Category: War in Ukraine

The European Union has delivered 1 million artillery shells to Ukraine, fulfilling the pledge it initially promised to deliver by the spring of 2024, the EU’s new top diplomat Kaja Kallas told the Kyiv Independent on the sidelines of her visit to Kyiv.

"This one million rounds of shells have been delivered, but of course, as we know here… it's not enough, more needs to be done," Kallas told the Kyiv Independent in an exclusive interview on Dec. 1.

"I think also the investments to Ukrainian defence industry are very, very welcome that these things are produced here and immediately used as well. So we are thinking about different initiatives, how we can more support and help Ukraine," Kallas said.

Kallas, the former Estonian prime minister, made the comments during a surprise visit to Kyiv on the first day of her mandate as the EU's top diplomat. Kallas visited the Ukrainian capital alongside Antonio Costa, the new president of the European Council.

When asked by the Kyiv Independent how much military aid Ukraine can expect in 2025, Kallas did not provide a specific estimate.

"There is no actual number yet, but I think it's important we know your needs, and of course, it's not enough what we are producing. So we need to really speed up the process of producing more," Kallas said.

"We have a new commissioner for defense, we intend to work with him very closely, how we can do this, how we can find also new financing to speed up the process. So there is the political will to do it."

The full delivery of the shells, initially expected to be completed by the end-of-Spring, were delayed into November amid unexpected production capacity limitations, the EU's former chief diplomat Josep Borrell said on Nov. 11.

During a news conference with President Volodymyr Zelensky following their meeting in Kyiv, Costa said that the EU would continue to provide economic, humanitarian, and military assistance to Ukraine, including 4.2 billion euros ($4.4 billion) to support the Ukrainian budget by the end of the year. In 2025, the EU will also transfer 1.5 billion euros ($1.6 billion) to Ukraine monthly.

Zelensky meets with new president of European Council, top EU diplomat in KyivAntonio Costa, the new President of the European Council, and top European Union diplomat Kaja Kallas arrived in Kyiv on a surprise visit.The Kyiv IndependentKateryna Hodunova

There were 158 military clashes in different directions, most of them in Kurakhovsky, where 48 clashes were recorded. The enemy also actively attacked in the Pokrovsky direction, making 33 assault attempts.

Since the beginning of the day, there have been 158 military clashes. The enemy attacked intensively in the Kurakhovsky direction. This is reported by the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, reports UNN.

Details

In the Kharkiv direction the Ukrainian armed forces repelled 10 enemy attacks near Staritsa, Tikhy, Volchansk and in the direction of Cossack Lopan.

In the Kupyansky direction the enemy attacked 10 times in the areas of Lozovaya, Kruglyakovka, Glushkovka and Zeleny Gai.

In the Limansky direction the aggressor stormed 8 times in the areas of Druzhbyovka, Grekovka, Grigorovka, Ternov and Torsky.

In the Seversky direction, terrorist aircraft struck Seversk with three aerial bombs.

In the Kramatorsk direction, the invaders attacked unsuccessfully, trying to move forward near Chasovyi Yar.

In the Turkish direction the invaders stormed 7 times in the areas of Toretsk and in the direction of Shcherbinovka. Enemy bomber aircraft were active in the areas of Konstantinovka and Petrovka.

In the Pokrovsky direction, enemy forces conducted 33 assault and offensive operations. The greatest activity of the invaders remains in the areas of Mirolyubovka, Luch, postcard, Dachensky, yellow and Chumatsky. The enemy used aviation weapons in the areas of the settlements of Panteleimonovka, Grodovka, Dachenskoye, Novopustinka.

there were 48 clashes in the Kurakhovsky direction. Enemy attacks were repelled by our soldiers near Berestkov, Solntsevka, Zarya, Novodmitrovka, Kurakhovo, Dalny, Elizavetovka and Annovka, and the battle is currently underway. The Invaders dropped Kabs in the areas of the settlements of Ulakli and Elizavetovka.

In the Vremovsky direction, the enemy tried to break through 24 times near Konstantinopolsky, Trudovaya, Velikaya Novoselka, Novoselka, Novy Komar and Novodarovka.

In the Dnieper direction the aggressor carried out 4 unsuccessful assaults.

Defense forces repelled almost 50 enemy assaults in the Pokrovsky direction – General Staff on the situation at the frontDec 1 2024, 07:11 AM • 26590 views

Russia launched a total of 347 missiles as well as over 2,500 Shahed-type attack drones at Ukraine in November, President Volodymyr Zelensky said at a news conference on Dec. 1.

