Ukraine War Update NEWS
Table of Contents 📖
| Topic ID | Topic Title | Timestamp |
|---|
"It's a game of cat and mouse and there'll be a lot to take from that."
Hello Team!
Jonathan is excited to announce he will be interviewing John Sweeney, a former BBC investigative journalist, tomorrow morning at 10am UK time (5am EST). John has recently released a documentary called "Under Deadly Skies" with Byline TV and written a book called "Killer in the Kremlin". Jonathan encourages viewers to tune in live if possible.
Return to top⤴️
Ukrainian General Staff Figures
The Ukrainian General Staff released figures for Russian losses on November 29th:
- 1,180 personnel (a very high number)
- 13 tanks
- 28 APVs (armoured personnel vehicles)
- 1 artillery system (lower than usual)
- 10 drones
- 13 vehicles and fuel tanks
- 3 pieces of special equipment
Andrew Perpetua's Equipment Loss Figures
Andrew Perpetua, who Jonathan refers to often, released figures showing the Russians lost 37 pieces of equipment while the Ukrainians lost 12, a 3:1 loss ratio in Ukraine's favour. Notable Russian losses included:
- 3 air defence systems (Tor-M1, Buk-M3)
- Command and control vehicle
- Armoured recovery vehicle
- Multiple launch rocket systems and artillery
- 2 T-72 B3M tanks
- Many civilian and military trucks/logistics vehicles
Cranky Area Update
A Russian source complained that Ukrainians are too well organized with multiple launch rocket systems, cluster ammo, and drones in the Cranky area. Russians are having difficulty using their own drones there. Big losses were reported, with only 7 VDV (paratroopers) left in one unit that had to be withdrawn. The source wonders if he will survive, in contrast to official milbloggers who claim Ukrainians are about to be eliminated.
Return to top⤴️
Russian Equipment Losses
Videos showed the destruction of various Russian equipment, supporting the Ukrainian General Staff's claims:
- TOS-1A thermobaric artillery (short range, vulnerable to drones and artillery)
- Tor air defence system (main enemy of drones, but hunted by Ukrainian drone operators)
- Buk-M1 and Buk-M3 air defence systems
Destroying air defences allows Ukrainian drones to operate with impunity in those areas for a period of time.
Return to top⤴️
Reported Deaths of Russian Officials
A Russian general was reportedly killed by a landmine in Ukraine. Additionally, at least 5 high-ranking Russian officials were killed in a strike on a building where they were meeting in Russian-occupied Kherson oblast. The attack was carried out by Ukrainian underground fighters, according to the Center for National Resistance.
Return to top⤴️
Ukrainian Security Service Operations in Russia
The Ukrainian Security Service (SBU) conducted special operations in Russia:
- Blew up a strategic Russia-China railway in the Siberian Severomuisk tunnel, paralyzing the route Russia uses for military supplies. The train consisted of 41 tanks with fuel, 3 with aviation fuel, and 6 wagons with ferrous metal.
- Burned down railway relay cabinets in the Moscow region, disrupting train movement. Jonathan speculates the SBU may be paying Russians to conduct these operations.
Overnight Strikes and Air Defences
- 14 out of 20 Shahed drones were shot down overnight (compared to 100% the previous night). The Russians will learn from where the 6 drones got through.
- The Donetsk region was heavily attacked with 8 S-300 missiles, injuring at least 10 people. 5 are still missing under rubble, with 1 found dead. S-300s are being used in ground attack mode, making them less accurate but harder to intercept.
- The British intelligence reported Russia is using 500kg cluster bombs with 100-350 submunitions, some with guided kits allowing them to glide 50-70km from the front lines.
- Dara Massicot from the Carnegie Institute warns that the recent pause in Russian missile launches may mean they are storing up for large strikes to wear down Ukrainian air defences before launching a major attack.
Strikes on Russian Bases
- Explosions were heard in Russian-occupied Tokmak.
- The Saky airbase in Crimea was significantly damaged a couple nights ago, with an estimated 30 Russian personnel killed. The base is home to the 43rd Regiment of the Russian Air Force.
- Russia claims Ukrainian drones struck targets in Russia overnight, including shooting down a drone over Belgorod Oblast and attacking a warehouse of Shahed drones in Bryansk.
Cyber Warfare and Hacking
- The SBU hacked into the website of Russia's Labor Ministry, obtaining sensitive data about the invasion.
- Crimean TV was hacked again, broadcasting an address by President Zelensky instead of Russian content.
Zelensky on Retaking Territory
President Zelensky said it would be more difficult for Ukraine to return the Donbas than Crimea, as local residents in Donbas have fought against the Ukrainian armed forces for 10 years. Jonathan agrees, speculating that pro-Russian Crimeans would likely flee to Russia if Ukraine retook the peninsula, while pro-Ukrainian sentiment may be higher in Crimea than in the Donbas. He wonders if this hints at potential future compromises, with Ukraine unwilling to compromise on Crimea but possibly the Donbas.
Return to top⤴️
Wrap up
Jonathan thanks viewers for watching and encourages them to like, subscribe, and share the video. He signs off with "take care and I'll speak to you soon."
Return to top⤴️
