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9:46 AM

Russia killed at least 109 Ukrainian POWs in 2024, ombudsman says.

"In 2024 alone, we can confirm that Russian troops shot 109 Ukrainian prisoners of war," Lubinets said. Reports of murders, torture, and ill-treatment of Ukrainian prisoners of war are received regularly by Ukrainian authorities.

8:36 AM

Media identifies over 82,000 Russian soldiers killed in Ukraine.

Russia has made territorial gains in Eastern Ukraine, using brutal meat wave tactics to achieve minor tactical victories on the frontline at the cost of high casualties among its soldiers.

8:13 AM

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.

6:54 AM

Russia 'prepared to consider' prisoner exchange with US, Russian official says.

Russia will "definitely be prepared to consider" a prisoner exchange, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov told NBC News, adding that a potential exchange could mark "a healthy step forward, especially at the beginning of the next (U.S.) administration."

6:17 AM

US considering implementing harsher sanctions on Russian oil ahead of Trump's inauguration, Bloomberg reports.

Although no concrete decisions have been made on the potential sanctions, sources familiar with the discussions told Bloomberg that a number of avenues are being explored, including sanctions on Russia's so-called 'shadow fleet.'

4:25 AM

US announces $266 million in sales to bolster Ukraine’s F-16 fighter jets.

The State Department approved a $266 million foreign military sales package for Ukraine on Dec. 10, enabling the sustainment of services as well as repairs necessary for the upkeep of the country's F-16 fighter jets.

1:28 AM

Hungary vows to block potential EU sanctions on Georgia over protest crackdowns.

Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto has pledged to veto a proposal to impose EU sanctions on Georgian officials for their crackdown on anti-government protests, the First Channel of Georgia reported on Dec. 10.

11:43 PM

Russian drone hits IAEA service vehicle near Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant.

On Dec. 10, a Russian drone struck and severely damaged an International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) service vehicle on its way to the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant (ZNPP), President Volodymyr Zelensky reported.

10:40 PM

Ukraine state-owned enterprises weekly — Issue 157

Editor’s Note: This is issue 157 of Ukrainian State-Owned Enterprises Weekly, covering events from Dec. 2-8, 2024. The Kyiv Independent is reposting it with permission. Corporate governance of SOEs Parliament appoints Naftogaz’s CEO Chernyshov as national unity minister; CFO Chumak takes over as acting CEO. On Dec. 3,

Ukraine war latest: US announces $20 billion loan for Ukraine as part of G7 initiative

10:11 PM

War update

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

9:47 PM

Ukraine Reforms Tracker Weekly — Issue 4

Editor’s note: This is issue 4 of Ukrainian lawmaker Yaroslav Zhelezniak’s weekly "Ukraine Reforms Tracker" covering events from Dec. 2-Dec. 8, 2024. This newsletter was until recently titled “Ukrainian Economy in Brief." The digest highlights steps taken in the Ukrainian parliament related to business, economics, and international financial

9:33 PM

Russia reduces barge barriers protecting Crimean Bridge by half in a month.

The number of barges Russia has deployed in the Kerch Strait to protect the illegal Crimean Bridge against Ukrainian maritime drones has halved in a month, the Center of Journalistic Investigations reported on Dec. 10.

9:22 PM

US announces $20 billion loan for Ukraine as part of G7 initiative.

The U.S. Treasury Department announced on Dec. 10 that it will provide $20 billion in loan assistance to Ukraine, marking its contribution to a broader $50 billion initiative supported by G7 countries.

8:41 PM

Zelensky announces 'successful tests' of new Ukrainian missile.

Successful tests of a new Ukrainian missile, dubbed Ruta (Rue), are underway, President Volodymyr Zelensky announced on Dec. 10.

7:53 PM

Confusion over Russian advances in Sumy Oblast, authorities deny border breach.

The map changes showed Russian forces occupying 2 square kilometers (0,8 square miles) in Sumy and advancing in the Kursk Oblast. These developments are reflected as of December 10.

6:45 PM

Russia could swap North Korean soldiers for Su-27s and MiG-29s, US officer says.

Russia may have transferred MiG-29 and Su-27 fighter jets to North Korea in exchange for North Korean soldiers, Admiral Samuel Paparo, commander of the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, said on Dec. 8, according to Aviation Week Network.

6:20 PM

Ukraine peace talks could start this winter, Tusk says.

Speaking during a government meeting, the Polish Prime Minister announced that Poland, set to assume the rotating presidency of the Council of the European Union on Jan. 1, intends to play an active role in the talks.

5:45 PM

Russian troops evacuate from Syria amid base siege, military intelligence says.

Military transport aircraft, including An-124 and Il-76 planes, continue to transport personnel and equipment to Russian airfields in Ulyanovsk, Chkalovsky, and Privolzhsky.

