Bob Homans December 22

20221222

Ukraine – 12/22 Sitrep
Compiled by: Robert Homans
December 22, 2022

When Did Ukraine Become a “Thing?”

In the wake of President Zelenskyy’s triumphant speech last night before a Joint Session of the U.S. Congress, it may be worth posing this question once again.

Candice Owens, a despicable Tucker Carlson acolyte and a regular guest on his Show, once sent out a series of Tweets, asking people to state the year when Ukraine became a “Thing?”   In a Tweet today, Nana Gongadze, the daughter of Myroslava Gongadze the Head of Voice of America’s Ukraine Service, said that when she was growing up in the Washington, DC area almost none of her friends knew where Ukraine was.  In an earlier email, I said that Ukraine entered my conscience when I watched Oksana Baiul defeat Katerina Witt, Nancy Kerrigan, and Tonya Harding to win the Women’s Figure Skating Gold Medal at the 1994 Winter Olympics at Lillehammer, Norway.  

Ukraine didn’t re-enter my consciousness until 10 years later, in 2004, when I was asked to go to Ukraine to work on a USAID commercial finance project (my “day job”).   At the time, I would freely admit to people that I knew only 3 things about Ukraine: it was an independent country; the winters are cold: Oksana Baiul was Ukraine’s first Olympic Gold Medalist.   I suspect that at the time, my level of knowledge of Ukraine was greater than at least 95% of Americans (with emphasis on “at least”).

As crude and despicable as her Tweets were, Candice Owens had a point.   To take the liberty of defining “a thing,” it is the point at which Americans became aware that Ukraine is an independent country, with a history, culture, and language separate from Russia’s, and going back over 1,500 years including a tradition that includes the Reformation and the Renaissance, two events that separate Ukraine from Russia, and the willingness of Ukrainians to fight for the independence of their country.  

Perhaps Ukraine finally and irretrievably became “a thing” in the collective conscience of most but not all Americans last night, especially when President Zelenskyy gave the Ukrainian flag, signed by the Heroes of Bakhmut, to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, and Vice President Kamala Harris.   It has been a long journey, starting with Ukraine’s independence on August 24, 1991.

In the 1990s Ukraine was not “a thing,” but was instead a problem for many Americans.   George H.W. Bush encouraged Ukraine, and other former Soviet Republics, not to break away from the former Soviet Union. Western diplomats didn’t see Russia as a nuclear threat, but they seemed to consider Ukraine, at the time the world’s 3rd largest nuclear power, as a serious nuclear threat.   In 1994, by virtue of the Budapest Memorandum, Ukraine was pressured to give up both its nuclear weapons and its delivery systems, including nuclear capable cruise missiles, and ship them both to Russia.   In the last few weeks Russia returned the favor, by firing some of those same nuclear capable cruise missiles given up by Ukraine under the Budapest Memorandum back at Ukrainian cities.

After she left the George H.W. Bush White House, Condoleezza Rice became Provost at Stanford University.  When walking out of a particularly contentious faculty meeting, someone asked Condoleezza Rice if she found the negotiations being discussed therein difficult to resolve.   She answered, “not as difficult as getting Ukraine to give up its nuclear weapons.”  

I am not sure that by the standards of my definition of Ukraine as “a thing,” that Condoleezza Rice has yet concluded that Ukraine is “a thing,” any more than other American policymakers, active and retired, have concluded that Ukraine is “a thing,” or the pundits who religiously repeated the nostrum, earlier this year, that “Ukraine won’t last longer than 5 days.”  Nowhere in their education and professional development did Ukraine appear as “a thing.” I am sure that if, God forbid, their prediction turned out to be true and Ukraine didn’t last longer than 5 days, that they’d all shrug their shoulders and move on because, after all, Ukraine and Russia are, after all, "one people,” and Ukraine wasn’t and isn’t “a thing.”

The 2013 & 2014 Revolution of Dignity began to instill in the minds of Americans that Ukraine wanted nothing to do with Russia, but not completely.   In 2014, not long after the end of the Revolution of Dignity, one of the people with whom I worked at the USAID project that brought me to Ukraine, an American, told me that Ukraine was a “failed state.”   He wasn’t the only one who voiced these sentiments.

In November 2017, I received an invitation from the Kennan Institute of the Wilson Center to a “Concert for Unity,” to be held at the National Cathedral in Washington, DC.  The concert was headlined by 2 Russian artists, the conductor Valery Gergiev being one, both of whom, along with 509 other Russian artists, had signed an open letter to Pres. Putin, supporting the Russian invasion of Crimea.

Is there any difference between a “Concert for Unity” and the statement “Ukrainians and Russians are one people?”  I am sure that it didn’t even occur to the organizers of the “Concern for Unity,” or the Dean of the National Cathedral who allowed his sanctuary to be used as a venue for this event, to even ask this question.   Upon receiving the invitation, I was appalled enough to contact every member of the local Ukrainian Diaspora I could think of, including Americans who supported Ukraine, and encourage them to go out to the National Cathedral on the day of the concert.  Several people did, including one who was arrested at the behest of the Dean of the National Cathedral.   I have not received any other invitation from the Kennan Center.

Ukraine has now become “a thing.”   The Ukrainian People, the heroes who came out to Independence Square and many other towns and cities in Ukraine during Euromaidan, those who are fighting in Bakhmut and all along the front lines, and President Zelenskyy by virtue of his gift, have made it so.

Not Just WW-I Redux

Within the savage fighting in Bakhmut Meat Grinder a digital revolution is taking place.  A recent column by David Ignatius in the Washington Post, along with this video showing how data from Telegram is used on the battlefield, and this excellent article from the New York Times about the use of night-vision equipment with the distribution of data, is incorporated into Ukraine’s operational  strategies.  

This is a major reason why, as Ignatius posited in his column, Ukraine is going to win this war.   Even if Russia had all this technology, it only becomes useful within the context of distributing the information to small units and allowing them to make independent decisions.  This isn’t how Russia is fighting this war.

News from the Battlefield

“Reporting From Ukraine” appears to show significant Ukrainian gains near Svatove, in Luhansk Oblast, and to the south of Bakhmut.   I am not sure if President Zelenskyy would’ve been allowed to visit Bakhumt, unless Ukraine was able to make some gains and relieve Russian pressure.  If Ukraine takes Svatove and thereby cuts off rail and road access from Russia south to Bakhumt, it could mean trouble for Russian forces attacking Bakhmut. 

12/22 Sitrep

Russian Invasion of Ukraine 12:00 noon December 20 to 12:00 noon December 22, 2022

NOTE: Today is the first day that estimated Russian casualties in Ukraine have gone over 100,000

Abbreviations:

RMA = Regional Military Administration             SBU = Security Service of Ukraine

INTERNATIONAL

December 22

11:42 Le Figaro: Emmanuel Macron considers Ukraine's accession to NATO unlikely

·        The French President believes that Ukraine's accession to NATO will be perceived  by Russia as a confrontation. He also noted that Ukraine needs to provide security guarantees in the decision-making process to end the war, but Russia also needs such guarantees. 

