Live coverage of the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine: Kyiv launches a drone attack on Putin’s military forces in Crimea.

Live coverage of the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine: Kyiv launches a drone attack on Putin's military forces in Crimea.


The city of Kyiv experiences the biggest drone attack ever launched by Russia, resulting in five people being injured.

Ukraine has launched dozens of long-range assaults on occupied Crimea and the Sea of Azov deep behind enemy lines, with heavy fighting on the eastern frontline.

According to the Russian defense ministry, they successfully brought down a total of 41 Ukrainian drones during the night and into Tuesday morning. However, Ukrainian air forces countered this claim by stating that they were able to intercept 10 out of the 17 drones launched by Russian forces. Additionally, Russian artillery targeted the southern Ukrainian city of Kherson, resulting in the deaths of two individuals.

Russian forces have made confirmed progress in a crucial eastern town, as reported by Kyiv commanders, through intensifying artillery and mortar shelling to demolish the area.

Location-based video footage revealed that Russian troops had achieved progress in the northern region of Adviivka, located in Donetsk. However, the advancement seems to be limited to just a few hundred meters. The area has been a site of intense battle for several months as Ukraine strives to protect it.

The Russian military is trying to seal a gap that was created by Ukrainian troops in the frontline near Avdiivka. Officials from Ukraine reported that every building in the town has been destroyed.

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The country of Russia continues to launch offensives on the already devastated town of Avdiivka in eastern Ukraine.

Ukrainian officials reported increased attacks by Russian forces on the heavily damaged town of Avdiivka on Monday, as the Russian military continues to make slow progress in its advance through eastern Ukraine.

The city is located 12 miles north of Donetsk, a city currently under Russian control. This area, known as the eastern Donbas region, has been a site of conflict as Russia’s military has attempted to gain control since their unsuccessful attempt to capture Kyiv in February 2022 during the invasion of Ukraine.

According to a report from the Institute for the Study of War, Russia has confirmed territorial gains in the region.

In their overnight report, they stated that on December 4th, footage with a location tag showed that Russian troops had moved closer to the reservoir area just north of Avdiivka. More footage with a location tag, also published on December 4th, revealed that Russian forces had advanced into Stepove, located 5km northwest of Avdiivka.

Ukrainian authorities have confirmed that the town has been completely destroyed, with no buildings left standing. There has also been intense fighting in the neighboring towns of Maryinka and Bakhmut.

“Over the past two days, there has been a noticeable rise in artillery and mortar attacks,” stated Vitaliy Barabash, the leader of Avdiivka’s military administration, during an interview on national television.

There has been a rise in instances of assault as well. It is likely that they are biding their time for more favorable weather to utilize their equipment once more, as they have done before, but on a larger magnitude.

In 2014, Avdiivka was taken over by separatists backed by Russia, but later recaptured by Ukrainian soldiers who constructed significant defenses.

<p>Ukrainian soldiers are seen in a tank as Russia and Ukraine war continues in the direction of Avdiivka</p>

As the conflict between Russia and Ukraine in the Avdiivka region rages on, Ukrainian soldiers can be observed inside a tank.

Tom Watling5 December 2023 08:30
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A soldier in Ukraine’s front line claims to have the ability to detect a potential attack from Russia.

A soldier from Ukraine has confessed that he and his fellow soldiers are getting ready for a challenging winter and spring ahead. He added that there is a strong possibility of a Russian attack in the near future.

He is currently located in Robotyne, in southern Ukraine, where the main counteroffensive occurred. However, he stated in June, when the attack began, that he was aware it would ultimately be unsuccessful.

After the counteroffensive, he wrote: “We are tired. We no longer have control. The coming winter and spring will be challenging, with the possibility of a Russian attack. The situation is truly unfortunate.”

The primary issue is not the lack of drones, shells, or equipment. We have suffered a significant loss of highly skilled individuals. And those who are left are fatigued and lacking motivation.

He and his troops are currently located in a protrusion on the Russian front line, having achieved minor progress in their ongoing attack over the course of several months.

Afterward, they find themselves surrounded by Russian forces on three sides and face an increased danger of a potential Russian counterattack.

<p>A Ukrainian soldier of the 65th Mechanized Brigade walks past a destroyed car, next to the trenches built by Russian forces, and that were captured by the Ukrainian army, near the frontline village of Robotyne, in the Zaporizhzhia region, on 1 October 2023</p>

On October 1, 2023, a member of the 65th Mechanized Brigade from Ukraine was seen walking by a damaged vehicle, which was located near the trenches constructed by Russian troops. The Ukrainian army had taken control of these trenches in the village of Robotyne, situated in the Zaporizhzhia region.

