Mérc visited Kyiv, and Zelensky announced a new Contact Group: highlights from December 9th news.
Ukraine has established a new contact group that includes several European countries. Meanwhile, Friedrich Merz, the candidate for the German chancellorship from the Christian Democratic Union, has arrived in Kyiv.
For more details on what happened on Monday, December 9, read the article from RBK-Ukraine.
Russia's War Against Ukraine: Latest News
- Defense Minister Rustem Umerov discussed U.S. assistance and the next "Ramstein" meeting with Pentagon chief Lloyd Austin.
- The Russian Federation announced the transfer of "the bodies of prisoners of war", allegedly deceased due to the crash of an Il-76. The Coordination Staff reports that the identification of the remains transferred from Moscow during recent repatriation activities is currently underway.
Russia Launched Four Times More Missiles and Drones Against Ukraine This Fall Compared to Last Year, According to WSJ
According to The Wall Street Journal, Russia has launched over 6,000 missiles and drones at Ukraine in three months. 92% of all targets fired were drones and decoys.
WSJ sources indicate that Russia could be producing 1,200 equivalents of Iranian Shahed drones per month.
A Collaborator Sergei Evsyukov and His Wife Were in the Car Bombed in Occupied Donetsk
Evsyukov was killed, and his wife is in serious condition.
Sergei Evsyukov is the head of the Yelenovka colony. In July 2022, the occupiers carried out a terrorist attack in Olenivka, resulting in the deaths of at least 53 Ukrainian defenders and injuring 130 others.
Hackers Attempted to Attack Ukraine's Defense Enterprises
The State Special Communications Service reported that hackers sent phishing emails disguised as official messages from the Ukrainian Union of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs. The emails contained a "malicious" link.
The cyberattack is attributed to the UAC-0185 group, which has been actively operating since at least 2022. The hackers also targeted representatives of Ukraine's Security and Defense Forces.
13-Meter Craters: British Intelligence Recorded the Destruction of Russian S-400 in Crimea
It is noted that Ukrainian warriors destroyed elements of the Russian S-400 air defense system in Simferopol on November 29, 2024.
Intelligence emphasizes that this is the second registered successful strike by the Armed Forces of Ukraine against Russian S-400 systems in November, following the destruction of such a system in the Kursk region on November 23, 2024.
Zelensky to Discuss NATO Invitation; He Will Call President Biden Soon
"By the way, I plan to call President Biden soon, if he has the opportunity to talk with me and raise the issue of the NATO invitation, because he is currently the sitting president of the United States and much depends on his position," said President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky during a conversation with journalists following his meeting with German chancellor candidate Friedrich Merz in Kyiv.
Merz Supported Providing Long-Range Weapons to Ukraine During His Visit
The leader of the German opposition and CDU/CSU chancellor candidate Friedrich Merz stated during his meeting with President Volodymyr Zelensky that he supports supplying Ukraine with long-range weapons. He noted that these weapons should have the capability to strike military targets within Russia.
According to him, there is an ongoing "very intense" discussion in Germany regarding military support for Ukraine.
Ukraine May Consider Macron's Idea of Stationing Foreign Troops, Says Zelensky
President Volodymyr Zelensky reminded that French leader Emmanuel Macron suggested that some foreign troops should be present on Ukrainian territory. This allegedly would provide limited security until Ukraine joins NATO.
"But we need to have a clear understanding of when Ukraine will be in the EU and when Ukraine will be in NATO. Understanding our future would provide very effective guarantees," emphasized Zelensky.
For a Unified European Position on Ending the War, Zelensky Announced a New Contact Group
German chancellor candidate Friedrich Merz proposed to President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky the creation of a Contact Group consisting of several European countries to form a unified position on ending the war in Ukraine.
"I support your proposal to create a Contact Group. To be honest, we have already organized (the Contact Group – ed.)," the president responded.
Zelensky Ordered an Audit in Military Preparation and Hinting at New Personnel Changes
President Volodymyr Zelensky spoke about the instructions he issued during today’s meeting of the National Security and Defense Council.
"And now - to conduct an audit of what needs immediate changes, what exactly should be corrected, what should be added, and who else should be replaced. Everything necessary can be ensured - both at the organizational level and at the financial level," the president noted.