President Zelenskyy has laid down a marker in advance of the President-elect’s second term:
⚡️Zelensky suggests ending ‘hot phase’ of war in exchange for NATO membership without occupied territories.
— The Kyiv Independent (@kyivindependent.com) November 29, 2024 at 2:36 PM
“If we want to stop the hot stage of the war, we should quickly take under NATO umbrella the territory of Ukraine that we have under our control. That’s what we need to do first, and then Ukraine can get back the other parts of its territory in a diplomatic way,” President Volodymyr Zelensky said.
— The Kyiv Independent (@kyivindependent.com) November 29, 2024 at 2:36 PM
Here are the details from The Kyiv Independent:
To end the “hot phase of the war,” NATO would have to offer membership to Ukrainian territory under government control, with the invitation recognizing the country’s internationally recognized borders, President Volodymyr Zelensky said in an interview with Sky News
“If we want to stop the hot stage of the war, we should quickly take under NATO umbrella the territory of Ukraine that we have under our control. That’s what we need to do first, and then Ukraine can get back the other parts of its territory in a diplomatic way,” Zelensky said during the interview, which was published on Nov. 29.
According to the president, Kyiv has never considered such a proposal, since “no one has ever offered that to us officially.”
Donald Trump’s election has intensified uncertainty around Ukraine’s war effort. He criticized U.S. military support provided to Ukraine by Joe Biden’s administration. Some reports also indicate this would entail forcing Ukraine to cede territory and at least temporarily give up on its NATO accession plans.
Zelensky’s latest remarks are somewhat at odds with his previous statements. He said that the signals of Ukraine’s accession to NATO in parts is “nonsense,” and Ukraine “will never exchange any status for any of our territories.”
The president’s comments to Sky News imply that territories currently occupied by Russia would not fall under the “NATO umbrella” in this scenario.
Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson and Zaporizhzhia oblasts are partially controlled by Russian troops. Russia claims to have annexed the whole territory of those regions in 2022 despite not controlling two regional capitals — Kherson and Zaporizhzhia. Moscow also controls all of Ukraine’s Crimean peninsula.
Throughout 2024, Ukraine has faced a challenging situation in its defense of the front line, particularly in Donetsk Oblast, where Russia has consistently concentrated its offensive potential.
Ukraine applied for NATO membership in September 2022 but has yet to receive a formal invitation.
Despite high expectations in Kyiv, the last two allied summits brought only new steps toward deepening Ukraine-NATO cooperation and a declaration that the country’s membership path is “irreversible.”
This is very strategic communication. President Zelenskyy is trying to position himself and Ukraine as reasonable, open to negotiation and compromise knowing that Putin has made it clear that the only acceptable outcome to the war is a Ukraine completely subjugated to him and Moscow. President Zelenskyy knows that the President-elect has demanded an end to the war, declared he’ll end it in within 24 hours of being inaugurated, and has appointed a special envoy who is hostile to Ukraine’s ongoing defense against Russia’s genocidal re-invasion. Because he knows that Putin will never agree to any compromise that doesn’t keep Ukraine, even a rump Ukraine, out of the EU and NATO, Zelenskyy is able to make magnanimous statements like this that provide the President-elect with what he wants to hear. The trap has been baited and set. No we wait and see if it is taken and sprung.
President Zelenskyy has also shaken up his command structure.
We’ve got a new Land Force Component Commander:
Wow, finally a very good staffing decision by Zelensky – Major General Mykhailo Drapatyi, the hero of Ukraine’s famed 72nd Mechanized is the new Ground Forces commander.
Everybody knows Mykhailo as an extremely combat-hardened soldier having great respect in the milirary since the very 2014.
— Illia Ponomarenko (@ioponomarenko.bsky.social) November 29, 2024 at 10:13 AM
Zelenskyy appointed Maj.Gen Mykhailo Drapatyi as Commander of Ukraine’s Ground Forces – good news. Drapatyi is known for his organizational skills, shown most recently when he stopped a Russian offensive in the Kharkiv direction after being assigned there following a breakthrough
— Tatarigami (@tatarigami.bsky.social) November 29, 2024 at 2:25 PM
And a new Deputy Commander in Chief (CINC) of the Armed Forces of Ukraine:
Another awesome staff decision is the promotion of Colonel Oleg Apostol, the heroic leader of the elite 95th Airborne, to the deputy commander-in-chief of the Armed Forces.
The key to our future is in the hands of the new generation of post-2014 battle-hardened military leaders.
— Illia Ponomarenko (@ioponomarenko.bsky.social) November 29, 2024 at 4:24 PM
These moves are the focus of his address from earlier today. Video below, English transcript after the jump.
