Ukraine Invasion: Part 52

[MagicFox]

Welcome to 52. Slava Ukraini 🇺🇦

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We have a basement in our wooden house too, not much use but better than nothing. My town has no public shelters, only semi-private ones in blocks of flats and schools and workplaces.

On the subject of statue destruction, I do think it's a shame to destroy parts of history, though completely understandable in the circumstances. I don't like that Finland pulled down Lenin statues and closed the Lenin museum for instance.

On the whole I think it a shame to commemorate bloody murderers. There's more of a case for not memorialising Lenin/Stalin and the rest than for not memorialising someone who happened to be of the USSR but was not herself a bloody murderer, I feel, but I can understand the urge to pull down a statue of someone from a nation which has just bombed the school that was behind that statue.

If you can get under the water, then yes, it actually would protect you. 2 weeks is a bit long to hold your breath for though.

DH says you'd want as much dense material as possible between you and any fallout. Earth, concrete, water, books, so long as it's dense it'll offer some protection. I'm planning on using my mother.

Assuming your DH isn’t rattled by Putin’s latest nonsense?

Kyiv Independent Telegram Highlights

⚡️ Trump's reelection revives talks in Europe on sending military personnel to Ukraine, Le Monde reports. (kyivindependent.com/uk-france-talks-on-troop-in-ukraine/)

⚡️ Russia's advance in Ukraine fastest since early 2022, analysts claim. (kyivindependent.com/russias-advance-in-ukraine-fastest-since-early-2022-analysts-say/)
The advance of Russian forces in Ukraine continues to gain pace, reaching a new weekly and monthly record, the independent Russian outlet Agentstvo reported on Nov. 25, citing its analysis of the DeepState monitoring group's data.

Russian forces have taken 600 square kilometers (232 square miles) since the start of November, which is more than in the entire October, setting a new record since early 2022, Agentstvo wrote.

⚡️The foreign ministers of Group of Seven (G7) countries are expected to agree to increase diplomatic pressure on China over the country's support for Russia's 'war machine' in Ukraine, Bloomberg reported on Nov. 25, citing an early draft of a communique seen by the publication. (https://kyivindependent.com/g7-expected-to-increase-pressure-on-china-over-support-for-russia-bloomberg-reports/)

⚡️North Korea expands (kyivindependent.com/north-korea-expands-plant-producing-missiles-used-by-russia-against-ukraine-researchers-tell-reuters/) plant producing missiles used by Russia against Ukraine, Reuters reports.
North Korea is expanding a key weapons production complex that assembles KN-23 short-range ballistic missiles used by Russia against Ukraine, Reuters reported on Nov.25, citing researchers at the U.S.-based James Martin Center for Nonproliferation Studies (CNS) and satellite images.

⚡️UK boosts Kyiv's arsenal with more Storm Shadows (kyivindependent.com/uk-boosts-kyivs-arsenal-with-more-storm-shadows-amid-starmers-support-pledge-bloomberg-reports/) amid Starmer's support pledge, Bloomberg reports.

⚡️Germany to deliver 2 IRIS-T air defense systems (kyivindependent.com/germany-to-deliver-2-iris-t-air-defense-systems-to-ukraine-by-years-end-ministry-says/) to Ukraine by year's end, ministry says.

⚡️No indication (kyivindependent.com/no-indication-north-korean-troops-are-moving-into-ukraine-pentagon-says/) North Korean troops are moving into Ukraine, Pentagon says.
"What we're seeing is that (North Korean troops are) positioned around the Kursk region, not moving into Ukraine at the moment," Pentagon Deputy Press Secretary Sabrina Singh said on Nov. 25 during a press briefing.

⚡️ Russia launches record 188 drones (https://kyivindependent.com/russia-launches-record-188-drones-against-ukraine-overnight/) against Ukraine overnight.

⚡️Drone coalition to gather (kyivindependent.com/drone-coalition-to-allocate-1-8-billion-to-ukraine-by-end-of-2024/) $1.8 billion by end of 2024, defense minister says.

