban could disrupt a late December summit of EU leaders over Ukraine - Politico

🇧🇪Belgium has confirmed its intention to provide Ukraine with F-16 fighter jets in 2025.
Defense Minister Rustem Umerov discussed with his Belgian counterpart the transfer of aircraft and necessary equipment and pilot training. The Defense Minister emphasized that "it is now necessary to start the process of establishing supply chains for ammunition, spare parts and technical equipment for the F-16."
▪️Belgium has not officially announced the number of aircraft it is ready to transfer. There have been statements about several aircraft. In general, Belgium's task is to train pilots and maintain all coalition F-16s that will be transferred to Ukraine.

https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-december-4-2023

Key Takeaways:

• Russia continues to reckon with the economic ramifications of labor shortages partially resulting from the war in Ukraine.
• Ukraine's Western partners continue efforts to provide Ukraine with military and economic support.
• Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko discussed deepening Belarusian-Chinese relations with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing, China on December 4.
• Kremlin-backed United Russia State Duma deputies and Federation Council senators proposed a bill to introduce criminal punishments for leaking personal data, likely as part of ongoing efforts to control the Russian information space ahead of the March 2024 Russian presidential elections.
• The Kremlin likely continues efforts to insert itself into power vacuums in several African countries as Wagner Group elements continue to operate in the Central African Republic (CAR).
• Voronezh Oblast Governor Alexander Gusev confirmed on December 4 the death of Russian 14th Army Corps Deputy Commander Major General Vladimir Zavadsky in Ukraine.
• Russian forces conducted 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 and advanced in some areas on December 4.
• Select Russian Duma deputies appear to be at odds over the issue of extending Russian conscript service.
• Russian Presidential Administration Head for Domestic Policy Andrei Yarin reportedly visited occupied Ukraine as part of ongoing efforts to legitimize Russian authority over occupied Ukraine ahead of the March 2024 Russian presidential election.

Nikki Haley, the pro-Ukraine Republican presidential candidate, received support from a prominent Democratic Party Donor today:

https://ca.finance.yahoo.com/news/top-democrat-donor-gives-250-202913059.html

Democrats worry that Biden could well lose to Trump this time want someone sane and moderate on the Republican ticket, just in case. This is a two edges sword for Haley. Getting support from Democrats makes it easy to paint her as too liberal. Overall, I think it's a good thing for her. There are a lot of Republicans who would not vote at all instead of voting for Trump, but they would vote for Haley.

And in another small sign of sanity in American politics, Senator Tubberville has dropped his hold on military promotions. This has been causing chaos for hundreds of military families for months, in addition to the detrimental effect on military readiness. I guess the futility of this madness finally occurred to him.

https://www.npr.org/2023/12/05/1217372211/sen-tuberville-drops-his-months-long-hold-on-military-promotions

I’ve been very impressed with Nikki Haley, especially the occasions I have watched her speak at the UN (on tv!). I know my republican voting friends over in Florida are also rooting for her. Just hoping whoever wins the race is pro-Ukraine.

Kyiv Independent Telegram Highlights

Putin will visit Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) on Dec. 6, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said on Dec. 5. https://kyivindependent.com/putin-to-visit-saudi-arabia-uae/

⚡️Zelensky cancels address https://kyivindependent.com/zelensky-cancels-address-to-us-senators/ to US senators as Republicans rally against aid package.

⚡️Iran, Russia agree https://kyivindependent.com/iran-russia-agree-to-jointly-combat-western-sanctions/ to jointly combat Western sanctions.
Moscow and Tehran signed a declaration on jointly combating Western sanctions imposed against the two regimes over their role in the war against Ukraine, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said on Dec. 5 at a meeting with his Iranian counterpart.
The declaration describes “ways and means of counteracting, mitigating and compensating the negative consequences" of the sanctions both sides call “illegal,” according to Lavrov, cited by the Russian news outlet Interfax.

⚡️UK Defense Ministry: Russian forces control https://kyivindependent.com/uk-defense-ministry-russian-forces-control-most-of-destroyed-marinka/ most of destroyed Marinka.

Ukraine holds back Russian assault on Avdiivka as long winter battle looms https://kyivindependent.com/ukraine-holds-back-russian-assault-on-avdiivka-as-long-winter-battle-looms/ With the Ukrainian counteroffensive that began in summer now having clearly ended, this new intense phase of the Battle of Avdiivka is solid evidence of the overall initiative shifting back to Russia.

⚡️ Armenia not to attend CSTO parliamentary meeting https://kyivindependent.com/armenia-not-to-attend-csto-meeting-in-moscow/ in Moscow.

