THE RUSSO-UKRAINE WAR BRIEF
For: 2024-12-07
Slava Ukraini! In early 2022 I began a Telegram channel aggregating news from a number of sources daily on the war in Ukraine. In June 2023 I began providing a daily draft for the Ukraine War Brief Podcast collecting news from over 70 sources daily, which formed the basis of the script. While the Podcast no longer exists I have continued to make this Brief available for my followers here on Substack for those who wish to keep up with the news from the war. A version of this Brief will also be made available on The People’s Media Substack for those who should choose to subscribe there.
All the latest news on the Russo-Ukraine War 6 days per week
ALONG THE CONTACT LINE
GSAFU Morning Report
The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine in its Operational Information update at 22:00 on Dec 6 stated that day 1018 of the full-scale invasion of the Russian Federation against Ukraine was about to begin.
During the past day, 163 combat engagements took place. Over the past 24 hours, the enemy carried out 2 missile strikes, 7 air strikes, 512 drone strikes and 3,270 artillery strikes across the positions of Ukrainian forces.
At the same time, Ukrainian soldiers continue to inflict losses in manpower and equipment on the occupying troops, exhausting the enemy along the entire front line and continue to disrupt the plans of Russian occupiers to advance deeper into the territory of Ukraine.
Air Force Daily Report
On the night of Dec 7, 2024 (from 9:30 p.m. on Dec 6), the enemy attacked Sumy Oblast with a missile of an unknown type, attacked with 14 attack UAVs of the "Shahed" type and other types of drones (launch area: Primorsko-Akhtarsk - Russian Federation).
As of 08:30, units of anti-aircraft missile forces, EW and mobile fire groups of the Air Force and the Defense Forces of Ukraine shot down 7 enemy UAVs in the Kyiv, Vinnytsia, Odesa, Cherkasy and Zhytomyr regions.
6 drones were lost in location, 1 — left the controlled airspace in the direction of the Russian Federation.
The Russian Border Incursion
The operations of the Defense Forces of Ukraine in the Kursk region are ongoing, fierce fighting continues, Ukrainian defenders inflict tangible losses to the Russian army.
The Institute for the Study of War (ISW), a US based think tank, in its Dec 6 Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment reported that Ukrainian and Russian forces continued to fight in Ukraine's main salient in Kursk Oblast on Dec 5 and 6 but there were no confirmed changes to the frontline.
Russian sources claimed that Russian forces secured positions up to the Psel River and entered Plekhovo (north of Sudzha) and that elements of the Russian Airborne Forces (VDV) are pushing Ukrainian forces out of Martynovka (northeast of Sudzha). ISW has not observed visual confirmation of these claims, however.
Ukrainian forces reportedly counterattacked near Novoivanovka and Darino (both southeast of Korenevo) on Dec 5 and 6. A Ukrainian Special Operation Forces (SSO) unit reported that it had ambushed a Russian naval infantry platoon and destroyed two Russian armored personnel vehicles by tricking the Russian military command into deploying 20 troops and three armored personnel vehicles to a recently regained Ukrainian position. A spokesperson of a Ukrainian brigade operating in the Kursk direction reported that the brigade captured 11 Russian prisoners of war (POWs) from an assault group of the 11th VDV Brigade, all of whom were recently released prisoners with only a few days of training.
Elements of the Russian 83rd Separate VDV Brigade reportedly continue to operate in the Kursk direction, and elements of the "Press" Joint Artillery Group (Chechen "Akhmat" Spetsnaz) are reportedly fighting near Sudzha.
A Russian Telegram channel claiming to be a Russian special services employee published geolocated footage on Dec 6 purportedly showing the aftermath of a Ukrainian drone strike overnight on Dec 5 on the headquarters of the 3rd Motorized Rifle Division (20th Combined Arms Army [CAA], Moscow Military District [MMD]) in Boguchar, Voronezh Oblast. The Telegram channel reported that Ukrainian forces launched three drones, of which two drones struck the headquarters building and one fell onto the roof of the four-story barracks.
The Khortytsia operational-strategic group
(Responsible for the northeastern part of Ukraine. )
Kharkiv Sector: Over the last day Ukrainian Defense Forces repelled 5 Russian attacks in the area of Kozacha Lopan, Vysoka Yaruha, Vovchansk and Tykhe.
Kupyansk Sector: Russian Forces carried out 9 offensive actions against Ukrainian defensive positions near Zapdne, Kolisynivka, Zahryzove and Lozova. 2 engagements are ongoing.
Lyman Sector: Russian Forces carried out 14 offensive actions against Ukrainian defensive positions near Kopanky, Nadiia, Cherneshchyna, Hrekivka, Makiivka Terny and Torske.
