A snapshot of recent news from sources around the world on the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war.
Political Developments
The United States estimates Russia has spent up to $211 billion on its fight in Ukraine and has lost another $10 billion in arms sales revenue. Further, Russia has lost at least 20 medium to large warships and has suffered around 315,000 casualties. Despite the losses, U.S. officials say the situation is currently more precarious for Ukraine, which is suffering from a shortage of ammunition and air defense missiles.
Finland’s President-elect, Alexander Stubb, said he wants China to play a role in negotiating and end to the war between Russia and Ukraine. “The problem that we have with peace mediation right now is that it’s too transactional and you have a lot of middle powers doing it and then it doesn’t stick,” he said.
The U.S. is enacting “major” sanctions against Russia following the death of Russian opposition leader Alexi Navalny, who died in a Russian prison. The U.S. has blamed Russian President Vladimir Putin for his death.
Meanwhile, the EU approved a new round of sanctions against around 200 Russian entities or individuals accused of helping Moscow obtain weapons or kidnap Ukrainian children. The new restrictions represent the 13th round of EU sanctions placed on Russia in relation to the war in Ukraine.
Russia is taking delivery of hundreds of Iranian-made ballistic missiles. Tehran is providing around 400 missiles to Russia including many from the Fateh-110 family. North Korea is also providing ballistic missiles to Russia.
Media reports circulated this week claiming that some Transnistrian officials intend to appeal to Moscow for the region’s annexation to the Russian Federation. Those reports have not been confirmed, but Ukraine’s Foreign Ministry said Kyiv would “firmly respond” should Russia attempt to involve the Moldovan region in the war.
A Russian defector who relocated to Spain has been found shot to death, Ukraine’s Main Directorate of Intelligence confirmed this week. The pilot, Maxim Kuzminov, defected to Ukraine with his Mi-8 helicopter in August.
Military Assistance to Ukraine
Sweden announced a $683 million aid package for Ukraine, bringing the Swedish government’s total contribution to around $2.9 billion. The new funding will assist with the delivery of CV-90 combat vehicles in a joint program with the Danish government. The aid will also provide artillery ammunition and Carl Gustaf recoilless rifles.
Denmark, meanwhile, will send its “entire artillery” to Ukraine, according to Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen. Denmark is also planning to deliver previously-pledged F-16 combat aircraft in the coming months.
The U.S. Justice Department said $500,000 confiscated from an illegal procurement network would be sent to Estonia to help Ukraine. The network was attempting to send military-grade machinery to Russia. U.S. law prevented the funds from being sent directly to Ukraine.
Canada announced a plan to donate more than 800 SkyRanger R70 multi-mission Unmanned Aerial Systems to Ukraine. The multi-rotor drones, made by Teledyne in Ontario, Canada, are valued at over CAD95 million ($70.4 million). The systems will be used for surveillance and target identification. The drones also feature automated and autonomous navigation systems. Canada is working with Ukraine on a plan to train soldiers to use the new drones, which are expected to be delivered this spring.
The U.S. could send a more capable version of the ATACMS (Army Tactical Missile System) to Ukraine. Ukraine has already received an early version of ATACMS from the United States. These missiles could be delivered to Kyiv if funding is included in a new U.S. aid package worth $60 billion.
German lawmakers backed additional support for Ukraine in a vote on Thursday — including “necessary long-range weapons systems” — but rejected a separate measure that would have called for the delivery of Taurus cruise missiles, which carry a reported range of 500 kilometers.
Teledyne FLIR Defense has announced that Canada’s Department of National Defence is seeking over 800 SkyRanger R70 Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) for delivery to Ukraine. This deal is valued at more than CAD$95 million.
The British government will deliver 200 Brimstone 2 anti-tank missiles to Ukraine. The Brimstone 1 was the first version provided to Ukraine. With these deliveries, the United Kingdom will have transferred around 900 Brimstone 1/2 missiles to Ukraine.
Battlefield Updates
Russian forces captured the Ukrainian stronghold of Avdiivka on Saturday, representing a major battlefield victory. Ukraine, which is facing a shortage of troops and ammunition, was heavily outnumbered.
Shortly after the capture of Avdiivka, Russia reportedly asserted control over Pobeda village, raising concerns about further westward expansion.
Eleven of Ukraine’s 27 regions are littered with land mines, according to a new report from the Human Rights Watch, accounting for nearly one-third of Ukraine’s territory. It is estimated that nearly 1,000 civilians have been killed by mines since the start of the war. Russia has specifically been using a new anti-personnel mine called the POM-3 that uses seismic sensors to detonate when someone walks close to the mine.
In two years of war, the Russian military has used more than 12,000 missiles and drones to strike targets inside Ukraine. The Ukrainian Air Force announced that Russia has used over 8,000 missiles and 4,000 drones.
To support its operations, Russia has been ramping up domestic defense industrial production, particularly of drones, missiles, and artillery ammunition. However, the Russian defense industry is facing a shortage of skilled workers, and sanctions have cut Russia off from advanced manufacturing components, according to a Defense News report.
Ukraine’s military published footage of a drone attack near the frontlines in Zaporizhzhia. Ukrainian operators flew FPV drones into an open hanger, destroying or damaging several tanks, armored personnel carriers, and utility trucks.
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