Summary of the Day:
The Russian Ministry of Defense removed Colonel General Gennady Anashkin from his position as Southern Military District commander following accusations of falsified battlefield reports. While the ministry claimed this was a planned rotation, Russian military bloggers allege the dismissal stemmed from subordinates submitting incorrect reports about advances near Siversk, particularly false claims about capturing Bilohorivka and Serebryanka.
Russian forces achieved advances in Kursk Oblast and near Velyka Novosilka. Meanwhile, reports emerged of North Korean technical advisers operating in occupied Mariupol wearing Russian uniforms, though Ukrainian officials denied their presence in Kharkiv Oblast. Approximately 11,000 North Korean troops are reportedly completing military training in Russia’s Kursk Oblast.
Kremlin Spokesperson Dmitry Peskov announced Russia has no immediate plans for another partial involuntary reserve callup, indicating the government will continue with current recruitment methods rather than implementing a new mobilization wave.
Picture of the Day:
A woman lights candles in tribute to the victims of the famine of 1932-1933 at the National Museum of the Holodomor-Genocide in Kyiv, amid the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Ukraine marked 91 years since the Stalin-era Holodomor famine, one of the darkest moments in its history that left millions dead. (Roman Pilipey / AFP via Getty Images)
Beyond Ukraine – The March Towards World War
Former Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen urged the U.S. to maintain support for Ukraine at the Halifax International Security Forum, despite concerns about America’s military readiness in Asia. While U.S. Indo-Pacific Command chief Adm. Samuel Paparo noted that helping Ukraine has strained weapon stockpiles, Tsai argued that a Ukrainian victory would deter future global aggression. Taiwan has increased its defense budget to $19 billion for 2024, though Tsai rejected suggestions to raise it to 10% of GDP. She remained neutral on potential defense strategies under a possible Trump presidency.
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte met with President-elect Donald Trump in Florida to discuss NATO security issues. The meeting included Trump’s national security adviser-designate Mike Waltz, who has questioned U.S. military aid to Ukraine. Despite Trump’s controversial statement about Russia and NATO members not meeting defense spending targets, Rutte expressed support for Trump’s push for increased NATO defense spending and stated that Trump’s leadership would be crucial for the Alliance’s strength.
A declassified U.S. intelligence memo from 2016 reveals Russia’s suspected involvement in overseas assassinations, including the 2006 radiation poisoning death of former FSB agent Alexander Litvinenko in the UK. The document also mentions the 2004 poisoning of pro-Western Ukrainian presidential candidate Viktor Yushchenko, who survived and later won the presidency following the Orange Revolution. The memo suggests Moscow’s continued willingness to target various adversaries abroad, from rebels to defectors and dissidents.
President Alexander Lukashenko announced that he would shut down Belarus’s internet if protests occur after the January 26, 2025, presidential elections, seemingly aiming to prevent demonstrations like those that followed the 2020 elections.
Situation On The Land, Sea, and Air in Ukraine
Reports of North Korean military presence in Ukraine have emerged, with CNN citing an anonymous source claiming North Korean technical advisers are operating in Russian-occupied Mariupol wearing Russian uniforms. However, Ukrainian Kharkiv Group of Forces has denied reports of North Korean personnel in Kharkiv Oblast. Reuters reports that approximately 11,000 North Korean troops are currently completing military training in Russia’s Kursk Oblast.
Russia claims it destroyed a Ukrainian MiG-29 fighter jet in a missile strike near Dnipro City but Russian sources suggest the target may have been a decoy aircraft at Aviatorske airfield.
Ukrainian Operations in the Russian Federation – Initiative Russia
Russian forces made small advances in Kursk Oblast, particularly southeast of Darino and in eastern Darino. Russian sources claim to have captured Darino and Nikolayevo-Darino, with additional advances near Nizhny Klin and Malaya Loknya, though these claims remain unconfirmed. Ukrainian forces struck a Russian crossing over the Seym River near Karyzh. The ongoing rainy weather is reportedly hampering Russian equipment movement in the region.
