Ukraine Invasion: Part 46

[MagicFox]

With thanks to all keeping these threads going 🇺🇦

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UNITED24 Media Telegram Highlights

The disinformation campaign plans to target Ukraine’s top leadership in foreign media.
The Center for Countering Disinformation warns that a series of publications with disinformation against the military and political leadership of Ukraine is planned and will be published on English-language resources.

The EU countries handed Ukraine only 480,000 ammunition out of the promised million, Reuters writes.
According to the joint procurement scheme, the EU countries placed an order for only 60,000 artillery shells, and another 300,000 were taken from the stocks of the EU armies.

🇬🇧The UK announces a £37 million winter humanitarian aid package.

🇫🇷 Macron is optimistic about the possibility of persuading Hungarian Prime Minister Orbán to change his position on supporting Ukraine before the December 14-15 EU leaders' summit, — Politico

🇦🇹 Former Austrian Foreign Minister Karin Kneissl, who moved to Russia, expressed gratitude for the opportunity to work in this country "in conditions of academic freedom" and called Putin "the smartest gentleman" she had met

Ursula von der Leyen has been recognized as the most influential woman in the world, as per Forbes magazine. Serving as the first female president of the European Commission, she holds a pivotal role in shaping legislation that impacts over 450 million Europeans.

Live: Ukraine Telegram Highlights

Blockade of Polish carriers delays volunteer aid for Ukrainian Armed Forces - Reuters
Taras Chmut, head of the Come Back Alive Foundation, said (https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/polish-trucker-blockade-holds-up-ukraines-volunteer-military-aid-sources-2023-12-06/) that dozens of night vision systems and pickup trucks, as well as hundreds of drones purchased by the foundation, have been stuck at the border for several weeks.
The protests are also affecting manufacturers of military equipment, said Viktor Dolgopyatov, who runs the nonprofit Engineering Corps, which produces various types of equipment for the Armed Forces.
According to him, the blockade of the border has delayed the supply of parts for machines at his plant, as well as components for power supplies used in drone engines and radios. https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/polish-trucker-blockade-holds-up-ukraines-volunteer-military-aid-sources-2023-12-06/

More than 62,000 women defend Ukraine in the Armed Forces
Compared to other countries, Ukraine is among the leaders regarding the share of women in the army.

Ukrainian sniper Viacheslav Kovalskyi broke the world record https://wsj.com/world/europe/ukrainian-sniper-breaks-cover-to-claim-world-record-hit-of-more-than-2-miles-2b1c820e by hitting the Russian occupier at a distance of 3800 meters (almost 2½ miles) - Wall Street Journal.

🇺🇦🇺🇸 Ukraine and the United States signed a memorandum on joint weapons production and exchange of technical data.
This includes hybrid air defense systems, which will be developed by the Pentagon, the Ukrainian Defense Ministry, and the Ministry of Strategic Industries. Ukraine has already been provided with the technology to begin production of such air defense systems under the FrankenSAM program.
The New York Times wrote https://www.nytimes.com/2023/10/28/us/politics/air-defense-ukraine-frankensam.html that the FrankenSAM project includes three air defense missile systems: the integration of RIM-7 Sea Sparrow missiles into the Buk missile system, the integration of the AIM-9M air-to-air missile with a Soviet radar system, and another system with elements of the Patriot missile system.
According to media reports, the Patriot missile will be integrated into a launcher that works with older Ukrainian radar systems. Tests of such a system were successful in October of this year, and they were to be delivered to Ukraine.

📉 In August-October 2023, the amount of newly pledged aid to Ukraine from Western countries reached its lowest level since January 2022, down almost 90% compared to the same period last year, according to a study by the Kiel Institute for the World Economy.

Russians are holding 28,000 Ukrainian civilians in captivity, Ombudsman Dmytro Lubinets said. He says that such figures indicate a planned system of suppression of resistance and will.
According to him, the deportation of 19,540 Ukrainian children has also been officially confirmed.
"If we return one child every day, it will take us 55 years. And this is against the background of the fact that every day the Russian Federation continues to deport more and more groups of Ukrainian children from the territory of our country," Lubinets said.
The government has many initiatives to return children, but few tools to take back all deportees.

Four Russian soldiers charged in USA with torture of American in Ukraine
According to court documents, Russian soldiers abducted the American from his home in the village of Mylove, Kherson Region, and beat and tortured him for 10 days in April 2022.
Among other things, they stripped the American naked, tied his hands, beat him with their fists, feet, and rifle butts, took pictures of him, and threatened to rape him.