Ukrainian forces struck several Russian military facilities in occupied Crimea with drones early on Dec. 5, Hromadske media outlet reported, citing its anonymous sources in law enforcement.
One of the facilities targeted by the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) and the country's military intelligence agency (HUR) was the Marine Oil Terminal in Feodosiia, Hromadske's source said. https://kyivindependent.com/media-ukraine-hits-several-russian-military-facilities-in-occupied-crimea/

⚡️FT: Slovakia, Czechia seek extension https://kyivindependent.com/czechia-slovakia-seek-eu-extension-to-permission/ to EU permission allowing trade of Russian oil products.

⚡️Politico: Macron invites https://kyivindependent.com/media-macron-invites-orban-to-paris/ Orban to Paris to 'strike compromise' on EU support to Ukraine

⚡️Classified intelligence briefing for US senators falls https://kyivindependent.com/classified-intelligence-briefing-for-us-senators-falls-apart/ apart.
A classified Dec. 5 session about Ukraine and Israel led by the secretaries of defense and state, as well top intelligence officials, became heated and "fell apart" with Republicans storming out, NBC reported.
The special briefing was held behind closed doors to allow all 100 U.S. senators to ask questions about the administration's funding request of $106 billion.

U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen said on Dec. 5 that the U.S. would be "responsible for Ukraine's defeat" if the Congress does not pass a $61.4 billion military aid package, which is scheduled for a vote in the Senate later on Dec. 6. https://kyivindependent.com/as-ukrainian-delegation-visits-us-yellen-says-us-will-be-responsible-for-ukraines-defeat-if-congress-fails-to-pass-aid/

⚡️The Netherlands to provide $8.6 million https://kyivindependent.com/the-netherlands-provides-8-6-million-to-support-law-enforcement-in-liberated-territories/ to support law enforcement in liberated territories.

⚡️Slovenia to provide https://kyivindependent.com/slovenia-to-provide-ukraine-with-1-5-million-euros-for-demining-efforts/ Ukraine with 1.5 million euros for demining efforts.

⚡️UK announces https://kyivindependent.com/uk-to-announce-46-million-humanitarian-aid-package-for-ukraine/ $46 million humanitarian aid package for Ukraine.
U.K. Foreign Secretary David Cameron will announce 7.75 million pounds ($9.8 million) in aid for Ukraine, raising the total of the new winter humanitarian response package to 36.8 million pounds ($46.3 million), the foreign secretary's office said on Dec. 6.

Putin said Latvia would face repercussions "inside their own country" due to Riga's policies regarding the Russian minority. https://kyivindependent.com/putin-latvia/

⚡️Moscow rejects https://kyivindependent.com/moscow-rejects-substantial-deal-to-free-detained-american-journalist-and-marine/ 'substantial' deal to free detained American journalist, marine

The ambassadors of Baltic countries expressed their dissatisfaction to Poland over the ongoing blockade of the Ukrainian border, as it undermines Ukraine's ability to defend itself against Russia, the Estonian public broadcaster ERR reported on Dec. 5. https://kyivindependent.com/baltic-countries-ambassadors-demarche-poland-over-ukraine-border-blockade/

⚡️Qatar announces https://kyivindependent.com/qatar-announces-release-of-6-ukrainian-children/ return of 6 Ukrainian children from Russia.

Nepal has urged the Russian government to stop recruiting Nepalese citizens into its army, amid growing reports of Nepalese mercenaries being killed while fighting in Ukraine, the Kathmandu Post reported on Dec. 5. https://kyivindependent.com/media-nepal-appeals-to-russia-to-stop-army-recruitment-of-nepalese-men/

⚡️Air Force downs https://kyivindependent.com/air-force-downs-russian-su-24m-bomber-near-snake-island/ Russian Su-24M bomber near Snake Island.

⚡️Zelensky: Soldiers awarded Hero of Ukraine title will receive apartments from state https://kyivindependent.com/zelensky-soldiers-awarded-hero-of-ukraine-title-will-receive-apartments-from-state/

https://kyivindependent.com/efforts-to-legalize-cannabis-to-help-ukrainian-veterans-with-trauma-stymied-by-opposition-in-parliament/

Ukrainian human rights activist and serviceman, Maksym Butkevych, was seen in a penal colony in Krasnyi Luch in Russian-occupied Luhansk Oblast on Dec. 5. His whereabouts over the last four months were previously unknown. https://kyivindependent.com/ukrainian-human-rights-activist-seen-in-luhansk-penal-colony/

Gigantic losses ...again. 51 UAVs, well over a hundred vehicles/artillery
Ragnar Bjartur Gudmundsson 🇺🇦
ragnarbjartur.bsky.social

⚡️ WAR IN #UKRAINE - DEC 6
3rd most 🇷🇺 strikes this year, most 🇺🇦 strikes in 2 months
■ Engagements up between days, artillery fire unchanged
■ 4th highest troop losses & 7-day losses continue to rise
■ Triple-digit equipment losses including a Su-24M bomber

Can I ask if people still read these roundups?

