Ukraine is assembling a coalition of partners to create a working group aimed at bolstering its defense and forming a united diplomatic stance on ending the war, the president's spokesperson Serhii Nykyforov said on Dec. 9, as reported by Ukrainska Pravda.
"These are countries with long-range capabilities, significant investments in Ukrainian weapons production, and influence over Ukraine’s future NATO membership," Nykyforov said.
The group will include Ukraine’s strongest European allies alongside the United States.
A meeting of participating nations is planned for December to coordinate their positions and ensure Ukraine’s strength “both in negotiations and on the battlefield.”
The announcement coincided with German opposition leader Friedrich Merz’s visit to Kyiv.
At a joint press conference with President Volodymyr Zelensky, Merz proposed a contact group comprising Germany, France, the U.K., and Poland to coordinate Europe’s strategy for ending the war and aligning it with U.S. policies.
Zelensky endorsed the proposal, emphasizing the importance of unity among allies in crafting a clear vision for Ukraine’s security and the diplomatic resolution of the conflict.
At the meeting of the headquarters, the president instructed to check the training system of Ukrainian soldiers and make the necessary changes. Sirsky reported on the situation at the front and the Kursk operation.
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky at the Headquarters meeting instructed to conduct an audit in the training of military personnel, in particular issues related to immediate changes, what exactly should be corrected, what needs to be added and who else should be replaced. He stated this in the evening address, reports UNN.
I made a bet today. One of the issues is the quality of training of our soldiers. This is something that requires tangible changes. Personnel changes have taken place. It is in order to restart the training system of our soldiers. Oleg Apostol and Mikhail Drapaty will do this. Today was the beginning of the relevant discussion at our rate. I have instructed you to prepare a detailed report for the next bid. And now-to make an audit of what things need immediate changes, what exactly needs to be fixed, what needs to be added and who else needs to be replaced. Everything that is needed can be provided – both at the organizational level and at the financial level. It is the quality of training of soldiers that is largely the effectiveness of our soldiers in battles, and, of course, it is the preservation of the lives of our guys
Zelensky said.
He also said that today there was a report by the commander-in-chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Alexander Syrsky on the situation at the front, the protection of Ukrainian positions, the main directions, and the Kursk operation.
Recall
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky saidthat the fall of Bashar al-Assad's regime in Syria explains why Ukraine needs unwavering support from partners , because there is a combat-ready Russian army on Ukrainian soil, and if Ukraine falls, then Russian dictator Vladimir Putin will return to Syria, Africa, and many other regions that interest him.
The Kyiv Independent’s upcoming documentary about Ukrainian military medics who save lives on the front line of Russia’s full-scale war will be screened in 10 European capitals.
“Can You Hear Me? The Invisible Battles of Ukrainian Military Medics” will premiere in Kyiv on Dec. 12, followed by screenings in Warsaw, Berlin, Copenhagen, Oslo, Stockholm, Helsinki, Tallinn, Riga, and Vilnius.
All screenings will be followed by discussions with the film’s authors, journalists Francis Farrell and Olena Zashko. They are organized in partnership with the Repower charitable organization that provides mental health retreats for Ukrainian medics.
The film’s authors followed a group of military medics as they journeyed from the heat of battle in war-torn Ukraine to the serene forests of Sweden for a short mental health retreat.
Witnessing an endless conveyor belt of severe injuries and deaths since the beginning of Russia’s full-scale invasion in 2022 has taken a heavy toll on the medics’ mental health. Although crucial to address, the issue of their psychological well-being is rarely talked about and often overlooked, leaving them alone in this invisible battle.
As they find themselves in a peaceful, quiet environment in Sweden for the first time since 2022, the medics have a chance to process the accumulated trauma, opening up about losing brothers-in-arms, surviving Russian captivity, and the inescapable feeling of guilt for not being able to save some of the soldiers they treated.
“Observing this war from afar in its third, it can be easy to get desensitized to the everyday horrors experienced by those out there defending all of Europe from tyranny. Our film isn’t pleasant to watch, we want to present the human cost of our freedom head on. But first and foremost, this is about people. Ordinary Ukrainians whose inner battles embody the struggle of the country as a whole: as hard as things get, there is no alternative to continuing, but to do so, we need help,” says Francis Farrell.