11:01 Kyodo: G7 Foreign Ministers will hold an online meeting today, December 22,  to discuss the  situation around Ukraine.

·        It is noted that the parties are likely to discuss further support for Ukraine against the background of the results of Zelensky's visit to the United States.

10:38: The U.S. Congress may approve a new $45 billion aid package to Ukraine in the next 48 hours, House spokesman Nancy Pelosi, according to Voice of America.

08:52 Bloomberg: China's largest shipping company, China Cosco Shipping, has refused to carry Russian oil.

·        Also, the "boycott" of Russian oil was announced by the Greek Avin International, whose fleet includes 35 tankers with a total capacity of 2.5 million tons.

08:43: Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced that he was returning home with good news.

·        "We have a clear understanding of how our defense capabilities will be strengthened in the coming months. I don't want to talk about it in detail today, I think you understand why. But I am very grateful to President Biden for this," Zelenskyy said.

10:10 Retired General Ben Hodges: Crimea will be liberated by the end of August 2023, the former commander of U.S. forces in Europe said.

·        "If Ukrainians had ATACMS long-range missiles now, they could already bomb every Russian headquarters, every transport hub or ammunition depot in Crimea, and this would make the peninsula unsuitable for the Russian armed forces," Hodges said.

08:26: Russia's first official reaction to Volodymyr Zelenskyy's visit to the United States and a meeting with Biden was expressed by Russian Ambassador Antonov to Washington.

·        "Escalation, the consequences of which cannot be imagined," the ambassador said in response to support for Ukraine.

08:16: The European Union has reacted sharply to the Russian authorities' intentions to ban the activities of the Moscow Helsinki Group, a human rights organization.

·        "The initiative is regarded as politically motivated and another sign of increased censorship," the statement said.

08:01: The Danish government has allocated about $ 43 million to purchase weapons and equipment for Ukraine, according to the press service of the Danish Ministry of Defense.

03:50: Volodymyr Zelenskyy met with Speaker of the US House of Representatives Nancy Pelosi.

·        "Thank you for your leadership in providing Ukraine and the Ukrainian people with support in all possible manifestations! It is a great honor for me to be here, to address Congress and all Americans," the President of Ukraine stressed.

01:46: Volodymyr Zelenskyy is preparing an appeal to all Americans.

·        He stated this during a meeting with the Speaker of the US House of Representatives Nancy Pelosi.

·        Russian troops have been attacking Bakhmut day and night since May, but Ukrainian Bakhmut stands.

·        Russian tyranny has lost control of us, and it will never control our thoughts again.

·        From Washington to China, from South America to Australia, the war is only intercontinental that it can leave no one behind.

·        Iranian deadly drones are sent hundreds to Russia. So one terrorist country found another, says President Zelenskyy. We have to stop them now.

·        We need peace. We have already reported 10 key points for peace that I have already discussed with President Biden.

·        Ukrainian soldiers are not asked to fight for us on our land, but we can control your planes and tanks by our forces.

·        Your money is not charity, it is an investment in global democracy, which we spend as responsibly as possible.

·        We will celebrate Christmas even if there is no light, but we will survive and will not give up and millions of Ukrainians will make one wish - only Victory.

·        On Christmas Eve, I thank every American family from everyone at the front, from everyone who is waiting for Victory.

·        03:14: Volodymyr Zelenskyy handed over the flag of Ukraine from Bakhmut to the US Congress.

o   "Let that flag stay with you," he declared.

01:26: Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced that he had handed over to the American president the "Cross of Military Merit" award from the Ukrainian military - the commander of the HIMARS battery.

·        "During our meeting in Bakhmut, he asked to convey his award to Joseph Biden in gratitude for the invaluable support for Ukraine and the contribution that the United States has made to strengthening Ukraine's defense capabilities," the President said.

00:32 Reuters: The Biden administration intends to take action within a day to limit Wagner's access to various technical means.

December 21

23:46: Press conference of U.S. and Ukrainian presidents begins at the White House

·        23:49: For 300 days, the people of Ukraine show Russia and the whole world their steely essence, resilience to the imperialist appetites of a country that thought it could conquer you. And they failed — Biden at a joint press conference with Zelensky

·        23:55: Ukraine won the battles for Kyiv, Kharkiv, Kherson. Mr. Zelenskyy, you have shown that you are looking for a just world. And Putin has no intention of stopping this unjust war. We will support you as long as necessary, says Biden

·        11:57: U.S. President Biden has confirmed the provision of a $1.85 billion military package to Ukraine, which will include Patriot systems.

o   He also said that he expected to sign 45 billion additional assistance for Ukraine.

·        23:58: We have reached the level of real allyship with the United States, says President Zelenskyy.

·        00:01: Zelenskyy also confirmed the transfer of the Patriot air defense system. "This is an important step in creating an air shield for Ukraine," the President of Ukraine said.

·        00:01: Thank you for the 45 billion assistance, I hope that this great support will be approved by Congress, says President Zelenskyy.

·        00:03: Volodymyr Zelenskyy: We have a clear understanding of how our defense capabilities will be strengthened in the coming months.

·        00:04: Volodymyr Zelenskyy: The main issue of all my negotiations today is the strengthening of Ukraine, this is next year, this is our movement to victory in the war for independence.

·        00:11: Volodymyr Zelenskyy: For me, as president, a just peace means no compromises on the territory, it means compensation for all losses.

o   There is no just peace in the war that came to us from non-humans.

·        00:12: Biden: We have a common vision — a free, independent, prosperous Ukraine. Ukraine can succeed on the battlefield with our help, with the help of allies

·        00:16: Biden stressed that the transfer of Patriot systems cannot be regarded as an escalation of the conflict because it is a defensive weapon.

·        00:18: Volodymyr Zelenskyy: We have informed the US President that we want to get more Patriot batteries. After Patriot, we will signal to Biden that we would like to get another Patriot.

·        00:21: Volodymyr Zelenskyy about Putin: In 2019, we had a Normandy meeting. Then we sent him messages so that there would be no full-scale invasion.

·        He said it would never happen, he lied to everyone. Why now turn to a person with a sick attitude to reality? He is no longer a subject of the civilized world...

23:11: Volodymyr Zelenskyy thanked the US President for his support: "Joseph Biden, thank you for supporting our people! This visit is carried out on the eve of the new year, which may become extremely important for Ukraine. I am sure that together we can achieve significant results"

10:30: President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that his arrival in the United States indicates that Ukrainian forces are in control of the situation on the battlefield, and he noted the contribution of American assistance to this.

·        He told Biden before the start of bilateral talks at the White House.

·        "I'm honored to be here. Thank you for the invitation. I really wanted to come (before) and the president (Biden) knows about it, but I couldn't because the situation was difficult. Now, since I arrived, it means that we are in control of the situation, and this is primarily due to your support," Zelenskyy said.

10:27: Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba, who is part of a delegation that came to the United States with Volodymyr Zelenskyy, urged Ukrainians not to worry.