Ukraine war latest: Ukrainian drones reportedly hit oil depot (kyivindependent.com/ukraine-war-latest-43/)in Russia's Kaluga Oblast

⚡️ Ukraine's Defense Ministry investigating faulty mortar shells (kyivindependent.com/ukraines-defense-ministry-investigating-faulty-mortar-shells/) following complaints.
An interdepartmental commission is investigating the supply of faulty 120 mm mortar shells to Ukrainian forces after multiple reports of them misfiring, the Defense Ministry announced on Nov. 26.

⚡️ Ukraine's 3rd Brigade (kyivindependent.com/ukraines-3rd-brigade-kopanky/) says it cleared out Kharkiv Oblast village, took ex-convict POWs.
The topic was reportedly brought up during British Prime Minister Keir Starmer's visit to France on Nov. 11, as London and Paris do not rule out taking the lead in the pro-Kyiv coalition, the outlet writes.

A record 38 Russian Shahed-type drones entered Belarusian territory overnight on Nov. 24-25, with at least one of the drones reportedly shot down by the Belarusian Air Force, the monitoring group Belarusian Hajun reported.

⚡️ Ukraine's top energy company to receive $112 million (https://kyivindependent.com/dtek-112-million-from-us-eu/) from EU, US to restore facilities.
Russian attacks have destroyed 90% of DTEK's generation capacity during an aerial campaign in the spring and summer earlier this year.

⚡️ UK targets 30 tankers (kyivindependent.com/uk-targets-30-tankers-in-its-largest-sanctions-package-against-russias-shadow-fleet/) in its largest sanctions package against Russia's 'shadow fleet.'

⚡️ Russian lawmakers submit bill on Taliban (kyivindependent.com/russia-taliban-duma/)'s removal from terrorist list.

⚡️ UK national reportedly captured (kyivindependent.com/british-man-reportedly-captured/) by Russia while fighting for Ukraine. A video of a man in military fatigues, who identifies himself as former British army signalman James Scott Rhys Anderson, 22, began circulating on Russian Telegram channels on Nov. 24.

⚡️ MP walks back (kyivindependent.com/tkachenko-idps/) his statement on number of IDPs returning to occupied territories.
Ukrainian lawmaker Maksym Tkachenko said that his earlier statement about 150,000 internally displaced persons (IDP) returning to occupied territories was only his assumption, not based on real data, Ukrinform reported on Nov. 25. [@Hillsmakeyoustrong His statement previously backs up what you said a few pages ago. He's disowned it now, but it's clear that something along these lines is happening]

The Counteroffensive: Ukraine’s nuclear ambitions fueled by betrayal, hindered by feasibility (kyivindependent.com/the-counteroffensive-ukraines-nuclear-ambitions-are-fueled-by-betrayal-hindered-by-feasibility/)
The growing sentiment for nuclear deterrence in Ukraine is hindered by the stark reality of insufficient infrastructure, funds, and technical capacity to build nuclear weapons, writes The Counteroffensive reporter Mariana Lastovyria.

⚡️ 'You're repeating Russian propaganda,' Ukrainian boxing champion Klitschko (https://kyivindependent.com/joe-rogan-klitschko/) responds to podcaster Joe Rogan.

⚡️ 51% of Americans oppose military aid (kyivindependent.com/51-of-americans-oppose-aid-to-ukraine-poll-shows/) for Ukraine, poll shows.
U.S. citizens remain split on whether to continue sending military support to Ukraine, with a razor-thin majority voicing opposition, according to a CBS/YouGov poll published on Nov. 25.

⚡️ Russian attacks against Ukraine kill 2, injure 45 (kyivindependent.com/russian-attacks-against-ukraine-kill-2/) over past day.
⚡️ 5 injured by Russian drone during humanitarian aid distribution in Mykolaiv Oblast. (kyivindependent.com/5-injured-by-russian-drone-in-mykolaiv-oblast/)
⚡️ Update: 11 injured (kyivindependent.com/odesa-attack-nov25/) in Russian attack on Odesa.
⚡️UN has recorded (kyivindependent.com/un-records-over-370-sexual-violence-cases-related-to-russian-war-against-ukraine/) 376 sexual violence cases related to Russian war against Ukraine. [ and if you believe that that is all that's happened, you are so naive you shouldn't leave the house]

