Shipments from Ukraine. Day 1028.
Kherson region. On December 14, Russian shelling of several municipalities in the Kherson oblast or region in southern Ukraine left two and six wounded.
Donetsk region. A Russian artillery attack killed a child in the eastern frontline village of Shevchenko on Dec. 11. Tragically, the child’s family heeded the mandatory evacuation imposed two months ago, but then returned and were in hiding in their home village at the time of the attack. Advancing Russian forces have since captured Shevchenko and are now within two miles of the strategic city of Pokrovsk, a logistics hub for Ukraine’s military.
On December 13, the Kremlin launched one of its largest air movements against Ukraine’s military infrastructure, firing 94 missiles and some two hundred drones. Ukraine intercepted 81 missiles, added 11 cruise missiles shot down by F-16 aircraft, and neutralized 80 drones, while more than a hundred others were probably neutralized by electronic warfare. The measures basically targeted western Ukraine, where more than 50 missiles were shot down; However, the attack caused widespread power outages and exacerbated recurring blackouts. Russia’s regular large-scale missile attacks, which occur approximately every two to three weeks, are aimed at further crippling Ukraine’s already broken power grid during the winter months.
Casualties from the Russia-Ukraine war have surpassed one million since Russia’s full-scale invasion began in February 2022, NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte said in a speech in Brussels on Dec. 12. According to Rutte, Moscow lost around 700,000 soldiers and Ukraine suffered 43,000 infantrymen killed and 370,000 wounded. Under pressure that the war continues to cause devastating losses, with more than 10,000 casualties in a week, he warned that allies have been slow to respond to Putin’s aggression. He also warned that NATO is not prepared for Russia’s long-term threats, and called for increased defense spending and a “wartime mindset change. “that Ukraine spent 25% of its GDP on defense in 2025, 10 times the average of European allies.
Norway announced a $240 million program for Ukraine’s maritime defense, adding demining, military education and apparatus to counter Russian naval threats in the Black Sea. The funds, which are part of Norway’s $3. 1 billion aid commitment through 2025, will go toward Ukraine’s naval capabilities, adding small ships and mine detection systems. The country also plans to contribute to the training of Ukrainian pilots of American F-16 aircraft in Portugal.
The United States announced a $500 million military aid package for Ukraine, adding HIMARS long-range rocket launchers and artillery munitions, anti-drone systems and anti-tank missiles. In addition, the United States announced $440 million in economic aid to Ukraine, aimed at the agricultural sector and port infrastructure. The package includes $75 million for export-oriented agriculture, as well as $220 million to rebuild shipping systems and modernize Black Sea ports. This aid is part of President Biden’s preference to increase his arsenal with $7. 1 billion remaining to be allocated before the end of his term in January, as Ukraine faces a critical need for defense capabilities. air defense, especially in times of escalating Russian offensives.
A recent survey indicates a significant reduction in the percentage of Ukrainians with a favorable opinion of Poland, from 83% in 2022 to just 41% in 2024. The survey, conducted through a Polish government think tank, highlights that the 53% of Ukrainians have a favorable opinion of Poland. favorable opinion of Poland. Ukrainians are now taking an even-handed stance toward Poles, with only 4% expressing strong positive feelings. This change is basically attributed to the protests of Polish farmers against Ukrainian agricultural exports. Emerging wartime tensions and Russian propaganda aimed at exploiting longstanding tensions between the two nations.
The European Union approved its 15th set of sanctions against Russia, targeting 54 Americans and 30 entities, adding top energy executives and officials related to the expulsions of children, as well as senior North Korean officials. The package penalizes 52 ships used to circumvent previous restrictions. as well as the Russian chemical industry and a national advertising airline that contributes to the army’s operations. For the first time, sanctions were also imposed on Chinese corporations that supply drone parts and microelectronics for the Russian war effort, along with Indian, Iranian, Serbian and UAE corporations involved in sanctions circumvention. However, many Ukrainian politicians consider these measures inadequate and call for sanctions against Russian LNG (liquefied natural gas), whose imports into Europe have increased lately, despite efforts to reduce dependence on the Russian power in the ongoing war.
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz lost a confidence vote in the Bundestag on Dec. 16, triggering early elections on February 23, 2025. The motion passed the German parliament with 394 votes against Scholz and only 207 in favor following the collapse of his coalition in November after a partner, the Free Democratic Party, withdrew. One issue fueling political tensions is Scholz’s refusal to provide Ukraine with Taurus missiles, advanced long-range precision weapons capable of striking targets up to 300 miles away. In comparison, U.S.-supplied ATACMS missiles have a range of only 180 miles. Longer-range missiles are crucial for Ukraine to hit military targets deep within Russian territory. In contrast, one of Scholz’s main political rivals, Friedrich Merz, has taken a stronger stance on supporting Ukraine, including backing the delivery of Taurus missiles.
By Danylo Nosov and Karina L. Tahiliani
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