A new Russian offensive in Kupiansk and three strategies for Ukraine from Trump's advisors: key highlights from December 4th.
Attempt to Break Through in Kupiansk
Russian troops once again attempted to break into the city of Kupiansk in the Kharkiv region, but their armored vehicles and infantry were destroyed by Ukrainian defenders.
According to Andriy Kovalенко, the head of the Center for Counteracting Disinformation under the National Security and Defense Council, the Russians are trying to advance along the entire front, breaking into the outskirts of the city or residential areas, deploying airborne troops, and attempting to establish a foothold before reinforcements arrive.
Tax Increases Delayed
The Verkhovna Rada has passed a bill stating that the payment of increased taxes for individual entrepreneurs will come into effect on January 1, 2025.
People's Deputy Yaroslav Zheleznyak explained that this bill included a provision correcting the tax increases in tax bill No. 11416d "retroactively" from October 1.
Additionally, the Rada failed to pass a bill that would enhance penalties for disseminating information from public electronic registers, which had been criticized by media representatives.
At the same time, the parliament managed to vote for an increase in excise tax on tobacco products — a pack of cigarettes will cost approximately 40 hryvnias more.
Three Plans Proposed by Trump Advisors
Advisors to newly elected U.S. President Donald Trump are privately discussing proposals to end the war in Ukraine. Their ideas share some common elements, particularly Ukraine's renunciation of NATO membership and occupied territories.
Among the plans discussed within Trump's circle are the scheme of special envoy for the war in Ukraine, Kye Kellogg, the plan from Vice President James D. Vance, and proposals from acting intelligence chief Richard Grenell.
Mayor of Dnipro-Rudne Was Tortured in Russian Captivity
During the last exchange of bodies between Russia and Ukraine, the body of the mayor of the occupied city of Dnipro-Rudne in the Zaporizhzhia region, Yevhen Matveiev, was returned home.
He had been in captivity for 2 years and 8 months. According to the head of the Zaporizhzhia Regional State Administration, Ivan Fedorov, the Russians tortured Matveiev in captivity.
Results of the Radio Dictation
This year, the Radio Dictation of National Unity was completed without a single mistake by one person — Kristina Hoianyuk from Lviv, who is a multiple winner.
Since 2000, the woman has not missed a single dictation. Her father was a teacher of Ukrainian language and literature and the principal of a school in Boryslav. Five other individuals also made only two mistakes in the dictation.
Minister Resigns in South Korea
South Korean Defense Minister Kim Yong-hen has taken responsibility for declaring martial law and has submitted his resignation. He apologized to citizens for the "confusion and concern."
Meanwhile, hundreds of protesters took to the streets demanding the resignation of President Yoon Suk-yeol, who announced the imposition of martial law.
Other News of the Day
- Blinken advised Ukraine to make "tough decisions" regarding mobilization.
- Ukraine will receive a €35 billion loan from the EU. It will be repaid using frozen Russian assets.
- House Speaker Johnson refused to bring aid to Ukraine to a vote.
- In Odesa, monuments with imperial symbolism are being dismantled, including monuments to Pushkin and models of the Lenin Order.
- Ukraine is preparing sanctions against the government of Georgia — Zelensky.