Four, quick housekeeping notes. First, I’m still feeling really rough, so I’m just going to run through the basics again.
Second, I DO NOT CARE if you think you’re being sarcastic or joking or using a word or phrase to point out the hypocrisy of those who use it regularly, if it is a slur I’m going to delete your comment and give you a time out. In this specific case, of a comment with this type of language that came in over night, I have just trashed it. I’ve pushed a screen shot to Cole and he’ll make the decision on a time out. Or not.
Third, if someone is pointing out another front page post on this site, whether it is highlighting it for me or for someone else in comments, don’t jump on them if it is not to their liking.
Fourth, and again, I do not read any other posts here. I don’t comment in any other posts here. I do not write, except under really unusual circumstances, any posts but these war updates.
There is still no new video of President Zelenskkyy – address, press conference, etc – again today.
Here’s the butcher’s bill from Russia’s genocidal attack on Ukraine last night/overnight:
⚡️28 drones intercepted, 46 lost in Russia’s overnight attack on Ukraine, Air Force reports.
The drones targeted multiple oblasts, with debris from downed drones causing damage to residential buildings, the Air Force reported on Dec. 8.
— The Kyiv Independent (@kyivindependent.com) December 8, 2024 at 5:07 AM
From The Kyiv Independent:
The Ukrainian military shot down 28 Russian drones but lost track of another 46 during a nighttime attack by Russian forces, the Air Force reported on Dec. 8.
The drones targeted multiple oblasts, including Kyiv, Kharkiv, Sumy, Poltava, Cherkasy, Kirovohrad, Dnipropetrovsk and Zaporizhzhia oblasts.
Russia launched a total of 74 drones at Ukraine, with the military successfully downing 28, the Air Force said in a Telegram post.
Forty-six unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) went off the radar, and their exact trajectories remain unknown.
Authorities reported damage to residential buildings caused by falling debris from downed Shahed drones during the overnight attack.
The attack follows a steady increase in Russia’s use of Shahed-type kamikaze drones, marking the third consecutive month of intensified drone attacks on Ukraine.
Data from the Air Force shows a sharp rise in Russian drone activity, with 2,576 drones deployed in November, compared to 2,023 in October.
The Kremlin shows no signs of relenting in these nightly attacks.
Meanwhile, Ukraine is also bolstering its drone capabilities. Defense Minister Rustem Umerov announced on Dec. 5 that over 30,000 DeepStrike attack drones will be delivered to the military in 2025.
These next-generation drones are designed for autonomous long-distance operations and precision targeting, marking a significant advancement in Ukraine’s defensive and offensive capabilities.
The President-elect has called for Putin to negotiate with President Zelenskyy and for the PRC to help. Here are the details from The Kyiv Independent.
U.S. President-elect Donald Trump urged Russian President Vladimir Putin to take action toward negotiating a truce, saying on Dec. 8: “I know Vladimir well. This is his time to act. China can help. The World is waiting!”
Trump’s comments on his Truth Social platform followed his meeting with President Volodymyr Zelensky in Paris as world leaders gathered in the city for the reopening of the Notre Dame Cathedral.
Despite Trump’s call, the Kremlin has said that Russia is not prepared to pause the war in Ukraine, arguing that such a move would allow Kyiv to rearm and regroup. However, Russia has expressed readiness to negotiate on its own terms to end the conflict, insisting that Ukraine must withdraw its forces from four regions annexed by Russia in 2022, even though Moscow does not fully control them.
Meanwhile, the outgoing U.S. administration has continued to supply Ukraine with weapons, aiming to bolster Kyiv ahead of any potential ceasefire talks.
On Dec. 7, U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin announced a new military aid package worth nearly $1 billion for Ukraine. The package won’t arrive in Ukraine immediately, instead, it will involve contracts with U.S. defense companies to manufacture new drones and air defense munitions.
Since February 2022, the U.S. has spearheaded a coalition of nations to supply Ukraine with weapons and equipment, and Austin emphasized that abandoning Kyiv would be a grave mistake.
