Russo-Ukrainian war, day 989: US contractors get green light in Ukraine as North Korean threat looms

Exclusives

"We are a warrior nation": Ukrainian combat medic leaves farewell letter. Russian drone kills medic Oleksandra "Mike" Mulkevych, one day before her rotation's end.

"Nothing but a windbag." Zelenskyy dismisses Orbán's ceasefire calls at Budapest summit. In his first visit to Hungary since Russia's invasion, President Zelenskyy rejected Prime Minister Viktor Orbán's push for an immediate ceasefire, while warning of North Korea's direct involvement in the war.

How Europe should woo Trump and rally him to support Ukraine. Europeans must swallow their pride and try to capitalize on Trump's craving for admiration.

Military

Ukrainian drones down rare Russian Terminator near Kurakhove as Leopards smash trenches. Russian forces concentrate a five-pronged offensive around the vital N15 highway, as Ukrainian 33rd and 79th Brigades race to prevent encirclement with potential for later push on Pokrovsk. Fire breaks out in residential complex in Odesa after Russian drone attack. Odesa authorities report one death and 13 injuries, along with damage to residential complexes, warehouses, and administrative buildings after the third consecutive Russian drone strike on the city. Russian drone strikes NATO state ambassador's home in Kyiv. Estonia's envoy to Ukraine Anneli Kolk escaped unharmed. Death toll rises to 9 due to Russian attack on Zaporizhzhia. A one-year-old boy was among eight people killed in Zaporizhzhia during a Russian attack that targeted an oncological clinic and residential areas. Russian airstrike on Kharkiv residents injuries 3-month-old, 24 others. Russian forces launched guided bombs, missiles, and drones at multiple Ukrainian cities overnight, injuring 38 poeple in Kharkiv, Odesa and Kyiv Ukrainian drones target Saratov oil refinery in Russia, source says. A security source claims Ukrainian intelligence's drones hit the Saratov oil refinery, a Rosneft plant in Russia, leading to explosions and damage at the facility. The logic of Ukraine's first strike on Russia's Caspian Sea Flotilla. A Ukrainian strike on Russian naval assets demonstrates the country's increasing ability to develop domestic long-range attack capabilities amid Western restrictions. As of 8 NOV 2024, the approximate losses of weapons and military equipment of the Russian Armed Forces from the beginning of the invasion to the present day:

• Personnel: 705880 (+1580)
• Tanks: 9233 (+9)
• APV: 18612 (+20)
• Artillery systems: 20226 (+32)
• MLRS: 1245
• Anti-aircraft systems: 996
• Aircraft: 369
• Helicopters: 329
• UAV: 18408 (+42)
• Cruise missiles: 2631
• Warships/boats: 28
• Submarines: 1
• Vehicles and fuel tanks: 28495 (+84)
• Special equipment: 3602 (+6)

Intelligence and Technology

Ukraine develops unjammable fiber optic FPV attack drone, catching up to Russia's innovation. Russians started using a similar technology in August. Ukraine finds US, German, Swiss parts in Russian new stealth drone Okhotnik despite sanctions. A rare Russian drone valued at $15 million met its end in Donetsk Oblast, revealing Moscow's continued access to restricted Western technology. Ukraine to test Estonian-made anti-drone missiles. The Estonian firm Frankenburg Technologies' missiles specifically intended to target and shoot down drones and other low-flying aerial threats at altitudes up to 2 km. Russia starts using North Korean machine guns in Ukraine. The Type 73 guns, phased out in the North Korean military, have been spotted on the battlefield in Ukraine

International

Biden Administration approves deployment of US military contractors in Ukraine. The Biden administration has lifted restrictions on American defense contractors working in Ukraine, allowing faster repairs of US-supplied military equipment. Reuters: Pentagon finally allows US contractors to repair F-16s, Patriots in Ukraine amid major policy shift. After months of relying on video calls and cross-border repairs, Ukraine will now host US defense contractors to service its growing arsenal of sophisticated Western weapons. Axios: Elon Musk joins Trump's first post-election call with Zelenskyy. The conversation left Ukrainian president cautiously optimistic. El País: Zelenskyy launches diplomatic push to keep Trump's support for Ukraine. The Ukrainian leader is focusing on strengthening ties with Trump in coming weeks to secure continued aid amid the Russo-Ukrainian war. US coordinates multilateral response to North Korean military presence near Ukraine. The United States is organizing a coordinated response with over 50 partner nations regarding North Korea's military deployment near Ukraine, State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller said. Pentagon promises to use all available funds for Ukraine support by 20 January. The Pentagon plans to utilize approximately $6 billion in remaining Ukraine support funds before the Biden administration's term ends on 20 January, Deputy Press Secretary Sabrina Singh announced Thursday.

Political and Legal Developments

Telegraph: Ukraine defense support at risk as German government dissolves. The collapse of Germany's governing coalition highlights the need for broader European support as Russian forces advance. Panama cancels registration of four tankers from Russia's shadow fleet. Panama's Maritime Authority commenced flag cancellation procedures after US sanctions targeted the LNG carriers' Singapore-based operators over connections to Russian gas producer Novatek and sanctions evasion. Ukraine gets back over 500 war dead from Russia as questions mount over exchange. Pro-Kremlin media claims Russia returned the remains of 62 Ukrainian POWs allegedly aboard the Il-76 military transport plane that crashed in Belgorod in January. Scholz caused German government crisis by denying Ukraine Taurus missiles, fired minister says. FDP leader Lindner calls for an immediate new election, saying Chancellor Scholz's obstruction of effective military aid for Ukraine led to the collapse of their governing coalition. Zelenskyy: Ukraine's losses from Russian aggression total about $ 800 bn. Zelenskyy has revealed that Ukraine now needs the $300 billion in frozen Russian assets to purchase weapons and rebuild homes destroyed by the war. ISW: Russian president seeks reset with Trump administration on Moscow's terms. Putin's recent address signals a calculated attempt to influence the incoming Trump administration's foreign policy approach, according to ISW analysis. Read our earlier daily review here.