The U.K. has delivered dozens of Storm Shadow cruise missiles to Ukraine, Bloomberg reports, marking the first major arms transfer under Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s leadership.
The unannounced shipments carried out weeks ago, were ordered after Ukrainian forces faced shortages of long-range missiles, according to sources familiar with the matter.
Officials speaking to Bloomberg, who declined to be named due to the sensitivity of the information, confirmed that the missiles were supplied before the U.K. and the U.S. authorized Ukraine to target locations inside Russia with long-range weapons. The exact timeline and quantity of the shipment remain undisclosed.
"We do not comment on operational detail, to do so would only benefit [Russian President Vladimir Putin]," the Ministry of Defense told Bloomberg. The ministry reiterated the U.K.’s "ironclad" support for Ukraine in its war against Russia.
Ukrainian forces recently used the Storm Shadow missiles to strike Russian targets in the western Bryansk region, one day after deploying U.S.-made ATACMS in similar operations.
At the G20 summit in Brazil on Nov. 20, Starmer said his government was "doubling down" on its support for Ukraine but avoided disclosing specifics. Ukraine had previously used Storm Shadows against Russian forces in the Black Sea, though the U.K. government has not confirmed the total number supplied since the war began.
The missiles, manufactured by MBDA, a defense company that provides missile systems for each branch of the armed forces, are precision-guided and boast a range exceeding 250 kilometers. Equipped with advanced navigation systems, they are designed to fly close to terrain at high speeds, enhancing their effectiveness in striking critical targets.
The Ukrainian Air Force reports the activity of enemy attack drones over Kyiv, Khmelnytsky and Vinnytsia regions. The population is urged to take shelter, and air defense forces are on alert.
Enemy attack drones were spotted in the sky over Ukraine. This was reported by the Air Force of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, UNN reports.
Details
Enemy attack drones are attacking Ukrainian regions again. Enemy UAV activity has been confirmed in the Kyiv region, particularly in the area of Bila Tserkva.
In Khmelnytsky region, drones were spotted flying in the directions of Shepetivka and Starokonstantinov. In the Vinnytsia region, drones were spotted near Koziatyn, raising concerns about possible strikes on critical infrastructure.
Air defense forces are on high alert. Residents of these regions are urged to stay in shelters and follow safety rules.
A strange flash in the sky was spotted in several regions of UkraineApr 30 2024, 11:13 PM • 22582 views
Ukraine will receive two IRIS-T short- and medium-range air defence systems from Germany by the end of 2024.
Source: Major General Christian Freuding, Head of the Planning Staff and the Special Task Force for Ukraine at Germany's Federal Ministry of Defence, in a conversation with journalists in Kyiv, as reported by European Pravda
Details: Freuding stated that in recent days, Germany had supplied Ukraine with artillery howitzers, tanks and Marder infantry fighting vehicles and launched an attack drone programme.
"The next IRIS-T SLM (medium-range) and SLS (short-range) systems should arrive in Ukraine in the coming days and weeks, before Christmas," the German major general announced.
"But our support will continue after Christmas, and after 1 January, and after 21 January, and after 23 February, the date of the federal elections proposed in Germany," he vowed.
Background:
In early September, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz announced that Germany had ordered a total of 17 IRIS-T air defence systems for Ukraine. These are eight medium-range systems (SLM) and nine short-range systems (SLS).
By early October, Ukraine had received four IRIS-T SLM and three SLS systems. Subsequently, the German Ministry of Defence announced the delivery of two more SLM and SLS systems. Additionally, Chancellor Olaf Scholz, in a conversation with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, promised that Berlin would ship another IRIS-T system by the end of the year.