Sanna Marin, Finland’s former Prime Minister, in a stunning blue and yellow outfit on Finland’s Independence Day celebration

https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-december-6-2023

Key Takeaways:

• Ukrainian Defense Minister Rustem Umerov credited Western security assistance for empowering Ukrainian forces to liberate half of the territory that Russia occupied since February 24, 2022.
• Russian forces conducted a notably large series of drone strikes against Ukraine on the night of December 5 to 6.
• Russian President Vladimir Putin traveled to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Saudi Arabia to meet with UAE President Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman in a series of bilateral meetings on December 6.
• Russian oil revenues continue to increase due to a concerted Russian effort to skirt the G7 price cap on Russian crude oil and petroleum products.
• Russian society appears interested in discussing the outcome of the war in Ukraine despite the Kremlin’s increasing aversion to more in-depth public discussions of the war.
• Unspecified actors killed former pro-Russian Ukrainian Verkhovna Rada deputy Ilya Kiva in Moscow Oblast on December 6.
• Moscow’s 2nd Western Military District Court convicted two Russian air defense officers for negligence for failing to prevent a Ukrainian strike on Russian territory in April 2022, likely to set an example to improve discipline across the Russian military.
• Russian officials are reportedly attempting to funnel migrants who have ended up in Russia due to Russia’s failed hybrid war tactics on the Russian-Finnish border into ongoing force generation efforts.
• 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 western Zaporizhia Oblast and advanced near Avdiivka.
• The Russian State Duma will reportedly consider a bill allowing Russian conscripts to serve in the Federal Security Service’s (FSB) Border Service.
• Ukrainian partisans may have conducted an attack in occupied Luhansk City on December 6 that killed Luhansk People’s Republic (LNR) People’s Council Deputy Oleg Popov.

Dear God.

We have lots of useful idiots. This Gov still refuses to publish the investigation into Russian interference in the election 2017.
An investigation that was explicitly forbidden from looking at any interference in the brexit referendum.

Russia has been pulling strings both sides of the house for a long time.

We even have a Russian oligarch in the upper house because....money

Here's a follow-up on Venezuela's threat of an invasion of Guyana. As I suggested, the US Air Force has the mission of deterring this and is conducting drills with the Guyanese military.

https://www.cbsnews.com/news/guyana-venezuela-conflict-essequibo-oil-us-military-flight-drills/

Since the USAF has little to no involvement in supporting Ukraine, this should have no impact on the situation there.

The stalemate narrative or failed counteroffensive narrative are both extremely useful to Putin’s desire for the West to get tired of and/or start believing that the war in Ukraine can’t be won. It is going to dishearten those supporting Ukraine and give up hope and then possibly give up on aid. Misinformation and disinformation campaigns can be both obvious and subtle.

@MissConductUS someone told me today that the house blocked more aid to Ukraine. I thought the new speaker was relatively warm on continuing it?

@DrBlackbird, it was actually blocked in the Senate. The bill won't pass the House unless it contains some amendments to improve border security and reduce the flow of people entering the country illegally. For various reasons, most of which escape me, lots of Democrats don't want to agree to that. President Biden needs to exercise his considerable legislative skills to find a compromise that will be acceptable to both sides.

This goes into the details.

Joe Biden’s Ukraine Emergency - Will the President sacrifice aid to Kyiv to the Democratic Party’s immigration left?

Many thanks for update @MissConductUS and confirming what I thought might have happened. Democrats need to be reminded that politics is strategy and horse trading and occasionally holding your nose to get the work done. Not grandstanding on principle.

I'm sure that we knew back in 2019 that Russia had been leaking stuff to embarrass the government. It was the only proven case of Russian interference in our democracy, despite all of the wild claims about the Tories.

Let's face it, if you were the Russian government it would have been very useful to have Corbyn in power, he's a long standing Moscow apologist. As a Labour backbencher said of his spokesman at the time of the Salisbury poisonings:
“Putin’s constant and shameful apologist might just as well stand aside and let the Russian ambassador write the speeches and brief the media himself.”

Former British Soldier who fought for Ukraine and was captured during the siege of Mariupol has been awarded the Order of Courage for selfless acts in the defence of the sovereignty of Ukraine.

