Prepared by Anna Dovha, Sofia Oliynyk, Maryana Zaviyska
Photo: Zelenskyi official telegram channel
Cities under attack.
Kyiv region. Today, around 6 am local time, kamikaze drones attacked once again the Kyiv region and Kyiv. Air defense system destroyed 13 drones, however two administrative buildings were damaged, as well as 4 residential houses. Another residential house was damaged in the Kyiv region. Sumy region. On December 13, Russian forces shelled three communities, launching 28 strikes along the border. Two bombs were launched from the drones, hitting Esman community. Kherson region. Over the past day, December 13, the Russian occupying forces shelled the territory of the Kherson region 42 times using artillery, rocket launchers, tanks and mortars. One person injured and one person killed due to the shelling. Donetsk region. On December 13, Russia hit once again Kramatorsk. The Russians hit the industrial zone and the building of the Institute of Technology and Management. Information about the victims has been clarified, but the exact consequences have yet to be established. Active shelling of the region continues. As of December 14, at least 7 residential houses were damaged, as well as enterprises and the kindergarten.
Human rights.
In the temporarily occupied Crimea, the Crimean Tatar Resource Center recorded 7911 violations of basic human rights. Of them, 5613 are related to representatives of the Crimean Tatar people. This includes 371 searches (277 cases regarding Crimean Tatars), 1327 arrests (1091 cases concerning Crimean Tatars), 1270 interrogations (969 cases regarding Crimean Tatars), 1212 arrests (902 concerning regarding Crimean Tatars).
Since the beginning of the full-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine, 54 rescuers of the State Emergency Service have died, and another 178 have been injured.
In Russia, the court considered the case of Ukrainian prisoner of war Mykyta Shkriabin for the first time and came to the conclusion that Ukrainian prisoners are outside the Russian legal field.
Forced migration.
According to the Ministry of Social Policy of Ukraine, as of December 8, almost 4.9 million internally displaced persons were registered in Ukraine. Among them 3.5 million people were registered after the beginning of the full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
The European Commission allocates €10.1 million to Estonia to cover costs related to providing assistance to Ukrainian refugees.
War crimes prosecution.
Ukrainian prosecutors recorded 154 cases of sexual violence by Russian servicemen. Six Russian occupiers have already been informed of the suspicions. Indictments against 2 persons were sent to the court, one person was convicted.
Foreign policy.
Representatives of the G7 member states, following the results of the meeting on December 12, promised to continue unprecedented support for Ukraine, condemning ‘brutal attacks by Russia’ on Ukrainian critical infrastructure, energy and water supply facilities. Also, the G7 emphasized that indiscriminate attacks, as well as attacks on the civilian population or on civilian objects, are a war crime.
Germany will approve another 50 million euros ($52.68 million) in winter aid for Ukraine in response to Russian attacks on energy infrastructure there according to German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock, Reuters reports. Currently Germany is working on delivery of generators, blankets and heating fuel to Ukraine, as Russia is terrorizing power facilities causing power shortages in many parts of the country.
On the morning of December 12, a package with threats was delivered to the Embassy of Ukraine in Greece. In total, 33 cases of threats have already been recorded in 17 countries: 1 attempted terrorist attack, 2 reports of landmines, 1 case of vandalism, 1 case of written threats, and 28 packages.
Economic security.
On December 12, the European Council decided to increase the overall financial ceiling of the European Peace Facility by €2 billion in 2023, with the possibility of a further increase at a later stage. This decision sends a clear political signal of the EU’s enduring commitment to military support for Ukraine and other partners alike, according to the website of the European Council.
On December 13, in Paris, France, Ukraine signed four agreements with international partners, informs the Prime Minister office. The total amount of the agreements is more than EUR 530 million. This includes a guarantee agreement between the Government of Ukraine and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development on attracting a EUR 300 million loan for Ukrenergo for the emergency restoration of power transmission networks. As well as agreement with the Government of France on the supply of rails for Ukrzaliznytsia produced by the French company Saarstahl in the amount of up to EUR 37.6 million. Last but not least, Memorandum between Ukravtodor and Matiere on the supply of bridges worth about EUR 25 million. Overall, Ukraine has mobilized about USD 1 billion of assistance from international partners for the winter period in the frame of the Conference Standing with the Ukrainian People.
Sanctions.