PoliticsWar The head of the European Parliament calls on Germany to transfer the Taurus to Ukraine as the Bundestag continues to debate. Tuesday, November 26, 2024
The President of the European Parliament, Roberta Metzola, called on the German government to transfer Taurus missiles to Ukraine in response to Russian aggression, as the Kremlin’s escalation of the war is alarming. However, the coalition of the Christian Democratic Union and the Christian Social Union of Germany will not vote to supply the Taurus to Ukraine, as it considers the Free Democratic Party’s proposal to put the issue to a vote in the Bundestag a populist maneuver on the eve of elections. At the same time, the bloc supports the proposal to transfer the missiles to Ukraine. The former ambassador of Ukraine to Germany, Andriy Melnyk, believes that Ukraine will receive Taurus missiles no earlier than April 2025 if the Christian Democratic Union wins the early February elections in Germany and its leader, Friedrich Merz, becomes chancellor. Earlier, Reuters wrote that the US is close to transferring JASSM cruise missiles, with a range of up to 370 kilometers, to Ukraine. Moreover, French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot said that there are no use restrictions and Ukraine is free to strike Russia using French long-range missiles.
Special Counsel Jack has closed the charges against Trump for election interference and handling classified documents. The decision is related to the Supreme Court's ruling on presidential immunity.
Special Prosecutor Jack, who led the cases against Trump for election interference and mishandling of classified documents, announced the dismissal of charges in court filings. This was reported by CNN, according to UNN.
Details
According to the information, the relevant materials were filed with the US District Court in Washington on Monday.
Judge Tani Chutkan officially closed the election case without the possibility of reopening it.
The decision follows a Supreme Court ruling this summer that found that Trump enjoys some immunity from prosecution for actions related to his presidential powers. Smith noted that the dismissal does not reflect the merits or strength of the charges, but the Constitution requires such a result.
Trump, who recently returned to the presidency, had previously called the investigations politically motivated and announced his intention to fire Smith. His spokesman, Steven Cheng, called the dismissal of the cases a “victory for the rule of law” and called for an end to the “politicization of the justice system.
Despite the closure of key cases, the controversy over Trump's actions continues to spark political and public debate.
Ukrainian drones hit oil depot in western Russia's Kaluga Oblast, source says
Ukraine can strike Russian territory with ATACMS missiles, White House confirms
Russian missile attacks on central Kharkiv, Odesa injures dozens
Ukraine's 3rd Brigade says it liberated Kharkiv Oblast village, took POWs
Ukraine developing guided aerial bombs domestically, Chief of Ukrainian Armed Forces General Staff says
Drones operated by Ukraine's military intelligence agency (HUR) hit an oil depot in the western Russian city of Kaluga, a source in the agency told the Kyiv Independent on Nov. 25.
The Kaluganefteprodukt oil facility, which is used to support Russian aggression against Ukraine, was struck by drones at 0:30 a.m. on Nov. 25, leading to a fire, the source claimed.
The successful attack was later confirmed by the General Staff of Ukraine's Armed Forces.
Kaluga, a city of roughly 340,000 people, lies approximately 290 kilometers (180 miles) north of the Ukrainian border.
Videos shared on local Telegram channels showed a fire and active air defenses in the city.
Kaluga Oblast Governor Vladislav Shapsha claimed that eight drones were shot down overnight, resulting in a fire at an industrial facility that was later extinguished.
The official did not provide further details on possible damage and said there had been no casualties.
According to Andrii Kovalenko, head of the counter-disinformation department at Ukraine's National Security and Defense Council, drones also targeted Kaluga's Taifun (Typhoon) factory, which produces radio-electronic equipment, missile and aviation components, and other military supplies.
It remains unclear whether the Taifun factory suffered damage, as the target was not mentioned by the HUR source.
Ukrainian forces also struck Russian targets in the Bryansk and Kursk oblasts overnight on Nov. 25, the General Staff reported.
The Kyiv Independent could not independently verify the claims.
Ukraine can hit targets in Russia with ATACMS missiles, White House confirms
Ukraine used U.S.-supplied longe-range ATACMS missile to strike targets inside Russia, U.S. National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby told journalists on Nov. 25.
The confirmation by Washington came days after reports that Kyiv launched ATACMS missiles at a military facility in Karachev, Bryansk Oblast. The strikes with Western-made missiles were also reported in Kursk Oblast.
