Summary of the Day:
The collapse of the Assad regime in Syria has reportedly created a strategic crisis for Russia, threatening Moscow’s military presence in the region and marking a significant setback for Russian influence in the Middle East. The Kremlin secured an agreement with Syrian opposition leaders to protect its military bases, though the stability of this arrangement remains uncertain given the volatile situation on the ground. There are strong indicators that Russia is preparing for a potential evacuation of its military assets from Syria, and even if some bases are maintained, they would operate at the discretion of opposition groups that Moscow previously labeled as terrorists.
The destabilization in Syria has sparked domestic concerns within Russia, with authorities detaining alleged terrorists in the Republic of Dagestan. Russian military bloggers, particularly those with experience in the Syrian conflict, have expressed strong criticism of what they view as another failure of Russian foreign policy to maintain influence in strategically important regions.
On the Ukrainian front, Russian forces have reportedly achieved advances in Kursk Oblast and in the Pokrovsk and Vuhledar directions, though specific territorial gains remain unclear.
In economic developments, one of Russia’s largest microchip manufacturers has reportedly initiated bankruptcy proceedings, potentially signaling continued stress on Russia’s domestic technology sector.
Picture of the Day:
French President Emmanuel Macron (C), President-elect Donald Trump (R), and Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky (L) after their meeting at the Elysee Palace in Paris, France. (Mustafa Yalcin/Anadolu via Getty Images)
Beyond Ukraine – The March Towards World War
Syrian President Bashar al-Assad’s 24-year rule ended after rebel forces launched a surprise offensive in late November, swiftly capturing key cities including Aleppo, Hama, and Homs before taking control of Damascus. The rebels advanced through the southern communities of Maadamiyah, Jaramana, and Daraya, with the seizure of Homs cutting off access to the Mediterranean coast and Russian military bases. Assad and his family fled to Moscow for asylum, departing from Latakia, as confirmed by Russian news agency TASS. Syrian Prime Minister Mohammad Ghazi al-Jalali indicated the government’s willingness to work with new leadership for a peaceful transition.
The collapse of Assad’s regime, which Russia had supported since 2015, appears linked to Moscow’s reduced military support as it focuses on its war in Ukraine. Russia has withdrawn significant military assets from Syria, including two ships from its Tartus Naval Base and equipment from Khmeimim Air Base. Satellite imagery shows transport aircraft at Khmeimim, while footage reveals the movement of S-300 or S-400 and Tor-M1 air defense systems near Baniyas along the M1 Lakatia-Tartus highway. Russian forces have withdrawn from several positions, including Deir ez Zor and Kuweires Air Base east of Aleppo City, with some units reportedly encircled. The frigate Admiral Grigorovich and cargo ship Engineer Trubin have departed Port of Tartus, with Turkey allowing Russian evacuation flights through its airspace.
Syrian opposition leaders have reportedly agreed to protect Russian military installations in Syria, including key bases at Khmeimim Air Base near Latakia City, the Port of Tartus, and possibly Qamishli Airport. Russia’s Foreign Ministry claims it maintains contact with “all Syrian opposition groups” and has shifted from characterizing these groups as “terrorists” to “opposition groups.” However, the situation is complicated by multiple opposition factions controlling territories surrounding Russian military bases in Al-Hasakah, Homs, Latakia, and Tartus governorates, raising concerns about their ability to cooperate and maintain security.
The loss of Syria represents a significant setback for Russia’s global influence and military capabilities. Without these strategic bases, particularly Tartus, Russia faces major challenges in projecting power in the Mediterranean Sea, influencing NATO’s southern region, and supporting its military operations in Libya and sub-Saharan Africa. The regime’s collapse also occurred amid Iran’s weakened position due to Hezbollah’s losses in Gaza, and the convergence of regional conflicts threatens to destabilize multiple regions simultaneously.
Russian military bloggers have criticized both Assad’s over-reliance on foreign support and Russia’s failure to maintain influence in strategically important regions. The situation marks the end of Russia’s nine-year military intervention in Syria, which began during the 2011 Syrian Civil War, displaced millions of refugees, and involved multiple international powers including Russia, Iran, Turkey, and the United States. President Biden is closely monitoring the situation while coordinating with regional partners.
Georgia’s Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze plans to ban face coverings at protests amid growing tensions over the country’s suspended EU accession process. This move comes during widespread demonstrations against the ruling Georgian Dream party’s decision to delay EU membership efforts until 2028. The situation threatens regional stability as police have used force against protesters, including tear gas and water cannons, resulting in numerous injuries and arrests of opposition leaders and journalists. The developments raise concerns about Georgia’s democratic trajectory and potential shift toward Russian influence, particularly following the controversial “foreign agents” law that sparked earlier protests this year.
