Ukraine Invasion: Part 52

[MagicFox]

Welcome to 52. Slava Ukraini 🇺🇦

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

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Agree! It seems that SK’s democracy has survived a serious challenge. I was quite impressed that despite the fact it was the middle of the night and utter chaos that all of the politicians were in full business suits 😂

Speaking of bellends......

https://x.com/TuckerCarlson/status/1864092222091657502

Kyiv Independent Telegram Highlights

⚡️ Ukraine asking NATO for 20 air defense systems (kyivindependent.com/ukraine-20-air-defense-systems/) to prevent blackouts.

⚡️ Ukraine, EU sign agreement on up to 35 billion euro (kyivindependent.com/ukraine-eu-sign-agreement-on-up-to-35-billion-euros/) loan covered by Russian assets revenue.
Ukraine's Finance Ministry and the EU signed a memorandum and an agreement to attract up to 35 billion euros ($36.7 billion) as part of the G7 loan, the ministry said on Dec. 4.

⚡️ Russia to send mercenaries (kyivindependent.com/russia-syria-mercenaries/) to Syria to reinforce its troops, Ukrainian intelligence claims.
Russia is sending private mercenaries to Syria to reinforce its troops, possibly its so-called Africa Corps, the Ukrainian military intelligence agency (HUR) claimed on Dec. 3

Fall of Aleppo deals blow to Russia's Middle East clou (kyivindependent.com/fall-of-aleppo-deals-blow-to-russias-middle-east-clout-may-indirectly-strengthen-ukraines-hand/)t, may indirectly strengthen Ukraine's hand

⚡️Ukraine, US sign energy resilience memorandum (kyivindependent.com/ukraine-us-sign-energy-resilience-memorandum/) worth $825 million.

⚡️ Ukrainian drones allegedly strike Russia's Ryazan Oblast, explosions reported near airbase. (https://kyivindependent.com/ryazan-oblast-drones/)

The latest Western sanctions against 50 Russian banks forced Russian importers to use complex and underhand schemes to pay their Chinese sellers, the Moscow Times reported on Dec. 2, citing undisclosed business sources. https://kyivindependent.com/western-sanctions-force-russian-importers-to-smuggle-their-goods-media-reports/

⚡️Ukraine accelerating (kyivindependent.com/ukraine-accelerating-missile-production-zelensky-says/) missile production, Zelensky says.

⚡️Abkhaz council votes against (kyivindependent.com/abkhaz-council-votes-against-ratification-of-controversial-agreement-with-russia/) ratification of controversial agreement with Russia.
The council of Russian-occupied Abkhazia against a controversial investment agreement with Moscow, which sparked mass protests last month, Interfax reported on Dec. 3.

⚡️ Chinese man arrested (kyivindependent.com/chinese-man-arrested-in-us-on-suspicions-of-arms-shipments-to-north-korea/) in US on suspicions of arms shipments to North Korea.
A Chinese man illegally residing in the U.S. was arrested for allegedly shipping weapons to North Korea from the U.S., the Justice Department said in a statement on Dec. 3.

Journalists, anti-corruption groups denounce (kyivindependent.com/journalists-anti-corruption-groups-denounce-ukraines-attempt-to-increase-punishment-for-state-leaks/) Ukraine’s attempt to increase punishment for state leaks

⚡️ Parliament approves Naftogaz chief Chernyshov (kyivindependent.com/chernyshov/) as vice-PM and 'minister for national unity.'

⚡️ 200 mental health centers to be launched (kyivindependent.com/200-mental-health-centers-to-be-launched-in-ukraine/) in Ukraine.
Ukraine plans to establish nearly 200 mental health facilities, the Health Ministry reported on Dec. 3.
“We strive to create a network of mental health centers that will become a key link for people who need highly specialized help,” the ministry’s statement said.

⚡️Yale study names over 300 Ukrainian children forcibly deported (kyivindependent.com/yale-study-names-over-300-ukrainian-children-forcibly-deported-to-russia/) to Russia. Russia has carried out a "systematic, intentional, and widespread" program of forced adoption and Russification of Ukrainian children, according to a study from the Yale School of Public Health.

⚡️ Tucker Carlson (https://kyivindependent.com/tucker-carlson-lavrov/) says he's back in Russia and interviewed Lavrov.

