11:22 Media: Ukraine is to receive 32 outdated F-16s from Greece
Greece is set to retire 32 outdated F-16 fighter jets and hand them over to the USA. After modernization, the planes are set to be delivered to Ukraine, according to "New Voice of Ukraine" and a report from Al Jazeera. Ukraine already counts on 60 F-16 jets from Denmark, Norway, and the Netherlands, but needs at least 150 combat jets to launch rockets and missiles against Russia and repel aerial attacks on a broad front. There have been numerous devastating bombing raids, the latest on a children's hospital in Kiev with at least seven fatalities.
10:35 Ukraine reports 112 frontline engagements since yesterday
The Ukrainian army's General Staff recorded 112 engagements at the frontline in the last 24 hours. Among these were four rocket attacks on Ukrainian unit positions and inhabited areas, as well as 71 air raids with 119 guided air bombs. Russia conducted over 4,300 artillery attacks, including 121 with multiple rocket launchers, according to the update.
09:54 Russia and China begin joint naval exercise
Russia and China have started a naval drill in the South China Sea. The exercise is set to last three days, according to Russian and Chinese state media. They will reportedly practice air and underwater defense. Live ammunition is expected to be used. Just a few days before Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022, both countries announced a strengthening of their partnership and described it as "boundless."
08:43 Ministry reports 42,000 missing Ukrainians
Approximately 42,000 people are currently missing in Ukraine, among them soldiers and civilians. The Interior Ministry released this information. The number was previously higher, at around 51,000, but about 4,000 soldiers who went missing in battle have since been found and identified. Around 3,000 missing persons have been found alive, many of whom were prisoners of war. Identifying the dead is reportedly difficult due to the Defense Ministry's refusal to collect DNA samples from soldiers before sending them into the field.
08:15 Hungary lobbies for Russia's participation in second peace summit
Hungary is advocating for Russia's participation in the planned second Ukraine peace conference. There are efforts to hold another peace conference this year, Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto said. "I believe that if we want to hope for the success of a future peace conference, we must ensure that both sides are present." Hungary currently holds the EU presidency. The first peace conference took place in June at the invitation of Ukraine, with representatives from over 90 countries attending. Russia declared its disinterest in the conference and was not invited.
07:46 Russia and Ukraine to exchange 90 prisoners today
Russia and Ukraine plan to exchange 90 prisoners today. This was reported by Bloomberg, citing a source. Last week, Ukrainian parliamentary human rights ombudsman Dmytro Lubinez announced that the government was planning, with the help of the United Arab Emirates, to soon carry out a large-scale prisoner exchange with Russia. The two warring parties have already exchanged prisoners on multiple occasions.
06:55 Ukrainian Startups Develop Robots for the FrontlineUkrainian Startups develop cost-effective Robots for Mine clearance, evacuation of battlefields, transportation of equipment and combat units. This is reported by the Ukrainian agency Ukrinform. An "ecosystem of labs in hundreds of secret workshops" uses innovations to create a Robot army. Ukraine hopes that this army can kill Russian troops and save its own wounded soldiers and civilians, according to Ukrinform.
06:20 Heads of State and Government of 47 Countries Speak about UkraineAt the invitation of the new British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, the Heads of State and Government of 47 Countries will meet tomorrow. The 27 EU Member States plus 20 Third States will discuss further aid for Ukraine in the defense war against Russia. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz is also registered. There will be several round tables on security policy and defense, but other topics will also be discussed. Ukraine is represented at the conference.
04:37 Japan Grants Ukraine a Loan from Frozen Russian AssetsJapan reportedly grants Ukraine a loan of 3.3 billion Dollars from the interest on frozen Russian assets. The sum is part of the 50-billion-Dollar package of the G7 countries, reports the news agency Kyodo, citing informed sources. The USA and the European Union (EU) each provide 20 billion Dollars. Japan, Great Britain, and Canada contribute a total of ten billion Dollars. The package is expected to be adopted at a G7 summit on the sidelines of the G20 Finance Summit at the end of the month in Brazil.
03:26 German Government Grants Ukraine ten Million Euros for the Reconstruction of a Children's ClinicAfter the rocket attack on the children's hospital in Kiev, the German Development Ministry grants the Ukrainian government ten million Euros for the reconstruction. The funds will be used together with funds from other donors and donors to make the hospital operational and winterproof again as soon as possible, reports the "Rheinische Post" based on ministry information. This includes repairs and maintenance work on facades, in treatment rooms, and the power and heating supply.
02:10 Medvedev Warns NATO of a "Point of No Return"After the NATO summit's promise to consider Ukraine's membership, former Russian President Dmitri Medvedev renews his threats against the Alliance. In an article for the Russian news portal Argumenty I Fakty, he calls a possible Ukrainian membership a potential declaration of war on Russia. "This would in fact be a declaration of war - if only with a delay. The measures that Russia's adversaries have been taking against us for years by expanding the Alliance, ... bring NATO to a point of no return." Russia does not threaten the NATO but will react to attempts by the Alliance to advance its interests. "The harder their attempts, the harsher our responses will be," says Medvedev. "Whether this tears the whole planet apart depends only on the wisdom of the (NATO) side."