“Making a film where one of the themes is the mental state of soldiers is a challenge. In this case, so much depends on the people you are filming, and that makes it even more difficult. My immense gratitude goes to our heroes for letting us into their lives and sharing such intimate things. Without their authenticity, this film wouldn't have been possible,” says Olena Zashko.
“Can You Hear Me? The Invisible Battles of Ukrainian Military Medics” took more than nine months to produce, involving multiple trips to the front line in Donetsk and Zaporizhzhia oblasts, as well as a 10-day visit to Sweden.
The retreat was organized by the Ukrainian-Swedish charitable organization Repower. Given unprecedented permission from the Ukrainian high command, Repower takes hand-picked groups of medics for mental health retreats in Sweden, Denmark, and Spain. Since the organization’s founding in 2023, 755 military medics have participated in their program.
"Our mission is to prevent serious psychological trauma, support medics in restoring their sense of purpose, and help them replenish their internal resources to continue their service,” says Maryna Sadykova, head and co-founder of Repower. “Without proper psychological support, we risk losing those who save lives on the front lines.”
“This film is important because it highlights those who are often overlooked. We cannot allow their invisible wounds to go unnoticed. Supporting their mental health is not only a step toward victory, but also toward allowing them to continue their lives with renewed strength, motivation, and hope for a better future,” she adds.
The film will be screened in Ukrainian with English subtitles. WARNING: The film contains graphic scenes. They are intended to reflect the harsh realities of war, but they may be distressing to some viewers.
Register to attend for free by link:
Kyiv. Zhovten Cinema, Dec. 12, 18:00
Warsaw. Kino Wisła, Dec. 13, 18:00
Berlin. City Kino Wedding, Dec. 14, 19:30
Copenhagen. Nordisk Film Biografer Palads. Dec. 15, 16:00
Oslo. Vika Movie Theater, Dec. 16, 17:30
Stockholm. Maxim Stockholm, Dec. 17, 17:00
Helsinki. Annankatu 26, second floor. Dec. 18, 17:30
Tallinn. Kinosoprus. Dec. 19, 19:45
Riga. Cinema Splendid Palace. Dec. 20, 18:00
Vilnius. Pasaka Cinema. Dec. 21, 18:00
The film will also be released on the Kyiv Independent's YouTube channel on Dec. 12.
Ukraine will take part in the summit of the United expeditionary forces in an online format. The summit will discuss assistance in recruiting Ukrainian brigades, in particular a new brigade with the support of France.
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky said that the summit of the United Expeditionary Forces, where Ukraine is scheduled to participate online, will discuss the training and assistance in recruiting Ukrainian brigades, including France's assistance in recruiting a new brigade. Zelensky stated this during a meeting with Estonian Prime Minister Kristen Michal, reports UNN.
Details
During a meeting with Michal, Zelensky said that Ukraine is invited to take part in the Joint Expeditionary Force (JEF) summit, because Ukraine wants to have a permanent status as a member of the association.
"We also addressed these signals to British Prime Minister Cyrus Starmer. As long as we do not have a permanent current status, we, as invited guests, will treat as in previous years. Last year I applied online, and therefore we will definitely have this opportunity. What is very important to discuss with our friends is the training and assistance in recruiting Ukrainian brigades. We received positive feedback from the French side, now we will talk to France about completing a new brigade, we received positive feedback from the German side, although I will be frank that the Americans are preparing our brigade on German soil, that is, this is their contribution, but this is not enough," Zelensky said.
The president also noted that Ukraine appealed to the Nordic countries regarding their participation in the training of Ukrainian brigades.
"These brigades are important for us, we are not going to surrender to Putin and the Russians, so this support is important for us," Zelensky added.
Recall
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky saidthat the fall of Bashar al-Assad's regime in Syria explains why Ukraine needs unwavering support from partners , because there is a combat-ready Russian army on Ukrainian soil, and if Ukraine falls, then Russian dictator Vladimir Putin will return to Syria, Africa, and many other regions that interest him.
A Russian-controlled court in occupied Crimea sentenced a 33-year-old local resident to 15 years in a strict regime colony on charges of state treason, Russia's prosecutor's office reported on Dec. 9.
