13:55: Zelensky Pleads for EU Action on Ukraine's Accession
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has urged EU leaders to expedite accession talks for his country, warning against rewarding Russia's actions with a "satisfied smile" following the Brussels summit. In a video message to the European Council, he emphasized the importance of respecting the "people's will" and holding Russia accountable for its actions in Ukraine.
13:19: Kyivstar Facing Week-Long Downtime after Cyberattack
Ukraine's largest mobile phone provider, Kyivstar, has reported that significant downtime is expected as it works to restore services disrupted by a massive cyberattack. Kyivstar CEO Olexander Komarov expects the repairs to take several weeks following the Tuesday morning hack, which left millions of customers without mobile and internet services.
12:57: Russian Airborne Division Suffers Heavy Losses in Kherson Oblast
British intelligence sources claim that a Russian airborne division suffered heavy losses and missed its targets during an operation in Kherson Oblast on Wednesday, November 16th. The division reportedly lacked air and artillery support and may have been made up of inexperienced troops. The operation aimed to relieve a Ukrainian bridgehead on the eastern bank of the Dnipro, but ultimately failed to achieve its objectives.
12:22: Girkin's Trial Begins in Moscow
Former separatist leader and military blogger Igor Girkin, also known as Igor Strelkov, has begun his trial in Moscow for "public calls to extremism." Girkin is supporting the war against Ukraine but publicly criticizes the Kremlin's military leadership. The trial, which began behind closed doors, is widely viewed as politically motivated by Girkin's supporters.
11:47: Ukrainian Air Force Struggles with Weather Conditions
Bad weather is making it more challenging for Ukrainian mobile fire commandos to operate effectively. According to Yuri Ihnat, a spokesperson for the Ukrainian Air Force, poor visibility and fog are making it difficult for mobile fire teams to target enemy positions. Additionally, attacks are most often carried out at night, further exacerbating the issue.
11:17: Putin Describes War as "Long-Term Commitment"
During a TV question-and-answer session, Russian President Vladimir Putin expressed his belief that the war would continue until Russia's objectives are met. Putin said, "There will be peace when we have achieved our goals." Meanwhile, the German chancellor and other EU leaders are seeking to exert influence on Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban to avoid blocking Ukraine's accession negotiations.
11:00: Russian Drone Threatens Alarm Launch of German Eurofighters
On Thursday night, Russian drones violated NATO airspace over Romania, triggering an alarm launch for German Eurofighters. German crews identified Russian aircraft and drones after visual contact, but no order to shoot them down was given. The incident resulted in at least one drone explosion over Romanian airspace.
10:51: Millions Left Without Mobile Connection after Kyivstar Hack
Over two days after a suspected Russian act of sabotage, millions of Kyivstar customers still experience downtime in mobile and internet services. Even in the capital Kiev, Kyivstar services remain unavailable, with the provider warning customers of potential service interruptions as they work to restore operations.
10:12: Defense Lines Reinforced in Northern Ukraine
Ukraine is strengthening defense lines along the northern border with Belarus, adding reinforcements to the first and second lines of defense in the Chernihiv region. In case of increased threats, additional forces will be deployed to maintain a secure border.
9:47: EU Summit Delayed due to Orban Blockade Threats
The start of the EU summit in Brussels has been delayed due to blocking threats from Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, French President Emmanuel Macron, and Commission President Ursula von der Leyen are planning to meet with Orban before the summit to discuss the issue. Hungary is threatening to block the initiation of accession negotiations with Ukraine, one of the key issues to be discussed during the summit.