Twitter

https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-december-7-2023

Key Takeaways:

• Russian forces may be suffering losses along the entire front in Ukraine at a rate close to the rate at which Russia is currently generating new forces.
• Russia does appear able to continue absorbing such losses and making them good with new recruits, however, as long as President Vladimir Putin is willing and able to absorb the domestic consequences.
• The US Department of Defense (DoD) announced a new security assistance package and joint weapons production pledge to Ukraine against the backdrop of the International Forum for Defense Industries (DFNC1) in Washington, D.C. on December 6-7.
• Attacks on public figures in Russia have prompted officials to propose increased security measures for Russian political and public figures and some ultranationalists to call for the resurrection of Soviet security organizations.
• The Russian Federation Council adopted a resolution confirming that the upcoming Russian presidential elections will occur on March 17, 2024, amid continued Kremlin efforts to legitimize the elections.
• Russian security organs conducted mass arrests targeting high-profile gangs in Moscow and St. Petersburg, including members and co-conspirators within the Ministry of Internal Affairs (MVD) and other internal security organs.
• Russian forces continued offensive operations along the Kupyansk-Svatove-Kreminna line, near Bakhmut, near Avdiivka, west and southwest of Donetsk City, and in the Donetsk-Zaporizhia Oblast border area and marginally advanced near Avdiivka.
• Russian authorities continue to rebuff appeals from the relatives of mobilized Russian military personnel.
• Ukrainian partisans and residents in occupied territories continue to provide Ukrainian officials with targeting information.

UK Min of Def update does not seem to be available or maybe it is hiding ...

Wow. Sorry to jump the gun @blueshoes but this jumped out at me from the ISW:

Russian forces may be suffering losses along the entire front in Ukraine at a rate close to the rate at which Russia is currently generating new forces.

Russian and Ukrainian officials have reported that Russian crypto-mobilization efforts produce roughly 20,000 to 40,000 personnel a month, a rate that could be lower than Russia’s current casualty rate in Ukraine

Russia does appear able to continue absorbing such losses and making them good with new recruits, however, as long as President Vladimir Putin is willing and able to absorb the domestic consequences.

--

One of the more hopeful posts in recent weeks, overall.

Kyiv Independent Telegram Highlights

The British National Cyber Security Center (NCSC) accused on Dec. 7 Russia's Federal Security Service (FSB) of a lengthy campaign of cyber attacks against the U.K. dating back at least to 2015 and involving "attempted political interference." kyivindependent.com/uk-accuses-russian-fsb-of-multi-year-campaign-of-cyber-attacks/
The two individuals named were Ruslan Peretyatko, an officer with Russia's Federal Security Service (FSB), and Andrey Korinets, an IT worker.

⚡️US announced an indictment alleging Russian nationals Ruslan Peretyatko and Andrei Korinets oversaw a campaign to hack into computers in NATO member states on behalf of Moscow. https://kyivindependent.com/us-charges-two-russian-citizens-accused-of-hacking-nato-computers/

U.S. President Joe Biden's administration is open to compromise on border security provisions with Senate Republicans in hopes of securing additional funding for Ukraine and Israel, a source familiar with the matter told Reuters. https://kyivindependent.com/reuters-white-house-open-to-border-negotiations-with-senate-republicans-to-expedite-ukrainian-funding-bill/

⚡️Study: Aid for Ukraine drops https://kyivindependent.com/study-aid-for-ukraine-drops-to-lowest-level-since-january-2022/ to lowest level since January 2022.
Between August and October, the amount of newly committed aid to Ukraine decreased by 87% compared to the same period last year, according to a new study by the Kiel Institute for the World Economy (IfW Kiel).

⚡️Ukraine begins transporting trucks stuck at Polish border by train.
Valerii Tkachov, deputy director of commercial work for Ukraine's state-owned railway, Ukrzaliznytsia, said the initial trainload was a test run to determine the feasibility of scaling train transport up.
"As soon as this test train passes and everything is fine, we will launch it en masse," Tkachov said. https://kyivindependent.com/ukraine-prepared-to-begin-transporting-trucks-stuck-at-polish-border-by-train/

⚡️Ukrainian Railways transports https://kyivindependent.com/ukrainian-railways-transports-record-amount-of-cargo-since-start-of-full-scale-war/ record amount of cargo since start of full-scale war.
Throughout November, Ukrzaliznytsia (Ukrainian Railways) transported 14 million tons of cargo, a 33.8% increase compared to the same period last year, the Infrastructure Ministry reported on Dec. 7