The man was accused of transmitting information about the movement of Russian military equipment and a military facility under construction to Ukraine’s Ministry of Defense between December 2022 and March 2023.
The ruling was issued by the so-called “Supreme Court” established by the Russian occupation authorities.
Russian-installed courts in Crimea have escalated repressions since the start of the full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Krym.Realii reported on Nov. 3 that 472 rulings for "discrediting" the Russian military have been issued in Crimea since February 2022.
Moscow's sweeping censorship laws, introduced in March 2022, effectively criminalize criticism of the war or narratives contradicting Russian propaganda.
The European Court of Human Rights condemned Russia on June 25 for systematic human rights violations in Crimea since its illegal annexation in 2014.
The court found that Russia carried out a "campaign of repression" targeting pro-Ukrainian individuals, which included disappearances, fabricated charges, suppression of Ukrainian media and education, and forced transfers to Russian prisons.
In the occupied Crimea, the price of a 95 gasoline increased by 1.3 rubles per month to 69.19 rubles/liter. activists attribute this to the fall in the ruble exchange rate and the complication of logistics after the destruction of an oil depot in Feodosia.
In the occupied Crimea, the increase in prices for A95 gasoline for the month amounted to 1 ruble 30 kopecks. If on November 11 its cost at gas stations was equal to 67.89 rubles per liter, then on December 9 this brand of gasoline is already sold at a price of 69.19, reports UNN with reference to "Crimea.Realities".
Details
Crimean activists of the International Civil Campaign #LiberateCrimea told Crimea. The reality is that according to their data, the main reason for the new price jump is a strong fall in the ruble exchange rate in the first week of December.
"In early December, the ruble exchange rate plummeted by 20 rubles, which caused a review of fuel suppliers' prices for their products. Then karbovanets won back its positions, but gasoline sellers did not reduce the price, so just a few days ago the cost of gasoline increased by 20 kopecks per liter," the activists said.
Activists of #LiberateCrimea noted that the increase in gasoline prices this fall after the destruction of the Feodosia oil depot is due to the complication of logistics of fuel supplies.
Food prices in occupied Crimea are rising rapidly: what's going onNov 16 2024, 02:40 PM • 42042 views
Germany, France, the U.K., and Poland should set up a contact group to coordinate the European bloc’s approach to ending the Russia-Ukraine war, Friedrich Merz, the German conservative opposition leader, said in Kyiv on Dec. 9.
Speaking to President Volodymyr Zelensky, the German politician said that this united vision should be presented to the U.S. leadership. Zelensky voiced his support for the proposal, Ukrinform reported.
The German politician arrived in Ukraine's capital earlier the same day to meet Zelensky and "to learn about the current state of defense in the country."
Merz is the chancellor candidate of Germany’s center-right CDU/CSU alliance for the upcoming snap elections in February 2025. The ruling center-left coalition of Chancellor Olaf Scholz is in tatters and unlikely to preserve its seat at the steering wheel.
The politician emphasized that in the upcoming weeks and months, Europe should have a unified approach to the ending of the war in Ukraine without individual peace plans.
His comments come as Western and European countries try to jockey the momentum that U.S. President-elect Donald Trump's inauguration in January 2025 will bring. Trump promised a quick end to the war, and his plan allegedly includes bringing the two sides to the negotiating table and changing the amount of military aid accordingly.
Zelensky responded to Merz’s initiative by saying that "we have already organized" such a group and adding that Denmark, representing the Nordic countries, would also be part of this forum. The first meeting is scheduled for December.
As a result of Russian shelling in the north of Donetsk region, a 91-year-old woman was killed and 4 people were injured. Residential buildings, administrative buildings, shops and infrastructure facilities in Staraya Nikolaevka and Konstantinovka were damaged.
A 91-year-old woman was killed and four other people were wounded as a result of today's hostile shelling in the north of Donetsk region, the head of the JMA Vadym Filashkin said on Monday, UNN reports.
Details
According to Filashkin, in Staraya Nikolaevka of the Ilinovskaya community, Russians killed a 91-year-old woman, wounded two people. A store and 3 vehicles were damaged.
