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.
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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.
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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 General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine updated data on the losses of the Russian invaders as of December 6. The total losses of the enemy reached 750,610 military personnel, 9514 tanks and other equipment were destroyed.
Since the beginning of a full-scale invasion, the Russian Federation has already lost more than 750 thousand military personnel in the war in Ukraine. This is reported by the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, writes UNN.
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The total combat losses of the enemy from 24.02.22 to 06.12.24 approximately amounted to:
personnel-about 750,610 (+1,660) people,
tanks-9514 (+8) units,
armored combat vehicles – 19518 (+46) units,
artillery systems – 21043 (+20) units,
MLRS – 1253 (+0) units,
air defense systems – 1020 (+0) units,
aircraft-369 (+0) units,
helicopters-329 (+0) units,
Operational-tactical UAV-20023 (+46),
cruise missiles ‒ 2857 (+2),
ships ‒ boats – 28 (+0) units,
submarines – 1 (+0) units,
automotive equipment and tankers – 30899 (+56) units,
special equipment-3633 (+3)
Russian “prisoners of war” were spotted during the assaults – JFO KhortytsiaDec 5 2024, 11:52 AM • 15562 views
Ukrainian forces regain control of Novyi Komar village in Donetsk Oblast
At least 6 Ukrainian mayors held captive by Russia, Zelensky says
Ukrainian forces to receive 30,000 DeepStrike drones in 2025 as part of Zelensky's resilience plan, minister says
'There will be no Yalta-2 or Minsk-3,' Ukrainian FM says at OSCE meeting
Ukrainian troops have driven Russian units out of Novyi Komar village in Donetsk Oblast, Nazar Voloshyn, the spokesperson for the Khortytsia group of forces, told Suspilne media on Dec. 5.
Novyi Komar, a village with a pre-war population of less than 500 people, is located about 50 kilometers (31 miles) west of the Russian-occupied town of Vuhledar.
"The enemy was driven out of there," Voloshyn said. "The village of Novyi Komar is under the control of the (Ukrainian) Defense Forces."
A day before, crowd-sourced monitoring website DeepState reported that soldiers of the 48th Separate Assault Battalion regained control of the village. Russian forces suffered heavy losses, and some Russian soldiers fled to the highway near the village, according to DeepState.
At the same time, Ukraine's counteroffensive actions are not as significant as Russia's ongoing assaults in the country's east. Russia captured 234.79 square kilometers (90 square miles) in one week in mid-November, which is the highest number in 2024, according to the independent Russian outlet Agentstvo.
Ukrainian officials have also increasingly raised concerns about a possible new Russian push in Zaporizhzhia Oblast in the south, just as Russian forces continue to advance in the east, focusing their efforts near Pokrovsk and Kurakhove in Donetsk Oblast.
Russia's advance has picked up pace over the past months as Ukraine's military struggles to replenish its ranks, and Western arms are not flowing in as fast as Kyiv has hoped.
At least 6 Ukrainian mayors held captive by Russia, Zelensky says
At least six Ukrainian mayors and community heads remain in Russian captivity, President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Dec. 5 during an address to the human rights community.
Zelensky confirmed that Yevhenii Matvieiev, the mayor of occupied Dniprorudne in Zaporizhzhia Oblast, died in Russian captivity. Zaporizhzhia Oblast Governor Ivan Fedorov said that Matvieiev was tortured to death.
Matvieiev was captured in March 2022 while trying to assist residents of his community.
"They are among thousands of Ukrainians who are innocent but have been in captivity for years. And not only since 2022, but also since 2014," Zelensky said.
The president said that Ukraine is doing everything possible to secure the release of its citizens.
Tens of thousands of Ukrainians, both civilian and military, remained in Russian captivity as of November, according to Ukrainian Ombudsman Dmytro Lubinets. Of them, over 19,500 are Ukrainian children. Only 3,767 of the abducted Ukrainian childern have been freed.
Zelensky criticized the global response, noting the lack of significant action to stop Russia's crimes and punish those responsible.
"There are still few voices in the world that speak about Ukrainian children abducted by Russia," Zelensky said, adding that discussions about "freezing" the war often ignore the fate of millions of Ukrainians and hundreds of thousands of children in occupied territories.
Zelensky expressed regret over the fading international focus on Russian war crimes.
"Even the most large-scale Russian war crimes are gradually being forgotten by many in the world and in Europe, at the political level, among those who could act to fix everything," he emphasized.
