In the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine, a new propaganda subject, “family studies,” has been introduced. It is taught by collaborators and “veterans of the illegal armed conflict” without a pedagogical education to foster anti-Western sentiment.
The occupiers are engaging "veterans of the Armed Forces of Ukraine" to teach propaganda in schools in the temporarily occupied territories. This is reported by the Center for National Resistance, UNN reports.
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In the occupied territories of Ukraine, the Russian authorities have begun to engage local collaborators and "veterans of the armed conflict" to teach a course on "family history" in schools. This subject was introduced as part of a propaganda campaign aimed at fostering anti-Western sentiment among Ukrainian children and reinforcing a positive image of the terrorist country.
Due to the absence of qualification requirements, this subject is taught by anyone loyal to the occupation authorities, often without pedagogical experience. In the classroom, children are taught a distorted picture of the world, where the West is portrayed as a threat and Russia is seen as a model of "prosperous life.
Ombudsman: Russian passports issued to orphans in TOTApr 27 2024, 01:30 AM • 82345 views
For the second time in his life, Friedrich Merz is a step away from taking charge of Germany.
Losing the fight to control the Christian Democratic Union in 2002 to future Chancellor Angela Merkel and forced to retire from politics a few years later, Merz is now the frontrunner to lead the Union back into government.
With Germany's ruling center-left coalition in tatters, Ukraine's leading European backer is heading toward snap elections set for Feb. 23. And it's all but certain that Chancellor Olaf Scholz, a Social Democrat, will lose his post as a result.
The domestic turmoil comes at a critical moment for Ukraine as Russia holds the upper hand on the battlefield, and Donald Trump's imminent return to the White House may lead to a decreased U.S. involvement in the war.
Polls predict a sweeping victory for the center-right Christian Democratic Union/Christian Social Union (CDU/CSU), whose leader Merz seems ready to ditch Scholz's cautious Ukraine strategy.
Merz has called for an ultimatum to Moscow after which Ukraine could receive the much-desired Taurus missiles, powerful weapons that Scholz refused to provide. He also urged Europe to take up leadership in the pro-Kyiv coalition amid uncertainty about Trump's presidency.
For that, the 69-year-old conservative has his work cut out for him.
With a real possibility of a U.S. withdrawal, rising Ukraine-skeptic parties in Germany on the left and right, and an increasingly tight budget, Merz must cross a string of obstacles to deliver on his plans.
"Even an outspoken Merz and a strong CDU/CSU showing in the next elections will not be able to defy gravity when it comes to providing Ukraine with additional military capabilities, defense-industrial capacity, and budgetary support," Jorn Fleck, senior director with the Europe Center at the Atlantic Council, told the Kyiv Independent.
"Germany's capacity on all three is lagging and shifting the needle in all these areas — more kit, more ammo, more macro-financial assistance — is measured in years, not weeks or months."
But for Merz, whose main rival Merkel has pushed the country into a painful dependence on Russia, solving the problems ultimately created by the former chancellor's policies is worth the fight.
The coalition of Scholz's Social Democratic Party (SPD), the liberal Free Democratic Party (FDP), and The Greens fell apart on Nov. 6 after the chancellor dismissed Finance Minister Christian Lindner, the FDP leader.
Scholz and Lindner were at odds on nearly all questions concerning the way to handle the staggering budget deficit and the country's vast economic problems.
According to Lindner, however, the final nail in the coffin of mounting disputes was the ex-finance minister's proposal to send Ukraine Taurus missiles instead of an additional 3 billion euros ($3.2 billion) in military aid requested by Scholz.
The chancellor now leads a minority government and will have to seek Merz's party support to pass the budget.
While the government's dramatic collapse sparked some concern about the flow of support from Europe's largest military donor, arms for Ukraine seem to be safe at the moment. Both Scholz and Merz agree to provide Kyiv with the necessary aid.
Germany allocated around 8 billion euros in military aid to Ukraine in 2024. The federal budget for 2025 contains only half of that, with Berlin hoping that the G7 loan can cover additional assistance.
"The previously planned and initiated support for Ukraine can continue without restriction," and additional aid can be theoretically approved under provisional budget management, said Michael Wustmann, a research assistant to German lawmaker Sebastian Schäfer, who sits on Bundestag's budget committee.
