On December 26, the Ukrainian army announced that it had shot down 20 out of 31 unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) launched by Russia during the night. Reuters quoted the announcement as saying that the remaining 11 aircraft did not reach their target due to being blocked by Ukraine.
The US steps up weapons transfers
The above attack took place one day after Russia’s large-scale missile and UAV bombardment targeting Ukraine’s important energy infrastructure on Christmas Eve, December 24, and early morning of December 25. The Russian Ministry of Defense announced that it was successful in hitting all targeted targets. Meanwhile, the Ukrainian army announced the interception of 59 missiles and 54 UAVs out of a total of 184 targets. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky condemned Russia’s actions.
Point of conflict: Ukraine suffers because of the US-China trade war; “terrorism” sank the Russian ship?
This is the 13th large-scale attack this year targeting Ukraine’s energy sector, causing power outages in many regions amid cold weather. Moldova confirmed that a missile flew through its airspace and accused Russia of deliberately flying the missile low to avoid being detected by military radar. US President Joe Biden issued a strongly critical statement, accusing Russia of wanting to cut off electricity and heat to Ukrainians during the winter, affecting the safety of the power grid. Mr. Biden instructed the US Department of Defense to continue increasing arms transfers to Ukraine to help the country strengthen its defense.
Scene of the attack in Kharkiv City on December 25
According to Reuters, after nearly 3 years of war between Ukraine and Russia, the US has pledged $175 billion in aid to Kyiv. However, it is unclear whether the incoming administration at the White House will continue the above support, when President-elect Donald Trump vowed to try to end the conflict quickly. Mr. Keith Kellogg, Mr. Trump’s special envoy on the Ukraine conflict, wrote on social network X on December 25: “The world is closely watching the actions of the two sides. The US is more determined than ever to bring peace.” average for the region”.
Russian conditions
Ukrainian firefighters put out a fire after an attack in Dnipropetrovsk province on December 25
From the Russian side, Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov yesterday accused Ukraine of attacking targets in Russia with missiles, Western UAVs and Moscow would respond. On December 24, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov announced that Russia was ready to resolve the conflict through peaceful dialogue, but Ukraine refused to participate, so Moscow continued its military campaign.
What is Russia’s next target in eastern Ukraine?
Meanwhile, Chairman of the Federation Council (Russian Senate) Valentina Matviyenko affirmed that dialogue will definitely start in 2025 but will be very complicated. Ms. Matviyenko emphasized that Russia will not stray away from conditions such as Ukraine must permanently remain a neutral country, not join NATO, withdraw troops from Donbass and areas that Russia annexed in 2022, and lift the Western embargo against with Moscow. Foreign Minister Lavrov flatly rejected the ceasefire proposal and emphasized the need for legally binding agreements, which must ensure the security of Russia and its neighbors.
Russia accused Ukraine of plotting to assassinate high-ranking officials
Russia’s Federal Security Service (FSB) yesterday announced that it had foiled multiple plots by Ukrainian intelligence to assassinate senior officers of the Russian Ministry of Defense in Moscow and their families. Four Russians were arrested for participating in the above plans, according to Sputnik. Ukraine has not commented on the allegations.