Ukraine has lost about 40% of its previously held territory in Russia’s Kursk Oblast, now controlling approximately 800 square kilometers, down from 1,376 square kilometers. According to a Ukrainian General Staff source, Russia has stationed about 60,000 troops in the region, including North Korean soldiers, and aims to create a buffer zone near the Sumy Oblast border. This development comes as Russia intensifies its attacks along the eastern front, with a total of nearly 580,000 Russian soldiers currently engaged in combat against Ukraine.
According to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, Vladimir Putin has given Russian military commanders a deadline of late January 2025 to remove Ukrainian forces from Kursk Oblast. Reports indicate Russia has assembled approximately 50,000 troops in the region, including about 11,000 North Korean personnel, to achieve this objective.
Kharkiv Front – Initiative Russia
Russian forces launched ground attacks near Vovchansk and Tykhe, northeast of Kharkiv City, but failed to make any confirmed territorial gains.
Nearly 22,000 residents have been evacuated from Kharkiv Oblast since May due to constant Russian attacks. Governor Oleh Syniehubov reported that evacuations continue in the most targeted areas, including Vovchansk, Lyptsi, and Kupiansk. Evacuees are receiving humanitarian aid and support in safer areas, including the city of Kharkiv, despite its proximity to the Russian border.
Luhansk Front – Initiative Russia
Russian forces continued attacks along the Kupyansk-Svatove-Kreminna line, targeting multiple settlements including Synkivka, Zahryzove, Hlushkivka, Makiivka, Druzhelyubivka, Tverdokhlibove, Novoyehorivka, Hrekivka, Zeleny Hai, Novoplatonivka, Terny, and Torske, but made no advances. Ukrainian forces successfully repelled a Russian mechanized assault near Terny. A Ukrainian commander reported that Russian forces are using armored vehicles and fog cover for surprise attacks near Kupyansk, though Ukrainian forces claim to neutralize most Russian equipment, forcing Russian troops to walk long distances to reach frontline positions. Reports indicate Russian forces have resorted to illegally disguising themselves as Ukrainian personnel to infiltrate Ukrainian positions.
Donetsk Front – Initiative Russia
Siversk
Russian forces launched an attack near Bilohorivka, northeast of Siversk, but failed to make progress. Reports indicate Russia committed additional reserves in this area and claimed to have targeted a Ukrainian pontoon bridge over the Siverskyi Donets River west of Siversk using a Kh-38 missile.
Chasiv Yar
Russian forces continued attacks near Chasiv Yar and Stupochky making no advances. While Russian sources claimed to control 30% of Chasiv Yar’s industrial zone, independent observations indicate they hold about 21% of the city. A Ukrainian counterattack near Predtechyne was reportedly unsuccessful.
Toretsk
Russian forces attacked near Toretsk and Leonidivka with no confirmed advances. While Russian sources claimed advances in northern Toretsk and the Zabalka Microraion, these claims remain unverified. The situation in Toretsk remains unclear due to complex urban combat, with both Russian and Ukrainian forces reportedly operating within the same buildings.
Pokrovsk
Russian forces continued attacks around Pokrovsk targeting multiple settlements including Promin, Myrnohrad, Myrolyubivka, Lysivka, Krutyi Yar, Sukhyi Yar, Hryhorivka, Pustynka, Petrivka, Dachenske, Pushkine, and Zhovte. While Russian sources claimed advances near Pustynka, these remain unconfirmed. Ukrainian forces report facing up to 10 daily Russian assaults in this area, defending against four Russian motorized rifle brigades.
