Ukraine
US President Donald Trump's special envoy, Steve Witkoff, and his son-in-law, Jared Kushner, will hold talks with Vladimir Putin on Tuesday regarding a possible path to ending Russia's war against Ukraine. The meeting will take place in the afternoon, following the earlier establishment of an "updated and improved peace framework agreement" by the US and Ukraine.
On the night of December 2, Russia launched 62 attack UAVs over Ukraine, 39 of which were shot down or suppressed. 20 drones hit 8 locations across the country.
Brent crude futures rose to $63. 24, WTI to $59.42. This comes amid an assessment of risks from drone strikes on Russian energy facilities and escalating US-Venezuela relations.
European governments accuse Belgium of excessive demands for protection in case the Kremlin sues over the use of 140 billion euros in frozen Russian assets. This could derail negotiations on the EU's plan to provide these assets to Ukraine before the December summit.
Over the past day, 226 combat engagements were recorded on the front line, a third more than the day before, with the greatest activity in the Pokrovsk direction. The enemy launched one missile and 66 air strikes, carrying out 3,547 shellings.
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy and his wife Olena began their first official visit to Ireland. They were greeted by Prime Minister Micheál Martin, who confirmed unwavering support for Ukraine.
The draft extended financing program between Ukraine and the IMF provides for a package of changes to strengthen public finances and enhance anti-corruption policy. These innovations will affect tax policy, customs rules, the energy sector, and the state's interaction with business.
On December 1, Russian troops lost 1,110 soldiers and 51 UAVs. The total combat losses of the enemy from 24.02.22 to 02.12.25 amount to over 1.1 million personnel.
On December 2, cloudy weather with light rains is expected in Ukraine, with wet snow in the Carpathians. The air temperature during the day will be 3-8°C, up to 12°C in the south.
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."
The Institute for the Study of War believes that the Kremlin is setting conditions to refrain from publicly discussing the results of the US-Russian meeting on December 2. This is likely due to a desire to conceal Russia's rejection of the US and Ukraine peace proposal.
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.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan stated that attacks on vessels of Russia's "shadow fleet" in the Black Sea are a sign of an "alarming escalation of the situation. " He emphasized that these incidents threaten navigation safety and human lives.
Ukrainian drones damaged the pier of the Caspian Pipeline Consortium terminal, which is the main source of Kazakh oil exports. Kazakhstan has activated a plan to redirect exports to alternative routes.
US President's special envoy Steve Witkoff went to Russia to present Putin with an agreed-upon draft of a "peace plan" after a meeting in Florida. The Russian leader had previously stated his unwillingness to compromise and demanded the withdrawal of Ukrainian troops from the occupied territories.
The Italian government has approved the 12th package of military aid to Ukraine, which includes military materials, equipment, and machinery. The full list of aid is classified for security reasons.
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.
On December 1, the occupiers attacked a car with civilians in the village of Klynova-Novoselivka, Kharkiv region. As a result of the FPV drone strike, two men, aged 40 and 47, sustained shrapnel wounds and were hospitalized.
The General Staff reported 202 combat engagements in 24 hours, as of 10:00 PM on November 1. The most intense battles are ongoing in the Pokrovsk, Lyman, and Kostiantynivka directions.
President Zelenskyy met with Eric Trappier, President of Dassault Aviation. They discussed the localization of military aircraft production, particularly Rafale fighter jets, in Ukraine.
A month before the end of 2025, Russia recorded a significant failure of tax revenues, which deepens the financial crisis. Oil and gas revenues, VAT, and excise taxes have significantly decreased, and the budget deficit has reached record levels.
The US administration of President Trump said it was "optimistic" about a future agreement between Ukraine and Russia.
South African police have arrested 39-year-old Nonkululeko Mantuli, a SAFM host, on suspicion of recruiting men to fight in the war in Ukraine on Russia's side. Four other people have also been detained, three of whom were trying to fly to Russia, and one has already joined the Russian army.
Ukraine aims to receive additional funding from Europe totaling approximately 1 billion euros or 1. 2 billion dollars by the end of the year. The funds are needed to ensure the uninterrupted acquisition of equipment through the PURL program, which finances the purchase of American weapons.
After a meeting in France with President Macron, Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that Ukraine seeks to end the war, but in such a way that Russia does not receive "rewards" for it.
The capital's "Dynamo" once again lost a match in the Ukrainian Football Championship. This time, the footballers of SC "Poltava", a team that is in last place in the championship, proved stronger than the Kyivans. This was the first match for Ihor Kostyuk, acting head coach of the Kyiv team.
Romania will have to independently deter the enemy in case of a Russian invasion; NATO troops will only be able to help after several weeks. This was revealed by military exercises in Cincu, which focused on ground combat.
Hourly power outages will be in effect across Ukraine on December 2 due to Russian attacks. Restrictions will last from 00:00 to 23:59 for household and industrial consumers.
On November 28, the Special Operations Forces of Ukraine successfully hit the launch area of Shahed attack UAVs near Cape Chauda in occupied Crimea. The enemy uses this territory for attacks on Ukraine's civilian infrastructure.
President Zelenskyy stated that he has not yet decided on the new head of the Presidential Office. He plans to hold additional consultations after returning to Ukraine to determine the direction of management.