Changes Are Needed in Personnel Management That Will Ensure Better Results on The Battlefield – Address by the President
29 November 2024 – 20:51
I wish you health, fellow Ukrainians!
Today, some important decisions were made.
Together with Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi, we decided that it was time to replace the Commander of the Land Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. Major General Mykhailo Drapatyi has been appointed as the new Commander. Colonel Oleh Apostol – who previously commanded the 95th Air Assault Brigade – has been appointed as the new Deputy Commander-in-Chief. Both are highly experienced warriors. This year, Mykhailo Drapatyi organized the defense in the Kharkiv direction, practically thwarting a Russian offensive. Overall, since 2014, he has been involved in the war on the most intense and critical fronts. Oleh Apostol – a Hero of Ukraine – has held every command position within the Airborne Assault Forces; he has also been defending our state since 2014, and he knows exactly what is needed to enhance our army’s combat capabilities. Now, Oleh Apostol will be responsible for the new quality of training for our warriors, and he will receive full support at all levels to ensure exactly that. The Land Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine are the backbone of our army. And much depends on how effectively the structure of the Land Forces, as well as the entire Defense and Security Forces of Ukraine, functions. Changes are needed – changes in personnel management that will ensure better results on the battlefield. Colonel Pavlo Palisa, a combat commander and Commander of the 93rd Kholodnyi Yar Brigade, has been appointed Deputy Head of the Office. He clearly understands what is happening in the brigades, at the front, and I need just such a person to know exactly what is happening on a daily basis directly from the front.
And one more thing. The Ministry of Defense of Ukraine continues to develop our Army+ application, and in December, the National Guard of Ukraine is expected to join all Army+ services. In particular, this concerns transfers.
I held a meeting of the Staff today. The primary focus was on the energy sector: protection of facilities and restoration efforts. Relevant reports were made. There are tasks of protecting facilities and engaging with partners regarding the supply of air defense systems. Today, I spoke with German Chancellor Scholz. I thanked Olaf for Germany’s leadership in providing air defense systems, including Patriots and IRIS-Ts. We discussed our next steps in defense cooperation. Today I also spoke with French President Emmanuel Macron. I am grateful to Emmanuel for responding to our request for additional supplies. Both France and Germany can now help us even more significantly in our defense against Russian terrorist strikes. Of course, we are coordinating our communications with other partners as well. I also spoke with Norwegian Prime Minister Støre. I thanked the Prime Minister personally and his government team, the Norwegian team, for their increased support for Ukraine in the coming year, which we deeply appreciate. I am grateful to the Norwegian Parliament for its consolidated support to Ukraine. We discussed joint actions for the near future. We will expand our cooperation in arms production in Ukraine and in efforts to protect our energy sector. Additionally, we discussed cooperation with Norway in the field of air defense. I thank them for their willingness to help.
Today I also met with a very representative delegation from Latin America: members of parliaments and senators. Nearly the entire region was represented. We had a detailed discussion of the situation and prospects – both here, for our defense, and for our relations with Latin America and other partners. I outlined what we can do, how we can deepen our cooperation with Latin America. And I am grateful for all the words of support, for all the emotions and for the fact that Ukraine is being heard. We must work together to bring a just peace closer and put pressure on Russia. We are doing all we can. I thank everyone who is helping!
Glory to Ukraine!
The cost:
Bodies of 502 Ukrainian defenders killed in action have been returned to Ukraine today…. unspeakable horror.
— Illia Ponomarenko (@ioponomarenko.bsky.social) November 29, 2024 at 6:48 AM
From The Kyiv Independent:
Ukraine has repatriated the bodies of 502 soldiers who died fighting against Russia, the Coordination Headquarters for the Treatment of the Prisoners of War reported on Nov. 29.
The Geneva Conventions stipulate that those who lose their lives during war are entitled to a dignified burial. As of early March, Ukraine has identified more than 2,800 bodies and body fragments of fallen soldiers, according to Ombudsman Dmytro Lubinets.
The bodies of 397 soldiers were recovered from Donetsk Oblast, while 64 were brought back from Zaporizhzhia Oblast, and 24 from Luhansk Oblast. Another 17 bodies were repatriated from morgues in Russia.
“Law enforcement officials and forensic experts will identify those killed,” the headquarters wrote in a post on Telegram.
The operation to recover the fallen soldiers involved several government and military agencies, including the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU), the Interior Ministry, the State Emergency Service, and the Armed Forces.
The headquarters also thanked the International Committee of the Red Cross for its assistance.
On Nov. 8, the bodies of 563 fallen Ukrainian soldiers were returned to Ukraine. Meanwhile, on Oct. 18, the bodies of 501 Ukrainian troops were also retrieved.