4:50 PM

Taurus delivery to Ukraine should be coordinated with US, European partners, German opposition leader says.

German Chancellor candidate Friedrich Merz would closely coordinate the delivery of Taurus missiles to Ukraine with the U.S. and European partners, he said in an interview with Bild on Dec. 9.

4:06 PM

Politico lists Yermak, Putin among Europe's most influential people.

Politico presented on Dec. 10 its end-of-the-year list of the most influential people in Europe, with President Volodymyr Zelensky’s chief of staff Andriy Yermak and Russian President Vladimir Putin among the finalists for the "dreamers" and "doers" categories, respectively.

Russian missile attack against Kharkiv Oblast town injures 11

10:22 AM

(Updated: December 10, 2024 3:16 pm)

Russian missile attack against Kharkiv Oblast town injures 11.

A Russian missile attack against the town of Zlatopil in Kharkiv Oblast on Dec. 10 injured at least 11 people, officials reported.

3:07 PM

Russia detains Russian-German citizen over alleged sabotage plot.

Russia’s security services detained a Russian-German citizen for allegedly preparing a sabotage plot against railways, Russian news agency Interfax reported on Dec. 10.

2:43 PM

Explosions heard in occupied Donetsk Oblast city, Russian proxies announce evacuation.

Russian occupation authorities in the Donetsk Oblast city of Yenakiieve announced evacuations from parts of the city on Dec. 10 amid reports of explosions.

1:59 PM

44% of Ukrainians trust Trump, more than elsewhere in Europe, survey suggests.

Some 44.6% of Ukrainians trust U.S. President-elect Donald Trump, roughly 10 points less than incumbent President Joe Biden, a survey by New Europe Center published on Dec. 10 showed.

1:30 PM

Chinese exports to Russia decrease for first time in 4 months, Reuters reports.

The decrease of 10.5% compared to November 2023 marks the first drop since July, Reuters writes.

12:38 PM

Russian losses in Syria — BBC identifies 543 soldiers, Wagner mercenaries who died since 2015.

Of the total number, 346 were employees of the Wagner company, a private mercenary group also deployed in Russia's war in Ukraine and elsewhere.

12:12 PM

70% of Ukrainians support 'West German' model for NATO accession, survey shows.

A key difference is that the invitation would encompass the entire Ukraine, but the alliance's defensive "umbrella" would extend to the occupied territories only after their future liberation.

11:12 AM

Russian troops sabotage their boats to avoid Dnipro River crossing, Ukrainian partisans claim.

Russian soldiers increasingly sabotage their own boats and equipment to avoid having to attack the Dnipro River islands on the southern front, Ukrainian resistance group Atesh claimed on Dec. 10.

10:53 AM

Russian attacks against Donetsk, Kherson oblasts kill 3, injure 14 over past day.

Russian attacks across Ukraine killed at least three civilians and injured at least 14 over the past day, regional authorities reported on the morning of Dec. 10.

9:37 AM

China curbs sale of drone parts to US, Europe, hindering Ukraine’s war effort, Bloomberg reports.

Chinese manufacturers began limiting their sales of vital drone components to their U.S. and European customers, preluding a broader ban on exports by officials, Bloomberg wrote, citing undisclosed sources on Dec. 9.

9:15 AM

Hungary's PM Orban meets with Trump, Musk, says 'future has begun.'

"The future has begun — an afternoon in Mar-a-Lago," Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban said.

8:41 AM

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.

News Feed

9:49 PM

War analysis

Ukraine ends year battered, with Russian troops pushing north, east, and south

9:36 PM

'Fico’s energy policy poses a threat to Europe' — Ukraine criticizes Slovak PM after Russia visit.

The criticism followed Fico's meeting with Putin in Moscow on Dec. 22 to discuss gas supplies after Ukraine announced it would not extend its transit deal for Russian gas beyond Dec. 31.

8:19 PM

North Korean troops deployed to aid Russia were Pyongyang’s idea, NYT reports.

While some Western officials initially viewed the arrival of North Korean soldiers in Russia as evidence of the Kremlin’s desperation, U.S. agencies now reportedly believe the idea was North Korea’s initiative, quickly embraced by Russian President Vladimir Putin.

8:02 PM

YouTube traffic in Russia drops 80% as authorities try to curb access.

The ongoing slowdown, reportedly implemented by Russian regulators to restrict access to the service, has made the platform nearly unusable in the country.

7:35 PM

Defense production

How Ukraine’s new drone-missile hybrids are changing long-range weapon technology

6:40 PM

Over 3,000 North Korean troops killed, wounded in Kursk Oblast, Zelensky says.

This estimation, coming from Ukraine's intelligence, is a significant increase from other recent reports about the North Korean casualties.