Trump comments on Russia, Ukraine, Syria and Iran after meeting Zelensky in Paris. He says Russia abandoned Assad; Moscow and Tehran weakened. War must end: Kyiv wants to “make a deal”; Putin should “act.” He also shares casualty figures: 600k Russian troops; 400k Ukrainians.
— Christopher Miller (@christopherjm.bsky.social) December 8, 2024 at 5:57 AM
Zelensky after Trump meeting: “When we talk about effective peace with Russia, we must first and foremost talk about effective guarantees for peace… Russia brought war to our land, and it is Russia that most seeks to disrupt the possibility of peace.” He adds: 43,000 troops killed, 370,000 wounded
— Christopher Miller (@christopherjm.bsky.social) December 8, 2024 at 6:03 AM
I don’t watch Meet the Press or any other Sunday show or any TV or cable news at all as they’re worthless and you shouldn’t waste yout rime with them. Anyhow, apparently the President-elect told his interviewer that Ukraine should, possibly, prepare for a reduction in aid:
⚡️Trump tells NBC News Ukraine should likely prepare for reduced US aid.
When asked whether Ukraine should prepare for reduced U.S. assistance, U.S. President-elect Donald Trump responded, “Possibly, sure.”
— The Kyiv Independent (@kyivindependent.com) December 8, 2024 at 2:08 PM
The Kyiv Independent has the details:
The U.S. President-elect Donald Trump suggested in a Meet the Press interview aired on Dec. 8 that Ukraine could receive less aid under his presidency. When asked whether Ukraine should prepare for reduced U.S. assistance, Trump responded, “Possibly, sure.”
Trump reiterated that he is working to end the war in Ukraine, building on his previous campaign claim that he could resolve the war within 24 hours if he were in charge.
However, he confirmed that he has not spoken to Russian President Vladimir Putin recently, adding, “I don’t want to say that because I don’t want to do anything that could impede the negotiations.”
Trump also wrote on his Truth Social platform earlier that President Volodymyr Zelensky “would like to make a deal” and “stop the madness” of the war in Ukraine, following their meeting in Paris on Dec. 7.
Trump and Zelensky met in Paris as world leaders convened for the reopening of the Notre Dame Cathedral. The meeting, hosted by French President Emmanuel Macron, marked the first in-person discussion between the two since Trump’s election victory in November.
Trump also refrained from guaranteeing the U.S. would remain in NATO but emphasized that the U.S. would continue its membership if treated “fairly” in terms of contributions.
While this is disturbing, it’s also pretty clear he hasn’t thought about any of this stuff and he’s just reacting in the moment to the question about reductions in aid. As for the claim he hadn’t talked to Putin recently, I have no way of knowing if that’s true or not, but there has been reporting that he spoke to Putin at least seven times on an unencrypted commercial cell phone through to election day in November. I expect this is one of his reflexive tells, where the denials are actually admissions of the truth.
Here are some pics of President Zelenskyy’s St. Nicholas Day activities from a few days ago:
Since Zelenskyy is not on Bluesky yet, i thought id post what is happening.
Today he visited young patients on St. Nicholas Day❤️— Sofia (@sofiaukraini.bsky.social) December 6, 2024 at 9:41 AM
He said
“This war has brought so many things into our children’s lives that should never be part of childhood. Yet, despite it all, they remain children, and we must do everything to ensure they have a happy and safe childhood”— Sofia (@sofiaukraini.bsky.social) December 6, 2024 at 9:41 AM
We are proud of our children and everyone who fights and works for their future❤️
— Sofia (@sofiaukraini.bsky.social) December 6, 2024 at 9:42 AM
Russia continues using drones to hunt civilians in Kherson Oblast:
⚡️Russia’s attack on Kherson Oblast kills 1, injures 7.
A 73-year-old man in a town of Kindiika close to Kherson died after explosives were dropped from the drone on Dec. 8.
— The Kyiv Independent (@kyivindependent.com) December 8, 2024 at 4:47 PM
From The Kyiv Independent:
A man was killed and several others injured in Kherson Oblast on Dec. 8 following Russian drone attacks, local authorities reported.
A 73-year-old man in a town of Kindiika close to Kherson died after explosives were dropped from the drone, while four others, including a 40-year-old woman, a 79-year-old woman, and two men aged 42 and 59, were wounded. In Kherson city, three men, aged 55, 56, 62, and were also injured in the attack.