In late February, President Volodymyr Zelensky said that about 31,000 Ukrainian soldiers had been killed during the full-scale invasion.
⚡️Ukraine urges NATO to issue membership invitation next week, Reuters reports.
Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha asked his NATO counterparts to invite Ukraine to join the alliance during a meeting in Brussels next week, Reuters reported on Nov. 29, citing a letter received.
— The Kyiv Independent (@kyivindependent.com) November 29, 2024 at 12:52 PM
🕯 Ukrainian poet and prose writer Myroslav Herasymovych killed in action
— Ukrainska Pravda 🇺🇦 (@pravda.ua) November 29, 2024 at 7:51 PM
From Ukrainska Pravda:
Myroslav Herasymovych (real name Myroslav Kulyk), a Ukrainian poet, prose writer and screenwriter, was killed in action in Avdiivka, Donetsk Oblast.
Source: Herasymovych’s brother Taras Kulyk on Facebook
Quote: “In the battle with Russia, my brother, Myroslav Kulyk, gave away his life in the city of Avdiivka, Donetsk Oblast,” Kulyk wrote.
His brother specified that Myroslav Herasymovych was killed on 25 November, four days before his birthday. On 29 November, the poet was supposed to have turned 57. Journalist Myroslava Barchuk reacted to the news of Herasymovych’s death. “Mik, fly high and lightly, ‘higher and higher’, as granny Helia used to say, up to your heavenly School of Liberal Arts. And to your mother Myroslava. Today is your birthday. So, I wish you this. May your sacrifice not be in vain,” she wrote.
Myroslav Herasymovych (Kulyk) was born in Lutsk on 29 November 1967. He was a poet, prose writer, screenwriter and musician who founded the School of Liberal Arts named after Evening Space. He graduated from Taras Shevchenko National University’s Faculty of Journalism in Kyiv.
From The Kyiv Independent:
Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha asked his NATO counterparts to invite Ukraine to join the alliance during a meeting in Brussels next week, Reuters reported on Nov. 29, citing a letter received.
“I urge you to endorse the decision to invite Ukraine to join the Alliance as one of the outcomes of the NATO Foreign Ministerial Meeting on Dec. 3-4,” Sybiha wrote.
Kyiv submitted its application to join NATO in September 2022, and in July 2024, the alliance affirmed Ukraine’s “irreversible path to full Euro-Atlantic integration, including NATO membership” — although Ukraine has not received any definitive news about its future accession.
According to Sybiha, a NATO invitation will become “the Allies’ adequate response to Russia’s constant escalation of the war it has unleashed.”
He mentioned “tens of thousands” of North Korean soldiers involved in the full-scale war and a recent attack against Ukraine with Oreshnik, Russia’s new intermediate-range ballistic missile (IRBM).
“We believe that the invitation should be extended at this stage,” the minister wrote.
President Volodymyr Zelensky, who has repeatedly called on partners to issue a membership invitation to Kyiv, said that Ukraine will join NATO only after Russia’s full-scale war ends.
However, inviting Kyiv to the alliance now would demonstrate to Russian President Vladimir Putin that he failed to achieve one of his main goals — to prevent Kyiv from joining NATO, Reuters reported, citing the letter.
In mid-October, Zelensky unveiled his five-point victory plan, which includes Kyiv’s invitation to join NATO placed at the top of the list. U.S. Ambassador to NATO Julianne Smithsaid in October that the alliance does not currently have such plans.
Georgia:
All eyes on Georgia now. The West needs to help these brave people in defending their freedom and their European choice. Their battle is also a part of the defense in the global conquest of tyrannies against democracies.
Photo: @Publika_ge.— Olena Halushka (@halushka.bsky.social) November 29, 2024 at 1:29 PM
My people sing the National Anthem of Georgia while the robocops are dispersing them with water cannons.
This is my homeland.❤️
— Tatia Tsuladze (@tsuladze.bsky.social) November 28, 2024 at 5:33 PM
Anti-Russian protests in Tbilisi this hour taking a violent turn as riot police attack demonstrators.
Earlier today, the Russian-backed government officially canceled EU ascension plans in favor of Moscow.
— SPRAVDI – Stratcom Centre (@stratcomcentre.bsky.social) November 28, 2024 at 5:13 PM
By the way, the UK Visa & Immigration Office is like 10 meters away from this police assault against politician Vano Tsereteli, in the same lobby, and NDI Georgia is in the same building too!
