HERE IS THE SITUATION ON FRIDAY DECEMBER 8, 2023. (653 DAY)
Ukraine’s southern Odesa region, port infrastructure suffered damage when Russia deployed a swarm of Iranian-designed attack drones, resulting in the unfortunate death of one civilian. The Ukrainian air force effectively neutralized 15 out of the 18 Shahed drones involved in the attack. This incident marks the first assault on the Danube ports since November 21.
Due to Russia’s shelling of a thermal power plant near the front line in Ukraine, residents have been urged to conserve electricity, especially as temperatures drop below freezing. The energy ministry, without specifying the plant, reported that two power units were disabled, causing a “temporary shortage of electricity” in the grid.
United Nations officials informed the Security Council in New York that escalating Russian attacks on Ukraine’s energy facilities are exacerbating humanitarian conditions throughout the country. Assistant Secretary-General Miroslav Jenca emphasized the need for Russia to cease attacks on civilians and civilian infrastructure, emphasizing that such actions are “prohibited under international humanitarian law.” Ramesh Rajasingham, the UN humanitarian coordinator, expressed concern about the staggering toll of deaths, injuries, and destruction of vital civilian infrastructure.
In its ongoing attempt to capture Ukraine’s eastern town of Avdiivka, Russia has shifted to employing smaller attack groups supported by armored vehicles and air cover, according to Ukrainian officials. In the latest update, Ukraine’s General Staff reported successfully repelling 15 attacks in Avdiivka and nearby villages, following 34 attacks noted in the morning bulletin.
Russia’s FSB security service reported the arrest of a Belarusian man, accusing him of detonating explosives on two trains in Siberia last month. The FSB alleges that this act was part of a sabotage campaign orchestrated by Ukrainian intelligence services.
In the realm of politics and diplomacy, an aid tracker from the Kiel Institute revealed a significant reduction in pledges of new aid to Ukraine by its allies. The data shows that commitments for military, financial, and humanitarian aid to Ukraine between August and October 2023 have plummeted by nearly 90 percent compared to the same period in 2022, marking the lowest level since the onset of the war.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov expressed Russia’s hope that US lawmakers would persist in blocking White House requests for billions of dollars in aid to Ukraine. Peskov attributed this stance to Republicans’ insistence on including immigration concessions in the aid package. He further accused US President Joe Biden of “demonizing” Russia in his efforts to secure Congress’s approval for the spending.
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During their visit to Beijing, top European Union officials called on China to play a more active role in urging Russia to cease its war in Ukraine. European Council President Charles Michel emphasized the EU’s desire for China to be more assertive and explicitly express support for the UN Charter while condemning Russia’s war on Ukraine, as China has not yet condemned Moscow’s full-scale invasion.
However, a Chinese foreign ministry official, Wang Lutong, director general of the Chinese foreign ministry’s European department, stated during a press briefing that despite the EU’s calls, Beijing would not be able to influence Moscow’s decisions. He described Russia as a “very independent sovereign nation,” with President Putin making decisions based on national interest and security.
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Japan’s Prime Minister Fumio Kishida pledged $4.5 billion in support to Ukraine, including funding for generators, power supplies, and measures to clear Russian mines. Meanwhile, British Foreign Secretary David Cameron, during his visit to the US, advocated for seizing frozen Russian assets and using them to assist in the reconstruction of war-torn Ukraine.
Andriy Yermak, chief of staff to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, expressed the desire to arrange a meeting between Zelenskyy and Hungarian leader Viktor Orban, despite Budapest’s opposition to starting talks on EU membership for Kyiv. As an EU summit approaches, Orban has indicated that leaders may struggle to reach a consensus on Ukraine’s membership.
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Oleksandr Kamyshin, Ukraine’s Minister for Strategic Industries, announced that Kyiv will collaborate with two US firms to jointly manufacture 155mm artillery shells within Ukraine. Despite the critical importance of these shells for the ongoing conflict, Kamyshin acknowledged that production is unlikely to commence for at least two years due to Ukraine’s lack of prior experience in manufacturing such munitions.
Kyiv has formalized an agreement with the US to support the development of weapons production in Ukraine. According to the Ukrainian presidency’s statement, this document aims to facilitate the establishment of production facilities within the country, catering to the armed forces’ needs, particularly in the realms of air defense, critical munitions production, and repair and sustainment.
