Author: dmitriy.vasyura@gmail.com

EU Council President Antonio Costa invited Volodymyr Zelensky to the EU leaders ' summit. The main topics of discussion will be the situation in Ukraine, the global position of the EU and migration issues.

EU leaders will hold the first summit after the change of leadership of European institutions, and also invited Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, writes UNN with reference to an invitation letter from President Antonio Costa to the European Council.

Details

The main topic of discussion will be the situation in Ukraine.

"I have just returned from a visit to Kiev, on the first day of my mandate. We need to support Ukraine as much as necessary, and do everything possible to ensure that the Russian invasion is defeated and international law triumphs.",- Antonio Costa notes in the letter.

Also, the president of the EU Council in his letter noted that this meeting is an occasion to emphasize support for Ukraine. Therefore, he invited Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to share the events that are taking place in his country, as well as his views on how the EU can support Ukraine.

In addition, another important topic of discussion will be the EU and the world.

"I believe that we need a comprehensive and strategic discussion, without written conclusions, on the way forward regarding our global participation and priorities in a multipolar landscape marked by geopolitical tensions.",- said the president of the EU Council.

In particular, issues of securing the European Union on the world stage will be raised, making the network of partners around the world wider and stronger. The issue of developing mutually beneficial relations with the UK, in particular the topic of Defense and security, will be discussed.

In addition, the discussion will also focus on accelerating the implementation of an integrated approach to migration, focusing on the implementation of past decisions taken at the European Council meeting in October 2023.

The situation in the Middle East will also be discussed, in particular how the European Union can contribute to de-escalation efforts.

recall

The president of Ukraine held talks with the new head of EU diplomacy, Kai Kallas.

Editor's note: This is a developing story and is being updated.

Syrian rebels claim to have reached the suburbs of Damascus, Syria's capital, on Dec. 7, as the rebel groups' rapid offensive against pro-government forces continues.

In a statement issued by the Free Syrian Army rebel group, the group claimed that they reached "the gates of Damascus,” CNN reported. Multiple opposition activists as well a rebel commander also made the claim on Saturday.

The Kyiv Independent cannot independently verify the claims.

Syrian rebel forces have quickly advanced in recent days, with rebel forces gaining control of major cities Aleppo and Hama.

Despite the ongoing offensive, Syrian President Bashar Al Assad remains in Damascus, his office said, denying claims that Assad had left the capital.

As the rebel offensive continues, over 1,000 Syrian pro-government soldiers reportedly crossed into Iraq at the border between the two countries in Eastern Syria, a military sources told Iraq's state news agency. Syrian government forces have found themselves unable to resist rebel forces in various regions of the country amid the recent offensive.

Although Ukraine is not involved in the conflict, the advance of Syrian rebels deals a blow to Assad's key ally, Russia.

There is much at stake for Russia — if Assad's regime falls, Russia will lose its regional foothold in the Middle East, including its only naval base in the Mediterranean, and its regional and global influence will be diminished.

Moscow deployed its troops to Syria in 2015, providing support to the Assad regime against multiple anti-government forces. Damascus has been supportive of the Kremlin during the ongoing invasion of Ukraine.

Russian forces operating in Syria have been accused by the U.N. and other organizations of committing war crimes in the country, including the intentional bombing of hospitals and the usage of "double-tap" attacks, a tactic Russia has repeated in Ukraine.

Russian milbloggers raise alarm over threat to Kremlin bases in Syria amid escalating Middle East crisisThere is much at stake for Russia — if Assad’s regime falls, Russia will lose its regional foothold in the Middle East.The Kyiv IndependentMartina Sapio

Ukrainian defenders successfully repel enemy attacks and exhaust the adversary along the entire front line.

Since the beginning of the day, there have been 91 combat engagements on the front. Our defenders are stopping the enemy, holding the lines and destroying the Russians' plans. At the same time, the occupiers continue to concentrate their efforts on the Lyman, Pokrovsk, Kurakhiv, Vremiv directions and in the Kursk region, reports UNN with reference to the message of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

The border areas of Chernihiv region suffered from Russian artillery shelling. Today, the enemy fired at the settlements of Vilchyky and Senkivka.

In the Kharkiv direction, the Defense Forces repelled one assault by enemy troops near Vovchansk.

In the Kupiansk direction, the enemy tried to advance to our positions in the areas of Lozova, Masiutivka and Zeleny Hai five times during the day. Three combat engagements are ongoing.