01:00 Ukrainian soldiers use "expired" ammunition
The Ukrainian Defense Ministry, according to its own statements, has returned a "considerable amount" of old ammunition to the military, which should have been disposed of before the first Russian attack on Ukrainian territory in 2014. The ammunition is already being used on the battlefield. "We are looking for internal reserves to supply Ukrainian soldiers with ammunition. We know that every shot, every rocket, and every grenade is vital on the battlefield today," said Deputy Defense Minister Yuriy Dyzhjar. Anything that can be repaired and reused is given a second life.
23:37 Ukrainian troops give up positions in the southeast
Ukrainian troops have reportedly had to give up positions in the southeast of the country in Krynky in the Cherson region and Uroschajne in the Donezk region under Russian pressure. "In both settlements, it no longer made sense to hold the positions due to the extensive damage," quote Ukrainian media sources from the General Staff. The fighting for the settlement of Krynky on the southern bank of the Dnipro River in the Cherson region was criticized from the start due to its futility. It is unclear whether Ukrainian soldiers are still holding out on the southern bank of the Dnipro. Read more here.
22:07 New aid for Ukraine
UN High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi announced a new aid package of $100 million (around 93 million Euros) during a visit to Ukraine. The UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) will support the preparation for winter and continue to support the Ukrainian government in Kiev, helping displaced or otherwise affected Ukrainians, Grandi said during a meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Kiev. The aid organization also plans to mobilize future funds to support the attacked land. Zelenskyy thanked for the help, which is urgently needed due to the damage to the energy infrastructure from Russian attacks. At the same time, the presidency stated that the country still needs help to rebuild destroyed houses and set up bomb shelters in schools and hospitals. This gives displaced Ukrainians the security to return home.
21:27 Ukraine reports destruction of Russian S-300 air defense system
Ukraine has reportedly destroyed a Russian S-300 air defense system in the occupied Donetsk region, according to its own statements. This was announced by Ukrainian General Staff Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi on Twitter. In a video spread by the Ukrainian military, several hits from alleged ATACMS rockets with cluster munitions can be seen. According to Syrskyi, several launchers and a radar station of the system were destroyed.
20:49 Report: Ukrainian Government may be resigning
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy apparently is on the verge of reshuffling his cabinet and demanding the resignation of Premier Minister Denys Schmyhal. This is reported by the "Kyiv Post," citing an unnamed source in the Ukrainian Parliament. The Ukrainian Parliament has reportedly been instructed to prepare for a discussion and vote on a new cabinet on Tuesday in the coming week, according to the newspaper. Even Zelenskyy himself spoke about the possibility of government changes on Monday. "Could there be changes in the government? Likely, yes," so the Ukrainian President. "We are in a process."
20:02 Baltic States leaving Russian power grid
The Baltic States have reportedly informed Russia and its ally Belarus of their withdrawal from the power grid of the former Soviet Union. "We will cut the last energy connections with Russia," explains the head of the state Lithuanian grid operator Litgrid, Rokas Masiulis. This step is supposed to take place in February 2025. Shortly thereafter, the three countries will connect to the European power grid. "In half a year, we will not only disconnect from the Russian and Belarusian power grids, but also dismantle the last power lines," explains Masiulis.
19:20 Lindner criticizes Orbán's "Alleingänge"
Following the controversy over Viktor Orbán's Moscow trip, Germany and other EU members are increasing the pressure on Budapest. During a finance ministers' meeting in Brussels, most EU members called on Hungary to continue prioritizing Ukraine aid. German Finance Minister Christian Lindner accused Orbán of "Alleingänge." "Hungary should know that the peace and freedom order of Europe as a whole is being defended in Ukraine," said Lindner in the public debate. The priority of this under Hungary's EU presidency must also remain "top" by the end of the year. Hungary's Finance Minister Mihaly Varga had previously presented seven priorities, from the fight against illegal migration to competitiveness, but did not mention Ukraine.
You can read about all previous developments here.**
1. The delivered F-16 fighter jets from Denmark, Norway, and the Netherlands, along with the upcoming ones from the USA, will strengthen Ukraine's military capacity against Russia, with Ukraine aiming to acquire at least 150 combat jets to repel aerial attacks and launch rockets.
2. Volodymyr Zelenskyy, the Ukrainian President, welcomed the aid package of $100 million (around 93 million Euros) announced by the UN High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi during his visit, stating that the urgent help is needed due to the damage to the energy infrastructure from Russian attacks.
3. In response to NATO's consideration of Ukraine's membership, former Russian President Dmitri Medvedev warned that such a move could bring NATO to a "point of no return," potentially leading to a declaration of war or harsh Russian retaliation.
4. Among several engagements, there were four rocket attacks on Ukrainian unit positions and inhabited areas in the last 24 hours, including the devastating bombing raid on a children's hospital in Kiev that resulted in at least seven fatalities.
5. Russia and Ukraine plan to exchange 90 prisoners today, as reported by Bloomberg, marking another move towards de-escalating tensions in the ongoing Ukraine-Conflict.
