Ukraine Invasion: Part 53

[MagicFox]

Welcome to 53 and, as always, Slava Ukraini 🇺🇦

Agreed thread guidance:

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

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

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

Yes I had read it was a Ukrainian assassination. Can't say I'm sad to hear of his passing....

I'm surprised that they could see it through the pollution

I just read that - sheesh. Assassination is a ugly business (though one the Russians use regularly) but in his case, you can't shed tears can you.

@Llttledrummergirl, @DesdamonasHandkerchief and of course @blueshoes thank you very much. Ill be good until the 26th and can pick up again on the 1st.

it's the Kyiv Independent (most work, usually), the Kyiv Post (shortest and most efficient), UNITED24 Media (slightly more in depth stuff) and Live: Ukraine (lot of stuff to wade through, they report a fair old bit).

Kyiv Independent Telegram Highlights

Russian Defense Minister Andrei Belousov said during a Defense Ministry meeting on Dec. 16 that Moscow aims to seize the entirety of Ukraine's Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson, and Zaporizhzhia oblasts in 2025.
https://kyivindependent.com/russia-sets-2025-goal-to-fully-occupy-four-ukrainian-regions-defense-minister-says/

⚡️Bundestag votes no confidence (kyivindependent.com/bundestag-votes-no-confidence-in-scholz-government-elections-set-for-february/) in Scholz government, elections set for February.

⚡️ Russia must be ready for potential conflict with NATO 'within 10 years,' Russian defense minister says. (kyivindependent.com/russia-preparing-for-possible-conflict-with-nato/)
Russia should prepare for multiple scenarios, including a war with NATO, in the next 10 years, Russian Defense Minister Andrei Belousov said during a Defense Ministry meeting on Dec. 16, the Interfax news agency reported.

⚡️Ukraine possesses laser weapons (kyivindependent.com/ukraine-unveils-laser-weapon-and-advanced-drone-technologies-commander-says/), advanced drone technologies, commander says.
Colonel Vadym Sukharevskyi, commander of the Unmanned Systems Forces, said on Dec. 16 that Ukraine’s laser system, called Tryzub, can down aircraft at altitudes exceeding 2 kilometers.

⚡️Russian gas transit deal (kyivindependent.com/russian-gas-transit-deal-ends-on-december-31-wont-be-renewed-pm-shmyhal-says/) ends on December 31, won't be renewed, PM Shmyhal says.

⚡️ Slovak energy company, partners call for continued gas transit kyivindependent.com/slovak-energy-company-partners-call-for-continued-gas-transit-via-ukraine/ via Ukraine.
Slovakia's state-owned energy company SPP and its partners in Hungary, Italy, and Austria called for continued gas transit through Ukraine in a declaration published on Dec. 17.

⚡️The EU imposed fully fledged sanctions on Dec. 16, including asset freezes and visa bans, on Chinese firms for supplying Russia's military for the war against Ukraine. kyivindependent.com/eu-imposes-sanctions-on-chinese-companies-north-korean-minister-over-ukraine-war/

⚡️ Ukraine charges Russian general over use of banned chemical weapons. (kyivindependent.com/ukraine-charges-russian-general-over-use-of-banned-chemical-munitions/)
Ukrainian prosecutors charged Lieutenant General Igor Kirillov, the head of the Russian Armed Forces' radiation, chemical, and biological defense troops, in absentia with the use of banned chemical weapons in Ukraine, the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) said on Dec. 16.
(https://kyivindependent.com/ukraine-charges-russian-general-over-use-of-banned-chemical-munitions/)

⚡️ Ukraine's Special Forces claim to kill 50 (kyivindependent.com/ukraines-special-forces-claim-to-kill-50-north-korean-soldiers-in-3-days/) North Korean soldiers in 3 days.

And

Lieutenant General Igor Kirillov, the head of the Russian Armed Forces' radiation, chemical, and biological defense troops, was reportedly killed in an explosion at a residence in Moscow the morning of Dec. 17. kyivindependent.com/russian-general-killed-in-moscow-explosion-local-media-reports/

⚡️ SBU behind killing of Russian general charged with chemical weapons crimes, source claims. (https://kyivindependent.com/sbu-behind-killing-of-russian-general-charged-with-chemical-weapons-crimes-source-claims/)

⚡️ South Korea imposes new sanctions (kyivindependent.com/south-korea-imposes-sanctions-over-russia-north-korea-cooperation/) over Russia-North Korea cooperation.

