Russia expands the scope of control in Donetsk
The Russian Ministry of Defense said that in the past 24 hours, this country’s forces have controlled two more villages of Stari Terny and Trudove of Donetsk. Both villages are located near the industrial city of Kurakhove, a target Russia is moving closer to controlling in eastern Ukraine.
Kurakhove is a strategic city on the banks of a reservoir that the Moscow government army is trying to surround.
Conflict point: Ukraine arrests spies ‘hunting’ F-16; North Korean soldiers were killed in Kursk
The village of Stari Terny is located on the northwestern shore of the lake, while the village of Trudove is about 10 km south of Kurakhove.
General Oleksandr Syrskyi, Commander-in-Chief of Ukraine’s armed forces, earlier confirmed the “most dramatic situation” was taking place around Kurakhove and the Pokrovsk logistics supply center further north in Donetsk.
Russian artillery in the special operations zone
Photo: Russian Ministry of Defense
Donetsk Governor Vadym Filashkin announced on December 18 that Russian attacks had damaged countless high-rise buildings and residential areas in the surrounding area and in Kurakhove.
Russian troops also organized strong counterattacks in the Kursk region, where Ukrainian forces conducted raids across the border and expanded their control in August.
On the same day, Russia accused Ukraine of repeatedly using unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) to drop white phosphorus bullets, but Kyiv not only denied it but also accused Moscow’s military of using this chemical weapon. on the battlefield, according to TASS and AFP.
Ukrainian Defense Minister Rustem Umerov also said that up to now, front-line forces have received more than 200,000 domestically produced UAVs, according to an announcement on Facebook on December 18.
The German unit participated in NATO exercises in Lithuania in May
Germany could lead NATO in increasing troop numbers
At a press conference in Brussels (Belgium) on December 18, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte confirmed that the headquarters supporting Ukraine and providing training for the country’s military in the city of Wiesbaden (Germany) has been put into operation.
The above headquarters plays a role in coordinating military aid efforts for Ukraine after NATO took over the leading role from the US, preparing for the period when Donald Trump took office in the White House from early next year.
Russia must be ready to fight NATO for the next decade
On the same day, Germany is considering the possibility of increasing the number of its armed forces to 230,000 in the near future, according to Reuters citing German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius.
The German army currently has about 180,000 troops, 20,000 fewer than expected because of challenges in recruiting new recruits.
Meanwhile, NATO is expected to introduce new goals this year to increase the number of troops of the military alliance to respond to security concerns.
Reuters previously reported that NATO planners believe the bloc needs an additional 35 to 50 brigades if it wants to counter the risk of future attacks from Russia. A brigade consists of 3,000 to 7,000 troops, meaning members must recruit an additional 105,000 to 350,000 soldiers.
Based on this scenario, Germany (which usually contributes about 10% of NATO’s troops) will need 3-5 more brigades, equivalent to 20,000 to 30,000 soldiers.
In a related development, European countries are discussing the possibility of deploying peacekeeping forces in Ukraine when there is a ceasefire or Russia and Ukraine successfully negotiate peace talks. However, there is still no specific plan for that scenario despite receiving support from Ukraine.
Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov
Russia is ready to work with Donald Trump’s administration
On the same day, TASS quoted Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov as saying that the country is ready to consider any proposal from the US to bring bilateral relations back to “normal” levels.
However, Moscow has not yet received a response regarding asking Washington to agree to receive Russia’s new ambassador to the US.
Besides, the deputy minister affirmed that the Moscow government can completely work with the upcoming administration of President-elect Donald Trump.
Russia brought the assassination of a general right in the middle of Moscow to the Security Council meeting
Mr. Ryabkov once again warned that the West’s “irresponsible” actions have increased the risk of nuclear war and described global security as weakening.
According to the diplomat, Russia wants to reduce the risk of an outbreak of conflict.
“Is it possible to work with the Trump administration? Absolutely possible,” Reuters quoted Mr. Ryabkov as saying when asked about the potential for cooperation between Russia and the US in the future.
Reuters also quoted well-informed sources as saying that General Keith Kellogg, Mr. Trump’s upcoming nominee for Special Envoy to Russia and Ukraine, will go to Kyiv to meet with senior officials and in other European capitals to find a quick way to deal with the situation. Quickly end the war in Ukraine.