— Marika Mikiashvili 🇬🇪🇺🇦🇪🇺 (@marikamikiashvili.bsky.social) November 29, 2024 at 11:20 AM
Just in: Batumi is roaring. EU and Georgian flags have been unfurled from the Batumi City Council/Mayor’s Office building. #GeorgiaProtests
📸Mate Tsenteradze
— Tatia Tsuladze (@tsuladze.bsky.social) November 29, 2024 at 12:07 PM
Apparently, this is the second day of protests at the small Samegrelo town of Chkhorotsku too. As of now I am aware of 7 cities/towns protesting, all simultaneously and spontaneously. #GeorgiaProtests
📷 Oto Shengelia— Marika Mikiashvili 🇬🇪🇺🇦🇪🇺 (@marikamikiashvili.bsky.social) November 29, 2024 at 12:34 PM
I never remember Akhmeta protesting anything?? Way to go!! 🇬🇪🇪🇺 #GeorgiaProtests
— Marika Mikiashvili 🇬🇪🇺🇦🇪🇺 (@marikamikiashvili.bsky.social) November 29, 2024 at 1:06 PM
Protesters are using fireworks, among others, against the police. #GeorgiaProtests
— Marika Mikiashvili 🇬🇪🇺🇦🇪🇺 (@marikamikiashvili.bsky.social) November 29, 2024 at 3:32 PM
More footages of tens of policeman beating one fallen man. #GeorgiaProtests
📷 Ba Cho— Marika Mikiashvili 🇬🇪🇺🇦🇪🇺 (@marikamikiashvili.bsky.social) November 29, 2024 at 5:33 PM
US/UK Desk Officer of the Georgian Defense Forces Rati Tvalavadze resigns in protest, stating all limits have been crossed and the decisive moment has come.
— Marika Mikiashvili 🇬🇪🇺🇦🇪🇺 (@marikamikiashvili.bsky.social) November 29, 2024 at 6:16 PM
Here is Marika Mikiashvili’s assessment of where things stand:
I don’t remember Georgians so confident to engage with the police, and even asking for it, as everyone realizes this is the decisive moment and these clashes cannot be avoided. 1/ 🇬🇪🇪🇺The Georgian Dream sowed national disengagement and embarrassment for more than a decade. A month ago when the Georgian Dream stole elections after our national awakening in April-May, they succeeded in disorientating and depressing many Georgians. 2/But nevertheless some opposition-led protests persisted, albeit modest, and maintained some process of brewing resistance. It was a long journey to trigger the masses, and the solutions seemed very unclear, but what was clear was that 3/the anger, humiliation, and disgust had not gone anywhere, and it was laying there as a land mine for the illegitimate Russian regime that is the Georgian Dream. Many people were prepared to work painstakingly on tactics, discipline, and so on, 4/but what happened instead is that the regime triggered a cherry on top by halting Georgia’s EU path, and just in time that people had sufficiently digested the initial shock of the stolen elections too.
And boom!
5/I don’t know what they were thinking, and I’ll discuss versions elsewhere, but this is the endgame; there is no concession they could trick us into, or any illusions such as the change of power through elections to cling to. 6/It’s only forward from here – and that is our victory, our freedom from the last ever Russian rule in Georgia! 🇬🇪🇪🇺 7/7.
Sweden:
Russias embassy in Stockholm was ‘attacked’ with paint, dropped from a drone last night. Russia itself is suspected to be behind it.
Both this incident and the cable sabotages are now ran within SE police special operation Gunder, concerning incidents that aims to destabilize Sweden.
— auonsson (@auonsson.bsky.social) November 29, 2024 at 1:31 PM
NATO and the EU:
If Putin manipulates Western leaders & persuades them to push Ukraine into a bad deal with Russia, it’s highly likely that his next step will be to test Article 5. Would Trump (& some others) would go to war if ‘little green men’ took over (for example) part of one of the Baltic states?
— Ian Bond (@cerianbond.bsky.social) November 29, 2024 at 2:03 AM
The EU:
Interesting detail re: close-access cyber operations:
“Surveillance was also carried out at Patch Barracks, a US military base in Stuttgart, in late 2022. Morgan said the spies had had equipment that could “compromise” the mobile telephones of Ukrainian soldiers preparing to fight the Russians.”
— Dan Black (@danwblack.bsky.social) November 29, 2024 at 7:31 AM
From The Times of London:
Two female spies embroiled in a love triangle within a Russian espionage ring were intended as “honeytraps” to target journalists and dissidents, the Old Bailey has been told.
The UK-based operation was led by Orlin Roussev, who, along with Biser Dzhambazov, has pleaded guilty to conspiracy to spy.
Dzhambazov, 34, was in a relationship with both Vanya Gaberova, 30, and Katrin Ivanova, 32, who both deny a charge of spying along with Tihomir Ivanchev, 39.
