Exclusive
| Four objectives of Putin’s global war. Putin is convinced that Ukraine and other “historical Russian lands” can only be returned and the empire restored within the framework of a global redistribution of the world, says the head of Ukraine’s Foreign Intelligence Service |
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What’s behind Hungary’s “ultimatum” to block Ukraine’s EU accession? The Hungarian leader’s rhetoric on Ukraine’s EU accession flip-flopped after a meeting with Putin in Bejing |
| Geert Wilders’ victory in Netherlands puts aid to Ukraine in doubt. The Netherlands faces a political shift witth the PVV Freedom Party’s victory, which could signal reduced military support for Ukraine and a retreat from backing its EU membership aspirations |
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The Russian trace in the Polish trucker border blockade. The organizers of the Polish trucker strike at the Ukrainian border have close ties to Russia. They supported Russia’s occupation of Crimea, and some voted against condemning Russian war crimes. |
Military
Frontline report: Ukrainian advances in Kherson Oblast create a tactical dilemma for Russian military. In Kherson Oblast, Ukrainians intensify offensives, impede Russian artillery, and seize logistical routes. Russian troops face dilemmas as Ukrainian reconnaissance drones disrupt their operations.
Ukraine downs three Russian explosive drones, Russia alleges downing of 16 Ukrainian UAVs. On 24 November, Ukrainian Air Force repels a Russian attack, destroying three Shahed drones, amidst Russia’s assertion of downing 16 Ukrainian UAVs.
Intelligence and technology
ISW: Iran supplies Russia with glide bombs. Glide bombs can fly at low altitudes and avoid detection by radars.
UK intel: Russian, Ukrainian commanders face precision strikes dilemma. Amid precision strikes, Russian and Ukrainian commanders in extended deployments face a dilemma, balancing troop safety through dispersion, and periodic unit gatherings for administration and morale, as per UK intelligence.
Minister: Ukraine to create “Army of Robots,” “Army of EW”. Ukraine’s Digitalization Minister Fedorov revealed plans to establish an “Army of Robots” and “Army of Electronic Warfare” to bolster military capabilities, with a focus on transparency and collaboration.
International
Canada boosts Ukraine’s defense with rifles and ammo. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced that Canada will provide Ukraine with thousands of assault rifles and millions of rounds of ammunition to help the country resist Russia’s aggression.
Latvian President visits Ukraine to show solidarity and support. Edgars Rinkēvičs, the President of Latvia, made a surprise visit to Ukraine to discuss the continued supply and production of weapons and ammunition for the Ukrainian Armed Forces.
Denmark pledges long-term support to Ukraine with increased funding. Denmark boosted the Ukraine Fund to over 8 billion euros in 2023-2028.
Ambassador: Germany’s one more Patriot system to be deployed in Ukraine this winter. Germany to send extra Patriot air defense system to Ukraine this winter, says German Ambassador Martin Jaeger.
Lithuania PM: Only way to achieve lasting, just peace is by helping Ukraine win. “The only way to achieve lasting and just peace is by helping Ukraine win as soon as possible,” says Lithuanian Prime Minister Ingrida Šimonytė in Kyiv.
Humanitarian and social impact
Texty: Russia made over $5 bn on stolen harvest in occupied Ukraine. Since occupying southern Ukraine’s prime grain-growing territories in February 2022, Russia has stolen and sold the equivalent of Romania’s annual wheat output, satellite analysis shows
BBC: Putin ally Mironov adopts Ukrainian child illegally deported from Kherson by Russian military. Sergey Mironov, the key political ally of Russian leader Vladimir Putin has adopted a child seized from a Ukrainian children’s home in Kherson Oblast, according to BBC.
Political and legal developments
Zelenskyy and Rutte discuss Ukraine’s support amid political change in Netherlands. In a phone call with Mark Rutte, who is still serving as the Prime Minister of the Netherlands after his coalition lost the recent elections, Volodymyr Zelenskyy expressed his gratitude for the financial and military support that the Netherlands has provided to Ukraine.
Russia, China discuss Russia-Crimea underwater tunnel project. Secret talks between Russian and Chinese executives revealed plans to build a secure underwater tunnel from occupied Crimea to Russia, amid Russia’s concerns about the vulnerability of the Kerch bridge, WP says.
New developments
Zelenskyy has a phone call with President-elect of Argentina. The leaders of the two countries discussed ways to cooperate in investigating and prosecuting Russian war crimes in Ukraine and post-war reconstruction.
Read our earlier daily review here.
