Alex_Sor

In the Rabotino area, the invaders recaptured positions from the Ukrainian Armed Forces: ISW spoke about the consequences Analysts also voiced a forecast of what will happen if the West does not give weapons to Ukraine. The Russian occupiers advanced into the western part of the Zaporozhye region and recaptured the positions that the Ukrainian Armed Forces occupied during the counter-offensive in the summer. As stated in a recent report from the Institute for the Study of War (ISW), this probably happened after the Ukrainian Armed Forces withdrew for the winter to more protected positions near Robotino. Geo-referenced footage shows that the Russian occupiers have advanced west of Verbovoy (9 km east of Robotino). According to ISW, Ukraine's capture of these positions in August of this year was tactically significant, as it could allow the Ukrainian Armed Forces to begin operating past the densest Russian minefields and subsequent Russian defensive barriers. At the same time, analysts do not believe that the transfer of these positions to the Russian occupiers is particularly important or significant at the present time. "Recent Russian offensives in the western Zaporozhye region, however, confirm the ISW assessment that the current trench warfare in Ukraine is not a stalemate, since the balance can be upset in either direction by decisions made in the West or in the Russian Federation, and limited Russian achievements could become significant, especially if the West stops military assistance to Ukraine,” analysts stated. https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-december-27-2023

As ISW analysts report in their report, the Ukrainian Armed Forces’ operations on the eastern shore of the Kherson region in October pulled Russian forces away from other directions. They would have had a similar or even better effect at the beginning of the counteroffensive in June, but the situation was affected by the destruction of the Kakhovskaya hydroelectric power station. It is noted that the Ukrainian military special forces recently said in an interview with the Associated Press that they were preparing to cross the Dnieper at the end of May 2023. The destruction of the hydroelectric dam and subsequent flooding in the region delayed these plans. Our military made limited crossing attempts in July, August and September, but the operation to create a bridgehead did not begin until October. This helped to pull the invaders away from other sectors of the front. In particular, the Russian Federation transferred units of the 7th Airborne Division (Airborne Division) from the Kherson region after the destruction of the hydroelectric station and relied on them as critical elements of its defense in the western part of the Zaporozhye region and in the area of the administrative border between the Donetsk and Zaporozhye regions. Analysts explain that the Russian command would be unlikely to transfer these elements away from Kherson in the event of a Ukrainian crossing in June 2023. "Significant Ukrainian ground operations on the left bank of the Kherson region, coordinated with Ukrainian counter-offensive operations in southern Ukraine and near Bakhmut, would put greater pressure on Russian forces and would likely limit the ability of the Russian military to balance the requirements for manpower and equipment for defensive operations in four directions,” the report added. Thus, the destruction of the hydroelectric power station played a role as a result of the Ukrainian counter-offensive. https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-december-27-2023

“De-occupation of territories is a false representation of victory”: NYT called on Ukraine to make concessions to the Russian Federation A member of the editorial board of The New York Times is convinced that leaving the war now is more profitable for Ukraine than fighting until complete victory. Ukraine should not ignore the opportunity to make peace with Russia on the current line of contact, because victory in the war is determined not only by territorial gains and losses. This opinion was published on the pages of The New York Times by the famous publicist and political commentator, member of the editorial board of this newspaper, Serge Schmemann. Commenting on the recent high-profile publication by The New York Times itself about the Kremlin’s signals of readiness for a peace agreement, Schmemann carefully notes that these signals are both “suspicious and seductive.” He acknowledges that hypothetical peace talks could be a trap for Putin, but calls for a look at the possible benefits. “If Mr. Putin turns out to be serious [in his intentions to make peace], Ukraine should not lose the opportunity to stop the bloodshed. The conquered territory is not the only indicator of victory in this war,” the observer writes. Schmemann notes that the war is depleting Ukrainian resources, while there are no prospects for its military end. He in particular refers to problems with American assistance to Ukraine and to a high-profile article by the commander-in-chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Valery Zaluzhny, in which he recognized a “stalemate situation” at the front. “The conflict could still take an unexpected turn, as it did before. But at this stage the prospect is a long war of attrition that will cause even more damage to Ukraine, take even more lives and spread instability in Europe,” the journalist said. He cites the opinion of another publicist, Michael Kimmage, who warns that the endless conflict will deepen Russia's alienation from the West, entrench Putinism in Russia and delay Ukraine's integration into Europe. This is why Schmemann considers the deoccupation of all territories of Ukraine to be a “wrong” idea of the best outcome of the war for Kyiv. "The real victory for Ukraine is to rise from the hell of war as a strong, independent, prosperous and secure state, with a strong hold on the West. This would be exactly what Mr. Putin feared most from a neighboring state with deep historical ties to Russia." - the observer is convinced.