The aggressor has increased the number of attacks to 15 in the Lyman direction. He attacked near Tverdokhlivove, Kopanky, Bohuslavka, Hrekivka, Cherneshchyna, Makiivka, Zarichne, Terniv and Yampolivka. Eight combat engagements are currently ongoing.

In the Kramatorsk direction, our defenders repelled four attacks by the occupiers in the areas of Chasiv Yar, Stupochky and Bila Hora. Two more attacks are ongoing.

In the Toretsk direction, the enemy tried to advance five times in the areas of Toretsk, Dyliivka and Nelipivka. Currently, one battle is ongoing.

The enemy's activity is currently maintained in the Pokrovsk direction as well. Here, 13 clashes of varying intensity have started today. Enemy attacks were repelled in the areas of Promin, Lysivka, Dachenske, Pushkine, Zoria and Novotroitske. Currently, six more combat engagements are ongoing.

Fierce battles are raging in the Kurakhiv direction. Near Sontsivka, Zoria, Kurakhove, Yelizavetivka, Romanivka, Hannivka, Uspeniivka, Rozlyv and Neskuchne, 19 combat clashes took place during the day, eight attacks by the occupiers are ongoing.

In the Vreme direction, the aggressor attacked the positions of our defenders 10 times in the area of the settlements of Veselyi Hai, Kostiantynopilske, Sukhi Yaly, Novodarivka, Novosillka, Temyrivka, five combat engagements are ongoing.

In the Prydniprovsk direction, the Defense Forces repelled one enemy assault.

In the Kursk region, Ukrainian defenders are still repelling 10 attacks by the invaders, a total of 16 combat engagements were recorded in the direction today.

In the rest of the directions, there were no significant changes in the situation. The Ukrainian troops are exhausting the enemy along the entire line of contact and in the rear.

"The Ukrainian troops are exhausting the enemy along the entire line of contact and in the rear", the headquarters added.

Russian military positions in Syria are under increasing threat as rebel forces make significant advances in the country, Russian milbloggers have warned.

Syrian rebel forces launched a major surprise offensive last week, advancing rapidly through the country, and seizing the major cities of Aleppo and Hama.

According to the latest reports, they are now approaching the capital Damascus. Events are unfolding rapidly, and the Russian milblogger's claims could not be independently verified.

There is much at stake for Russia — if Assad's regime falls, Russia will lose its regional foothold in the Middle East, including its only naval base in the Mediterranean, and its regional and global influence will be diminished.

But propping up Assad and defending the Syrian capital of Damascus from any rebel advance will require military support that Moscow may not be able to spare when the vast bulk of its forces are fighting in Ukraine.

Russia operates the Tartus naval base, the Khmeimim Air Base, and other military facilities in the country.

"Syria represents Moscow's only military foothold in the Mediterranean," Neil Quilliam, a Middle East expert at Chatham House, previously told the Kyiv Independent.

Prominent Russian milblogger Rybar, with over 1.3 million followers on Telegram, sounded the alarm about the growing threats facing Moscow's forces in Syria.

"We must acknowledge the reality — the insurgents will not stop," Rybar cautioned in a post on Telegram.

"Their objective is to inflict maximum losses — both reputational and physical — on the Russian Federation’s representatives in Syria, with a particular focus on destroying our military bases."

Similar claims were made by Russian milblogger Aleksei Zhivov who described events unfolding in Syria as "another front of the West against Russia with the participation of Turkey and NATO."

Fall of Aleppo deals blow to Russia’s Middle East clout, may indirectly strengthen Ukraine’s handThe shock capture of Aleppo by Syrian forces opposed to Bashar al-Assad in recent days has dealt a humiliating blow to the regime and its backers, Russia and Iran, analysts have told the Kyiv Independent. The surprise offensive has also indirectly helped Ukraine, analysts say. “This is really quit…The Kyiv IndependentOleg Sukhov

When Assad's regime captured Aleppo in 2016 after years of fighting for the city, Russia's military intervention was a major reason behind his success.

Since 2015, Russia has sent warplanes, tanks, artillery, and ground troops to Syria.

Rybar also reported that the rebels reportedly entered Palmyra, another Syrian city, without encountering resistance. Speculation arose that the Syrian army may have "abandoned all positions and retreated to Damascus or simply fled."

In response, Russian journalist Yuri Kotyonok expressed concerns on his Telegram channel about the fate of the Tiyas military base near Palmyra, which hosts a Russian military battalion.