But Germany heads towards months of political wrangling that will keep its leaders distracted from Ukraine. Even if Merz's CDU/CSU secures the expected victory, difficult coalition negotiations are likely to follow.
"Germany will be preoccupied with itself until the election and then for another four to six months, depending on how long it takes to form a coalition," says Martin Bialecki, editor-in-chief of the journals Internationale Politik (IP) and Internationale Politik Quarterly (IPQ).
"There will be no momentum, no leadership in Europe, and also no reaching out to France, Poland, and the U.K., which is so urgently needed. And all this before (and after) Trump takes office, under whom freezing of the war would be the most likely scenario," he told the Kyiv Independent.
Merz, a former corporate lawyer and multimillionaire representing CDU/CSU's right wing is the most likely candidate to enter the chancellery early next year. His party currently enjoys the support of 32% of Germans, more than the entire ruling coalition combined.
Ascending to the party leadership in early 2022, Merz presents a sharp break from the 16-year era of his centrist predecessor, Merkel, who ruled Germany from 2005 until 2021.
Merkel's legacy has been tainted by Germany's deepened energy dependence on Russia and the neglect of the Bundeswehr, the country's military. In contrast, her main critic within the CDU/CSU Merz has called on Europe to stand up decisively to Russian aggression and pledged to maintain defense spending above 2% of GDP, as per NATO's requirements.
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz speaks as former Chancellor Angela Merkel (seated) listens during the official transfer of office at the chancellery on Dec. 8, 2021 in Berlin, Germany.(Sean Gallup/Getty Images)Former Chancellor Angela Merkel (R) and current Chancellor Olaf Scholz attend a state banquet in honour of French President Emmanuel Macron at Schloss Bellevue palace on May 26, 2024 in Berlin, Germany. (Sean Gallup/Getty Images)
Germany expects to hit the 2% threshold in 2024 for the first time in three decades, though its ability to maintain this level remains in question.
In a recent op-ed, Merz also rejected Scholz's policy of caution as a "desperate hope of being able to portray himself as a 'peace chancellor'" while urging Europe to assert leadership in aiding Ukraine.
"I believe Merz thinks more 'European' than is currently apparent… Among the many mistakes Scholz has made, his lack of interest in Europe is one of the more consequential," Bialecki said.
The CDU/CSU leader addressed the most widely discussed subject to highlight his differences with the incumbent chancellor: the Taurus missiles.
Lawmakers from Merz's party have repeatedly urged the government to provide Ukraine with the following cruise missiles, which can strike targets at a distance of 500 kilometers (300 miles). Scholz has been adamant, however, fearing such a move could draw Berlin into the war.
"The delivery of Taurus is anything but an entry into war," Merz said last month on the ARD television channel.
In an interview with the Stern magazine, Merz proposed giving Russian President Vladimir Putin an ultimatum — if he does not stop his war within 24 hours, Kyiv's partners would lift restrictions on long-range strikes. If even that step is not sufficient, Germany would deliver Taurus missiles a week later.
Ukraine's military currently operates long-range missiles like SCALP/Storm Shadow and ATACMS provided by the U.S., the U.K., and France but is not allowed to use them against targets on Russian soil.
Under Merz's helm, "Kyiv could expect more vocal and decisive messaging… on why Germany should see it in its vital national interest that Ukraine succeeds," Fleck commented.
"Making the case to the German public will be crucial if Berlin is to sustain its support for Ukraine in the long term, and such public diplomacy at home is where the outgoing government failed significantly."
Will Merz deliver German leadership?
The question remains to what extent Merz's rhetoric will transform into real steps beyond the electoral campaign.
Whoever becomes chancellor in 2025 will face serious obstacles, namely the economic downturn and budget constraints.
"Merz maintains the CDU/CSU's key tenet, which is upholding the debt brake," said Zuzana Zavadilova, a Germany researcher at the Prague-based Association for International Affairs think tank.
The opposition leader "has called for an enormous defense budget hike, but it remains unclear how it will be funded without increasing the debt."
Another challenge is the growing support for Ukraine-skeptic parties like the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) or the left-populist Sahra Wagenknecht Alliance (BSW).
Some AfD members are under investigation for allegedly taking money from Russian agents, while Wagenknecht sought to leverage her success in regional elections to undermine support for Ukraine.
Merz has previously said that a pro-NATO, pro-Kyiv course is non-negotiable in any coalition talks.