The total combat losses of the enemy from 24.02.22 to 27.12.23 were approximately: Situation update as of 6 a.m., December 27, 2023 Day 672 of the russian full-scale military aggression against Ukraine has begun. During the day of December 26, there were 80x combat engagements. The enemy launched a total of 8x missile and 60x air strikes, 69x MLRS attacks at the positions of Ukrainian troops and various settlements. Unfortunately, the russian terrorist attacks have killed and wounded civilians. Private residential buildings and other civilian infrastructure were destroyed or damaged. The russian occupants launched yet another attack on Ukraine, using 46x Shahed-136/131 UAVs last night. The Ukrainian air defense forces and means destroyed 32x strike UAVs. Air strikes hit Hrem’yach (Chernihiv oblast), Varvarivka, Syn’kivka, Ivanivka, Kup’yans’k, Sobolivka (Kharkiv oblast), Serebryans’ke forestry, Bilohorivka (Luhansk oblast), Dibrova, Novobakhmutivka, Oleksandropil’, Novomykhailivka (Donetsk oblast), Zmiivka, and Krynky (Kherson oblast). Around 100x settlements in Chernihiv, Sumy, Kharkiv, Luhansk, Donetsk, Zaporizhzhia, Kherson, and Mykolaiv oblasts came under artillery fire. Pivnich operational-strategic group, Volyn and Polissya axes: no significant changes. Sivershchyna and Slobozhanshchyna axes: the adversary maintains its military presence in the areas of russia bordering Ukraine. The enemy troops conduct active subversive activities in order to prevent the deployment of Ukrainian troops to threatened axes. The adversary increases the density of minefields along the state border in Belgorod oblast (russia). Khortytsia operational-strategic group, Kup’yans’k axis: Ukrainian defenders repelled 8x enemy attacks in the vicinities of Syn’kivka and northeast of Petropavlivka (Kharkiv oblast). The adversary attempted to break through the defense of Ukrainian troops in that area. Lyman axis: the Ukrainian Defense Forces repelled 11x enemy attacks in the vicinities of Serebryans’ke forestry (Luhansk oblast) and Vesele (Donetsk oblast). Bakhmut axis: the Ukrainian troops repelled 8x attacks of the adversary near the settlements of Bohdanivka, Klishchiivka, and Andriivka (Donetsk oblast). Tavria operational-strategic group, Avdiivka axis: the Ukrainian defenders continue to hold back the enemy who keeps trying to encircle Avdiivka. The Ukrainian soldiers are standing their ground as they inflict major losses on the enemy. For instance, the Ukrainian Defense Forces repelled 13x enemy attacks east of Novobakhmutivka, Avdiivka, and 16x attacks near Pervomais’ke and Nevel’s’ke (Donetsk oblast). Mar’inka axis: the Ukrainian Defense Forces continue to hold back the enemy in the vicinities of Mar’inka and Pobjeda (Donetsk oblast). The Ukrainian defenders repelled 7x attacks in that area. Shakhtars’ke axis: the enemy did not conduct any offensive (assault) operations. Zaporizhzhia axis: the Ukrainian Defense Forces repelled 9x adversary attacks in the vicinity of Robotyne and west of Verbove (Zaporizhzhia oblast). Odesa operational-strategic group, Kherson axis: the Ukrainian defenders continue to expand the bridgehead. Despite significant losses, the enemy does not abandon its intention to dislodge Ukrainian troops from their positions. For instance, the adversary made 14x unsuccessful attempts to assault that were repelled and the invaders retreated. At the same time, the Ukrainian Defense Forces continue their active operations to inflict losses in manpower and equipment on the occupation forces, and exhaust the enemy all along the front line. During the day of December 26, Ukrainian Air Force launched air strikes on 17x concentrations of troops, weapons and military equipment, and 5x anti-aircraft missile systems of the adversary. Also, the air defense of Ukraine destroyed 2x Kh-59 air-launched guided missiles and 1x reconnaissance UAV of the enemy. Also, the tactical aviation of the Ukrainian Air Force successfully attacked 1x large landing ship of the russian Black Sea Fleet – the Novocherkassk. The Ukrainian missile troops hit 3x concentrations of troops, weapons, and military equipment, 1x command post, 2x artillery systems, and 3x other important targets of the russian invaders.