Kherson Oblast Governor Oleksandr Prokudin confirmed the fatalities on Telegram.
Kherson Oblast is a frequent target of Russian attacks aimed to to terrorize civilian populations, with experts suggesting these strikes may serve as experiments for refining drone tactics and operator skills.
On Dec. 1, Russian strikes killed three people and injured eight. A few days after, on Dec. 4, another attack killed two people and injured five.
These attacks follow recent developments at the Ukrainian front line, where military forces are locked in a battle over small islands in the Dnipro River.
Control of the islands would allow Moscow to intensify attacks on the city of Kherson in southern Ukraine.
On Dec. 4, Prokudin suggested that Russia was preparing for another offensive toward Kherson, hinting that that front may be about to heat up.
Here is a Ukrainian response to the events in Syria:
The first thing soldiers said while getting ready for their shift, hearing the news from Syria: ‘Russia is fucked.’ We need to push them back everywhere.
— Maria Avdeeva (@mariainkharkiv.bsky.social) December 8, 2024 at 3:07 AM
And one from Tatarigami:
One of the biggest lessons from Syria is that, just a month ago, almost no one could have predicted the Assad regime would fall today. The “realities on the ground” crowd would have denied such a possibility. A reminder of why people in Ukraine fight rather than surrender.
— Tatarigami (@tatarigami.bsky.social) December 7, 2024 at 10:31 PM
Georgia:
“Georgian people have been here before Russia, we gonna stand after Russia or any other dictator regime. We, Georgian people, are not gonna give up; we’ve been bred to fight, and we are gonna do it till the end,” #GeorgiaProtests: Why People in #Georgia Are Taking to the Streets
— Batumelebi&Netgazeti (@netgazeti.org) December 8, 2024 at 2:33 PM
I hear one of the Titushky from yesterday’s brutal attacks was beaten in response by his own friend group. 🔥
— Marika Mikiashvili 🇬🇪🇺🇦🇪🇺 (@marikamikiashvili.bsky.social) December 8, 2024 at 4:36 PM
A day after mass Titushky attacks, Georgians already formed self-defense groups against the Titushky (mercenary thugs) of the illegitimate, violent Russian regime. It will only increase in numbers from now on. “Glory to Georgia! You are safe!” #terrorinGeorgia #GeorgiaProtests
— Marika Mikiashvili 🇬🇪🇺🇦🇪🇺 (@marikamikiashvili.bsky.social) December 8, 2024 at 2:03 PM
00:00 December 9 – #Tbilisi
“Irakli, in language you can understand: WE DEMAND NEW ELECTION,” reads a banner on the Christmas tree construction.Earlier today, Irakli Kobakhidze claimed that protesters are not even demanding snap elections.
#GeorgiaProtests
— Batumelebi&Netgazeti (@netgazeti.org) December 8, 2024 at 3:19 PM
20:30 December 8 – #Tbilisi
Pro-European #GeorgiaProtests continue for the 11th night. Protesters are “decorating” the Christmas tree structure, installed earlier by City Hall, with photos of police brutality victims, banners, and flags.
— Batumelebi&Netgazeti (@netgazeti.org) December 8, 2024 at 12:14 PM
22:50, December 8 – #Tbilisi
Protesters burned an effigy featuring a photo of Zviad Kharazishvili, head of the MIA’s Special Tasks Department, aka Khareba.
Reports allege he is responsible for ordering the ruthless crackdowns on protesters and media.
#GeorgiaProtests— Batumelebi&Netgazeti (@netgazeti.org) December 8, 2024 at 2:12 PM
Georgians seem to be getting more confident, stubborn, and organized. If sanctions come fast enough and non-recognition of the stolen elections is firm enough, we might in large part avoid further violence, as this will for sure prevent fixing regime cracks.
