The recent BRICS+ summit in Kazan, Russia — featuring Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa — had some observers hailing it as the dawn of an anti-Western world order, led by Moscow and Beijing.
The partnership between Russia and China is undeniably formidable. Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese leader Xi Jinping have met over 40 times since 2012, with Xi meeting Putin more than twice as often than any other world leader.
Their shared disdain for Western power drives frequent joint military exercises, such as Vostok 2022, which showcase their integrated command structures and tactical coordination. Military technology transfers have reached unprecedented levels, with China gaining access to advanced Russian aerospace technologies and supplying critical semiconductor components for Russian weapons systems.
Yet this burgeoning bromance is likely more a marriage of convenience born of mutual opposition to Western power than a genuine strategic partnership guided by a common vision for the future. Beneath the facade of unity lie historical grievances and competing interests that could fracture the relationship once Putin and Xi leave the stage.
This burgeoning bromance is likely more a marriage of convenience born of mutual opposition to Western power than a genuine strategic partnership guided by a common vision for the future.
Tensions between Russia and China date back to the 19th century when territorial treaties, seen as unequal by Beijing, forced the Qing Dynasty to cede vast swathes of land to Tsarist Russia. The 1858 Treaty of Aigun and the 1860 Convention of Peking alone surrendered over 900,000 square kilometers (350,000 square miles) — an area comparable to the combined territories of Texas and France.Another 150,000 square miles were lost under the 1864 Treaty of Tarbagatai.
These agreements remain a sore spot for Chinese leaders, who view them as a legacy of exploitation during China’s period of weakness. The strategic significance of these territories cannot be overstated. Vladivostok, once Haishenwai, is now Russia’s largest Pacific port and home to its Pacific Fleet. The territories beyond Vladivostok also boasts timber, gold, rare earth elements, and significant oil and natural gas reserves in the Sea of Okhotsk.
Russian President Vladimir Putin (L) and Chinese President Xi Jinping (R) attend an official welcoming ceremony in front of the Great Hall of the People in Tiananmen Square in Beijing, China, on May 16, 2024. (Sergei Bobylyov/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)
Meanwhile, Russia’s Far Eastern population has been declining since the Soviet Union’s collapse, creating economic opportunities increasingly filled by Chinese businesses and workers from China’s populous northern provinces.
China has a well-documented strategy for reclaiming lost territories. Beijing’s incorporation of Tibet in 1950, its territorial reclamation and increasing belligerence with the so-called “nine-dash line,” and the ongoing pressure it places on Taiwan demonstrate China’s patient but relentless approach to territorial reunification.
It incorporates economic footholds, builds military infrastructure, and steadily asserts dominance over contested areas. This method is evident in its actions in the South China Sea, where Beijing first established economic outposts, then constructed military installations despite international objections.
Similarly, Beijing has pursued territorial claims against India in the Himalayas, clashing with Indian forces in 2020 and 2021. In Vietnam, China’s 1979 invasion and subsequent skirmishes over disputed territory and other factors demonstrate its readiness to use force to assert historic claims.
The 1969 Sino-Soviet border conflict offers a stark warning of how quickly territorial disputes can escalate and further illustrates that relations between the Dragon and the Bear haven’t always been so cozy. Fighting at Zhenbao (Damansky) Island on the Ussuri River led to hundreds of casualties and reportedly brought both nations to the brink of nuclear war.
The Donald Trump administration warned Moscow repeatedly about the risks of growing too close to Beijing. In fall 2020, Ambassador Robert O’Brien and Matthew Pottinger delivered a message to Russia’s national security advisor in Geneva: China’s historic territorial claims, combined with Russia’s demographic vulnerabilities, could eventually turn their partnership into a liability.Our counterparts clearly understood.
The advice was clear: every intelligence assessment, military exercise, and economic agreement the Kremlin undertakes should be viewed through the lens of China’s demonstrated pattern of territorial reclamation. Once the strategic partnership, bound together largely by the personal rapport between Xi and Putin, vanishes, Russia may be in for a rude awakening.