I myself looked at our new bill on mobilization, they propose to conscript Ukrainian disabled people of the 2nd and 3rd groups... I was wondering: what diseases belong to group 3 disability? Reading: Disability group 3: diseases that give the right to receive it: absence of one eye; absence of one kidney; absence of one lung; unilateral mastectomy due to malignancy; persistent complete ptosis in one eye after all types of restorative treatment; blindness in one eye (visual acuity with transfer correction of 0.05 or lower or concentric narrowing of the visual field to ten degrees from the point of fixation); bilateral deafness; permanent tracheostomy; laryngeal stenosis of II-III degrees due to traumatic or infectious damage to the neuromuscular apparatus of the larynx with one- or two-sided paresis and persistent dysphonia; persistent aphonia of organic origin; defect of the jaw or hard palate, if prosthetics do not provide chewing; scars and defects that distort the face and cannot be corrected surgically and cosmetically; pituitary dwarfism. Osteochondropathy, osteochondrodystrophy with a height of less than 150 cm; moderate sensory aphasia; hand paralysis; paralysis or severe paresis of the upper or lower limb, accompanied by a significant limitation in the range of active movements in all joints and muscle wasting; a foreign body in the brain due to trauma, if it was accompanied by a brain abscess or meningoencephalitis; significant defect of the skull bones three square meters. cm or more, except in cases of its replacement with autologous bone, or in smaller sizes, if there is pulsation of the brain, or in the absence of pulsation in cases where the injury was accompanied by a complication, for example, an infectious-purulent process; absent hand and higher rate of upper limb amputation; false joint of the shoulder or both bones of the forearm; absence of all phalanges of four fingers of the hand, with the exception of the first; absence of three fingers, including the first; ankylosis or severe contracture of the same fingers in functional disadvantage; absence of the first and second fingers with corresponding metacarpal bones; absence of the first fingers of both hands; absence of three fingers of the hand with corresponding metacarpal bones; stump of the thigh or leg; foot stump at the level of the Lisfranc joint or at the highest level; bilateral foot stump with resection of the metatarsal heads behind Sharp; pronounced contracture or ankylosis of two racing joints; pronounced contracture or ankylosis of the racing joint with the foot in a functionally disadvantageous position; pronounced contracture or ankylosis of the hip or knee joint; congenital or acquired dislocation of one hip joint with significant impairment of function; deformation of the chest due to resection of four or more ribs in the presence of respiratory failure of degree I or more; false joint of the femur or both bones of the tibia or tibia if rehabilitation measures are ineffective after five years of observation; unstable knee or hip joint with severe impairment of limb function; shortening of the lower limb by seven centimeters or more; endoprosthesis of the knee or hip joint, or the diaphysis of large tubular bones; scoliosis of the III degree, kyphoscoliosis of the III degree with the presence of respiratory failure or scoliosis or kyphoscoliosis of the IV degree; ankylosis or pronounced contracture of the elbow joint in a functionally disadvantageous position; contracture of the forearm in a position of full pronation; ischemic contracture of the Volkmann forearm with severe functional impairment of the hand; gastric extirpation, total coloproctectomy, pancreatectomy with the presence of diabetes mellitus; total thyroidectomy with subcompensated or uncompensated hypothyroidism with adequate treatment; a foreign body in the heart muscle or pericardium due to trauma (wound), artificial heart valve, functioning pacemaker. ........................................ Deputies, have you completely lost your mind there???

Everyone who was on board the landing ship of the Russian Black Sea Fleet "Novocherkassk" died. Yuri Ignat, a representative of the Air Force Command of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, stated this during a briefing. In particular, he answered the question whether Novocherkassk, which the Ukrainian Armed Forces hit near the city of Feodosia in the temporarily occupied Crimea, could be restored. “There was only one “skeleton” left of this ship. Everything burned to the ground. After such an explosion, it is clear that not only the ship itself was destroyed. Perhaps some other port infrastructure, perhaps some support vessels that were nearby and precisely the crew of the ship..." said Ignat. He added that the destruction of this ship and the invaders is a powerful event for the Ukrainian Armed Forces, which was achieved thanks to the joint work and coordinated actions of various units of the Ukrainian Armed Forces.

