Ukraine's SBU assassinates Russian general charged with chemical weapons crimes, source claims
Lieutenant General Igor Kirillov and another Russian service member were reportedly killed in an explosion in Moscow on the morning of Dec. 17.
The Kyiv Independent news desk
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General Staff: Russia has lost 765,110 troops in Ukraine since Feb. 24, 2022
This number includes 1,600 casualties Russian forces suffered just over the past day.
Russian general charged with chemical weapons crimes reported dead in Moscow explosion
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. The previous day, Ukraine's SBU sentenced Kirillov in absentia for the use of banned chemical weapons in Ukraine.
Russia to mass-produce Oreshnik ballistic missiles, Putin claims
Large-scale production of Russia's nuclear-capable Oreshnik missile is a goal for "the near future," Putin alleged at a defense ministry board meeting on Dec. 16.
Ukraine war latest: Russia sets goal to fully occupy 4 Ukrainian regions in 2025
Key developments on Dec. 16: * Russia sets 2025 goal to fully occupy 4 Ukrainian regions, Defense Minister says * 'It's a tough one,' Trump says following questions on how he plans to stop Russia's war against Ukraine * Ukraine possesses laser weapons, advanced drone technologies, commander says * North Korean troops suffer
Assad airlifted $250m in cash from Syria to Russia over two years, FT reports
The FT said Syria's central bank flew nearly two tonnes of $100 bills and €500 notes into the country, which were then deposited in sanctioned Russian banks.
General Staff: Russia has lost 763,510 troops in Ukraine since Feb. 24, 2022
This number includes 1,070 casualties Russian forces suffered just over the past day.
Ukraine war latest: North Korean troops joining Russian assaults in Kursk, Zelensky says
Key developments on Dec. 14-15: * North Korean troops joining Russian assaults in Kursk, Zelensky says * Ukraine destroys Russian train with 40 fuel tanks in Zaporizhzhia Oblast, source claims * 292 front-line clashes recorded over the past day, General Staff reports * Two Russian oil tankers reportedly sink in Kerch Strait * North Korean
Suspected terrorist attack in Dnipro kills 1, injures 4
Ukraine's Security Service (SBU) has classified the incident as a terrorist attack and detained a 37-year-old resident suspected of acting on instructions from Russian special services.
Ukraine war latest: Russia launches one of the largest aerial attacks on Ukraine's energy grid
Key developments on Dec. 13: * Russia launches one of the largest aerial attacks on Ukraine's energy grid * Ukraine resisting Russian encirclement attempts at 4 Donetsk Oblast villages, military says * Ukraine's new Ground Forces chief announces reforms focused on personnel, tech * Russia mulls attacking Ukraine with Oreshnik nuclear-capable missile this weekend,
Former prosecutor general reportedly appointed Ukraine's ambassador to Netherlands
Kostin submitted his resignation on Oct. 22 following a National Security and Defense Council (NSDC) meeting headed by President Volodymyr Zelensky.
Ukraine downs 161 of 287 Russian missiles, drones in mass aerial attack
Moscow deployed four Kinzhal air-launched missiles, two Iskander-M ballistic missiles, one Kh-23 North Korean ballistic missile, 55 Kh-101 and Kh-55SM cruise missiles launched from Tu-95MS bomber planes, 24 sea-launched Kalibr missiles, seven Iskander-K cruise missiles, and one Kh-59/69 missile, the Air Force said.
General Staff: Russia has lost 760,120 troops in Ukraine since Feb. 24, 2022
This number includes 1,390 casualties Russian forces suffered just over the past day.
Ukraine's largest steelmaker partially suspends operations at Pokrovsk coal mine
The closure comes amid an increasingly dangerous Russian advance towards Pokrovsk, where Ukraine has lost key positions in recent days.
Hungary did not discuss any Christmas truce, prisoner swap with Ukraine, Presidential Office says
The Hungarian side "did not discuss anything" with Ukraine and "did not warn about its contacts with Moscow," said Dmytro Lytvyn, the presidential communications adviser, referring to Viktor Orban’s recent phone call with Vladimir Putin.
Russia has built only 7 out of 108 planned airliners since 2022, BBC reports
Russia's Comprehensive Program for the Development of the Air Transport Industry until 2030 envisioned producing 1,032 passenger aircraft between 2022 and the end of the decade.