Editor’s Note: The opinions expressed in the op-ed section are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Kyiv Independent.
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The chairman of the Kryvyi Rih Defense Council confirmed the fact of a missile attack on the city. Alexander Vilkul urged not to publish photos and videos on the internet.
Chairman of the Kryvyi Rih Defense Council Alexander Vilkul confirmed the enemy missile attack on the city and pointed out that "everyone is doing what is necessary, writes UNN.
Kryvyi Rih, missile attack. We don't shoot anything or upload it to the internet. Everyone does what they need to do
Russian President Vladimir Putin has dismissed Kursk Oblast Governor Alexei Smirnov due to management "chaos" following Ukraine's incursion, opposition outlet Verstka reported on Dec. 6, citing sources.
On Dec. 5, Putin appointed State Duma Deputy Alexander Khinshtein as interim governor of the oblast. According to Verstka, the Kremlin began seeking Smirnov’s replacement in early November, but only finalized Khinshtein's appointment just a day before the announcement.
Ukraine launched a surprise offensive into Russia’s Kursk Oblast on Aug. 6. While Russian forces have since reclaimed about half of the territory seized during the initial attack, the operation has inflicted significant losses on Russia.
During Smirnov’s tenure, key issues reportedly included widespread discontent and protests among displaced residents from areas occupied by the Ukrainian army, and clashes with local municipal leaders.
Verstka cited claims that Smirnov’s handling of defensive structures along the Ukrainian border contributed to his dismissal, with the fortifications proving ineffective.
Khinshtein, a former journalist and television presenter, has been a member of Russia’s State Duma since 2003, and is affiliated with Putin’s United Russia party.
Russia has ramped up pressure in Kursk Oblast to dislodge Ukrainian troops holding positions there since early August. Reuters reported on Nov. 23 that Ukraine had lost over 40% of territory previously captured during the incursion.
According to Ukrainian Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi last month, Russia had suffered 7,905 soldiers killed, 12,220 injured, and 717 captured over three months of fighting in Kursk Oblast.
The commander-in-chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine said that the losses during the offensive in the Kursk Region were half as much as in defense. The operation dealt a blow to the reputation of the Russian Federation and achieved its goal.
Commander-in-chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Alexander Syrsky said that during the offensive on the Kurin, Ukrainian troops suffered significantly less losses compared to defensive operations. The operation also dealt a serious blow to Russia's reputation, showing its inability to protect its borders.
This was discussed in the documentary "Operation Kursk", reports UNN.
Details
They (the Russians — Ed.) felt what we feel. That is, they were forced to defend their own territory, and in conditions that were not comfortable for them. Here, during the offensive operations, our losses were actually half as much as during the defense
– said Sirsky.
The offensive hit the reputation of the Russian Federation. This raised the degree, because such a" powerful state " cannot protect its borders.
Each operation has its own beginning, end, and goal. We have achieved the goal for this time of operation. Now the task is to maintain these achievements so that the results of this operation benefit the state both in political and operational terms
– said Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Anatoly Bargilevich.
Sirsky added that this was the only sure way of asymmetric actions that allowed us to balance.
Earlier UNN said that the main task of the operation in the Kursk Region was to move forward as far as the composition of troops allows, without creating risks to the rear and logistics.
At least 10 Shahed-type drones strayed into Belarus during Russia's overnight drone attack on Ukraine on Dec. 6, the Belarusian Hajun monitoring group reported.
The drones reportedly crossed into Belarus from Russia, heading toward Homel, Loyew, and Mazyr. The incursions occurred at various intervals starting at 10:07 p.m. local time and continued through to the early morning hours.
The Belarusian Air Force did not respond to the incidents.
According to the Ukrainian Air Force, Russia launched 53 Shahed-type drones from Orel during the night of Dec. 6. Ukrainian Defense Forces destroyed 32, while 16 were "lost," and two flew into Belarusian airspace.
Belarus’ military confirmed in September that a drone had been downed over its territory for the first time since the start of Russia's full-scale invasion.