Ragnar Bjartur Gudmundsson 🇺🇦‬ ‪NOV 26, 2024

■ Reported engagements, casualties & equipment losses above 7-day average
■ Vehicle & drone losees well above average
■ Fewer strikes on both sides but locations for 🇺🇦 strikes include five command posts

UNITED24 Media Telegram Highlights

European countries have resumed discussions on the possible deployment of troops to Ukraine — Le Monde.
The debate, initially proposed by French President Emmanuel Macron during a February meeting in Paris, faced strong opposition from several European nations, led by Germany. However, the idea “has not been shelved.” According to Le Monde, it has gained renewed momentum in recent weeks, particularly following British Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s visit to France during the November 11 celebrations.
"Negotiations are underway between Great Britain and France on defense cooperation, aimed at forming a strong coalition of European allies with a focus on Ukraine and broader European security," a British military source told Le Monde.

A Ukrainian delegation led by Defense Minister Rustem Umerov is set to visit South Korea to discuss military assistance, according to the South China Morning Post.

Speaking at an event hosted by the Center for European Policy, a think tank, Bauer highlighted that deterrence extends beyond military capabilities, encompassing all tools available in modern warfare.
“We see this in the rising number of sabotage attacks, and Europe feels it in energy supplies.
We thought we had a deal with Gazprom, but in reality, we had a deal with Mr. Putin. The same applies to infrastructure and goods tied to China—we are actually dealing with [Chinese President] Xi Jinping,” Bauer explained.
He also underscored the West’s heavy dependence on China, which produces 60% of the world’s rare earths and processes 90% of them. Additionally, key chemical ingredients for tranquilizers, antibiotics, anti-inflammatory drugs, and blood pressure medications come from China.

Russia’s ground forces are now larger than when Moscow launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, but the quality of its troops and equipment has declined, according to Dutch Admiral Rob Bauer, chairman of NATO’s Military Committee.
“The Russians are not the same threat at the moment as they were in February 2022, so we have some time to prepare,” Bauer said. He emphasized the need to boost investments in the defense industry to ensure readiness.

North Korea is expanding the February 11 plant, part of the Ryongsong machine-building complex in Hamhung, the country’s second-largest city on the east coast. The facility is the only known manufacturer of solid-fueled Hwasong-11 ballistic missiles, according to Sam Leir, a research fellow at the James Martin Center for Nonproliferation Studies (CNS).
Satellite imagery from early October, analyzed by CNS researchers, shows significant construction activity, including a new assembly building and housing for workers. Pyongyang is also improving access to the complex's underground facilities. A previously obstructive overhead crane blocking a tunnel entrance has been removed, indicating increased focus on that area, Leir noted.
In 2023, state media images reviewed by Reuters showed North Korean leader Kim Jong-un inspecting new buildings at the Hamhung complex, where workers were assembling missile tail sections and nose cones, believed to be for the KN-23.
Previously released footage from North Korean state media showed the facility producing items ranging from tank wheels to rocket engine housings, Leir added.
The KN-23, first tested in May 2019, is designed to evade missile defenses by flying a lower, "depressed" trajectory. Experts say this capability makes it potentially valuable to Russia as it seeks ways to penetrate Ukraine’s air defenses.

Kyiv Post Telegram Highlights

Britain Has Supplied Ukraine with Dozens of Storm Shadow Missiles — Bloomberg
The delivery reportedly took place before London lifted restrictions on Ukraine’s use of this weaponry.
"The shipments, which were not publicly disclosed, occurred several weeks ago and were arranged after Kyiv ran out of long-range missiles," the publication’s sources said.

France will deliver a military aid package to Ukraine in the coming weeks, which will include missiles primarily funded by revenues from frozen Russian assets, French Defense Minister Lecornu announced.

Epic footage overnight as some of Russia's best anti-aircraft systems proved no match for incoming Ukrainian ATACAMS in Russia's Kursk region as 8 Missiles targeted the area of the “Kursk Vostochny” airbase.
S-400 systems reportedly liquidated along with other targets.
Kyiv Post cannot yet confirm authenticity of video. https://t.me/Kyivpost_official/26833

Russia Prepares for Ukrainian Airborne Assault in Crimea as Partisans Highlight Growing Defenses
https://www.kyivpost.com/post/42821 [this implies an attack by Ukraine, which was rather counter-indicated by Zelensky's recent comments (assumign the translation was accurate)]

A pro-Russian, far right candidate, previously criticized for fascist sympathies and ousted by a far right party in 2022 for his controversial statements, came out on top in Romania's presidential elections with promotion mainly from TikTok.
www.kyivpost.com/post/42786

The US has officially confirmed authorizing Ukraine to use ATACMS against targets in Russian territory.