⚡️EU imposes new sanctions on Belarusian officials (kyivindependent.com/eu-imposes-new-sanctions-on-belarusian-officials-and-companies-supporting-lukashenko-regime/) and companies supporting Lukashenko regime.

⚡️Russia to mass-produce Oreshnik (kyivindependent.com/russia-announces-mass-production-of-oreshnik-missiles/) ballistic missiles, Putin claims.

⚡️EU will train 75,000 Ukrainian soldiers (https://kyivindependent.com/eu-to-train-75-000-ukrainian-soldiers-by-early-2025-chief-diplomat-says/) by early 2025, chief diplomat says.

⚡️ Norway to provide $242 million for Ukrainian naval defense (kyivindependent.com/norway-to-provide-242-million-for-ukrainian-naval-defense-against-russian-black-sea-threats/) against Russian Black Sea threats.
The money will be channeled through the Nansen Support Program, Norway's civil and military support program for Ukraine.

Defense Minister Rustem Umerov on Dec. 16 ordered an investigation into the alleged abuse, extortion, and humiliation of soldiers in the 211th Pontoon Bridge Brigade by their commanders. https://kyivindependent.com/defense-ministry-addresses-alleged-abuse-in-211th-brigade/

⚡️ Latvia announces surprise combat readiness check of its military (https://kyivindependent.com/latvia-announces-surprise-combat-readiness-check/).

Celebrating the Ukrainian way: The 12 dishes of Christmas (https://kyivindependent.com/the-12-dishes-of-ukrainian-christmas-eve/)

⚡️ Russian attacks against Ukraine kill 4, injure 6 (kyivindependent.com/russian-attacks-7/) over past day.

Ragnar Bjartur Gudmundsson 🇺🇦‬

• DEC 17, 2024

■ 2nd highest number of engagements, most casualties in close to two weeks ■ Equipment losses below the 7-day average ■ 🇷🇺 MLRS strikes above average, air strikes stay below it

UNITED24 Media Telegram Highlights

Russian Defense Minister Belousov announced that by 2025, the Russian army aims to fully occupy the Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson, and Zaporizhzhia regions, which Moscow illegally claimed in 2022.
"Moscow plans to achieve victory in Ukraine and fulfill the objectives outlined by Putin in June," Belousov stated, referencing Russia's demands for Ukraine to surrender these regions.
According to Belousov, Russia has captured 4,500 square kilometers and 189 settlements since the start of the year. He claims Ukrainian forces now control less than 1% of the Luhansk region, 25–30% of Donetsk, and portions of Zaporizhzhia and Kherson.

Russian Permanent Representative to the UN, Vasily Nebenzya, stated that Russia will not accept any freezing of the war in Ukraine.

Russia is set to create its own Unmanned Systems Troops, following Ukraine’s lead in utilizing advanced drone warfare.
Defense Minister Andrei Belousov announced that the new military branch could be operational as early as the third quarter of 2025.

❗️The Italian government has approved a new, tenth package of military aid to Ukraine. The list of materials is confidential, as was the case with previous measures.

EU to Launch €10.6 Billion IRIS2 Satellite Network by 2030
The European Union has signed contracts to develop the IRIS2 satellite network, a €10.6 billion project designed to provide encrypted global internet connectivity for governments, militaries, and private users.
Scheduled for completion by 2030, the network will consist of 290 satellites. The EU will invest €6 billion, with the remaining funding coming from private companies and the European Space Agency.
IRIS2 aims to reduce Europe’s reliance on private systems like Elon Musk's Starlink and strengthen the EU’s defense and technological capabilities.

Russian Crude Reenters Main Tanker Fleet as Prices Drop — Bloomberg
Russian crude is increasingly being loaded onto the main tanker fleet as oil prices approach the established price cap, according to data from BRS Shipbrokers.
The shadow fleet continues to expand by approximately 10 tankers per month, now totaling about 850 ships, or 9% of the global fleet. The growth reflects the higher premiums tanker owners can earn by shifting vessels into shadow operations instead of scrapping them. [Dread to think of the quality of these vessels]

Russia Relocates Troops from Damascus Amid Syrian Power Shift
Russia has withdrawn at least 400 troops from the Damascus area, transferring them to the Khmeimim air base, reports the Financial Times.
Ongoing negotiations at Damascus' Four Seasons Hotel, now the rebels' de facto headquarters, reportedly aim to arrange the evacuation of remaining Russian troops from other areas of Syria.