European Union countries failed to agree on the ninth package of sanctions against Russia at a meeting of foreign ministers, Joseph Borrel, EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy reported. The European Commission has proposed sanctions against three more Russian banks and additional export restrictions on dual-purpose goods, as well as prepared measures to make it more difficult for Russia to access drones. The proposal also included the blocking of four more Russian TV channels on the air and on all platforms. Meanwhile, the European Union member states were able to agree on a package of sanctions against Iran due to the supply of weapons to the Russian Federation, in particular, combat drones.
The participation of Russia and Belarus in the International Union of Railways was suspended. Oleksandr Kamyshyn, Chairman of the Board of Ukrainian state-owned rail transport company Ukrzaliznytsia reported that during the voting there was pressure from representatives of China, India, Mongolia, Iran, Armenia and Kazakhstan.
Energy security.
As of December 13, the Ukrainian power system remains in a difficult situation, in particular, due to the weather conditions which negatively affects the high-voltage and distribution networks and significantly complicates the work of repair crews. As a result of shelling by the Russian invaders, all thermal power plants of Ukraine were damaged and 44 high-voltage overhead lines were de-energized. The Prime Minister of Ukraine, Denys Shmyhal, said that Ukraine needs about a billion dollars to restore the energy system.
Demilitarization of the Zaporizhzhhia Nuclear Power Plant is a top priority of President Volodymyr Zelensky’s peace plan, said Prime Minister of Ukraine Denys Shmyhal as a follow up to the meeting with the IAEA chief. Raphael Grossi mentioned that in the near future the IAEA will send permanent technical missions to all nuclear plants in Ukraine. The organization’s independent experts will work at the Zaporizhzhia, Rivne, Khmelnytskyi, South Ukrainian, and Chornobyl NPPs.
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Spain in association with Red Eléctrica, has announced the donation of a contingent of high-voltage electrical equipment to Ukrenergo. Transformers, lightning rods, generators will enable to help alleviate the serious energy situation in Ukraine after the constant Russian attacks on the Ukrainian electricity generation and distribution system.
In addition, Canada will transfer $115 million to repair Kyiv’s power grid. Overall, Canada has already allocated $2 billion in direct financial assistance to Ukraine in 2022, and committed an additional $500 million through the Ukraine Sovereignty Bond earlier this month.
The European Commission will fund up to 30 million LED bulbs for Ukraine for energy savings.50 million of the bulbs will help to save 1 GW, which equals the annual output of a nuclear plant, said Ursula von der Leyen.
Anti-corruption.
On December 13, Parliament of Ukraine voted to liquidate the Kyiv District Administrative Court, which Ukrainian anti-corruption authorities had compared to a criminal organization and whose chairman was hit with U.S. sanctions Dec. 9. Later that day, President Zelenskyi signed the law so it immediately went into power.
Ecocide.
Serhii Khlan, member of the Kherson Regional Council, reported that the Russian military is deliberately shooting white swans in the Kherson Region, which are included in the Red Book of Ukraine.
Recent polls.
Sociological group ‘Rating’ held a national survey on the topic of reconstruction and international aid. According to the results of the survey, Ukrainians’ views on when to begin the repair of damage in the de-occupied territories vary from 44% think it should be done as soon as possible, and 52% believe it is worth waiting for the war to end. Differences are observed within the regional distribution: residents of the Eastern regions are more likely to be in favor of reconstruction as soon as possible, while respondents from the Western and Central regions are more supportive of the idea of postponing it until the war ends. Communications and energy infrastructure (64%) are the main priority for recovery in conflict-affected communities according to all respondents. Reconstruction of social infrastructure (schools, hospitals) was most often chosen as the second priority (29%), somewhat less often – restoration of private housing and communications (24% each), transport infrastructure (17%).
Statistics.
- General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine announced the total estimated losses of the Russian military as of 10 a.m., December 14, 2022: personnel – around 96 000, tanks ‒ 2970, APV ‒ 5937, artillery systems – 1931, MLRS – 404, anti-aircraft warfare systems – 211, fixed-wing aircraft – 281, helicopters – 264, operational-tactical level UAV – 1617, cruise missiles – 592, boats and light speed boats – 16, soft-skinned vehicles and fuel tankers – 4562, special equipment – 171.
Christmas in the air.
Thinking of Christmas shopping? Check some of the Ukraine supporting brands delivering worldwide:
- Made with Bravery the official Ukrainian marketplace of different goods and gifts produced in Ukraine.
- Here and Now sustainable eco pottery by Yuliya Makliuk. Part of the profit goes for reconstruction needs of Irpin and support of armed forces.
- Saint Javelin former journalist project that distributes profits to support rebuilding Ukraine and its humanitarian needs.
- OLIZ silk scarves and clothes. 50% of income goes to the Ukrainian army and volunteers.
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