Kurakhove
Russian forces claim advances near Kurakhove, including the alleged capture of Novodmytrivka and positions in Berestky, though these claims remain unverified. A Ukrainian military source reported to Reuters that this area is particularly concerning, with Russian forces advancing 200-300 meters daily in some areas. Russian operations continue near Kurakhove, Sontsivka, Zorya, Berestky, Novodmytrivka, and Dalne, with the Russian 5th Motorized Rifle Brigade active in the region.
Southwest of Donetsk City
Russian forces reportedly advanced near Illinka, northeast of Vuhledar, though this remains unconfirmed. Russian attacks continued around Vuhledar, targeting Romanivka, Katerynivka, Antonivka, Sukhi Yaly, Trudove, Rozlyv, and Kostiantynopolske.
Zaporizhia Front – Initiative Russia
Zaporizhia-Donetsk Border Area
Russian forces launched a significant mechanized assault in the Donetsk-Zaporizhia Oblast border region. They advanced near Velyka Novosilka, pushing about 5 kilometers toward Rozdolne and establishing positions in eastern Rozdolne. The offensive covered an area roughly 8.4 kilometers wide, though progress was hampered by Ukrainian mine barriers and heavy rain. Russian forces also conducted operations near Novodarivka and Rivnopil.
Zaporizhia Line
Russian forces launched attacks near Robotyne and Kamyanske in western Zaporizhia Oblast but failed to make any territorial gains.
Kherson (Dnipro River) Front – Initiative Russia
Ukrainian and Russian forces continued fighting on the eastern bank of the Dnipro River in Kherson Oblast with no changes to the front line.
Ukraine News
Russia launched a new Oreshnik missile at Dnipro on November 21, which military analyst Julian Ropcke suggests carried no explosive charge. The missile, believed to be a modified version of the RS-26 Rubezh, caused minimal damage and was likely a propaganda demonstration rather than a military strike. While Putin claimed the weapon was impossible to counter with air defense and could carry nuclear warheads, he acknowledged this launch was a test without nuclear capability.
Since July 2023, Russia has damaged 321 port facilities and 20 foreign ships along Ukraine’s Black Sea trade route, President Zelensky reported at a Kyiv food security conference. Ukraine, which exports 6 million tons of grain monthly feeding 400 million people across 100 countries, established a new export route after Russia ended the Black Sea grain deal. In October, Russian forces attacked ships in Odesa, killing a Ukrainian port worker and wounding five foreigners. The attacks impact global food security, particularly affecting African nations like Egypt, Libya, and Nigeria. Ukraine has opened seven new embassies in Africa to strengthen regional ties amid ongoing Russian influence.
President Zelensky criticized G20 leaders, particularly Brazilian President Lula da Silva, for taking a weak stance on Russia’s war in Ukraine at the recent summit in Brazil. The G20’s final statement reduced its coverage of the Ukraine war to a single paragraph, down from seven paragraphs last year, and used vague language about “human suffering” without directly condemning Russia. Zelensky linked this weak response to Russia’s subsequent military actions, including a new intermediate-range ballistic missile strike on Dnipro on November 21. He emphasized that without clear opposition from major nations, any agreements with Putin would only enable further Russian aggression.
Polish farmers blocked the Medyka-Shehyni border crossing with Ukraine on Nov. 23, allowing only one truck per hour from Poland to Ukraine while blocking Ukrainian trucks completely. The 48-hour protest, which could extend through year-end, focuses on agricultural tax rates and concerns about an EU-Mercosur trade agreement. Emergency vehicles, humanitarian aid, and military convoys can still pass. This continues a pattern of Polish farmer protests at Ukrainian border crossings since the war began.
Ukraine’s Allies
Lithuania has committed to funding Ukrainian long-range drone production, with an initial 10 million euros focused on Palianytsia missile-like drones, Defense Minister Rustem Umerov announced. The agreement includes plans for equipping Ukrainian brigades, providing ammunition, and strengthening air defense cooperation through 2025. Sweden has also agreed to finance long-range drone production for Ukraine’s defense against Russia.