Poland Urges Pressure on Russia, Not Ukraine, for Peace Talks

Ukrainian Sniper Sets Record with 2,069-Meter Shot
A special forces sniper from Ukraine's HUR, known as "Lektor," eliminated an enemy soldier from an incredible distance of 2,069 meters using a .338 Lapua Magnum round.

Kyiv Post Telegram Highlights

Europe's support to Ukraine now beating the US at a 3x margin.
https://www.kyivpost.com/post/43763

It seems Russia's plans for taking over Africa may have to be put on pause.
"Closing Russian bases in Syria will be one of the European conditions for supporting Damascus." — Dutch Foreign Ministry

Ukrainian drones hit Russian munitions and fuel depots in occupied Donetsk, sparking massive explosions that continued through the night, sources revealed Kyiv Post.
www.kyivpost.com/post/43936

Kyiv Post Morning News Roundup for December 17th, 2024
https://www.kyivpost.com/post/43978

Another package of EU sanctions has been leveled at entities for various crimes against Ukraine, including the bombing of a Kyiv children's hospital, mass child kidnapping programs, sanctions evasion and those involved in disseminating Russian propaganda.
www.kyivpost.com/post/43955

North Korean troops continue suffering heavy losses as Russia's "kamikaze meat assault" tactics are now an international affair.
www.kyivpost.com/post/43932

A video of Ukraine’s special operation to eliminate high-ranking Russian General Kirilov in Moscow has surfaced online. t.me/Kyivpost_official/27178

Despite assisting Russia in every possible way in its invasion of Ukraine since DAY ONE, Belarus seeks "a seat at the table for peace negotiations" on Ukraine when they begin, said Deputy Foreign Minister of Belarus, Yury Ambrazevich.

Live: Ukraine Telegram Highlights

“We are trying to stop the terrible war in Ukraine. We’ve made some small progress. It’s a difficult, unpleasant situation,” said Trump.

🇺🇸 Donald Trump did not invite (https://www.youtube.com/live/fcjdZMBUbOI?si=8M6ncIhZPAvNr6NS) Zelensky to his inauguration
However, the U.S. President-elect said he would welcome the Ukrainian leader if he chose to attend.

Ukraine is now among the [five] nations with a functional laser weapon, Tryzub (Trident)

⚡️ Twelve European countries have agreed to curb Russia’s “shadow fleet.”
The countries will inspect insurance documents of suspicious vessels passing through the English Channel, the Danish Straits, and the Gulf of Finland.
Earlier, Ukrainian intelligence reported that Russia has spent $10 billion to establish its shadow fleet.

There was a similar Russian armored vehicle identification guide that the media used a reference earlier in the war. 😁

Bloody bbc reporting on the taking out of Lt Gen Igor Kirillov. The reporter said that Russia will retaliate as though it's title for tat.

Russia has invaded a sovereign country, it is bombing, raping and abusing it's way through. If some of their top ranked people and architects of war are finding themselves dead as a result of their own actions, then tough shit.

I'm going to complain about the slant of the BBC reporting- they cannot, and should not be impartial on this. I'd be happier if they withdrew their reporters from Russia again, I don't know why they returned to reporting from there.

I do generally agree however I also think Steve Rosenberg is a fabulous journalist and does a lot of good work at great personal risk which I respect.

