Summary of the Day:
Russia’s military production capabilities show significant expansion but face continued challenges. The Alabuga facility in Tatarstan has doubled its Shahed drone production, reaching 5,760 units in the first nine months of 2024. However, Western sanctions continue to force reliance on lower-quality Chinese components, while Ukrainian electronic warfare systems are proving increasingly effective against these drones.
North Korean forces are experiencing severe casualties in Kursk Oblast, with White House advisor John Kirby reporting approximately 1,000 casualties in just one week. Ukrainian President Zelensky confirmed total North Korean casualties have reached 3,000 – about a quarter of their 12,000 troops in the region. Ukrainian Special Operations Forces captured their first North Korean soldier in the area.
Ukrainian forces achieved a significant tactical success with a precision HIMARS strike in occupied Zaporizhia Oblast, killing three Russian officers during a staff meeting, including Captains Dmitriy Nagorny, Grigoriy Krokhmalyov, and Yuriy Fomin. Meanwhile, Ukrainian forces regained positions near Siversk, though Russian forces managed to advance near Toretsk, Velyka Novosilka, and in the Pokrovsk and Kurakhove directions.
In international developments, Finnish authorities seized the Russian tanker “Eagle S” on suspicion of damaging critical undersea infrastructure in the Baltic Sea. The vessel, allegedly equipped with NATO surveillance capabilities, is suspected of damaging the Estlink 2 electricity cable and other telecommunication lines between Finland, Estonia, and Germany. NATO has announced increased military presence in the Baltic Sea in response.
In Moscow, President Putin appointed Security Council Secretary Sergei Shoigu to head a newly established Scientific Expert Council, while Russian regions continue to increase enlistment bonuses to boost military recruitment.
Picture of the Day:
Ukrainian soldiers on duty near the front-line city of Toretsk, Donetsk Oblast. (Vincenzo Circosta/Anadolu via Getty Images)
Beyond Ukraine – The March Towards World War
On December 25, an Azerbaijan Airlines passenger aircraft crashed in Aktau, Kazakhstan, resulting in 38 fatalities among its 67 passengers of various nationalities. While Russian aviation chief Dmitry Yadrov attributed the crash to weather conditions and emergency airspace closure over Chechnya due to a Ukrainian drone threat, Azerbaijan’s Transport Minister officially confirmed “external interference” and weapons involvement. Evidence suggests the plane was struck by a Russian Pantsir-S air defense system near Grozny after electronic warfare disrupted the aircraft’s communications and GPS, with survivors reporting a loud bang and footage showing missile impact damage. Flight tracking data confirmed GPS jamming and spoofing in the area.
A Russian law enforcement insider source revealed that Yadrov may be covering up the misuse of Russian air defense systems, releasing a transcript showing air traffic control failed to warn the crew about weather conditions or airspace closure, which was only announced after the plane attempted to reroute. The source also indicated that air traffic control was reluctant to offer alternative landing sites in Russia after the aircraft reported damage. In response to the incident, Azerbaijan Airlines suspended flights to eight Russian destinations, and an Azerbaijani parliament member demanded accountability and compensation, warning of diplomatic consequences. The situation has raised serious concerns about civilian air safety in conflict zones and could significantly impact diplomatic relations between Azerbaijan and Russia while destabilizing regional peace and international aviation protocols.
Finnish authorities seized the Russian-owned crude oil tanker “Eagle S” in the Gulf of Finland for suspected involvement in damaging the Estlink 2 electricity cable between Estonia and Finland, along with other telecommunication cables connecting Finland, Estonia, and Germany, with Finnish police believing the vessel was part of Moscow’s sanctions-evading “shadow fleet.” While Finnish Prime Minister Petteri Orpo cautions against premature conclusions about Russian involvement, a maritime source told Lloyd’s List that the vessel was equipped with devices capable of monitoring NATO communications, and NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte has expressed solidarity with Finland as Estonia’s Prime Minister Kristen Michal indicates repairs will take months, threatening winter power supplies. In response, NATO has announced increased military presence in the Baltic Sea, and Estonia has deployed naval patrols to protect remaining infrastructure, with the incident heightening Nordic security concerns following 2023 intelligence warnings about potential Russian sabotage of critical infrastructure in the region. The damage could impact regional communication and power distribution networks, representing a significant escalation of tensions between NATO and Russia while highlighting vulnerabilities in critical undersea infrastructure that connects European nations and potentially threatening regional stability and energy security in Northern Europe.
