Ukraine Update Nov 27-Dec 4, 2023

Hi everyone,

Hope you're enjoying your Sunday. Here is our traditional weekly update about Ukraine.

Yesterday, there was a video released how the Russian army killed two Ukrainian soldiers who were surrendering because of lack of ammunition. It is quite a cruel video, don't open it if you're sensitive. But if you insist on the proof, you can find it via this link. This is the proof of a war crime and hatred towards Ukrainian soldiers. And perhaps a weakness of the Russian army who shells the surrendered POWs. It is also one more reminder that the war is ongoing and the proof that Ukrainian soldiers are desperate of weapons and ammunition.

War crimes are committed on a regular basis in Ukraine. In 11 months 2023, Russians fired 59,000 times at settlements in 24 regions of Ukraine. 11,000 citizens were injured, and 2,000 civilians were killed, according to the Ministry of internal affairs. Most of the attacks took place in Zaporizhzhia, Kherson, Donetsk, Kharkiv, Sumy and Chernihiv regions.

While hot debates about whether to provide Ukraine with military aid are being held, President Biden’s administration circulated map showing states that benefit from Ukraine aid. Battleground states Pennsylvania and Arizona are reaping billions of dollars from Washington’s efforts to arm Ukraine, according to a graphic the Biden administration has circulated on Capitol Hill.

According to the map, obtained by POLITICO, Pennsylvania has received $2.364 billion in investments to build munitions and tactical vehicles for Ukraine, the most of any state. Meanwhile, Arizona is a close second with $2.259 billion. Texas and Arkansas received $1.449 billion and $1.478 billion, respectively, while Florida got $1.011 billion.

“Let me be clear about something,” Biden said. “We send Ukraine equipment sitting in our stockpiles. And when we use the money allocated by Congress, we use it to replenish our own stores, our own stockpiles with new equipment.”

“Equipment that defends America and is made in America. Patriot missiles for air defense batteries, made in Arizona. Artillery shells manufactured in 12 states across the country, in Pennsylvania, Ohio, Texas. And so much more,” he said. “You know, just as in World War II, today patriotic American workers are building the arsenal of democracy and serving the cause of freedom.”

Please, share this message with your friend and especially with those who think that the money is just being “given” to Ukraine. This money supports the U.S.!

Ukraine is preparing for possible escalation from the Russian side. If Russia continues to increase weapons production and improve technologically with the help of its allies, the war could spread beyond the eastern and southern areas, Lieutenant General Serhii Nayev, who has responsibility for Ukraine's Northern border defense, said speaking in an interview with ABC News. “We are getting ready for that,” he said. “We're building defenses, laying landmines, and training our forces.”

The Wall Street Journal had a very sober piece on the current state of affairs. Here is a part for you if you don’t have access:

“As Russia’s war against Ukraine approaches its third year, Moscow holds the advantage on the military, political and economic fronts. Russia has far more men to replenish its battered army than the Ukrainians, who are running short of well-trained infantry. President Vladimir Putin is militarizing the Russian economy, using strong oil revenues to pay for rising weapons production. Meanwhile, political paralysis in the U.S. and Europe is threatening the supply of arms and money that Ukrainian survival depends on. Western disarray and Russia’s growing commitment of its human and industrial resources to the war point to a bitter year on the defensive for Ukraine. But the Russian army’s limitations on the offensive—on display in the grueling fight for the city of Avdiivka—suggest it is more likely to grind out small gains than to achieve a breakthrough. Putin is still a long way from conquering the Ukrainian regions Russia has claimed—let alone from achieving his bigger goal of subjugating Ukraine, whose existence as an independent nation-state he has called a historical anomaly. “The material advantages in 2024 are principally on Russia’s side, but they don’t appear decisive enough that Russia will be able to achieve its political aims,” said Michael Kofman, a senior fellow at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, a Washington, D.C.-based think tank.” – Marcus Walker wrote.

This pays our attention to the sanctions and Russian economy. While sanctions are important, they have not become the solution. In 2023, the wealth of Russia's oligarchs increased by $38.575 B, according to the Bloomberg Billionaires Index, published today. 25 Russians were included in the ranking of 500 people. Only 3 of 🇷🇺 richest oligarchs decreased their wealth. No one lost even a billion. Embarrassing to read….

Meanwhile, Russia is exporting stolen Ukrainian grain to Syria and Iran through the ports of occupied Crimea, using the Zafar and Matros Koshka vessels, the Ukrainian National Resistance Center reports. The theft of Ukrainian grain and its export through the ports of occupied Crimea violates the principles of international law.

With this, I would like to remind you about my book The Fight of Our Lives. Christmas is soon and who knows – it might be a good present for someone interested in Ukraine.

Looking for the voting on aid, hopefully next week!

Have a good rest of Sunday and start of the week,

Iuliia Mendel