The total combat losses of the enemy from 24.02.22 to 26.12.23 were approximately: Situation update as of 6 a.m., December 26, 2023 Day 671 of the russian full-scale military aggression against Ukraine has begun. During the day of December 25, there were 98x combat engagements. The enemy launched a total of 1x missile and 42x air strikes, 56x MLRS attacks at the positions of Ukrainian troops and various settlements. Unfortunately, the russian terrorist attacks have killed and wounded civilians. Private residential buildings and other civilian infrastructure were destroyed or damaged. During the day of December 25, the russian occupiers attacked Ukraine yet again, using 18x Shahed-136/131 UAVs. The Ukrainian air defense forces and means destroyed 12x strike UAVs. Air strikes hit Serebryans’ke forestry (Luhansk oblast), Terny, Dibrova, Sivers’k, Vyimka, Spirne, Vesele, Novobakhmutivka, and Novomykhailivka (Donetsk oblast). Around 100x settlements in Chernihiv, Sumy, Kharkiv, Luhansk, Donetsk, Zaporizhzhia, Kherson, and Mykolaiv oblasts came under artillery fire. Pivnich operational-strategic group, Volyn and Polissya axes: no significant changes. Sivershchyna and Slobozhanshchyna axes: the adversary maintains its military presence in the areas of russia bordering Ukraine. The enemy troops conduct active subversive activities in order to prevent the deployment of Ukrainian troops to threatened axes. The adversary increases the density of minefields along the state border in Belgorod oblast (russia). Khortytsia operational-strategic group, Kup’yans’k axis: Ukrainian defenders repelled 6x enemy attacks near the settlement of Syn’kivka (Kharkiv oblast). The occupiers made unsuccessful attempts to break through the defense of Ukrainian troops in that area. Lyman axis: the Ukrainian Defense Forces repelled 29x enemy attacks in the vicinity of Serebryans’ke forestry (Luhansk oblast) and Vesele (Donetsk oblast). Bakhmut axis: the Ukrainian troops repelled 4x attacks of the adversary near the settlements of Bohdanivka (Donetsk oblast). Tavria operational-strategic group, Avdiivka axis: the Ukrainian defenders continue to hold back the enemy who keeps trying to encircle Avdiivka. The Ukrainian soldiers are standing their ground and inflicting major losses on the invaders. For instance, the Ukrainian Defense Forces repelled 27x attacks of the occupiers east of Novobakhmutivka, Stepove, Avdiivka, as well as 13x more attacks near Pervomais’ke and Nevel’s’ke (Donetsk oblast). Mar’inka axis: the Ukrainian Defense Forces continue to hold back the enemy in the vicinity of Novomykhailivka (Donetsk oblast). The Ukrainian defenders repelled 6x attacks in that area. Shakhtars’ke axis: the Ukrainian troops repelled 3x attacks of the russian forces in the vicinity of Staromaiors’ke (Donetsk oblast). Zaporizhzhia axis: the Ukrainian Defense Forces repelled 7x adversary attacks near Robotyne and west of Verbove (Zaporizhzhia oblast). Odesa operational-strategic group, Kherson axis: the Ukrainian Defense Forces continue to expand the bridgehead. Despite significant losses, the enemy does not abandon its intention to dislodge Ukrainian troops from their positions. For instance, the adversary made 12x unsuccessful attempts to assault that were repelled and the invaders retreated. At the same time, the Ukrainian Defense Forces continue their active operations to inflict losses in manpower and equipment on the occupation forces, and exhaust the enemy all along the front line. During the day of December 25, the Ukrainian Air Force launched air strikes on 4x concentrations of troops, weapons, and military equipment of the adversary. The Ukrainian missile troops hit 4x concentrations of troops, weapons, and military equipment, 2x ammunition depots, and 3x anti-aircraft missile systems of the russian invaders.

After a failed counteroffensive in 2023 that did not lead to the expected radical change in the balance of power in the war, 2024 could be even tougher for Ukraine. CNBC writes about this, consolidating the opinions of Western analysts. It is noted that intense fighting is likely to continue next year, but Ukraine is unlikely to be able to launch a counteroffensive. Meanwhile, Russia will likely focus on holding onto territory it has already captured, particularly in eastern Ukraine. “We are now in a situation where, unless there is a clear winner, there will be a stalemate and perhaps a frozen conflict in the future. The scales, in my opinion, could shift if the Ukrainians do not receive supplies, they do not receive funding back, and they won't get the equipment and people they need. Then this war could tip in the Russians' favor," said retired General Stephen Twitty, former deputy commander of US European Command. https://www.cnbc.com/2023/12/26/what-could-happen-in-the-russia-ukraine-war-in-2024.html

