Victory Chronicles-DAY 652

Ukraine has formally asked the United States for additional weaponry in anticipation of potential Russian threats. The request, made during a private gathering in Washington, encompasses a diverse array of modern armaments, including air defense systems, F-18 Hornet fighters, unmanned aerial vehicles, Apache and Black Hawk helicopters, as reported by Reuters.

The inventory sought by Ukraine not only comprises new weaponry but also includes items already in their possession, such as Abrams tanks and 155mm artillery. It further includes previously requested armaments like F-16 fighters, unmanned aerial vehicles, and ATACMS long-range missiles.

The list features unexpected entries such as the costly C-17 Globemaster aircraft and the C-130 Super Hercules aircraft. Additionally, Ukraine is seeking F-18 Hornet fighter jets, various unmanned aerial vehicles, and Lockheed’s Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) air defense system to address their current needs.

A recent study by the Kiel Institute for the World Economy revealed that the amount of newly pledged aid to Ukraine from Western countries has reached a historic low. Between August and October 2023, the total value of new aid packages amounted to €2.11 billion, which is nearly 90% lower than the same period in 2022.

The most active donors of aid to Ukraine include Germany, Finland, Ireland, Croatia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, Switzerland, Canada, and the United Kingdom. While the United States remains the largest donor of military aid, with a total of €44 billion, Germany is quickly catching up with military commitments exceeding €17 billion. Additionally, European Union (EU) countries are now surpassing the United States in terms of military aid pledges, with a combined 47% compared to 43% for the U.S. out of the total €25 billion pledged for heavy weapons between January 2022 and October 2023.

Firefighters extinguish three fires caused by enemy shelling in Mykolaiv Oblast, the State Emergency Service of Ukraine reports. Three fires broke out in the region as a result of the fall of the wreckage of downed UAVs. In the village of Snihurivka, the building of a service station and a tire service station were on fire, and in the city of Ochakiv, a warehouse building on the territory of a recreation center was on fire.  The total area of the fires was almost 300 square meters. All fires have been extinguished.

The official Facebook page of the 72nd separate mechanized brigade named after the Black Cossacks (Chornyh Zaporozhciv) publishes the fact of the destruction of a Russian air defense system. “St. Nicholas comes to good children, and the Black Cossacks and the 74th Mechanized Brigade come to the ‘bad boys,'” the Ukrainian fighters wrote.

Ukrainian Defense Minister Rustem Umerov credited Western security assistance for empowering Ukrainian forces to liberate half of the territory that Russia occupied since February 24, 2022.

Umerov credited Western security assistance for previous Ukrainian counteroffensive success during an interview with Fox News on December 5 and stated that the Ukrainian forces have a plan for 2024. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky stated on November 8 that the Ukrainian forces have planned for several paths of future advance in 2024 to liberate more of the occupied territories.

ISW continues to assess that Ukraine must liberate strategically vital areas still under Russian occupation to ensure Ukraine’s long-term security and economic viability. Umerov also stated that Ukraine plans to conduct all calculations for procurement, acquisition, planning, and operations according to NATO standards and that the Ukrainian Ministry of Defense’s (MoD) first priority is Ukraine’s accession to NATO. The adoption of NATO standards throughout the Ukrainian military and defense establishment will facilitate NATO oversight of current and future Western security assistance to Ukraine.

Senior fighter Mykyta Zasiadko died on November 30, 2023, while performing a combat mission near the village of Dibrova, Luhansk Oblast. The defender was 18 years old. Mykyta was born in the Kharkiv Oblast into an athletic family. From a young age, he was fond of sports. In October 2013, he started swimming at Yana Klochkova’s sports center. He won and was medalist at the Ukrainian Junior Championships in 2020 and 2021. He became a master of sports of Ukraine in swimming. The sports community remembers him as an unusual person with a strong opinion. Thanks to his stubbornness, he won competitions. In 2022, he graduated from the Kharkiv Professional College of Sports. He was also a student of the Kharkiv State Academy of Physical Culture. 

Mykyta was a brave and courageous man. Before he came of age, he tried to join the territorial defense but was not accepted because of his age. On June 29, 2023, he turned 18, and in July, he joined the 12th Special Forces Brigade of the Azov National Guard to defend the Ukrainian state. He took up the position of gunner-operator and went to the front line to perform combat missions. 

“The death of Mykyta Zasiadko is an irreparable loss not only for his parents, brother, family and friends, but also for the entire sports community of Ukraine. A worthy son, a true patriot, a strong warrior, a professional athlete. Eternal memory and glory to the Hero!” the Kharkiv Regional Military Academy said. “It’s so hard to believe! My student, who was taught and trained for life… Not for death. Heroes do not die! Eternal honor to you, Warrior of Light,” Olena Huzevata wrote. The young warrior will be buried on December 7, 2023, at cemetery No. 18 in Kharkiv. Mykyta is survived by his parents Ihor and Hanna, brother Dmytro, relatives, friends, and fighters-in-arms.

• US invests US$27 billion in weapons production for Ukraine
• 15 out of 18 Shahed drones heading in two directions downed above Ukraine
• UK Foreign Secretary: Putin will “come back for more” if not stopped
• Ukrainian Navy: After downing of Russian Su-24M, activity of enemy aircraft decreases
• Russia increases onslaught near Avdiivka and on Marinka front