Russo-Ukrainian war, day 1344: China cuts Ukraine’s drone supply

Exclusives

Losing Pokrovsk but winning north of it, Ukraine plans the next fight. Pokrovsk's fall appears imminent as more Russians slip into the city. But north of Pokrovsk, a new defensive line is taking shape.

Russia bombs Odesa's port—US and EU firms expand offices anyway. Dollar salaries, defiance, and Danish lighting standards — five foreign firms showed me how business survives in Ukraine's "Wild South."

Military

Next steps on Donetsk's map after Pokrovsk — first Kostiantynivka, Sloviansk, and Kramatorsk in Moscow's occupation plan. Russian forces attempt to seize Pokrovsk with infiltrating groups from the northwest and north, aiming to crack Ukraine's eastern defenses. Major oil and chemical facilities hit deep inside Russia in coordinated drone campaign. Fires erupted at one of Russia's primary producers of polyethylene and polypropylene and at two oil refineries that supply fuel to Russian forces. Largest fuel operator targeted in occupied Crimea as drones strike two military supply depots [updated]. Military fuel tankers equipped with camouflage nets and drone protection were spotted at the Simferopol facility just a day before the strike.

Intelligence and technology

Poland breaks ground on 155-mm shell factory 100 km from Ukraine border. Defense company Mesko will build a 155-mm ammunition casing facility in Lublin Voivodeship using $245 million from a state investment fund Former spy reveals how Chinese, Russian agents seduce Silicon Valley specialists with "milk technique". The operations target tech professionals due to their isolated, high-stress lifestyles. China blocks Ukraine's last drone supply route after flooding Russia with the same parts. Ukraine's deep-strike capability just got an expiration date. Military wanted to see farther — now Dutch company delivers that with AI-driven Iris radar in Ukraine. Developed with Ukrainian operator feedback, upgraded Iris radars turn seconds into survival. Europe must be prepared, as Russia says its Peresvet system can cover up to 1,500 km and target reconnaissance satellites. Kubilius says Russian spy satellites are already shadowing German ones. Russia tests 100-megaton Poseidon torpedo capable of radioactive tsunami as pressure on Trump over Ukraine escalates. The announcement marks a chilling escalation in the global arms race, as the Kremlin seeks to intimidate both the US and Europe amid stalled peace efforts.

International

Italian Defense Minister: Ukraine will not be able to return occupied territories even with our help. Putin has locked himself into a no-negotiation position by incorporating four Ukrainian regions into the Russian constitution, making them "Russian in all respects," Italian Defense Minister Guido Crosetto said Ukraine votes against UN Cuba embargo resolution for first time over Russian army recruitment. Between 1,000 and 5,000 Cuban citizens are fighting alongside Russian forces in Ukraine, US officials estimate Lithuania says it will never recognize Crimea, Donetsk, Luhansk's occupation, pledges 0.25% of GDP to Ukraine's military. Lithuania itself plans to raise defense spending to 5–6% of GDP by 2030 in response to Moscow's ongoing aggression. NBC: Russia shows no willingness to end war in Ukraine as peace efforts stall, US intelligence assesses. The assessment reveals there is no indication Russia is prepared to negotiate as Trump attempts to broker peace talks. Zelenskyy accuses China of arming Russia despite Xi's personal assurances. Ukraine's president says Chinese support, including weapons production machinery and mercenaries, is helping Moscow continue the war, and urges Beijing to pressure Russia to stop. Two Polish citizens detained in Przemyśl for desecrating Ukraine's flag — sixth such attack in last months. Anti-Ukrainian provocations surge across Poland: cars torched, flags ripped down, migrants attacked — all amid what Prime Minister Tusk calls "the visible hand of the Kremlin."

Humanitarian and social impact

British neurosurgeon: Putin and Xi talking about organ transplants is blasphemy. Ukraine faces "a unique experiment" unseen in Europe for decades, according to British neurosurgeon Henry Marsh, who has worked with Ukrainian doctors since 1992. Children's stress in Ukraine jumps 10% in one year as anxiety spreads from parents to kids. Girls aged 10-13 are experiencing the sharpest spike in stress levels among Ukrainian youth, with 40% showing increased anxiety over the past year Russian terror strikes on Ukrainian energy facilities cut power to thousands civilians as winter approaches. Only in southern Odesa Oblast, 26,900 consumers remain without electricity following the overnight attack as the restoration works continue.

Political and legal developments

SBU: Ukraine arrests British military trainer who turned into Russian spy. He faces 12 years in prison. The British national transmitted coordinates of facilities in southern Ukraine where he had personally trained recruits, giving Russia targeting data on active military infrastructure. Read our earlier daily review here.