by Ivan Koval (reporting from Ukraine)
Ukrainian flag in nature
December 1, 2024
Ukrainian Special Forces Operation: Ukrainian commandos conducted a successful ambush in the Kursk region, resulting in the elimination of 17 Russian soldiers and the capture of 12 others. This operation targeted Russia's 810th Marines Brigade and signifies Ukraine's ongoing offensive capabilities.
December 2, 2024
Introduction of 'Peklo' Drone-Missile: President Volodymyr Zelenskyy unveiled the "Peklo" (Hell) hybrid drone-missile to the Ukrainian Armed Forces. Developed domestically, this weapon has been tested in combat and aims to enhance Ukraine's long-range strike capabilities, reducing reliance on foreign-supplied armaments.
December 3, 2024
Russian Indication of Negotiation Terms: Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov expressed Russia's willingness to negotiate under specific conditions, including Ukraine's exclusion from NATO and recognition of Russian control over eastern territories. Lavrov emphasized Russia's readiness to use all means to defend its interests, highlighting the potential for escalation if demands are not met.
December 4, 2024
Ukrainian Sea Drone Attack: Ukrainian forces executed a night raid using sea drones against Russian gas rigs in the Black Sea, causing significant fires and explosions. These platforms were believed to house Russian surveillance equipment, and their destruction marks a strategic blow to Russian monitoring capabilities in the region.
December 5, 2024
Unveiling of Long-Range 'Peklo' Rocket-Drone: Ukraine showcased the "Peklo" rocket-drone, boasting a range of 700 km and speeds up to 700 kph. This development aims to bolster Ukraine's capacity for deep strikes into Russian territory, surpassing the range of Western-supplied missiles.
December 6, 2024
German Chancellor's Visit to Kyiv: Chancellor Olaf Scholz visited Kyiv, pledging continued support for Ukraine amid ongoing conflict. Despite criticism over his communication with President Putin, Scholz reaffirmed Germany's commitment to Ukraine's sovereignty, though he refrained from supplying long-range missiles or expediting NATO membership for Ukraine.
December 7, 2024
Escalation of Russian Military Actions: Russia intensified its military operations, launching a series of missile strikes targeting Ukrainian infrastructure. These attacks resulted in civilian casualties and significant damage to critical facilities, exacerbating the humanitarian crisis and prompting international condemnation.
To understand how a hypersonic ballistic missile works.
Ukraine Weekly Report: November 22 – November 30, 2024
November 22, 2024
Russian Missile Strike on Dnipro: President Vladimir Putin confirmed that Russia launched a hypersonic intermediate-range ballistic missile, identified as "Oreshnik," targeting the Ukrainian city of Dnipro. This action was described as a response to the U.S. and U.K. enabling Ukraine to strike Russian territory with advanced Western weapons. The missile reportedly bypassed modern air defenses, causing significant damage and casualties.
November 23, 2024
Ukrainian Resistance Activities: Partisans affiliated with the Atesh movement sabotaged a railway line near Novooleksiivka, a town on the administrative border between Kherson Oblast and Crimea. This act disrupted Russian military logistics in the occupied region.
November 24, 2024
International Volunteer Casualty: Ross McElvenny, a 25-year-old Scottish national, lost an eye while volunteering with Russian forces in Ukraine. Despite lacking military experience and not speaking Russian, McElvenny asserted that he was not manipulated by Kremlin propaganda. His involvement highlights the complex motivations of foreign fighters in the conflict.
November 25, 2024
Ukrainian Partisan Operations: The Atesh movement reported the destruction of a relay cabinet near Novooleksiivka, further disrupting Russian military transport routes in the occupied territories.
November 26, 2024
NATO Support Discussions: NATO members reaffirmed their support for Ukraine during talks with the country's officials, held in response to Russia's launch of the new ballistic missile. The discussions focused on enhancing Ukraine's defense capabilities and addressing security concerns.
November 27, 2024
Ukrainian Resistance in Crimea: Activists from the Yellow Ribbon movement hoisted a Ukrainian flag atop the Ilyas-Kaya massif near Foros in southern Crimea, symbolizing ongoing resistance against Russian occupation.
November 28, 2024
Ukrainian Partisan Intelligence Sharing: The Atesh movement called on the Ukrainian military to target a concentration of Russian S-400 air defense systems near Molochne in the Saky Raion of Crimea. This intelligence sharing underscores the collaboration between partisan groups and Ukrainian forces.
