RFE/RL's Live Briefing gives you all of the latest developments on Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Western military aid to Kyiv, worldwide reaction, and the plight of civilians and refugees. For all of RFE/RL's coverage of the war, click here.
Latest Developments At A Glance
- The Kremlin said there are currently no plans for President Vladimir Putin to meet with U.S. President-elect Donald Trump amid a rise in talk of finding a peace deal to end Russia's war against Ukraine.
- Russian forces executed five Ukrainian prisoners of war according to the latest war crime allegation against Russian troops raised by Ukraine's ombudsman for human rights.
- Russia launched more than 100 drones at Ukraine on December 22, half of which were shot down, according to Ukraine's military, with no casualties reported.
- Ukraine struck high-rise buildings in Kazan, the capital of Russia's oil-rich republic of Tatarstan, in the latest display of its growing drone capabilities.
- An air-raid warning was declared in all regions of Ukraine on December 21 due to possible ballistic missile strikes, Ukrainian military authorities said.
What Would The Russian Capture Of Pokrovsk Mean For The Ukraine War?
Russia could soon capture the key southern Donetsk logistics hub of Pokrovsk, which would cap a year of material territorial gains in Ukraine. However, Russia's year-long offensive has come at such significant human and equipment losses that its forces may not be able to use Pokrovsk as a springboard for big gains in the short-term. Read the report by Todd Prince and Oleksiy Prodayvoda here.
Putin Says Russia Is Ready For Compromise. But Is It?
In a marathon Q&A session, Putin dangled the prospect of Russian concessions on Ukraine before audiences in Kyiv, Washington, and the West. But he attached numerous caveats to the idea of compromise, suggesting Moscow’s goal of subjugating Ukraine and winning major security guarantees remain in place. Read the analysis by Steve Gutterman here.
What A Ukraine Peace Plan Could Look Like
In European capitals, behind closed doors, diplomats and leaders are spit-balling what a Ukrainian peace plan might actually look like. European peacekeeping troops are one option (don’t expect much enthusiasm from Moscow). Read the article by Mike Eckel here.
Assad's Fall Is A Blow To Russia. What Does It Mean For The War In Ukraine?
Russia's focus on subjugating Ukraine was one of the factors that led to the abrupt demise of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, Moscow’s main client in the region. Here's how Moscow’s big Middle East setback could affect Russia's war against Ukraine. Read the article by Roksolana Bychai and Steve Gutterman here.
Ukraine Has A Tough Winter Ahead. What Can NATO Do To Help?
The mood on Ukraine at the NATO foreign affairs ministerial in Brussels on December 3-4 can be described in one word: grim. Read Rikard Jozwiak's report here.
Could A Demilitarized Zone End The Ukraine War?
U.S. Naval War College Professor Lieutenant Colonel Jahara "Franky" Matisek talks about the state of the Russian invasion at the 1,000-day mark. Read the interview by Vazha Tavberidze here.
Steps Too Far As Moscow, Washington Cross 'Red Lines' Over Ukraine?
The United States appears to have done a volte face by allowing Ukraine to fire donated missiles deeper into Russian territory. Russia has significantly loosened its threshold for a nuclear response to even a conventional attack. Why now, 1,000 days into Russia's invasion of Ukraine and just two months before U.S. President Joe Biden leaves office? Read the story by Michael Scollon here.
Could U.S. Long-Range Missiles Tip The Balance In The Ukraine War?
The Biden administration has reportedly given Ukraine permission to strike deep inside Russian territory, opening the door for the U.K., France, and Germany to follow in its steps. Its impact, however, will depend on how many weapons Ukraine is given. Read the story by Todd Prince here.
Peace Talks Brewing, Russia And Ukraine Jockey For Advantage -- On And Off The Battlefield
As Donald Trump’s return to the White House draws closer and talk of a concerted effort to stop the fighting in Ukraine grows, Russia is pressing a monthslong initiative on the battlefield. Ukraine, meanwhile, is struggling. Read the report by Mike Eckel here.
Trump's Win Could Ignite Push For Peace In Ukraine, But On Whose Terms?
Donald Trump’s election to a new term as U.S. president could lead to a push for an end to the war in Ukraine, but the risks and the hurdles are high. Read the story by Steve Gutterman here.
Ukraine's Forces Are Dangerously Stretched. Will North Korean Troops Break Them?
The quality of the North Korean force hired by Russia to deploy to the Ukrainian front is questionable. Their quantity alone, however, may be enough to break beleaguered Ukrainian defenses. Read the story by Mike Eckel here.
What Does Trump's Victory Mean For Ukraine?
Following the U.S. presidential election on November 5, the decision by Americans to return Donald Trump to the White House has reverberated around the world. Ukraine, whose defense against Russia is heavily dependent on U.S. military, financial, and diplomatic support, may feel the effects more than any other foreign country. Read the story by Todd Prince here.
Why Is Ukraine Attacking Russia's Oil Refineries?
Russia said it would protect oil refineries better after several were struck by Ukrainian drones. Ukraine continues to hit the facilities, despite U.S. warnings against such attacks, as it launches larger and larger drone swarms. The strikes have decreased refinery output but beyond a morale boost for Ukraine, the effects are moderate so far. Read the story by Todd Prince here.
Interactive: Occupied, Militarized Crimea
As Ukrainian leaders vow to reclaim all territories seized by Russia, Moscow has prepared extensive defensive measures, particularly in Crimea, a region unlawfully annexed in 2014. This area, now under Russian occupation, has been heavily militarized with an array of air bases and army bases, making it one of the most fortified zones in the war. View the interactive map by Crimea.Realities, Schemes, RFE/RL's Ukrainian Service, and Central Newsroom here.