Slovakia’s Prime Minister Robert Fico has threatened to cut electricity supplies to Ukraine if Kyiv stops Russian gas transit to Slovakia after January 1. Following his recent meeting with Putin in Moscow, Fico warned of “reciprocal measures” if Ukraine ends gas transit, citing concerns about increased costs and EU competitiveness. Slovakia, along with Hungary and Austria, remains dependent on Russian gas despite EU efforts to reduce Russian fossil fuel reliance. Since taking office, Fico has altered Slovakia’s stance toward Ukraine, stopping military aid and adopting a more pro-Russian position.
The Path to Peace
Ukraine’s Foreign Ministry reports completing preparations for the second global peace summit, following the first meeting in Switzerland in June 2024. While initially planned for late 2024, spokesperson Heorhii Tykhyi emphasized focusing on meaningful outcomes rather than rushing the event. The summit may include a Russian representative, with Swiss President Viola Amherd noting Vladimir Putin could potentially attend despite his ICC arrest warrant. Ukraine’s peace formula remains central to the discussions.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has expressed openness to Slovakian Prime Minister Robert Fico’s proposal to host peace talks with Ukraine. Fico, who opposes EU support for Ukraine, made the offer during a recent Kremlin visit. Meanwhile, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov rejected the idea of a temporary ceasefire, stating Russia seeks a legally binding peace agreement that would ensure security for both Russia and neighboring countries. Lavrov also indicated that while Russia is willing to work with the US to improve relations, he believes Washington should initiate any diplomatic restoration.
Situation On The Land, Sea, and Air in Ukraine
Alexei Rogozin, son of Russian official Dmitry Rogozin, admitted Russia lacks drone swarm capability due to technical challenges in coordinating multiple drones against interference. While Rogozin claims Russia will develop this technology in 2025, a former Russian military instructor noted that Ukrainian forces have been successfully using groups of 3-10 drones against Russian targets since May 2024, maintaining their drone warfare advantage.
Ukraine’s supply of U.S.-provided ATACMS long-range missiles is running critically low, with U.S. officials reporting only about 50 missiles remaining. These missiles, which can reach targets up to 300 kilometers away, have been used by Ukraine for strikes against Russian airfields, military facilities, and weapons factories, with Russia claiming Ukraine has launched 31 ATACMS and 14 British Storm Shadow missiles since late November. U.S. officials indicate replenishment is unlikely as Washington’s own ATACMS supplies are already allocated to other regions. The U.S. had initially provided older, shorter-range ATACMS in fall 2023, followed by updated longer-range models in spring 2024.
A recent storm in the Kerch Strait damaged protective barriers guarding the illegal Crimean Bridge from Ukrainian maritime drones, with satellite images showing Russia has not fully repaired the damage. The storm also sank two Russian tankers and halved the number of deployed barriers.
Ukrainian forces successfully conducted a coordinated strike on a Russian military leadership meeting in occupied Zaporizhia Oblast, combining HIMARS missiles with both standard and cluster munition warheads, followed by FPV kamikaze drone attacks targeting survivors and medical evacuation teams. The operation, carried out jointly by Ukraine’s Security Service (SBU), Main Military Intelligence Directorate (GUR), artillery units, and drone pilots from the southern command group Tavria, killed three senior Russian officers: Captain Dmitriy Nagorny (battalion commander), Captain Grigoriy Krokhmalyov (deputy chief of intelligence), and Captain Yuriy Fomin (anti-aircraft battery commander), with ground images confirming at least five destroyed Russian vehicles and three casualties.
Russian military bloggers reported that Ukrainian forces orchestrated the strike by luring the officers with fake humanitarian aid deliveries, suggesting Ukrainian intelligence possessed detailed knowledge of the officers’ personal information and communications, while the successful operation demonstrates the continued effectiveness of the HIMARS system, which Ukraine has been using since 2022 with both standard rockets (70km range) and recently acquired ATACMS missiles (165km range).
Ukrainian Operations in the Russian Federation – Initiative Russia
Fighting continued in Ukraine’s salient in Kursk Oblast with no confirmed advances. While a Ukrainian battalion claimed capturing an unspecified position, Russian forces conducted operations near several settlements including Russkoye Porechnoye, Nechayev, Kruglenkoye, Martynovka, and Sudzha. Ukrainian forces successfully repelled a Russian mechanized assault near Malaya Loknya. The area of combat extends from southeast Korenevo to south of Sudzha along the Leonidovo-Guyevo line, with Russian airborne and motorized rifle units operating in the region.