Despite multiple reported incidents of Shahed-type drones straying into Belarus, Minsk has not publicly criticized Moscow, its key ally.
Drone attacks involving Belarusian airspace have become increasingly frequent, the Belarusian Hajun monitoring group noted.
The president congratulated the military on the day of the Armed Forces of Ukraine and thanked them for protecting the state for more than a thousand days. Zelensky stressed that the Armed Forces of Ukraine are the most reliable guarantor of the country's security.
President Volodymyr Zelensky congratulated the Ukrainian military on the day of the Armed Forces and noted that thanks to them, the front and Ukraine are being held together, reports UNN.
"You have been doing this (defending your hometown, Street, Ukraine – ed.) for more than a thousand days, taking up arms, the fate of our country and holding it firmly, steadfastly. When it's hard, when it's very hot, when it's unbearably cold day and night, and you keep the front, keep the freedom. You hold on yourself and thanks to you, everyone holds on. Ukraine is holding up, thanks to you, a Ukrainian soldier," Zelensky said.
Zelensky expressed gratitude to all military personnel.
"Dear soldiers, gratitude and respect from the entire Ukrainian people to each of you, to each of you who writes a new history of independent Ukraine with blood, tears, and fire. He writes everywhere, in Kharkiv, Sumy and Zaporizhia, and in the Kherson region. In such areas as Kurakhovsky, Pokrovsky, Kupyansky. In all the hottest areas of Ukraine where Ukraine is fighting," Zelensky said.
The president stressed that today Ukraine understands for sure that the real, most reliable guarantor of security is the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
"Yesterday was the 30th anniversary of the signing of the Budapest Memorandum. Today we definitely understand that the real, first, strangest, most reliable guarantor of our security is the Armed Forces of Ukraine," Zelensky stressed.
In addition, Zelensky awarded state awards to the military and Heroes of Ukraine who gave their lives for the country.
addition
Today, December 6, for the third year in a row, in the conditions of brutal counteraction to Russian aggression, all Ukrainians celebrate the day of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. It was on the sixth of December 1991 that the law on the Armed Forces of Ukraine was adopted. Two years later, the Verkhovna Rada established the day of the Armed Forces of Ukraine by its resolution.
Commander-in-chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Alexander Syrsky held a meeting on the results of the army's activities in November 2024. Based on its results, the commander-in-chief determined the tasks of continuing the creation of combat reserves and introducing innovative military technologies.
The Crimean Bridge was closed on the morning of Dec. 6 amid reports of Ukrainian drones targeting the area.
According to the pro-Ukrainian Crimean Wind Telegram channel, explosions were heard in the city of Kerch near the "Zaliv" shipyard, and air defense systems were reportedly activated in the Kerch Strait, according to Krym.Realii.
"Vehicular traffic on the Crimean Bridge has been temporarily suspended," the Crimean Bridge: Operational Information Telegram channel said.
Russia's Defense Ministry stated on Dec. 6 that air defense systems shot down one Ukrainian drone over Crimea overnight. The ministry also claimed that Russian Black Sea Fleet naval aviation destroyed two Ukrainian uncrewed boats heading toward Crimea in the Black Sea.
The Kyiv Independent could not independently verify the claims.
Construction on the 19-kilometer-long bridge which links occupied Crimea with the Russian mainland, began after the illegal occupation of the peninsula in 2014, and was completed in 2018.
After becoming a critical supply route for Russian forces after the launch of Moscow's full-scale invasion, it has been attacked by Kyiv's forces on several occasions, and was heavily damaged by Ukrainian strikes in October 2022 and July 2023.
On Sept. 27, reports suggested Russia was strengthening defenses around the Crimean Bridge, including deploying underwater drone traps.
Russian proxy authorities in occupied Crimea regularly shut down traffic on the bridge amid reports of explosions and drone strikes.
The Crimean Bridge is the subject of a dispute between Ukraine and Russia at the Permanent Court of Arbitration
Speaking there on Sept. 23, Ambassador-at-Large at the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry, Anton Korynevych, said Russia "wants to take the Sea of Azov and Kerch Strait for itself."