Siversk Sector: In this sector, over the last day, there has been no significant change in the combat environment.
Kramatorsk Sector: Russian forces carried out 5 offensive actions against Ukrainian defences in the vicinity of Stupochky and Bila Hora.
Toretsk Sector: Over the last day Russian forces carried out 8 offensive actions with air support near Dyliivka, Toretsk and Shcherbynivka. 2 engagements are ongoing.
The Tavria operational-strategic group
(Responsible for the central-eastern and southeastern part of Ukraine.)
Pokrovsk Sector : Over the last day in this sector, Russian Forces carried out 44 offensive actions against Ukrainian defensive positions with the greatest activity being in the vicinity of Myrolyubivka, Promin, Lysivka and Zhovte. 3 engagements are ongoing.
Kurakhove Sector: Russia conducted 35 offensive actions in the vicinity of Zorya, Sontsivka, Stari Terny, Kurakhove, Dachne and Dalnje. 11 engagements are ongoing.
Vremivka Sector: Russian forces made 20 attempts to break through Ukrainian defences in the vicinity of Novodarivka, Novosilka, Rozdolne, Kostiantynopolske and Uspenivka. 6 engagements are ongoing.
Orikhiv Sector: In this sector, over the last day, there has been no significant change in the combat environment.
The Odesa operational-strategic group
(Responsible for Kherson, Qırım, (also known as Crimea) and the Black Sea.)
Prydniprovsk Sector: In this sector, over the last day, there has been no significant change in the combat environment. Russian forces made 3 unsuccessful attempts to dislodge Ukrainian units from their positions.
Ukrainian sea drones target Russian-occupied gas platforms in the Black Sea
Ukrainian naval drones have destroyed surveillance systems on Russian-held gas platforms near occupied Qirim, the Kyiv Independent reports citing an announcement by the Commander of the Naval Forces Vice-Admiral Oleksii Neizhpapa, on Dec 7.
"The hunt for the enemy in the Black Sea continues. The occupiers will not stay on our territory — we will get them everywhere… Naval (drones) delivered precise strikes on Russian targets," he said in a post on Facebook.
Several successful Ukrainian strikes on occupied Crimea have been conducted in recent weeks.
On Nov. 27, Russia claimed that Ukrainian naval drones had hit the seaside city of Sevastopol in occupied Crimea. A powerful explosion was reported in Sevastopol, as well as near the Belbek military airbase.
On Nov. 28, Ukraine destroyed a Russian radar station near the village of Kotovske in occupied Crimea. Just one day later, on Nov. 29, Ukrainian forces destroyed three more Russian radar stations in occupied Crimea.
The destroyed systems included Podlet, an advanced mobile radar system which is estimated to have cost around $5 million, and a Kasta radar, which is estimated to have cost around $30 million.
Ukraine repeatedly attacked Russian military and industrial targets in Sevastopol and elsewhere in the occupied peninsula during the full-scale war.
After repeated attacks, Russia withdrew its last patrol ship of the Black Sea Fleet from Crimea on July 15.
TEMPORARILY OCCUPIED TERRITORIES
Nothing major to report.
THE HOME FRONT
Russian attack on Kryvyi Rih kills 3, injures 17, including 6-year-old boy
Russian forces attacked Kryvyi Rih in Dnipropetrovsk Oblast on Dec. 6, killing three and injuring 17, including a six-year-old boy, the Kyiv Independent reported citing the State Emergency Service of Ukraine.
The strike, which occurred around 5 p.m. local time, targeted an administrative building with a ballistic missile.
One man was killed at the scene of impact, another one died in a hospital, and the body of the third person was removed from the rubble in the early hours of Dec. 7. Five people, including a boy, were hospitalized. Some of them are in moderate-to-severe condition. One person may still be under the rubble.
"People have cut, bruised, and shrapnel wounds. Everyone is provided with the necessary medical care," Governor Serhii Lysak wrote on his Telegram.
Rescuers are inspecting the damaged building. The number of casualties is still being confirmed, according to the governor.
The Russian attack destroyed a three-story building and damaged residential buildings, as well as cars nearby, according to the State Emergency Service of Ukraine.
"Russia's words mean nothing, but its bombs and missiles speak volumes," President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said of the attack on Telegram.
"Putin does not seek real peace — he seeks the ability to treat any country this way, with bombs, missiles, and all other forms of violence. Only through strength can we resist this. And only through strength can real peace be established."
Kryvyi Rih, the hometown of President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, remains a frequent target of Russian missile attacks. With a population of about 660,000, it is the second-largest city in Dnipropetrovsk Oblast, located roughly 70 kilometers (40 miles) northwest of the nearest front-line zone.