⚡️ Bulgaria's defense committee backs air defenses F-16 training for Ukraine. https://kyivindependent.com/bulgarias-defense-committee-backs-air-defenses-transfer-to-ukraine/

⚡️ Georgia says Hungary would back its EU candidacy https://kyivindependent.com/georgia-hungary/ in December EU talks. [ well yes, Georgia is run by pro-Russians, ofc Hungary would like them in the EU]

⚡️ FT: EU to grant members rights to block Russian gas imports. https://kyivindependent.com/ft-eu-to-give-members-rights-to-block-russian-gas-imports/ The legal text prepared by the EU would allow member states to ban Russian and Belarusian companies from buying capacities in their gas pipelines and LNG terminals, the Financial Times wrote.

⚡️Energy Ministry reports https://kyivindependent.com/energy-ministry-blackouts-in-408-settlements/ blackouts in 408 settlements.

⚡️ Governor: 18 Sumy Oblast settlements abandoned by residents https://kyivindependent.com/governor-18-sumy-oblast-villages-abandoned-by-residents-due-to-russian-attacks/ due to Russian attacks.

⚡️ Health Ministry: Ukraine restores almost 850 medical facilities https://kyivindependent.com/health-ministry-ukraine-restores-almost-850-medical-facilities-damaged-by-russia/ damaged by Russia.

⚡️Lithuania investigating https://kyivindependent.com/lithuania-investigating-abramovich/ how Abramovich's children received citizenship, plans to amend law.

⚡️Zelensky imposes new sanctions against Russians, including Chechen battalion’s commander. https://t.me/KyivIndependent_official/26862

Ragnar Gudmundsson
WAR IN #UKRAINE - DEC 8
■ Strikes & engagements down between days
■ Settlements under artillery fire stay above 7-day average
■ Troop losses below average, equipment slightly above
■ Oryx: +63+13equipment confirmed, 30-day ratio x3.3

UNITED24 Media Telegram Highlights

Ukraine has implemented sanctions targeting 185 individuals, primarily Russians, along with 181 companies.

The United States aims to encourage Russia to engage in negotiations regarding the terms involving Ukraine by the conclusion of 2024, as stated by Jonathan Feiner, the First Deputy Assistant to the President of the United States for National Security.

The President of the Czech Republic, Petr Pavel, highlighted that while support for Ukraine might be perceived as an inconvenience for some politicians and citizens, it remains crucial. He emphasized that supporting Ukraine is essential to resist submission to the Russian Federation.
[Mr Pavel is a realistic and consistent supporter of Ukraine]

The Parus combat module has been installed on the MTLB.
This module comprises a 30mm KBA-1 cannon, a 30mm automatic grenade launcher, a 7.62mm KT-7.62 machine gun, and a two-missile Barrier ATGM (Anti-Tank Guided Missile).

The Minister of Strategic Industries of Ukraine stated that the commencement of 155-mm projectile production in Ukraine is anticipated to take a minimum of two years.
"We have reached agreements with two prominent American companies regarding the collaborative manufacturing of 155-caliber ammunition in Ukraine. However, the implementation of these projects will require a significant span of time."
"To initiate this production, we require the technologies possessed by our partners. It's well-known that Ukraine has never previously manufactured ammunition of these calibers."

The US plans to increase the production of 155 mm ammunition by 500% in the next 2 years, — Bloomberg
It will cost $1.5 billion. Before the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the United States produced 15,000 pieces of 155-millimeter artillery shells per month.

Live: Ukraine Telegram Highlights

❗️The United States will try to persuade Russia to hold peace talks on Ukraine's terms by the end of 2024
During this time, the US and the EU plan to increase their arms production and help Ukraine do so to strengthen its position at the front.
This was stated by Deputy National Security Advisor Jonathan Finer.

🇦🇷On December 10, Volodymyr Zelensky will arrive in Buenos Aires for the inauguration of Argentine President Javier Milei.
This is reported by the Argentine newspaper TN, citing an unnamed source in the Ukrainian embassy.
According to the journalists, the President of Ukraine was on the guest list from the very beginning, but no one expected his arrival. https://tn.com.ar/internacional/2023/12/07/el-presidente-de-ucrania-volodimir-zelensky-confirmo-que-vendra-al-pais-para-la-asuncion-de-milei/

🇳🇴Norway is tightening the conditions and rules for Ukrainians applying for temporary protection status in the country
In this way the government is trying to reduce the "gap" with conditions in neighboring countries, which makes Norway very attractive for relocation.
In August, benefits for Ukrainians in Norway were 2-4 times higher than in Sweden and about twice as high as in Denmark.
In the last two months, 50% more Ukrainians have come to Norway to apply for temporary protection than to Denmark, Sweden and Finland combined.

