Category: World

The US Department of Defense has announced a new security assistance package for Ukraine worth $988 million.

Source: a statement on the Pentagon website

Quote: "Today, the Department of Defense (DoD) announced a significant new security assistance package to ensure Ukraine has the tools it needs to prevail in its fight against Russian aggression.

This security assistance package commits an additional $988 million in support through the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative (USAI) that will provide Ukraine with munitions for rocket systems and Unmanned Aerial Systems. This package also includes support for maintenance and repair programs to help Ukraine reconstitute its forces and build and sustain combat power."

Details: The package includes:

• ammunition for artillery missile systems (HIMARS);
• unmanned aerial systems;
• equipment, components and spare parts for the maintenance, repair and overhaul of artillery systems, tanks and armoured vehicles.

The statement notes that this is the twenty-second USAI package from the Biden administration.

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The Biden administration has announced a new безп 988 million security assistance package for Ukraine through USAI. The package includes ammunition for HIMARS, drones and equipment repair components.

President Biden's administration has announced a significant new security assistance package for Ukraine worth 988 million. This is reported by the US Department of Defense, reports UNN.

Details

The US Department of Defense informed that the funding will be directed through the security assistance in Ukraine initiative (USAI) in order to strengthen Ukrainian capabilities in the fight against russian aggression.

As part of this package, Ukraine will receive ammunition for HIMARS high mobility missile and artillery systems, unmanned aircraft systems, as well as components and spare parts for the maintenance and repair of artillery systems, tanks and armored vehicles. In addition, the program includes support for repair work and maintenance, which will help Ukraine restore its combat capabilities.

This aid package has already become the 22nd that the United States provides to Ukraine under the USAI program. The Biden administration continues to work with more than 50 allies and partners through the International Contact Group on Ukraine's defense to ensure effective support for the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

The United States is preparing a new aid package for Ukraine in the amount of 988 millionDec 7 2024, 08:59 PM • 5101 view

The meeting between French President Emmanuel Macron, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and US President-elect Donald Trump in Paris lasted 35 minutes.

Source: Serhii Nykyforov, the Ukrainian president's spokesperson, speaking to European Pravda

Quote from Nykyforov: "It [the meeting] is over. It lasted about 35 minutes."

Details: Nykyforov said Zelenskyy, Macron and Trump met in private, with no one else in the room.

He added that no statements were made to the press afterwards.

PRESIDENT TRUMP IN FRANCE — AMERICA IS BACK! pic.twitter.com/gDJCcD0dv0

— Trump War Room (@TrumpWarRoom) December 7, 2024

Background:

• Earlier, French media had reported that Zelenskyy arrived at the Élysée Palace at 17:30 local time. Trump was already there.
• The leaders are in Paris to attend the reopening of Notre Dame, which has been rebuilt after a fire. All the celebrations marking the cathedral's reopening will take place indoors due to bad weather.

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A series of attacks on journalists and citizens took place in the center of Tbilisi, including a cameraman, a journalist and an actor. The Ministry of Internal Affairs of Georgia has opened a criminal case, the attackers are compared to "titushki".

In Tbilisi, a series of attacks on journalists and citizens was recorded. this is reported by the BBC, reports UNN.

Details

In the capital of Georgia, there were several attacks, in particular on the film crew of the TV Pirveli TV channel. The incidents occurred in the area of Rustaveli Avenue, where groups of aggressive men in black clothing attacked media representatives and protesters.

Among the victims are a cameraman who was seriously injured, as well as a journalist who was attacked while performing her professional duties. Photos and videos of events are actively distributed in social networks, causing a significant resonance in society.

The attackers are compared to the infamous "titushki" – a term that gained popularity during the protests in Ukraine in 2014. Participants in the attacks in Tbilisi are also associated with attempts to suppress protests.