The ring was involved in operations in London, Vienna, Valencia, Montenegro and Stuttgart. They “put many lives at risk” including bytargeting a military base used to train Ukrainian forces, the court was told.
They allegedly planned to use the two women as “a honey trap, as sexual bait to capture more information from the targets”.
Dzhambazov lived with Ivanova but was also in a relationship with Gaberova, the court was told. Gaberova, a beautician, had previously been in a relationship with Ivanchev.
The masterminds discussed killing the investigative journalist who exposed the Russian links to a poisoning in Salisbury, or kidnapping him and taking him to Moscow.
Alison Morgan KC, for the prosecution, said the defendants may suggest they were “misled” and were “blindly following others around Europe, simply out of love”. She said: “By gathering the information and passing it on to the Russian state, the defendants were putting many lives at risk.”
Jan Marsalek, a Russian agent who used the alias Rupert Ticz, paid Roussev for the espionage operations. Roussev passed £204,000 to Dzhambazov, who distributed some of the money to other members of the ring. All five people involved in the British operation are Bulgarians with EU settlement status, allowing them to live in the UK.
Marsalek and Roussev exchanged 78,747 messages over Telegram during the co-operation of the spy ring between August 2020 and February last year. The spies carried out surveillance of people and locations, using false identities and advanced technology to acquire information, the court was told.
Police found technical equipment including 221 mobile telephones and 495 telephone SIM cards, along with audio and video recording devices, drones, eavesdropping devices, jammers and hacking software. Much of the equipment was found at the guest house where Roussev lived with his wife and stepson in Great Yarmouth, Norfolk.
Gaberova ran a beauty salon called Pretty Woman in Acton, west London. Ivanova, a laboratory assistant, lived with Dzhambazov in Harrow, northwest London. Ivanchev, 39, was a painter and decorator from Enfield, north London. Members of the ring were involved in six operations, the court was told.
Morgan said: “It is not in dispute that the defendants were conducting surveillance operations in relation to the targets. The sole question that you will have to determine in relation to each of these defendants is why they were carrying out that surveillance of the targets.”
The first target was Christo Grozev, 54, an investigative journalist with the Bellingcat website, who was put under surveillance by all members of the ring between September and November 2021, the court was told.
Grozev exposed the Russian links to the poisoning of Sergei Skripal, a Russian military intelligence officer who acted as a double agent for the UK, and his daughter Yulia at their home in Salisbury in 2018. He also investigated the poisoning of Alexei Navalny, a Russian opposition leader.
The spies followed Grozev to Vienna in Austria, Montenegro and Valencia in Spain. They discussed killing him, kidnapping him and taking him to Moscow, and infiltrating Bellingcat, the court was told.
Roussev boasted of having four 12-strong teams of agents in Bulgaria, likening them to the car thieves in the Hollywood film Gone in 60 Seconds.
The second target was Roman Dobrokhotov, 41, a Russian investigative journalist based in the UK who edits The Insider, which focused on Russian affairs. Ivanova was allegedly involved in that operation, in November 2022.
Bergey Ryskaliyev, 57, a Kakazh former politician granted asylum in the UK, was targeted in November 2021 to help Russia cultivate relations with Kazakhstan. Gaberova was allegedly involved.
Plans were developed to stage a demonstration at the Kazakh embassy close to Trafalgar Square in central London in September 2022 and to create intelligence that they could pass on to the country’s intelligence services to gain favour for Russia. Ivanova was allegedly involved.
Surveillance was also carried out at Patch Barracks, a US military base in Stuttgart, southwest Germany, in late 2022. The ring believed that the base was being used to train Ukrainian forces during the Russian invasion. Ivanchev was allegedly involved. Morgan said the spies had had equipment that could “compromise” the mobile telephones of Ukrainian soldiers preparing to fight the Russians.
The sixth target, Kirill Kachur, had been a member of the Investigate Committee of Russia, but left the country in 2021 and was designated a “foreign agent”. He was targeted in Montenegro by all the members of the spy ring, the court was told.
There’s been some discussion in the comments regarding the reporting that the Biden administration keeps telling the Ukraine they have to both lower the conscription age and conscript more people into the Ukrainian military. This would be good advice if the US was actually providing the equipment, material, weapons systems, weapons, and ammunition that would allow the Ukrainians to field more military personnel.
“We are now in the situation when we need more equipment to arm all the people that have already been mobilized, and we think the first priority is to send quicker, faster military aid,” Foreign Ministry spokesperson Heorhii Tykhyi said on Nov. 28.
— The Kyiv Independent (@kyivindependent.com) November 28, 2024 at 5:18 PM
The Kyiv Independent has the details:
Ukraine has urged its international partners to expedite the delivery of critical military equipment, emphasizing that quicker aid is more crucial than drafting additional personnel.