Should I leave them as they are, or shorten them?

It's a lot of work for you, so feel free to only do as much as you like.

I don't regularly read every entry, as reading it all is too much for me (chronically ill and have poor concentration: I find it awesome that you manage to write it all).

I do usually try to skim and pick out things which particularly interest me, but I'll admit there are days when I don't manage that. Then sometimes I look back and catch up with several days' worth.

So I'm enormously grateful for whatever you decide to post, but am really not in a position to ask you to do anything!

I do, I know its a lot of work for you but this thread is my go to source of info daily and I very much appreciate it.

I do generally read them though usually not in their entirety and if I’m honest I’m usually looking for stories I’m already aware of. They are definitely useful though.

Any thoughts on Zelensky cancelling his appearance before the senators today? BBC says something urgent came up and other sources seem to say it’s more likely due to the impasse on the funding.

It sounds like it's really quite useful to some then (and hopefully a few lurkers). Certainly wouldnt expect everyone to read every bit!

@igotjelly that's a very curious one isn't it.

UNITED24 Telegram Highlights

🪖 Defense Minister Rustem Umierov said in an interview with Fox News that Ukrainian troops have passed the first and second lines of defense of the Russians and are currently facing the third. Work continues. He added that Ukraine has a plan for land deoccupation for 2024. [This is the most hopeful thing I've seen in quite some time as a general statement] ]

Ukraine has received 31 M1 Abrams tanks out of 6,000 available in the United States, 2,600 of which are in combat readiness, — Bild analyst Julian Röpcke. [Mind you Ropke is a pissartist and not reliable]

36 Krab self-propelled howitzers were delivered to Ukraine

🇰🇷South Korea became the largest supplier of artillery shells after the United States in 2023, — the Washington Post.
Korean law prohibits providing weapons to war zones, but U.S. officials sought to persuade Seoul to provide munitions, estimating that about 330,000 155-mm shells could be transferred by air and sea within 41 days from Korea, according to the WP.

❗️The United States of America has imposed sanctions against Belarus for its participation in the deportation of Ukrainian children.
Sanctions were applied to 8 people and 11 organizations. In particular, the list includes the Secretary General of the Red Cross of Belarus Dmitry Shevtsov.

There should not be a single Russian who goes to bed without wondering if his throat will be cut in the middle of the night, — American General Mark Milley [Good mindset]

Ukraine and the German arms concern Rheinmetall will soon launch the production of armored vehicles on the territory of Ukraine, Prime Minister Shmyhal said.

😞🕯 The body of a 15-year-old girl, who had been missing for 1.5 years and was shot by the Russians, was discovered in Belarus.

Live: Ukraine Telegram

Today Ukraine celebrates the Day of the Armed Forces

Joe Biden has called the prospect of the United States withdrawing aid to Ukraine an "absolute mistake" and "insanity." He said it was against the country's interests and promised that his administration would get the funds allocated.

Putin begins visit to the UAE, from where he will travel to Saudi Arabia
In the UAE, he is scheduled to hold talks with the country's leader, Mohammed Al Nahyan, first as part of delegations and then face-to-face. Later, in Saudi Arabia, he will meet with Crown Prince Mohammed Al Saud.
◾️Since March 2023, Putin has been wanted by the International Criminal Court on charges of illegally deporting Ukrainian children from the occupied territories. The UAE and Saudi Arabia do not recognize the jurisdiction of this court.

Exactly 29 years ago today, on December 5, 1994, the infamous Budapest Memorandum was signed, resulting in Ukraine's abandonment of nuclear weapons in exchange for empty promises and meaningless declarations.
And exactly four years after that crime, on December 5, 1998, another betrayal took place. An agreement was signed to eliminate Ukraine's heavy bomber aircraft and air-launched cruise missiles.

The Russian edition of Vazhnye Istorii reports that more than 100 relatives of the mobilized have written a letter to Putin saying that the soldiers are being thrown into "meat assaults" on Avdiivka to take the city before the dictator's press conference on December 14.

Overnight, Russians launched 48 Shahed attack UAVs at Ukraine. Ukraine's defense forces destroyed 41 drones

In the center of the Belgian city of Liege, a Russian woman sells T-shirts with the swastika "Z", an image of Putin himself, and other symbols of Russian aggression against Ukraine.
The shop owner calmly states that she supports the murder of Ukrainians and Russian aggression.

Warcat.

My go to too. I do read and share with others. Thank you .