During the news conference alongside Antonio Costa, the new President of the European Council, Zelensky called on Western allies to provide additional air defense.

"We discussed today the need for adequate air defenses to protect against Russian terror, protect our energy infrastructure and civilians," Zelensky said. "I conveyed concrete proposals to our partners to strengthen our air defense. I very much expect their support."

In recent months, Russia has stepped up its attacks targeting cities and towns across Ukraine on a near daily basissince the start of September. Russia also launched multiple large-scale aerial attacks against Ukrainian cities and energy infrastructure in the month of November.

On Nov. 28, Energy Minister Herman Halushchenko said that Russia struck a "massive blow" at the nation's power grid, with attacks on energy infrastructure occurring throughout the country.

Overnight on Nov. 17, Russia launched one of the largest aerial strikes on Ukraine leaving at least seven civilians dead and at least 19 injured across multiple regions.

Russia continues to pummel energy infrastructure set to once again test Ukrainians' resolve ahead an expected harsh winter.

Russia has launched tens of thousands of cheap but effective Iranian-designed Shahed-type drones against Ukraine since the fall of 2022.

The number of drones launched over the past month marks an increase from the 2,000 Shahed-type drones at Ukraine in October.

On Oct. 20, Zelensky said that a total of 6,130 Shahed-type drones since the start of 2024 — although that number does not account for the thousands of drones launched since.

As the war along Ukraine's eastern front continue, Russia also continues to sustain record military losses.

In November, 45,720 Russian soldiers were wounded, killed, or captured and thus unable to continue participating in combat operations. Russia also lost weapons and equipment in November estimated to be worth over $3 billion, according to Ukraine's Defense Ministry ministry.

Russia loses almost 46,000 troops, over $3 billion worth of military equipment in November, Defense Ministry saysIn November, the Russian military lost 2,030 soldiers in one day, which is the highest rate of Russian losses in a day since Feb. 24, 2022.The Kyiv IndependentKateryna Hodunova

Unmanned aerial vehicles were recorded in the airspace of the Kiev region. The air defense forces are working on targets, and the population is being urged to stay in shelters.

Air defense forces are working in the Kiev region. This is reported by the Kiev Regional Military Administration, reports UNN.

Kiev region!
A UAV was detected in the airspace. Air defense forces are working on targets.
stay in shelters until the end of the air alert. Take care of your own safety.
observe information silence – do not record or post the work of our defenders Online

– the message says.

Add

The Air Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine previously reported on the mass movement of enemy UAVs in various regions of Ukraine, in particular in the Kiev region.

Mass movement of enemy drones was recorded in six regions of Ukraine at onceDec 1 2024, 07:17 PM • 5477 views

If Ukraine were to join NATO, the alliance's Article 5 collective defense principle may not apply to Ukrainian territories facing active combat, President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Dec. 1.

"We understand that Article 5, when you're a member of NATO, cannot apply to the entire territory of Ukraine during wartime, as countries are against the risks of being drawn into the war," Zelensky said during a news conference alongside Antonio Costa, the new President of the European Council, referring to occupied territory.

Zelensky's comments come as Ukraine has been urging NATO allies to invite Ukraine to join the alliance as early as next week, during the NATO Foreign Ministerial Meeting on Dec. 3-4.

"We believe that the invitation should be extended at this stage," Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha wrote on Nov. 29.

Earlier this week, Zelensky also suggested ending the "hot phase" of war along Ukraine's eastern front in exchange for NATO membership, not immediately including occupied territories.

"If we want to stop the hot stage of the war, we should quickly take under NATO umbrella the territory of Ukraine that we have under our control. That's what we need to do first, and then Ukraine can get back the other parts of its territory in a diplomatic way," Zelensky said during an interview published on Nov. 29.

Clarifying those comments on Dec. 1, Zelensky said that no matter the concessions Ukraine makes to end the war, the entirety of the country must nonetheless be invited into the alliance.

"There cannot be an invitation to NATO for only part of Ukraine's territory. This would automatically mean recognizing that all other territories are not only at risk but also not Ukrainian. Therefore, Ukraine will never agree to this. If there is an invitation, it must include all of Ukraine's territories."

Kyiv submitted its application to join NATO in September 2022, and in July 2024, the alliance affirmed Ukraine's "irreversible path to full Euro-Atlantic integration, including NATO membership" — although Ukraine has not received any definitive news about its future accession.