With manpower shortages posing a challenge, Ukraine continues to balance domestic and international expectations while focusing on strengthening its forces on the battlefield.
“We are now in the situation when we need more equipment to arm all the people that have already been mobilized, and we think the first priority is to send quicker, faster military aid,” Heorhii Tykhyi, a spokesperson for Ukraine’s foreign ministry, said on Nov. 28 during a press briefing in Kyiv.
Tykhyi noted that Ukraine’s mobilization strategy is regularly discussed with international allies alongside other key topics, including defense strategy and sanctions on Russia. He dismissed suggestions of tension over the issue.
“I can confirm that this topic is being discussed at negotiations. I can refute that this is a point of tension or that it’s being discussed in a critical or negative manner,” he said.
President Volodymyr Zelensky addressed the issue during a Nov. 19 parliamentary session, presenting a 10-point plan to bolster internal resilience.
Zelensky ruled out lowering the mobilization age despite facing pressure from citizens and Western partners to do so. Instead, he proposed reforms, including new management strategies, the creation of a military ombudsman, and a contract system for citizens below the mobilization age.
Donetsk Oblast:
⚡️Syrskyi orders deployment of more reserves to Pokrovsk, Kurakhove directions in Donetsk Oblast.
Prior to the statement, Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi visited Ukrainian units in the Pokrovsk and Kurakhove directions of the front line.
— The Kyiv Independent (@kyivindependent.com) November 29, 2024 at 9:03 AM
The Kyiv Independent has the details:
Ukrainian forces stationed near the towns of Pokrovsk and Kurakhove in Donetsk Oblast will be additionally supplied with reserves, ammunition, weapons, and military equipment, Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi said on Nov. 29.
Prior to the statement, Syrskyi visited Ukrainian units in the Pokrovsk and Kurakhove directions of the front line.
“The main goal is to personally talk to the commanders who are directly engaged in combat, to solve problematic issues, and provide comprehensive assistance,” Syrskyi wrote on his Telegram channel.
“We continue to deter the enemy and inflict heavy losses in manpower and equipment. I am grateful to our soldiers for their resilience and bravery in the fight against the Russian aggressor.”
Ukrainian officials have increasingly raised concerns about a possible new Russian push in Zaporizhzhia Oblast in the south, just as Russian forces continue to advance in the east, focusing their efforts near Pokrovsk and Kurakhove.
Russia has captured 234.79 square kilometers (90 square miles) in the past week, which is the highest number in 2024, according to the independent Russian outlet Agentstvo.
Russia’s advance has picked up pace over the past months as Ukraine’s military struggles to replenish its ranks, and Western arms are not flowing in as fast as Kyiv has hoped.
The outgoing Biden administration seeks to speed up materiel deliveries before Trump takes office.
Washington has provided Ukraine’s forces with new capabilities to stall the Russian advance, such as long-range strikes on Russian territory or anti-personnel mines.
Kyiv:
⚡️Russia’s drone attack damages children’s medical center in Kyiv, injuries reported.
In one district of the capital, debris from a drone caused a fire on the facade of a children’s medical center. A security guard was injured in the attack.
— The Kyiv Independent (@kyivindependent.com) November 28, 2024 at 6:39 PM
Simferopol’s’kyi Raion, Russian occupied Crimea:
It looks like some Russian air defense system just exploded in Crimea, Simferopol’s’kyi district.
Rocket fuel detonation.
Typical pattern observed after air defense systems are destroyed.— 🦋Special Kherson Cat🐈🇺🇦 (@specialkhersoncat.bsky.social) November 29, 2024 at 5:13 AM
/2. Presumably Russian S-400 air defence system positions were targeted
45.0758911, 33.9235118
t.me/kiber_borosh…— 🦋Special Kherson Cat🐈🇺🇦 (@specialkhersoncat.bsky.social) November 29, 2024 at 7:14 AM
Not sure where in Ukraine this is, but’s its cool to watch:
NEMESIS unit chases and destroys Russian BUK-M3 radar station with the help of a heavy night bomber drone. t.me/usf_army/279
— 🦋Special Kherson Cat🐈🇺🇦 (@specialkhersoncat.bsky.social) November 29, 2024 at 6:53 AM
Rostov Oblast, Russia:
Oil depot in Rostov region of Russia was targeted by drones tonight.
— 🦋Special Kherson Cat🐈🇺🇦 (@specialkhersoncat.bsky.social) November 29, 2024 at 3:20 AM
Official statements have now arrived. They report that “Ukrainian forces are carrying out widespread attacks on the Rostov region. So far, 30 UAVs have been destroyed and disrupted by electronic warfare systems.”