Tom Watling5 December 2023 11:42
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Zelensky and high-ranking US officials to present argument for funding Ukraine to Congress.

On Tuesday, Ukraine’s president Volodymyr Zelensky and advisors to US President Joe Biden will present their argument to US senators for additional military aid to assist in fending off Russian invaders.

The Senate majority leader invited the leader of Ukraine during the war to speak to the upper chamber of Congress. This invitation came after the House of Representatives, which is the lower chamber, was cautioned on Monday that if they persist in obstructing aid to Ukraine, there will be a depletion of financial and military assistance by the end of the year. This could potentially result in Russian advancements on the battlefield.

In October, President Biden’s administration requested a budget of approximately $106 billion to fund their extensive proposals for Ukraine, Israel, and US border protection. However, the Republican party, who holds a narrow majority in the House, declined to approve the package.

On Tuesday, several high-ranking members of the Biden administration, such as Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and Secretary of State Antony Blinken, are scheduled to provide information to the senators.

The Senate leader, Mick Schumer, initiated the progress of promoting a bill for emergency aid to Ukraine and Israel on the Senate floor.

<p>President Volodymyr Zelensky and US Secretary of State Antony Blinken will address Senators later today  </p>

Later today, President Volodymyr Zelensky and US Secretary of State Antony Blinken will speak to Senators.

Tom Watling5 December 2023 11:03
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Putin will be traveling to the UAE and Saudi Arabia for “working visits” while the rest of the world is focused on discussing climate action at Cop28.

According to reports, Vladimir Putin is scheduled to visit Saudi Arabia and the UAE this week for a meeting with oil-producing allies. This trip will draw attention to the Russian president’s international isolation due to his actions in the conflict with Ukraine.

Shortly after over 100 global leaders strolled down a street decorated with flags at the Cop28 conference in Dubai and took a “family photo” to kick off important UN discussions on climate change, the Russian president, who was not present, will be taking a “working visit” to the UAE.

Afterwards, Mr. Putin will travel to Saudi Arabia where he plans to hold talks primarily with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, as stated by Kremlin aide Yury Ushakov.

Tom Watling5 December 2023 10:30
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The president of Iran, Raisi, will be heading to Russia on Thursday for a visit.

On Thursday, Iran’s leader Ebrahim Raisi will visit Russia accompanied by a group focused on politics and economics, according to the semi-official Tasnim news agency’s report on Tuesday.

On Tuesday, Hossein Amirabdollahian, Iran’s foreign minister, traveled to Moscow to participate in a meeting with the other littoral states of the Caspian Sea.

Since the beginning of the conflict in Ukraine in February 2022, Moscow and Tehran have strengthened their security, political, and economic connections. This is due to both countries facing sanctions from the US. Additionally, Iran has faced accusations of providing Russia with dangerous kamikaze drones.

<p>Vladimir Putin meets with Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit in September  </p>

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In September 2021, Russian President Vladimir Putin holds discussions with Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi during the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit.

Tom Watling5 December 2023 09:57
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The British Ministry of Defense reports that Russia is gradually making progress in eastern Ukraine.

The latest intelligence brief from the British Ministry of Defence reports that Russian forces are gradually advancing near Donetsk City in eastern Ukraine. This is part of the Kremlin’s goal to gain control of the entire region.

The new information stated that Russia probably has dominance over the majority of the developed region in Marinka, a small town located west of Donetsk City.

Since 2014, the region has been a battleground for the Russia-Ukraine conflict as forces loyal to the Kremlin, known as “little green men”, seized control of certain areas.

According to the report, Russian forces have been gradually gaining ground in the destroyed town of Marinka in Donetsk Oblast. It is believed that Russia now has control over the majority of the populated area, but Ukrainian forces still hold pockets of territory on the town’s western outskirts.

“Russia’s renewed efforts against Marinka are part of Russia’s autumn offensive which is prioritising extending Russia’s control over the remaining parts of the Donetsk Oblast – highly likely still one of the Kremlin’s core war aims.”

Marinka is located 17 miles southwest of Avdiivka. Recently, Russian forces have caused severe destruction to Avdiivka, leaving the town almost completely destroyed.

Tom Watling5 December 2023 09:30
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Two individuals died as a result of a Russian attack on southern Ukraine.