#terrorinGeorgia— Marika Mikiashvili 🇬🇪🇺🇦🇪🇺 (@marikamikiashvili.bsky.social) December 8, 2024 at 3:13 PM
Batumi now. #terrorinGeorgia #GeorgiaProtests
— Marika Mikiashvili 🇬🇪🇺🇦🇪🇺 (@marikamikiashvili.bsky.social) December 8, 2024 at 3:12 PM
December 8 – #Zugdidi
A protest march in Zugdidi, a city in western #Georgia, marking the 11th night of nationwide demonstrations. Protesters demand new fair elections under international monitoring and the immediate, unconditional release of those arrested during the protests.
#GeorgiaProtests— Batumelebi&Netgazeti (@netgazeti.org) December 8, 2024 at 12:27 PM
Chkhorotsku, a town of 3,000 people, protesting for days now, with all the flags in place. 🇬🇪🇪🇺🇺🇦🇺🇸 #terrorinGeorgia #GeorgiaProtests
📷 Oto Shengelia— Marika Mikiashvili 🇬🇪🇺🇦🇪🇺 (@marikamikiashvili.bsky.social) December 8, 2024 at 2:38 PM
The Kursk cross border offensive:
The 225th Separate Assault Battalion is holding the defense in the Kursk region, destroying dozens of enemy combat vehicles every day.
— WarTranslated (Dmitri) (@wartranslated.bsky.social) December 8, 2024 at 4:27 AM
💥🔥 Destruction of Russian equipment, armoured vehicles, supply vehicles and soldiers in the Kursk region, – 36th Marine Brigade
— MAKS 24 👀🇺🇦 (@maks23.bsky.social) December 8, 2024 at 11:18 AM
Kharkiv:
Yesterday, the Achilles UAV battalion of the 92nd Brigade, in coordination with the NGU’s “Bureviy” 1st Presidential Brigade, repelled a Russian assault near Kruhlyakivka, Kharkiv region.
— NOELREPORTS (@noelreports.com) December 8, 2024 at 5:10 AM
Vuhledar:
Vuhledar direction
North of Vuhledar, Russians have made slight gains towards Sukhyi Yaly, new geolocated footage confirms. The ultimate goal of Russians is reaching the road between Kostyantynopil and Kurakhove.
— NOELREPORTS (@noelreports.com) December 8, 2024 at 2:56 PM
Pokrovsk:
Pokrovsk
A bit more north, Russians are moving towards Pokrovsk, mainly south of it. They almost reached Shevchenko. If they continue their push northwest they will be able to reach the Dnipro-Pokrovsk road which is the main supply road of the city.
— NOELREPORTS (@noelreports.com) December 8, 2024 at 2:56 PM
That’s enough for tonight.
Your daily Patron!
There are no new Patron tweets or videos today. Here is some adjacent material:
Happy cats and happy man who takes care of cats in eastern Ukraine! 😻 Also, the Hachiko team installed a new homeless pet feeding station this weekend in Kherson, where Russians are attacking civilians with drones every day.
— Nate Mook (@natemook.bsky.social) December 8, 2024 at 12:12 PM
And a massive thanks to everyone who has donated to help Ukraine’s pets caught up in this barbaric invasion. There’s no office or overhead, 100% of donations go directly to this:
— Nate Mook (@natemook.bsky.social) December 7, 2024 at 3:07 PM
Open thread!
Prescott Cactus
Thanks Adam !
Your posts are very insightful and help everyone here get an idea of what is really happening over there.
Peace
Nukular Biskits
Thanks for the roundup. Get well soon.
Adam L Silverman
@Prescott Cactus: You’re most welcome.
Adam L Silverman
@Nukular Biskits: You are also most welcome.
Jay
Thank you, Adam.
Jay
https://xcancel.com/maherakraa/status/1865801323003756821#m
Adam L Silverman
@Jay: The sad thing here is the people that are really good at this type of recovery op are the Israelis. But they’re definitely not going to help, let alone even try.
Jay
https://xcancel.com/clashreport/status/1865811690815729829#m
Jay
@Adam L Silverman:
I think that the appeal is for former “staff” members of Saydnaya Prison to return and provide access. Because of what went on at the “Prison” over decades, there was a lot of “staff turnover”, with former “staff” fleeing to Lebanon and Turkey to avoid being murdered, either by the Regime, or families of the prisoners
Not everyone is a Ron Desantis.