Since the start of Russia's full-scale invasion, at least 177 Ukrainian prisoners have died in captivity, according to Victoria Tsymbaliuk of the Ukrainian Coordination Center for the Treatment of Prisoners of War.
Ukrainian forces to receive 30,000 DeepStrike drones in 2025 as part of Zelensky's resilience plan, minister says
The Ukrainian military will get over 30,000 DeepStrike attack drones in 2025 within President Volodymyr Zelensky's resilience plan, Defense Minister Rustem Umerov announced on Dec. 5.
According to Umerov, DeepStrike drones are of the new generation, capable of "operating autonomously over long distances and hitting targets with high accuracy."
"We are demonstrating to the world that Ukraine is capable of innovation and technological independence. Even in wartime, we are developing cutting-edge production and strengthening our defense capabilities," Umerov said.
Zelensky presented a 10-point resilience plan to the Ukrainian parliament on Nov. 19, which includes measures to stabilize the front line, increase the technological capabilities of Ukrainian forces, and overcome bureaucracy in the army.
The production of part of the DeepStrike drones that will be supplied to the Ukrainian army next year was financed by international partners who invested in the Ukrainian defense industry, according to Umerov.
The minister did not say how these drones will be distributed among Ukrainian troops.
Ukraine is working to scale up domestic defense production, aiming to produce 1.5 million drones by the end of 2024.
There is a "significant volume" of new and long-term orders for first-person-view (FPV) drones, reconnaissance drones, long-range drones, and missile-drones, Zelensky said on Dec. 3.
Kyiv employs long-range drones to strike deep into Russian territory, targeting military infrastructure such as airfields and logistics, as well as oil refineries and depots.
'There will be no Yalta-2 or Minsk-3,' Ukrainian FM says at OSCE meeting
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha, speaking at the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) meeting in Malta on Dec. 5, strongly opposed any agreements resembling past Yalta or Minsk deals that could legitimize Russian aggression.
The comments come as U.S. President-elect Donald Trump pledged to put a swift end to the war in Ukraine and bring both sides to the negotiating table.
"Russia wants a second Yalta or at least a third Minsk. It wants a world of zones of influence where power dictates the rules, changes borders, and deprives people of their right to freedom. But we are clear: there will be no Yalta-2 or Minsk-3," Sybiha said during a closed-door meeting.
This referenced the 1945 Yalta conference on dividing post-World War II spheres of power in Europe between the Soviet Union and Western powers and the unsuccessful 2014-15 Minsk I and II agreements on ending the war in Donbas.
The minister accused Russia of using "peace plans" as a pretext to continue its aggression.
"We have seen what Russian peace means in Bucha, Mariupol, Izium. For them, it means mass graves, ruins of cities, and killed Ukrainian civilians. Ukrainian children are abducted, their names are changed, and they are forcibly assimilated into Russian culture," he said.
Sybiha added that Russia is not genuinely interested in negotiations, urging the international community to focus on Moscow's actions rather than its words. "Russia continues to expand the war," he warned.
The OSCE meeting in Malta was also attended by Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, marking his first visit to the EU since the start of the full-scale war. Sybiha called Lavrov a war criminal and left the OSCE plenary hall in protest ahead of Lavrov's address. Several other foreign ministers and diplomats followed suit in a coordinated walkout.
A relay Cabinet on the key Moscow-Kursk railway line was burned down in a Moscow suburb. The sabotage disrupted the logistics of the invaders and delayed the supply of military equipment.
On the night of December 5-6, a representative of the Atesh partisan movement committed sabotage in the suburbs of Moscow. This is reported by the partisan movement Atesh, writes UNN.
Details
A Ukrainian agent burned down a relay cabinet near the village of Chekhov (a suburb of Moscow). The sabotage was carried out on a key railway connecting Moscow with the Kursk region.
As a result of the operation, the logistics of the invaders was disrupted: the supply of fuel and military equipment intended for Russian terrorists was delayed.
We dedicate this operation to all our supporters and, taking this opportunity, congratulate everyone on the day of the Armed Forces of Ukraine and St. Nicholas Day! We continue to work in all directions, striking at the enemy's rear. Every step we take brings our common victory over the Putin regime closer!
– writes "Atesh".
recall
A partisan of the Atesh Movement destroyed the electrical equipment of a relay cabinet in the village of Alekseyevka in the Kherson region. The sabotage is aimed at disrupting the logistics of enemy troops on the Novoalekseyevka-Melitopol railway line.
The Kyiv IndependentAbbey Fenbert