November 29, 2024
Ukrainian Missile Strike in Crimea: The Ukrainian Armed Forces conducted a successful missile strike near Molochne, reportedly targeting a Russian S-400 air defense system. This operation reflects Ukraine's ongoing efforts to degrade Russian military assets in occupied territories.
November 30, 2024
Ukrainian Military Challenges: Reports indicated that tens of thousands of Ukrainian soldiers have deserted their posts, exacerbating manpower shortages amid the prolonged conflict. Over 100,000 soldiers have been charged under desertion laws since the invasion began, with approximately 200,000 going absent without leave. U.S. officials are urging Ukraine to draft more troops, including younger citizens, to address the issue.
BREAKING NEWS: Russian President Vladimir Putin announced the successful test of a new intermediate-range ballistic missile called “Oreshnik,” which struck a military site in Dnipro, Ukraine. This missile, capable of flying at speeds of Mach 10, has the potential to evade current Western missile defense systems, according to his claims.
In his brief address, President Putin made minimal reference to Ukraine, instead directing his remarks toward the United States, issuing a stark warning of potential retaliatory actions.
The image below captures a frame from a video depicting the initial six strikes delivered by the first of six warheads from the 'Oreshnik' missile..
Ukraine Weekly Report: November 16 – November 22, 2024
November 16, 2024
• Russian Missile Strikes: Russia launched a series of missile attacks targeting Ukrainian cities, including Kyiv and Kharkiv, resulting in civilian casualties and significant infrastructure damage.
• Ukrainian Counteroffensives: Ukrainian forces intensified counteroffensive operations in the eastern regions, aiming to reclaim occupied territories and disrupt Russian supply lines.
November 17, 2024
• Energy Infrastructure Attacks: Russian forces targeted Ukraine’s energy infrastructure, causing widespread power outages and complicating efforts to restore essential services as winter approaches.
• International Diplomacy: U.S. President-elect Donald Trump held discussions with European leaders regarding the ongoing conflict, expressing intentions to facilitate peace negotiations upon taking office.
November 18, 2024
• North Korean Troop Deployment: Reports confirmed the deployment of North Korean troops to support Russian operations in Ukraine, raising international concerns about the conflict’s escalation.
• Humanitarian Crisis: The United Nations reported a worsening humanitarian situation in eastern Ukraine, with thousands displaced and in need of urgent assistance.
November 19, 2024
• Ukrainian Military Gains: Ukrainian forces reported the recapture of several villages in the Donetsk region, marking strategic advancements against Russian positions.
• Russian Gas Supply Cuts: Russia reduced gas supplies to Austria via Ukraine, citing technical issues, leading to energy shortages and prompting discussions on alternative energy sources.
November 20, 2024
• Diplomatic Efforts: Japanese Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwaya visited Kyiv to discuss mutual concerns over North Korean involvement in the conflict and to reaffirm support for Ukraine.
• Civilian Casualties: Continued shelling in residential areas resulted in increased civilian casualties, with local authorities urging residents to seek shelter and adhere to safety protocols.
November 21, 2024
• Ceasefire Negotiations: Backchannel negotiations between Ukrainian and Russian officials indicated potential progress toward establishing a temporary ceasefire to address the escalating humanitarian crisis.
• International Sanctions: The European Union announced additional sanctions targeting entities involved in supporting Russian military operations, aiming to pressure Moscow into de-escalating the conflict.
November 22, 2024
• Russian Missile Test: Russian President Vladimir Putin announced the successful test of a new intermediate-range ballistic missile called “Oreshnik,” which struck a military site in Dnipro, Ukraine. This missile, capable of flying at speeds of Mach 10, has the potential to evade current Western missile defense systems.
• International Reactions: The international community expressed concern over Russia’s recent missile test, with calls for de-escalation and the resumption of peace talks. The European Union emphasized the need for a two-state solution to ensure lasting peace in the region.
Ukraine Weekly Report: November 11 – November 16, 2024
November 11, 2024
Russian Missile Strikes: Russia launched a series of missile attacks targeting Ukrainian cities, including Kyiv and Kharkiv, resulting in civilian casualties and significant infrastructure damage.
Ukrainian Counteroffensives: Ukrainian forces intensified counteroffensive operations in the eastern regions, aiming to reclaim occupied territories and disrupt Russian supply lines.
November 12, 2024
Energy Infrastructure Attacks: Russian forces targeted Ukraine's energy infrastructure, causing widespread power outages and complicating efforts to restore essential services as winter approaches.
International Diplomacy: U.S. President-elect Donald Trump held discussions with European leaders regarding the ongoing conflict, expressing intentions to facilitate peace negotiations upon taking office.