U.S. officials warn that Ukraine’s military presence in Russia’s Kursk Oblast may only last a few more months before forces must retreat to avoid encirclement. Ukraine, which launched a surprise incursion into Kursk in August, has already lost 40% of its gained territory to Russian counterattacks. The region is currently defended by 60,000 Russian troops and 12,000 North Korean soldiers. While Zelensky aims to hold the territory indefinitely as leverage for peace talks, U.S. officials suggest the incursion was primarily meant to demonstrate Ukraine’s offensive capabilities.
North Korean forces in Ukraine’s Kursk Oblast have suffered significant casualties, with White House advisor John Kirby reporting approximately 1,000 North Korean casualties in just one week (December 20-27, 2024), while Ukrainian President Zelensky stated that total North Korean casualties have reached 3,000 – about a quarter of their 12,000 troops in the region. The fighting, which stems from Ukraine’s August 6 incursion into Kursk Oblast where Ukrainian forces continue holding territory as potential leverage for future negotiations with Russia, has seen Ukrainian forces inflicting heavy losses on North Korean units near Novoivanovka, including destroying a mortar unit on December 20, with some North Korean soldiers taking their own lives rather than surrender.
South Korea’s National Intelligence Service confirmed that Ukrainian Special Operations Forces captured their first North Korean soldier in Kursk Oblast, who later died of his wounds, while Russian officers have ordered North Korean units to maintain their positions despite significant losses and logistical challenges, including lack of drinking water, with the North Korean deployment beginning with first confirmed battles on November 5.
Russian Governor Alexander Gusev reported that air defenses intercepted over 10 Ukrainian drones over Voronezh Oblast. Debris from one drone damaged a railway power line, causing train delays. While emergency services responded, no casualties were reported. Kyiv regularly conducts drone strikes on Russian military and industrial targets, including a reported October strike on two facilities in the same region.
Kharkiv Front – Initiative Russia
Russian forces continued ground attacks near Kharkiv without confirmed advances. While Russian sources claimed advances near Starytsya and across the Vovcha River in Vovchansk, these claims remain unverified. Russian operations focused on areas north of Kharkiv City near Lyptsi and northeast near Starytsya and Vovchansk, with reports of Ukrainian forces launching two platoon-sized counterattacks near Vovchansk.
Luhansk Front – Initiative Russia
Russian forces claimed advances southeast of Kupyansk and northwest of Kreminna. They reportedly captured Lozova, while battles continued for control of Zahryzove, where Ukrainian forces maintain presence in the southern part. Russian forces are attempting to reach Dvorichna and cross the Oskil River, though their bridgehead near Dvorichna hasn’t expanded significantly. Fighting continues across multiple settlements including Zapadne, Kruhlyakivka, Bohuslavka, Pishchane, Nova Kruhlyakivka, Pershotravneve, Kopanky, Makiivka, Terny, Torske, Zarichne, and the Serebryanske forest area.
Donetsk Front – Initiative Russia
Siversk
Ukrainian forces recaptured positions near a windbreak north of Verkhnokamyanske, east of Siversk. While Russian sources claimed advances of up to a kilometer toward Siversk and Vyimka, these claims remain unconfirmed. Russian forces continued attacks near Bilohorivka and toward Vyimka, with Russian drone operators reportedly active near Bilohorivka.
Chasiv Yar
Russian forces attacked multiple locations around Chasiv Yar but made no confirmed advances. The attacks targeted Chasiv Yar itself and nearby settlements including Hryhorivka, Ivanivske, Kurdyumivka, Klishchiivka, Stupochky, Oleksandro-Shultyne, and Bila Hora. Ukrainian forces successfully repelled Russian mechanized assaults near Kurdyumivka, Ivanivske, and Klishchiivka. Fighting continues at the Refractory Plant in central Chasiv Yar.
Toretsk
Russian forces made small advances in Toretsk pushing into the northern, central, and western parts of the city along Saratovska Street, near the central market, Hirnychoryatuvalna Street, and Khyzhnyaka Street. Russian forces also continued attacks on Toretsk itself and nearby settlements of Dyliivka and Shcherbynivka, though claims of larger advances in these areas remain unconfirmed.