The Ministry of internal affairs of Georgia announced the opening of a criminal case, but the detainees have not yet been reported. The Commissioner for Human Rights called on the authorities to take measures to ensure the safety of journalists and citizens.

Among the victims was actor Giorgi Makharadze, who, according to local media, was also attacked.

In Tbilisi, security forces use smoke bombs and water cannons to disperse protestersDec 1 2024, 04:59 AM • 19318 views

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has described his meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron and US President-elect Donald Trump as productive, saying they all want to end the war in Ukraine fairly and as soon as possible.

Source: Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Facebook

Quote from Zelenskyy: "A good, productive meeting with President Trump and President Macron. As always, President Trump is determined. Thank you for that. Thanks also to President Macron for organising this meeting in Paris. We talked about our people, the situation on the battlefield, and a just peace for Ukraine. We all want to end this war as quickly and fairly as possible. We agreed to continue working. Peace through strength is possible!"

Background: Zelenskyy's meeting with Macron and Trump in Paris on Saturday evening lasted 35 minutes, and there were no statements to the press afterwards.

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London is considering a case of espionage by a group of agents who worked for Russian intelligence through an ex-Wirecard manager. Two of the five suspects have already pleaded guilty.

Bulgarians suspected of spying for the Russian Federation were arrested naked in bed, writes UNN with reference to BILD.

Details

A large-scale espionage trial continues in London, in which a group of agents is suspected of working on behalf of former Wirecard manager Jan Marsalek for the Russian intelligence agency.

Now two of the five defendants have pleaded guilty.

In the course of the investigation, it became clear about the proximity of the stosunki between the Bulgarians Vanya Gaberova and the Beads of the Jambas.

According to the prosecution, Vanya Gaberova was supposed to seduce a well-known journalist Hriso Grozev in order to make dirt that could then be used for espionage purposes.

According to information, Hriso Grozev has long been a "bone in the throat" of the Kremlin. In particular, due to the fact that he solved Russian special operations, also investigated the MH17 crash, the murder of Vadim Krasikov in Berlin, and dealt with the poisoning of Alexey Navalny.

However, Jambasov's former neighbors said that he lives with Ivanova, another suspect in espionage. They were called a couple. In addition, they head a public organization that allegedly introduces Bulgarians to the culture and norms of British society.

Prosecutor Alison Morgan said the defendants used "sophisticated methods" and high-tech tools to carry out their espionage operations. For this, they received "huge amounts of money" and realized that their actions were aimed at the interests of Russia.

Jan Marsalek has been in hiding since June 2020 after the bankruptcy of Wirecard, and, according to the latest data, is in Russia, living under an imaginary identity, according to the Süddeutsche Zeitung and the Russian platform dossier.

American billionaire Elon Musk is expected at Le Bourget Airport to attend the opening of the restored Notre Dame. Earlier, Donald Trump had already arrived in Paris to participate in a diplomatic meeting of world leaders.

American billionaire Elon Musk, who is close to US President-elect Donald Trump, is due to land at Le Bourget Airport, near Paris, local time, to attend the opening of Notre Dame. This was reported to the AFP news agency by a source, reports UNN.

No details about the program of the visit to Paris of Elon Musk, the richest man in the world, who became close to the president-elect, are being reported at this stage.

On Saturday morning, Donald Trump landed at Orly Airport (south of Paris). In addition to the revival of the building, a tense diplomatic meeting will be held in Paris on Saturday, in which several dozen world leaders are expected to participate.

Zelensky arrived in Paris, where he will meet with Macron, and possibly with TrumpDec 7 2024, 12:03 PM • 10903 views

UK Defence Intelligence has noted that most of the Russian advances in recent weeks have been centred on three fronts in Donetsk Oblast.

Source: UK Defence Intelligence update on X (Twitter) dated 7 December, as reported by European Pravda

Details: The update specifically highlights three areas in Donetsk Oblast: the Pokrovsk axis, the Kurakhove axis, and the Velyka Novosilka axis, which are closely interconnected.