Russian attack on Zaporizhzhia kills 10, injures 24, including children
Russian forces attacked the city of Zaporizhzhia on Dec. 6, killing ten people and injuring 24, including two children, the Kyiv Independent reported citing Governor Ivan Fedorov.
An air raid alert was issued in the oblast around 5:30 p.m. local time, with the first explosions reported in the city at about 6 p.m. Before the attack, Ukraine's Air Force had warned of Russian guided aerial bombs heading toward Zaporizhzhia.
The children sustained shrapnel wounds and head injuries but are not in critical condition, Fedorov said. Emergency services remain on-site responding to the strike.
The attack damaged a service station, and some areas in the region experienced power outages, local authorities reported.
Zaporizhzhia, home to approximately 710,000 residents before Russia's full-scale invasion in 2022, is frequently targeted by Russian forces.
RUSSIAN WORLD
Russian conscript executed after refusing to fight in Kursk Oblast
A 19-year-old Russian conscript, Artem Antonov was shot and killed by his commander after reportedly refusing to sign a military contract to fight in Kursk Oblast, the Kyiv Independent reported citing Russian independent outlet IStories reported on Dec. 6.
The incident occurred on October 21 at the "Ilyinsky" training ground of the 60th Motorized Rifle Brigade, where the commander fired into the ranks of soldiers, striking Antonov in the head.
Antonov's relatives claim he faced repeated torture and abuse, including beatings with iron rods, for refusing to sign the contract.
Before his death, Antonov shared details of the abuse in a private social media group, which was deleted shortly after he died.
When the family received his body, they discovered not only a gunshot wound but also multiple bruises, suggesting further mistreatment.
The abuse of Russian soldiers by their commanders and fellow troops since the beginning of the full-scale war in Ukraine has been previously documented. Problems with military hazing and mistreatment of subordinates by their superiors date back to the Soviet era and were also widely reported in Russia's wars in Chechnya.
Sanctions force Russia to buy poor quality Chinese drone parts degrading the quality of Russian manufactured drones
The Institute for the Study of War (ISW), a US based think tank, in its Dec 6 Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment reported that western sanctions are reportedly degrading the overall quality of Russian drones, indicating that targeted sanctions are having some negative effects on the Russian defense industrial base (DIB). The Washington Post reported on Dec 5 that Western sanctions are forcing Russia to purchase poorer quality steering motors for drones from the People's Republic of China (PRC), which is increasing the failure rate of Russian-produced Shahed drones as they have in-flight maneuverability issues. Soldiers told the Washington Post that Russian Shaheds have started to spin out of control after making sharp turns, causing some of the drones to crash.
ISW has observed Ukrainian official reports of Russian drones increasingly becoming "locally lost" during Russia's almost daily overnight strike series against Ukraine, and the reported lower-quality steering motors may be contributing to this phenomenon.
Russia is reportedly also struggling to procure sufficient quantities of basic supplies, such as high-performance lubricants needed for operating tanks in colder weather or computerized machine tools necessary for building drone airframes and missiles. ISW previously reported on Russia’s increasing efforts to expand bilateral relations with the PRC in order to circumvent Western sanctions, with Ukrainian officials stating that the PRC provides approximately 60 percent of all the foreign components found in the weapons that Russia uses against Ukraine.
ISW previously assessed that Russia is prioritizing materiel quantity over quality and that Russia’s increased DIB production is likely not sustainable in the medium- and long-term as Russia is unable to completely compensate for the military and dual-use items it can no longer acquire due to sanctions.
INTERNATIONAL NEWS
Russians in Syria Urged to Leave Country
Russian citizens who live in Syria should flee the lightning Islamist-led rebel offensive using any available commercial passenger flights, the Moscow Times reported citing the Russian Embassy in Damascus on Friday.
“The Russian Embassy in Damascus reminds Russian citizens living in the SAR [Syrian Arab Republic] of the possibility of leaving the country using commercial flights through operating airports,” it said.
In a statement on its Telegram channel, the diplomatic mission described the more than week-long rebel advance as a “difficult military and political situation in Syria.”
The Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) rebel alliance launched its offensive on northern Syria on Nov. 27 seeking to overthrow Russian- and Iranian-backed President Bashar al-Assad.
In a little over a week and for the first time since the Syrian civil war began in 2011, HTS captured Syria’s second city Aleppo, as well as the strategically located city of Hama.
The rebels recently announced on Telegram their capture of Hama following street battles with government forces, describing it as "the complete liberation of the city.”
A British-based war monitor that relies on a network of sources inside Syria said HTS was now at the gates of Homs. Syria’s defense ministry denied claims that it had withdrawn its troops from Homs.