❗️❗️The consequences of the nighttime missile attack on Kharkiv are clarified. The occupiers fired 6 S-300 missiles. They hit only civilian infrastructure - residential buildings, an educational institution and a playground. About 20 cars were damaged. A 25-year-old man and a 36-year-old woman were wounded.

🇫🇮 The Supreme Court of Finland did not agree to extradite Russian militant Jan Petrovsky to Ukraine and ordered his release.
The Russian is involved in an investigation by the Security Service of Ukraine - in 2014, Petrovsky fought against Ukraine together with LPR terrorists as part of the Rusich group.
The court explained that it could not consent to his extradition due to the conditions of detention in Ukrainian prisons and referred to the relevant ECHR decision.
According to the court, Petrovsky runs the risk of being subjected to treatment contrary to human dignity.

Infographics of the most "popular" Shahed drone routes (Sep. 6 - Nov. 3)
Usually they fly on the route to Starokonstantyniv and Khmelnytskyi.

Ukrainian mother Paraska Matsiievska-Demchuk stands by the monument depicting her son, who was executed by Russian forces

Ukrainian fighter with 14.5 mm Snipex Monomakh rifle

Putin to stand for a fifth term in office. What a surprise. I wonder if he'll win? 🤔

Nah, the Russian people are too sensible.

Reports that Navalny has been missing for 3 days after an ‘serious health incident’ are concerning.

Russia-related but not necessarily invasion-related, although I have read defections have increased due to unhappiness at the invasion. Does anyone know where Russians tend to defect to? I was thinking earlier that the UK has had two unusual and significant assassination attempts, Litvinenko and the Skripals. I haven't heard of any similar style of attacks elsewhere. Have there been? If not, is that because the UK has had more significant defectors for some reason or because Russia feels more able to conduct this sort of attack on British soil rather than German or French, for example.

That's a very interesting question.

Two somewhat contradictory thoughts spring to mind.

1-the UK is seen as the closest ally of the arch cold war enemy, the US so why would Russia care what the UK says or does?

2- and somewhat more disturbingly the UK is the most complicit in laundering dirty Russian money and therefore least likely to raise any serious diplomatic complaints least it cost us money on a governmental level.

I'm not knocking our Govs response since the full scale invasion but prior to that we were only interested truly in the bottom line and have had a huge wake up call.

The above is true of the whole of the West to a degree but the UK cleaned more dirty Russian money than anyone collectively including the US.

Its not a narrative, its simple fact.

I said an age ago that Russian can keep up production of munitions forever, funded by our so called ally, India, buying gas and oil from Russia (other countries too) and huge natural resources to call upon, inc men (all rubbished on here)

Putin will hang on until 2025, fully expecting a republican (Trump?) win in November and Europe simply hasn't the desire to re arm.... FFS Sunak was blaming arms companies for not upping production.... really? he has no fucking say on this? no levers to pull? crap, just doesn't want too.... even slow out the blocks Germany is providing more military aid now.

We've all been too slow, right from the start & underestimated Russia's ability, two years in and the first western (aging) jets arrive, took far too long to get them trained on Patriot & a handful of tanks, UK doesn't even replace the ones destroyed.....

I think the future is very bleak for the Ukrainians atm.

All this rubbish about rebuilding Ukraine??? using Russian assets?? first they have to win.

Should someone like Trump become POTUS, aid to Ukraine will stop & he wont help Europe IF Putin decides to go further West, probably Baltic states, our reliance on Nuclear weapons will prove useless as a deterrent.

Huge numbers of ordinary Russians in Georgia and Turkey now. Two separate friends who travel to each of those countries have said how noticeable it is. I think Khazakstan is another place that got flooded with Russians.

Higher profile ones - I havent really followed but I think Europe is one destination but they tend not to advertise!

There have been suspicious deaths in a number of countries - Spain, France, the US, the US, India - but outright and obvious assassinations less so.

Russia seems to have some obsession with the UK that goes deeper than the UK connection with the US, as far as I can see!