Pokrovsk
Russian forces advanced south of Pokrovsk capturing Novoyeliyzavetivka, Ukrainka, and Novoolenivka. They continued offensive operations around Pokrovsk and nearby settlements including Vozdvyzhenka, Myrolyubivka, Promin, Lysivka, Zelene, Dachenske, Novyi Trud, Shevchenko, Pishchane, Vovkove, Novotroitske, and Novovasylivka. Ukrainian forces reportedly launched a counterattack near Shevchenko.
Kurakhove
Russian forces continued attacks around Kurakhove with marginal advances reported south of the city. Russian operations focused on Slovyanka, Petropavlivka, Andriivka, Dachne, and Dalne. Ukrainian forces reported that Russian units in this area are suffering significant losses and have changed tactics, now using armored vehicles mainly for transportation rather than direct assaults.
Andriivka
Russian forces made advances northwest of Vuhledar, specifically near Rozlyv. Multiple Russian units attempted unsuccessfully to cross the Sukhyi Yaly River. Russian forces continued attacks near several settlements including Kostiantynopolske, Uspenivka, Yantarne, Sukhyi Yaly, Zelenivka, Kostiantynopil, and Rozlyv.
Velyka Novosilka
Russian forces advanced southwest of Velyka Novosilka successfully cutting the O-0510 Velyka Novosilka-Hulyaipole road near Vremivka. Russian forces entered parts of Velyka Novosilka from the east and southeast, while attempting to cut off Ukrainian communication lines near Novyi Komar and Rozdolne. Fighting continued around Vremivka, Novodarivka, and other nearby settlements. Russian forces reportedly conducted glide bomb strikes against a bridge in Velyka Novosilka.
Zaporizhia Front – Initiative Russia
Russian forces attacked near Novoandriivka and Kamyanske in western Zaporizhia but failed to gain ground. The Russians are now using drones with fiber optic cables that can resist Ukrainian electronic interference, according to Ukrainian military spokesperson Colonel Vladyslav Voloshyn.
Kherson (Dnipro River) Front – Initiative Russia
Russian forces launched an unsuccessful offensive against two islands in the Dnipro River Delta near Kherson City – Kozatskyi Island to the north and Velykyi Potemkin Island to the south – with Ukraine’s Southern Command spokesperson Vladyslav Voloshyn reporting that Ukrainian forces successfully prevented Russian troops from establishing a position on Kozatsky Island, resulting in approximately 150 Russian casualties, the loss of two tanks and several boats in the failed landing attempt. The incident comes amid increased Russian military activity in Kherson Oblast, where Russian forces have been trying to gain control of several islands, including Velykyi Potemkin and Zabych, likely aiming to establish a bridgehead on the western bank of the Dnipro.
Ukraine News
Russian forces launched an overnight attack with two Iskander-M missiles and 24 drones targeting multiple Ukrainian regions. Ukrainian forces shot down 13 drones across seven oblasts (Poltava, Sumy, Kharkiv, Kyiv, Kirovohrad, Dnipropetrovsk, and Donetsk), while 11 other drones were neutralized by electronic warfare. A separate strike hit an industrial area in Zaporizhzhia City.
President Zelensky appealed to China to prevent North Korea from sending soldiers to fight in Ukraine. While China has maintained close ties with Russia since the war began and positioned itself as a mediator, Zelensky urged Beijing to use its influence over North Korea to stop the deployment of Korean troops to European battlefields.
A platoon commander from Ukraine’s 211th Pontoon Bridge Brigade faces criminal charges for allegedly abusing subordinates between February and May 2024. The accused, identified by Ukrainian media as Vladyslav Pastukh, reportedly beat multiple soldiers and, in one case, ordered a soldier to be tied to a wooden cross for four hours. Pastukh’s superior officer and godfather, Colonel Oleh Poberezhniuk, was also recently arrested on separate abuse charges. The brigade, formed in August 2023, focuses on engineering and defensive construction work away from direct combat. If convicted, Pastukh could face up to 12 years in prison.
Ukraine is sending 500 tons of wheat flour to Syria through its “Grain from Ukraine” humanitarian program, partnering with the World Food Programme. The aid, which will feed approximately 167,000 people, comes as Syria faces instability following the December 8 collapse of the Assad regime. Despite Russia’s ongoing invasion, Ukraine continues its role as a major global food supplier, with the “Grain from Ukraine” program reportedly helping 20 million people facing food insecurity. President Zelensky expressed solidarity with Syria’s people, acknowledging their shared understanding of the importance of safety and stability.