"So it has built a great gate at their entrance, to keep international shipping out while allowing small Russian river vessels in," he said, adding: "The bridge is unlawful, and it must come down."
German Defense Minister Pistorius did not rule out the possibility of sending German peacekeepers to Ukraine in the future. This issue is not currently being considered, but the final decision will depend on the "conditions that have been created".
German defense minister Boris Pistorius confirmed that the use of German peacekeepers to ensure peace in Ukraine makes sense. But the final decision on sending Bundeswehr soldiers to Ukraine will depend "on the conditions that have been created," the official said.
Pishe UNN iz posilannam on DW ta Deutschlandfunk.
German defense minister Boris Pistorius did not rule out the use of German soldiers to ensure peace in Ukraine in the event of a cease-fire in the Russian-Ukrainian war.
So far, the question of the possible participation of German servicemen in the peacekeeping mission in Ukraine after the end of the war remains open. Pistorius stressed that at the moment Germany rightly excludes the deployment of ground troops in Ukraine.
We can't seriously discuss this today, but we will have to do it at some point, the minister said on Deutschlandfunk.
According to Boris Pistorius, the answer to the question about the Bundeswehr's military participation in the peacekeeping mission will ultimately depend on "the conditions that have been created." "Now there are a lot of "if" and "in case".
On the eve of German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said in the Bundestag that it is "inappropriate"to discuss the possible participation of Germany in the peacekeeping mission in Ukraine.
recall
UNN reported that German Foreign Minister Annalena Berbock announced her readiness to consider the participation of German peacekeepers in Ukraine. France and the United Kingdom are also discussing the possibility of deploying their troops on the front line.
German chancellor candidate Merz plans to visit Ukraine “in the coming days”Dec 4 2024, 09:19 PM • 55369 views
With attention focused on Moscow's grinding advances in Donbas, and Ukraine's efforts to hold onto Russian territory in Kursk Oblast, one area of the front lines continues to see daily battles but little coverage.
Ukrainian and Russian forces are locked in an ongoing fight over a series of small islands in the Dnipro River, control of which would allow Moscow's forces to intensify attacks on the embattled city of Kherson in southern Ukraine.
"Local clashes take place (for the Dnipro islands) every day," Viktor Kevliuk, a retired military officer and defense expert, told the Kyiv Independent.
"The enemy is fighting for the islands with the 61st Marine Brigade of the Northern Fleet — Ukrainian marines are countering them."
Kevliuk adds that neither side is fully in control of the islands, though he says Ukraine "has the advantage" in an ongoing fight which sees both sides trading intense artillery fire and drone attacks.
Ukrainian infantrymen from the 126th Territorial Defense Brigade train on boats to carry out combat missions on water, crossing the river and landing on the banks of the Dnipro in Kherson Oblast, Ukraine on April 16, 2024. (Kostiantyn Liberov/Libkos/Getty Images)
"In the context of all combat clashes (along the front line), the southern direction is relatively the calmest, but only when compared to other situations along the battle line," he said.
But on Dec. 4, Kherson Oblast Governor Oleksandr Prokudin told the Financial Times that Russia "wants to launch another offensive" in the direction of Kherson, and had assembled "300 boats to cross the river," suggesting this relatively quiet part of the front line may be about to heat up.
"Controlling the Dnipro islands means controlling the Dnipro River and its coastline," Serhiy Bratchuk, spokesman for the "South" unit of the Ukrainian Volunteer Army, a volunteer military formation, told Ukrainian Radio last month.
In the fall of 2022, a Ukrainian counteroffensive succeeded in pushing Russian forces out of the city of Kherson, and other regional settlements on the west bank of the Dnipro River.
Since then, Russian and Ukrainian positions have been largely separated by the wide, swampy river dotted by numerous small islands.
The map showing a battle for the Dnipro islands. (The Kyiv Independent)
From their new positions on the east bank, Russian forces continued to shell Kherson and the surrounding villages, killing civilians in attacks which continue to this day.
