Ukraine Has Formed A New Tank Brigade. And We Finally Know What Tanks It’s Getting. (www.forbes.com) Ukrainian
‘Now It’s A Drone War.’ A Russian Drone Strikes This Ukrainian Infantry Company Every 82 Minutes. (www.forbes.com) Ukrainian
European Council agrees to open accession talks with Ukraine, Moldova (kyivindependent.com) Ukrainian
‘We will stand until the end’: Ukrainian defenders of Avdiivka hold on – for now (www.theguardian.com) Ukrainian
Ukraine-Russia war latest: EU agrees to membership talks with Ukraine and Moldova in surprise announcement (news.sky.com) Ukrainian
Russians join Ukrainian battalion to fight against their own country (www.euronews.com) Ukrainian
Volunteers from enslaved Siberian nations fight for freedom
Putin Vows Russian Victory in War as Ukraine’s Allies Waver (out.reddit.com)
President Vladimir Putin said Russia remains determined to achieve its military aims in Ukraine, as divisions over US and European aid threaten to undermine Kyiv’s ability to repel the invasion.
Russians bombard Putin with awkward questions in annual Q&A (www.newsweek.com) Ukrainian
Border Guard Service: Truck traffic across Slovak border partially resumes (kyivindependent.com)
Trucks were able to pass through the Uzhhorod-Vysne Nemecke border crossing as of Dec. 14, albeit at a slower pace of around 3-4 per hour. As of 6 a.m. local time, the border guard service said that 24 trucks have been cleared by Slovak border controls and another 28 were registered for departure from Ukraine.
Tusk holds first phone call with Zelensky since becoming Polish PM (kyivindependent.com)
The Polish parliament elected Donald Tusk as the prime minister on Dec. 11, ending the eight-year rule of the conservative Law and Justice party (PiS). He was sworn in as prime minister on Dec. 13.
‘No reason to negotiate Ukraine’s EU membership now,’ says Viktor Orbán as key summit opens – Europe live (www.theguardian.com)
Emmanuel Macron, Olaf Scholz and Charles Michel meet Hungarian leader in bid to prevent Budapest blocking decision
This Is the World If Ukraine Loses (www.politico.com) Ukrainian
A Ukrainian M-2 Fighting Vehicle Hit Three Russian Vehicles In Just 30 Seconds Outside Stepove (www.forbes.com) Ukrainian
Free people of Ukraine and Taiwan: Trump’s Republicans will leave you hanging (www.telegraph.co.uk) Ukrainian
Ukraine Has Figured Out A New Way Of Winning Battles: Start By Grounding Russia’s Drones (www.forbes.com) Ukrainian
Russian Interior Ministry puts Budanov on wanted list (kyivindependent.com)
While the ministry's database says that Intelligence Chief Kyrylo Budanov is wanted under Russia's criminal code, it does not specifiy under which article he is being investigated.
Russians hide behind captured soldiers of Ukrainian Armed Forces - video (www.pravda.com.ua)
Radio Liberty has analysed a video of Russian soldiers on the battlefield leading Ukrainian soldiers forward and firing at Ukrainian positions under their cover.
US Senate passes record defense spending bill (kyivindependent.com)
The $886 billion bill passed in the Senate by a vote of 87-13, and will now move on to the House of Representatives, which is expected to approve the bill in the coming days.
Congress gridlocked one day before holiday break without Ukraine deal (kyivindependent.com)
U.S. congressmembers are scheduled to leave Washington, D.C. on Dec. 14 for a three-week holiday break, with no deal in sight.
First responders in Odesa work in aftermath of airstrikes (kyivindependent.com)
First responders in Odesa on Dec. 14 are cleaning up the aftermath of Russian airstrikes which left 11 people injured and damaged multiple buildings, says the State Emergency Service.
Russia-Ukraine war at a glance: what we know on day 659 (www.theguardian.com)
EU leaders prepare for showdown with Hungary over Ukrainian membership talks; more than 50 injured in Russian missile attack on Kyiv
Tarnavskyi: Russia spreading disinfo about capturing Marinka (kyivindependent.com)
Ukrainian forces on Dec. 13 repelled 11 attacks in Marinka as Russia gears up for more assaults and spreads disinformation about capturing the city, according to Brigadier General Oleksandr Tarnavskyi.
Russia Firing Ballistic Missiles at Ukraine on Par With Gulf War Scud Bombardment (www.kyivpost.com)
During the Gulf War the single worst Scud day was ten ballistic missiles. Russia’s Wednesday strikes against Kyiv matched that intensity, and that was just Wednesday.
Danish PM: Denmark prepares new Ukraine aid package worth $1 billion (kyivindependent.com)
The announcement came during a joint press briefing of Nordic leaders and Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky in Oslo. Zelensky has been touring partner countries to reinvigorate support for Kyiv.
Celebrating the Ukrainian way: The 12 dishes of Christmas (kyivindependent.com)
The Russian full-scale invasion of Ukraine has impacted every aspect of life for Ukrainians, even the date they celebrate Christmas. What hasn’t changed is the tradition of serving 12 dishes on Christmas Eve, known as Svyata Vecherya or the Holy Supper. Earlier this year, the Orthodox Church of Ukraine