This is very interesting from the ISW 👇

Russian President Vladimir Putin's continued fixation on the Russian "Oreshnik" ballistic missile and Russia's non-nuclear deterrents suggests that the Kremlin may be searching for off-ramps from its continued nuclear saber-rattling narrative. Putin addressed the Russian Ministry of Defense (MoD) board on December 16 and discussed Russian military developments in 2024 and Russia's military goals for 2025.[1] Putin stated that Russia is developing military capabilities and technologies alongside its nuclear triad and emphasized that the Oreshnik ballistic missile is Russia's "latest powerful weapon," of which Russia will soon serialize production. Putin also notably claimed that if Russia were to use the Oreshnik in a "complex manner" in tandem with other non-nuclear munitions, the resulting strike would be "comparable in power to the use of nuclear weapons." Putin noted that the Oreshnik does not have a nuclear payload and therefore does not create nuclear contamination, emphasizing that the Oreshnik's non-nuclear nature "is a very important element when deciding what means of armed struggle" Russia will employ. Putin has previously lauded the technical specifications of the Oreshnik ballistic missile, including by comparing it to a nuclear weapon or a meteorite in terms of the damage it can cause.[2]
Putin's recent emphasis on the purported power of Oreshnik is notable and suggests that the Kremlin may seek an off-ramp from the intense nuclear saber-rattling it has employed thus far in the war. Putin's December 16 MoD address, his statements at the Collective Security Treaty Organization's (CSTO) Security Council in Astana, Kazakhstan, on November 28, and his speech to the MoD on November 22 all appear to be trying to establish the Oreshnik as the bastion of Russia's non-nuclear deterrent.[3] Russia has repeatedly invoked the threat of nuclear retaliation in order to force Ukraine and the West into self-deterrence, but Ukrainian and Western actions have challenged Kremlin's nuclear narrative every time the Kremlin has employed it, constantly undermining Russia's self-defined thresholds for nuclear use.[4] ISW has previously assessed that there is nothing particularly new about the Oreshnik's capabilities, so Putin is likely extolling its technical specifications in order to create fear and uncertainty about the damage the Oreshnik can inflict and to pressure Ukraine's partners to push Ukraine to limit its strikes against Russia out of fear that he will actually conduct retaliation.[5] Putin likely introduced the Oreshnik as a new element in the Kremlin's wider reflexive-control toolkit as the Kremlin increasingly comes to terms with the fact that Putin's unwillingness to follow through on hints of nuclear threats is devaluing them such that he must find a rhetorical off-ramp in order to maintain its credibility in the international information space.

I'll do United 24 and Live: Ukraine as that's what I'm used to, if that's okay 👍

https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-december-16-2024

Key Takeaways:

• Russian President Vladimir Putin's continued fixation on the Russian "Oreshnik" ballistic missile and Russia's non-nuclear deterrents suggests that the Kremlin may be searching for off-ramps from its continued nuclear saber-rattling narrative.
• Putin once again reiterated the false Russian narrative that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is illegitimate—firmly establishing that the deposition of Ukraine's legitimate, democratic government is one of the Kremlin's prerequisites for a negotiated settlement to the war.
• Russian Defense Minister Belousov also used the December 16 Russian MoD board meeting to reiterate Putin's previously stated territorial objectives in Ukraine as another Kremlin prerequisite to a negotiated settlement to the war.
• Belousov also used his December 16 address to posture as an effective and innovative manager—sharply contrasting his leadership of the MoD with that of former Defense Minister and current Security Council Secretary Sergei Shoigu.
• Putin ordered the MoD to establish the Unmanned Systems Forces as part of continued efforts to centralize control over Russian irregular drone units.
• Belousov's statements confirm that the Russian military is recruiting just enough military personnel to replace its recent casualty rates, but intensified offensive operations have and will likely continue to strain the efficacy of Russia's cryptomobilization efforts.
• Russia continues to negotiate with the interim Syrian government to maintain its military presence at the Hmeimim Air Base and Port of Tartus in Syria, but Chechen Republic Head Ramzan Kadyrov's recent appeals to Hayat Tahrir al Sham (HTS) suggest that talks may have hit a snag.
• Russia continues to withdraw elements of its force grouping in Syria to the western coast amid limited reports that Moscow plans to fully withdraw within one month.
• Ukrainian forces recently regained lost positions near Pokrovsk, and Russian forces recently advanced near Chasiv Yar, Kurakhove, and Velyka Novosilka and in Kursk Oblast.
• The Russian government appointed Russian Defense Minister Andrei Belousov as the Chairperson of the Supervisory Board of the Russian Ministry of Defense's (MoD) Military Construction Company, likely as part of ongoing anti-corruption efforts within the Russian MoD.

I'll take the Kyiv independent if you like, @blueshoes is already doing the key takeaways.

