Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Oleksandr Syrskyi stated that Ukrainian defenders improved their tactical position in Kupyansk, Kharkiv Oblast. Positions within the city have been strengthened and possible routes for enemy sabotage and reconnaissance groups to penetrate have been blocked.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy presented awards in Dublin to the families of Irish volunteers who gave their lives for Ukraine. He presented the Order "For Courage" of the III degree to the relatives of Graham Dale, Robert Deegan, and Oleksandr Ryzhuk.
The head of the Kremlin, Vladimir Putin, held an almost five-hour meeting with Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner. Russian media called it "productive."
On December 2, 191 combat engagements took place at the front, with the greatest activity in the Pokrovsk direction, where the Defense Forces repelled 48 attempts to break through. In this direction, Ukrainian soldiers neutralized 130 occupiers and destroyed a tank, an armored combat vehicle, and 19 drones.
The head of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine, Andriy Sybiha, stated that Russian dictator Vladimir Putin has been making statements for two days in a row that indicate his unwillingness to end the war, threatening seaports and freedom of navigation, especially Odesa. Sybiha emphasized that Russia must stop the bloodshed, otherwise it will have consequences.
Vladimir Putin stated Russia's readiness for war with Europe, emphasizing that if it starts, there will quickly be no one left to negotiate with. He noted that actions against Ukraine are a "surgical method," unlike a potential conflict with Europe.
US President Donald Trump's special representative Steve Witkoff and US President's son-in-law Jared Kushner arrived at the Kremlin for a meeting with Kremlin head Vladimir Putin. The talks will discuss a peaceful settlement in Ukraine, Trump's special envoy will present a new version of the plan to the Russian side.
In Poland, politicians express distrust of Steve Witkoff, US President Donald Trump's special envoy, regarding his competence in negotiations with Russia. Minister Przydacz believes that Witkoff, being a real estate businessman, does not realize the specifics of the Kremlin's harsh methods.
Before negotiations with Putin, US President's special representative Steve Witkoff and Donald Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner had lunch at a Michelin-starred restaurant in Moscow. The lunch took place in the company of Russian dictator's representative Kirill Dmitriev.
Russian citizen Mykhailo Myrhorodskyi created a criminal group for espionage and sabotage, which planned to derail a train. The prosecutor's office has brought five charges against him, and an international search warrant has been issued.
Spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine, Georgiy Tykhyi, officially denied Ukraine's involvement in the incident with the MIDVOLGA-2 tanker, which was transporting sunflower oil under the Russian flag. He hinted that Russia might have staged the attack, as the vessel's route made no sense.
On the night of December 2, Ukrainian Armed Forces drones attacked the building of the FSB of the Russian Federation in the Achkhoy-Martanovsky district of Chechnya, as a result of which the building completely burned down. The Russian Ministry of Defense announced the downing of four drones over Chechnya.
The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine refuted Russian fakes about the capture of Kupyansk, Pokrovsk, and Vovchansk. In Pokrovsk, the Defense Forces hold the northern part of the city, and in Vovchansk, Ukrainian defenders firmly hold their positions.
Russian dictator Vladimir Putin announced the need to create a security zone along the border with Ukraine. Military analyst Ivan Stupak did not rule out that this is an informational maneuver.
On December 1, a bust of Ukrainian Hetman Ivan Mazepa was unveiled in Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra. The ceremony was attended by representatives of the UINP and the National Reserve.
US President Donald Trump's special representative, Steven Witkoff, arrived in Moscow for peace talks regarding Russia's war against Ukraine. His and Jared Kushner's meeting with Vladimir Putin is scheduled for the evening.
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy received a detailed report from the Ukrainian delegation after peace talks in the US, where the American side's priorities were discussed. He instructed to continue constructive work with President Trump's team and European partners.
Polish Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski announced a possible reset of US-Russian relations. He believes that Polish President Karol Nawrocki, who has good relations with Donald Trump, should intervene in the situation.
Russian troops attempted a "flag-raising" in Pokrovsk so that propagandists could use it as proof of control over the city. After that, they hastily fled, and the cleanup of enemy groups is underway. In Myrnohrad, Ukrainian units are holding defensive lines.
The spokesman for the Russian dictator Peskov stated that the Kremlin is "ready" for negotiations only after achieving the goals of the so-called "SVO. "
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine reacted to the arrest of Nonkululeko Mantuli, a SAFM South African Republic host, suspected of recruiting men for the war in Ukraine on the side of the Russian Federation. MFA spokesperson Heorhii Tykhyi called it an example to follow.
On the night of December 2, drones attacked the Orelnefteprodukt oil depot in Russia's Oryol region, causing facilities of the fuel and energy complex in the Livensky district to catch fire. There were no casualties.
In December, the Kremlin will intensify its disinformation campaign regarding negotiations on a diplomatic settlement of the war in Ukraine. The NSDC predicts that Russia will focus on discrediting the negotiation process between Ukraine and the United States, strengthening the narrative that "Ukraine is disrupting negotiations."
Andriy Kovalenko, head of the Center for Countering Disinformation at the National Security and Defense Council, stated that the Russians will try to increase pressure on the front in the coming weeks and accompany it with loud statements. This is being done for the Western audience and to raise the stakes in diplomacy.
The occupation authorities in the temporarily occupied territories of the Kherson region solemnly presented the mother of a fallen soldier with a multicooker, a laptop, and a bouquet of flowers. This happened in front of cameras and with words about supporting "patriotic" projects.
Vladimir Putin announced his intention to create a security zone along the border with Ukraine. He also reported on the alleged successes of Russian troops at the front and control over several settlements.
The Armed Forces of Ukraine refuted Russian statements about the capture of Klynove and the advance of the occupiers deep into Ukrainian territory.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz expressed support for close relations with Poland, emphasizing European unity and a common stand against threats from Russia. Deeper cooperation in defense was discussed, including the protection of NATO's eastern flank and plans to sign a new defense agreement in 2026.
The SBI reported suspicion to the acting director of the state enterprise "Enterprise of the State Criminal Executive Service of Ukraine (No. 98)" for demanding 10% kickbacks. He received 600,000 hryvnias for a 6 million hryvnia contract for the production of goods by prisoners.
A Land Cruiser 200 Prado belonging to a 41-year-old doctor of physical and mathematical sciences, a developer of targeting systems for long-range missiles, exploded in Moscow. The owner of the car, a specialist at the Moscow Research Institute "Polyus", is currently on a business trip.