Kyiv Post Morning News Roundup for November 26th, 2024
https://www.kyivpost.com/post/42826

Russians Executed 5 Ukrainian Prisoners of War on the Pokrovske Front
On November 13, Russians launched an assault on Ukrainian positions near the village of Petrivka in the Pokrovske district. Five Ukrainian servicemen, retreating, took shelter in a private house, which was soon surrounded by the enemy.
The Russians captured them, forced to leave the shelter and lie on the ground, then executed. https://t.me/Kyivpost_official/26845

Live: Ukraine Telegram Highlights

🇪🇺 The EU has failed to provide Ukraine with sufficient aid to repel Russian strikes, stated Josep Borrell, the EU’s High Representative for Foreign Affairs.
This year, the EU allocated €122 billion in aid to Ukraine, of which €45 billion was military support. However, Ukraine has not received enough air defense systems to protect its infrastructure or sufficient ammunition to fend off Russian attacks.

❗️The White House has confirmed that Ukraine used ATACMS in Russia’s Kursk oblast.

The head of the special task force on Ukraine at Germany’s Ministry of Defense, General Christian Freuding, stated that Germany observes signs indicating that the Russian army aims to achieve capabilities by 2029 to carry out a new aggression, potentially against a NATO state.

He emphasized that Russia currently poses, and will remain, the greatest threat to Western Europe and Europe as a whole in the foreseeable future.

Ukrainian intelligence operatives have evacuated 15 cats from Snake Island

https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-november-25-2024

Key Takeaways:

• Russian forces continue to make significant tactical advances in western Donetsk Oblast and are coming closer to enveloping Velyka Novosilka and advancing towards important Ukrainian ground lines of communication (GLOCs) supplying the rest of western Donetsk Oblast and running into eastern Dnipropetrovsk and Zaporizhia oblasts.
• Russian advances in western Donetsk Oblast may become operationally significant if the Russian command properly exploits these recent tactical successes, which is not a given. Russian advances in western Donetsk Oblast do not automatically portend the collapse of the Ukrainian frontline.
• Ukrainian forces struck a Russian oil depot in Kaluga Oblast and an airbase in Kursk Oblast on the night of November 24 to 25.
• Ukrainian military officials continue to warn of potential Russian ground operations against Zaporizhzhia City, though the timeline and scale of this offensive operation remain unclear due to the operational constraints imposed by ongoing Russian operations in Kursk and Donetsk oblasts.
• North Korea is reportedly expanding a key weapons facility likely used to supply Russia with ballistic missiles.
• The Kremlin signaled that it would remove the Taliban from its list of prohibited organizations amid intensified Russia-Taliban rapprochement.
• Russian forces recently advanced in southwestern Toretsk and south and southeast of Pokrovsk.
• Russian command posts are reportedly relying on Chinese-made radios for internal communications because Russia cannot domestically produce enough quality radios for the Russian military.

I'm planning on using my mother.

😁

LOL @BringBackCoffeeCreams !

Sorry, messed up the Kyiv Indep post a bit.

@DucklingSwimmingInstructress I'm just grateful you do them. We're all human, no apology needed.

@BringBackCoffeeCreams thanks for the giggle.

He bought a trailer full of bags of soil when Putin first kicked off. His plan was to lay them all across the living room floor if it all kicked off, creating a dense 'roof' over the basement underneath.

He's used them all on the potato patch now and hasn't made any move to replace them. He's also started feeding his tinned fish stockpile to the cats.

So listening to a retired chief of staff on radio 4 this afternoon he was very much for a p negotiated end to the conflict given that realistically Ukraine may not in the immediate future recapture lost territory and failure to reach a ceasefire will cost Ukaraine more lives without any strategic gains.