Friedrich Merz, head of the Christian Democratic Union of Germany (CDU) political party, is pictured on stage after he spoke on day two of the party congress of the Christian Social Union (CSU) sister party on Oct. 12, 2024 in Augsburg, Germany. (Alexandra Beier/Getty Images)
But the rising support for BSW and the AfD signals a growing Ukraine fatigue in Germany, with some hesitant voices growing louder also within the CDU itself, said Jakub Eberle, a senior researcher at the Institute of International Relations Prague.
A recent poll showed that the popular support for German military aid for Ukraine has dropped from 66% to 57% compared to last year, while 43% of respondents said that Kyiv should cede territory to achieve peace.
The question of a post-election coalition remains open. Some prominent CDU/CSU leaders have rejected an alliance with decisively pro-Ukraine Greens, while the FDP may struggle to even cross the 5% threshold to enter parliament.
Paradoxically, the SPD now appears to be Merz's most likely coalition partner, "which puts additional constraints on any significant moves away from the status quo," Eberle told the Kyiv Independent.
The expert also raised doubts about how feasible Merz's aim of an independent European leadership is: "The position of the Trump administration will have a way larger impact on Germany's policies than whether the next German chancellor will be Friedrich Merz, Olaf Scholz, or any other of the probable candidates."
While it may be more decisive in some concrete issues like Taurus missiles, Merz's government will likely "stick with Germany's current policies (of) steady support of Ukraine with both military and financial assistance, but probably also the reluctance to move in much quicker or decisive manner," Eberle concluded.
The Times reports on the possibility that Ukraine could develop a nuclear weapon in a few months if US military aid is cut. The country has enough plutonium and technological capabilities to produce hundreds of tactical warheads.
If US President-elect Donald Trump stops or cuts military aid to Ukraine, Kyiv may start developing nuclear weapons. This is reported by The Times, according to UNN.
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The article states that Ukraine will be able to create a basic nuclear device similar to the Fat Man bomb used by the United States during World War II. Analysts explain that such a device would not require significant infrastructure capacity for uranium enrichment , but could instead use plutonium from spent fuel rods from Ukrainian nuclear reactors. With its experience in nuclear technology and nine operating reactors, Ukraine is able to implement this plan within a few months.
Experts estimate that the country has a plutonium stockpile of about seven tons, which is enough to produce hundreds of tactical warheads with a yield of several kilotons. According to the authors of the report, even one such device could provide a significant defense advantage, becoming a deterrent against military aggression.
Oleksiy Yizhak, head of a department at the National Institute for Strategic Studies of Ukraine, noted that although the power of such a device could be smaller and less predictable due to the characteristics of plutonium, even this would be enough to hit large military or industrial facilities.
The development of nuclear weapons would be an unprecedented step for Ukraine, which once voluntarily gave up the world's third-largest nuclear arsenal.
The US has $7.1 billion left for military support for Ukraine: where will the money goNov 12 2024, 09:55 PM • 18239 views
Ukrainians awoke on Nov. 13 to news that U.S. President-elect Donald Trump had tapped Fox News host Pete Hegseth as his defense secretary — the most eyebrow-raising appointment announced so far by the incoming administration of Kyiv’s top Western ally.
Some in the U.S. expressed shock at the appointment of the 44-year-old veteran with little military leadership experience. But lawmakers and experts in Ukraine, a country dependent on foreign assistance in battling Russia’s full-scale invasion now in its third year, reacted cautiously and looked for signs of optimism.
Hegseth’s appointment follows news that Trump plans to appoint Congressman Mike Waltz as National Security Advisor and, reportedly but not confirmed yet by Trump’s team, Senator Marco Rubio as his next Secretary of State. Billionaire Elon Musk and wealthy entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy will head a new "Department of Government Efficiency" focused on government reforms, among other announcements.
Following Trump’s inauguration in January, appointees that require confirmation will take positions in the government if approved by U.S. legislators. Some positions, including national security advisor, do not require confirmation.
Donald Trump watches as U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio (R-FL) speaks during a campaign rally at the J.S. Dorton Arena on November 04, 2024 in Raleigh, North Carolina (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)
"I am quite optimistic about Trump’s recent appointments. First, some of these people have either a pro-Ukrainian or anti-Russian position," Andriy Lyubka, a writer and director of the Institute for Central European Strategy, told the Kyiv Independent.
