Sunday, December 8

Russia’s war against Ukraine

President Volodymyr Zelensky met with French President Emmanuel Macron and U.S. President-elect Donald Trump at the Elysee Palace on Dec. 7, 2024 in Paris, France. Donald Trump was among the wave of foreign dignitaries descending on Paris this weekend to attend a reopening ceremony at Notre Dame Cathedral, more than five years after it was damaged in a major fire. (Oleg Nikishin/Getty Images)

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Zelensky praises ‘productive’ meeting with Trump, Macron, stresses ‘peace through strength.’ The previously unannounced meeting comes ahead of Trump’s inauguration on Jan. 20. It also marks the first in-person encounter between Zelensky and Trump since Trump won re-election.

US announces $988 million military aid package for Ukraine. The aid package includes ammunition for High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS), as well as new drone deliveries.

Denmark delivers second batch of F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine, Zelensky announces. President Zelensky said that if all international partners demonstrated the same level of commitment then “Russian terror could already have been made impossible.”

Ukrainian sea drones target Russian-occupied gas platforms in Crimea, Navy says. “The hunt for the enemy in the Black Sea continues,” Commander of the Naval Forces Vice-Admiral Oleksii Neizhpapa said.

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Zelensky discusses peace efforts with Austria’s Nehammer in Paris. Austrian Chancellor Karl Nehammer reaffirmed Austria’s commitment to supporting peace initiatives, emphasizing Vienna’s readiness to host future peace talks due to its neutral status.

Zelensky meets with Georgian president, urges Georgians not to ‘let government surrender country to Putin.’ “Ukraine supports and stands in solidarity with the Georgian people, who are currently fighting for a worthy future for themselves,” Zelensky told Georgian President Salome Zourabichvili.

Situation in Zaporizhzhia Oblast ‘difficult,’ but ‘predicted,’ Freedom of Russia Legion spokesperson says. The comment comes after a series of warnings and attacks on Zaporizhzhia Oblast, which is becoming an increasingly active part of the frontline.

Russia claims control of village in Donetsk Oblast, Ukraine has not confirmed capture. Russia claimed control over the village of Beretsky in Donetsk Oblast, the Russian Defense Ministry announced on Dec. 7. Ukrainian officials have not commented on Russia’s claims, which could not be independently verified.

Russia-backed Assad regime collapses in Syria

Syrian rebels announce fall of Russia-backed Assad regime. “The tyrant Bashar al-Assad has fled. We declare the city of Damascus free from the tyrant Bashar al-Assad,” rebel leaders claimed on Dec. 8.

Rebels enter Damascus, Assad reportedly flees capital. Syrian President Bashar al-Assad boarded a plane out of Damascus on Dec. 8 as rebel forces swept into the capital, two senior army officers told Reuters.

Russia’s war in Ukraine weakened Assad regime, Sullivan says. “Assad’s backers — Iran, Russia, and Hezbollah — have all been weakened and distracted,” U.S. National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan said. Russia was unable to provide large-scale military support while “ground down in a war of attrition” in Ukraine.

Syrian government forces withdraw from Homs, cutting Assad off from key Russian military base. Homs is located between Damascus, Syria’s capital, and the Mediterranean coast — where Russia maintains its Khmeimim Air Base and Tartus Naval Base.

Read our exclusives

5 high-end Ukrainian fashion brands you should know

Even under a barrage of missiles and drones, Ukrainian fashion brands have shown they can compete on the global haute couture stage and clothe some of the world’s biggest stars all while supporting the nation’s defenders.

Image: The Kyiv Independent

Chornobyl: An exclusive look at the exclusion zone during war

Human cost of war

Russian attacks against Kherson Oblast injure 16, including child, governor reports. These attacks follow recent developments on the front line, where military forces are locked in battle over small islands in the Dnipro River.

General Staff: Russia has lost 751,910 troops in Ukraine since Feb 24, 2022. This number includes 1,300 casualties Russian forces suffered just over the past day.

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Today’s Ukraine Daily was brought to you by Chris York, Martina Sapio, Dmytro Basmat, Volodymyr Ivanyshyn, Oleg Sukhov, and Abbey Fenbert.

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