Photo : ISW/CT
Photo : ISW/CT
War in Ukraine: Day 656
Padmashree Anandhan
War on the Ground
On 11 December, Ukraine’s military reported on new offensive by Russia’s forces in Avdiivka. According to the report, this was seen to strengthen its hold in eastern Donbas. Avdiivka located in the northwest of Donetsk is a key site for Ukraine with coking plant. Oleksandr Stupen, Ukraine’s military spokesperson stated that the front line in eastern Ukraine had not moved despite intense fighting and till now 610 artillery shelling had taken place in past 24 hours.
On 11 December, Ukraine confirmed the re-opening of border between Ukraine and Poland. The border crossing considred the largest crossing point opened back after a month’s blockade by Poland’s truck protestors. Blockade which began in November at four border crossings demanding for entry permit to the EU, the local authorities cancelled the permit to protest based on the effect of demonstrations on Poland’s companies. Oleksandr Kubrakov, Ukraine’s Infrasturcture Minister confirmed the re-opening of Yahodyn-Dorogusk checkpoint.
On 11 December, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Ukraine’s President began his visit to the US through meeting with Lloyd Austin, US Defence Secretary and Charles Brown, US Chaiman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General. The meeting focused on “global security challenges, development in frontline and US-Ukraine defence cooperation. In a speech, Zelenskyy warned over failure to support Ukraine may lead to fulfilling of wishes of Russia and requested for continued support from US military. He added: “America's commitments must be honored. America's security must be defended. And America's word must be kept.”
On 11 December, Ukraine’s air force reported destroying eight Russia’s eight missiles which were targeted towards Kyiv. According to the report, the debris of the shotdown missiles had injured four people and damaged a residential building.
The Moscow View
On 11 December, Russia’s election commission announced that the presidential elections will take place in the annexed region of Ukraine, Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia, and Kherson. Earlier, Ukraine said that the elections will be viewed null and warned observers on travelling or attempting to monitor voting.
On 11 December, Vladimir Putin, Russia’s President visited Sevmash shipyard in Severodvinsk to purview the commissioning of new nuclear submarines. Severodvinsk located in Russia’s north-western Archangelsk region is home to latest build Alexander III and Krasnoyarsk nuclear submarines. During the visit, Putin raised navy flag of Emperor Alexamder III 7th Borei-class atomic powered submarine. According to the report, the three submarines under construction includes land-based nuclear missiles and nuclear-armed strategic bombers.
The West View
On 11 December, UK government announced to transfer two Royal Navy minehunter ships to Ukrainian Navy following its move to form maritime defence coalition with Norway. This is aimed to boost Ukraine’s sea operations and to enable its ability to counter threat from Russia’s sea mines and restore the export routes in Black Sea for Ukraine. According to Grant Shapps, UK’s British Defence Minister: “This capability boost marks the beginning of a new dedicated effort by the UK, Norway and our allies to strengthen Ukraine’s maritime capabilities over the long term.”
On 11 December, Slovak truckers announced to restart partial blockade in the freight road crossing with Ukraine. The key demand has been on imposing restictions on access to Ukraine’s trucking firms to the EU. According to one of the trucking association UNAS, the blockade will set on Vysne Nemecke/Uzhhorod crossing.
References
“Ukraine war: Zelensky makes plea for US aid ahead of Biden meeting,” BBC, 11 December 2023
Srdjan Nedeljkovic and Yehor Konovalov, “Russia targets Kyiv with ballistic missiles as fears increase of attacks on energy infrastructure,” Associated Press, 11 December 2023
“Presidential election to be held in Russia's four newest regions — election authority,” TASS, 11 December 2023
“Russia unleashes new attacks in eastern Ukraine, says Ukrainian military,” Reuters, 11 December 2023
Jonathan Beale & Sam Hancock, “UK to give two Royal Navy minehunter ships to Ukraine,” BBC, 11 December 2023
“Ukraine updates: US aid delays fulfill Putin's 'dreams',” Deutsche Welle, 11 December 2023
“Russia to hold presidential election in annexed Ukrainian regions; new Russian offensive on Avdiivka – as it happened,” The Guardian, 11 December 2023