"Right now, they (Ukrainian soldiers) have the ability to use ATACMS to defend themselves in an immediate-need basis. Understandably, that's taken place in and around Kursk Oblast," Kirby said.
"We did change the guidance and gave them guidance that they can use them to strike these particular types of targets."
Russian missile attacks on central Kharkiv, Odesa injures dozens
Russia launched an attack against the central part of Kharkiv on the morning of Nov. 25, injuring at least 23 people, officials reported.
Thirteen people have been hospitalized, Kharkiv Oblast Governor Oleh Syniehubov wrote on his Telegram channel.
The victims were at work or walking down the street, Spartak Borysenko, head of the Kharkiv Regional Prosecutor's Office, told the Suspilne broadcaster.
The Russian military likely struck a densely populated residential area in central Kharkiv with an S-400 missile, Mayor Ihor Terekhov reported on his Telegram channel.
"(The missile) landed in a yard surrounded by multi-story buildings. Buildings and cars caught fire," he wrote. According to Borysenko, at least five cars were damaged, while the number of damaged buildings is still being determined.
Later in a day, Russia also launched a missile attack against downtown Odesa, injuring at least 11 people, Governor Oleh Kiper reported.
The aftermath of a Russian attack on the city of Odesa on Nov. 25, 2024. (State Emergency Service)
Ukraine's 3rd Brigade liberated Kharkiv Oblast village, took POWs
Ukraine’s Third Assault Brigade said on Nov. 25 that it pushed Russian troops out of the Kopanky village in Kharkiv Oblast, taking several prisoners of war (POW) from Russia’s First Tank Army.
Russian forces were reportedly pushed out after they attempted to break into Kopanky, a village in eastern Kharkiv Oblast close to the administrative border with Luhansk Oblast.
The settlement lies around 40 kilometers (25 miles) southeast of Kupiansk, a key logistics hub under increasing pressure from Russian troops.
In a video published by the unit, seven POWs are seen in a basement-like room during a filmed interrogation. According to the unit, the POWs' positions came under artillery fire from the Russian military after their capture.
The Kyiv Independent could not independently verify the unit’s claims or where the video was recorded.
Ukraine developing guided aerial bombs domestically, military says
Ukraine is actively working on developing its own guided aerial bombs, Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces Anatolii Barhylevych reported on Nov. 24.
"We are actively working on it. I think we will achieve such success," he said on national television.
According to Barhylevych, Russia holds the largest stockpile of aerial bombs inherited from the Soviet Union.
Guided aerial bombs are precision-guided munitions that have a shorter range than missiles but are far cheaper to produce.
When launched from aircraft within Russian territory or Russian-occupied territories, they are beyond the reach of Ukrainian air defense.
Enemy troops advanced near Novomlynsk, Dalne, Kostiantynopol, Rozdolne, Petrivka and Kurakhove.
The occupying forces have advanced in several areas of the front. This is reported by DeepState, according to UNN.
Details
According to the information, this enemy advance was near Novomlynsk, Dalne, Kostiantynopol, Rozdolne, Petrivka and Kurakhove.
Recall
According to the General Staff, the enemy managed to launch 3 missile strikes, 47 air strikes, dropped 63 guided bombs and used 647 kamikaze drones. In addition, 3,360 attacks on Ukrainian positions and civilian settlements were recorded.
The enemy is advancing in the east: which settlements are under threat – DeepStateNov 20 2024, 11:53 PM • 18464 views
Sabrina Singh, spokesperson for the Pentagon, has stated at a briefing that the US Department of Defense has seen no signs suggesting that North Korean troops are present in Russian-occupied territories of Ukraine or are heading in that direction.
Source: Ukrinform news agency; the website of the Pentagon
Quote from Singh: "Don't have any indications that there are DPRK soldiers in Ukraine."
Details: The spokesperson noted that the Pentagon could confirm the presence of North Korean troops in Russia's Kursk Oblast, which borders Ukraine. However, Singh stated that no movements of units with North Korean troops into Ukrainian territory have been recorded.
