HERE IS THE SITUATION ON WEDNESDAY DECEMBER 6, 2023. (651 DAY)
Amidst the ongoing conflict, Russia has reportedly targeted multiple locations in Ukraine, including an aid center, a medical facility, and residential buildings in the southern and eastern regions. The unfortunate outcome of these attacks includes three casualties and at least 11 individuals sustaining injuries, according to officials. The International Rescue Committee has verified that its humanitarian center, known as “I am Kherson,” was struck in an overnight missile attack, resulting in the destruction of aid stockpiles.
Ukraine’s military claims to have successfully intercepted 10 out of 17 attack drones launched by Russia overnight. The governor of Ukraine’s Lviv region in the west reported that three drones targeted unspecified infrastructure but caused minimal damage. In the Kharkiv region to the east, authorities disclosed that drones hit private homes and residential buildings in at least two settlements.
Russia’s defense ministry asserted that their air defense systems thwarted a total of 41 drones launched by Ukraine. Of these, 26 were reportedly destroyed over Russian territory, and the remaining 15 were intercepted over the Sea of Azov and the Crimean Peninsula. The statement from the ministry did not provide details about any resulting damage.
Ukraine, on the other hand, stated that the drones struck several “important military facilities in Crimea,” including radar systems and an anti-aircraft missile control system. A Ukrainian defense source familiar with the operations of the SBU military intelligence services suggested that these attacks were part of a “special SBU operation.” It’s noteworthy that Russia had annexed Crimea from Ukraine in 2014.
Adding to the complexity of the situation, Russia confirmed the death of Major-General Vladimir Zavadsky, the deputy commander of Russia’s 14th Army Corps, stating that he was killed “at a combat post” in Ukraine. The events underscore the gravity of the conflict and the impact it continues to have on both nations.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has decided to cancel his scheduled video-link appeal for additional aid to lawmakers in the United States. This decision comes in response to certain Republicans attempting to tie such support to US immigration policy.
Andriy Yermak, Zelenskyy’s chief of staff, conveyed to a US think tank that delaying US assistance for Kyiv poses a substantial risk, potentially jeopardizing Ukraine’s ability to withstand the ongoing conflict with Russia. The postponement raises concerns about the potential consequences for Ukraine’s position in the war.
Six Ukrainian children are set to be reunited with their families in Ukraine after a deal brokered by Qatar. The children, who were in Russia, are on their way home via Moscow. Kyiv has accused Russia of taking around 20,000 Ukrainian children to Russia or Russian-occupied territory without the consent of their families or guardians.
In response to the alleged deportation of Ukrainian children, the US has imposed sanctions against Dzmitry Shautsou, the head of the Belarus Red Cross, accusing him of complicity in the deportation. The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies has suspended the Belarus Red Cross for its failure to remove Shautsou.
Russia has rejected a “substantial” proposal for the release of businessman and former Marine Paul Whelan, as well as journalist Evan Gershkovich, according to the US State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller. Whelan is currently serving a 16-year jail term for spying, while Gershkovich, a Wall Street Journal reporter, was arrested in March on charges of espionage. Both individuals deny the accusations.
Dutch Foreign Minister Hanke Bruins Slot visited Kyiv in an unannounced trip to reassure Ukraine of continued support from the Netherlands. This visit follows the election victory of Geert Wilders, whose far-right party aims to halt weapons deliveries to Ukraine. Minister Bruins Slot emphasized solidarity, stating, “Your fight is our fight. Your security is our security.”
In a move to exert pressure on Russia, Washington has imposed new sanctions targeting a defense procurement network consisting of nine entities and five individuals located in Russia, Belgium, Cyprus, Sweden, Hong Kong, and the Netherlands.
Ukraine has acknowledged an ongoing investigation into alleged corruption in arms procurement. Oleksandr Klymenko, the head of the anticorruption prosecutor’s office, clarified that while there are proceedings related to arms procurement contracts ranging from 10 to 100 million euros, there is no evidence of the misuse of Western weapons provided to Ukraine for countering the Russian invasion.
SOURCE: aljazeera.com