Kyiv Independent Telegram Highlights

⚡️Putin announces https://kyivindependent.com/putin-announces-he-will-seek-5th-term-as-president/ he will seek 5th term as president.

⚡️ Border Guard: 3,300 trucks in line https://kyivindependent.com/border-guard-3-300-trucks-in-line-at-polish-ukrainian-border/ at Poland-Ukraine border due to blockade.

Ukraine's state-owned railway Ukrzaliznytsia shipped 23 trucks by train that had been stuck at the Polish border amid the ongoing protest and blockade by Polish truckers, the company's press service announced on Dec. 7. https://kyivindependent.com/ukraine-ships-first-load-of-trucks-stuck-at-polish-border-by-train/

Alleged scammers may have stolen up to Hr 84 million ($2.3 million) from volunteers and charitable organizations on the pretenses of selling drones for the military, an investigation by Ukrainska Pravda published on Dec. 8 reveals. https://kyivindependent.com/media-fraudulent-scheme-steals-money-on-drone-purchases-from-volunteers/

⚡️Germany hands over shells, drones, other equipment in latest delivery to Ukraine.
The delivered items included 11 reconnaissance drones, six border protection vehicles, eight off-road Zetros trucks, 100,000 first aid kits and other medical materials, 33 GMG automatic grenade launchers, and additional 155mm artillery shells. https://kyivindependent.com/germany-hands-over-shells-drones-other-equipment-in-latest-delivery-to-ukraine/

⚡️Russians, Belarusians to be allowed https://kyivindependent.com/russian-belarusian-athletes-allowed-to-compete-as-neutral-athletes-at-paris-olympics-in-2024/ to compete as neutral athletes at 2024 Paris Olympics.

⚡️ Armenia, Azerbaijan agree to exchange prisoners, work toward peace treaty https://kyivindependent.com/armenia-azerbaijan-exchange-prisoners-move-toward-peace-treaty/

Russia holds almost 500 Ukrainian medical workers captive, Ukraine's ambassador to the OSCE said, calling it a violation of the Geneva Conventions, Ukrinform reported on Dec. 8. https://kyivindependent.com/official-russia/

⚡️Guardian: The European Commission is expected to unlock 10 billion euros ($10.7 billion) in frozen funds for Hungary, the Guardian reported on Dec. 8, citing anonymous diplomatic sources.
The funds, which constitute about a third of Hungary's total suspended funding, will likely be released on Dec. 12, according to the media outlet. https://kyivindependent.com/guardian-eu-set-to-unlock-part-of-frozen-funds-for-hungary/

⚡️Bulgarian parliament overrides presidential veto to approve more military aid to Ukraine.
Bulgaria's national parliament approved on Dec. 8 two deliveries of military aid to Ukraine, one for air defense equipment and one for armored vehicles, the latter of which required the overriding of a veto by president Rumen Radev, according to state news agency BTA.
The agreement to provide Kyiv with over 100 previously written-off Soviet-era armored vehicles, already signed by both Sofia and Kyiv, had been initially sent back by Radev on Dec. 4 to parliament, which now approved the transfer again, with 162 votes in favor and 55 against. https://kyivindependent.com/bulgarian-parliament-overrides-presidential-veto-to-approve-more-military-aid-to-ukraine/ [yay!]

⚡️RFE/RL: Russian intelligence may receive data from Ukrainian surveillance cameras.
A Schemes investigation found that footage from surveillance cameras with Russian software goes directly to servers in Moscow with ties to the FSB. https://kyivindependent.com/rfe-rl-russian-intelligence-may-receive-data-from-ukrainian-surveillance-cameras/

⚡️German drone manufacturer Quantum City joins Diia City to produce drones in Ukraine. https://kyivindependent.com/german-drone-manufacturer-joins-diia-city-to-produce-drones-in-ukraine/

⚡️Poll: A poll released by the Pew Research Center on Dec. 8 found that 48% of Republicans and Republican-leaning independents think that the U.S. provides too much aid to Ukraine, out of a total of 31% of Americans across the political spectrum. https://kyivindependent.com/poll-close-to-50-of-republicans-think-the-us-is-providing-too-much-aid-to-ukraine/

⚡️Zelensky: Nearly 40 more Ukrainians evacuated from Gaza. https://kyivindependent.com/zelensky-nearly-40-more-ukrainians-evacuated-from-gaza/