"Secondly, in these chaotic, unmotivated appointments of people without professional political backgrounds, Trump is very similar to (President Volodymyr) Zelensky. They are both showmen, and I think that after a brief and unsuccessful attempt to get along with Putin, Trump will find in Zelensky a partner who is suitable for him and close in spirit."
Zelensky rose to power in 2019, winning more than 70% of the vote after decades as a comedian and entertainer, while Trump was well-known as a TV personality and entrepreneur before his first election as U.S. president in 2016.
"I think … Trump will find in Zelensky a partner who is suitable for him and close in spirit," said Andriy Lyubka, writer and director of the Institute for Central European Strategy
Their relationship has been strained since Trump’s first term when a 2019 phone call between the two led to Trump’s impeachment over allegations he pressured Zelensky to investigate political rivals by withholding military aid.
David Arakhamia, head of Zelensky’s Servant of the People parliamentary group, told the Kyiv Independent he did not have enough information to assess Hegseth’s appointment. However, the appointments of Rubio and Waltz provided "moderate reasons for optimism" in Ukraine, he added.
One reason is that the lawmakers on both sides have already been in contact, Arakhamia said.
“Second, neither of these (politicians) are isolationists. But in the end, we have to understand that the main things will be decided personally by President Trump,” he said.
After Trump’s election, Zelensky praised Trump’s approach of "peace through strength," saying, "This is exactly the principle that can practically bring just peace in Ukraine closer."
With Hegseth, Ukrainians adopt 'wait-and-see'
The biggest surprise among the recent appointments was Hegseth. He previously served as an infantry captain in the Army National Guard doing multiple tours of Afghanistan and Iraq but lacks significant military leadership experience.
To become defense secretary, Hegseth must be confirmed by a majority in the Senate, which Trump’s Republican Party will now hold following the elections.
If confirmed, he will replace Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin after Trump's inauguration in January. His slim experience could make it challenging for him to pass the necessary 50% threshold.
"We have a bit of a wait-and-see" to see how his positions toward Ukraine take shape — as well as how long his term in office lasts, said Lada Roslycky, founder and managing partner of the Ukraine-focused defense and security consulting group Black Trident.
"We've seen that Trump did fire his heads of department — particularly the defense — in the past. So how long he's actually going to be there, we don't know," she said.
Former U.S. President Donald Trump holds a campaign rally at Lancaster Airport on November 03, 2024 in Lititz, Pennsylvania. (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)
Overall, she said, Trump’s messaging and appointees indicate that Ukraine will have to become more self-reliant and produce more of its own weapons.
In the first weeks of the full-scale invasion, Hegseth called Russian President Vladimir Putin an "authoritarian" and criticized Biden for not providing weapons fast enough.
"What’s at stake is repelling an authoritarian who basically is saying 'I want the Soviet Union back,'" Hegseth said on a March 7, 2022 Fox News broadcast. He added that the U.S. needed to be "equipping and supplying Ukraine faster than we have."
However, he has also stirred significant controversy with his comments about Ukraine and NATO.
Just days after the full-scale invasion began, Hegseth described the war as "important," but added, "It pales in comparison to the crime I see in my streets, to the wokeness I see in my culture, to the inflation I see at my pocketbook, to the real border I care about, which is the southern border, which is wide open."
"How long is (Hegseth) actually going to be there? We don't know," said Lada Roslycky, founder and managing partner of Black Trident
He has also echoed Trump’s skepticism toward NATO’s mutual defense commitments.
"Why should America, the European 'emergency contact number' for the past century, listen to self-righteous and impotent nations asking us to honor outdated and one-sided defense arrangements they no longer live up to?" Hegseth wrote in a book released this year.
Caught off-guard by the unexpected announcement, many Ukrainians are waiting to see how he will behave in office.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky speaks during a joint press conference at the 2024 NATO Summit on July 11, 2024 in Washington, DC. (Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images)
"It’s hard to say now what kind of defense secretary he will be. I understand that one of the main criteria for Trump when he selects people for his administration is their loyalty, which is quite natural," said Oleksandr Merezhko, chair of the Foreign Affairs Committee in Ukraine’s parliament.
"At the end of the day, what matters is how he will perform his functions and whether he will be an efficient defense secretary."
