Saturday, December 2

Russia’s war against Ukraine

Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal speaks on Dec. 1. (Government of Ukraine)

Zelensky acknowledges need for greater war mobilization. President Volodymyr Zelensky on Dec. 1 said changes to mobilization are necessary as he ordered a strategic turn focused on defense following a lackluster counteroffensive in Ukraine’s southern regions.

Ukraine, Poland discuss crisis as Slovak truckers join protests. Ukrainian and Polish officials met in Warsaw on on Dec. 1 to find a solution to end a protest by Polish truckers who want the EU to reinstate entry permits.

Ukraine secures extra 500 MW hours of electricity imports from EU. Ukraine has secured an additional 500 MW hours of electricity imports from Europe, increasing the total to 1,700 MW hours, Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal announced on Dec.1.

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First Lady Olena Zelenska says she doesn’t want a second term. First Lady Olena Zelenska told The Economist that she does not want President Volodymyr Zelensky to lead another term and that he needs to find something new in life.

Russian drones use Ukrainian SIMs for flight guidance. Ukrainian SIM cards issued by the Kyivstar mobile operator have been found in downed Shahed drones, local media reported on Dec. 1.

Central bank lifts restrictions on FX sales. The National Bank of Ukraine on Dec. 1 lifted all restrictions on financial institutions linked to the sales of foreign currencies to the public, the central bank announced.

Read our exclusives

Zelensky meets EU officials on Nov. 21, 2023. (Global Images Ukraine via Getty Images)

This Week in Ukraine Ep. 36 – Is Ukraine losing the war?

Episode #36 is dedicated to the dark new phase in Russia’s war, and why the possibility of losing is once again a risk for Ukraine.

Human cost of war

Putin signs decree to increase size of Russian army by 170,000 troops.

Russia’s Defense Ministry commented on the decree, saying that it was a response to an “increase in threats” that are associated with its full-scale war in Ukraine, as well as “ongoing NATO expansion.”

4 killed in Russian attack on Novohrodivka, Donetsk Oblast. The death toll of Russia’s Nov. 30 missile strike against the town of Novohrodivka in Donetsk Oblast has ris

Half of Ukrainians make no long-term life plans amid full-scale war.

Around half of Ukrainians make no long-term plans, while the number of people making life plans years in advance dropped from 19% to 12% over the past year, a survey by the Sociological Group Rating published on Dec 1. shows.

International response

US Ambassador: Two autotransformers delivered to Ukraine. “While Russia sends missiles and drones at Ukraine’s energy grid, the U.S. is helping keep the power on,” U.S. Ambassador to Ukraine Bridget Brink said.

Delivery of GLSDB long-range weapons by US to Ukraine pushed to 2024.

Ukraine will likely receive its first large batch of the U.S.-pledged Ground Launched Small Diameter Bomb (GLSDB) long-range weapons, adapted to strike at a range of 160 kilometers, in early 2024, Reuters reported on Nov. 30, citing the Pentagon and sources familiar with the matter.

Bloomberg: EU to announce plans to use frozen Russian assets for Ukraine’s reconstruction. The EU is likely to announce a proposal to use the tax profits from frozen Russian assets to fund Ukraine’s reconstruction in the coming weeks, Bloomberg reported on Nov. 30.

US, allies sanction Russia-based North Koreans over satellite launch.

The U.S. and allied countries have sanctioned eight foreign-based North Korean individuals, including two residing in Russia, in response to a launch of Pyongyang’s spy satellite, the U.S. Treasury Department announced on Nov. 30.

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Today’s Ukraine Daily was brought to you by Nate Ostiller, Martin Fornusek, Lili Bivings,

Francis Farrell, Dinara Khalilova, Dmytro Basmat, Elsa Court, Lance Luo, and Rachel Amran.

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