Sexual violence has been a fixture in Ukraine's occupied land since 2014, but it really took off after the full-scale invasion. Among the cases of sexual violence investigated in Kherson and Zaporizhzhia oblasts, victims of rape included women spanning from 19 to 83 years of age.
Reports of domestic abuse are also on the rise in Ukrainian-controlled areas amid war. https://kyivindependent.com/ukrainian-women-fight-escalated-gender-based-violence-amid-war-2/

⚡️11 incidents involving civilian aircraft were recorded in Russia over the first eight days of December, including two on one day on several occasions, the independent Russian media outlet The Moscow Times reported on Dec. 8.
All of the planes that experienced serious incidents, including cabin depressurization, fires, engine and rudder failure, among other issues, eventually landed safely, although several were forced to make emergency landings. https://kyivindependent.com/russia-records-11-incidents-involving-civilian-airplanes-in-first-8-days-of-december @notimagain seems the level of incidents is increasing in seriousness.

A former director of a state-owned defense company and three others were charged over a scheme to embezzle Hr 3.9 million ($106,500) in funds for Su-27 aircraft parts, the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) reported on Dec. 8. https://kyivindependent.com/businessmen-charged-with-trying-to-steal-funds-for-military-aircraft-parts/

⚡️Prosecutors: Odesa man identified and arrested for spying for Russia. https://kyivindependent.com/prosecutors-ukrainian-spy-who-coordinated-russian-attacks-in-odesa-identified/

⚡️Russian cities cancel New Year celebrations to save money for war. https://kyivindependent.com/russian-cities-cancel-new-year-celebrations-to-save-money-for-war/

The human attack waves continue.

UNITED24 Media Telegram Highlights

According to Oleksandr Shtupun, the spokesman of the Defense Forces of the Tavria Region, Russia has withdrawn over 40,000 troops towards the Avdiyiv direction. He mentioned that the occupiers have been experiencing significant casualties in that area. However, despite these losses, there's a rapid deployment of reserves—specifically, Storm-Z and newly mobilized units.
Shtupun highlighted a concerning situation within the troops, describing the command's treatment of them as extremely harsh, akin to animals. Reports indicate instances where soldiers are left without adequate provisions such as food and water, resorting to consuming snow. There are numerous cases of frostbite due to the severe conditions. Nevertheless, there seems to be a continuation of their advancement, driven more by fear of their leadership than the fear of death.

Ukraine is preparing brigades for new offensive and defensive operations, — RBC-Ukraine with reference to Kuleba's statement in an interview with The Wall Street Journal.

Fruitful bilateral work between Ukraine and Sweden regarding the transfer of Gripen aircraft continues, — Ministry of Defense of Ukraine.

In the period from February 2022 to August 2023, parts for drone manufacturing were smuggled into Russia through more than 70 countries— Molfar research.
Investigators found that despite Western sanctions, the main drone manufacturer in Russia, the Izhevsk-based Zala Aero Group received most of its UAV parts through China, Taiwan, Hong Kong, the United Kingdom and Türkiye.

🏥 From January 1, the Russian occupiers will not provide medical care to residents with Ukrainian passports in the temporarily occupied territories — National Resistance Center of Ukraine.
A similar practice already exists in Starobilsk (Luhansk region): Ukrainians here are not provided with medical services without Russian documents, and pharmacies do not dispense medicines under social programs. [unutterable rotting disgusting pieces of faeces. Russians make hyenas look like height of compassion and civilization]

According to Yusov, the occupiers are making attempts to replicate Ukrainian naval drones, — Main Intelligence Directorate

🇩🇪Germany has delivered a new package of military aid to Ukraine
It includes:
• 1 Luna NG UAV;
• 10 Vector UAVs;
• 16 Mercedes-Benz Zetros;
• 6 vehicles for border guards;
• 70 HK GMG/GMW (automatic grenade launcher);
• 250 shells 155mm artillery ammunition;
• 100,000 First aid kits.

🇦🇺Australia will hand over a batch of Bushmaster armored personnel carriers to Ukraine by December 25, according to Australian Ambassador to Ukraine Bruce Edwards.

Britain extends sanctions against Belarus.
The sanctions were imposed on 17 representatives of the Belarusian judiciary, including prosecutors, judges and investigators involved in the repression of political activists, independent journalists and human rights defenders.

If Putin is elected to another 6-year term, he will surpass Stalin, who led the Soviet Union from 1924 to 1953, and become the longest-reigning Russian head of state since Empress Catherine the Great in the 18th century, — Der Spiegel