U.S. President-elect Donald Trump's election has intensified uncertainty around Ukraine's accession into the military alliance. Some reports also indicate this would entail forcing Ukraine to cede territory and at least temporarily give up on its NATO accession plans.

Throughout the U.S. election campaign, NATO allies concerned about the prospects of the Unites States' support for NATO under a Trump administration led some of the alliance members to attempt to "Trump-proof" long-term aid for Ukraine, as well as reinforce the principle of collective defense.

In February, Trump said that we would let Russia do "whatever the hell they want" to NATO member countries failing to meet defense spending criteria, while encouraging countries to spend more on defense.

Zelensky, who has previously said that he will work with any U.S. administration, urged the Biden administration on Dec. 1 to attempt to convince other NATO allies who are skeptical of Ukraine's accession in the final two months of Joe Biden's presidency.

Zelensky suggests ending ‘hot phase’ of war in exchange for NATO membership without occupied territories“If we want to stop the hot stage of the war, we should quickly take under NATO umbrella the territory of Ukraine that we have under our control. That’s what we need to do first. and then Ukraine can get back the other parts of its territory in a diplomatic way,” President Volodymyr Zelensky said in…The Kyiv IndependentKateryna Denisova

As a result of the attack of a Russian drone on a minibus in Kherson, volunteer Rimma Baranenko was killed. In total, 11 people were injured, three were killed, and eight are in hospital.

In Kherson, volunteer Rimma Baranenko was killed-she was among the passengers of the bus on which the Russians dropped explosives in the morning. This was announced by the head of the Kherson RMA Alexander Prokudin, reports UNN.

"Sad news…

Volunteer Rimma Baranenko was killed in Kherson today. She was among the passengers of the bus on which Russian terrorists dropped explosives from a drone in the morning.

I personally knew Rimma for more than 10 years, and we collaborated on various projects. She was a very bright person with an active life position, always ready to help.

I express my sincere condolences to my family and friends. The bright memory of her will always remain in our hearts!",- wrote Prokudin.

recall

On the morning of December 1, the enemy dropped explosives on a minibus in Kherson.

as a result of the attack, 11 people were injured. Three people were injured, incompatible with life. Eight are in the hospital.

Six Kherson residents were diagnosed with mine-explosive injuries. A 56 – year-old woman has a shrapnel wound to her head, arm and legs. Another 70-year-old resident suffered a broken lower leg.

The Russian army suffered record losses in military equipment and personnel in November in the war against Ukraine, Ukraine's Defense Ministry reported on Dec. 1.

Russian losses at the front increased significantly in the fall, while Russia continued to advance in the Donetsk sector, aiming to capture the towns of Pokrovsk and Kurakhove.

In November, 45,720 Russian soldiers were wounded, killed, or captured and thus unable to continue participating in combat operations. This number is equivalent to more than three motorized rifle divisions of the Russian army, according to the ministry.

November also saw the record broken for the enemy personnel losses in one day with 2,030, the highest figure since Feb. 24, 2022.

In November, Ukrainian forces also destroyed 307 Russian tanks, 899 armored combat vehicles, and 884 pieces of artillery.

According to the ministry's calculations, Russia's lost weapons and equipment in November is estimated to be worth over $3 billion, which is more than in September and October.

As of the morning of Dec. 1, the Russian army had lost about 742,130 soldiers, according to the General Staff of the Ukrainian Armed Forces. Over the past day, Russian losses amounted to 1,730 people.

Once liberated Kupiansk braces for worst as Russian troops approach, and future Western support looks uncertainVolodymyr paused his Sunday stroll from a shopping center in Kupiansk to take pictures of rubble from a Russian strike that almost killed his wife late last month. “It was broad daylight when they struck,” he said. “Our only luck was that my wife was in the kitchen, soThe Kyiv IndependentBoldizsar Gyori

The president said that Ukraine will not agree to NATO membership without the occupied territories. Zelensky stressed that the 5th amendment will not be able to operate during the war on the entire territory of Ukraine.

Kiev will never legally recognize any occupation of its lands by Russia. There can be no invitation to NATO of part of the territories of Ukraine. But there is an understanding that the 5th Amendment, when you are a member of NATO, cannot apply during the war on the entire territory of Ukraine. This was announced by President Volodymyr Zelensky during a joint press conference with President of the European Council Antonio Costa, reports UNN.

