The Ukrainian week publishes key updates from Ukraine on December 27:
- Ukrainian military destroys another Russian warship. The commander of the Ukrainian Air Force, Mykola Oleshchuk, confirmed that the Ukrainian military destroyed Novocherkassk, a large Russian warship, in the occupied region of Crimea, in Feodosia. The Ukrainian Air Force did not provide any details on how they destroyed the Novocherkassk. When asked about the missiles used to strike the ship, Yuriy Ihnat, spokesperson for the Air Force, mentioned that Ukraine has access to long-range Storm Shadow and SCALP missiles thanks to its international partners. Ukraine’s Southern Defense Forces indicated that the Novocherkassk was a warship built for the USSR by socialist Poland between 1975 and 1991. It’s worth noting that in 2014, Russian troops seized a similar Ukrainian Navy ship, the Konstantin Olshansky, after occupation of Crimea. On December 26, the Russian Ministry of Defense confirmed that the Ukrainian Armed Forces fired missiles from Su-24 aircraft at the Novocherkassk in the occupied Feodosia region (Crimea), according to RIA Novosti. Afterwards, the central district of Feodosia was surrounded by Russian occupation forces, who increased monitoring of residents in the streets. They were searching for “informants” who monitored the port for the Ukrainian military. Residents have posted videos showing a sequence of secondary explosions after a ship was struck, indicating that the vessel possibly had weaponry on board. According to the Ukrainian military, some of them were drones supplied to Russia by the Islamic Republic of Iran to later use against Ukraine. British Minister of Defence Grant Shapps said that the destruction of Novocherkassk in the occupied Feodosia refutes claims that the war in Ukraine has reached a “dead end” and reminded that “over the past 4 months, 20% of the Russian Black Sea Fleet has been destroyed. Russia’s dominance in the Black Sea is now in doubt”.
- EU eyes a funding plan to bypass Orban’s veto. The European Union is devising a back-up plan worth up to 20 billion euros to assist Ukraine, despite the objections raised by Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán regarding financial aid for Kyiv. The proposed plan involves EU member states offering guarantees to the EU budget to facilitate this support. TThe European Commission is planning to borrow a sum of up to 20 billion euros on the capital markets for Kyiv in 2024. The exact terms of this borrowing are still under discussion, and the final amount will be determined based on Ukraine’s needs. This is an important development as it would not require guarantees from all 27 EU member countries. Countries with the highest credit ratings would be the primary participants. The Hungarian Prime Minister vetoed a decision on a long-term budget support program for Ukraine amounting to 50 billion euros from the EU.
- “Situation in the East is difficult”. Russian occupation forces continue attempts to break through the Ukrainian Forces’ defence in the east, said Commander of Ukraine Ground Forces, Oleksandr Syrsky. He described the situation as ‘difficult’. In the direction of Kupiansk, Russians have been trying to capture Synkivka at any cost and create conditions for blocking Kupiansk. The total number of Russian military personnel in assault units is more than two thousand soldiers. In Bakhmut’s direction, intense battles are ongoing while Russians are trying to capture Bohdanivka and restore the lost positions in the areas of Klishchiivka, Kurdiumivka, and Andriivka. Russians have also launched marine infantry attacks. On December 26, Chief Commander of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Valeriy Zaluzhnyy, announced that the Ukrainian military had withdrawn to the outskirts of Mariinka. The city has been completely destroyed after the Russian attacks. “Mariinka doesn’t exist”, said Zaluzhnyy. According to Zaluzhny, Ukrainian defenders are still in the northern part of the city and have built a defensive line. “This is war. I think the fact that we have now withdrawn to the outskirts of Mariinka is not something that should cause public outrage”, said the Ukrainian general.
- Ukrainian pilots are undergoing F-16 training. The British government announced that the first batch of Ukrainian pilots who received their training in the United Kingdom are currently undergoing F-16 fighter jet training in Denmark. The group began their English language and practical flight training in August. Ten additional Ukrainian pilots have now joined them in the UK to continue their training in aeronautical medicine and centrifuge training. As part of their basic training, pilots learn general piloting procedures, low and medium-altitude navigation, and formation flying on Grob Tutor aircraft. British Defense Minister Grant Shapps expressed his pride in the Royal Air Force’s support to the next generation of Ukrainian combat pilots and ground crews. These individuals will be the first line of defence in protecting the skies of Ukraine.
- Latvia transfers vehicles to Ukraine. Latvia has recently transferred 271 cars to Ukraine, which were confiscated from drunk drivers in accordance with the new legislation. The total value of these cars was almost one million euros. The Latvian government is currently preparing documents for the transfer of another 34 cars to Ukraine, which are estimated to be worth around 161,880 euros. A convoy led by Reinis Pozniak is delivering cars to Ukraine, as reported by Latvian media outlet Delfi. In an interview with Evropeiska Pravda, former Latvian Prime Minister Krisjanis Karinš (now heading the Ministry of Foreign Affairs) stated that the Ukrainian cause has 100% support from Latvian society.