·        "Everything will be fine! Don't worry about anything. Only forward, only to the liberation of our territories, only to victory. Victories of Ukraine and its allies, first of all - our faithful friends of the United States of America," the minister said in the video.

22:21: American media talk about strengthening security measures regarding Zelenskyy's trip to the United States

·        According to CNN, due to the constant threat, senior government officials, as well as employees of US embassies, were not informed about the schedule of Zelensky's visit.

·        It is noted that he planned to go to the United States over the past few months, but it was important to take into account certain factors, including military risks.

9:14 AFP: Volodymyr Zelenskyy met with Biden.

·        The joint press conference of the Presidents of Ukraine and the United States following the talks is scheduled for 23:30 Kyiv time.

·        9:33: Presidents of Ukraine and the United States Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Joe Biden have begun bilateral talks, the White House said.

o   "During the meeting, the presidents will have the opportunity to conduct an in-depth strategic discussion of future actions on the battlefield.

o   In addition, the parties intend to discuss the training opportunities for the Ukrainian military, which are provided by the United States and its allies," the message says.

·        9:40: Volodymyr Zelenskyy presented Biden with a medal from the commander of the HIMARS battery in the Oval Office.

o   ''It's undeserved, but I appreciate it,''" Biden said in response.

·        11:11: Joe Biden told Volodymyr Zelensky that Ukrainian people were "inspiring the world" and accused Putin of trying to "use winter as a weapon."

21:06 Reuters: Slovakia has achieved for itself an exception to EU sanctions that prohibit the export of products processed from Russian oil.

·        Economy Minister Karel Girman explained that this would allow them, in particular, to export diesel fuel to Ukraine.

19:31: The United States has allocated $1 billion in military assistance to Ukraine, the White House said.

·        Biden instructed U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken to provide up to $1 billion for Pentagon defense and service items, as well as military training and training for Ukraine. 7:48: Secretary of State Antony Blinken confirms that the United States is allocating $1.85 billion in additional military assistance to Ukraine, and it includes Patriot air defense systems.

·        List of military assistance to Ukraine from the Pentagon's reserves ($ 1 billion):

o   Patriot battery and ammunition;

o   ammunition for HIMARS

o   500 artillery shells 155mm with precise guidance;

o   30 multi-caliber mortar systems and 10,000 shells to them;

o   37 Cougar MRAP;

o   120 HMMWV vehicles;

o   2,700 grenade launchers and small arms;

o   unnamed number of HARM and JADM;

o   anti-personnel mines, night vision devices, tactical protected communication systems and bulletproof vests

·        List of military assistance to Ukraine under the USAI program ($800 million):

o   45 thousand rubles. 152mm artillery shells;

o   20 thousand rubles. 122mm artillery shells;

o   50 thousand rubles. 122mm rockets to BM-21 "Grad" systems;

o   100 thousand rubles. 125mm tank ammunition;

o   SATCOM terminals and services;

o   financing of training and maintenance.

17:49 Рentapostagma - Greek Civil Aviation Authority: Greece has closed its airspace to aircraft from Belarus and banned flights to it.

17:21 CNN: The administration of US President Joe Biden has set up a large working group to find out how Western-born technologies, including microelectronics from the United States, ended up in Iranian drones that Russia uses against Ukraine.

16:08: From Iceland to Ukraine received assistance - about 12 thousand rubles. units of various winter clothes for servicemen of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

·        These are socks, undershirts and sweaters made of merino wool, hats, winter gloves, shoes and outerwear, the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine noted.

15:14: Lithuania has sent the first batch of warm sweaters and thermal kits for the Ukrainian military, says Minister of Defense Arvidas Anushauskas.

·        In total, 19 thousand sweaters and 15 thousand sets will be delivered in the coming weeks.

14:27 press service of the Ministry of Reintegration: Poland will provide Ukraine with an additional EUR 60 million loan for the development of border infrastructure.

·        Additional funds will be used to finance projects for the development of border road infrastructure and the arrangement of checkpoints on the Ukrainian-Polish border.

13:28: President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy and US President Joe Biden will meet at 21:00 (Kyiv time) on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington, WFIN reports.

·        The politicians' press conference is tentatively scheduled for 11:30 The leader of Ukraine is also scheduled to address the Congress at 02:30 on Thursday, December 22, Kyiv time.

12:35 Delfi: In Lithuania, the festive illumination will be turned off for an hour in solidarity with Ukraine.

·        Vilnius, Kaunas, Vilkavishka and other municipalities will take part in the action "Hour with Ukraine ", - said the mayor of Vilnius Remigius Shimashius.

·        MEP Andrius Kubilius called to take part in the "60 Minutes of Darkness" rally. He called on December 21, at 8 pm, to turn off all festive lights for an hour, in support of the Ukrainian people.

11:15: In The Hague, Ukrainian tram will run in front of the International Court of Justice.

·        "This is a kind of reminder to the Russian president that responsibility for the offenses committed by Russia is inevitable," said Maxim Kononenko, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Ukraine to the Kingdom of the Netherlands.

09:50 Bloomberg: China's budget deficit reaches a record high of $1.1 trillion.

09:40 The Hill: The United States intends to declare Russia an "aggressor country."

·        The White House, together with Congress, has prepared a bill that allows the US president to condemn Russia as an "aggressor state."

·        According to the publication, the leadership of the Congress is working on its speedy consideration against the background of the visit of President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy to Washington.

08:25 AP: Afghanistan's ruling Taliban regime has banned women from pursuing higher education.

07:50 Associated Press: A new $1.8 billion assistance package from the U.S. will include a battery of "Patriot" systems.

·        It is noted that such a decision is a signal of the United States' expansion of the types of modern weapons sent to Kyiv.

00:18: American media reports that on December 21, Volodymyr Zelenskyy will arrive in Washington and speak in the US Congress.

00:39: The Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives urges all members of Congress to be physically present on Capitol Hill tomorrow.

December 20

22:47 Turkish Ministry of Defense: Two Turkish planes, after a long stay in Ukraine, have returned to base in Kayseri.

·        The A400M aircraft, which arrived in Ukraine to deliver humanitarian aid and evacuate Turkish citizens, were forced to stay at Boryspil airport after the closure of airspace. It wasn't until December 20 that the planes, along with the crew, were finally able to get home.

22:38 CNN: The U.S. will send Patriot air defense systems to Ukraine in the next military assistance package.

·        In addition, the United States will provide Ukraine with sets of JDAM precision bombs. According to the publication, this will be included in the new package this week.

23:17: The World Bank has approved the allocation of $610 million to meet Ukraine's urgent needs, the organization's website says.

·        In particular, the package provides for a loan of $500 million from the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development, which will be issued under guarantees from the United Kingdom.

22:17 BBC: The Taliban movement, which seized power in Afghanistan, has banned women from studying at universities.

·        The Ministry of Higher Education of the country notified the educational institutions of this by a special letter.

20:55 President of the country: France will hand over to Ukraine a new batch of Crotale air defense systems.

20:45 Bloomberg: After the G7 sanctions were imposed, oil exports from Russia fell more than twice in a week.

