+++ 07:02 Ukraine lacks artillery ammunition - own drones to close the gap +++

Brigadier General Oleksandr Tarnavskyi explains that both the Ukrainian and Russian armed forces have problems with artillery ammunition. This is reported by the "Institute for the Study of War" in its latest analysis. According to reports, however, Western officials assume that the Russian armed forces are currently firing five to seven times more artillery fire than the Ukrainian armed forces. Russia is said to have procured 122 mm artillery shells from North Korea, among others. Ukraine, on the other hand, relies on Western partners to supply the ammunition, but repeatedly faces obstacles in doing so. According to Ukraine's Deputy Minister of Defense, General Ivan Havriljuk, Ukraine is therefore concentrating on the domestic production of drones. This is intended to compensate to some extent for the lack of artillery ammunition. However, the production of 155 mm ammunition, which is standard in the West, is also to be promoted with the help of Western companies.

+++ 06:24 Gloomy forecast: Trump would cut Ukraine aid and expand relationship with China +++DonaldTrump is expected to appoint loyalists to key positions in the Pentagon, State Department and CIA in a possible second term, several current and former aides and diplomats tell Reuters. This outcome, which gives Trump greater room to maneuver than during his first term, would empower him to make significant changes to the US's stance on the war in Ukraine and trade relations with China. If Trump comes to power, he is likely to immediately cut defense aid to Europe and further reduce economic ties with China, the advisors suggest. Eight European diplomats interviewed by Reuters said there were doubts about whether Trump would honor Washington's commitment to defend NATO allies and acute fears that he would cut off aid to Ukraine in its war with Russia. Earlier this year, Trump said he would not commit to providing aid to Ukraine and said he simply wanted to end the war "in 24 hours".

+++ 05:45 China moves closer to Moscow in the energy sector +++Chinawants to strengthen cooperation with Russia in the energy sector. "Facing the volatility of the global energy market and external risks and challenges, Russia and China always adhere to the principles of mutual trust and mutual benefit, continuously develop cooperation in the energy sector and make a positive contribution to ensuring global energy security," the Russian state news agency RIA quoted the Chinese ambassador to Russia, Zhang Hanhui, as saying. China expects cooperation to be expanded along the entire production chain in the energy sector.

+++ 04:38 Russia lists crime novelist Akunin as a "terrorist" +++Followinghis criticism of the war against Ukraine, the well-known author Boris Akunin is listed as a "terrorist" and "extremist" in Russia. The Russian financial supervisory authority Rosfinmonitoring now lists Akunin, who has been living abroad for years, in a corresponding list. Russia's investigative authority has also confirmed that proceedings have been opened in absentia against the Kremlin critic not only for allegedly justifying terrorism, but also for "false news" about the Russian army. Akunin, who was born in 1956 in Georgia, then part of the Soviet Union, and whose real name is Grigori Chkhartishvili, is best known for his crime novels.

+++ 03:05 Roger Waters is courted by Kremlin TV +++Duringan appearance on Russian state television, controversial Pink Floyd co-founder Roger Waters is visibly flattered by the presenter's question as to whether he will move to Russia. War supporter Olga Skabeyeva quotes the Ukrainian ambassador in Vienna, who, as a Putin supporter, had recommended such a move to Waters. "We would welcome you with open arms," says Skabeyeva. Waters replied: He is taking the invitation seriously and will inform her of his decision.

+++ 01:10 Selenskyj considers new EU sanctions effective +++Ukrainian President Volodymyr Selenskyj welcomes the new EU sanctions against Russia. These would really hit Russia's economic basis for the war, he says in his evening video address. The twelfth package of sanctions affects the Russian diamond trade, among other things.

+++ 23:58 "Enormous reserve": Putin promotes women's rights +++Russian President Vladimir Putin calls on employers in predominantly male sectors to hire more women. "Girls represent an enormous reserve for Russia," says Putin at a meeting with the winners of a professional competition. "They need to realize their full potential in the areas where they are not yet working." Russia has been suffering for years from a shrinking working population due to persistently low birth rates. This has been exacerbated by the conflict in Ukraine.

+++ 22:50 Ukraine's army chief Salushnyj criticizes Selenskyj +++Accordingto a media report, Ukrainian commander-in-chief Valerij Saluschnyj criticizes President Volodymyr Selenskyj for dismissing all the heads of the regional recruitment offices. "They were professionals who knew how to do it, and now they're gone," the Interfax Ukraine agency quoted Salushny as saying. Zelenskyi fired all regional heads of Ukrainian recruitment offices in August as part of an anti-corruption drive. Asked about the defense ministry's latest plan to boost military recruitment, Salushnyj says the old system should be reintroduced. "It's still a bit early to evaluate recruitment. As for mobilization, it is not necessary to increase it, but to return to the limits (and) to the framework that used to work."

+++ 22:23 Pentagon warns Ukraine funds will run out at the end of the year +++TheUS Department of Defense will have no more money for weapons and equipment to send to Ukraine after December 30, the Pentagon's comptroller warns in a letter to Congress in Washington. To avoid this, Congress must approve additional funds. President Joe Biden's administration has asked parliamentarians for 61 billion US dollars. "It is important that Congress act promptly on the Administration's pending supplemental request," the staffer asks.

You can read all previous developments here.