8:22am Ukraine: Russian Casualties Soar to 352,390
In a startling revelation, Ukraine's General Staff has reported that a staggering 352,390 Russian troops have met their demise in Ukraine since the invasion began on February 24, 2022, until December 23, 2023. Tallying the losses in the last 24 hours alone, Ukraine's defenders have reportedly eliminated 1,040 Russian soldiers.
The devastating count includes 5,854 destroyed enemy tanks, 10,871 armored combat vehicles, 8,286 artillery systems, 932 multiple launch rocket systems, 611 air defense systems, 327 aircraft, 324 helicopters, 6,384 unmanned aerial vehicles, 1,613 cruise missiles, 22 warships/cutters, and one submarine. Additionally, 10,995 motor vehicles and 1,223 special forces personnel have been neutralized.
08:02 Ukraine Downs Three Russian Fighter Jets
Ukraine claimed victory in the skies as it reported the downing of three Russian Sukhoi Su-34 fighter jets in southern Ukraine. The jets were downed in the operative zone at midday, as announced by Ukrainian air force commander Mykola Olechuk. President Zelenskyy expressed gratitude towards the soldiers responsible for the feat. However, the Russian authorities remained silent on the matter.
07:42 ISW Warns Against Overestimating Russia's Failures in Ukraine
The Institute for the Study of War (ISW) cautions against the belief that Russia has been defeated in Ukraine, warning that such comments may suggest that Western support is no longer urgently needed. The findings come after high-ranking Western officials praised Russia's strategic failure in Ukraine, with NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg and US Secretary of State Antony Blinken both stating that Russia has failed to achieve its main goal of conquering Ukraine.
07:21 Progress Toward Lifting Polish Truck Driver Blockade
Efforts to end the blockage imposed by Polish truck drivers on Ukrainian border crossings are showing signs of progress. A “common agreement to unblock the border” has reportedly been reached, with negotiations scheduled between the Polish government and the truck drivers. The Polish Deputy Infrastructure Minister, Pawel Gancarz, expressed hopes that the blockade will be lifted before the end of the year.
06:59 Ukrainian Diplomats Urged to Win Hearts as Well as Weapons
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy called on Ukrainian diplomats to secure weapons for their home countries but also win hearts to further Ukrainian ties with the European Union and NATO. The President stressed that diplomacy should focus on capturing societies' hearts, a strategy that helped rally support for Ukraine at the start of the war.
06:34 Germany Expands Military Aid to Ukraine
Germany is stepping up its military aid to Ukraine, with ammunition, demining equipment, and anti-aircraft guns being shipped to the war-torn nation. The German government financed the deliveries from Bundeswehr stocks and private companies, with additional reconnaissance drones, border protection vehicles, and medical supplies also included in the shipment.
06:09 Ukrainian Ambassador Praise Scholz for EU Summit Diplomatic Masterstroke
The Ukrainian ambassador to Germany, Oleksii Makeiev, commended Federal Chancellor Olaf Scholz for his role in securing Ukraine's accession negotiations opening at the EU summit. Makeiev lauded Scholz for successfully bypassing a potential Hungarian veto, allowing 26 EU member states to take the decision in Hungary's absence.
05:33 German Ambassador: "No Fault Lines in Putin System"
German ambassador to Moscow, Alexander Graf Lambsdorff, believes there are no signs of change in Russian President Vladimir Putin's stance on the war in Ukraine. The ambassador, who refuted rumors about Putin's health, stated that the Kremlin leader remains unyielding and maintains his confidence in the success of Russian military operations.
04:06 Ukraine Confirmation of Shooting Down of Three Russian Fighter-Bombers
Ukrainian officials declared that they had successfully downed three Russian Sukhoi Su-34 fighter-bombers on the southern front. The Ukrainian air force spokesman, Yuri Ihnat, confirmed that there had not been any Su-34s in their positive statistics for some time. The Russian military has not yet commented on the matter, but Russian bloggers acknowledged the loss.
03:15 Economist Schnitzer Advocates for a Ukraine Solidarity Tax
Monika Schnitzer, renowned economist, put forth a proposal to impose a solidarity tax in Germany to provide financial support for Ukraine. Schnitzer proposed a Ukraine Solidarity Tax as a surcharge on income tax for military aid, acknowledging it might be unpopular but emphasizing the war's impact on freedom.
02:03 Explosion in Crimea Reported
Armiansk, a city in northern Crimea, was hit by an explosion during the night. The Kyiv Independent and local Telegram channels reported a detonation in the area, but the Russian occupation authorities have yet to comment on the incident.
23:54 Ukrainian Secret Service Reveals Fraud in Weapons Procurement
Ukraine's secret service, the SBU, and the Ministry of Defense have uncovered a system for fraudulent weapons procurement, leading to the embezzlement of approximately $40 million. The illegal activities, discovered last week in the Ministry of Defense and other premises, are now under investigation.
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