·        The total volume of supplies from the country decreased by 1.86 million barrels per day (by 54%) to 1.6 million, the agency notes.

19:59 Reuters: Russia plans to hand over military components to Iran in exchange for drones, British Defense Minister Ben Wallace said.

·        "In exchange for the supply of more than 300 UAVs , Russia now intends to provide Iran with advanced military components that undermine both Middle East and international security."

19:39: The United States, in a new package of assistance to Ukraine, will transfer means of high-precision guidance of air bombs, CNN reported, citing several US officials.

19:29 Yle: Finnish President Sauli Niiniste has approved the decision to transfer a new military assistance package of EUR 28.8 million to Ukraine.

17:06: The continued continuation and complication of the conflict in Ukraine is not in anyone's interest.

·        This was stated by Chinese President Xi Jinping during a telephone conversation with German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier.

16:06 State Department press office: The United States has threatened Belarus with new sanctions if Moscow is more actively assisted in the war with Ukraine.

·        "If we see this (attempts to provide additional support - ed.), we see the potential for this, we will give a proportional response by introducing additional measures."

15:56 Local Media: Uzbekistan sent a train to Europe bypassing Russia for the first time.

·        The train consists of 46 cars and 91 containers with a load of copper concentrate. The length of the new route is more than 4000 km.

·        Prior to that, trains from Uzbekistan traveled the Northern route of railway transport Europe-Asia, passing through Russia.

15:05 Foreign Minister of Ukraine: Ukraine is currently preparing for official steps to prove Russia's illegal stay in the UN Security Council.

·        The minister stressed that the process would not be simple, but it was time for "a conversation about Russia's usurpation of a place in the UN Security Council". Kuleba also added that "international law, not intrigues and frauds in favor of the Russian Federation, is what Ukraine will stand on."

14:24: EU Foreign Minister Josep Borrell condemns Iran's support for Russia in its war against Ukraine and ongoing repression of the country's opposition.

·        "He stressed the need for an immediate cessation of military support for Russia and internal repressions in Iran. We agreed that we should keep in touch open and restore the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action based on the Vienna Talks."

15:25: Ukraine has received a $2 billion grant from the United States from the World Bank Trust Fund, the Ministry of Finance of Ukraine said.

·        "The attracted grant funding will be used to provide pension payments and salaries to civil protection workers, as well as to pay for medical services under the medical guarantees program," the statement said.

13:41 Polish Interior Minister Mariusz Kaminski: Deputy Head of the State Emergency Service of Ukraine Dmytro Bondar was suspended for a gift to the Polish police chief who exploded in his office

12:44 Press Service of the Ministry of Reintegration: Estonia is considering the possibility of transferring to Ukraine mobile medical outpatient clinics that will provide medical services to the population in war-torn regions.

·        Estonia can also join the development of medical infrastructure in the de-occupied territories, which was destroyed during the Russian occupation.

12:19 Yle - President of Finland: Finland is preparing a new military assistance package for Ukraine.

·        "Western support for Ukraine must continue until the peace it deserves comes. But so far we have no idea when this peace will come. That is why Helsinki is preparing a new package of military assistance to Kyiv," Niiniste said.

12:11: The Joint Declaration on EU Legislative Priorities for 2023 and 2024 was signed by President of the European Parliament Robert Metzola, from the EU Council by Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala and President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen.

·        The document also refers directly to the Ukraine and its continued support from the European Allies.

NATIONAL

December 22

11:09 a.m. Ukrenergo: On the morning of December 22, there is a significant shortage of power in the power system. Another of the units of nuclear power plants is connected to the network, and the power set continues.

·        The most difficult situation remains in the central region and in Kyiv, as well as in the front-line regions in the east and south of the country.

10:46: Already $ 250 million has been donated through UNITED24, said Minister of Digital Information Mykhailo Fedorov.

·        "A quarter of a billion dollars is an impressive amount. As well as support for people from 110 countries who have chosen the UNITED24 platform to help Ukraine. I am grateful for the leadership of President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. And the team is for top projects that delight and inspire."

·        11:43 a.m. Social Networks: Explosions are reported in the city of Chasiv Yar and Kramatorsk, Donetsk region.

08:06 Minister of Digital Transformation: The program of affordable lending and obtaining soft loans from the state "eOselya" has been fully launched on the Diia portal.

07:28 Operational information from the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine as of 06:00 on December 22:

·        "Continuing the aggression, during the past day, the enemy inflicted 6 missile and 15 air strikes, including on civilian targets in the Zaporizhia region.

·        The enemy also carried out 64 attacks from multiple launch rocket systems."

·        "The fire damage on December 17 of this year was confirmed by the concentration of enemy personnel and equipment in the area of Horlivka, Donetsk region

·        There were eliminated 13 enemy servicemen, 4 of whom were officers. The landing vehicle and 3 ammunition trucks were also destroyed. Information on the wounded is being clarified."

·        "In order to build fortifications in the Belgorod region, the local Russian leadership announced the recruitment of volunteers, for a monetary reward, for the arrangement of trenches, trenches and the installation of concrete cones."

·        "During the past day, the Aviation of the Defense Forces inflicted 14 strikes on areas of concentration of personnel, weapons and military equipment of the occupiers.

·        Also, our defenders shot down an enemy UAV of the "Outpost" type and two more - of the "Lancet-3" type.

·        At the same time, Ukrainian rocket launchers and artillerymen hit three control points and two areas of concentration of enemy manpower."

07:19 Institute for the Study of War: Ядерна риторика путіна націлена лише на внутрішню аудиторію РФ.

·        Analysts noted that the Russian dictator's statements about nuclear weapons, in particular hypersonic warheads "Avangard" or intercontinental ballistic missiles "Sarmat" do not indicate Russia's preparations for their use.

07:08 General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine: Today, for almost 9 months, Russia has already lost more than 100 thousand personnel, three thousand tanks and about six thousand other armored vehicles in Ukraine/

December 21

22:59: It will take several months for the Armed Forces to train the Patriot system.

·        This is stated by a senior Pentagon official. The training is expected to begin soon.

·        It is not yet known when the system will arrive in Ukraine.

10:53 Air Force Command spokesperson: Patriot anti-aircraft missile systems can help drive Russian aircraft away from our borders.

·        The primary goal of the Patriot can be such bombers as the TU-22M3 or enemy tactical aviation crews.

16:45 Minister of Digital Information: Roman Colosseum and Sydney Opera House, the main Christmas trees in New York and London. More than 60 world-famous locations will turn off the lights today in solidarity with the people of Ukraine.

·        The goal is to attract attention and call for donations through UNITED24 to generators for Ukrainian hospitals. The action takes place against the backdrop of President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's visit to the United States.

16:16: Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of the Republic of Poland, General Raimund Andrzejczak, Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, — Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Valery Zaluzhny arrived on a working visit to Ukraine.

·        "This is an opportunity to openly discuss the security situation in the region and scenarios for its development. He thanked for the international military assistance provided, including weapons, military equipment, ammunition and necessary materials. I appreciate the opportunity to conduct professional training of our servicemen on Polish territory," Zaluzhny wrote.