‘The main problem is Musk’s influence’
Western analysts have noted that Trump’s reported picks of Waltz and Rubio elevate two known China hawks to key foreign policy positions, signaling that future U.S. foreign policy may center on China.
Serhii Fursa, the deputy managing director at Kyiv-based investment firm Dragon Capital, echoed views that the appointments announced so far "sound better than expected for Ukraine."
"When we see appointments that are connected to external policies, it's not people who are known as Russian sympathizers," Fursa said. "For us, the main problem is Musk's influence … If he focuses on domestic U.S. problems instead of external policy, we will be very happy."
Musk has repeatedly echoed pro-Russian talking points on Ukraine, including proposals to cede territory to Moscow. While his Starlink satellite company has played a crucial role in helping Ukraine’s Armed Forces, he has called to reduce aid to Ukraine and also reportedly has been communicating with Putin and other Kremlin officials since late 2022, according to the Wall Street Journal.
Tesla CEO Elon Musk (R) jumps on stage as he joins former U.S. President and Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump during a campaign rally at site of his first assassination attempt in Butler, Pennsylvania, U.S. on Oct. 5, 2024. (Jim Watson / AFP via Getty Images)
Ramaswamy, meanwhile, has been a vocal critic of providing military aid to Kyiv and advocated for the recognition of occupied territories as Russian since they are "Russian speaking."
Stanislav Zhelikhovskyi, a Ukrainian political scientist and a corresponding member of the Ukrainian Academy of Geopolitics and Geostrategy, said that his expectations for Musk are "not positive," though there was still a chance that his appointment was related to the negotiation process between Russia and Ukraine.
"Ramaswamy, in my opinion, is one of the most controversial appointments," Zhelikhovskyi added, highlighting Ramaswamy’s opposition to Ukraine’s membership in NATO and his support for the possibility of conceding territory to Russia.
"This cannot help but be alarming, given Trump's possible future arrangements with Putin," he said.
“For us, the main problem is Musk's influence," said Serhii Fursa, deputy managing director at Dragon Capital
Responding to the appointment of Musk and Ramaswamy, Arakhamia told the Kyiv Independent, "We will work with everyone."
"Once all the new appointees have access to intelligence reports and other classified material, I suppose a lot can change in their own assessments of the situation," Arakhamia added.
Kate Tsurkan, Dominic Culverwell, Chris York, Martin Fornusek, Dinara Khalilova, and Natalia Yermak contributed reporting.
A bridge over the railroad tracks in the village of Maslovo collapsed in the Dzhankoy district of Crimea. At the time of the collapse, there was a car and a truck on the bridge, and two of the victims were unblocked.
A bridge collapsed in the Dzhankoy district of the occupied Crimea, there are probably victims, UNN reports with reference to Kry.Realii.
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Crimean telegram channels report that a bridge over the railroad tracks collapsed in the village of Maslovo.
According to eyewitnesses, the bridge could not withstand the weight of the heavy truck. It is alleged that there were victims as a result of the incident.
A rocket fell on a residential building in Crimea: the occupiers are silent about the incidentNov 3 2024, 02:48 PM • 28608 views
The incident was confirmed by the head of the Dzhankoy district administration, Inna Fedorenko. However, she did not report any injuries.
The Russian Emergencies Ministry of Crimea reported that a car and a truck were on the bridge at the time of the collapse. They reportedly managed to unblock 2 victims.
President-elect Donald Trump may "soon" appoint a Ukrainian peace envoy to lead negotiations on ending Russia's war, Fox News reported on Nov. 13, citing its multiple undisclosed sources.
"You're going to see a very senior special envoy, someone with a lot of credibility, who will be given a task to find a resolution, to get to a peace settlement," one of the sources said, adding that the appointment will happen "in short order."
Kurt Volker held a similar position and served as the U.S. Special Representative for Ukraine on a volunteer basis from 2017 to 2019. The post of Ukrainian peace envoy is also expected to be unpaid.
Over the past few days, Trump has announced new members of his future administration. Meanwhile, some of Trump's picks have made controversial statements about the war in Ukraine and opposed further provision of military aid for Kyiv.
U.S. President-elect Donald Trump on Nov. 12 selected Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy to lead the "Department of Government Efficiency," a new body designed to "drive large-scale structural reform."
Ramaswamy, a wealthy entrepreneur, and Musk, one of the world's richest people and owner of SpaceX, Tesla, and X (formerly known as Twitter), have no background in politics apart from Ramaswamy’s brief running for the Republican presidential nomination.