It appears the oil refinery effectively fulfilled its role as air defense.
— WarTranslated (Dmitri) (@wartranslated.bsky.social) November 28, 2024 at 6:35 PM
The oil depot in russia’s Rostov region is blazing hot—probably burning with embarrassment over the ruble’s plummeting value.
— Kate from Kharkiv (@kateinkharkiv.bsky.social) November 28, 2024 at 7:16 PM
That’s enough for tonight.
Your daily Patron!
I think this photo deserves to be the first one posted here 🫠
— Patron (@patronthedog.bsky.social) November 28, 2024 at 5:53 AM
Open thread!
Gin & Tonic
In November of 2013, Ukraine’s President Viktor Yanukovych cancelled Ukraine’s previously-agreed-upon EU accession plans. This set in motion a course of events that led to the collapse of his government three months later. Here’s hoping that events in Georgia in November of 2024 lead inexorably to a similar outcome.
J. Arthur Crank
I expect a lot of this (telling Trump what he wants to hear) from other heads of state. Also too more glowing orbs.
Jay
Thank you, Adam.
Adam L Silverman
@J. Arthur Crank: That place is now a restaurant.
It was supposed to be the Joint Operations Center (JOC) for the Islamic Consortium for Countering Terrorism (or some such name). The orb was supposed to light up with all the terrorist incidents being tracked.
Adam L Silverman
@Jay: You’re welcome.
Martin
Appreciate all the work people did to replace Twitter links and embeds with Bluesky ones.
Gloria DryGarden
@Gin & Tonic: i didn’t follow when that happened, nor do I understand how Georgia s protests might lead to similar results, but on your word,
I shall dare to hope.
Besides, a car and a dog lying down together, it’s kind of an omen of unexpected good things, isn’t it?
Adam L Silverman
@Martin: Not sure who people are. I’m the only one who writes these posts. So I’m the only one who replaced the twitter/x links with BlueSky ones.
Jay
https://www.yahoo.com/news/ukrainian-men-aged-18-25-160404388.html
Jay
Double post
Jay
@Adam L Silverman:
I think that Martin was referring to all the Front Pagers trying to use BlueSky instead of the Dead Bird Site posts and links when they can.
Adam L Silverman
@Jay: I do not read any other posts at this site. I do not look at what is on the front page. I have no idea who is posting or what is being posted. It has been made very clear to me I am not welcome and that these war updates are tolerated.
Gin & Tonic
@Gloria DryGarden: Yanukovych’s decision in 2013 led to spontaneous street protests in Maidan Square in Kyiv, Ukraine’s capital – kind of the center of the city. Over the next couple of months, those protests grew (despite the cold) to the point where there were hundreds of thousands of people taking to the streets every weekend. By February things were getting really heated, with Yanukovych’s storm-trooper-style police beating and then firing on the protesters. The night of 18 February many protesters were killed by the “Berkut” police; things went south quickly, and on 21 February Yanukovych signed an agreement for an interim unity government. But in the wee dark hours overnight he, his family and many of his cronies fled to russia. The parliament removed him the next day and a new government was formed.
There’s a good Netflix documentary on those events called Winter on Fire. Well worth watching. The scale and internal organization of the protests were awe-inspiring.
The protests in Georgia are a strong echo of the Ukraine protests of 11 years ago.
J. Arthur Crank
@Adam L Silverman:
Just when I thought this timeline could not get any dumber…
Gin & Tonic
@Adam L Silverman: Well, you’re welcomed here.
dc
Deleted to avoid repetition.
Sally
@Gin & Tonic: My hopes are with the Georgian people. I listened to a Georgian journalist being interviewed on the podcast Ukraine: The Latest, who said there is a huge difference between UA 2013 and Georgia 2024. Georgia Dream control/bought almost everything: resources, local government, oligarchs. Whereas Yanukovych was much more limited in his reach in UA in 2013. Georgia is also about a tenth the population and land size as UA. I would imagine that makes it easier for a dictator to dominate. Both Putin and Ivanishvili have the Maidan precedent and know that protesters must be crushed hard and fast, and preferably out of sight. Which is what they appear to be doing. Sadly. We shall see
As Putin himself says – anything is possible!
Gin & Tonic
I am convinced the answer to that question is “no.” I have believed that since the little green men appeared in Crimea, and have probably said so in this space more than once.
Quinerly
@Gin & Tonic:
Seconded.
Jay
@Adam L Silverman:
IMHO, these War Updates are one of the best things about this site, and I have always appreciated every comment you have made the rare times you do on other threads.