KatKapCC
Thank you, Adam, for your attention to things.
The photos of Zelensky with the children in the hospital are lovely. I cannot imagine Putin doing any such thing, unless the children were forced into the room with threats to not be fed for a week if they didn’t comply and smile.
This:
made my brain hurt.
Jay
https://nitter.poast.org/KShoshiashvili/status/1864987839663931445#m
Gin & Tonic
@KatKapCC:
Putin knows Trump a lot better than Trump (thinks he) knows Putin.
YY_Sima Qian
Dara Massicot on the current status of Russian bases in Syria:
YY_Sima Qian
@KatKapCC: Don’t try to parse Trump’s ramblings, it’s good for your mental health & intellect.
Rich2506
What I find interesting is that Trump is aware of the cost of taking military action (though his casualty figures are all wrong), but doesn’t appear to have the vaguest grasp as to WHY people fight in the first place! Things like “national self-determination” don’t strike any chords in him.
MountainBoy
Thank you Adam.
I am still reading your reports every night.
I am hoping you have a quick recovery.
Back to lurking mode :-)
KatKapCC
@Gin & Tonic: I believe that 100%.
AlaskaReader
Thanks Adam
Sister Inspired Revolver of Freedom
@YY_Sima Qian: I have heard what Adam would call Rumint that some rebel groups have demanded that Russia leave its bases pronto. Who knows?
If there is a ceasefire, maybe Ukraine should strike a deal with Moldova to use all those bright new American weapons to eliminate Transnistria. One can dream.
Thank you Adam. Glad you’re feeling better.
SC54HI
Thank you, Adam. I really appreciate these daily posts.
Noskilz
Sorry to hear you are still under the weather – hopefully you feel better soon.
I always look forward to these daily updates on Ukraine.
Jay
@Sister Inspired Revolver of Freedom:
ruZZia has gone from calling the “Resistance Groups”, Terrorists, to calling them The Opposition. They claim they are in “contact”.
OTOH, ruZZia always lies.
ruZZia does not have the aircraft or marine assets in Theatre to evacuate their trapped forces. There would also have to be rules about the ruZZian’s being somewhat disarmed, and an escort of Syrians to get them to embarkation points.
The ruZZian’s won’t be leaving anytime soon, and some groups might run out of patience with ruZZian War Criminals in their midst.
Sister Inspired Revolver of Freedom
@Jay: I don’t know how they’re going to get those ships through the Dardanelles Strait unless Russia strikes a deal with Turkey. Which probably won’t happen because it would violate the Montreux Convention & weaken it. Something Turkey can’t afford. The strait is just too important.
Plus the various rebel groups are fully aware that it was Russia that propped up the Assad regime. So there’s bound to be some animosity.
I just don’t see this ending well for Russia, which is good for Ukraine. Between the equipment losses in Ukraine & Kursk, & now in Syria, how much does Russia have left?
Jay
@Sister Inspired Revolver of Freedom:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TzR8BacYS6U&t=2s
Russian Equipment Reserves (2024) – Production, Losses & Storage Depletion
Yeah, long sea voyage to the Baltic Sea at best, there is an air corridor across Turkey for now, but no aircraft, some of the more remote posts will require transport helo’s, which ruZZia doesn’t have.
“Evacuation” with out the US or Turkey will be a no go.
Would not be surprised if ruZZia abandon’s them to their fate.
Adam L Silverman
@MountainBoy: Thank you.
sab
Late to this thread. I saw the offending comment late last night and was shocked speechless. WTF!! This is BJ and we are freewheeling but allegedly we have some standards.
Next morning I re-read it with a bit more clarity and recognized the sarcasm. But that sarcasm didn’t work at all last night. It just seemed egregiously bigoted.
Recognizing the sarcastic intent this morning doesn’t help. Last night it was breathtakenly shocking and today it still was. Some things you just don’t say, even in sarcasm.
Jay
@sab:
Called it out, right away.
Don’t think it was the least bit “sarcasm”.
Sister Inspired Revolver of Freedom
@Jay: Wouldn’t surprise me. They have already abandoned some of their personnel when they were trapped by the rebels.
Rachel Bakes
Thank you Adam