EU Parliament President Roberta Metsola supports Germany sending Taurus long-range missiles to Ukraine, aligned with the EU Parliament’s position. While German Chancellor Olaf Scholz continues to reject this option fearing involvement in the war with Russia, potential changes could come after Germany’s February elections, as CDU/CSU candidate Friedrich Merz is open to missile delivery under certain conditions. The debate intensified after the U.S. authorized Ukraine to use ATACMS missiles against Russian targets.
Life in Russian Occupied Ukraine
Approximately 130,000 displaced Ukrainians have returned to Russian-occupied Donbas territories in the past year, primarily due to financial hardship. With average salaries barely covering rent in safer parts of Ukraine, many can’t afford to stay displaced. The only route home is through Moscow’s Sheremetyevo Airport, where returnees face intense scrutiny and “filtration” by Russian authorities. Russian officials report that while 107,000 Ukrainians have arrived at Sheremetyevo since October 2023, only 83,000 were allowed to enter. Cities mentioned in the exodus include Mariupol, Berdyansk, Volnovakha, Tokmak, and Melitopol, where residents are struggling to afford life in other parts of Ukraine despite government assistance programs.
Russia News
The Russian Ministry of Defense reportedly removed Colonel General Gennady Anashkin from his position as acting commander of the Southern Military District following accusations of false reporting about battlefield progress. While the ministry claimed this was a planned rotation, Russian military bloggers allege the dismissal was due to subordinates submitting incorrect reports about advances near Siversk. The controversy involves false claims about Russian forces capturing Bilohorivka and Serebryanka. Several other military commanders in the region were also reportedly arrested for submitting inaccurate battlefield reports.
Russian War Losses (Today/Total)
| Troops +1020
730740 |
Tanks +4
9423 |
Artillery +5
20765 |
Arm. VEH +17
19209 |
Aircraft
369 |
Heli
329 |
Ships
28 |
Russia Mobilization and Defense Industrial Base
The Kremlin is focusing on voluntary recruitment rather than mandatory mobilization, according to Spokesperson Dmitry Peskov. To encourage enlistment, President Putin introduced a new law allowing soldiers who serve in Ukraine to write off loans up to 10 million rubles (approximately $95,869). The Russian military is also offering signing bonuses for airborne units, ranging from 2.1 million rubles in Leningrad Oblast to 3 million rubles in Belgorod and Nizhny Novgorod oblasts, with a 2.5-million-ruble bonus in Tula Oblast. The military is even covering travel expenses for recruits to sign contracts.
Russia is implementing new financial measures related to its military recruitment and compensation amid signs of war-related economic strain. While a new law signed by President Putin offers debt relief up to 10 million rubles ($96,000) for citizens who sign one-year military contracts after December 1, extending to their spouses, the Ministry of Defense is simultaneously requiring soldiers to repay signing bonuses for serious disciplinary violations or avoiding duties. Putin has also reduced compensation for injured soldiers. The debt relief law targets younger Russians, who typically carry more loans, with the central bank reporting over 13 million Russians holding three or more loans averaging 1.4 million rubles ($13,400). This initiative supplements existing military benefits, including above-average front-line pay, and parallels similar debt relief legislation in Ukraine for its fighters.
Former Wagner Group commanders have established a new private military unit called “Wagner Legion,” led by commander “Cap” and including leaders known as “Rusich,” “Ratibor,” “Marx,” and “Radimir.” This development follows Russia’s efforts to absorb Wagner Group personnel into various military units after Yevgeny Prigozhin’s death. While the new group is reportedly recruiting and training fighters, its relationship with Russia’s Ministry of Defense remains unclear. Previously, Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov had announced that Wagner commander “Ratibor” and 3,000 Wagner personnel would join the Chechen Akhmat Spetsnaz under the Defense Ministry.
Source Material
Institute for the Study of War – understandingwar.org
The Kyiv Independent – kyivindependent.com
Kyiv Post – kyivpost.com