Ukraine wanted to push eastward from the river to create a buffer zone between the Russian-held east bank, and the Ukrainian-controlled west bank, making it harder for the Russian troops to launch attacks.
In February 2023, Ukrainian troops began conducting risky raids across the river, probing Russian defenses. By the summer, the first reports emerged of Ukraine holding a bridgehead on the other side of the Dnipro River near the destroyed Antonivsky Bridge.
The operation reached its zenith around October when Ukrainian troops entered Krynky, a small coastal village on the east bank, turning it into the key bridgehead for Kyiv's troops operating across the Dnipro River.
A rotation of soldiers returning from their positions in the village of Krynky after crossing the river. Ukrainian soldiers from the 126th Territorial Defense Brigade carry out combat missions to ford the Dnipro River in the Kherson frontline area near the village of Krynky in Kherson Oblast, Ukraine on April 21, 2024. (Kostiantyn Liberov/Libkos/Getty Images)
Krynky became the focal point of intense battles but the front line remained largely static for months despite heavy losses on both sides.
In December 2023, the Kyiv Independent reported from Dnipro River's left bank, speaking to soldiers taking part in the cross-river raids. Many said the fighting felt "hopeless."
By July of this year, Ukraine was forced to withdraw from its Krynky bridgehead.
Since then, Russian attacks on Kherson have only intensified, even incorporating the deliberate targeting of civilians with FPV drones in what has been dubbed a "drone safari."
"Currently, we can see how Russian drones are terrorizing Kherson, targeting civilian cars," Bratchuk said.
"In order to further escalate these terrorist attacks, the Russians aim to capture the (Dnipro) islands and deploy additional forces there."
What's the current situation on the Dnipro islands?
Vladyslav Voloshyn, spokesperson for the Southern Defense Forces, said on Nov. 28 that Russian forces are constantly trying to gain footholds on and around the Dnipro islands.
"(Russian troops) are doing this to seize bridgeheads on the west bank and draw some of our forces and resources there, just as we did in Krynky," he said.
The day before, Voloshyn also said Russian troops were massing on the Tendra and Kinburn spits, in an effort to control the mouth of the Dnipro.
Voloshyn said Ukrainian forces maintained fire control over positions in the area, and were continuing to fend off the Russian attacks, a view shared by experts who spoke to the Kyiv Independent.
"(Russian forces) are trying to storm with small forces to constrain Ukraine's reserves, forcing Ukrainian troops to use artillery shells. In this way, Russia aims to weaken our defensive line," Dmytro Zhmailo, a military expert and executive director of the Ukrainian Security and Cooperation Center, told the Kyiv Independent.
"(Russian forces) are trying to storm with small forces to constrain Ukraine's reserves, forcing Ukrainian troops to use artillery shells."
"However, since our artillery and FPV drones are actively operating in this region, the front line along the Dnipro is more secure. Therefore, these provocation operations will be costly for the Russians," he added.
Zhmailo said another objective for Moscow's troops was to maintain pressure along as much of the front line as possible to stretch Ukrainian forces.
A road block is seen on the road down to the Dnipro River in central Kherson, Ukraine on Dec. 22nd 2023. (Ed Ram/For The Washington Post via Getty Images)
"Through these actions, Russia also seeks to prevent Ukrainian forces from reinforcing Kursk, Kurakhove, and other key areas where the enemy is advancing," he said.
But Prokudin's comments on Dec. 4 suggest Russian forces are about to increase pressure in the area.
Voloshyn, also speaking on Dec. 4, said Russia is now training assault groups in occupied territories of Zaporizhzhia and Kherson oblasts, citing Ukraine's intelligence data, adding Moscow's troops are practising how to cross water obstacles and transfer landing groups.
Speaking to Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL), he reassured that there "has not been a single successful attempt at this assault or enemy crossing in a month."
"The Ukrainian Defense Forces are now reliably defending the city of Kherson and Kherson Oblast, and the entire west bank," he added.
The Kyiv IndependentNina L. Khrushcheva
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