⚡️UNESCO adds Ukrainian egg decoration to intangible cultural heritage (kyivindependent.com/unesco-adds-ukrainian-egg-decoration-to-intangible-cultural-heritage-list/) list.

⚡️ Russian attacks against Kherson, Donetsk oblasts kill 6, (kyivindependent.com/attacks-109/) injure 16 over past day.

‪Ragnar Bjartur Gudmundsson 🇺🇦 DEC 4, 2024
■ Casualties slightly below the 7-day average, engagements slightly above it
■ APV, tank, vehicle & artillery losses are above average
■ Increase in 🇷🇺 strikes, unfavorable strike ratio

UNITED24 Media Telegram Highlights

❗️ South Korean President Declares Martial Law
South Korean President Yoon Seok-yul has declared martial law following an emergency meeting, according to Yonhap News Agency.
The decision comes amid political turmoil, with threats of governmental paralysis linked to attempts to initiate impeachment proceedings against him. [Ok, things are not good in the UK ime but at least no govt has called martial law out of pique!]

⚡️🇰🇷 The South Korean parliament has passed a resolution calling for the lifting of martial law.

🇺🇸 U.S. to Supply Ukraine with Three Types of Anti-Personnel Mines
The United States will provide Ukraine with three types of anti-personnel mines, according to The New York Times:
• ADAM: A 155-mm M692/M731 projectile that releases 36 small mines after detonating in the air.
• MOPMS: A modular mine system carried by soldiers, deploying 17 anti-tank mines and four anti-personnel mines.
• Volcano: A system for rapid minefield creation, capable of deploying both anti-personnel and anti-tank mines from trucks or helicopters.

Italian media report that the government is likely to approve its 10th military aid package for Ukraine by the end of December 2024.
Sources, speaking anonymously, did not disclose details of the package, as nearly all information about Italy’s military support for Ukraine remains classified.
Italy has consistently provided aid since the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion in February 2022.

Russia and Belarus to Establish Three Joint Military Training Centers
Russia and Belarus plan to create three training centers for joint military exercises, announced Gennady Lepyeshko, chairman of the Standing Committee on National Security of Belarus.
• In Belarus, the center will be located in the Grodno region.
• In Russia, centers will be established in the Nizhny Novgorod and Kaliningrad regions.
Personnel training for these centers is already underway in military institutions of both countries.
Lepyeshko also highlighted ongoing defense cooperation, including:
• Implementation of three allied defense programs in 2023, focusing on border security and military infrastructure.
• Signing of over 160 agreements on joint military activities for 2025.

🇦🇹 Austria Contributes $10 Million to Ukraine’s Reconstruction via World Bank

Russian Ombudsman Claims Ukraine Refuses to Repatriate 630 POWs; Ukraine Denies Allegation

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Criticizes Budapest Memorandum in Brussels
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha brought the original Budapest Memorandum to Brussels, calling it a "failed document" that did not secure Ukrainian or transatlantic security.

The memorandum [$825 Million Energy Sustainability Memorandum] provides a framework for strengthening Ukraine’s energy system, restoring critical infrastructure, implementing distributed energy generation, reforming the energy sector, and transitioning to a low-carbon economy post-war.

Yale Researchers Identify 314 Ukrainian Children Abducted by Russia
The children were relocated to at least 21 regions of Russia, where they were exposed to “pro-state and militaristic propaganda.” Of these, 166 have been placed with Russian families.
The program, which forcibly adopts Ukrainian children into Russian families, is managed by Vladimir Putin and Maria Lvova-Belova, Russia’s Commissioner for Children’s Rights. Both are subject to an International Criminal Court arrest warrant for these actions

🕯 Mayor of Dniprorudne Killed in Russian Captivity

Dniprorudne was seized by Russian forces in late February 2022, and Matvieiev was subsequently taken prisoner. He endured two years and eight months in captivity, reportedly subjected to torture.

Kyiv Post Telegram Highlights

NATO head warns that the US will be under enormous threat if Ukraine is forced into a "peace" on the terms of Russia, Iran and North Korea.
www.kyivpost.com/post/43251

Despite Russia's centuries old track record of consistently using treaties and cease-fires as mere pauses to re-arm for larger offensives, European press is increasingly hopeful of just such an event.
www.kyivpost.com/post/43219

Russian media is reporting that drones have targets in Chechnya.
The target of the raid is said to have been the Chechen leader Kadyrov and his Special Police Regiment in Grozny.
Officially, the Russian authorities have not confirmed the attack.