14:18 Head of the Security Service of Ukraine: Putin's strategy to seize Ukraine turned out to be a failure, in particular, due to his inadequate assessment of the situation.

·        "I flirted, crept in, I got exposed. This is a bunker grandfather. He really lives in his painful world, and he will have 2 options: either a bench of defendants in The Hague, or an inglorious death somewhere in a bunker in Altai," Vasyl Malyuk said.

13:48 press service of the Security Service of Ukraine: The SSU has liquidated new channels of escape of "evaders" abroad: deputies of the district council of the Kyiv region are involved in the schemes.

·        The organizers of illegal transportation offered potential conscripts to leave Ukraine under the guise of volunteers or try to "bypass" checkpoints. The cost of such "services" ranged from 4 thousand rubles. Dollars. The amount depended on the region of residence and the urgency of departure.

11:44: Over the past 10 months of war, dolphins have been dying en masse off the northern coast of the Black Sea, - ecologist Oleksiy Honcharenko.

·        "Dolphins began to catch the eye about twice as often as in pre-war times — this is a catastrophe that will eventually negatively affect the entire ecosystem of the sea."

11:25 Ukrenergo: As of this morning, there is a significant shortage of capacities in the Ukrainian energy system.

·        Russia again damaged power grids in the east and south of the country that night.

·        The situation is particularly difficult in the central region, including Kyiv.

11:06: The Russians attempted to kill the head of the Defence Intelligence Of Ukraine Budanov and the Minister of Defense of Ukraine Reznikov, the head of the Security Service of Ukraine Malyuk said.

·        According to Malyuk, the SBU worked proactively and broke the Russians' plans.

·        The Head of the SBU also added that one of the priority tasks of the SBU is to expose state advisers and self-cleaning the Service.

10:00 Institute for the Study of War: Volodymyr Zelenskyy's visit to Bakhmut undermines the Kremlin's information operation aimed at presenting Putin as a "participant in the war."

·        The report stressed that Putin's decision to reward members of his entourage who did not even directly participate in the battles, unlike Zelensky's visit near the front line in Bakhmut, drew criticism among Russians.

09:20 New York Times: Zelensky's arrival in Bakhmut showed the contrast between him and Putin.

·        "Zelenskyy, with his visit to Bakhmut, intentionally or not, drew some of the attention from Putin to himself , demonstrating fearlessness and willingness to risk himself by coming to a city that is so destroyed by constant Russian raids that he resembles paintings from the First World War."

08:08 : Volodymyr Zelenskyy confirmed that he went to the United States to meet with Joe Biden.

07:07 General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine: Over the past day, units of the Defense Forces of Ukraine have repulsed attacks by Russian troops in areas of twenty-five settlements.

·        At the same time, the enemy inflicted 5 missile and 16 air strikes, as well as carried out 61 attacks from multiple launch rocket systems.

·        The fire damage was confirmed on December 19 in the area of concentration of manpower and equipment of the Russian Federation in the Kherson region, in the area of Vasilyevka. 8 units of heavy military equipment of various types were destroyed. Information on losses in manpower is being clarified.

·        Since December 12, Russian occupation forces have been preparing for the forced evacuation of Ukrainian citizens living in the city of Vasylivka and nearby settlements of the Vasilyevsky district of the Zaporizhia region.

·        Over the past day, the aviation of the Defense Forces has inflicted 10 strikes on areas of concentration of personnel, weapons and military equipment and 12 strikes on the positions of anti-aircraft missile systems of the Russian Federation.

·        Units of the missile forces and artillery of the Defense Forces of Ukraine hit an ammunition depot, 3 control points and 10 areas of concentration of Russian manpower.

December 20

23:09 Minister of Economy: Every Ukrainian from January 1 can get 5 LED bulbs from the state for free.

·        The program will start from the new year. People from 18 years old can come to Ukrposhta or leave their application on the Diia portal, and then come to the offices of the postal operator and pick up light bulbs for free.

22:30: Ukraine has returned 3 more children who were taken to the Bear children's camp in Russia, ombudsman Dmitry Lubinets said.

·        "Logistically, the return of children took place with the help of the charitable organization CF Center for Mutual Assistance "Save Ukraine". So far, 13,613 children have been deported, each and every one of whom we have yet to return," Lubinets wrote.

20:24 President's Office: There are no places left for long-term stay of refugees in Chernivtsi, Cherkasy, Khmelnytsky, Ternopil, Rivne, Poltava and Mykolaiv regions.

·        It is reported that the largest number of free places for long-term stay of internally displaced persons remains in Zakarpattia, Zhytomyr, Odesa, and Volyn regions.

19:49 Prime Minister of Ukraine: Currently, due to significant damage to the power grid, emergency blackouts have been introduced in 11 regions of Ukraine.

·        "As of the morning of December 20, 8 units of nuclear power plants and 10 thermal power plants are operating in the power system," Shmyhal added.

18:45 General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine: In the Volyn and Polissya directions, the situation remains without significant changes, there are no signs of the formation of offensive enemy groups.

·        The designated units of the Armed Forces of the Republic of Belarus and the Russian Federation continue to be located in the border areas with Ukraine.

·        During the day, the enemy launched 10 air and 4 missile strikes on civilian objects in the settlements of Andriivka, Vovchansk, Soledar, and carried out about 20 shellings from the MLRS on the civilian infrastructure of the city of Kherson.

·        During the day, the aviation of the Defense Forces of Ukraine inflicted 10 strikes on areas of concentration of personnel, weapons and military equipment and 12 strikes on the positions of anti-aircraft missile systems of the Russian Federation.

·        During the current day, units of the missile forces and artillery of the Defense Forces of Ukraine hit an ammunition depot, 3 control points and 8 areas of concentration of Russian manpower.

18:34 Spokesperson of the State Border Guard Service: The border with Belarus is maximally strengthened in defense terms.

·        "The situation along the border with Belarus and in the border remains under control. We are not currently recording any directly massive movement or a sharp increase in military equipment or manpower near the border," the statement said.

17:55 Ministry of Finance of Ukraine: Ukraine received an additional CAD 500 million (US$367 million) from Canada under a loan agreement between Ukraine and Canada.

·        It is noted that the total amount of the loan is 1.95 billion Canadian dollars (1.432 billion US dollars). The loan is granted on preferential terms through the administrative account of the International Monetary Fund.

17:50: The Economist recognized Ukraine country of the year "for the heroism of the people and opposition to the aggressor."

·        "In normal times, it is difficult to determine which country will become the country of the year according to The Economist. But this year, for the first time since we started doing it since 2013, the choice is obvious. It can only be Ukraine," the publication notes.

17:41: The state budget received the first UAH 3 billion received because of the seizure of property rights of the Russian Federation and its residents in Ukraine.

·        We are talking about the balances on the accounts of Ukrainian subsidiaries of "Sberbank" and "Web RF" ("International Reserve Bank" and "Prominvestbank"), the nationalization of corporate rights and financial assets.