According to a recent poll by the Kyiv International Institute of Sociology conducted in December, 45% of Ukrainians believe Donald Trump’s election victory could help end the war, with 15% seeing peace as “much closer” and 30% viewing it as “slightly closer,” while Ukrainians are divided on potential peace terms, with 31% expecting unfair terms for Ukraine, 23% anticipating fair terms, and 29% predicting a mix of concessions for both sides. KIIS executive director Anton Hrushetskyi noted that while Ukrainians are grateful for Western aid under Biden, many feel the current administration could have done more, particularly regarding the timing and quantity of weapons deliveries, while Trump’s previous criticism of U.S. military aid and stated intention to end the war has raised concerns about potential pressure on Kyiv to make concessions.
Innocent Victims Of War
Ukraine’s Interior Ministry reports approximately 60,000 people remain missing due to Russia’s ongoing war, with cases including those affected by occupation and disasters. According to Department Head Dmytro Bohatyuk, while over 70,000 cases have been documented in total, some individuals have been found alive or identified as deceased. The count excludes more than 19,500 Ukrainian children who were forcibly taken to Russia, Belarus, or occupied territories.
The casualty count of civilians in the past 24 hours: (Russian War Crimes)
DEATHS: 6 INJURIES: 6
Russian forces attacked Donetsk Oblast, killing three civilians and wounding two others. Two deaths occurred when an FPV drone struck an apartment building in Chasiv Yar, with another death reported in Novoeconomichne near Pokrovsk. Two additional people were injured in the Chasiv Yar attack.
In Sumy Oblast, Russian forces launched 169 artillery attacks along border settlements, resulting in 311 explosions. The shelling killed one civilian and destroyed a private residence.
In Kharkiv Oblast, a Russian guided bomb (KAB) attack killed two people and wounded four others.
Ukraine Mobilization and Defense Industrial Base
Ukraine is extending its basic military training from one month to two months to better prepare soldiers for combat, Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi announced today. The change comes after high-level military consultations and follows a recent increase to 1.5 months of training. Ground Forces Commander Mykhailo Drapatyi will oversee this initiative as part of broader reforms to modernize Ukraine’s military training and technology integration. The extension addresses President Zelensky’s earlier concerns about insufficient training facilities and aims to improve soldier safety and combat effectiveness.
Ukraine’s military intelligence spokesperson Andrii Yusov announced today that Ukraine has drones capable of reaching targets up to 2,000 kilometers (1,243 miles) away. While Ukraine typically doesn’t comment on specific drone operations inside Russia, its drones have reportedly struck targets over 1,000 kilometers from the front line, including a naval base in Kaspiysk and a radar system in Orsk. Yusov emphasized that Ukrainian strikes target only military and industrial facilities in Russia. Ukraine has developed new “missile-drones” with turbojet engines as alternatives to cruise missiles, including the Palianytsia and Peklo models.
Ukraine’s Allies
The U.S. plans to provide Ukraine with a new $1.25 billion military aid package, expected to be announced December 30. This follows a $500 million aid package announced earlier this month. The new package will include crucial air defense munitions for NASAMS and Hawk systems, along with Stinger missiles and artillery rounds.
USAID and the World Bank have delivered $485 million in humanitarian aid to Ukraine through the PEACE program, with USAID contributing $465 million and the World Bank providing $20 million. These funds will support social and humanitarian needs in Ukraine’s state budget. Additionally, the World Bank recently approved $2.05 billion in development grants, partially funded by U.S. loans backed by frozen Russian assets. This aid comes as the U.S. accelerates support to Ukraine before January’s presidential transition, particularly following Russia’s Christmas Day attack, which prompted President Biden to order increased weapons deliveries.
A new report highlights challenges in enforcing sanctions against Russia, particularly in Poland, despite being one of Ukraine’s strongest allies. While Poland officially stopped importing Russian oil in 2022, some Polish companies continue to circumvent international sanctions. Notable concerns include a 1,900% increase in Polish exports to Kyrgyzstan (suspected of rerouting to Russia), continued large-scale imports of Russian LPG (€710 million in 2023), and the use of Polish ports to transit Russian steel products. A major challenge is the emergence of a “shadow fleet” of tankers that evade Western maritime regulations. The report suggests strengthening enforcement through stricter import controls, enhanced oversight of trade practices, and expedited transition periods for semi-finished products to close existing loopholes.