Kyiv Post Morning News Roundup for December 4th, 2024
www.kyivpost.com/post/43259

Germany does not rule out deploying its peacekeeping forces to Ukraine to monitor a potential ceasefire, — German Foreign Minister Anna-Lena Baerbock

Live: Ukraine Telegram Highlights

Konstantin Malofeyev, a Russian oligarch close to Vladimir Putin, told (www.ft.com/content/ac39b604-ef6d-41cb-bb8c-0eb76e002176) the Financial Times that Putin is likely to reject a peace plan proposed by Trump-appointed special envoy Keith Kellogg.
Malofeyev asserted that Trump could only end the war if he revoked Washington’s decisions to supply long-range weapons, removed Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky from office, and then agreed to meet with Putin to “discuss all matters of global order at the highest level.”
However, Malofeyev warned that if the U.S. refuses to withdraw its support for Ukraine, Russia might deploy tactical nuclear weapons. “There will be a radiation zone that no one will ever enter for the rest of their lives,” he said. “And the war will be over.”
He added that Moscow would view the plan as a basis for long-term peace only if Trump is willing to discuss other global hotspots, including Middle Eastern conflicts, Russia’s alliance with China, and U.S. recognition of Ukraine as part of Kremlin’s core interests
Malofeyev also claimed that Western sanctions have united the Russian people and spurred economic growth

⚡️🇰🇷 The South Korean parliament passed a resolution calling for the repeal of martial law.
All 190 deputies who participated in the vote supported the decision.
According to South Korea’s Constitution, the president must revoke the martial law decree following a parliamentary vote.

South Korean special forces [stormed] the parliament building, local media report
🤡Meanwhile, Kim Jong Un has urged the South Korean president to “end the crackdown on freedom.”

🇱🇺 Luxembourg opposes Ukraine’s NATO membership, stated (www.spiegel.de/ausland/ukraine-luxemburg-lehnt-nato-beitritt-ab-a-c10b716e-7e76-4cd9-992a-29ec955dd029) the country’s Foreign Minister Xavier Bettel.

www.understandingw<a class="break-all" href="http://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-december-3-2024" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-december-3-2024

Key Takeaways:

• Russia is evacuating naval assets from its base in Tartus, Syria, which may suggest that Russia does not intend to send significant reinforcements to support Syrian President Bashar al Assad's regime in the near term.
• The US announced additional military assistance worth $725 million for Ukraine on December 2.
• Russian officials continue to perpetuate information operations about prisoner-of-war (POW) exchanges in order to portray Ukraine as unwilling to negotiate and to undermine Ukrainians' trust in their government.
• India is reportedly attempting to decouple its defense industry from Russia as it increases cooperation with Western defense companies and builds up its own defense industrial base (DIB).
• Ukrainian forces recently advanced in Kursk Oblast and regained lost positions near Kupyansk. Russian forces recently advanced near Toretsk, Pokrovsk, and Velyka Novosilka.
• Russian forces reportedly continued to suffer significant personnel and armored vehicle losses throughout November 2024 as they attempted to maintain intensified offensive operations in eastern Ukraine.

I’m seeing rumour that Hegseth is unlikely to pass the senate vote and that Trump is considering replacing him with DeSantis. What are your thoughts@MissConductUS ? I know more of DeSantis but not if he’d be any good as Defence Sec.

This is interesting.

Russian criminals helped UK drug gangs launder lockdown cash
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c70ezyrep1go

I'm sure the Kremlin has been delighted that a Russian organised crime network was enabling something as destabilising to UK society as massive street drug selling.

The Russian state also used the Moscow-based crime network, which stretches across 30 countries, to fund espionage. They were specialists in cryptocurrency, and got their entrée into the UK drugs scene when lockdown hampered street dealers' usual ways of laundering money.

