War

Ukraine is set to receive first tranche of funds derived from the interest on immobilized Russian sovereign assets. Ukraine attacked the Novoshakhtinsk Oil Products Processing Plant, the largest in southern Russia, with indigenously made drones and missiles. Ukraine has a laser weapon, called "Tryzub", that can shoot down aircraft a mile away. MAIN EVENTS OF THE WEEK  December 18: Ukraine has developed a laser weapon capable of shooting down targets from more than a mile away, the country’s drone force commander has claimed. Speaking at a gathering in Kyiv Wednesday, Vadym Sukharevskyi, Commander of the Armed Forces of Ukraine’s Unmanned…

Eight capability coalitions, each comprising between six and 21 countries, are actively assisting in addressing specific needs of Ukraine's Defense Forces. This was reported by the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine, according to Ukrinform. The Ministry noted that in September 2023, the format for delivering international aid to Ukraine transitioned to the so-called Ramstein 2.0. This approach signifies that Ukraine's allies are shifting from providing bilateral military assistance to operating through coalitions that coordinate, systematize, and thereby enhance the scale of international military support. The Defense Forces' needs in weapons, military equipment, and personnel training are divided into eight coalition…

The Ukrainian Ministry of Defense, in collaboration with a domestic manufacturer, has begun testing a control station designed for managing units equipped with unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). This was reported by the Ministry’s press service, as cited by Ukrinform. It is noted that the Ministry of Defense’s requirements for the control station include, in particular, maximum autonomy, equipping with modern communication tools, and electronic warfare systems. The new equipment model must ensure the management of UAV units in all weather conditions, both in stationary settings and while on the move. The station’s cabin will be equipped with automated workstations featuring…

In recent months, the National Guard has received 155 mm self-propelled artillery systems (SPGs) Zuzana and DITA, with the process of acquiring additional combat vehicles ongoing. This was reported by National Guard Commander Brigadier General Oleksandr Pivnenko in an interview with Interfax-Ukraine, as cited by Ukrinform. “Understanding the need and analyzing our experience, I initiated the creation of a dedicated artillery brigade armed with Ukrainian 155 mm Bogdana SPGs (NATO-standard caliber). Additionally, we have received 155 mm Zuzana and DITA SPGs in recent months, and they are already being used on the front lines,” Pivnenko stated. The commander highlighted that the National Guard…

The French army delegation, led by the Ground Forces commander, arrived Ukraine to deepen cooperation, exchange experience, and expand security assistance. That’s according to the press service of Ukraine’s Ground Forces, Ukrinform reports. "A delegation from the French Armed Forces, led by the Commander of the Ground Forces, General Pierre Schill, visited Ukraine to deepen cooperation, exchange experience, and expand defense assistance," the report says. During a several-day visit, representatives from the Armed Forces of the French Republic visited the National Academy of the Ground Forces, one of the training centers, a command post, and an air defense control point.…

History shows that when NATO member states are unable to reach a consensus, a "coalition of the willing" can serve as an alternative to proceed with certain decisions. This was stated in an interview with Ukrinform by the Ambassador of the Netherlands to Ukraine, Alle Dorhout, who answered a question on the prospects of ​​deploying an international military contingent in Ukraine. "We don’t have a stance on that (the deployment of an international military contingent in Ukraine - ed.) yet. But as you know, also looking back into history, there have been coalitions of the willing," the ambassador noted. Read…

The Ministry of Defense has authorized the use of the Ukrainian-made Shchedryk unmanned aerial complex by Ukraine’s Defense Forces. That’s according to the ministry’s press service, Ukrinform reports. "The Shchedryk monitors enemy activity on the battlefield, being able to operate both day and night,” the report reads. The complex consists of a control point and remotely controlled aircraft. The latter is equipped with silent electric engines, also being highly e-warfare resistant. The Ministry of Defense emphasized that the Shchedryk can perform tasks amid strong winds, in both freezing and hot weather. The long battery life contributes to its longer continuous…

Turkey will help the new Syrian leadership to create a 300,000-strong army by providing advisory and expert support in the process of restructuring Syria's naval, air and land forces. This was announced by General Ahmed Osman, who represents the new Syrian leadership, Ukrinform reports with reference to Türkiye. “Damascus' goal is to create an army structure of 300 thousand people in the next year and a half. Both the sensitive situation inside the country and the threat of Israel make this necessary... At this time, Turkey's military support is also of paramount importance,” Ahmed Osman said in a comment to…

Sufficient assistance to Ukraine from international partners will continue flowing in throughout next year. That’s according to Defense Minister Rustem Umerov, who spoke on national television, Ukrinform reports. "For the last few months, we have been working on bilateral relations with American and European partners. We analyzed what was handed over as military assistance over the past 2.5 years, defined priorities, paid for a lot of what will be made this year, and the delivery will come next year," Umerov said. The minister added that sufficient assistance will continue throughout next year and expressed hope that the assistance would be…

The Center for Strategic Communication and Information Security pursues efforts to provide a brief explanation to foreign audiences on the current topics of particular interest as regards Ukraine. MILITARY AID FROM GERMANY On December 23, Germany updated its military aid package for Ukraine. ● The package includes two Patriot missile launchers, two IRIS-T air defense systems, 15 Leopard tanks, and more. ● Germany ranks second globally after the United States and first among European countries in terms of aid provided Ukraine. ● Since the start of the full-scale war, Germany's total assistance to Ukraine has amounted to approximately €28 billion.…