While Musk has repeatedly echoed pro-Russian talking points on Ukraine, including proposals to cede territory to Moscow, Ramaswamy was among the most vocal opponents of military aid for Kyiv.
Trump also named South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem as the leader of Homeland Security, who earlier called Russia's invasion of Ukraine "Europe's fight, not ours."
Earlier, Trump named Michael Waltz his national security advisor. Waltz's views on Ukraine evolved from an ardent supporter of U.S. military aid to questioning it and advocating for relocating these resources against China.
Trump's defense secretary is confirmed to be Pete Hegseth, an army veteran and current Fox News host. His secretary of state, overseeing U.S. diplomacy, is reported to be Marco Rubio.
The occupants attempted to break through the defense in the Kupyansk sector in four waves using 15 pieces of equipment. Some of the Russian soldiers were disguised in Ukrainian Armed Forces uniforms, and all attacks were repelled.
Russian occupants attempted to break through our defense in the Kupyansk sector. Some of the Russian soldiers were dressed in uniforms of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. This was reported by the General Staff and added that Ukrainian defenders stopped the enemy, UNN reports.
"Today, starting at 2:30 p.m., Russian occupants attempted to break through our defense in the Kupyansk sector. Enemy assault groups attacked the positions of Ukrainian defenders in four waves. In total, the enemy used about 15 pieces of equipment. In particular, tanks, armored combat vehicles and an UR-77 demining unit," the statement said.
The General Staff emphasized that some of the Russian soldiers were dressed in uniforms of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. This violates the laws and rules of warfare and is a war crime.
"With skillful and decisive actions, our defenders stopped the enemy, destroyed all their armored vehicles and eliminated a significant part of their manpower," the statement said.
In addition, the General Staff noted the professionalism and cohesion of our infantrymen, tankers, artillerymen and UAV operators.
156 combat engagements in the frontline: where is the hottest spot and what is happening – General StaffNov 13 2024, 12:20 AM • 57838 views
Military donations in Ukraine have fallen sharply amid rising financial pressures and war weariness, with major charities reporting drops by 20% or more in 2024, Bloomberg reported on Nov. 13.
Prominent organizations such as Come Back Alive and the Serhiy Prytula Foundation, headed by the well-known Ukrainian TV personality of the same name, have seen contributions decrease by approximately one-fifth in 2024, Bloomberg reports.
Other groups supporting the Armed Forces report even steeper declines.
While these charities provide essential support, they cover only a fraction of Ukraine’s total military needs. In 2024, Prytula’s foundation raised Hr 1.4 billion ($34 million), a figure that pales in comparison to Ukraine’s $50 billion military budget.
Come Back Alive, one of Ukraine's largest charitable foundations, reported a 15% drop in donations in the same year, based on its reports on the receipt of donations.
Meanwhile, Reactive Post, another non-governmental organization, told Bloomberg that its contributions have decreased by over 40% this year compared to the same period in 2023.
Prytula cited economic challenges and the hardships brought on by power outages as likely reasons for the downturn.
In an interview with Ukrainska Pravda, Taras Chmut, the head of Come Back Alive, expressed concern over 2024’s fundraising efforts, saying they "have not started as well as we would like."
Chmut explained that as more Ukrainians leave the country, incomes decline, and living costs rise, donations are inevitably impacted.
Oleh Karpenko, the head of partnerships at Come Back Alive, told the BBC that donation patterns vary based on events such as shelling in Ukraine, drone strikes in Russia, power outages, battlefield developments, and military successes or setbacks.
On Oct. 25, President Volodymyr Zelensky announced a new eSupport initiative scheduled to launch on Dec. 1.
Under this program, each Ukrainian will receive Hr 1,000 ($24) in aid, which can be used for specific expenses. Deputy Economy Minister Oleksii Soboliev clarified that these funds could be redirected to the military through donations, even if foreign aid itself cannot be directly allocated for military purposes, as reported by the NV news outlet.
Over 50% of all combat engagements took place in the Kurakhove and Pokrovske sectors over the last day. The most intense fighting continues in the areas of Antonivka and Novoselidivka.
More than half of the 97 battles on the frontline today took place in the Pokrovske and Kurakhove directions, with the occupants making the main efforts in the areas of Antonivka and Novoselidivka, the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported at 16:00 on November 13, UNN reports.