Whilst pragmatic I think rewarding Putin for aggression would only set up for a dangerous geopolitical stalemate where a Russia which is determined to rearm will look to its next aggressive action either in Ukraine or elsewhere. Seeing Ukraine pushed under the bus a bit by equivocal western support is not a recipe for a peaceful world in my opinion.

My fear over the western cracks shown here is that maybe everyone is questioning article 5 in their innermost discussions and truly wondering what the US responsw would be if say for instance Russia attacked Poland. Would the US commit significant resource to Poland for example and definitely risk ww3 when Poland is far from the US and potentially under a Trump or Trump like presidency?

An isolationist US will may be not fundamentally undermine NATO but there may be creeping insecurity for countries bordering Russia and as the West called Russia's bluff with the Ukrainian long range missiles could not Russia do the same with the west....just this time it would be the US promising a decisive potentially nuclear reponse?

Starting to think that the best option is a negotiated settlement (grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr) , get Ukraine into NATO and a really strong re-armament by Europe and just as important either strong controls on social media or banning tiktok, Twitter, Snapchat etc. The level of warfare there is so very high.

I fear that we cannot rely on the States now. The US guarentee of Ukrainian independence failed, very sadly, which does call a number of things into question, even very big ones, and the terrible descent of politics in the last decade to a Trumpian USA means that the question is more pressing. It's way past time the EU united defensively ... although whether it really will is a good question.

Kyiv Independent Telegram Highlights

Once liberated Kupiansk braces for worst as Russian troops approach, and future Western support looks uncertain (https://kyivindependent.com/once-liberated-kupiansk-braces-for-the-worst-as-russians-approach-and-future-western-support-looks-uncertain/)

⚡️Biden shifts policies to strengthen Ukraine (kyivindependent.com/biden-shifts-policies-to-strengthen-ukraine-ahead-of-potential-peace-talks-wp-reports/) ahead of potential peace talks, WP reports.

⚡️ Biden asking US Congress for $24 billion (kyivindependent.com/biden-24-billion-politico/) in Ukraine aid, arms replenishment, Politico reports.
Roughly $16 billion of the sum would be used to restock U.S. arsenals, while the remaining $8 billion would go to the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative (USAI), the outlet wrote.

Russian authorities confirmed on Nov. 26 the capture and detention of James Scott Rhys Anderson, a U.K. national fighting for Ukraine in Russia's Kursk Oblast. https://kyivindependent.com/russia-captures-uk-volunteer/

⚡️Russian Defense Ministry admits (kyivindependent.com/ukraine-hits-airbase-in-kursk-oblast-with-atacms-missile-russian-defense-ministry-claims/) that Ukraine hit airbase in Kursk Oblast with ATACMS.

⚡️Ukraine pushes (kyivindependent.com/ukraine-push-back-russian-troops-from-kupiansk-military-says/) back Russian troops from Kupiansk, military says.

⚡️Norway may increase aid to Ukraine to $2.7 billion (kyivindependent.com/norway-may-increase-aid-to-ukraine-to-2-7-billion-in-2025/) in 2025.

Ukraine has received a $4.8 billion loan from the World Bank through the PEACE project for social expenditures, Prime Minister Denys Shymhal said on Nov. 27. kyivindependent.com/ukraine-receives-4-8-billion-from-world-bank/

⚡️US Air Force notes drone activity (kyivindependent.com/us-air-force-notes-drone-activity-over-military-bases-in-uk-reuters-reports/) over military bases in UK, Reuters reports.
Unidentified drones have flown over three U.S. Air Force bases in the U.K. in the past week, U.S. officials said on Nov. 26.

⚡️ Russia's ruble sinks to 2022 March levels (https://kyivindependent.com/ruble-gazprombank/) after US sanctions on Gazprombank.

⚡️ EU's upcoming Russia sanctions to target North Korean officials, Chinese, Indian companies, Ukrainian official says. (kyivindependent.com/eu-15th-sanctions-package/)
The EU's 15th sanctions package will include 30 legal entities from at least eight countries and 50 individuals, the Ukrainian president’s commissioner for sanctions, Vladyslav Vlasiuk, said on Nov. 26.

⚡️Gazprom plans for end of gas transit (kyivindependent.com/gazprom-plans-for-end-of-gas-transit-via-ukraine-after-2024-reuters-reports/) via Ukraine after 2024, Reuters reports.