5:33: Starlink order prices for Ukrainians have been reduced again. The station can be purchased for $600.

·        Instead, the cost of subscribing to the service remains the same at $75 per month.

16:16 Air Force spokesman: The December 19 drone attack was the largest since the start of the war.

·        According to the spokesman of the Air Force Command of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, part of the UAV can be shot down on the outskirts - on the territory of the Mykolaiv and Odessa regions. However, some of them still pass because the Russian Federation uses all the intelligence data.

·        The Russian Federation began to use a new version of Iranian drones.

·        "In addition to the Shahed-136 UAV, the Russian Federation began to use the Shahed-131 drone. This is a smaller version. Then they are labeled as "Geran-2", and this is "Geran-1", a smaller drone. But we all understand perfectly well that these are Iranian-made drones," Yuri Ignat said.

16:56: Deputy Head of the State Emergency Service Bondar was nevertheless suspended due to an explosion at the Polish Police Headquarters, according to Suspilne.

15:35 Press service of the State Emergency Service: The State Emergency Service denied the removal of the deputy chairman for a gift to the Polish general.

·        "Perhaps they (the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Poland) have some other information, as of now I do not have such information."

12:28 Ukrenergo: There is a significant capacity deficit in the Ukrainian energy system.

MORDOR (russia)

December 22

09:38 AP: Russian military is preying on Ukrainians using secret lists compiled by the FSB.

·        According to the agency, the lists compiled by Russian special services included government officials, journalists, activists, veterans, religious figures, and lawyers.

08:36: The dollar exchange rate exceeded 71 rubles. For the first time since April 29, the euro rose to 76 rubles.

00:36 Russian Media: In the temporarily occupied Donetsk, an explosion sounded in the Shesh-Besh café, where Dmitry Rogozin, an ex-head of Roscosmos, celebrated his birthday yesterday.

·        According to RosSMI, Rogozin was wounded. The so-called "head of the DPR government" Vitaliy Khotsenko was also wounded.

December 21

18:05 Center for National Resistance: Russia is preparing a provocation on the border with Ukraine, probably to involve the Belarusian army in a war against the Ukrainian state.

·        "A group of 80-90 people arrived in the village of Krupeiki, Gomel region, with lightly armored vehicles and engineering units.

·        The group is involved in the PMC Liga, which is part of Wagner's PMC. One of the scenarios of provocation is the shelling of the territory of Belarus allegedly by the Armed Forces of Ukraine," the message says.

17:08: IAEA Chairman Rafael Grossi will arrive in Moscow tomorrow, Russian Permanent Representative in Vienna Mikhail Ulyanov said.

·        He plans to hold meetings with representatives of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Rosgvardia, Rosatom and Rostechnadzor. The main topic of negotiations will be the creation of a protective zone around the Zaporizhzhia NPP.

18:05 Center for National Resistance: Russia is preparing a provocation on the border with Ukraine, probably to involve the Belarusian army in a war against the Ukrainian state.

·        "A group of 80-90 people arrived in the village of Krupeiki, Gomel region, with lightly armored vehicles and engineering units.

·        The group is involved in the PMC Liga, which is part of Wagner's PMC. One of the scenarios of provocation is the shelling of the territory of Belarus allegedly by the Armed Forces of Ukraine," the message says.

17:08: IAEA Chairman Rafael Grossi will arrive in Moscow tomorrow, Russian Permanent Representative in Vienna Mikhail Ulyanov said.

·        He plans to hold meetings with representatives of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Rosgvardia, Rosatom and Rostechnadzor. The main topic of negotiations will be the creation of a protective zone around the Zaporizhzhia NPP.

15:46: Wagner PMC owner Yevgeny Prigozhin personally visited the IR-6 colony in the Vladimir region to recruit prisoners to participate in the war in Ukraine, said politician Alexei Navalny, who is serving a long term of imprisonment in this correctional facility.

15:28: Statements of the Minister of Defense of the Russian Federation Shoigu at the board of the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation:

·        partial mobilization was carried out to "stabilize the situation, protect new territories and carry out further offensive actions";

·        more than 20 thousand people volunteered for the troops;

·        Russia is always open to constructive peace talks;

·        300 thousand people were called up for partial mobilization, 830 thousand people were exempted from conscription to support the economy.

·        proposed to bring the number of the Armed Forces to 1.5 million servicemen, including contractors — up to 695 thousand people.

·        Currently, the staff number of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation for 2023 is determined by the presidential decree to be 1,150,626 servicemen. Thus, about 350 thousand more people are going to be sent to the army.

15:17: Putin's statements at the collegium of the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation:

·        intercontinental missiles "Sarmat" will be put on combat duty in the near future;

·        150 thousand out of 300 thousand mobilized are now being trained at training grounds, the other half - in the combat zone, this is enough for "SVO";

·        Russia will maintain and improve the combat capability of its nuclear triad, this is the basis of the balance of power in the world;

·        Partial mobilization revealed certain problems, it is necessary to modernize the system of military registration and enlistment offices.

12:07 Secretary of the NSDC of Ukraine: The Russian leadership is currently considering the announcement of general mobilization in the country and the closure of borders for the departure of men under 65.

·        "There is information that for Russians they can completely block all borders, not let men under 65 out of this country at all. I believe that this should have been done a long time ago and should be fenced," he said.

00:58: The Kremlin said hours after Zelensky's visit to Bakhmut that Putin was also "at war."

·        But OSINT experts analyzed the photos referenced by the Kremlin, and now they claim that Putin was in the joint headquarters of the branches of the armed forces, located at the headquarters of the Southern Military District in Rostov.

December 20

21:06: The authorities of the Kursk region of the Russian Federation reported the shelling of the Sudzhansky district.

·        According to Governor Starovoyt, 4 shells were recorded in the village of Makhnivka. A fire broke out in one of the houses. The woman was injured.

19:10: A Russian who tried to escape from the Russian army was captured by the SBU.

·        "He and his co-workers are so afraid of the Armed Forces that after the first battle, all 135 recruits from his regiment surrendered their weapons and refused to fight.

·        However, when they realized that the Russian command would not let them go just like that, they tried to escape from their units," the message says.

16:31: In the Bryansk region, a drone struck the REM, the region's governor said.

·        As a result of a drone attack on the territory of the Rem in the Trubchevsk district of the Bryansk region, an administrative building and a car were damaged, and there were no casualties.

13:25 Russian Media: The gas pipeline is burning in the Vurnarsky district of Chuvashia, Russia.

KHARKIV

December 21

10:11 Kharkiv RMA: A residential building was destroyed yesterday afternoon as a result of Russian shelling in Vovchansk.

·        A 72-year-old woman was injured and hospitalized. Doctors assess her condition as moderate.

·        Also, according to the head of the OVA, during the day, pyrotechnics of the State Emergency Service neutralized 305 units of enemy mines, explosives and ammunition.

December 20

23:53: A street appeared in Izyum, Kharkiv region, named after the children's writer Vladimir Vakulenko killed by Russians

·        In total, 21 streets were renamed in the city, getting rid of Russian place names.