In Konstantinovka, 2 people were injured, 4 private houses, a high-rise building, 2 administrative buildings, 2 shops, 2 non-residential premises and 2 infrastructure facilities were damaged.
addition
According to the Regional Police, over the past day, on December 7, the Russian army launched 2,218 enemy strikes on the front line and the residential sector of the Donetsk Region. Attacks occurred in the cities of Liman, Nikolaevka, Pokrovsk, the village of Shcherbinovka, the village of Alekseevka. In Shcherbinovka, a civilian was injured in a Russian drone attack. on Nikolaevka, the invaders hit with MLRS "Tornado-s" – there is damage on the territory of the Infrastructure Facility.
The Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) on Dec. 9 released footage of its Sea Baby naval drones successfully fending off Russian helicopters pursuing them near occupied Crimea last week.
The skirmish took place overnight on Dec. 6 in Kerch Bay, east of the occupied peninsula, when Russian helicopters, planes, and Raptor-class patrol boats attempted to intercept the drones, the SBU said in a statement.
"Russian pilots thought themselves the hunters and expected an easy hunt, but they themselves became the prey as the naval drones opened fire in return," the agency said. The drones were reportedly equipped with large-caliber machine guns with automatic guidance and target acquisition.
According to intercepted radio communication, Russian helicopters suffered significant damage and required major repairs. Several of their crew members have been killed and injured, the SBU said.
0:00/1×The footage of an engagement between SBU Sea Baby drones and Russian forces in the Kerch Strait near occupied Crimea overnight on Dec. 6, 2024. (SBU)
"SBU drones also hit a barge that was transporting military equipment and equipment for the repair of the Crimean Bridge, which the occupiers are still unsuccessfully trying to restore after previous attacks by Ukrainian security services," according to the agency.
Russia's Defense Ministry claimed that two Ukrainian naval drones had been intercepted on approach to Crimea early on Dec. 6.
The claims could not be independently verified.
The Kerch Bridge, also called the Crimean Bridge, was illegally built by Russia in 2018 to connect the occupied peninsula with Russia's mainland.
The bridge came under repeated Ukrainian attacks during the full-scale war. Most recently, the Kerch Bridge was closed on Dec. 6 following a reported Ukrainian drone attack.
Over the weekend, Ukraine's Navy reported on Ukrainian naval drones destroying surveillance systems on Russian-held gas platforms in Crimea.
The coordination headquarters reported on the process of identifying the remains transferred to the Russian Federation during the latest repatriation measures. Experts establish that the bodies belong to Ukrainian servicemen in the framework of criminal proceedings.
The coordination headquarters for the treatment of prisoners of War, commenting on Russia's statement about the alleged transfer to the Ukrainian side of the bodies of military personnel allegedly killed in the crash of the Il-76 plane, statedthat the identification of the remains transferred during the last repatriation measures is currently underway, reports UNN.
Regarding the statements of the Russian side about the transfer of the bodies of Ukrainian defenders who probably died during the IL-76 plane crash. during the last repatriation measures, the remains of the victims were transferred to Ukraine from the aggressor state, which require additional identification. As of now, expert institutions in the framework of criminal proceedings are establishing whether the remains of these individuals really belong to Ukrainian servicemen
– the message says.
It is noted that the coordination headquarters for the treatment of prisoners of war monitors the situation and is in cooperation with all authorized institutions.
addition
Commissioner for Human Rights in Russia Tatyana Moskalkova said that the Russian Federation allegedly handed over to the Ukrainian side the bodies of prisoners of war who allegedly died during the crash of the Il-76 plane in January of this year.
On November 29, it was reported that the bodies of 502 dead Ukrainian soldiers were returned to Ukraine.
From among the returned fallen defenders of Ukraine:
397 from Donetsk direction;
24 from Luhansk direction;
64 from Zaporizhia direction;
17 dead people were returned from morgues on the territory of the Russian Federation.
recall
On January 24, An Il-76 military transport plane crashed in the korochansky District of the Belgorod region of Russia.
The Russian Defense Ministry said that there were 65 Ukrainian prisoners of war on board, who were being taken for an exchange. the Russians also immediately stated that the plane was allegedly shot down by Ukraine.
The Kyiv IndependentMartin Fornusek
