Ukraine has resources to resist at least until mid-2025 - finance minister

Ukraine has sufficient financial resources and ammunition to sustain its defense against Russian aggression at least through the first half of 2025, even in the absence of continued U.S. support, Finance Minister Serhii Marchenko stated in an interview with El País published on Dec. 11.

Marchenko's remarks come against the backdrop of uncertainty surrounding U.S. policy, as President-elect Donald Trump has signaled a potential reduction in military assistance to Kyiv once he assumes office in January. The minister underscored Ukraine's preparedness to navigate such challenges, noting robust budget allocations for military procurement and ongoing deliveries of American arms.

“I believe that we have enough funds, weapons, missiles, and artillery shells to resist at least during the first half of 2025,” Marchenko affirmed. He emphasized Ukraine's proactive approach to ensuring resilience, adding, “This means that at least during the first half of the year and beyond, we will be well-equipped to resist this aggression.”

In anticipation of a possible shift in U.S. policy, the outgoing Biden administration has expedited its military support for Ukraine. On Dec. 7, Washington announced a nearly $1 billion arms package, adding to the $60 billion in aid already provided since the onset of Russia's full-scale invasion. This unprecedented assistance has solidified the United States as Ukraine's most significant military donor.

However, President-elect Trump recently indicated that Kyiv should prepare for a substantial reduction in aid, a scenario Marchenko described as a “challenge.” He stressed the importance of fostering a constructive relationship with the incoming administration, stating, “We want to build a good relationship,” and highlighting Kyiv’s commitment to creating conditions conducive to continued cooperation.

On Dec. 7, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky met with Trump in Paris, marking their first encounter since Trump’s reelection. While no concrete peace proposals were discussed, Zelensky reiterated Ukraine's need for robust security guarantees.

Marchenko expressed confidence that full NATO membership remains the most effective deterrent against Russian aggression, but he also underscored the necessity of maintaining a “modern and strong Ukrainian military” as a complementary safeguard.

As Kyiv braces for potential shifts in international support, Marchenko’s assertions reflect a determination to adapt to evolving geopolitical realities while sustaining the nation's resistance against ongoing aggression.

Russia killed at least 109 Ukrainian POWs in 2024

The Russian military summarily executed at least 109 Ukrainian prisoners of war (POWs) in 2024, Ukraine’s Ombudsman Dmytro Lubinets revealed during a televised address on Dec. 10. The harrowing figure underscores the increasing brutality of the conflict as Russian forces intensify their operations in Ukraine.

“In 2024 alone, we can confirm that Russian troops shot 109 Ukrainian prisoners of war,” Lubinets stated. He further emphasized the grim reality faced by POWs, noting that reports of murder, torture, and other forms of ill-treatment are received regularly by Ukrainian authorities.

Lubinets also referenced additional confirmed executions of POWs in prior years. According to his statements, 177 such cases were documented during earlier phases of the full-scale war. However, it remains unclear whether this figure refers to an overall tally or an additional number. In October, Victoria Tsymbaliuk, a representative of the Ukrainian Coordination Center for the Treatment of POWs, cited a similar figure for POW deaths since the onset of the invasion.

The confirmed executions in 2024 reflect an alarming rise in summary killings, a trend seemingly aligned with Russia's accelerated military campaigns in Ukraine. Notably, the figures provided by Ukrainian authorities pertain only to cases verified through official channels, suggesting the true number of executions could be significantly higher.

Lubinets condemned Russia's blatant disregard for international law: “There are Russian representatives who cynically and publicly demonstrate to the world their noncompliance with international humanitarian law and the Geneva Conventions. They abduct children, torture civilians, and kill Ukrainian prisoners of war.”

In 2023, the International Criminal Court (ICC) issued an arrest warrant for Russian President Vladimir Putin over the forced deportation of Ukrainian children, marking a historic move to hold Moscow accountable. The ICC has also issued warrants for former Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu and Valery Gerasimov, Chief of the Russian General Staff, accusing them of crimes including the deliberate targeting of civilian infrastructure, excessive harm to civilians, and inhumane acts amounting to crimes against humanity.

Lubinets expressed frustration with the global response: “Unfortunately, we do not see an effective reaction from the international community. While we are grateful for expressions of deep concern, as the war in Ukraine—now more than a decade long, including three years of full-scale aggression—demonstrates, words do not stop Russia.”

The ombudsman’s remarks highlight the ongoing atrocities and the urgent need for stronger international action to hold Russian leadership accountable and protect Ukrainian captives from further violations.

After lengthy battles on the Pokrovsk front, two Ukrainian positions were destroyed and one lost

Russian forces launched a series of assaults on Ukrainian fortifications west of Vidrodzhennia and south of Novotroitske in Donetsk Oblast, culminating in the destruction of two Ukrainian positions and the loss of another. The announcement came from Nazar Voloshyn, spokesperson for Operational Strategic Group Khortytsia, during a live broadcast on Dec. 11.

“The enemy attacked our fortifications on the Pokrovsk front west of Vidrodzhennia and south of Novotroitske. As a result of prolonged clashes, two of our positions were destroyed and one was lost. Efforts are currently underway to restore positions,” Voloshyn stated.

Voloshyn also highlighted the ongoing battles near the southwestern outskirts of Shevchenko, where Russian forces are attempting to consolidate their hold. These efforts include the fortification of their positions and the deployment of sabotage and reconnaissance groups, aimed at undermining Ukrainian defenses.

Amid these developments, Voloshyn underscored the strategic objectives of Ukraine's defensive operations. “The strategic defensive operation conducted by the defense forces aims to exhaust Russian troops, destroy their resources, and preserve the personnel of the Armed Forces of Ukraine,” he explained.

He further emphasized the importance of halting the enemy’s advance and stabilizing the front line as key priorities in the ongoing conflict.

The battles in Donetsk Oblast underscore the intensity of the struggle as Ukrainian forces work to counter Russian advances while sustaining their defensive operations under challenging conditions.