Summary:
Russia 1 – Kupyansk/Svatove Line
Russian forces attempted to advance near Synkivka (6 miles NE of Kupyansk) but were repelled.
Russia 2 – Svatove/Kreminna Line
Russian forces were repelled from all attacks by Ukrainian defenders.
Russia 3 – Avdiivka/Marinka Line (Outskirts of Occupied Donetsk City)
Whereas Ukrainian troops continue to hold back the Russian forces in the industrial region in the southeast suburbs of Avdiivka, Russian forces did advance on the northern side of the city. The most critical advance was perpendicular to Avdiivka as Russian forces continue to move west to cut off the supply lines into Avdiivka advancing through a tree line just south of Stepove (5 miles NW of Avdiivka). Russian forces have also advanced in the northeast reaching the coke plant and ash heap.
Ukrainian forces retook all the territory they had lost over last weekend around Marinka.
Ukraine 1 – Liberate Bakhmut
Russian forces conducted a major offensive and advanced almost to the northern edge of Bohdanivka (5 miles W of Bakhmut).
Ukrainian forces made no confirmed advances in the sector.
Ukraine 2 – Drive to Berdyansk from Velyka Novosilka
Ukrainian forces made no confirmed or claimed advances in the sector.
Ukraine 3 – Drive to Melitopol from Orikhiv
Ukrainian forces made no confirmed or claimed advances in the sector.
Ukraine 4 – Liberate Eastern Kherson
Russian forces retook the eastern half of Krynky.
Monday, December 4
Russian Major General Vladimir Zavadsky became the twelfth Russian general to die in this renewed conflict with Ukraine after he stepped on one of Russia’s own mines.
Two young and beautiful female Ukrainian partisans feigned support of Russian troops by flirting with them and bringing them sausages, fish, bread, cheese, and of course, vodka laced with poison in occupied Simferopol. 24 Russian soldiers died and another 11 were hospitalized.
Russia launched a series of missile and drone strikes against Ukraine overnight. 23 drones and a missile were fired, with Ukrainian air defense intercepting 18 of the drones and the missile. A cultural center and a store were hit in Kherson city. There were no casualties.
The rift between Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and Ukraine’s Commander-in-Chief Valery Zaluzhny continues to widen. A media report accused Zelensky of undermining chain of command by bypassing Zaluzhny and talking with certain commanders directly. Zelensky is angry at Zaluzhny for his public statements that Ukraine cannot win this war.
The Russian state media outlets reported on a growing labor shortage in Russia as many young people are fighting a war against Ukraine or have fled the country to avoid being conscripted into that war. It is estimated that the labor force will be short four million workers by 2030.
Germany will deliver 40,000 rounds of artillery in 2024, and another $152.5 million worth in 2025.
Polish truckers blocking Ukrainian trucks from entering Poland, have agreed to open one border crossing to allow empty Ukrainian trucks to enter Poland to receive humanitarian aid.
With the U.S. House of Representatives violating the Constitution by denying funds to defend Ukraine, the U.S. will run out of resources to continue supporting Ukraine in their struggle against Russia by the end of this year. The U.S. caused this tragedy on Ukraine by not honoring its constitutional duty to abide by a 1994 treaty with Ukraine that guaranteed Ukraine’s border if they dismantled their nuclear weapon defenses. Ukraine gave up their only true defense against Russia based on a lie that the U.S. would defend them if attacked. If the Democratic Party had done this to an ally, the Republican Party would be screaming foul.
Tuesday, December 5
Ukraine launched a massive drone attack against Russian targets in occupied regions of Ukraine. Russia claimed to have shot down around 40 of the drones, but those that got through did much damage. Targets hit include an oil terminal in Feodosia destroying 30 fuel tanks, a radar system near Baherove, a helicopter landing pad, another radar system, and an anti-aircraft control system.
Whereas Ukraine targeted all military targets, Russia launched another series of missile and drone strikes against civilian targets. 17 drones and 6 missiles were launched with ten of the droned being intercepted by air defense system. Civilian residences were hit in Lviv and Kharkiv Oblasts.
The Russian soldiers who were caught on film executing two Ukrainian soldiers who had surrendered, have themselves been killed by Ukrainian forces as their unit came under attack and were annihilated.
Armenia continues to snub their Russian ally by announcing they will not be sending any delegates to the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO), Russia’s alternative to NATO, which will meet in Moscow in two weeks.
Wednesday, December 6
Russia launched 50 drones strikes against Ukraine, with air defense systems intercepting 41 of them.
President Zelensky cancelled his virtual meeting with the U.S. Senate unexpectedly. It is not clear if he was called away on more urgent matters or did not want to be embarrassed in a Senate call where the Senate was openly fighting over support of Ukraine.
President Putin traveled to the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia where he met with UAE President Mohammed bin Zayed and Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman for bilateral talks. They discussed Russia’s role in OPEC, the construction of a Russian school in the UAE, Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, and the Israel-Hamas War.
Former Ukrainian legislator Ilya Kiva was assassinated in Moscow by Ukrainian patriots. Kiva had left Ukraine upon the Russian invasion and publicly supported Russia in their war against Ukraine before eventually arriving in Moscow.
Another traitor, Oleg Popov who has been serving on the Luhansk People’s Republic People’s Council, was assassinated when his car exploded.
The UK added 46 individuals and entities to their sanctions list who are supporting Russia in its war efforts against Ukraine.
Thursday, December 7
Russian casualties along the front lines of Ukraine are exceeding the number of conscripts into the army. 11,000 Russian soldiers were killed in the month of November alone.
Russia launched 18 drones against Ukraine overnight, with air defense systems intercepting 15 of them. A warehouse and grain elevator were damaged near Izmail. Also struck was the Starokostiantyniv airfield near Khmelnitsky.
The US announced another $175 million in military aid to Ukraine to include missiles and artillery. But Senate Republicans stopped a bill that would provide another $60 million in military assistance.
President Putin met with Iranian President Ibrahim Raisi in Moscow to discuss a free trade zone between their countries.
The next Russian presidential elections have formally been set for March 17, 2024.