@Llttledrummergirl if you could Kyiv Ind 26-31 Dec, that would be great as I have a end of year work deadline. Equally let me know if you'd like me to do any Kyiv Ind's on specific days. I can always fit it in. Will continue to do my daily ISW key takeaways.

John Sweeney is interviewed on the latest episode of Silicon Curtain, would really recommend it as it's insightful as always from John. They talk about a number of things including:

• What Trump will or won't do to support Ukraine;
• The reasons that Russia won't use a nuclear weapon in Ukraine (and amongst the top reasons is prevailing wind directions in that part of the World);
• What a deal that splits Ukraine would mean in practice;
• Why removing western troops from Ukraine in Dec 2021 was a mistake;
• Why Russian state media broadcast explicit pictures of Melania so shortly after Trump winning (essentially as a warning from the Kremlin that they have kompromat on Trump).

Interestingly on the kompromat piece I had always thought there was nothing really that would bother Trump if it got out. John talks about the fact that’s probably true of traditional kompromat but of course the Russians understand well how to push buttons and suspects the material they have on Trump could be more in the him failing at having sex, doing something he would deem to be embarrassing etc space.

Hm, something that wounds him in the ego department? that would do it for sure ...

Kyiv Independent Telegram Highlights

⚡️ Russia heavily attacking in Kursk Oblast for 3rd day, 'actively' using North Korean troops, Syrskyi says. (https://kyivindependent.com/russian-forces-attacking-in-kursk-oblast-for-3rd-day/)

⚡️ 'Couple hundred' (kyivindependent.com/couple-hundred-north-korean-troops-lost-fighting-for-russia-against-ukraine-ap-reports/) North Korean troops lost fighting for Russia against Ukraine, AP reports.

⚡️Russia may encircle (kyivindependent.com/russia-intensifies-push-to-encircle-ukrainian-forces-in-donetsks-velyka-novosilka-analysts-say/) Ukrainian forces near Velyka Novosilka, monitoring group says.
Russian troops may encircle Ukrainian forces near Velyka Novosilka, located 74 kilometers from the regional center of Donetsk, the monitoring group DeepState reported on Dec. 17

NATO has assumed responsibility for coordinating Western military aid to Ukraine through the NATO Security Assistance and Training for Ukraine center, Reuters reported on Dec. 17, citing its sources. https://kyivindependent.com/nato-takes-lead-in-coordinating-western-military-aid-to-ukraine-reuters-says/

⚡️Trump's Ukraine peace envoy plans January trip to Kyiv, (kyivindependent.com/trumps-ukraine-peace-envoy-plans-january-trip-to-kyiv-european-capitals-reuters-reports/) European capitals, Reuters reports.

⚡️Ukraine sets goal to open (kyivindependent.com/ukraine-sets-goal-to-open-all-eu-negotiation-clusters-by-2025-zelensky-says/) all EU negotiation clusters in 2025, Zelensky says.

⚡️Poland-Ukraine relations show progress (kyivindependent.com/poland-ukraine-relations-see-progress-in-historical-dialogue-defense-cooperation-tusk-says/) on historical issues, defense cooperation, Tusk says.

⚡️Zelensky rejects (kyivindependent.com/keep-the-jokes-zelensky-criticizes-orbans-attempts-at-mediation/) Orban's mediation, says he has no leverage over Putin.

⚡️Rheinmetall to provide (kyivindependent.com/rheinmetall-to-provide-ukraine-with-20-more-marder-infantry-fighting-vehicles/) Ukraine with 20 more Marder infantry fighting vehicles.

The United Kingdom sanctioned 20 vessels of Russia’s "shadow fleet" and pledged 35 million pounds ($44 million) in aid to repair Ukraine’s energy grid, the British government said on Dec. 17. https://kyivindependent.com/uk-sanctions-20-russian-shadow-fleet-tankers/

Who was Russian General Igor Kirillov, Ukraine’s latest assassination target? (https://kyivindependent.com/profile-russian-lieutenant-general-igor-kirillov-war-criminal-and-ukrainian-assassination-target/)

Deals over ideals — Anne Applebaum explains the playbook of autocracies in new book, and how to undermine them (https://kyivindependent.com/deals-over-ideals-anne-applebaum-explains-the-playbook-of-autocracies-in-new-book-and-how-to-undermine-them/)

⚡️ Russia detains two suspects over assassination (kyivindependent.com/russia-detains-two-suspects-over-assassination-of-general-igor-kirillov-kremlin-media-reports/) of General Igor Kirillov, Kremlin media reports.
Russian Telegram channel 112 said the suspects had already confessed to authorities.

