Vadim Khlyudzinsky
Syria marked the first anniversary of the overthrow of Bashar al-Assad's regime with official events, where President Ahmed al-Sharaa announced a "clear vision for a new Syria. " The transitional period under his leadership will last four years to create institutions, laws, and a new constitution.
Donald Trump stated that Europe "is moving in a bad direction," expressing the US's unwillingness to see such significant changes. He called the EU's fine on the social network X "disgusting."
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy met with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, President of the European Council António Costa, and President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen. The diplomatic track, security guarantees, the PURL initiative, and a reparations loan were discussed.
In the occupied part of Zaporizhzhia Oblast, Russia launched the propaganda project "Primary Source" for children. Its goal is to impose Russian identity on Ukrainian children through pseudo-historical lectures and master classes.
Ukraine's Defense Forces carried out an organized maneuver in the area of Lysivka and Sukhyi Yar near Myrnohrad, moving to more advantageous positions. Over the past day, 17 occupiers were eliminated and one infantryman was taken prisoner.
On December 8, Kramatorsk was hit by a KAB-250 guided aerial bomb with UMPK, striking a residential building. Four people, including two children, were injured, and at least five multi-story buildings were damaged.
The National Bank of Ukraine set the official dollar exchange rate for December 8 at 42. 06 hryvnias, which is 12 kopecks less than on Friday. The euro exchange rate also decreased to 49.00 hryvnias, and the zloty to 11.58 hryvnias.
Six people were injured due to enemy strikes on Zaporizhzhia and Polohy districts. The occupiers launched 615 attacks on 20 settlements in Zaporizhzhia region, including air strikes, UAV attacks, MLRS shelling, and artillery strikes.
On December 7, Russian troops suffered significant losses: 810 soldiers, 530 UAVs, and 4 cruise missiles. The total combat losses of the enemy from 24.02.22 to 08.12.25 are estimated at 1,181,680 personnel.
In the Sumy region, an enemy strike on a high-rise building in Okhtyrka resulted in seven people being wounded. Two were hospitalized, and five received outpatient care.
On December 8, cloudy weather is expected in Ukraine without significant precipitation, only light rain is possible in the south and center. Daytime temperatures will be 0-5°C, and 4-9°C in Zakarpattia and the south.
Thailand carried out airstrikes on Cambodian military targets after the death of a Thai soldier. Both sides accuse each other of violating the ceasefire agreement brokered by Trump.
Andriy Kovalenko, head of the Center for Countering Disinformation at the National Security and Defense Council, stated that numerical superiority in personnel does not guarantee results in modern technological warfare. The effectiveness of drones, especially those with AI, will provide a "security wall" and become the basis of defense in the future.
UK Cabinet Minister Pat McFadden stated that the principle of negotiations between European leaders and the President of Ukraine in London is to give Kyiv the opportunity to decide its own future. These negotiations are a "turning point" for achieving a just peace and security guarantees for Ukraine.
Sanctioned Russian propagandist Artem Kureev, under a fictitious name, infiltrated the preparation of the Arctic 2050 event at Nord University (Norway). This event coincided with the moment when Russia was to chair the Arctic Council.
The Netherlands scrambled two F-35 fighter jets in response to reports of an unknown drone in its airspace. The drone posed no threat and left the country's airspace; its origin remains unclear.
US President Donald Trump expressed disappointment that Volodymyr Zelenskyy had not familiarized himself with the American "peace plan. " Trump discussed the situation with Putin and Ukrainian leaders, noting that Zelenskyy's team supports the document, but Zelenskyy himself "showed no interest."
In Chernihiv, on the night of December 8, an enemy UAV exploded near a high-rise building, wounding two people. The blast wave blew out windows, doors, and damaged cars, causing a gas pipeline fire.
The city of Kramatorsk, Donetsk region, was left without electricity after an emergency shutdown. Russian troops launched three strikes, damaging an apartment building, two residential buildings, and a gas station.
The laying of a 10-kilometer water pipeline in temporarily occupied Sevastopol has led to the destruction of residential buildings, the appearance of cracks, and the flooding of premises. The contractor, registered 17 days before receiving a 900 million ruble contract, ignores warnings and works without technical supervision.
Russia seized more than 500 square kilometers of territory in November, twice as much as last month. At the same time, with the onset of winter, analysts expect a slowdown in the Russian advance on the front.
On the night of December 8, Russia attacked the Okhtyrka community in Sumy region with three attack UAVs, hitting an apartment building. Five civilians are in hospital, and emergency rescue operations are underway.
British historian Timothy Garton Ash argues that only Europe can help Ukraine resist Russian aggression and US diplomatic betrayal. He emphasizes the need for military and economic support for Ukraine to change Putin's strategy.
On December 7, 139 combat engagements were recorded at the front. Russian troops launched 2 missile and 32 air strikes, used 6 missiles and dropped 87 guided aerial bombs.
The President of Ukraine will visit London and Brussels next week to discuss security issues, resilience support, and defense packages. The Ukrainian delegation held talks with representatives of the US President, "we continue to work."
Telegram 12. 2.2 has received a new Passkeys login feature, allowing authentication using Face ID or a fingerprint. This eliminates the need for SMS confirmations, storing the login key directly on the device.
Hungary and Slovakia will file a motion with the European Court of Justice to overturn the RePowerEU plan, which provides for a complete ban on imports of Russian gas and oil. Hungarian Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó stated that this step is due to the threat to secure energy supply and rising prices.
In the 50m freestyle final, Sheremet showed a result of 20. 81 seconds. Thus, he updated the national and world junior records.
Donald Trump Jr. stated that his father might withdraw from the negotiation process regarding the war in Ukraine if attempts to achieve peace are unsuccessful. He called Ukraine more corrupt than Russia, and Zelenskyy an outstanding marketer.
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy held a conversation with the Prime Minister of Italy, Giorgia Meloni. Italy will send equipment for Ukraine's energy infrastructure in the coming days.