Exhausted Ukrainian soldiers in the Kursk region report dwindling morale and a slow retreat against relentless Russian bombardment, despite using long-range weapons supplied by Western allies. Their orders are to hold the occupied territory until a change in US administration in January, hoping for new policy negotiations. This strategy, intended to divert Russian forces from other fronts, has yielded mixed results, with some soldiers questioning its effectiveness and expressing a desire to fight elsewhere. The soldiers also deny reports of significant North Korean troop deployments in the area.
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Ukraine’s Defense Ministry reported record Russian losses in November, exceeding those of September and October. These losses included over 45,000 personnel—equivalent to more than three motorized rifle divisions—and over $3 billion in destroyed equipment, including hundreds of tanks and armored vehicles. A single day in November saw a record high of 2,030 Russian casualties. Cumulative Russian losses since February 24, 2022, were reported to be approximately 742,130 soldiers.
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In a show of support, EU officials visited Kyiv on Sunday, coinciding with the signing of Russia’s 2025 budget by President Vladimir Putin. This budget allocates a record 13.5 trillion rubles (€119 billion), or 32.5 percent, to national defense, a significant increase from the current year’s allocation. The substantial military spending reflects Russia’s continued aggression in Ukraine. This action follows the Russian legislature’s approval of the budget plans in November.
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A recent Levada Center poll reveals that 39% of Russians believe nuclear weapons use could be justified in the Ukraine war, a figure that has risen steadily alongside escalating Russian nuclear rhetoric. This increase coincides with President Putin’s approval of a revised nuclear doctrine and renewed nuclear threats. Conversely, opposition to nuclear weapons use has decreased from 52% in June to 45% in November. These findings highlight a growing acceptance among Russians of nuclear escalation, mirroring broader pro-war sentiment and support for Putin’s actions.
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A Russian sailor, deployed from the Admiral Kuznetsov aircraft carrier to fight in Ukraine, suffered severe injuries including a concussion and shrapnel wounds. Following this, while serving aboard an unspecified naval vessel in an undisclosed “unfriendly nation,” he was exposed to radioactive water, resulting in acute radiation sickness and severe tissue damage. His lawyer, Petr Portnyagin, cites this case as evidence of the perilous conditions and inadequate safety measures faced by Russian servicemen due to aging equipment. The sailor’s prognosis is grim, but his lawyer hopes his condition will lead to his discharge from military service.
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President Zelensky proposed a path to ending the war in Ukraine: bringing unoccupied Ukrainian territory under NATO’s protection. This would allow for subsequent diplomatic negotiations to reclaim occupied lands. However, Zelensky emphasized that NATO membership must encompass all of Ukraine’s internationally recognized borders, rejecting any partial membership offers. He argued that such an offer would implicitly legitimize Russia’s control of occupied territories. The likelihood of NATO accepting this proposal remains highly uncertain given Russia’s continued aggression.
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On Friday, Ukraine launched a large-scale drone attack targeting multiple Russian military and infrastructure sites hundreds of kilometers apart, marking one of Kyiv’s most ambitious operations to date. Confirmed strikes included a critical Russian air defense site in Crimea and an oil refinery in Rostov, resulting in significant fires and damage. A third potential strike targeted a Russian naval base or oil facility near Tuapse. Ukraine’s Main Military Intelligence Directorate claimed responsibility, stating the operation involved special forces and drone operators.
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Recent US sanctions on Gazprombank have caused the Russian ruble to plummet to its lowest level since the beginning of the Ukraine invasion, significantly impacting Russia’s already strained economy. This sharp decline, exceeding a third since August, is fueled by decreased oil prices and increased military spending, which has more than tripled since 2021. The sanctions limit Russia’s access to global finance, hindering its ability to fund the war and receive commodity revenues. While the Russian government claims the volatility is due to external factors and a strong dollar, experts warn of an overheating economy and the difficulties of combating inflation with a weak ruble.
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On November 28th, Russia launched a widespread missile and drone attack targeting Ukraine’s energy infrastructure, impacting numerous regions including those far from the border. Explosions were reported across the country, with strikes on critical infrastructure facilities and residential areas causing damage and at least one injury. In response to the “massive blow,” Ukrenergo implemented emergency blackouts. This attack, part of a pattern of intensified strikes on Ukraine’s power grid, underscores Russia’s strategy of targeting civilian infrastructure amidst the ongoing war.
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The Russian ruble plummeted to its lowest point since March 2022, reaching 114 against the dollar, prompting the central bank to intervene and halt foreign currency purchases for the remainder of the year to curb market volatility. President Putin attributed the fluctuations to budget payments and seasonal factors, while Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov downplayed the impact on ordinary citizens. However, experts like Timothy Ash of BlueBay Asset Management view the weakening ruble as a sign of a worsening economic crisis, exacerbated by new US sanctions on Gazprombank and the ongoing war in Ukraine. This economic decline is characterized by high inflation, despite interest rate hikes, and is further complicated by the government’s increased defense spending.
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John Q. Hosedrinker