The total combat losses of the enemy from 24.02.22 to 25.12.23 were approximately: Situation update as of 6 a.m., December 25, 2023 Day 670 of the russian full-scale military aggression against Ukraine has begun. The adversary continues to ignore the laws and customs of warfare, using the terror tactics, launching missile and air strikes, and firing multiple launch rocket systems not only at the military, but also at numerous civilian targets across Ukraine. During the day of December 24, there were 66x combat engagements. The enemy launched a total of 2x missile and 61x air strikes, 45x MLRS attacks at the positions of Ukrainian troops and various settlements. Unfortunately, the russian terrorist attacks have killed and wounded civilians. Private residential buildings and other civilian infrastructure were destroyed or damaged. During the day of December 24, the russian occupiers attacked Ukraine yet again, using 31x Shahed-136/131 UAVs. The Ukrainian air defense forces and means destroyed 29x strike UAVs. Air strikes hit Syn’kivka, Petropavlivka, Kyslivka (Kharkiv oblast), Novojehorivka, Serebryans’ke forestry (Luhansk oblast), Yampolivka, Tors’ke, New York, Ocheretyne, Tonen’ke, Avdiivka, Maksymil’yanivka, Mar’inka, Novomykhailivka, Vodyane, Zolota Nyva, and Staromaiors’ke (Donetsk oblast). More than 100x settlements in Chernihiv, Sumy, Kharkiv, Luhansk, Donetsk, Zaporizhzhia, Kherson, and Mykolaiv oblasts came under artillery fire. Pivnich operational-strategic group, Volyn and Polissya axes: no significant changes. Sivershchyna and Slobozhanshchyna axes: the adversary maintains its military presence in the areas of russia bordering Ukraine. The enemy troops conduct active subversive activities in order to prevent the deployment of Ukrainian troops to threatened axes. The adversary increases the density of minefields along the state border in Belgorod oblast (russia). Khortytsia operational-strategic group, Kup’yans’k axis: Ukrainian defenders repelled 21x enemy attacks near Syn’kivka (Kharkiv oblast) and Stel’makhivka (Luhansk oblast). The adversary made unsuccessful attempts to break through the defense of Ukrainian troops in that area. Lyman axis: the enemy did not conduct any offensive (assault) operations. Bakhmut axis: the Ukrainian troops repelled 5x attacks of the adversary near the settlements of Bohdanivka, Klishchiivka, and Andriivka (Donetsk oblast). Tavria operational-strategic group, Avdiivka axis: the Ukrainian defenders continue to hold back the enemy who keeps trying to encircle Avdiivka. The Ukrainian soldiers are standing their ground and inflicting major losses on the occupiers. The Ukrainian Defense Forces successfully repelled 14x enemy attacks east of Novobakhmutivka, Stepove, Avdiivka, as well as 17x attacks near Pervomais’ke and Nevel’s’ke (Donetsk oblast). Mar’inka axis: the Ukrainian Defense Forces continue to hold back the enemy in the vicinities of Mar’inka and Novomykhailivka (Donetsk oblast). The Ukrainian defenders repelled 5x attacks in that area. Shakhtars’ke axis: the Ukrainian defenders repelled 1x enemy attack southwest of Staromaiors’ke (Donetsk oblast). Zaporizhzhia axis: the Ukrainian Defense Forces repelled 3x adversary attacks near Robotyne and south of Hulyaipole (Zaporizhzhia oblast). Odesa operational-strategic group, Kherson axis: the Ukrainian troops continue to expand the bridgehead. Despite significant losses, the enemy does not abandon its intention to dislodge Ukrainian troops from their positions. For instance, the adversary launched 23x unsuccessful assaults that were repelled and the invaders retreated. At the same time, the Ukrainian Defense Forces continue their active operations to inflict losses in manpower and equipment on the occupation forces, and exhaust the enemy all along the front line. During the day of December 24, Ukrainian Air Force launched air strikes on 12x concentrations of troops, weapons and military equipment, 1x ammunition depot, and 1x anti-aircraft missile system of the adversary. Also, the forces and means of the air defense of Ukraine destroyed 1x russian Su-34 fighter-bomber and 1x Su-30 fighter-bomber aircraft. The Ukrainian missile troops hit 2x artillery systems and 1x command post of the russian invaders.

Please include subtitles and English translation. A Ukrainian Armed Forces sniper talks about real losses near the city of Bakhmut.