Background:
On 7 November, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced that North Korean soldiers fighting on Russia's side in Kursk Oblast had suffered losses.
In the third quarter of 2024, a record number of North Korean citizens came to Russia, citing training as the purpose of their trip amid reports of North Korean soldiers being deployed to participate in the war against Ukraine.
The US State Department stated that Russia's success on the battlefield using North Korean troops would depend on the level of their integration into the Russian military.
Last week, the US confirmed that North Korean troops had participated in combat operations in Kursk Oblast for the first time.
In addition, according to The New York Times, a 50,000-strong group of Russian and North Korean troops is preparing to launch a large-scale counteroffensive in Kursk Oblast.
PoliticsWar Putin may start peace talks in early 2025; analysts are divided on Trump’s position. Tuesday, November 26, 2024
Russia’s Soviet-era weapons stockpiles will run out by the end of 2025, so Putin may start talks early next year. However, the war will last at least another year if the negotiations do not go as the Kremlin leader would like, predicts Peter Pomerantsev, a professor at the Institute for Global Affairs at the London School of Economics. He is also convinced that US President-elect Donald Trump will only be able to hold serious peace talks with participation from the EU and the UK. The fact that Russian authorities are concerned about the economic costs of continuing the war also supports the possibility of talks commencing soon. Meanwhile, US Republican Senator Lindsey Graham called Ukraine “the richest country in Europe,” so, in his opinion, Trump is interested in Ukraine’s victory. At the same time, the WP, citing analysts, notes that Trump will likely try to reach a quick agreement with Russia, but this step threatens severe territorial losses for Ukraine and could provoke aggression from other dictatorial regimes.
Gary Neville says Ipswich played like they have a “better coach” in a scathing assessment of Ruben Amorim’s first game in charge of Manchester United.
Marcus Rashford gave Amorim the dream start, scoring inside two minutes on Sunday, but the game finished 1-1 after Omari Hutchinson’s fine long-range strike levelled things up.
Much has been made of Amorim’s switch to a 3-4-3 system and the new Red Devils boss insists his players will need time to adapt to the new setup.
And as Jamie Carragher highlighted the “big problem” for Amorim, Neville claimed the “red flags” present under Erik ten Hag remain under the new manager.
“I mean, the red flags that were there yesterday have probably been there in the last few months and the last season and a half,” Neville told Sky Sports.
“It’s a team that is very difficult to actually like watching, and I say that with respect because I genuinely do believe what Ruben Amorim said at the end of the game.
“No football player goes out onto the pitch and wants to lose or doesn’t want to win or work hard or do well. They don’t want criticism.”
Neville went on to claim that 18th-placed Ipswich – managed by former United assistant Kieran McKenna – looked the better coached side.
The former United defender continued: “But you watch them play, even yesterday, in the new system, and you look at Ipswich, who are very near the bottom of the league.
“They looked more organised, [like they had a] better coach, they looked like they had more appetite for the game and more enthusiasm.
“And that’s a constant, and it has been a constant, not just, obviously, on Sunday, but a constant for the last year and a half, two years, three years.
“So we’ve got a situation where these group of players, to be honest with you, have created a pattern for themselves and become what they are.
“And it wasn’t just a red flag yesterday because the same things that we’ve seen in the last six to eight months, 10 months, we saw yesterday.
“With Ruben Amorim being the manager, he saw it as well. I think he obviously knew how big a job this was. I think he recognised that yesterday.”
The Sky Sports pundit did though back United to improve under the Portuguese coach once more of his squad becomes available.
He concluded: “It will get better in the next few weeks because, like you say, that back five that he picks, and I’m not talking about the actual wing-backs here.
“I’m talking about the three at the back and the two in midfield. That will become more energetic and better when the personnel changes occur.
“But there’s a long way to go. I think Roy [Keane] yesterday said that Manchester United were an average team, and that’s being kind.”
The Kyiv IndependentThe Kyiv Independent news desk