13:57 Head of the company: That night, Russia launched a missile strike on Naftogaz's oil and gas infrastructure facility in Kharkiv region.

·        "People were not injured, but there was a large-scale fire, which is still being extinguished," Chernyshov said.

12:47 Social Networks: A powerful explosion was heard in Kharkiv.

LUHANSK

December 21

11:35 Luhansk RMA: "By the New Year we should expect beautiful gifts from the Armed Forces of Ukraine".

·        According to him, the weather now allows heavy military equipment to move - that is why hostilities on the front line will accelerate.

10:42 Luhansk RMA: Russian troops brought 15 officials from Novosibirsk to form a "power" in the temporarily occupied Bilovodsk Luhansk region.

·        "These individuals should replace collaborators who 'did not justify trust', and imitate the 'people's power' of the community, establish a repressive machine in the settlement," the OVA said.

10:23 Luhansk RMA:

·        the heaviest direction along the entire front line is Bakhmut. The Russians set out to win at least some kind of victory there;

·        mining of Luhansk region by the Russian Federation slows down the advance of the Armed Forces of Ukraine in the Svatovsky and Kremin directions;

·        Russian passports distributed in the occupied part of the Luhansk region are different from those that can be obtained in Russia.

DONETSK

December 22

10:54 Donetsk RMA: The day before, the Russians launched a missile strike on Pokrovsk and targeted the territory of the enterprise. No casualties or destruction.

·        Shelling of Vuhledar continues - 3 houses were damaged, no one was injured.

·        1 person was injured and 1 house was damaged in Bakhmut. It was loud in the Chasovoyarska community and Kostiantynivka.

11:53 Kharkiv  RMA: During the day, the settlements of Kupyansk, Kharkiv, Chuhuiv and Bohodukhiv districts, located near the border and the contact line, suffered from Russian shelling.

·        In Kupyansk, as a result of Russian shelling, a fire broke out in the administrative building of a civilian enterprise. No casualties.

·        Yesterday, in the village of Novy Burluk, Chuhuiv district, a 45-year-old tractor driver detonated and received shrapnel wounds on an unknown explosive device. Doctors assess his condition as moderate.

·        In Izyum  , a 39-year-old man was injured in an ammunition explosion who was trying to disassemble  the ammunition at his home.

December 21

13:54 Social Networks: Explosions are heard in the temporarily occupied Mariupol.

12:17 Donetsk RMA: At night, the Russians conducted shelling along the entire front line from Vuhledar to Lyman.

·        In the Volnovakha direction, 1 person was killed and 2 were injured. There are no casualties in Donetsk, but there is destruction. In the Gorlovka direction, 5 civilians were injured. In the Lisichansk direction, 1 person died.

09:48 Social Networks: Explosions are heard in the Donetsk region.

08:39 Donetsk RMA: Over the past day, Russians killed 2 civilians in Donetsk region: in Vuhledar and Torsk.

·        Another 8 people in the region were injured.

·        In addition, in Svyatogorsk, law enforcement officers found the bodies of 2 civilians killed during the occupation.

December 20

23:38 Donetsk RMA: Russians shelled Kurakhove: at least one person is wounded. The shelling in the city center was about 9

·        "Probably knowing where they are aiming, and realizing that they will only harm civilians. This is not the first shelling of Kurakhove today. A few hours earlier, the Russian occupiers targeted infrastructural objects with heavy artillery, trying to deprive people of gas, light and heat."

21:28: Deputy Minister of Defense of Ukraine Hanna Malyar during a visit to Bakhmut said that the Russians there suffered heavy losses, and the Armed Forces of Ukraine did not allow the Russian army to surround the city.

·        "Courageous warriors stand strong and pay a heavy price for it," Malyar said.

14:45: "Fortress Bakhmut. OurS. Recalcitrant before the enemy. Who by their courage prove that we will survive and will not give up our own. Ukraine is proud of you. I'm proud! Thank you for the courage, resilience and strength that you demonstrate in repelling enemy attacks," Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

14:34: Yesterday, in the Donetsk region, anti-aircraft missile forces shot down two military transport helicopters Mi-8 of the Russian Federation, the Air Force of Ukraine reported.

14:07: The military in Bakhmut asked Volodymyr Zelenskyy to hand over Ukrainian flag to the US Congress in gratitude for the weapons supplied.

13:02: Deputy Head of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine Hanna Malyar visited Bakhmut.

12:34: Volodymyr Zelenskyy arrived in Bakhmut.

·        12:50: "Volodymyr Zelenskyy visited the frontline positions in Bakhmut, awarded the fighters with insignia and valuable gifts. The president has already left Bakhmut," presidential spokesman Sergei Nikiforov confirmed.

ZAPORIZHIA

December 22

11:23 Social Networks: Local residents report explosion sounds in the temporarily occupied Melitopol and Melitopol district.

December 21

02:11 Social Networks: Explosions are heard in Zaporizhia.

December 20

13:18 Social Networks: Explosions are heard in the temporarily occupied Tokmak, Zaporizhia region.

DNIPRO

December 22

10:03 Dnipro RMA: 8 shellings from "Hurricanes", "Grads" and heavy artillery. An 8-year-old girl was injured.

·        The Russians terrorized two communities of the Nikopol region all night - Krasnogrigorovsk and Marganetsk. More than 50 shells were fired at civilians.

00:44 Social Networks: Explosions are heard in the city of Marganets, Dnipropetrovsk region.

December 21

12:44 Social Networks: Explosions are heard in Kryvyi Rih.

08:19 Dnipro RMA: At night, the Russians sent their Grads and heavy artillery to the Nikopol district six times.

·        Three communities were shelled - Marganetska, Myrivska and Chervonohryhorivska. At least 70 shells arrived there, Reznichenko added.

KHERSON

December 22

11:26 President's: Kherson region. Due to the impact of Russian artillery in the village of Stanislav, power grids and gas pipelines were damaged, the President's Office said.

·        A man is wounded and medical assistance is provided to him.

·        10 houses of local residents were damaged.

10:26: SBU detains a collaborator from the Party of Regions in Kherson who threatened to shoot for refusing to "vote" in a pseudo-referendum

·        In addition, she personally bypassed private households and demanded that people put the right "mark on the ballots."

·        In case of refusal, she immediately "appealed" to the armed Russians who accompanied her.

10:17 Kherson  RMA: Russians shelled the territory of Kherson region 60 times. They were beaten with artillery, MLRS, mortars and tanks.

·        Due to Russian shelling last day, 1 person was killed, 6 residents of the Kherson region were injured of varying severity.

December 21

22:41 Kherson RMA: Today, Russians shelled the village of Stanislav in the Kherson region several times.

·        "As a result of the shelling, a 74-year-old man was seriously injured. Due to enemy attacks, people had to be evacuated from the Humanitarian Aid Point and the Point of Indestructibility."

12:52 Kherson RMA: There is no light in the village of Ingulets due to the destruction of power grids by Russians.