The capture of Homs would mean cutting the seat of power in Damascus from the Mediterranean coast.
The Russian embassy said it planned to continue working as normal despite the lightning Islamist rebel offensive.
Open-source military analysts said satellite images showed the Russian navy had evacuated its warships from its base in the port of Tartus. Russia said it was conducting exercises in the eastern Mediterranean.
The United Nations said the violence has displaced 280,000 people, warning the numbers could swell to 1.5 million.
Trump’s envoy clashes with Kremlin insider over Ukrainian peace plan
The future U.S. President Donald Trump’s special representative for Ukraine, Keith Kellogg, has issued a direct response to Russian oligarch Konstantin Malofeyev, who dismissed Trump’s proposed peace plan for Ukraine, suggesting President Vladimir Putin would “tell it to go to hell.” Defence Blog reports.
In an interview aired on Fox News, Kellogg was adamant in his rebuttal to Malofeyev’s remarks, stating, “Better get back in your box and better understand President Trump, because clearly you don’t and you clearly do not understand the United States of America.” Kellogg’s response came after Malofeyev’s comments made headlines, sparking controversy about the prospect of negotiations.
Days earlier, Malofeyev, an influential Russian businessman with close ties to the Kremlin, spoke to the Financial Times, openly doubting the viability of Trump’s peace initiative. “Kellogg comes to Moscow with his plan, we receive him, and then tell him to go to hell because we like none of it. That’s all the negotiations,” Malofeyev told the publication.
The blunt language used by Malofeyev underlined Moscow’s apparent skepticism about U.S. diplomatic moves, as Russia remains steadfast in its position regarding the ongoing conflict. Malofeyev further stated that for any discussions to be “constructive,” the focus must shift beyond Ukraine, expanding to the “future of Europe and the world.”
Kellogg’s response reflects a deepening frustration among U.S. officials who have been trying to promote diplomatic pathways amid the ongoing war in Ukraine, which has seen no substantial de-escalation. As a close ally of Trump, Kellogg has been instrumental in crafting the proposed negotiations, which he argues are aimed at ending a conflict that continues to destabilize Eastern Europe and threaten broader regional stability.
Observers noted that the exchange between Kellogg and Malofeyev highlights the deep rift in understanding between Western negotiators and the Russian establishment. Malofeyev’s dismissive attitude towards Kellogg’s peace plan underscores how challenging it remains to find any common ground, as Moscow appears unwilling to compromise on key issues that have kept the war ongoing.
Poland sets record defense spending in new budget
The Polish Sejm approved the 2025 state budget, with revenues of $145 billion and expenditures of $211 billion, including a record $42 billion for defense, or 4.7% of GDP, New Voice reports citing Polish news organization Wprost on Dec. 7.
The Polish Sejm approved a draft state budget for 2025 with revenues of $145 billion and expenditures of $211 billion.
The budget includes the highest defense spending in the country's history at $42 billion, or 4.7% of GDP.
It also increases funds for healthcare to $50 billion and allocates $30 billion for social programs, including pension indexation.
The draft budget plans for a 7% increase in the average salary, including a 5% raise for state employees.
The budget is based on a forecast of 5% inflation and 3.9% economic growth in 2025.
After being adopted by the Sejm, the budget was sent to the Senate, which has 20 days to propose amendments.
MILITARY & TECH
Ukraine receives second batch of F16 fighter jets from Denmark
The second batch of F-16 fighter jets from Denmark has arrived in Ukraine, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy reported on Telegram on Dec. 7.
"The second batch of F-16s from Denmark has arrived in Ukraine. This is an example of leadership in defending lives that sets Denmark apart," said the head of state.
The F-16s from the first batch, provided by Denmark, are already actively intercepting Russian missiles over Ukraine, saving lives and infrastructure.
"Now, our air shield has been further strengthened. If all partners were as determined, Russian terror could already have been made impossible," Zelenskyy stated.
The president also expressed his gratitude to Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen, her team, and the Danish people.
The Danish government has approved the transfer of two more batches of F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine. Kyiv has already received six aircraft, with a total of 19 F-16s expected.
It was reported on Nov. 20 that the Netherlands had delivered the last two of the 18 promised F-16 fighter jets to a training center in Romania, where Ukrainian pilots and ground personnel are undergoing training.
This coupled with the expected delivery of a batch of French Mirage 2000-5 aircraft in early 2025 means that Ukraine’s fleet of western aircraft is growing more potent.
Ukraine is also in discussions with both France and Sweden that could see more modern aircraft like the Dassault Rafale and Saab JAS 39 Gripen added to their fleet.
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