Yuriy Romanenko is a blogger with this one on YouTube. has 445 thousand subscribers. (about 1 day ago) He writes this opinion about the development (possible) of the situation with the War. I don't even know how to comment on this... ........................................................ ......... One can't - the other doesn't need to change anything... One of the subscribers sent me this text and asked me to post it on my resources: Umerov’s words about mobilization abroad of Ukraine and the response of the German minister indicate that both are on a different agenda and in a different context. And also that Ukraine does not conduct strategic communication with partners. Besides, both are right. Without explaining his words, Umerov is afraid of demoralization, voicing reasons that could prompt Ukraine, together with its partners, to develop effective mechanisms for the deportation of Ukrainian citizens from abroad to perform military service in their homeland, and this is: - due to a significant decrease in financial and military assistance, a breakdown in mobilization, the front breaks through and the Ukrainian Armed Forces, in the amount of 0.5-1 million people, retreat to checkpoints on the western border. Ukraine asks its partners to host their army or help with mobilization and military production. In addition, about 20 million more residents are running towards them ahead of the army, among whom it is impossible to mobilize in Ukraine, since the authorities have also fled. - in the event of delays in adequate actions by partners, the Ukrainian defense forces will be taken prisoner in full force, with weapons and military equipment. After which they will be asked to punish the countries that betrayed them and left them without the promised help on the battlefield, while all those who went over to the side of the Russian Federation will be amnestied and equal in rights with other military personnel, in order to achieve the great goal - the destruction of Western civilization. Now Germany is in a state of peace and prosperity, since the Russian Federation is bogged down in Ukraine and nothing threatens them, hence this answer, but due to the difference in potentials this will not last long. ...........................................

Inside The ‘Magic Radio’ Protecting Russian Drones From Jamming FPV drones are a signature weapon of the Ukraine conflict, and jammers to stop them are a matter of life and death. Both sides have fielded jammers and drone guns firing a beam of radio waves to knock out drone communications, said to take out thousands of drones a month. Now a Russian group claims to have developed a ‘magic radio’ for FPVs which is highly resistant to jamming. A physicist with the handle DanielR evaluated the device minutely in a detailed Twitter thread. “From a technological perspective there is nothing surprising here,” DanielR told me. But the device does make efficient use of cheap, off-the-shelf components. Racing quadcopters converted into cheap kamikaze drones are used by both sides. They are capable of diving into foxholes and bunkers, chasing down trucks, and even destroying main battle tanks from five or more miles away. Often jamming is the only protection, but this device claims to nullify it. Off-The-Shelf Electronic Warfare The first thing DanielR notes is that while Russian Telegram channels hail the Hermes Anti-interference Communication Kit as an all-Russian creation, it is made with imported parts. Read More: https://www.forbes.com/sites/davidhambling/2023/12/20/inside-the-magic-radio-protecting-russian-drones-from-jamming/

The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, agreed to the transfer to Ukraine of cars that were handed over for recycling as part of the ULEZ program to reduce harmful emissions into the atmosphere. The British media are reporting this. It is noted that Khan agreed to send the scrapped cars to Ukraine at the request of the mayor of Kyiv Vitaliy Klitschko. He noted that many of them, such as trucks and SUVs, could be very useful for the Ukrainian Armed Forces on the front line. Khan had previously rejected the proposal, citing a lack of benefit to Londoners "from an economic, social and environmental perspective". We add that under the ULEZ program, London residents can receive up to 2,000 pounds sterling (approximately 2,300 euros) if they scrap their own car due to non-compliance with emissions standards. If not, the car owner will have to pay additional tax.

Russian troops have made small territorial gains on Ukraine's eastern front in recent weeks, using their manpower advantage. The New York Times writes about this, commenting on the situation in the war in Ukraine. The publication notes that apparently recent events at the front have prompted Ukrainian authorities to consider mobilizing up to 500,000 soldiers to continue the fight next year. The authorities in Ukraine do not want to resort to mass mobilization, fearing the aggravation of social tension, the publication comments. At the same time, Russian troops came very close to the city of Avdeevka, the “Ukrainian stronghold” in the Donetsk region. As the NYT notes, capturing Avdiivka would be a strategic success for Russia and a blow to the morale of Ukrainians, since the city has been the linchpin of Ukrainian defense in the region - and a symbol of resistance since 2014. "Recent Russian offensives near Avdiivka, as well as around other cities such as Kupyansk, Bakhmut and Maryinka, are also further evidence that Russia has firmly seized the initiative across much of the battlefield after the top Ukrainian general (speech) is about the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Valery Zaluzhny) admitted that the summer counter-offensive had stalled,” the article says. The publication recalls that Russia is “making such progress” against the backdrop of a political struggle in both the United States and Europe related to further military assistance to Kiev, which Ukraine “desperately needs” to maintain its position against Russia. The seizure of the initiative, notes the New York Times, is associated with increased Russian losses at the front. “I would say that the motto of their attacks is: “We have more people than you have ammunition, bullets, missiles and shells,” one of the Ukrainian military men said in a comment to the publication. Mobilization in Ukraine On December 19, during a press conference on the results of 2023, Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky said that the military proposed mobilizing another 450-500 thousand people. At the same time, he emphasized that he would not sign the law, which deals with the mobilization of women, if it is adopted by parliament. https://www.nytimes.com/2023/12/22/world/europe/russia-ukraine-war.html?searchResultPosition=3