I saw that as well. I think he'd be a better choice than Hegseth, who has no experience managing a large, complex organization. DeSantis has done that as governor of Florida. He's a Navy veteran, so they'll like that. He'd do at least a passable job running Fort Fumble the Pentagon. 😁

The Syrian rebels have captured a very advanced Russian air defense radar system. It appears to be fully intact. It's astounding to me that the Russians didn't spend the 5-10 minutes it would have taken to blow it up before they left. That kind of dereliction of duty will get you a term in a military prison in most armies. It's a sign of a complete breakdown in military discipline.

x.com/NOELreports/status/1864286482254475672

Kyiv Independent Telegram Highlights

⚡️Russia gathers 300 boats (kyivindependent.com/russia-gathers-300-boats-to-cross-dnipro-river-amid-attempted-attacks-in-kherson-oblast-officials-say/) to cross Dnipro River amid attempted attacks in Kherson Oblast, military says.
Russian troops are storming the Kherson direction in an attempt to gain a foothold on some islands in the Dnipro River delta, Vladyslav Voloshyn, the spokesperson for the Ukrainian military's Southern Command, told Suspilne on Dec. 4.

⚡️Blinken confirms Ukraine to receive $50 billion (https://kyivindependent.com/blinken-confirms-ukraine-to-receive-50-billion-transfer-from-frozen-russian-assets/) transfer from frozen Russian assets.

⚡️House Speaker rejects (kyivindependent.com/house-speaker-rejects-bidens-request-for-additional-24-billion-in-ukraine-aid/) Biden's request for additional $24 billion in Ukraine aid.
U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson said on Dec. 4 that he will not put to a vote a request for an additional $24 billion in aid to Ukraine following reports that President Joe Biden was quietly asking Congress to green light further assistance to Kyiv before he leaves office. [what an utter twunt]

⚡️Yermak-led delegation meets (kyivindependent.com/yermak-led-delegation-meets-with-trumps-team-in-washington-reuters-reports/) with Trump's team in Washington, Reuters reports.

⚡️ Lavrov arrives in Malta (kyivindependent.com/lavrov-malta/) on his first EU visit since full-scale war's start.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov traveled to Malta to participate in the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) Ministerial Meeting, the Russian Foreign Ministry announced on Dec. 5.

⚡️ Romania targeted (kyivindependent.com/romania-russia-elections/) by 'aggressive Russian hybrid attacks,' authorities say amid elections.

⚡️84 arrested (kyivindependent.com/84-arrested-in-uk-led-crypto-laundering-investigation-involving-russian-oligarchs-spies/) in UK-led crypto laundering investigation involving Russian oligarchs, spies.
The United Kingdom's National Crime Agency announced on Dec. 4 that it had dismantled a multibillion-dollar money laundering scheme that enabled criminal networks, including Russian spies and oligarchs, to evade sanctions using cryptocurrency.

⚡️ Oreshnik strike planned before long-range strikes permission, Gerasimov reportedly (kyivindependent.com/gerasimov-brown-oreshnik/) told US military chief.
Russian General Valery Gerasimov, the chief of the General Staff of the Russian army, held a rare phone call with U.S. General Charles Q. Brown Jr., the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, on Nov. 27, The New York Times reported on Dec. 4.

Russian drone strikes on Ukraine are surging — how bad can it get? (kyivindependent.com/russian-drone-strikes-on-ukraine-are-surging-how-bad-can-it-get/)

⚡️ NATO must provide 'whatever air defense we can give' to Ukraine, Rutte says. (https://kyivindependent.com/nato-to-provide-whatever-air-defense-we-can-give-to-ukraine-rutte-says/)

⚡️ Russia keeps North Korean soldiers (kyivindependent.com/russia-deploys-north-korean-soldiers-at-checkpoints-near-kursk/) away from direct combat, Ukraine's National Resistance Center claims.

⚡️ Netherlands announces $23 million (kyivindependent.com/netherlands-announces-23-million-for-ukraines-air-defense-and-cyber-resilience/) for Ukraine's air defense, cyber resilience.

⚡️Ukraine preparing (kyivindependent.com/ukraine-preparing-sanctions-against-georgian-government-amid-crackdown-on-pro-eu-protetst/) sanctions against Georgian government amid crackdown on pro-EU protests.

⚡️Ukraine’s gas transit operator prepared (kyivindependent.com/ukraines-gas-transit-operator-is-prepared-for-likely-russian-attacks-after-gas-transit-deal-expires-operator-says/) for Russian attacks after transit deal expires, operator says.

⚡️Georgian police detain (kyivindependent.com/georgian-police-detain-opposition-leader-amid-protests/) opposition leader amid protests.

⚡️Hungary requests (kyivindependent.com/hungary-requests-us-sanctions-exemption-for-russian-natural-gas-payments/) US sanctions exemption for Russian natural gas payments.

