Ukrainian rivers

6:05 PM

Budapest memorandum

30 years ago today, Ukraine traded nuclear arms for security assurances, a decision that still haunts Kyiv today

5:52 PM

Russia illegally drafted 5,500 residents of occupied Crimea in 2024, Kyiv says.

Nearly 5,500 residents of Russian-occupied Crimea were mobilized into the Russian army in 2024, according to the report of the Mission of the President of Ukraine in Crimea, published on Dec. 4.

4:09 PM

EU prepared to step in if Trump withdraws from $50 billion Ukraine loan, official says.

Polish Deputy Finance Minister Pawel Karbownik said on Dec. 4 that the European Union is prepared to compensate if the U.S. withdraws from a $50 billion multilateral loan agreement for Ukraine.

3:58 PM

At least 6 Ukrainian mayors held captive by Russia, Zelensky says.

Zelensky confirmed that Yevhenii Matvieiev, the mayor of occupied Dniprorudne in Zaporizhzhia Oblast, was tortured to death in Russian captivity.

3:47 PM

Discussions about German peacekeepers in Ukraine 'irresponsible,' opposition leader says.

Germany's conservative opposition leader Friedrich Merz said on Dec. 4 that any speculations about deploying German troops to ensure a ceasefire are irresponsible at this time.

3:09 PM

Russia increasing presence, provocations in Baltic Sea, German minister says.

The comments came shortly after a Russian warship fired a warning shot at a German military helicopter patrolling the Baltic Sea.

2:56 PM

Ukrainian intelligence hackers disrupt Russia's Gazprombank, source says.

The cyberattack, described as a powerful distributed denial-of-service (DDOS) assault, disrupted Gazprombank's online and mobile banking services.

2:32 PM

'There will be no Yalta-2 or Minsk-3,' Ukrainian FM says at OSCE meeting.

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha, speaking at the OSCE Ministerial Council meeting in Malta on Dec. 5, strongly opposed any agreements resembling past Yalta or Minsk deals that could legitimize Russian aggression.

2:17 PM

'A more dangerous Russia' — UK armed forces chief issues stark 'third nuclear age' warning.

The world faces the dawn of a "third nuclear age," the head of the U.K.'s armed forces Admiral Sir Tony Radakin said on Dec. 4.

2:03 PM

Russia's losses may begin to outpace enlistment rates, media's analysis says.

Basing the conclusions on expenditures on sign-on bonuses and earlier research, Meduza estimates that the Russian military signed between 500-600 new contracts per day. This would be less or barely enough to cover Russia's irreversible battlefield losses, estimated by Meduza at 600-750 per day.

12:48 PM

Ukraine sees no signs Russia is ready for peace talks, Zelensky's top aide says.

"They only want to dictate and speak the language of ultimatums," Andriy Yermak said in an interview for The Telegraph. He emphasized that no leader of the democratic world, including U.S. President-elect Donald Trump, would allow such ultimatums.

10:49 AM  (Updated:  December 5, 2024 12:43 pm)

Updated: Russian attacks across Ukraine kill 4, injure 16 over past day.

Ukraine’s Air Force intercepted 30 of 44 Russian drones launched overnight. Russia also fired two Iskander-M ballistic missiles during the assault, the Air Force reported.

12:34 PM

Lavrov arrives in Malta on his first EU visit since full-scale war's start; Sybiha also present.

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha is also visiting Malta to address the plenary session of the OSCE meeting. Ukraine's chief diplomat left the hall before the start of Lavrov's speech, calling him a "war criminal."

11:41 AM

48,000 Russian soldiers may be MIA in Ukraine, 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.

11:18 AM

Ukraine sanctions Georgian oligarch Ivanishvili, PM, other officials amid pro-EU protests.

The sanctions target oligarch and de facto leader of Georgian Dream Bidzina Ivanishvili and 18 other individuals.

10:11 AM

Russia keeps North Korean soldiers away from direct combat, Ukraine's National Resistance Center claims.

North Korean soldiers have been stationed at observation posts and checkpoints in Russia's Kursk Oblast as a "second echelon" not involved in direct combat, the Ukrainian military-run National Resistance Center reported on Dec. 4.

9:34 AM

Netherlands announces $23 million for Ukraine's air defense, cyber resilience.

Dutch Foreign Minister Caspar Veldkamp emphasized the need for NATO and its allies to address third countries aiding Russia’s war effort. "This demands a more robust and coordinated response from NATO and its Allies," he wrote.

9:06 AM

Oreshnik strike planned before long-range strikes permission, Gerasimov reportedly 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, citing official sources.

8:53 AM

Romania targeted by 'aggressive Russian hybrid attacks,' authorities say amid elections.

Romanian authorities on Dec. 4 declassified evidence of what they described as a "highly organized" social media campaign backed by a "state actor" to boost pro-Russian presidential candidate Calin Georgescu in a recent vote.

8:19 AM

General Staff: Russia has lost 748,950 troops in Ukraine since Feb. 24, 2022.

This number includes 1,580 casualties Russian forces suffered just over the past da

7:28 AM

Hungary requests US sanctions exemption for Russian natural gas payments.

Hungary has requested the United States to provide the country with a sanctions waiver to further continue payments for Russian natural gas imports through Gazprombank, Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto said on Dec. 4.

6:19 AM

Georgian police detain opposition leader amid protests.

Georgian police detained Nika Gvaramia, the leader of the Coalition for Change opposition party, on Dec. 4 amid government crackdowns as pro-EU protests in the country continue.

5:05 AM

Yermak-led delegation meets with Trump's team in Washington, Reuters reports.

The delegation, which reportedly included Defense Minister Rustem Umerov and Economy Minister Yulia Svyrydenko, met with incoming U.S. National Security Adviser Mike Waltz and Ukraine peace envoy Keith Kellogg, a source told Reuters.

4:18 AM

84 arrested in UK-led crypto laundering investigation involving Russian oligarchs, spies.

The United Kingdom's National Crime Agency (NCA) announced on Dec. 4 that it had dismantled a multibillion-dollar money laundering scheme that has enabled criminal networks, including Russian spies and oligarchs, to evade sanctions using cryptocurrency.

1:49 AM

Colombian man arrested in Romania for acting on Russian orders to plot infrastructure attack.

The suspect reportedly carried out reconnaissance missions, photographing and recording potential targets he intended to destroy with explosives or fire, Romanian prosecurors allege.