In recent weeks, a problem has arisen on both sides at the front. Both the Ukrainian Armed Forces and the occupying forces complain about a large number of rats and mice on the front line. According to the British Ministry of Defense on Twitter, the increase in the number of rodents was likely contributed to by a mild autumn and sufficient food from fields that remained uncultivated due to fighting. Now that the weather has gotten colder, mice and rats are looking for warm places, particularly vehicles and defensive positions. According to the British, rodents lead to additional pressure on the morale of soldiers on the front line. In addition, they threaten military equipment by chewing cables. It was recorded in the same area during World War II. "Unverified reports also suggest that Russian units have begun to suffer from an increase in cases of the disease, which troops attribute to a pest problem," the intelligence agency added. Problems of the occupiers at the front along the line of combat the enemy begins to suffer from trench diseases. The main reason for such epidemics among the occupiers is the lack of hygiene. In the Kupyansk direction the enemy has problems with the so-called mouse fever. Bild wrote that Ukrainian soldiers at the front faced an infestation of rodents. A large number of videos have appeared on the Internet in which Ukrainian soldiers show how mice, rats and even snakes scatter in the trenches. Because of this, cats “suddenly had their own mission in the war.”

Due to cuts in American military aid, the Ukrainian army is already experiencing a shortage of artillery ammunition and is forced to cancel offensive operations. The Washington Post writes about this in a report from the front. "Our artillerymen are given a limit of shells on each target. The guys are tired - very tired. They are still motivated - many people understand that they have no other choice. But you cannot win a war on motivation alone. You have to have some kind of numerical advantage, but with weapons and weapon systems it’s only getting worse and worse. How long can we hold out? It’s hard to say, but it can’t be long. Everyone understands this,” said a soldier of the 128th mountain assault brigade fighting in the Zaporozhye region . An artilleryman named Artyom told the correspondent that his cannon now fires only 10-20 shells a day at enemy targets, whereas previously it fired an average of 50 shells, and sometimes up to 90. “What can you do with 10 shells a day? This is barely enough to respond to their advances - we are not even talking about attacking their positions,” explains the fighter. Ukrainian soldiers stationed at the front also said they did not see similar problems with ammunition among the Russian invaders. Problems with the supply of American weapons due to the internal political crisis in the United States, Congress has been unable to adopt a new arms financing program for Ukraine since the beginning of autumn. The latest military aid package, funded by the previous program, is expected to be released by the end of December. U.S. lawmakers say there is still hope that a new aid program for Ukraine will be passed in January, when Congress returns to work after the Christmas and New Year holidays. https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2023/12/22/ukraine-ammunition-shortage-russia-war/

In Ukraine, at the age of 77, the famous writer Alexander Mokrovolsky, who gave the nation the world of John Tolkien’s Middle-earth with his Ukrainian translation of “The Hobbit” and “The Lord of the Rings,” passed away. The sad news about the death of an outstanding Ukrainian was reported today by the Committee on Humanitarian and Information Policy of Ukraine. They recalled that in addition to the famous fantasy from Tolkien, Mokrovolsky’s “professional baggage” includes “Venus and Adonis” by William Shakespeare, “A Christmas Carol” by Charles Dickens, “Ulysses” by James Joyce and a number of other famous literary works. As a translator, Mokrovolsky spoke 5 languages: English, Spanish, German, French and Polish. Alexander was also creative and wrote poetry. According to the Committee, Mokrovolsky was one of the last “classics” of the Ukrainian school of translation, which arose back in the 1970s on the basis of the Vsesvit magazine. “The Committee on Humanitarian and Information Policy expresses sincere condolences on the death of the talented artist of words, who enriched Ukrainian culture. Blessed memory. Rest in peace, master,” they added.

Russian leader Vladimir Putin may attack Europe in 2024 or 2025: he will wait for the moment when the United States finds itself “without a leader” and cannot quickly help its partners contain the Russian strike. One of the European intelligence services is considering this possibility, writes the German Bild, against the backdrop of assumptions by the current head of the German Ministry of Defense that NATO and the EU have at least 10 years left. “That is, we are talking about the period between the resignation of the current US President in early November 2024 and the assumption of office by his potential successor in January 2025,” the publication points out the “dramatic scenario” of Putin’s attack. At the same time, the Russian authorities expect that Donald Trump will again occupy the presidency of the United States, since “anything can happen under him.” Boris Pistorius, in one of his last interviews with German media, also said that Berlin has 5-8 years to restore the former strength of its army. It was noted that Germany, as part of strengthening NATO’s eastern flank, plans to redeploy 4 thousand Bundeswehr soldiers to Lithuania by 2027. The brigade will be deployed on the border with Russia, Pistorius announced. The minister also emphasized that it is necessary to restore compulsory military conscription in Germany.