⚡️ Ukraine's new Palianytsia missile-drone enters serial production, minister says. (https://kyivindependent.com/ukraines-new-palianytsia-missile-drone-enters-serial-production-defense-minister-says/)

⚡️ Bulgaria supplies arms, ammunition to Ukraine (kyivindependent.com/bulgaria-aid/) in its 7th aid delivery. The exact list of supplies, provided in accordance with a decision on military support for Ukraine from late 2022, remains classified.

⚡️Ukrainian drone hits (kyivindependent.com/ukrainian-drone-hits-special-police-regiment-in-chechnya-kadyrov-claims/) special police regiment building in Chechnya, Kadyrov claims.

⚡️ Russia’s Oreshnik strike aftermath was a carefully orchestrated psyop, media reports. (kyivindependent.com/oreshnik-strike-propaganda/)
The "media blitz" following Russia’s strike on Dnipro with a new type of intermediate-range ballistic missile (IRBM) on Nov. 21 was a carefully staged stunt designed to scare off the West, the Moscow Times reported on Dec. 3, citing four Russian official sources.

⚡️ 48,000 Russian soldiers may be MIA in Ukraine (kyivindependent.com/russia-48000-mia/), Putin's relative reveals.
Russian Deputy Defense Minister Anna Tsivilyova let slip on Nov. 26 that the ministry had received 48,000 applications for DNA tests from relatives seeking information about soldiers missing in action during the war against Ukraine, opposition Telegram news channel Astra reported on Dec. 3.
Her comments provide rare insight into the number of missing Russian troops, as no official statistics on these figures have been released

⚡️Colombian man arrested in Romania for acting on Russian orders (https://kyivindependent.com/colombian-man-arrested-in-romania-for-acting-on-russian-orders-to-plot-infrastructure-attack/) to plot infrastructure attack.

⚡️US enforces visa restrictions (kyivindependent.com/us-enforces-visa-restrictions-on-russian-officials-linked-to-ukrainian-child-deportations/) on Russian officials linked to Ukrainian child deportations.
Since February 2022, at least 20,000 Ukrainian children have been abducted from Russian-occupied territories and sent to other Russian-controlled areas of Ukraine or to Russia itself.

Opinion: Does a savage war of partition await Ukraine? (kyivindependent.com/opinion-does-a-savage-war-of-partition-await-ukraine/)
History warns that partition breeds conflict, not peace — and Ukraine would be no exception, writes Nina L. Khrushcheva, a professor of international affairs at The New School.

Could Ukraine build a nuclear bomb? We asked an expert ()
The Kyiv Independent’s reporter Oleg Sukhov sat down with Robert Kelley, an engineer with over 35 years of experience in the U.S. Department of Energy’s nuclear weapons complex, to discuss whether the weapon Ukraine gave up would be of much use now and if the country still has the capacity to produce a nuclear device.

⚡️ Controversial bill on state leaks (kyivindependent.com/controversial-bill-on-state-leaks-fails-to-pass-parliament/) fails to pass parliament.
A bill proposing up to eight years imprisonment for accessing or disseminating confidential state register information during martial law failed to pass the parliament in its second reading on Dec. 4.

⚡️ Russian attacks across Ukraine kill 2, injure 6 (kyivindependent.com/russian-attacks-dec-5/) over past day.

Ragnar Bjartur Gudmundsson 🇺🇦
‪DEC 5, 2024
■ Record weekly casualties (12.3k), total expected to surpass 750k in tomorrow's figures
■ Equipment losses above average; tank & vehicle losses well above it
■ Fewer 🇷🇺 strikes, increased 🇺🇦 strikes

UNITED24 Media Telegram Highlights

U.S. Plans to Transfer $61 Billion in Aid to Ukraine by End of Biden's Term
Secretary of State Anthony Blinken announced that the United States intends to transfer the full $61 billion aid package to Ukraine before the end of President Biden's term.

Pashinyan: Armenia Has Left the CSTO and Will Not Return
Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan announced that Armenia no longer considers itself a member of the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) and has no plans to rejoin.
The CSTO, established in 1992, includes Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, and Tajikistan, with a mutual defense pact in the event of an attack. Armenia's withdrawal marks a significant shift in its foreign policy and regional alliances.

Russian Ship Fires Warning Shots at German Military Helicopter in Baltic Sea
A Russian vessel fired warning shots at a Bundeswehr helicopter during a reconnaissance flight over the Baltic Sea, Welt reported. The shots involved signal ammunition typically reserved for emergencies.
The helicopter sustained no damage, but the incident heightened tensions, as noted during a NATO meeting in Brussels.