General Staff: Russia has lost 758,730 troops in Ukraine since Feb. 24, 2022
This number includes 1,390 casualties Russian forces suffered just over the past day.
Drones attack Chechnya, hitting police building, Kadyrov claims
The attack damaged the roof of the building, shattered windows, and lightly injured four men on guard duty, Chechen strongman Ramzan Kadyrov claimed. This marks the third reported drone strike against Chechnya during Russia's war against Ukraine.
Ukraine war latest: Russia continues to suffer record losses in December, Zelensky says
Key developments on Dec. 11: * Russia continues to suffer record losses in December, Zelensky says * Ukraine has arms to resist at least until mid-2025 if US cuts aid, finance minister says * Russian proxies sentence 9 Azovstal defenders to 24 years, life in prison * Russia may launch new Oreshnik missile against
Ukrainian airline SkyUp launches flights from Moldova in April 2025
SkyUp chose the Chisinau Airport in Moldova as it is the closest international hub to Ukraine.
Russia convinced Assad to flee Syria amid rebel offensive, Bloomberg reports
Moscow persuaded Syrian dictator Bashar al-Assad to flee to Russia with his family after realizing his regime was bound to lose to the opposition's rapid advance, Bloomberg reported on Dec. 11, citing its sources.
General Staff: Russia has lost 757,340 troops in Ukraine since Feb. 24, 2022
This number includes 1,400 casualties Russian forces suffered just over the past day.
Ukraine war latest: US announces $20 billion loan for Ukraine as part of G7 initiative
Key developments on Dec. 10: * US announces $20 billion loan for Ukraine as part of G7 initiative * Zelensky announces 'successful tests' of new Ukrainian missile * 70% of Ukrainians support 'West German' model for NATO accession, survey shows * Explosions heard in occupied Donetsk Oblast city, Russian proxies announce evacuation * Confusion over
Zelensky tells Trump 'Putin fears only him and, perhaps, China'
"And that’s the truth — only decisiveness can bring this war to a just end and ensure lasting peace," President Volodymyr Zelensky said on X.
General Staff: Russia has lost 755,940 troops in Ukraine since Feb. 24, 2022
This number includes 1,350 casualties Russian forces suffered just over the past day.
Ukraine war latest: Zelensky 'may consider' deployment of foreign peacekeepers to ensure ceasefire
Key developments on Dec. 9: * Zelensky 'may consider' deployment of foreign peacekeepers in Ukraine to ensure ceasefire * Ex-chief of Russian-run Olenivka prison allegedly killed in car bombing in occupied Donetsk * Trump 'formulating a concept' to end Russia-Ukraine war * Russia claims bodies of Il-76 crash victims given to Ukraine, Kyiv says
Ex-chief of Russian-run Olenivka prison allegedly killed in car bombing in occupied Donetsk
Serhii Yevsiukov, the former head of Russia's Olenivka prisoner of war (POW) camp in the occupied part of Donetsk Oblast, was allegedly killed in a car bombing in occupied Donetsk, the Russian media reported on Dec. 9.
General Staff: Russia has lost 754,590 troops in Ukraine since Feb. 24, 2022
This number includes 1,220 casualties Russian forces suffered just over the past day.
Ukraine war latest: Ukraine has lost 43,000 soldiers in action since start of invasion, Zelensky says
Key developments on Dec. 7-8: * Ukraine has lost 43,000 soldiers in action since start of invasion, Zelensky says * Russia claims control of village in Donetsk Oblast, Ukraine has not confirmed capture * Situation in Zaporizhzhia Oblast 'difficult,' but 'predicted,' Freedom of Russia Legion spokesperson says * Ukrainian sea drones
Assad regime collapse in Syria exposes weakness of Russia, Iran, EU's top diplomat says
In a post on X, top EU diplomat Kaja Kallas described Assad’s fall as a “positive and long-awaited development," saying that the collapse "shows the weakness of Assad’s backers, Russia and Iran."
28 drones intercepted, 46 lost in Russia's overnight attack on Ukraine, Air Force reports
The drones targeted multiple oblasts, with debris from downed drones causing damage to residential buildings.
General Staff: Russia has lost 753,370 troops in Ukraine since Feb. 24, 2022
This number includes 1,460 casualties Russian forces suffered just over the past day, Ukraine's General Staff reported.
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