Ukraine: realities | «The Weekly Five»: 04.12 – 11.12

The Cabinet of Ministers has announced the launch of armored vehicle production in Ukraine in collaboration with Rheinmetall

Ukraine and the German arms conglomerate Rheinmetall will soon initiate the production of armored vehicles within the territory of Ukraine. This was announced  by the Prime Minister of Ukraine, Denis Shmyhal.

According to him, production will be launched «shortly».

«This flagship project signifies the alliance of Ukraine's forces with European arms manufacturers», said the Prime Minister.

«In the future, we will also focus on technology transfer, investments in design developments, new production, and Military Tech», Shmyhal announced.

He reminded that Rheinmetall already manufactures artillery shells for Ukraine.

 

Germany has provided Ukraine with a new package of assistance, including drones

The German government has announced the provision of another military aid package to Ukraine, which includes, among other things, reconnaissance unmanned aerial vehicles. The new package includes:

• 250 155mm artillery shells;
• LUNA NG reconnaissance system;
• 10 VECTOR reconnaissance drones with spare parts;
• Six patrol border vehicles;
• Eight Zetros trucks;
• 100,000 first aid kits and medical supplies;
• 70 70mm automatic grenade launchers.

 

British Intelligence: Russia has begun a more coordinated campaign to disrupt Ukrainian energy infrastructure.

The Ministry of Defense in Britain believes that Russia has initiated a more coordinated campaign of air strikes to sabotage Ukraine's energy infrastructure

Intelligence reports recall that on the night of December 7, 2023, Russian Aerospace Forces conducted a powerful wave of strikes on Kyiv and central Ukraine, marking the first such incident since September 21, 2023, using their fleet of heavy bombers.

These aircraft, likely Tu-95s, launched at least 16 air-launched cruise missiles from their typical operational zone over the Caspian Sea.

The missiles were most likely AS-23a KODIAK (NATO reporting name for Kh-101, Kh-102 missiles). British analysts noted that Russia had likely stockpiled these missiles for use in the winter campaign.

«Presumably, this was the beginning of a more coordinated Russian campaign aimed at undermining Ukraine's energy infrastructure», the review stated.

However, according to initial reports, most of these missiles were successfully intercepted by Ukrainian air defense, analysts noted.

 

«More weapons to come»: Ukraine and the U.S. have signed a memorandum on joint production

At a defense industry conference in Washington, Ukraine and the United States signed a Memorandum of Understanding on joint production in the defense industry and the exchange of technical data. The head of the Office of the President, Andriy Yermak, reported  this on Telegram.

According to Yermak, the memorandum outlines the localization of the defense industry in Ukraine.

«In Ukraine, manufacturing facilities must be built to provide the Armed Forces with the necessary weapons in the areas of air defense, production of critical ammunition, as well as repair and technical maintenance», he wrote.

The U.S. Department of Defense and industrial partners will provide Ukraine with technical data to initiate the local implementation of specific projects aimed at improving outdated air defense systems through the integration of Western munitions.

«The document stipulates that Ukraine will receive the capabilities necessary for success on the battlefield in the near future and will contribute to the economic recovery and strengthening of defense capabilities in the long term. In particular, the document will support the construction of manufacturing facilities in our country to provide the Armed Forces with the necessary weapons, including in the areas of air defense, production of critical ammunition, as well as repair and technical maintenance», explained the Office of the President.

 

U.S. State Department to Send Advisor to Ukraine

The U.S. State Department, in collaboration with Congress, plans to send an advisor to the Ministry of Strategic Industries of Ukraine. According to the announcement, the advisor is being dispatched "to support and expedite Ukraine's transition to interoperable armed forces, combat corruption, and attract foreign investments in critical sectors. «Additionally, the United States has established an interagency team called the «Ukraine Deal Team», comprised of representatives from the U.S. State Department, the Department of Defense, and the Department of Commerce.

 

The project «Ukraine: realities» is implemented by the News agency «Konkurent» together with the Civic Movement «SVIDOMI» in English for readers from other countries to tell the stories of people who survived the horrors of the Russian occupation.

Проєкт «Ukraine: realities» реалізовується Інформаційним агентством «Конкурент» спільно з Громадянським Рухом «СВІДОМІ» на англійській мові для читачів з інших країн аби розповісти історії людей, які пережили жахи російської окупації.