The Path to Peace
President-elect Trump met with Ukrainian President Zelensky at Notre Dame Cathedral’s reopening in Paris, after which Trump indicated Ukraine may receive less American aid under his administration and suggested China could help facilitate peace talks. Trump maintained he could end the Russia-Ukraine war within 24 hours, posted on Truth Social that Zelensky “would like to make a deal,” and while avoiding discussion of any recent contact with Putin, declined to guarantee continued U.S. NATO membership but said America would remain if treated “fairly” on contributions. The Kremlin rejected the possibility of a pause in fighting, demanding Ukraine withdraw from four annexed regions as a condition for negotiations, while Zelensky responded that peace requires more than “a piece of paper and signatures,” emphasizing the need for reliable guarantees against future Russian aggression.
Situation On The Land, Sea, and Air in Ukraine
President Volodymyr Zelensky revealed that Ukraine has lost 43,000 soldiers since Russia’s 2022 invasion, with 370,000 wounded. About half of the wounded have returned to service. Zelensky estimates Russian casualties at over 750,000, including 198,000 dead and more than 550,000 wounded, claiming Russia is losing troops at a rate of 5-6 to 1 compared to Ukrainian losses. This marks Ukraine’s first official casualty count since 2022, with numbers significantly lower than Western media estimates, which had suggested Ukrainian deaths between 60,000-100,000.
Ukrainian Operations in the Russian Federation – Initiative Russia
Russian forces made advances near Novoivanovka in Kursk Oblast, as confirmed by video evidence. They reportedly recaptured Plekhovo and moved toward Kurylivka and Guevo near Sudzha, though these claims remain unverified. Fighting continues across several settlements including Novoivanovka, Plekhovo, and Guevo. A Ukrainian military spokesperson reported that Russian forces have intensified their operations in the region, now using armored vehicles after a period of limited equipment usage.
Kharkiv Front – Initiative Russia
Russian forces continued attacks near Vysoka Yaruha, Lyptsi, and Vovchansk though they made no confirmed advances. A Ukrainian military spokesperson reported that Russian attacks and guided bomb strikes in northern Kharkiv Oblast are decreasing, possibly due to Russian forces being redirected to other areas of the front.
Luhansk Front – Initiative Russia
Russian forces continued attacks along the Kupyansk-Svatove-Kreminna line though no confirmed advances were made. Russian sources claimed advances near Zahryzove and Pershotravneve, but these remain unverified. Fighting occurred across multiple settlements, including Masyutivka, Bohuslavka, Pishchane, and several others near Kupyansk, Svatove, and Kreminna. A Ukrainian military spokesperson reported that Russian forces have reduced their use of armored vehicles in the Lyman area, relying more on infantry attacks.
Donetsk Front – Initiative Russia
Siversk
Russian forces engaged in positional warfare near Siversk but made no confirmed advances in the area.
Chasiv Yar
Russian forces continued attacks around Chasiv Yar on December 8, targeting the Novyi Microraion area, the Refractory Plant, and nearby settlements of Kalinina, Stupochky, and Bila Hora. A Ukrainian officer reported that Russian forces are using small infantry groups for reconnaissance and rear attacks, maintaining their offensive operations with existing reserves in the area.
Toretsk
Russian forces launched attacks around the town of Toretsk targeting multiple nearby settlements including Dyliivka to the north, Shcherbynivka to the west, and Nelipivka and Leonidivka to the southwest. Despite these offensive operations, Russian forces did not secure any confirmed territorial gains in the area.
Pokrovsk
Russian forces made confirmed advances near Pokrovsk, with documented progress east of Ukrainka and southeast of Dachenske. They launched attacks across multiple settlements including Myrolyubivka, Myrnohrad, Hrodivka, Promin, Lysivka, Sukhyi Yar, Zhovte, Pushkine, Shevchenko, Novyi Trud, and Zelene. While Russian sources claimed to have captured Novotroitske and made advances in Shevchenko and Zelene, these claims remain unconfirmed.
Kurakhove
Russian forces attacked multiple settlements near Kurakhove, including Sontsivka, Zorya, Stari Terny, Dachne, Maksymilyanivka, and Dalne. While Russian sources claimed advances north of the Vovcha River between Sontsivka and Stari Terny, these claims remain unverified, and no confirmed Russian advances were reported in the area.