⚡️Turkey in talks with US over sanctions exemption (kyivindependent.com/turkey-in-talks-with-us-over-sanctions-exemption-for-russian-natural-gas-payments/) for Russian natural gas payments.

⚡️ Supreme Court dismisses oligarch Kolomoisky (kyivindependent.com/kolomoisky-privatbank/)'s appeal for restoring Privatbank ownership.

⚡️NATO-Ukraine Council convenes (kyivindependent.com/nato-ukraine-council-convenes-following-russias-use-of-oreshnik-missile/) following Russia's use of Oreshnik missile.

⚡️Umerov-led delegation arrives (kyivindependent.com/umerov-led-delegation-arrives-in-seoul-to-request-weapons-military-aid-media-reports/) in South Korea seeking weapons, military aid, media reports.

⚡️Ukrainian energy giant says it's 'disappointed (https://kyivindependent.com/ukraines-energy-giant-responds-to-ebrd-over-company-funding-comments/)' by report on EBRD's refusal to fund it.
Ukraine’s largest private energy company, DTEK, said on Nov. 26 that it was "disappointed" by a report that the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) would not provide funds to DTEK due to its ownership by oligarch Rinat Akhmetov.

What’s next for frozen Russian assets under Trump (https://kyivindependent.com/russian-assets-seized-under-repo-act-face-uncertain-future-under-trump/)
There are some $4-5 billion of frozen Russian assets in the U.S. and it will be up to President-elect Donald Trump to decide what to do with them when he takes office in January 2025.
After Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Western nations froze around $300 billion of assets belonging to the Russian Central Bank. The EU harbors around $220 billion, with $192 billion frozen in Brussels-based company Euroclear, as well as $26 billion in private assets.

Opinion: Russia is leveraging gold and working with China to bypass Western sanctions
(kyivindependent.com/opinion-russia-is-leveraging-gold-and-working-with-china-to-bypass-western-sanctions/)
Russia is using gold and informal trade networks, with China’s help, to sidestep Western sanctions, write Francesca Ghiretti, John Kennedy, and Maxime Sommerfeld Antoniou of RAND in their op-ed.

⚡️ Russia using bombers it received from Ukraine in 1999, RFE/RL reports. (kyivindependent.com/russia-ukraine-bombers-rferl/)
Russia actively uses at least six Tu-160-type bombers that Ukraine gave to Russia in 1999 as a payment of gas debt, Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty's (RFE/RL) Schemes' investigation showed on Nov. 26.
The investigation also identified pilots flying the planes and launching missile strikes against Ukraine.

⚡️Ukraine not opposed to exhumation (kyivindependent.com/ukraine-not-opposed-to-the-exhumation-of-volyn-massacre-victims-on-its-territory-foreign-ministry-says/) of Volyn massacre victims on its territory, Foreign Ministry says.

Ukraine’s drones have a reputation for low cost. Buntar Aerospace wants to make them boutique (https://kyivindependent.com/ukraines-drones-have-a-reputation-for-low-cost-buntar-aerospace-wants-to-make-them-boutique/)

⚡️Ukrainian MP from Zelensky's party nominates (kyivindependent.com/ukrainian-mp-proposes-trump-for-nobel-peace-prize/) Trump for Nobel Peace Prize.

⚡️ Russian attacks across Ukraine kill 2, injure 17 (kyivindependent.com/attacks-107/) over past day.

Ragnar Bjartur Gudmundsson 🇺🇦‬

• NOV 27, 2024 ■ 4th highest number of engagements, casualties & equipment losses well above 7-day average ■ Janovsky: 72 🇷🇺 20 🇺🇦 added (3.6:1); 30-day ratio at 2.3x ■ Improved strike ratio despite an increase in 🇷🇺 MLRS strikes

UNITED24 Media Telegram Highlights

G7 to Disburse $50 Billion in Loans to Ukraine by Year-End
The Group of Seven (G7) countries expressed concern over Russia’s escalatory actions in Ukraine and confirmed plans to begin disbursing $50 billion in loans to Ukraine by the end of 2024, according to a joint statement from their meeting in Italy, as reported by Voice of America.