🇪🇺 EU Defense Spending Hits Record €326 Billion in 2024
EU countries have raised their combined defense budgets to €326 billion in 2024, marking a record 1.9% of the bloc’s GDP, Politico reports.
This is the ninth consecutive year of increased defense spending, reflecting growing security concerns and a commitment to strengthening collective defense capabilities.

EBRD Approves Over €1.3 Billion in Investments for Ukraine
The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) has approved investments exceeding €1.3 billion to support Ukraine, Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal announced.
The funding will back eight projects across public and private sectors, focusing on:
• Restoring transport and energy infrastructure.
• Supporting government programs for distributed energy generation and enhanced energy efficiency.
Shmyhal also noted that part of the funding will come as non-repayable grants.

🇷🇴 Far-Right Romanian Presidential Candidate Georgescu Vows to Block Ukrainian Grain Exports and Military Aid
Georgescu, known for his anti-Western and nationalist stance, made headlines after unexpectedly winning the first round of the presidential election with over 22% of the vote.

Ukraine Scales Up Domestic Production of Neptune Missiles and Palianytsia Rocket Drones
Ukraine scales up production of domestic Neptune cruise missiles and launches Palyanytsya rocket drone into mass production, wrote Ukrainian Defense Minister Rustem Umerov on Lb.ua on December 4. united24media.com/latest-news/ukraine-scales-up-domestic-production-of-neptune-missiles-and-palyanytsya-rocket-drones-4216

🇸🇾 Syrian Rebels Seize Russian Armored Vehicles Near Hama
Rebels in Syria have captured additional Russian military equipment, including a T-90A tank and a Tiger-M armored personnel carrier, during their advance on the 25th Special Forces Division near Hama.

UK Defence Minister James Carnes has cautioned that the British Army could face total depletion within six months to a year if involved in a large-scale war comparable to the war in Ukraine.

The winner of the mass start at the Norwegian Biathlon Championship, Endre Strømsheim @endre_stromsheim, competed with a Ukrainian flag on his rifle.

Kyiv Post Telegram Highlights

French Parliament Resigns
For the first time since 1962, the Parliament approved a no-confidence vote against the government, with 331 deputies in favor and 289 against.
The motion followed Prime Minister Barnier’s unilateral approval of next year’s budget without Parliament’s consent.
President Macron will address the nation tomorrow; however, he stated he will not step down early.

Russia helping North Korea develop its nuclear program aimed at US in exchange for help destroying Ukraine.
www.kyivpost.com/post/43297

NATO discusses negotiation scenarios to end the war in Ukraine — Bloomberg
The alliance plans to increase military aid to Kyiv to strengthen its position in negotiations. Security guarantees are being discussed to protect the country while “not provoking Putin.”
One of the possible ceasefire options is the creation of a demilitarized zone under the control of European forces.

In what is likely modeled as "Article 5" for Putin's coalition of Russia, Iran, China and North Korea in their imperial expansion, the merging of the militaries of Russia and North Korea continues with the first mutual defense treaty officially coming into force.
www.kyivpost.com/post/43327

Kyiv Post Morning News Roundup for December 5th, 2024
www.kyivpost.com/post/43324

Kharkiv Rebuilding: how Ukraine’s hero city plans to grow to 2.5 million after war
https://www.kyivpost.com/post/43228

The Russian representative at the UN laughs while hearing the Ukrainian delegate’s report on the mass killing of Ukrainian children by Russians. https://t.me/Kyivpost_official/26986

Electricity prices in Ukraine have risen by 177% since the beginning of Russia’s full-scale invasion
According to experts, the sharp rise is attributed to poor harvests and the devastating impact on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure.

Live: Ukraine Telegram Highlights

🇺🇦🇺🇸 Representatives of the Office of the President of Ukraine and the incoming U.S. administration of Donald Trump have discussed ending the war, reports WSJ (www.wsj.com/world/ukraine-to-open-talks-with-trump-team-on-halting-war-ad2194ed?mod=Searchresults_pos1&page=1) and Reuters (www.reuters.com/world/ukraines-yermak-meets-senior-trump-advisers-source-says-2024-12-04/)

According to Reuters, Trump’s peace plan suggests Ukraine relinquish territories occupied by Russia and abandon its NATO aspirations
Trump’s advisors reportedly plan to pressure both Moscow and Kyiv into negotiations using a “carrot and stick” approach — halting military aid to Kyiv if it refuses to negotiate, while increasing support if Putin rejects talks.