November 13, 2024
North Korean Troop Deployment: Reports confirmed the deployment of North Korean troops to support Russian operations in Ukraine, raising international concerns about the conflict's escalation.
Humanitarian Crisis: The United Nations reported a worsening humanitarian situation in eastern Ukraine, with thousands displaced and in need of urgent assistance.
November 14, 2024
Ukrainian Military Gains: Ukrainian forces reported the recapture of several villages in the Donetsk region, marking strategic advancements against Russian positions.
Russian Gas Supply Cuts: Russia reduced gas supplies to Austria via Ukraine, citing technical issues, leading to energy shortages and prompting discussions on alternative energy sources.
November 15, 2024
Diplomatic Efforts: Japanese Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwaya visited Kyiv to discuss mutual concerns over North Korean involvement in the conflict and to reaffirm support for Ukraine.
Civilian Casualties: Continued shelling in residential areas resulted in increased civilian casualties, with local authorities urging residents to seek shelter and adhere to safety protocols.
November 16, 2024
Ceasefire Negotiations: Backchannel negotiations between Ukrainian and Russian officials indicated potential progress toward establishing a temporary ceasefire to address the escalating humanitarian crisis.
International Sanctions: The European Union announced additional sanctions targeting entities involved in supporting Russian military operations, aiming to pressure Moscow into de-escalating the conflict.
Ukraine Weekly Report: November 2 – November 10, 2024
November 2, 2024
Russian Missile Strikes: A Russian missile attack targeted a police facility in Kharkiv, resulting in at least one officer's death and injuries to 40 individuals, including civilians.
Drone Attacks on Kyiv: Overnight, Russian drones attacked Kyiv, causing injuries and damage to residential buildings.
November 3, 2024
North Korean Troop Deployment: Reports emerged of North Korea deploying approximately 10,000 troops to Russia's Kursk region, with some units engaging Ukrainian forces.
Ukrainian Counteroffensives: Ukrainian forces launched counterattacks in the Donetsk region, aiming to reclaim territories and disrupt Russian supply lines.
November 4, 2024
Chemical Weapon Allegations: Ukrainian officials accused Russian forces of deploying undetectable gas weapons on the frontline, causing respiratory issues among soldiers.
Drone Strikes on Russian Ports: Ukrainian kamikaze drones targeted the Russian port of Kaspiysk, damaging missile ships and causing Russian servicemen to flee.
November 5, 2024
Zaporizhzhia Missile Attack: A Russian missile strike on Zaporizhzhia killed six people and injured at least 20, destroying a critical infrastructure facility.
Belgorod Drone Incident: A Ukrainian drone attacked an apartment block in Belgorod, Russia, injuring one civilian and setting three apartments on fire.
November 6, 2024
G7 Condemnation: Foreign ministers from the G7 and allies condemned the deployment of North Korean troops to Russia, labeling it a "dangerous expansion of the conflict."
Russian Gas Transit Statement: Russia expressed willingness to continue supplying gas to Europe via Ukraine, contingent upon agreements between Kyiv and European countries, as the current transit deal nears expiration.
November 7, 2024
Ukrainian Advances in Donetsk: Ukrainian forces reported gains in the Donetsk region, reclaiming several villages and pushing back Russian troops.
International Sanctions: The European Union imposed sanctions on individuals and organizations linked to Iranian transfers of ballistic missiles to Russia.
November 8, 2024
Energy Infrastructure Attacks: Russia launched missile and drone attacks targeting Ukraine's energy infrastructure, causing widespread power outages as winter approaches.
Humanitarian Aid Efforts: International organizations intensified efforts to provide aid to affected Ukrainian regions, focusing on energy restoration and medical supplies.
November 9, 2024
Diplomatic Talks: Ukrainian and Russian officials engaged in backchannel negotiations, exploring potential ceasefire agreements and prisoner exchanges.
Military Reinforcements: Both Ukraine and Russia mobilized additional troops and resources to strategic frontlines, anticipating prolonged engagements.
November 10, 2024
Civilian Evacuations: Ukrainian authorities organized evacuations in frontline areas, relocating civilians to safer regions amid escalating hostilities.
International Support: The United States announced a new aid package for Ukraine, including advanced air defense systems and humanitarian assistance.
This week has been marked by intensified military actions, international diplomatic efforts, and significant developments involving third-party nations, notably North Korea's involvement in the conflict.
The United States has announced a new military aid package for Ukraine worth $425 million, aimed at bolstering Ukraine's defensive capabilities.