🌐💵 Ukraine Receives $4.8 Billion from World Bank under PEACE Project

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Sybiha Meets EU’s Josep Borrell During G7 Ministerial Meeting

Russia Fails to Secure Seat on Chemical Weapons Executive Board
Russia was not elected to the Executive Board of the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW).

⚡️Kazakhstan to Boost Oil Transit Bypassing Russia by 13-Fold
Kazakhstan plans to increase oil transit volumes bypassing Russia from 1.5 million tons to 20 million tons.
This shift will reduce Kazakhstan’s reliance on Russian routes by over 80%, marking a significant step toward diversifying its energy export pathways.

Czech Intelligence Chief Warns of Future Russian Aggression if Ukraine Accepts a “Bad Peace”
Michal Koudelka, the head of Czech intelligence, warned that if Ukraine agrees to a “bad peace” involving significant concessions, Russia will interpret it as a victory. He predicts that the Kremlin would use the next 10-15 years to rebuild its military and then pose a serious threat to Central and Eastern Europe.

Scholz: Conversations with Putin Were Never Pleasant
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz revealed that he had numerous phone conversations with Russian President Vladimir Putin until the end of 2022, none of which were pleasant.

🙏 Stained Glass Window of Hryhoriy Skovoroda Survives Russian Shelling in Kharkiv

Kyiv Post Telegram Highlights

Ukraine has lost between 60,000 and 100,000 soldiers killed in action during the full-scale war with Russia. An estimated 400,000 soldiers have likely been wounded.
These figures are reported by The Economist, citing intelligence reports, defense agencies, and open sources.

Russia Bombards Ukraine With Record Drone Barrage
www.kyivpost.com/post/42852

Washington May Permit US Defense Contractors to Assist Ukraine
www.kyivpost.com/post/42834

Germany allocates €65 million for Ukraine’s infrastructure.
The funds will be provided for the repair of Ukraine’s energy infrastructure through the Credit Institution for Reconstruction

Russian Telegram channels have reported an attack on the “Belbek” airfield in Russian-occupied Crimea.

Footage of Ukrainian forces taking out a series of Russian positions with Bradley Fighting Vehicles — Analysis
www.kyivpost.com/videos/42871

Kyiv Post Morning News Roundup for November 27th, 2024
www.kyivpost.com/post/42884

The Russian Ruble enters full collapse mode.

Live: Ukraine Telegram Highlights

Troops Capture Nearly 235 km² in a Week
This marks the fastest advance in a single week during 2024, according to Reuters.

🇹🇷 Turkey Negotiates with the US to Lift Certain Sanctions on Russia, Reports Bloomberg
Turkey’s goal is to continue making payments to Gazprombank for importing Russian natural gas.
“These sanctions will affect Turkey. If we cannot pay, we cannot buy goods. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is negotiating on this,” stated Minister of Energy Alparslan Bayraktar.
Russia remains Turkey’s largest gas supplier, accounting for approximately 42% of its imports last year.

🇺🇸 U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken stated that the United States will provide Ukraine with everything necessary to “fight through 2025.”

🇺🇦🇵🇱Ukraine and Poland sign joint declaration on exhumations of Volhynia massacre victims
Ukraine and Poland have agreed to establish a joint working group under the auspices of their respective ministries of culture. The group aims to facilitate detailed cooperation and mutual understanding on exhumation efforts related to the Volhynia tragedy.

Ukraine has expressed interest in acquiring the building of the Russian Consulate General in Poznan, Poland, and has already sent an official request – Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha

Russians are using the strategic bombers Tu-160, which Ukraine transferred to Russia in 1999, according to an investigation (www.radiosvoboda.org/a/skhemy-ukrayina-rosiya-bombarduvalnyky-tu-160-tu-95/33216372.html) by “Schemes.”
Currently, at least six of these bombers are operational in the Russian military. Journalists discovered this by matching the aircraft numbers from the 1999 agreement with those provided by intelligence sources.
▪️Under the agreement, Ukraine transferred 11 Tu-160 bombers, 575 Kh-55 cruise missiles, 12 turboprop engines, ground and radio-electronic equipment, and other spare parts to Moscow in exchange for writing off gas debts. The entire package was valued at $275 million, though its real worth was reportedly ten times higher.
▪️This deal was made by then-Prime Minister of Ukraine Valeriy Pustovoitenko and Vladimir Putin. Investigators claim that the aircrafts were handed over without the approval of the Verkhovna Rada, despite legal requirements for such consent.
▪️Former Ukrainian President Leonid Kuchma told “Schemes” that at the time, the transfer of bombers and missiles to Russia was “technically and economically justified and did not pose realistic threats.” He added that even if Ukraine had retained the aircraft, it would not have significantly helped in defending against Russia today.