Andriivka
Russian forces made a small, confirmed advance to southern Sukhi Yaly near Vuhledar. They also launched attacks across multiple settlements including Katerynivka, Antonivka, Yelyzavetivka, Romanivka, Hannivka, Vesely Hai, Uspenivka, Kostiantynopolske, and Rozlyv. While Russian sources claimed to have entered Hihant, this claim remains unconfirmed.
Velyka Novosilka
Russian forces attacked several settlements near Velyka Novosilka, including Novosilka, Temyrivka, Novodarivka, Blahodatne, Neskuchne, and Rozdolne. While Russia’s Ministry of Defense claimed to have captured Blahodatne, this claim remains unverified, and Ukrainian forces reportedly launched counterattacks in the area.
Zaporizhia Front – Initiative Russia
Russian forces launched offensive operations near the settlements of Nesteryanka and Novodanylivka in western Zaporizhia Oblast, close to Robotyne. These attacks did not result in any confirmed territorial gains.
Kherson (Dnipro River) Front – Initiative Russia
Russian forces attacked in the Dnipro area without making any gains. Ukrainian officials report that for over a month, Russian forces have been attempting to reach Ukrainian-held islands in the Dnipro River Delta.
Ukraine News
Russian forces launched 74 drones against Ukraine from multiple regions in Russia, with Ukrainian forces shooting down 28 drones across eight provinces including Kyiv, Kharkiv, Sumy, Poltava, Cherkasy, Kirovohrad, Dnipropetrovsk and Zaporizhzhia, while 46 others failed to reach their targets or went unaccounted for. Falling debris from downed Shahed drones damaged a house in Kamyanske, Dnipropetrovsk Oblast and other residential buildings. In response, Ukraine plans to strengthen its defenses with 30,000 DeepStrike attack drones scheduled for delivery in 2025.
Innocent Victims Of War
The casualty count of civilians in the past 24 hours: (Russian War Crimes)
DEATHS: 1 INJURIES: 7
Russian drone attacks in Ukraine’s Kherson Oblast killed a 73-year-old man in the town of Kindiika and wounded seven others. In Kindiika, four people were injured, including two women and two men ranging in age from 40 to 79. Three additional men in their 50s and 60s were wounded in Kherson city.
Ukraine’s Allies
EU Defense Commissioner Andrius Kubilius has proposed a dramatic increase in defense spending, suggesting 100 billion euros ($105 billion) for the next seven-year EU budget, up from the current 10 billion euros. The former Lithuanian Prime Minister warned that failing to support Ukraine could increase the risk of Russian aggression against EU member states. Recently appointed by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, Kubilius emphasized that backing Ukraine’s victory is essential for European security.
Life in Russian Occupied Ukraine
A Ukrainian official has disputed Russia’s claims of economic investment in the occupied Luhansk region, particularly regarding the city of Siverskodonetsk. Artem Lysohor, head of the Luhansk Region Military Administration, pointed out that no demining has occurred in over two years, and there’s no evidence of renewed activity at industrial sites damaged during Russian attacks. While Russia claims it plans to restart the Azot chemical plant in Siverskodonetsk, Lysohor noted minimal progress, with only one workshop under consideration for restoration. Moscow recently allocated 1 billion rubles ($10 million) to the region for infrastructure and development, though these claims remain contested by Ukrainian authorities.
Russia News
Russian security forces arrested 12 alleged terrorists in Dagestan seizing explosives, weapons, and ammunition. The arrests coincided with a test of Russia’s restricted internet system in Dagestan that blocked access to foreign websites and messaging services. Russian military commentators are linking these security concerns to Assad’s fall in Syria, warning it could inspire increased terrorist activity in Russia, particularly among Central Asian migrants in the North Caucasus region. This situation highlights Russia’s internal security challenges as it balances growing anti-migrant sentiment with its need for migrant workers to address labor shortages.
A major blow has hit Russia’s domestic technology sector as Angstrem, one of the country’s largest microchip makers, has filed for bankruptcy with debts of over 1 billion rubles ($10.1 million). The Moscow Times reported that the state-backed company, which was meant to help Russia overcome Western sanctions on microchip imports, initiated bankruptcy proceedings on December 6.
Russian War Losses (Today/Total)
Troops +1220
754590 |
Tanks +5
9519 |
Artillery +3
21061 |
Arm. VEH +18
19589 |
Aircraft 
369 |
Heli
329 |
Ships
28 |
Source Material
Institute for the Study of War – understandingwar.org
The Kyiv Independent – kyivindependent.com
Kyiv Post – kyivpost.com