Ukraine must make “tough decisions” on mobilization, says U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken
Ukrainian officials have ... pointed out that the country currently lacks sufficient weaponry to equip its already mobilized forces.

🇩🇰 Denmark will allocate €6 million for the restoration of Ukraine’s energy infrastructure. The country is one of the leaders in terms of aid as a percentage of its GDP

🇺🇸 NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte stated that allies will undoubtedly begin discussions on defense spending targets higher than 2% of GDP, as the current level of expenditure will not be sufficient in the future to ensure security.

Russia trains its drone operators by targeting civilians in Kherson, Financial Times reports (www.ft.com/content/31b630b3-2639-456c-ba50-3caea7a9b2b5)
In July 2024, Russia intensified shelling of Kherson. Since then, the city and its surroundings have been attacked by drones over 9,500 times, killing at least 37 people and injuring hundreds more.
Russia has deployed some of its best drone operator units to Kherson, where they hone combat tactics and train new operators. They primarily use FPV drones, Chinese-made Mavics, and sometimes larger Russian UAVs like the Lancet.
The primary targets are military vehicles, ambulances, police and fire trucks, and humanitarian convoys. However, crowded markets, gas stations, cafes, post offices, and humanitarian aid centers have also been struck.
The highest number of drone attacks was recorded in September — 2,748 strikes. October saw the deadliest toll from drone attacks, with 12 fatalities.
The image shows the site of Russian drone strikes in Kherson, Financial Times.

Russian oligarch Alisher Usmanov has resigned as president of the International Fencing Federation (FIE) after holding the position for just four days.
A representative for Usmanov stated that the decision was made to “shield the International Fencing Federation from sanctions.”
Usmanov is currently under sanctions from the EU, Switzerland, the UK, the US, Ukraine, Japan, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand.

eh? Mumsnet have hidden my normal Kyiv Independent Roundup post?

I am inclined to ask them why. It seems strange.

odd that it happens after three years regular posting.

Did the roundup you posted use the words C**o (the online currency). I think there was a news story about Russians helping UK criminals launder money using it but if the text you posted includes that keyword its automatically hidden till mumsnet people have looked at it.

Oh that was it, yes. thanks!

That story was indeed included.

Well, they have come to their senses, anyway. Good!

(I suspect it's an automated system catching the post, and a human being telling it not to be silly.)

A Russian vessel fired warning shots at a Bundeswehr helicopter during a reconnaissance flight over the Baltic Sea, Welt reported. The shots involved signal ammunition typically reserved for emergencies.
The helicopter sustained no damage, but the incident heightened tensions, as noted during a NATO meeting in Brussels.

Using the green “Ammunition” ” might be technically correct but it’s a bit alarmist … more likely we are talking about flares.

This sort of incident isn’t unprecedented - there (or at least were) protocols and to some unwritten rules about what could and could not be done by assets performing surveillance. If things got pushed to far the opposition would often. make their displeasure known.

I rather wish that NATO would do what Turkey did when a Russian fighter violated their airspace.

In other news, the Assad regime has lost another city "BREAKING NEWS - Assad's forces and their allies Iran and Russia officially announce their withdrawal from the city of Hama after violent battles."

I rather wish that NATO would do what Turkey did when a Russian fighter violated their airspace.

Well yes, but issue with the perception of this is that there’s national/sovereign airspace (where you have a right to intervene) and then there’s international airspace where you (e.g, NATO) can monitor but where you have no right to intervene.

I understand there have been some brief busts of sovereign airspace (mainly by drones/missiles) but some in the MSM have a tendency to show images of crewed Russian aircraft going about their business in international airspace (e.g. North Sea, North Atlantic, parts of the Baltic, parts of the Black Sea) and leave the impression that there’s some sort of violation going on…..

Edit to add that I’m fairly sure the maritime situation is the same, outside 12 miles offshore it’s international waters.

There have been some intrusions into Alaska haven't there, if my hazy memory serves?

~

On another note, I wonder if the reports of 300 Russian boats amassing to cross the Dnipro has more to do with the reported boats leaving from the Syrian Tartus naval base than Russia actually evacuating it? Or dual-purpose, perhaps.