⚡️ Ukraine's parliament supports bill on multiple citizenship (kyivindependent.com/ukraines-parliament-supports-bill-on-multiple-citizenship-in-first-reading/) in first reading.
The Ukrainian parliament on Dec. 17 supported in the first reading a bill allowing multiple citizenship for Ukrainian citizens, lawmaker Yaroslav Zhelezniak said.

⚡️Gazprom shares fall (kyivindependent.com/gazprom-shares-fall-to-16-year-low/) to 16-year low.

⚡️Most Poles favor (kyivindependent.com/war-fatigue-grows-in-poland-majority-prioritize-peace-over-ukraines-sovereignty/) Ukraine peace deal with territorial concessions, poll finds.
The survey found that 55% of the respondents prioritized ending the conflict over Ukraine’s territorial integrity, up from 39% in September 2024 and 26% in April 2022.

⚡️Oscars shortlist includes (kyivindependent.com/oscars-shortlist-includes-two-ukrainian-documentaries/) two Ukrainian documentaries.
The Ukrainian documentaries “The Porcelain War” and “Once Upon a Time in Ukraine” have been shortlisted for the 97th Academy Awards, the U.S. Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences announced on Dec. 17.

⚡️MP expelled from Zelensky's party faces trial on charges (kyivindependent.com/controversial-lawmaker-tyshchenko-accused-of-assault-risks-5-years-in-prison/) of assaulting war veteran.

Ragnar Bjartur Gudmundsson 🇺🇦‬
⚡️ WAR IN UKRAINE - DEC 18, 2024
■ Casualties stay high despite fewer engagements
■ Drone interceptions above the 7-day average
■ Fewest 🇷🇺 MLRS strikes in over 30 days but strike ratio stays unfavorable

UNITED24 Media Telegram Highlights

Zelenskyy Urges Delivery of Promised Air Defense Systems Instead of NATO Invitation

Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk announced a new aid package for Ukraine worth 100 million euros, set for delivery in January. This marks Poland's 46th aid package since the start of the full-scale war.

Vučić: I Will Talk to Putin About Sanctions on NIS and the Gas Deal
Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić stated that he will speak with Russian President Vladimir Putin regarding sanctions on Naftna Industrija Srbije (NIS) and the gas deal.
Previously, Vučić noted that the US was preparing sanctions against Serbia's main oil company. NIS's majority shareholders are Russia's Gazprom and Gazprom Neft.

EU Revisits Seizure of Russian Frozen Assets Amid Trump’s Return — Bloomberg
Several EU countries have resumed discussions on seizing the $300 billion of Russian currency reserves frozen in the West, Bloomberg reports, citing sources.
The renewed debate comes as concerns grow over Donald Trump’s potential halt to US aid for Ukraine after his return to the White House.
Officials are currently examining whether court rulings would be required as a legal basis for confiscating the assets or if calculations of damages inflicted on Ukraine could suffice.
EU foreign ministers addressed the issue at a meeting in Brussels on Monday. It is expected to be raised again at the EU leaders’ summit on Thursday, December 19.

Putin Paid Kim Jong-un Up to $6 Billion for Weapons and Soldiers — The New York Times
According to calculations by the Seoul-based Hankuk Institute for Foreign Studies, the value of weapons supplied by Pyongyang is estimated at between $1.72 billion and $5.5 billion. Moscow reportedly paid for part of the supplies in cash, and part in oil and food.
For sending 5–20 thousand soldiers, the DPRK could have received between $143 million and $572 million.
Considering intelligence reports indicating about 11,000 North Korean soldiers arrived in the Kursk region, Pyongyang could have received around $315 million for this.