According to local officials, the southern Ukrainian city of Kherson was hit by Russian forces, resulting in the death of two individuals and injury of three others.

The regional prosecutors have initiated an investigation into a potential war crime involving a strike that took place at approximately 9 am. The strike resulted in the deaths of a 48-year-old man and an unidentified woman.

The head of Ukraine’s presidential administration, Andriy Yermak, shared on Telegram two pictures of lifeless bodies lying on a sidewalk with the caption “Terrorists.”

The Mayor of Kherson, Roman Mrochko, reported that a medical facility was hit by artillery fire on Tuesday morning, resulting in two injured doctors.

The forces of Russia have consistently bombarded Kherson after withdrawing from the main city of the region at the end of last year, moving to the opposite bank of the Dnipro River.

Tom Watling5 December 2023 08:59
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What is occurring in Ukraine this morning?

Here is a quick summary of the events that took place in Ukraine during the night and this morning.

Overnight, Russia and Ukraine engaged in a drone attack exchange, according to reports from their respective armed forces. The Russian Ministry of Defence reported shooting down 26 out of 41 drones launched by Ukraine, while the Ukrainian Air Forces claimed to have intercepted 10 out of 17 drones launched by Russian forces.

Russian troops on the front lines heavily bombarded the devastated town of Avdiivka on Monday, according to Ukrainian authorities. The town is the most recent area of conflict along the 600-mile battle front.

White House officials have sent a letter to House Speaker Mike Johnson warning that Ukraine’s funding will be depleted by the end of the year if the Republican-controlled lower chamber of Congress continues to hinder the Biden administration’s proposed investments.

After being warned by the White House, Chuck Schumer, the leader of the majority in the US Senate, stated that he has invited Ukraine’s president Volodymyr Zelensky to speak to the senators. He believes it is important for the senators to hear directly from Zelensky about the current situation. This meeting will occur later today.

On the border between Poland and Ukraine, the prime minister of Poland, Mateusz Morawiecki, urged the European Union to reinstate permits that restrict transit for Ukrainian truck drivers, as tensions between the two countries persist. Since November 6, Polish drivers have been blocking the crossings in protest of the lack of permits. Slovakia and Hungary have also voiced their concerns over the influx of cheaper Ukrainian goods and labor, which they believe is undermining their own domestic markets.

<p>A Ukrainian serviceman stands next to residential buildings heavily damaged by permanent Russian military strikes in the front line town of Avdiivka</p>

Standing next to damaged residential buildings in the front line town of Avdiivka, a serviceman from Ukraine observes the destruction caused by consistent military attacks from Russia.

<p>Police officers stand as trucks belonging to different Polish transport company owners block the access to Polish-Ukraine border crossing in protest against ‘unfair' competition in Hrebenne, Poland</p>

In Hrebenne, Poland, trucks owned by various Polish transport companies are obstructing the Polish-Ukraine border crossing in a demonstration against perceived unfair competition. Police officers are present at the scene.

<p>Ukrainian servicemen who sustained concussions or minor injuries are recovering in a field hospital near a frontline in the Donetsk region</p>

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Soldiers from Ukraine who suffered from concussions or minor injuries are currently recuperating in a field hospital located near the frontline in the Donetsk region.

Tom Watling5 December 2023 07:57
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The Russian Ministry of Defense reports that their air defense systems have successfully shot down 41 drones launched by Ukraine.

According to the Russian defense ministry, a combined 41 drones were either taken down or stopped by Russian air defense systems during the night and early morning, all of which were launched by Ukraine.

The Ministry reported on its Telegram channel that 26 drones were eliminated while flying over Russian territory, and 15 were stopped in the airspace above the Sea of Azov and the Crimean Peninsula.

It was not stated by the ministry if the attack or falling debris resulted in any damage.

Tom Watling5 December 2023 07:30
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During an overnight strike, Ukraine reported shooting down 10 out of 17 Russian drones.

According to officials, Ukraine’s military successfully downed 10 of the 17 attack drones that were launched by Russia overnight.

The air force in Kyiv reported that the drones were taken down in multiple areas across the country.

Additionally, it was reported that six S-300 missiles were fired at non-military targets in the eastern Donetsk and southern Kherson areas.

No damages were immediately reported.

<p>A deminer touches the wreckage of a retrieved S-300 rocket, which fell a few months ago in the Dnipro river</p>

A deminer is handling the remnants of an S-300 rocket that was recovered from the Dnipro river several months ago.

Tom Watling5 December 2023 07:23

Source: independent.co.uk