The Ukrainian Week summarises recent developments on the frontline as well as updates to the military aid delivered to Ukraine by its Western partners.
- Avdiivka direction: Joint Press Centre for Ukraine’s Armed Forces Operational-Strategic Group Tavria reported that more than 40,000 Russian military personnel are concentrated in the Avdiivka direction. According to Oleksandr Shtupun, the Joint Press Centre spokesperson, the Russian command loses 300-400 soldiers daily. He also noted that the Russians continue to actively use armoured vehicles and aviation; yesterday, it was reported that Russians dropped 40 guided aerial bombs in the Donetsk region. In its daily reporting, Tavria informed of 24 airstrikes, 56 combat clashes, and 648 artillery shelling incidents in its operational zone over the past day. Additionally, 20 Russian vehicles, including tanks and armoured vehicles, were reportedly destroyed.
- Missile attacks: Ukraine’s Armed Forces CentCom reported that on Friday, 8 December, Russian forces launched 20 cruise missiles Kh-101/Kh-555, a ballistic Iskander-M missile, and 6 guided anti-aircraft missiles S-300 against Ukraine. Ukrainian air defence forces destroyed 14 out of 19 Russian Kh-101/Kh-555 missiles. Unfortunately, there have been casualties and injuries among the civilian population, and private residential buildings as well as civilian infrastructure, have suffered damage.
- Southern frontline: Analysts of the online war mapping resource, Deep State, informed that the Russian military is deploying equipment to Robotyne, Zaporizhzhia region. The invading forces also seem to be attempting to advance in the area near the settlement, previously liberated by the Ukrainian military. Despite the difficulties, Ukraine’s Armed Forces are advancing, overcoming the second line of fortifications of the Russian army in the direction of Melitopol. Meanwhile, Ukraine’s Ground Forces Operational Command South noted that the Russian troops are strengthening their fortifications and attempting to bring in more reserves to Ukraine’s southern frontline.
- Russian attacks on Snake Island: The UK Ministry of Defence said Russia is conducting risky strike operations on Snake Island in the Black Sea to demonstrate its influence and control in the region. According to British intelligence, a Russian Su-24M naval bomber was likely shot down by a Ukrainian surface-to-air missile over the northwestern part of the Black Sea near Snake Island on 5 December, likely killing two of its crew members. According to the UK Defence Ministry, since the summer of 2023, Russia has been continuing strike operations against Ukraine’s Snake Island despite the high risks to its military crews. Experts point out that this may be linked to Russia’s desire to demonstrate its control in the Black Sea, where Snake Island has become a symbol of Ukrainian resistance.
- Western military aid to Ukraine: Ukraine and Sweden are discussing the potential supply of Gripen fighter jets to Ukraine’s Armed Forces. This possibility was discussed during the meeting between Ukraine’s Defence Minister, Rustem Umerov, and the Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces of Sweden, Mikael Buden. Ukraine’s Deputy Defence Minister, Ivan Gavryliuk, said that “fruitful bilateral work regarding the transfer of Gripen aircraft is underway”. However, he also added that there are “certain issues related to NATO”, expressing hope that “‘we will soon be able to obtain these aircraft”. Meanwhile, Germany announced that it provided a new military aid package to Ukraine, including 155mm calibre shells, grenade launchers, and reconnaissance drones. Aid also includes 250 155mm calibre projectiles, the LUNA NG reconnaissance drone, 10 VECTOR reconnaissance drones, six patrol vehicles, 8 Zetros trucks, 70 MGW automatic grenade launchers, and 100 thousand military medical kits.