https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-november-26-2024

Key Takeaways:

• Russian officials continue to demonstrate that the Kremlin aims to seize more territory in Ukraine than it currently occupies and is unwilling to accept compromises or engage in good faith negotiations, no matter who mediates such talks.
• The Russian military's rate of advance since Fall 2024 has notably increased recently compared to its rate of advance in 2023 and the rest of 2024, but recent Western media reports comparing recent Russian gains to those at the start of Russia's full-scale invasion continue to mischaracterize the gradual and tactical nature of Russia's recent advances.
• US National Security Council Spokesperson John Kirby confirmed Ukraine's usage of US-provided ATACMS against Russia amid official Russian confirmation of recent Ukrainian ATACMS strikes.
• Russian forces launched a record number of drones against Ukraine on the night of November 25 to 26 as Russia continue to increase their use of decoy drones in long-range strike packages targeting Ukrainian energy infrastructure in order to overwhelm Ukrainian air defense systems.
• Russian state media reported that the Russian Ministry of Defense (MoD) replaced former Russian Southern Military District (SMD) and Southern Grouping of Forces commander Colonel General Gennady Anashkin with Eastern Military District (EMD) acting commander Lieutenant General Alexander Sanchik.
• Russian forces continue to execute Ukrainian prisoners of war (POWs) amid a surge of recent Russian war crimes.
• The Russian State Duma is preparing the legal mechanisms to remove the Taliban from the Russian government’s official list of banned terrorist organizations.
• Ukrainian forces recently regained lost positions near Kreminna, and Russian forces recently advanced near Pokrovsk, Kurakhove, and Velyka Novosilka.
• A Russian milblogger complained on November 25 that Russian forces often operate artillery without coordinating between different Russian elements, highlighting significant communications issues between armored vehicle and infantry units.
• Russian authorities continue to incentivize service in Ukraine through one-time payment offers, likely in order to avoid conducting another partial involuntary reserve callup.

Trump has appointed Lt General Keith Kellogg (retired) as his special envoy for Ukraine.

Trump taps retired General Keith Kellogg for Ukraine envoy role

This just came out today, so there's not much reaction yet. I've seen him on the news, talking about his trips to Ukraine. He comes across as very sharp, tough, and level-headed. He's still going to take policy direction from Trump. At least Trump picked someone with a military background instead of a diplomat or "security advisor."

Russian forces continue to execute Ukrainian prisoners of war (POWs) amid a surge of recent Russian war crimes.

I don't suppose that there will ever be any "exemplary justice" like there was in Nuremberg.

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stalag_Luft_III_murders#Trials

https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-november-27-2024

Key Takeaways:

• Ukrainian forces continue to leverage Western-provided weapons to conduct strikes using more complex strike packages against military objects in Russia's deep rear.
• Russian President Vladimir Putin and Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev met in Astana on November 27 and signed a joint statement deepening the Russian-Kazakh strategic partnership within the framework of Russia's efforts to establish a "new world order."
• The Russian military command may have imposed controversial restrictions on the use of personal vehicles by Russian volunteers delivering military and humanitarian aid to Russian troops on the frontlines, likely as part of an ongoing force centralization effort.
• Ukrainian forces recently advanced within Toretsk, and Russian forces recently advanced in the Pokrovsk and Kurakhove directions, and within the main Ukrainian salient in Kursk Oblast.
• The Kremlin continues to promote the "Time of Heroes" program that aims to militarize the Russian government at the local, regional, and federal levels as a way to prevent the return of "Afghan syndrome" in Russia.

Putin making the Ukrainians suffer this morning 😭 -4 in Kharkiv for example and 1m people across Ukraine without power. It must be absolutely miserable.