Russo-Ukrainian war, day 1391: Ukrainian Sea Baby drones sink Russian submarine for first time in history
Exclusives
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Russia's air defense stops 90% of Ukraine's attacks. Its supply chain is the weak link. To expose Russia, Ukraine and allies must stop air defenses before they're built. |
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No power, no heat, no water: How a city of 1 million survives when everything stops. Inside Odesa's longest blackout since Russia's full-scale invasion began |
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Brussels protests target Belgium's blocking of frozen Russian assets for Ukraine. Activists in Brussels demanded Belgium unblock €200bn in frozen Russian assets for Ukraine ahead of a crucial 18 December vote. |
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Trump offers Ukraine "security guarantees" that are designed to fail. NATO can't protect its own members—why would it protect Ukraine? |
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$62 billion in claims: sanctioned Russians hit Ukraine with a wave of lawsuits (INFOGRAPHICS). EU protections don't extend to Kyiv. |
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"Increasingly difficult": Kallas says EU can't yet agree how to use frozen Russian assets for Ukraine (INFOGRAPHIC). Summit decision on €210bn loan just three days away. |
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Russian air defenses are working better. That's bad news for Ukraine's drone strikes.. Despite regular fiery photos of strikes, Ukraine's drones are doing too little damage. |
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I've monitored Russian soldiers for 3.5 years. The system is finally cracking. What looks like stability is just the residue of fear and habit. |
Military
Third strike in one week: Ukrainian drones hit Caspian oil platforms that fund Russia's war machine with long-range drones. Russia bombs Ukraine with oil money. Ukraine bombs the oil.
For first time in history, Sub Sea Baby drones sink $400 million Russian submarine that terrorized Ukrainian cities (VIDEO). "Black holes" no more.
ISW: Russia's army can't sustain multi-pronged offensives due to manpower and equipment strain. A push toward Ukraine's heavily fortified Fortress Belt would force Moscow to drain even more troops and equipment.
Frontline report: Russia's military air fleet is unraveling aircraft by aircraft, crew by crew. Catastrophic malfunctions are mounting across Russia's aviation forces, with crashes, crew deaths, and systemic failures accelerating deep in the rear.
Ukrainian missiles hammer Belgorod power plant for fourth time since September. The Luch combined heat and power plant in Belgorod sustained heavy damage in an overnight Ukrainian missile attack; Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin claimed 15 drones were shot down over the Russian capital
"Russians will have to keep warm with love for their leader": Ukrainian commander says this winter will hit Russia harder than ever. This winter will be colder and darker specifically for Russia.
Intelligence and technology
Soviet R-30 missiles, US electronics, Chinese mesh modems: Russia's Frankenstein drone now hunts Ukrainian aircraft. Russia combined 1970s Soviet missiles with 2020s Western electronics
Poland may transfer six to eight MiG-29 aircraft to Ukraine. Poland could exchange six to eight MiG-29 fighters reaching the end of their service life for Ukrainian drone technologies, Deputy Defense Minister Cezary Tomczyk said
International
EU puts sanctions on Russia's electronic warfare battalion based in Kaliningrad. EU widens net around Russia's cyber and disinformation operatives.
Lithuania builds major military base at NATO's vulnerable point — corridor Russia could cut to isolate Baltics in potential attack. If Russia cuts this 100 km corridor, the Baltics are isolated.
"We know exactly what Russia wants": Zelenskyy says US, Ukraine did not reach territory compromise during talks in Berlin. US plan demands Ukraine withdraw from demilitarized zone. Who protects it from Russia?
Berlin talks show "progress" on Ukraine peace as EU scrambles to secure $220 bn loan. European unity faces dual threats as Italy joins Belgium in opposing a $220 billion loan plan using frozen Russian assets and territorial concessions remain disputed in peace negotiations.
Humanitarian and social impact
. Hatred found him again after 80 years.
Russia's 5,000 November strikes push Ukraine's power grid toward total eastern blackout. Ukraine stands "one step from a blackout" in Kyiv as Russian forces target transmission infrastructure connecting the country's eastern and western power systems, The Washington Post reports
Political and legal developments
"For old man in bunker, stopping war would mean destroying himself": Ukrainian Commander Madiar says Putin uses peace talks to avoid sanctions. Putin cannot survive peace. Ukrainian commanders understand this, even if the West doesn't.
Poll shows 63% of Ukrainians support Zelenskyy, despite Trump's election demands and Russia's "illegitimacy" claims. Russia won't negotiate because Zelenskyy is "illegitimate." But will Russia negotiate with whoever Ukrainians elect next to not surrender?
75% of Ukrainians oppose "peace plan," which includes withdrawal of troops from Donbas. Three in four Ukrainians oppose a peace settlement that would force their military to abandon Kramatorsk, Sloviansk, and other Donetsk region cities currently under government control
New developments
Russia's war kills 644 Ukrainian athletes. Chess Federation's response: Restore Russian flags and host events in Belarus. 61 countries voted to restore full Russian rights.
Read our earlier daily review here.
