Polish farmers block Ukrainian border crossing

Polish farmers staged a protest in the village of Medyka on Nov. 23, blocking the road to the Shehyni border crossing with Ukraine. According to RMF24, the farmers are demonstrating against the Polish government's decision not to maintain the current agricultural tax rate for 2024 and their concerns over the European Union potentially signing a free trade agreement with South American countries in the Mercosur bloc.

The protest restricts traffic flow: only one truck per hour traveling from Poland to Ukraine is permitted, while trucks coming from Ukraine are blocked. However, cars, buses, humanitarian aid vehicles, and military convoys can pass through.

Scheduled to last 48 hours, the protest may extend indefinitely if the farmers’ demands are not addressed. Polish farmers have frequently protested at border crossings with Ukraine since the war began, previously targeting issues like Ukrainian agricultural imports into the EU.

Russian forces reportedly advanced near 5 settlements in Donetsk Oblast

Russian forces are reportedly advancing near five settlements in Donetsk Oblast, according to the monitoring website Deep State. On Nov. 23, they targeted Velyka Novosilka with a military column comprising at least five armored fighting vehicles, along with additional attacks through tree lines south of Rozdolne. Although Ukrainian forces managed to push Russian troops out of Rozdolne, the situation in the area remains extremely challenging.

Russian advances were also noted near Maksymivka, Pustynka, and Toretsk. These efforts are part of an intensified offensive along the eastern front, as Russian troops aim to breach Ukrainian defenses and push toward the cities of Kurakhove and Pokrovsk.

Russians struck Zaporizhzhia and Zaporizhzhia Oblast killing one person and another injured

A 55-year-old man was killed in an enemy airstrike on the Zaporizhzhia district, while an 11-year-old boy was injured in a Russian attack on Zaporizhzhia. Russian forces conducted 15 airstrikes over the past day targeting Zaporizhzhia, Tavriiske, Stepnohirsk, Lukianivske, Mala Tokmachka and Novopavlivka.

Republican senator and Trump ally rejects idea of negotiating with Putin

U.S. Senator Mike Rounds, a Republican and ally of President-elect Donald Trump, expressed deep skepticism about the possibility of negotiating peace with Russia to end the war in Ukraine. Speaking at the Halifax Security Forum on Nov. 22, Rounds described Russian President Vladimir Putin as a "tyrant" who cannot be trusted in any peace talks. He warned against offering territorial concessions, questioning whether such compromises would stop Putin’s aggression. "Do you believe that this tyrant, if you offer him a part of a free country, do you think he's gonna stop?" Rounds asked, emphasizing the dangers of appeasement. His remarks stand in stark contrast to Trump’s position, which advocates for rapid negotiations, raising fears that the new administration might pressure Kyiv into an unfavorable deal, including territorial compromises and potential NATO neutrality.

Rounds, like many Senate Republicans, remains firmly pro-Ukraine and critical of the U.S. response to Russian aggression. He expressed frustration over delays in providing Ukraine with the weapons it needs, urging for quicker and more decisive military support. "I just feel so frustrated that we have not been able to provide them all of the equipment that they need," he said. While Rounds avoided directly criticizing Trump, his comments underscored a significant division within the Republican Party. Trump’s push for swift peace talks, which he has framed as necessary to end the conflict, contrasts with the broader Senate Republican stance, which prioritizes supporting Ukraine against Russia’s ongoing tyranny. Trump will assume office on Jan. 20, 2025.

Ukraine receives NASAMS air defense systems promised by Canada

Canada has successfully delivered the NASAMS air defense system to Ukraine, fulfilling a commitment made over two years ago, Canadian Defence Minister Bill Blair announced in Parliament. The system, which cost over $300 million USD, is now operational in Ukraine, enhancing its ability to protect civilian communities. "I think it's going to make a difference because it will enable them to protect communities," Blair said, emphasizing the importance of operational security in withholding further details.

Canada initially announced plans to provide the NASAMS system in January 2023, arranging for the U.S. to sell the equipment directly to Ukraine while Canada covered the cost. The delivery, confirmed by Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau earlier this month, is part of Canada’s broader military aid to Ukraine. The Canadian government has allocated over CAD 763 million ($545 million USD) in its 2025 draft budget for continued support to Ukraine, underscoring its commitment to countering Russian aggression.