Russia News
Russian President Vladimir Putin has created a new Scientific Expert Council within the Russian Security Council, appointing current Security Council Secretary Sergei Shoigu as its head. The decree states that this new council will provide scientific and analytical support to the Security Council, replacing a previous Scientific Council. Shoigu is expected to maintain his current position as Security Council Secretary while taking on this additional role.
Russian War Losses (Today/Total)
Troops +1690
784200 |
Tanks +7
9651 |
Artillery +29
21408 |
Arm. Veh. +19
19970 |
Aircraft 
369 |
Heli
329 |
Ships
28 |
Russia Mobilization and Defense Industrial Base
Russian officials are struggling to attract military recruits despite offering higher financial incentives. The Samara region recently announced it will increase enlistment bonuses to 3.6 million rubles ($34,000) for new contracts signed in early 2025. This follows an earlier bonus increase from 1.2 to 2 million rubles in October 2024, suggesting ongoing recruitment challenges in the region.
Russian occupation authorities are expanding their territorial defense capabilities by forming new BARS (Russian Combat Army Reserve) units.
Russian courts have significantly increased prosecution of military service refusals, according to opposition outlet Mediazona. In 2024, authorities opened 10,308 criminal cases against those refusing to serve – nearly double the 5,517 cases in 2023. Moscow Oblast led with 1,041 cases, with July 2024 seeing the highest monthly total since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine began. In total, 16,120 criminal cases have been opened against service refusals since the start of the invasion.
Russia’s drone facility in the Alabuga Special Economic Zone in Tatarstan (also known as the Yelabuga factory) has significantly increased production, manufacturing 2,738 Shahed-136 (Geran) drones in 2023 and 5,760 in the first nine months of 2024, already meeting its goal of 6,000 drones for the Russian military well ahead of its September 2025 deadline. The expanded facility, which features new buildings, anti-drone protection, and a new train station providing direct rail access to China for component transfers, also began producing cheaper “Gerbera” decoy drones made from plywood and foam plastic in summer 2024, with plans to make 10,000 units by year’s end, while relying on Chinese components and workers from both local areas and Africa.
Despite increased production, Russia faces ongoing challenges with its Shahed drone program, including dependence on lower-quality Chinese motors and components due to Western sanctions, while Ukraine’s improved electronic warfare capabilities have become more effective at countering Shahed drone attacks, with recent Ukrainian attacks targeting the facility, including a December 23 fire that reportedly destroyed $16 million in drone parts. However, Russia is expected to continue targeting Ukraine’s infrastructure, particularly after the planned Russian-Iranian Strategic Partnership Agreement in January 2025.
Russia’s startup company Starolink announced on December 23 that it has begun prototype production of high-altitude pseudo-satellite drones. According to Director Nicholas Oksman, these drones will operate in the stratosphere at 18-25 kilometers, with a 40-meter wingspan, 120-140 km/h cruising speed, 315 kg weight, and capacity to carry 40 kg payloads.
The Russian Center for the Development and Implementation of Innovative Solutions (Tsentr RiVir) announced testing of its new Adeliks-10 drone. This compact 1.5 kg VTOL drone can deploy in under five minutes, with a 45-minute flight time, 40 km range, 65 km/h cruise speed, and maximum speed of 120 km/h.
Russia’s Allies
Russian forces have been using 122mm artillery ammunition since 2023 that closely resembles Chinese-made Type 96 howitzer ammunition in shape, color, and packaging. This report aligns with U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Kurt Campbell’s September statement that China is providing Russia with military components in exchange for advanced Russian military technology.
Chinese President Xi Jinping plans to visit Russia in 2024, signaling deepening ties between the two nations amid the ongoing Ukraine war. While China positions itself as a potential peace mediator and has proposed a six-point peace plan with Brazil, it has criticized Western military aid to Ukraine. The Chinese-Brazilian peace proposal notably omits requirements for Russian troop withdrawal or respect for Ukraine’s territorial integrity. This diplomatic alignment between China and Russia could significantly impact global peace efforts, as it represents a growing challenge to Western influence in resolving the Ukraine conflict. The strengthening China-Russia relationship, highlighted by Putin’s two visits to China since 2022 and Xi’s planned visit, suggests a shifting global power dynamic that could complicate international peace negotiations.
Source Material
Institute for the Study of War – understandingwar.org
The Kyiv Independent – kyivindependent.com
Kyiv Post – kyivpost.com