On the Pokrovsk axis, Russia has been making gradual progress towards the city of Pokrovsk. Russian forces have seized the town of Selydove and are expanding their front in the area. Russian troops remain about 6-7 km from Pokrovsk itself.

In addition, the update says Russian troops are likely engaged in fighting in the centre of Kurakhove.

"Kurakhove forms an important section of the front line and its seizure would allow Russian forces to consolidate positions in the area and set conditions for further advances westwards," the update says.

UK intelligence also drew attention to a limited counteroffensive by the Ukrainian Armed Forces north of Velyka Novosilka, which allowed them to retake the village of Novyi Komar from Russian troops.

"Despite this, Russian efforts to cut off the supply routes on the northern approach to Velyka Novosilka and encircle the town continue. Russian forces are also pushing towards Velyka Novosilka from the south, recently capturing the village of Blahodatne," the update says.

Background:

• In a previous update, UK intelligence reported that in November, the average daily casualties (killed and wounded in action) of Russian occupation forces in Ukraine reached a new record.
• Earlier, the Estonian General Staff reported that neither Ukraine nor Russia had been able to make significant breakthroughs on the front lines during the week, although active hostilities continued along the entire war zone.

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Powerful storm Darr covered the UK and Ireland, leaving more than 400 thousand consumers without electricity. Mass events and football matches were canceled due to dangerous wind gusts of up to 130 km/h.

Great Britain and Ireland were hit by a strong storm, more than a hundred thousand people were left without electricity, writes UNN with reference to Sky News.

Details

Millions of people in the UK and Ireland have asked to stay at home due to bad weather.

Nearly 400,000 consumers in Ireland were left without electricity due to storm Darr.

The Weather Service expects gusts around the coast of Northern Ireland to reach speeds of about 130 km/h.

Storm Dara is the fourth named storm of the season after Ashley, Bert and Conal.

About three million people in parts of Wales and south-west England have received an emergency alert from the government.

Due to bad weather, the Merseyside derby between Everton and Liverpool was canceled.

Also, the Liverpool Christmas market was temporarily closed.

The organizers said that such measures were taken to ensure the safety of merchants and visitors.

"We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause. Our number one priority is safety, and we want people to have fun and visit safely," the organizers said in a statement.

Recall

Storm Burt brought 80% of the monthly precipitation and winds of up to 132 km/h to Britain. The disaster caused flooding, the death of 5 people, flight cancellations and left thousands of homes without electricity.

The EU summit on 19 December will focus on the situation in Ukraine, with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy expected to attend.

Source: a letter of invitation from European Council President António Costa to EU leaders, reports European Pravda

Details: The upcoming EU summit will be the first since António Costa became president of the European Council.

Quote: "The situation in Ukraine will be at the forefront of our discussions. I have just returned from a visit to Kyiv, on the first day of my mandate. We need to stand with Ukraine for as long as necessary and do whatever it takes for Russia’s invasion to be defeated and international law to prevail," Costa stated.

He stressed that the December meeting of the European Council provides a crucial opportunity to send a clear and united message of support for Ukraine and a comprehensive, just, and lasting peace.

"I have invited President Zelenskyy to come to Brussels on the occasion of the meeting of the European Council to share with us the latest developments on the ground and his views on how Europe can best support Ukraine," Costa added.

The summit will also focus on the EU’s global role.

"I believe that we need a comprehensive and strategic discussion, without written conclusions, on the way forward regarding our global engagement and priorities in a multipolar landscape marked by geopolitical tensions," he said.

Ahead of the summit, an EU-Western Balkans summit will take place on 18 December.

Background:

• Earlier, Costa said Ukraine could play a significant role in addressing vulnerabilities in the EU's competitiveness.
• Additionally, he emphasised that only Ukraine can define what constitutes a "just peace" in the Russian-Ukrainian war.

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