Since the beginning of the day, the enemy has continued its offensive, the number of combat engagements along the entire frontline has increased to 97. The enemy is most active in the Pokrovske and Kurakhove sectors
– reported the General Staff.
The situation is reportedly as follows:
In the Kharkiv sector, one enemy attack was repelled near Vovchansk.
In the Kupyansk sector, the enemy started storming the positions of our units near Lozova and Pershotravneve five times. Two firefights are ongoing. Pishchane, Kivrashivka, Zahryzove and Bohuslavka were attacked by UAVs.
On the Liman direction, the invading army conducted five attacks on Ukrainian positions in the direction of Cherneshchyna, Terny and Zarichne during the day. Three engagements ended, two are ongoing. The enemy actively used aviation in this area, Yampolivka and Terny came under attack from anti-aircraft gunships, and the enemy attacked Serhiivka and Novoyehorivka with aerial tanks.
In the Kramatorsk sector, one firefight took place in the vicinity of Stupochki.
In the Toretsk sector, the enemy tried three times to improve its position in the Toretsk area. Ukrainian soldiers gave a worthy rebuff. The occupier dropped eight bombs in the area of Dachne.
Since the beginning of the day, the occupants have already made 24 attempts to push our defenders from their positions in the Pokrovske sector. Fighting continues near Sukhoi Balka, Promen, Lysivka, Krutyi Yar, Hryhorivka, Dachenske, Petrivka, Novooleksiyivka, and Pustynka. Pushkine was hit by UAVs.
The situation is the hottest in the Kurakhove sector, where 32 hostile attacks have already been registered in the areas of Berestky, Illinka, Novoselydivka, Voznesenka, Novodmitrivka, Maksymilianivka, Dalne, Antonivka and Katerynivka. In the areas of Antonivka and Novoselydivka, the occupants are making the main efforts – they conducted 16 assaults, ten of which are ongoing. At the same time, the enemy dropped two combat vehicles in the vicinity of Kurakhove.
In the Vremivsk sector, eight firefights took place near the towns of Rivne, Novopil, Trudove, Kostiantynopolske and Makarivka. Six attacks are still being repelled by Ukrainian defenders. Velyka Novosilka, Zelene Pole, and Novopil were hit by air strikes.
On the Gulyaypil direction, the enemy attacked Belogorye with rocket-propelled grenades.
On the Orikhivsk direction, the occupiers attacked three times in the directions of Novodanilivka and Novoandriivka. The enemy dropped four guided aerial bombs near Zaporizhzhia and Natalivka.
Four enemy assaults were successfully repelled in the Prydniprovsky sector. At the same time, the enemy launched an air strike with NARs on Kozatske.
There were no major changes in other areas.
Sumy, Chernihiv and Kharkiv regions, as indicated, continue to suffer from artillery shelling from the territory of the Russian Federation. Thus, the areas of Pavlivka, Oleksandrivka, Zhuravka, Dibrova, Novenke, Basivka, and Ryasne came under hostile fire. Basivka, Zhuravka and Yunakivka were hit by air strikes.
Almost half of the fighting took place in the Kurakhove and Pokrovsk sectors: situation on the frontlineNov 13 2024, 06:40 AM • 17036 views
A Russian drone hit an apartment building in the northeastern part of Kharkiv, injuring at least two people, officials reported on Nov. 13.
Two residents previously reported as injured received medical assistance in connection to the attack but did not suffer physical injuries, according to authorities.
The drone struck the building in the city's Saltivskyi district near a shopping center at around 11:30 a.m. Several cars, public transport infrastructure equipment, and facades of nearby buildings were damaged, but no fire was reported.
None of the victims suffered serious injuries, Governor Oleh Syniehubov said. A 74-year-old woman and a 74-year-old man were hospitalized with shrapnel wounds.
An 84-year-old woman was hospitalized with a hypertensive crisis, and a 53-year-old woman suffered shock.
Located less than 30 kilometers from the Russian border, the northeastern city of Kharkiv has suffered relentless Russian attacks over the past two years of Russia's full-scale war. Recently, aerial strikes have been intensifying.
Moscow often targets densely populatedneighborhoods in the city with drones, missiles, and glide bombs.
The Kyiv IndependentKateryna Denisova
