Dmitry Kuleba asserts that a potential Trump-brokered peace deal, involving Ukrainian territorial concessions to Russia, is unfeasible. Such a deal would violate Ukraine’s constitution and politically destroy President Zelenskyy. Kuleba highlights Russia’s unwillingness to negotiate in good faith, aiming instead to exhaust the West. He emphasizes that Ukraine’s allies are failing to provide sufficient weaponry, contrasting this with Russia’s access to readily available soldiers. Despite Zelenskyy’s stated desire for a diplomatic solution, a territorial surrender remains impossible.
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In a recent address, Vladimir Putin announced that Russia may deploy its novel hypersonic missile, the Oreshnik, to strike key Ukrainian decision-making centers in Kyiv. This missile, deployed to Dnipro on November 21st, is described as having unparalleled speed and precision, capable of destroying even heavily fortified targets without nuclear warheads. Putin emphasized the weapon’s accuracy and the absence of radioactive fallout. The Oreshnik’s deployment comes amidst intensified Russian attacks on Ukrainian infrastructure and military sites.
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The Economist estimates that between 60,000 and 100,000 Ukrainian soldiers have been killed and 400,000 wounded since the full-scale war began, representing a significant portion of Ukraine’s fighting-age male population. These figures, derived from various intelligence sources, suggest losses exceeding those of the U.S. in both the Korean and Vietnam Wars combined. While Kyiv has been reticent about disclosing exact numbers, Russia’s reported casualty figures are far lower and likely underrepresent the actual toll. Accurate civilian casualty counts remain elusive, hindered by restricted access to occupied territories.
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Ukraine claims over 735,000 Russian casualties since February 2022, a figure straining Russia’s military medical system. This high casualty count, including approximately 500,000 wounded, has reportedly caused a shortage of medical personnel and logistical problems. The UK Ministry of Defence highlights that slow evacuation of wounded soldiers, due to drone strikes and lack of armored vehicles, exacerbates the issue, leading to increased mortality. These high casualties, exceeding Russia’s monthly recruitment capacity, are placing significant pressure on Russia’s military capabilities.
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This $725 million military aid package, slated for delivery before President Biden leaves office, will bolster Ukraine’s defenses against Russia. The aid includes advanced weaponry from U.S. stockpiles, such as anti-tank weapons, drones, and HIMARS ammunition. This significant contribution aims to sustain Ukraine’s ongoing fight and mitigate Russia’s military superiority. Congressional notification is expected soon, though final details may be subject to change. The package represents a final push by the Biden administration to support Ukraine.
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Ukraine drones attacking Crimea, as reported by Moscow, is a significant escalation in the ongoing conflict. The very act underscores the shifting dynamics of the war, with Ukraine increasingly employing asymmetric warfare tactics to disrupt Russian supply lines and military operations within territory Russia considers its own, despite Crimea’s internationally recognized status as Ukrainian. This raises questions about the evolving strategies on both sides and the potential for further escalation.
The reported drone attacks on Crimea highlight the vulnerability of Russian assets even within territories they control. It suggests a capability on the part of Ukraine to strike strategically important targets, potentially disrupting Russian military logistics and further degrading their ability to sustain their offensive.… Continue reading
The Biden administration is urging Ukraine to significantly expand its military by lowering the conscription age to 18 and increasing mobilization efforts, aiming to address a critical troop shortage. This push comes as Ukraine faces a massive manpower deficit against Russia, exacerbated by the arrival of North Korean troops in the Kursk region. While the U.S. has provided substantial military aid, it believes Ukraine needs to drastically increase its troop numbers to sustain the fight. However, Ukraine has expressed concerns that lowering the draft age could negatively impact its already strained economy and sees this pressure as a deflection from Western delays in providing necessary equipment.
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The UK government secretly supplied Ukraine with a significant number of Storm Shadow cruise missiles several weeks ago, preceding the public announcement authorizing Ukraine’s use of Western-supplied long-range missiles against Russian territory. This delivery, made under Prime Minister Keir Starmer, fulfilled a request from Kyiv following a depletion of their own long-range missile stocks. The exact number and delivery date remain undisclosed for operational security reasons. This action underscores the UK’s continued commitment to supporting Ukraine’s defense efforts against Russia’s ongoing invasion.
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Amidst escalating conflict in Ukraine and potential US withdrawal of support under a Trump presidency, discussions regarding deploying Western troops and private military companies to Ukraine have resurfaced. France and the UK are leading these sensitive, largely classified talks, with France initiating the troop deployment debate earlier this year. While facing opposition from some European nations, recent discussions between Prime Ministers Starmer and Macron have revitalized the proposal. This includes exploring increased defense cooperation, potentially utilizing private defense contractors like France’s DCI and its British counterpart, Babcock, for training and equipment maintenance in Ukraine.
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Colonel General Gennady Anashkin, commander of the South Forces Group, was dismissed from his post for allegedly falsifying reports on battlefield progress near Siversk, Donetsk. This dismissal, reported by Russian media and military bloggers, follows criticisms of misleading information resulting in significant Russian losses. While the Ministry of Defense cites a planned rotation, bloggers suggest the removal is due to inaccurate reports. The incident highlights the reliance on military bloggers for information amidst the ongoing conflict and Ukraine’s ongoing intense defense.
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John Q. Hosedrinker 
Matt Underwood