President Putin has approved a new system for compensating wounded soldiers in the war against Ukraine. This change classifies injuries into three categories, with payments ranging from 100,000 rubles for “other minor injuries” to 3 million rubles for “severe” injuries. This move comes as Russia seeks to replenish its military after suffering heavy losses in Ukraine, and aims to incentivize more citizens to enlist by offering increased sign-on bonuses. While Russia is making gains in eastern Ukraine, the country is also facing record losses, prompting the Kremlin to implement new strategies to maintain its military capacity.
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Russia has reduced compensation payments for troops injured in the Ukraine war, with the new decree restricting payouts for less severe injuries. This move comes amidst growing costs for the war effort, which include both personnel losses and financial burdens. The new system offers a sliding scale of payments based on the severity of the injury, with the highest compensation reserved for “Section I” injuries that pose significant threat to life or health. This adjustment suggests that the Kremlin is facing mounting financial pressure, potentially driven by the heavy casualties suffered by Russian forces in the ongoing conflict.
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On November 14th, Ukrainian forces expertly executed a tactical maneuver in the Kursk region, successfully encircling a Russian assault group. The Russian relief efforts on the Ukrainian flanks also failed, resulting in significant Russian casualties. This victory came after the Ukrainians strategically withdrew from settlements, allowing the Russian convoy to pass before being destroyed by mines and drones. The Ukrainians then swiftly encircled the remaining Russian forces, effectively cutting them off from reinforcements and supplies. Despite facing heavy pressure on the western flank, the Ukrainians repelled five Russian assaults, inflicting major losses on the enemy. This successful defense showcases the Ukrainian military’s expertise in adapting to battlefield situations and maintaining control throughout the conflict.
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The Ukrainian 33rd Mechanized Brigade, equipped with German-made Leopard 2A4 tanks, successfully repelled a Russian advance on the village of Dalnje, south of Kurakhove, in eastern Ukraine. The Ukrainian tanks, utilizing their superior firepower and maneuverability, destroyed several Russian armored vehicles, including two tanks and an armored personnel carrier. This engagement showcased the effectiveness of the Leopard 2A4s in close-quarters combat, a departure from the cautious tactics typically employed by both sides due to the prevalence of drones. The battle in Dalnje demonstrates the Ukrainians’ unwavering determination to resist the Russian offensive, despite the potential for a ceasefire along the current front line.
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Following the 47th Mechanized Brigade’s initial forays into western Russia, a fierce Russian counteroffensive has begun in Kursk Oblast, aiming to reclaim the 250-square-mile salient seized by Ukrainian forces in August. The 47th Brigade, equipped with American M-2 Bradley vehicles and M-1 Abrams tanks, is now fighting a desperate battle to defend the left flank of the salient against a relentless Russian assault. The Russians, emboldened by the change in U.S. administration and the potential for a negotiated armistice, are determined to retake Kursk before President-elect Trump takes office in January. Despite significant casualties, they show no signs of relenting, forcing the 47th Brigade and its allies to fight tooth and nail to maintain control of their hard-won gains.
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The potential collapse of Ukraine would be a far greater humiliation for the United States than its withdrawal from Afghanistan, argues former UK Foreign Secretary William Hague. He cautions that President-elect Trump’s perceived desire for a quick, Russia-favoring resolution to the conflict could embolden Russia and lead to further aggression in the future. Hague emphasizes the importance of maintaining Western strength and resolve against Russia, drawing parallels to the West’s failure to adequately punish Russia after its annexation of Crimea in 2014. He urges a continuation of firm support for Ukraine to prevent a disastrous outcome.
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A senior Russian naval officer, Valery Trankovsky, was killed in a car bombing in Sevastopol, Crimea. Ukrainian security services claimed responsibility for the attack, stating that Trankovsky was a war criminal responsible for missile strikes on civilian targets in Ukraine. This incident is the latest in a series of targeted attacks on Russian military personnel and pro-Kremlin figures in occupied Ukrainian territories and Russia. Ukraine has been targeting individuals accused of war crimes, and while the methods and identities of the clandestine resistance groups remain largely unknown, the attacks highlight the ongoing struggle and resistance against Russian occupation.
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The Biden administration is committed to providing Ukraine with significant aid to help them defend against Russia’s invasion in the coming year. Secretary of State Antony Blinken emphasized the urgency of this effort, stating that the US will work to ensure Ukraine has the necessary resources to fight effectively or negotiate peace from a position of strength. The US is adapting its support by providing updated equipment, despite political uncertainty surrounding the incoming Trump administration’s potential changes to US policy towards the conflict. The urgency of the situation is highlighted by the ongoing Russian attacks on Ukraine, including the recent deployment of North Korean troops to bolster Russian forces in the Kursk region.
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The United States is opening a new air defense base in Redzikowo, Poland, marking the first permanent U.S. military base in the country. This base, part of NATO’s missile shield, is strategically located near Russia’s Kaliningrad exclave and is intended to deter potential threats from Russia and Iran. While the project has been in development for over a decade, its opening comes amidst rising tensions with Russia and uncertainty surrounding the upcoming Trump administration. Despite concerns about potential disruptions to NATO’s unity, the base signifies the enduring strength of the U.S.-Poland alliance and highlights the importance of bolstering defenses on NATO’s eastern flank.
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A briefing paper prepared for the Ukrainian Ministry of Defence argues that Ukraine could build a rudimentary nuclear bomb within months if the US withdraws military support. The report claims Ukraine could utilize plutonium from spent fuel rods to create a weapon similar to the “Fat Man” bomb, albeit with a significantly lower yield. This move would be predicated on Ukraine withdrawing from the nuclear non-proliferation treaty, as the US’s withdrawal of support would violate the Budapest Memorandum. While western experts estimate a longer development timeline, Ukrainian officials believe a ballistic missile capable of delivering such a weapon could be operational within six months, highlighting the dire situation they face and the possibility of a nuclear deterrent becoming a necessity.
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John Q. Hosedrinker