Russian mil blogger Anastasia Kashevarova claimed preparations for an evacuation at Tiyas are underway and that Tifor, a shared military base operated by the Russian Ministry of Defense and Syrian forces, is already in the process of being evacuated.

She added that Syrian coordinators within the Russian Defense Ministry are allegedly "urgently" assembling a group of veterans who have previously fought in Syria, reportedly to address the escalating challenges in the region.

Russian milblogger Alexander Kots said "the situation in the country is heating up with each passing hour."

He noted that if the militants "take the city [Homs] and make a dash to the border with Lebanon, then the governorates of Tartus and Latakia, where Russian military bases are deployed, will be cut off from the rest of the country."

Kots added that while "the army and tactical aviation of the Russian Aerospace Forces are doing everything possible to slow down the advance of the militants," these efforts are unlikely to succeed "without support on the ground."

Russian milblogger Fighterbomber described the evolving situation in Syria as "roughly the same as in 2015," but with one exception: "The appearance of drones."

He said drones have become a game-changing factor, stating that "no one, anywhere, has yet learned to reliably counter them."

He warned that this development could put at risk the Russian-operated Khmeimim Air Base which could cease functioning if the enemy approaches "within artillery range or drone flight range."

He added that evacuation would be nearly impossible, saying that "at best, we could evacuate most of the personnel, documentation, and operational aircraft," along with some equipment loaded onto transport ships, but "all other property would remain at the bases."

Summing up, he argued the primary mission must be "to prevent the enemy from entering Latakia, even if it means temporarily surrendering all other territories."

"The initiative is not on our side, and the situation is very difficult — this cannot be denied," he added.

Chornobyl: An exclusive look at the exclusion zone during war | Dare to UkraineIn the sixth episode of Dare to Ukraine, we gain rare access to the Chornobyl Exclusion Zone, known globally as the site of the catastrophic 1986 nuclear disaster and one of the most radioactive places on Earth.The Kyiv IndependentMasha Lavrova

There were 91 clashes at the front, the greatest enemy activity in the Limansky, Pokrovsky, Kurakhovsky and Vremovsky directions. The invaders carried out the most attacks in the Kurakhovsky direction – 19 military clashes.

Since the beginning of the day, 91 clashes have occurred at the front, and the invaders continue to focus their efforts on the Limansky, Pokrovsky, Kurakhovsky, Vremovsky directions and in the Kursk region. This is stated in the summary of the General Staff as of 16:00, Reports UNN.

In the Kharkiv direction, the defense forces repelled one assault by enemy troops near Volchansk.

In the Kupyansky direction during the day, the enemy tried five times to advance to our positions in the areas of Lozovaya, Masyutovka and Zeleny Gai. Three clashes continue.

The aggressor increased the number of attacks to 15 in the Limansky direction. He attacked near Tverdokhlebovo, Kopanok, Boguslavka, Grekovka, Cherneshchina, Makeyevka, Zarechny, Ternovi and Yampolovka. Eight skirmishes are currently ongoing.

In the Kramatorsk direction Our Defenders repelled four attacks of the invaders in the areas of Chas Yar, Stupochek and Belaya Gora. Two more attacks continue.

In the Toretsk direction the enemy tried to move forward five times in the areas of Toretsk, Diliyevka and Nelipovka. Currently, there is one battle going on.

The enemy's activity is still maintained in the Pokrovsky direction. 13 times today, clashes of varying intensity began here. Enemy attacks were repelled in the areas of Luch, postcard, Dachensky, Pushkin, Zarya and Novotroitsk. There are still six clashes going on.

There are fierce battles in the Kurakhovsky direction. Near Solntsevka, Zarya, Kurakhovo, Elizavetovka, Romanovka, Annovka, Uspenovka, Razliv and Neskuchny, 19 military clashes occurred during the day, eight attacks by the invaders continue.

In the Vremovsky direction the aggressor attacked the positions of our defenders 10 times in the area of the settlements of Vesely Gai, Konstantinopolskoye, Sukhoi Yaly, Novodarovka, Novoselka, Temirovka, five clashes continue.

In the Dnieper direction, the defense forces repelled one enemy assault.

In the Kursk Region, Ukrainian defenders are still repelling 10 attacks by invaders, a total of 16 clashes were recorded in the direction today.

In other areas, there were no significant changes in the situation, the General Staff concluded.

The General Staff Updated data on terrorist attacks: 1,300 invaders were destroyedDec 7 2024, 05:34 AM • 45554 views