The total combat losses of the enemy from 24.02.22 to 22.12.23 were approximately: Situation update as of 6 a.m., December 22, 2023 Day 667 of the russian full-scale military aggression against Ukraine has begun. The russian federation continues to ignore the laws and customs of warfare, using the terror tactics, launching missile and air strikes, and firing multiple launch rocket systems not only at the military, but also at numerous civilian targets across Ukraine. During the day of December 21, there were 95x combat engagements. The enemy launched a total of 1x missile and 61x air strikes, 71x MLRS attacks at the positions of Ukrainian troops and various settlements. Unfortunately, the russian terrorist attacks have killed and wounded civilians. Private residential buildings and other civilian infrastructure were destroyed or damaged. Last night, the russian occupants launched yet another attack on Ukraine, using 28x Shahed-136/131 strike UAVs. The Ukrainian air defense forces and means destroyed 24x strike UAVs. Air strikes hit Syn’kivka, Petropavlivka (Kharkiv oblast), Nevs’ke, Serebryans’ke forestry (Luhansk oblast), Terny, Spirne, Toretsk, Avdiivka, Vesele, Novomykhailivka (Donetsk oblast), Novodarivka, Mala Tokmachka, Robotyne, Preobrazhenka (Zaporizhzhia oblast), and Krynky (Kherson oblast). More than 130x settlements in Chernihiv, Sumy, Kharkiv, Luhansk, Donetsk, Zaporizhzhia, Kherson, and Mykolaiv oblasts came under artillery fire. Pivnich operational-strategic group, Volyn and Polissya axes: no significant changes. Sivershchyna and Slobozhanshchyna axes: the adversary maintains its military presence in the areas of russia bordering Ukraine. The enemy troops conduct active subversive activities in order to prevent the deployment of Ukrainian troops to threatened axes. The adversary increases the density of minefields along the state border in Belgorod oblast (russia). Khortytsia operational-strategic group, Kup’yans’k axis: Ukrainian defenders repelled 19x enemy attacks in the vicinities of Syn’kivka (Kharkiv oblast) and Stel’makhivka (Luhansk oblast). The adversary attempted to break through the defense of Ukrainian troops in that area. Lyman axis: the Ukrainian defenders repelled 4x enemy attacks near Terny (Donetsk oblast). Bakhmut axis: the Ukrainian troops repelled 7x attacks of the adversary near Bohdanivka, Klishchiivka, and Andriivka (Donetsk oblast). Tavria operational-strategic group, Avdiivka axis: the Ukrainian defenders continue to hold back the enemy who keeps trying to encircle Avdiivka. The Ukrainian soldiers are standing their ground and inflicting major losses on the occupiers. The Ukrainian Defense Forces repelled 22x enemy attacks east of Novokalynove, Novobakhmutivka, and Avdiivka, as well as 13x attacks in the vicinities of Pervomais’ke (Donetsk oblast). Mar’inka axis: the Ukrainian Defense Forces continue to hold back the invaders in the vicinities of Mar’inka and Novomykhailivka (Donetsk oblast). The Ukrainian defenders repelled 15x attacks in that area. Shakhtars’ke axis: the enemy did not conduct any offensive (assault) operations. Zaporizhzhia axis: the Ukrainian Defense Forces repelled 7x adversary attacks west of Verbove and south of Robotyne (Zaporizhzhia oblast). At the same time, the Ukrainian Defense Forces continue their active operations on Melitopol’ axis to inflict losses in manpower and equipment on the occupation forces, and exhaust the enemy all along the front line. Odesa operational-strategic group, Kherson axis: the Ukrainian Defense Forces continue to expand the bridgehead. Despite previous failures, the enemy did not abandon its intention to dislodge Ukrainian troops from their positions and made 12x unsuccessful attempts to assault. The attacks were repelled and the invaders retreated having suffered losses. The Ukrainian defenders conduct counter-battery fire, as they strike behind the enemy lines. During the day of December 21, Ukrainian Air Force launched air strikes on 16x concentrations of troops, weapons and military equipment, and 1x anti-aircraft missile system of the adversary. The Ukrainian missile troops hit 9x concentrations of troops, weapons, and military equipment, 3x ammunition depots, and 1x artillery system of the russian invaders.