6:34 PM

War analysis

Assassinations of pro-war figures seek to demoralize Russia, punish war criminals

5:57 PM

First Ukrainian Legion unit trained in Poland deployed to Ukraine, ambassador says.

The initiative aims to bolster Ukraine’s Armed Forces by recruiting Ukrainian men living in Poland and other EU countries.

5:31 PM

47% of Ukrainians back NATO accession even while territories stay occupied, survey shows.

Nearly half of Ukrainians support Ukraine joining NATO even if some territories remain under Russian occupation at the time of accession, according to a new poll.

4:54 PM

Satellite imagery suggests North Korea to supply more arms to Russia, WSJ reports.

North Korea appears to be preparing to supply more arms to Russia on top of some 20,000 containers it had already sent, the Wall Street Journal reported on Dec. 23 based on its analysis of satellite images.

4:07 PM

Germany provides Ukraine with 15 Leopard 1 tanks, 2 IRIS-T systems, 2 Patriot launchers.

Berlin supplied Ukraine with 15 Leopard 1A5 tanks, one short-range and one medium-range IRIS-T air defense system with missiles, two Patriot air defense launchers, and other aid in the latest delivery, the German government said on Dec. 23.

3:59 PM

Moldova

Moldova prepares for harsh winter, as Russian-occupied part of country runs out of gas

3:31 PM

More than two-thirds of Ukrainians favor idea of restoring nuclear arms arsenal, poll shows.

Around half of the respondents said they would support the development of nuclear weapons even at the price of losing Western aid and coming under sanctions.

3:24 PM

KI Insights

2025 – A Turning Point for Ukraine

2:59 PM

'What is being paid to him, and what does he pay with?' — Zelensky blasts Fico after Moscow visit.

Zelensky called Fico's pro-Russian energy policy "a big security issue" for Slovakia and Europe, asking: "Why is this leader so dependent on Moscow? What is being paid to him, and what does he pay with?"

1:58 PM

'We don't have to grovel before a mass murderer' — Czechia blasts Fico over Moscow trip.

The Czech government’s decision to wean itself off from Russian energy ensured that "we don't have to grovel before a mass murderer," Czech Foreign Minister Jan Lipavsky said on Dec. 22, referring to Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico’s visit to Moscow.

1:29 PM

Russian cyberattack: Breach occurred at 'top-level account,' MP says.

Hackers could have used phishing or bribed employees to break into Justice Ministry registries during a Russian cyberattack last week, Oleksandr Fedienko, head of the parliamentary subcommittee on cybersecurity, told Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL) on Dec. 23.

12:43 PM

Ukraine receives $1.1 billion from IMF.

The funds come as already the sixth tranche disbursed to Ukraine under the IMF's Extended Fund Facility (EFF) program, raising the amount provided so far to $9.8 billion.

12:21 PM

Cargo vessel sent to transport Russian military equipment from Syria breaks down in open sea, Ukraine's intel claims.

Concurrently, marine traffic monitors show a Vladivostok-bound cargo ship, Ursa Major, previously registered as Sparta III and visually matching the picture published by HUR, moving at a very low speed of little over 1 knot in the open sea between Spain and Algeria.

11:49 AM

NATO chief defends Scholz, calls Zelensky's criticism 'unfair'.

In the interview, Rutte said that Scholz's contributions to Ukraine are commendable. The chancellor ensured that Germany ranks second after the U.S. in military support for Ukraine, something Kyiv could express its gratitude for, Rutte noted.

11:09 AM

Moscow begins providing energy aid to Georgia's Russian-occupied Abkhazia region.

The press service of the Abkhaz energy company Chernomorenergo reported that a schedule from Nov. 1, under which electricity will be unavailable for four hours per day, is in effect.

10:40 AM

Russian attacks against Ukraine kill 3, injure 3 over past day.

The Russian military attacked Ukraine with 72 Shahed-type drones and other unmanned aerial vehicles overnight on Dec. 23, Ukraine's Air Force reported on Telegram.

10:01 AM

Australian citizen fighting for Ukraine allegedly captured by Russia.

The man, who identifies himself as 32-year-old Australian citizen Oscar Jenkins, is seen in military fatigues, apparently tied up, and violently interrogated in a video shared on Russian Telegram channels.

9:30 AM

Russia's threat to Europe 'much wider than we imagine,' Italian PM warns.

"It's about our democracy, it's about influencing our public opinion, it's about what happens in Africa, it's about raw materials, it's about the instrumentalization of migration. We need to know it's a very wide idea of security," Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said.

8:48 AM

'Mysterious' fire engulfs Russian Shahed warehouse, Ukrainian intelligence claims.

A large-scale fire broke out at a Shahed drone warehouse at the Alabuga Special Economic Zone in Russia's Tatarstan, destroying drone parts worth $16 million, Ukraine's military intelligence (HUR) said on Dec. 23.

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