War against Ukraine: this is the situation
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyi is satisfied with the current performance of his country's defense industry. Even under wartime conditions, it is achieving increased production targets, said Zelenskyi in his evening video message, citing a report by the Ministry of Strategic Industries. "And that is important," he emphasized.
The implementation of the Ukrainian missile construction program was also discussed with his defence minister Rustem Umyerev. "Everyone can see that its results are becoming more and more far-reaching, pleasant for Ukraine and just as unpleasant for the enemy as it is necessary." Currently, Ukraine mainly uses missiles supplied by US or European partners on the battlefield.
USA announces industrial conference with Ukraine
The USA wants to discuss weapons production with Ukraine at a conference in December. To this end, the USA is inviting representatives of the US government and Ukraine to a meeting on December 6 and 7, as announced by the White House.
The aim is to explore "opportunities for co-production and other industrial cooperation in Ukraine". The conference is part of the US government's efforts to significantly increase "weapons production in support of Ukraine's fight for freedom and security".
The United States is considered Ukraine's most important ally in the defensive fight against the Russian invasion. Since the start of the war at the end of February 2022, the USA, under the leadership of Democratic President Joe Biden, has provided or pledged billions in military aid to Kiev. Since the start of the war, Ukraine has been striving to expand its own arms industry in order to reduce its dependence on arms and ammunition supplies from abroad.
New Russian drone attacks reported
Ukraine's air defenses reported new sightings of Russian drones late on Friday evening. One group of Iranian-made unmanned kamikaze aircraft was spotted in the east of the country, while the second group flew over the south of Ukraine, as the Ukrainian air force reported on Telegram.
Kiev: Heavy fighting near Kherson
Following the surprise advance of Ukrainian troops across the Dnipro River near Kherson in southern Ukraine, heavy fighting is continuing in the region. According to the Ukrainian General Staff, the task of the troops crossing the river is to "carry out diversionary maneuvers, raids and reconnaissance operations".
Among other things, supply routes of the Russian military and artillery positions were to be scouted out. However, one of the main tasks was to push the Russian troops back as far as possible from the banks of the Dnipro in order to stop the constant Russian attacks on the civilian population across the river.
Ukraine has been fending off a Russian invasion for almost 21 months with massive Western support. After successful Ukrainian counterattacks, the Russian army was forced to withdraw from the north-western part of the Kherson region behind the Dnipro River just over a year ago. Since then, the Dnipro has formed the front line there.
Unicef: Millions of children need help
The UN Children's Fund Unicef is calling for increased help for children in Ukraine. "There is no child in the whole of Ukraine who has been spared by this war," said Christian Schneider, Managing Director of Unicef Germany, to the Kölner Stadt-Anzeiger newspaper.
He emphasized the need for psychological care for children and young people who have been severely affected by the mental stress of the war. "With all due caution, we estimate the number of minors in need of treatment at 1.5 million."
Putin: Window to Europe remains open
According to Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin, Russia is keeping its window to Europe open. Even if there are thoughts of closing the window, this will not happen, Putin said in St. Petersburg at the International Cultural Forum.
"When it blows, you think about closing it (the window) so as not to catch a cold," Putin was quoted as saying by the state agency Tass. "But we have good weather," he added. "We are not closing anything, we have no conflict with European society." On the contrary, Russia is experiencing "difficult times" with the European elite.
The European Union and a number of Western states have imposed economic sanctions against Russia and its politicians because of Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine.
This will be important today
In Ukraine, further heavy fighting is expected around Avdiivka in the east and on the left bank of the Dnipro near Kherson in the south of the country.
In response to the ongoing conflicts and the Russian invasion, President Joe Biden's administration is organizing an industrial conference with Ukraine on December 6 and 7, aiming to explore opportunities for co-production and other industrial cooperation to significantly increase weapons production in support of Ukraine's defense. Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky continues to express satisfaction with Ukraine's defense industry performance, even under wartime conditions, as it achieves increased production targets. Despite this, Ukraine still relies heavily on missiles supplied by the US and its European partners, highlighting the need for self-sufficiency in military production.
Source: www.dpa.com