"First of all, it is important for us to understand that we will never legally recognize any occupation of our lands by the Russian Federation. We do not recognize these lands as Russian, they are purely our lands, they are purely our people, temporarily occupied parts of Ukraine. Of course, everything will return, of course, I really wanted the majority to return through diplomatic means, so that there would be no such victims. I'm not sure that Putin understands this, but I want the civilized world, for the most part, to understand this," Zelensky said.

The president stressed that NATO is the best security guarantee for Ukraine.

"Economic security guarantees for us are the EU. These are two requirements. Whatever the future diplomatic ways to end the war may be, for us the EU and NATO are fundamental things and they will be there. I'm sure of it. If it wasn't difficult, if it was difficult, it didn't look like it today, but we had a lot of different difficulties in front of us, we somehow managed it. NATO cannot invite parts of Ukraine's territories. This is an automatic recognition that all other territories are not only in danger, and all other territories are not Ukrainian," Zelensky said.

He stressed that if there is an invitation, then only for all Ukrainian territories.

"Therefore, Ukraine will never do this. If this is an invitation, then only completely all territories. But we understand that the 5th Amendment, when you are a member of NATO, cannot apply during a war on the entire territory of Ukraine, because countries are against the risks of involving them in the war. Ukraine has never involved anyone in this war. I mean about the armies of NATO members," Zelensky said.

In addition, he noted that there is a lot of speculation in the press and media about what this "umbrella"can be.

"We have not received any of these types of umbrellas, any formats from our partners.so far, "Zelensky said.

Zelensky named countries that are still skeptical about Ukraine's invitation to NATODec 1 2024, 03:07 PM • 5525 views

addition

On November 29 , in an interview with Sky News, Zelensky statedthat he allows the possibility of concluding a ceasefire agreement with Russia if the territory controlled by Ukraine is taken under the umbrella of NATO.

Reuters reported with reference to a letter from Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Sibiga in which he called on NATO to invite Ukraine to join the Alliance at a meeting to be held next week. The invitation should be the Allies ' response to the constant escalation of the war unleashed by Russia.

In November, the Russian army suffered the largest losses since the beginning of the war – 45,720 military personnel and equipment worth 3 3 billion. The largest daily expenses were 2,030 people.

November was a record for the losses of the Russian army, reports UNN with reference to the message of the Ministry of defense of Ukraine.

Рer month:

* 45,720 liquidated and wounded soldiers, which is conditionally more than 3 motorized rifle divisions of the ground forces of the Russian army

• 2030 people – the largest losses per day since February 24, 2022

* 307 tanks – almost 10 battalions

* 899 armored vehicles-the equivalent of almost 4 motorized rifle divisions

* 884 art systems-conditionally 49 art divisions.

"The estimated cost of lost equipment in November 2024 is more than 3 3 billion. the Kremlin continues to spend huge resources on war, ignoring the needs of its own population," the Defense Ministry said.

Voloshyn: Almost 85% of Russian losses are on the eastern directionNov 21 2024, 09:48 AM • 18807 views

U.S. President-elect Donald Trump has reportedly held multiple phone conversations with Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban since Nov. 5, sources speaking to Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty's (RFE/RL) Hungarian Service acknowledged.

Hungarian government insiders revealed that Trump sought Orban’s opinion on strategies to end the Ukraine war.

During his campaign, Trump criticized the billions of dollars the U.S. has allocated to Ukraine and claimed he could end the war within 24 hours of returning to the White House. Observers interpret his remarks as implying that Ukraine might need to cede territory currently under Russian control.

Orban, known for his close ties with both Russian President Vladimir Putin and Trump, has openly criticized EU aid for Ukraine and obstructed sanctions against Moscow.

Reports indicate Orban is preparing for a second peace mission in December, which aims to conclude Hungary’s rotating EU presidency.

In July, he initiated his first mission with a trip to Kyiv carrying a cease-fire proposal for President Volodymyr Zelensky, followed by a controversial meeting with Putin in Moscow. Orban later traveled to China and then the U.S. to meet Trump while he was campaigning.

Sources noted to RFE/RL that the December peace mission may involve Orban delivering messages from Trump to Zelensky, Putin, and Chinese President Xi Jinping. However, the specific details of the plan remain unclear.

Orban’s hold on Hungary weakens as opposition unites behind unlikely challengerHungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, on Nov. 7, looked confident. Budapest was hosting the European Political Community gathering, with Orban hugging it out with the continent’s leaders whose standing at home leaves them little leeway to challenge the Russian-friendly prime minister. Orban’s sta…The Kyiv IndependentBoldizsar Gyori