The Ukraine war shows no signs of stopping even during the Christmas season. Hungarian Prime Minister, the ultranationalist Viktor Orbán, who currently presides over the Council of the European Union until the end of this month, claimed on Wednesday that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenski rejected a Christmas ceasefire proposal and a prisoner exchange with Russia.
Instead of ceasefires, what is being experienced on the frontlines is an escalation. On Wednesday, Ukraine attacked an airfield in southern Russia with long-range ATACMS missiles supplied by the United States, as reported by the Russian army, promising to respond with "appropriate measures."
In response to frequent Russian bombings of infrastructure and cities in Ukraine, Kyiv has increased its attacks on military and energy sites in Russia to disrupt Moscow's army logistics, which occupies about 20% of Ukrainian territory.
In the face of Kyiv's bombings, Russia launched an Oreshnik missile for the first time on November 21. According to Putin, this was in response to Kyiv's use of Western long-range weapons. This previously unknown missile can reach any part of Europe and potentially the west coast of the United States, as described by the Russian president, who promised to give prior notice before launching it.
Sirski warns of Russian superiority in Pokrovsk and advocates for "exceptional measures"
Ukrainian Army Chief Oleksandr Sirski reported intense fighting near the city of Pokrovsk, one of the key Russian targets in the Donetsk region, emphasizing the superior strength of Russian troops and the need for "exceptional measures" to defend the area, as reported by Efe.
"Russian occupiers are attacking with all available forces in an attempt to break our troops' defense," Sirski wrote on social media from the Pokrovsk front, where Russian troops, according to the Ukrainian war analysis platform DeepState, have come within three kilometers of the city.
Sirski highlighted priorities such as reinforcing Pokrovsk's defense with ample ammunition and constant supplies, noting the high number of casualties inflicted on attacking Russian forces.
Medvedev to meet with Xi Jinping
Former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev, now a senior security official, announced a meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping on Thursday, as reported by the state news agency TASS, according to Reuters.
Medvedev, Vice President of the Russian Security Council, arrived in Beijing on December 10 for two days of discussions with Chinese leaders.
Four police officers injured in a Chechen barracks attacked by a Ukrainian drone
Four police officers were injured in a barracks in Grozny attacked overnight by a Ukrainian drone, Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov announced, threatening to "kill 400 Ukrainians, NATO accomplices, in retaliation," as reported by Afp.
Russia shoots down 16 Ukrainian drones, eight of them over annexed Crimea
Russian anti-aircraft defenses shot down 16 fixed-wing Ukrainian drones overnight over the Kursk region, Chechnya, North Ossetia, and the annexed Crimean peninsula, according to the Russian Ministry of Defense, as reported by Efe.
Ukrainian operations aided Syrian rebels with drones
Syrian fighters received around 150 drones and covert support from Ukrainian intelligence agents last month, weeks before the rebel advance that ousted Bashar al-Assad over the weekend, as reported by the Washington Post.
Macron travels to Warsaw, expected to reinforce support for Ukraine
French President Emmanuel Macron will travel to Warsaw on Thursday to discuss strengthening support for Ukraine in peace negotiations, while France still awaits the end of the political crisis, as reported by Afp.
Death toll rises to ten from Russian attack on Zaporiyia on Tuesday
The death toll from the Russian attack on the city of Zaporiyia in southern Ukraine on Tuesday has risen to ten after the discovery of a woman's body, announced local governor Ivan Fedorov, as reported by Afp. One person remains trapped under the rubble, added the source.
Twenty-two people were injured during this bombing, which notably destroyed a clinic and an office building in the city center.