China Takes Over Uranium Mines in Kazakhstan From Russia — Reuters
Uranium One Group, part of the Russian state corporation Rosatom, is withdrawing from joint projects with Kazakh state company Kazatomprom. It is selling shares in major uranium deposits.
Zarichne Joint Venture: 49.9% is being sold to SNURDC Astana Mining Company, owned by China’s State Nuclear Uranium Resources Development Co. Kazatomprom's share remains 49.9%. The Zarichne deposit reserves are about 3,500 tons of uranium.
Khorasan-U and Kyzylkum LLC: Uranium One will sell 30% of each to China Uranium Development Company Limited, linked to China General Nuclear Power Corporation. Kazatomprom’s share stays at 50%.

Germany Open to Sending Peacekeepers to Ukraine with Mutual Approval — Reuters
Germany is prepared to send peacekeepers to Ukraine if both Moscow and Kyiv agree on a relevant mandate, German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius said.
However, Pistorius noted it is premature to decide on the deployment of foreign troops in Ukraine.

Who is Oleksandr Usyk, the Cossack from Crimea Who Became One of the Greatest Boxers in the World? (united24media.com/culture/who-is-oleksandr-usyk-the-cossack-from-crimea-who-became-one-of-the-greatest-boxers-in-the-world-4522)

Kyiv Post Telegram Highlights

NATO Secretary General will host Zelensky at his residence in Brussels tomorrow.

With every sector of the Russian economy now in a state of collapse, government is helpless to rescue due to war commitments.
www.kyivpost.com/post/44070

Dashcam footage of today's early morning assassination of the highest ranking Russian official of the war, in the center of Moscow.
www.kyivpost.com/post/44037

Kyiv Post Morning News Roundup for December 18th, 2024
www.kyivpost.com/post/44063

Breaking the Chains: Russians Fighting the Putin Regime
lya Ponomarev, the only Russian Member of Parliament to vote against the annexation of Crimea.
www.kyivpost.com/videos/44052

The UN General Assembly has adopted a resolution on Russia’s human rights violations in Ukraine’s occupied territories.
The document is titled “The Situation of Human Rights in the Temporarily Occupied Autonomous Republic of Crimea and the City of Sevastopol, Ukraine.”

@Igotjelly

Thanks for the tip about Silicon curtain and John Sweeney..interesting, thanks..just one minor grumble:

“The reasons that Russia won't use a nuclear weapon in Ukraine (and amongst the top reasons is prevailing wind directions in that part of the World);”

I’m not sure I bought completely into some of Sweeney’s thoughts on that specific issue. I think he’s absolutely right that the Chinese would be highly unimpressed and that fortunately is probably a major blocker.

OTOH I’m not sure we can assume Putin would have to hold a committee meeting before authorizing nuclear release - this seems to have become a common belief among many in the general public with regard to all nuclear equipped nations, and the fact it isn’t necessarily the case seems to have caused angst to a few due to the contents of an article in today’s Guardian.

It also has to be pointed out that if you were prepared to use a single or a few relatively low yield weapon(s), suitably fused (I.e. airburst at altitude) in weather conditions favourable to Russia you definitely won’t get much persistent fallout or the spill over into Russia itself John Sweeney mentioned….

All that said I don’t think it’s anything close to even a remote likelihood that Russia would use nuclear weapons in Ukraine given the current circumstances.

Live: Ukraine Telegram Highlights

The largest network of Russian agents has been uncovered in Ukraine — they were tracking F-16 fighter jets
The operatives were scouting Ukrainian air defense positions and attempting to locate military airfields where, according to Russian assumptions, F-16 aircraft could be stationed. They were also tasked with identifying the addresses of companies producing electronic warfare systems.
The network involved 12 men, some of whom were deserters who had abandoned their units in the Ukrainian Armed Forces. Law enforcement has detained the organizer and four key accomplices. They are suspected of treason and disseminating information about the movements of Ukraine’s Defense Forces.

Overnight, air defense forces destroyed 51 out of 81 Russian drones, with 30 being classified as “locationally lost.”

In Sochi, Russia, the Herota River burst its banks, flooding homes, streets and a federal highway

This is what the coast of Anapa, Russia looks like after 2 Russian tankers sank in the sea

That's really interesting, thanks for your take. To be honest I think that there are 2 key reasons he wouldn't - A) China and B) he's a coward and wouldn't risk being personally impacted.

Fucking hell one of those drone threads is absolutely off its rocker!