Gin & Tonic
@Sally: I know the situations are not directly comparable, but Yanuk and his Party of Regions were, in fact, in quite a strong position in 2013 Ukraine. You’re strong until you’re not; things change rapidly.
hrprogressive
@Gin & Tonic:
The way “the west” had failed to properly assure Ukraine actually wins the war of genocidal aggression being waged against them, I have to concur.
Doesn’t bode well for the future.
Jay
@Gin & Tonic:
and in the aftermath, many of the the “Berkut” police fled to the Donbass, pretended to be simple coal miners and started anti-Government protests and riots, occupying Government offices, while stealing weapons from police stations and armouries.
hrprogressive
@Jay:
Seconded.
Wish he posted more, but it is what it is.
Starting to feel like I don’t really have a place here either to be quite honest.
Oh well.
Sally
@Gin & Tonic: This is my view too. Each “push”, each “exercise”, each “incursion” is not enough in and of itself to provoke War. But taken all together, plus intent, is a different calculus. Cables cut, buoys removed, assassinations, incendiary devices on planes, fires in warehouses, cyber hacks into government departments, election interference. Nobody wants to add them all together to see clearly that we are at war with Ru. They sure are at war with us.
Gloria DryGarden
@Gin & Tonic: wow. Great summary
Goosebumps. I feel cold, now. I’ll hold up hope nevertheless..
Gloria DryGarden
@Adam L Silverman: I’m liking your updates more and more, and the comments that follow.
Discussions about foreign policy and international interactions get my attention. I’m really grateful for your informative clarity.
I could say it better, but my device is giving me fits.
Sorry to hear you’re barely tolerated. I find your sane, clear, well- informed responses to be refreshing.
There’s been an element of walking on eggshells, and worsening attacks on each other since the election was called.o
Lyrebird
Here’s hoping, indeed!
Certainly seems parallel.
Gloria DryGarden
@Lyrebird: be it so
rekoob
@Adam L Silverman: Although I know you likely have a subscription to the Financial Times, others may not, and while “Lunch with the FT” is usually feuilleton stuff, this weekend’s article with Dmytro Kuleba, Ukraine’s former Foreign Minister, is interesting. The observation that “Trump is an opportunity for Putin and Zelenskyy” caught my eye.
https://on.ft.com/3AUI0ml
Rusty
@Adam L Silverman: I don’t know what to say to this, so I’ll go with expressing my appreciation for these posts and gratitude for the time and effort you out into them. I will hope that in time you may feel more welcome and be able to at least read other content here. There is warmth from a group of regular readers of your posts that may serve as a core from which other relationships may thaw and old hurts healed. Peace be with you.
AlaskaReader
Thanks Adam
Traveller
@Jay: Since We’ve Been talking conscription, this is a new wrinkle from Moscow last night:
https://x.com/igorsushko/status/1862732460192313745
Not fun times for sure!
The raids on Moscow nightclubs began at around 2am on Friday night – just 7 hours ago, and the situation last for many hours. There was reportedly a never-ending flow of police paddy wagons with cannon fodder getting loaded up.
YY_Sima Qian
Given how weakened & stressed Putin’s regime has been waging the war of aggression against Ukraine (see the rapid turn in fortunes for Assad, at least around Aleppo), I don’t understand why any country’s leaders would want to run toward Putin, unless from a position of relative strength (such as Xi & Modi) or already in the EU & NATO (such as Orban) as safety net.
YY_Sima Qian
OT: In case anyone is interested in knowing more about the group (Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham, HTS) that has seized Aleppo from Assad:
Maybe HTS’s rule in Aleppo will be marginally better than Assad’s. Maybe.
Gin & Tonic
@Traveller: Unfortunately Sushko is not a reliable source.
Geminid
@YY_Sima Qian: British-Lebanese journalist Oz Katerji has been posting about HTS and other opposition elements on his Twitter account. Katerji also reposts and links to other people he finds knowledgeble and reliable on this conflict.
Middle East Eye’s Ragip Soylu is doing some good reporting including on Russia’s role. So is freelance journalist Levent Kemal.
Bill Arnold
@Traveller:
Here’s some more reporting.
Russian police raid Moscow clubs, detain men for military service (Dylan Malyasov, Nov 30, 2024)
(Not familiar with “Defense Blog”. Media Bias Fact check: Least Biased, High Credibility)
way2blue
@Adam L Silverman: And all this time I thought Rosie was helping you with the posts & links…
way2blue
@YY_Sima Qian: Sigh. I always hope—when a bad actor is pulled, kicking & screaming from power—that days of wine & roses will follow. Here’s hoping that collapse of the Assad regime will snowball w/in its allied regimes.