Ukraine Weekly Report: October 26 – November 1, 2024
October 26, 2024
• Intense Frontline Clashes: The eastern fronts saw heavy combat, particularly in Donetsk and Luhansk regions. Russian forces escalated attacks near Bakhmut and Avdiivka, but Ukrainian forces held their defensive positions. Ukrainian strikes targeted Russian supply points to hinder their advances.
• Critical Infrastructure Strikes: Russia continued to target Ukraine’s energy and water infrastructure with missile and drone strikes, causing blackouts and water shortages, adding to civilian distress as temperatures began to drop.
October 27, 2024
• Ukrainian Counterattacks: Ukraine launched counteroffensive actions around Vuhledar and Kreminna, aiming to destabilize Russian lines and cut off their supply routes. These maneuvers inflicted significant damage on Russian forces, complicating their operations.
• Humanitarian Warnings: Aid organizations emphasized the dire situation for civilians, with many areas facing critical shortages of power and water. Restoration efforts were ongoing but challenged by continuous attacks.
October 28, 2024
• Diplomatic Talks: NATO members met to discuss winter aid for Ukraine, with a focus on energy infrastructure support and additional military aid, such as more advanced air defense systems to counteract Russian aerial strikes.
• Increased Black Sea Naval Activity: Russia’s naval presence in the Black Sea intensified, prompting Ukraine to issue warnings for commercial shipping. Ukraine remained vigilant over its strategic maritime routes, crucial for both security and exports.
October 29, 2024
• Worsening Energy Crisis: Ukrainian cities faced another series of Russian missile and drone attacks targeting the power grid, resulting in widespread outages. Emergency crews worked tirelessly to restore services, but concerns grew over long-term energy stability.
• Sustained Combat: Intense fighting persisted along the frontlines. Ukrainian forces reported successfully pushing back Russian advances in certain contested areas, though heavy artillery shelling continued.
October 30, 2024
• Air Defense Successes: Ukrainian air defenses intercepted several Russian missiles over key cities, preventing large-scale damage. Nevertheless, some infrastructure suffered hits, exacerbating the strain on public utilities.
• Nuclear Facility Concerns: International observers raised alarms about the safety of nuclear power plants amid the nearby combat, though no immediate threats were reported.
October 31, 2024
• Russian Military Movements: Reports emerged of Russia fortifying positions and amassing troops, possibly in preparation for a winter offensive. Ukrainian intelligence monitored these developments closely, anticipating potential escalations.
• Civilian Displacement: Heavy shelling forced thousands of Ukrainians to flee their homes. Temporary shelters were set up, and aid organizations coordinated efforts to provide food, warmth, and medical assistance.
November 1, 2024
New US Military Aid for Ukraine: The United States has announced a new military aid package for Ukraine worth $425 million, aimed at bolstering Ukraine's defensive capabilities.
Ukrainian Drone Targets Oil Depot: A Ukrainian drone reportedly targeted an oil depot in Russia’s Stavropol Krai, according to claims made by the regional governor.
Russia's Territorial Gains: Bloomberg reports that Russia has seized more territory over the past week than at any other time in 2024, marking a significant escalation in the conflict.
Record Drone Strikes on Ukraine: Ukrainian military sources confirm that Russian drone strikes have reached record monthly levels in October, indicating an intensification of aerial assaults.
North Korean Troop Loss Predictions: Estonian intelligence predicts that North Korean troops could face even greater losses in Ukraine than those suffered by Russian forces, highlighting the potential human cost of North Korea's involvement.
The past week was marked by relentless fighting and a deepening humanitarian crisis, with Ukraine bracing for further challenges as winter sets in and Russia shows no signs of de-escalation.
North Korean army
The most recent news:
North Korean Troops Deployed Soon: President Zelensky announced that Russia plans to deploy North Korean troops to the combat zone between October 27-28, intensifying foreign involvement in the conflict.
High Russian Casualties in Kursk: General Syrskyi reported that Russia has suffered 17,800 casualties since the start of Ukraine’s incursion into Kursk Oblast.
Putin Rules Out Concessions: Russian President Putin stated that Russia is "not planning any concessions" regarding peace talks with Ukraine, signaling a continued stalemate.
Poland Rules Out Weapons Transfer: Poland confirmed that it will not transfer its newly-purchased South Korean weapons to Ukraine, focusing instead on its own defense needs.
Ukrainian Strike on Russian Air Defenses: Ukraine successfully struck Russian Buk air defense systems, destroying a radar guidance system and weakening Russia’s air defenses.
Please, pray for Ukraine, Ukrainian Christians and this aweful war to stop...