Russo-Ukrainian war, day 651: Biden reassures Ukraine but funding fight looms

Exclusive

What’s at stake if Ukraine loses?. Global security may spiral if Ukraine falls, with dictators embracing nukes while Americans question wasted aid and credibility.

Integration of Ukraine into NATO, WWIII-Free: Strategic guide by Kurt Volker. NATO should start talks in the NATO-Ukraine Council without delay regarding Ukraine's swift accession to the alliance, including an Article 5 defense plan, US diplomat says.

Military

General Staff: Ukraine repels 29 Russian attacks near Avdiivka and 10 attacks near Bakhmut. In the last 24 hours, there were 83 battles between Ukrainian defenders and invading Russian forces along the frontline. Frontline report: Ukrainian marines increase offensive in Kherson Oblast. Ukrainian Marines escalate their efforts in Kherson Oblast, engaging in intense clashes, securing new gains, countering Russian airstrikes and drone strikes, and receiving support from crowdfunding for small boats. As of 06 Dec 2023, the approximate losses of weapons and military equipment of the Russian Armed Forces from the beginning of the invasion to the present day:

• • • Personnel: 335110 (+1270)
    • Tanks: 5600 (+13)
    • APV: 10456 (+40)
    • Artillery systems: 8024 (+37)
    • MLRS: 919 (+6)
    • Anti-aircraft systems: 605
    • Aircraft: 324 (+1)
    • Helicopters: 324
    • UAV: 6083 (+51)
    • Cruise missiles : 1570
    • Warships/boats: 22
    • Submarines: 1
    • Vehicles and fuel tanks: 10532 (+49)

Intelligence and Technology

UK intel: As Russia improves Iranian drones, Ukraine keeps downing most of them. Since mid-2023, Russia has upgraded Iranian Shahed-series one-way attack drones with its weaponry as recent discoveries reveal improvements and covert alterations, per UK intelligence. German Defense Minister promises to improve ammo production for Ukraine. Amidst ammunition supply challenges, the German Defense Minister pledges incremental improvements, highlighting industry constraints and the need for sustainable supplies.

International

US commits $175 million in fresh security assistance for Ukraine. The State Department emphasized that without support from the US Congress, this aid package for Ukraine could be among the last. Berlin: Germany is not an ally of Ukraine. Germany's Defense Minister emphasized that while Germany is committed to supporting Ukraine against Russian aggression, he clarified that Kyiv is not considered an ally of Berlin. Blinken: Denying aid to Ukraine risks unleashing Pandora’s box of aggression. As the decisive Senate vote looms, the US Secretary of State cautions that if Putin goes unchecked, it sends a dangerous message to potential aggressors worldwide. Biden: “Failure to support Ukraine is just absolutely crazy”. On the eve of the crucial Senate vote, the President of the United States reassured that American military assistance to Ukraine will continue.

Humanitarian and Social Impact

Reuters: Nepal detains 10 suspects for allegedly recruiting youths into Russian army. Nepal arrests 10 individuals involved in a human smuggling ring, deceiving young people into recruitment into the Russian armed forces. Nearly 3,000 Ukrainian trucks stranded at border in Poland amid ongoing blockade. An ongoing border blockade at the Poland-Ukraine border has led to 2,950 truck queues. Simultaneously with Russia's ongoing sea blockade of Ukrainian ports these actions affect Ukrainian trade and the movement of humanitarian aid.

Political and Legal Developments

Pro-Russian MP killed in occupied Luhansk, Ukrainian intelligence suspected. Born in Luhansk, Oleg Popov initially engaged in business before the Russian occupation. However, post-2014, he shifted to politics as a collaborator and survived an unsuccessful assassination attempt last year. Ukrainian traitor ex-MP found dead in Russia, Kyiv suspected. After Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Illia Kiva defected to Moscow, where he became a leading figure promoting Russian propaganda and collaboration with the occupation.

New developments

Ukraine: Disinfo campaign planned in Western media targeting Ukrainian leadership. Ukraine's Center for Countering Disinformation has issued a warning about an upcoming disinformation campaign by foreign media. Western journalists with prior Russian experience are suspected of planning to spread false information about Ukraine's leadership to divide society. Read our earlier daily review here.