·        Yaroslav Yanushevych, the head of the Kherson OVA, announced the delivery of generators to the village.

10:52 Ministry of Energy: Kherson region received 17 generators of various capacities as assistance from Israel.

·        In addition, the Ministry of Energy will send 21 generators and 24 transformers received from international partners to the Kherson region.

11:57 Social Networks: Explosions are heard again in Kherson.

08:50 Kherson RMA: Russian troops shelled the territory of Kherson region 71 times. They beat with artillery, MLRS, mortars and tanks.

·        According to him, the Russians targeted the riverport, private and apartment buildings.

·        Last day, the Russians killed 1 person, 6 people were injured of varying severity, the head of the OVA added.

10:32 Corriere della Sera: Two journalists from Italy were injured in Kherson.

·        The publication reported that journalists came under fire from Russian artillery in Antonovka in the Kherson region in a car with the inscription "PRESS".

·        In the car were 35-year-old freelance reporter Claudio Locatelli, along with 42-year-old photojournalist Niccolò Celesti and their Italian-Ukrainian translator Daniel.

10:28 Social Networks: Explosions are heard in Kherson.

00:42 Social Networks: Explosions are heard in the temporarily occupied Kakhovka, Kherson region.

00:30: A 14-year-old boy from Kherson went through the torture of Russians.

·        There were 13 children in the basement with him. They spent 10 days in captivity.

December 20

17:11 Social Networks: Explosions are heard in the temporarily occupied Nova Kakhovka, Kherson region.

15:46 press service of the Kherson Regional Prosecutor's Office: This morning, as a result of regular shelling of settlements of the Kherson region from the Russian side, a local resident was killed in one of the urban-type settlements.

·        Two civilians in Kherson were hospitalized with injuries sustained by shelling of residential areas. Residential buildings and apartments, outbuildings, administrative buildings, printing houses, preschool educational institution, power lines, gas pipeline were damaged.

15:16 SBU press service: At the initiative of the SBU, a collection of icons that Russians stole from his residence in Kherson was returned to the Lithuanian diplomat.

·        At the beginning of the full-scale invasion, the Russians robbed the house of a foreign diplomat in Kherson and removed more than 120 antiquities from the apartment. After the liberation of Kherson, SBU officers found stolen icons on the territory of the Assumption Cathedral.

14:43 Social Networks: Explosions are heard in Kherson.

13:17 Social Networks: Explosions are heard in Kherson.

MYKOLAIV

December 22

09:28 Head of the National Police of the region: The Russians again shelled the city of Ochakov,  Mykolaiv region, at night.

·        "This time with missiles, tentatively Onyx, again on the civilian house. There were no casualties," Shaikhet wrote.

10:32 Mykolaiv RMA: Yesterday, the Russians launched artillery strikes on the port zone and  the settlement of the Ochakov community. As a result, three people were injured, including a 10-year-old boy. 16 residential buildings were damaged.

·        Also yesterday, Russian troops launched strikes from the MLRS on the Kutsurub community. There is no destruction or casualties.

·        Tonight, a rocket attack on the settlement of the Ochakov community damaged residential buildings. There are no casualties.

December 21

2:50 President's Office: The Russians fired on Ochakov with barreled artillery. There are hits in the yard of civilians.

14:39 Mayor of Mykolaiv: As of 14:00, the specialists of "Mykolaivvodokanal" resumed the operation of pumping stations.

·        By approximately 20:00 in the evening, the tanks will be filled, so the water supply to the residents' homes will gradually resume.

13:57 Head of the National Police in the Mykolaiv region: As of 13:40, 3 wounded as a result of shelling by Russian troops Ochakov are known.

13:16 Mykolaiv RMA: In Ochakiv, as a result of Russian shelling, 2 wounded, mother and child.

12:41 Social Networks: Explosions are heard in Ochakiv, Mykolaiv region.

11:54 City Council: Russians shelled the territory of the Ochakov community of the Mykolaiv district with artillery.

·        As of this morning, there are 248 citizens in Mykolaiv hospitals who have suffered from Russian attacks on the Mykolaiv region.

KYIV

December 22

09:17: As of December 22, emergency blackouts continue to operate in Kyiv and the region, says DTEK.

December 21

08:03 DTEK: There are emergency blackouts in Kyiv and Dnipro, and schedules do not work.

December 20

22:07 Yasno: Today, about 1.1 million residents of Kyiv remained without electricity.

·        According to him, the city is provided with energy supply for less than 50% of the required capacity.

17:26 Kyiv RMA: In the Kyiv region, the situation with the light remains difficult, even critical infrastructure had to be turned off during the day.

·        According to him, in the evening they "expect good news" about the situation in Brovary, Boryspil and Obukhiv districts. In enhanced mode, repairs are also continued in the Buchan, Fastiv and Vyshgorod districts.

13:34: Kyiv's water supply system has been restored, according to Mayor Vitali Klitschko.

·        Pumping units at water pumping stations were put into operation, but it takes some time for water to reach all consumers.

SUMY

December 20

21:50 Sumy RMA: The Russians today fired mortars at the Znob-Novgorod community.

·        "19 mines exploded at the border. There were no casualties and destruction."

19:19 SBGS: In the Sumy region, border guards landed a Russian drone-intelligence officer.

·        It is reported that they neutralized the Russian drone with the help of anti-drone gun and small arms, which hit the air target.

14:14 Sumy RMA: Yesterday, December 19, the Russians shelled the Myropilska community.

·        The explosions damaged the church, and broken windows and shrapnel-pierced walls in three homes of local residents. Damaged power lines.

·        Yesterday, the Russians shelled the Znob-Novgorod community with artillery.

·        30 shells destroyed hangars, lyceum warehouses. The production workshop suffered the most. After a direct hit, a fire broke out there. The fire destroyed almost the entire fleet. Shrapnel also damaged the school's laboratory and power lines.

CHERNIHIV

December 20

12:01 Operational Command North: The Russians struck 10 strikes on the Chernihiv border in the morning.

·        From 05:50 to 06:20, 10 strikes were recorded, presumably from the ACS, in the area of Mikhalchyna Sloboda. There were no casualties among personnel and equipment, and no information was received about losses among the local population or damage to civilian infrastructure.

POLTAVA

December 20

13:08 Poltava RMA: Training shootings will be held in the Myrhorod community. If you hear the sounds of gunshots, keep calm.

·        Also, a technical explosion will be carried out at the quarry of the Kremenchuk community from 12:00 to 16:00.

12:55 Social Networks: An explosion was heard in Poltava.

LVIV

December 21

14:07 Lviv RMA: Lviv region again exceeded electricity consumption limits, so the energy distribution company Lvivoblenergo is forced to resort to emergency power outages.

Comparing Soviet invasion of Afghanistan to Russian invasion of Ukraine using Wikipedia and Ukraine Ministry of Defense Daily Bulletins. Soviet and Russian military losses not including captured equipment.

SOURCES

https://www.pravda.com.ua/eng/

https://euromaidanpress.com/

https://cutt.ly/Blyskavka

www.ubn.news