Ukraine War Update NEWS: Pt 1 - Overnight & Other News
Table of Contents 📖
"You can sit in your podcast studio and you can sit in your Trump Tower apartment, penthouse suite or whatever, slagging off Zelenskyy. You go and do what he did and refuse to leave the country with the Russian armed forces knocking at the door of Kyiv. You go and do that. Show me what man you are. You are a tenth of the man that Zelenskyy is."
Hello Team
🎦 00:00-01:12⏩
Jonathan opens the video by saying he is feeling unwell with a sore throat which is impacting his Multiple Sclerosis. He apologises that the video is later than usual. He mentions it is very stormy in the UK. He invites viewers to check out his live stream from the previous evening.
Return to top⤴️
🪦 DISCLAIMER FOR GENERAL STAFF LOSSES DATA
- These are real people with real lives and real families who love them. Don’t let the numbers sap your humanity.
- These numbers probably aren’t accurate but they’re the best we have and we don’t need them to be accurate to be indicative of patterns of activity.
- All losses are estimates. Losses cannot be counted with accuracy because of the conditions on the ground.
- Both sides would see it to be of their advantage to minimize their own losses maximize the other side’s losses.
- Neither side releases their losses but we have enough transparency from the Ukrainian side to have confidence in they are indicative.
- Personnel losses are hard to count. If a soldier gets injured, heals up, and returns to the front line only to get injured again, is that one loss or two? Also, how to deal with losses from PMC’s or soldiers fighting with RF from occupied territories?
- Equipment losses are hard to count. If an AA complex involves several parts and one part gets disabled, is that a loss, or a fraction of a loss? If a tank gets disabled, repaired, back into the fight, then disabled again, is that one lost tank or two?
- All recorded losses are vulnerable to multiple reporting. We have already seen numerous cases of multiple drones in the air reporting the same loss from different angles as multiple engagements.
- Losses are not always reported on the same day they occurred. It is frequent that drone losses are reported at least 24 hours after other terrestrial equipment losses. Certain losses may not be reported for days or weeks for military intelligence reasons.
Ukrainian General Staff Figures: Russian Losses for 6th December 2023
🎦 01:12-03:07⏩
Jonathan details the Ukrainian General Staff figures for Russian losses, noting 1,300 personnel lost (a decrease from recent highs but still a significant number), no tanks (consistent with the drop in personnel), 17 troop-carrying AFVs (slightly below average), and 12 artillery systems (below average). Two anti-aircraft warfare systems were destroyed (above average) and 49 vehicles and fuel tanks (lower). Jonathan speculates that the lower numbers could indicate a reduction in Russian activity due to weather or potentially a limit to their ability to sustain high-intensity attacks.
Return to top⤴️
Yuri Butasov Reports Ukrainian Losses of Over 100,000
🎦 03:07-06:30⏩
Ukrainian journalist Yuri Butasov reports that Ukraine has lost over 100,000 soldiers, with 70,000 killed and 35,000 missing. Jonathan questions the accuracy of these figures and whether "missing" includes deserters. He acknowledges that such losses for Ukraine are not surprising given the duration and intensity of the war. Jonathan adds that Ukrainian losses are estimated to be around two to two and a half times less than Russian losses.
Return to top⤴️
North Korean Military Equipment Supplied to Russia
🎦 06:30-08:23⏩
North Korea is supplying Russia with artillery rounds, missiles, and troops. Russia has assembled 50,000 troops in the Kursk Oblast, including North Korean soldiers in Russian uniforms. North Korea has also deployed multiple weapon systems, including Bolsai-4 anti-tank guided missile vehicles. The Institute for the Study of War (ISW) reports significant Russian casualties.
Return to top⤴️
Ukrainian Drone Intercepts Russian Mavic Drone with Net
🎦 08:23-08:43⏩
A Ukrainian drone equipped with a net launcher intercepts a Russian Mavic drone carrying bombs. Jonathan notes that Russians initially had an advantage with these net drones, causing the intercepted drone to fall and explode.
Return to top⤴️
Guy Spearing Provides Further Details on Ukrainian Ambush in Kursk Region
🎦 08:43-10:47⏩
Guy Spearing provides additional information about a Ukrainian ambush in the Kursk region. Ukrainians used a "radio game," posing as overrun Russian units, to lure 20 Russian marines into a trap, resulting in their deaths. This tactic highlights the linguistic advantage Ukrainians have, as most speak fluent Russian, while few Russians speak Ukrainian. Jonathan notes that this tactic was legitimate.
Return to top⤴️
Reduced Russian Overnight Strikes: 14 Drones Launched
🎦 10:47-11:18⏩
Russia launched only 14 attack drones overnight. Seven were shot down, six were stopped by electronic warfare, and one returned to Russia, resulting in all 14 being neutralized. Jonathan notes this is significantly less than previous nights.
Return to top⤴️
Sanctions Impact Russian Drone Accuracy: Chinese Servo Motors to Blame
🎦 11:18-12:14⏩
According to the Washington Post, Russian strike drones are experiencing technical issues, likely due to the replacement of South Korean servo motors with Chinese ones. This substitution, driven by sanctions-related difficulties, causes drones to lose control during sharp turns, making them easier targets for Ukrainian air defences. Jonathan finds this news encouraging, demonstrating the positive impact of sanctions.
Return to top⤴️
Denmark Sends Additional F-16s to Ukraine
🎦 12:14-13:40⏩
Denmark has sent a second batch of F-16s to Ukraine, to be used primarily in a defensive capacity. President Zelenskyy praises Denmark's leadership and substantial support, noting that Denmark's direct investment in Ukraine's defence sector is crucial. He emphasizes that if other countries followed Denmark's example, the war might have ended already.
Return to top⤴️
Russian Ballistic Missile Strike on Sumy Region
🎦 13:40-14:08⏩
Russia hit the Sumy region with a ballistic missile, striking infrastructure in Konotop. Local authorities are downplaying the attack, with no injuries reported.
Return to top⤴️
Russian Strikes on Kryvyi Rih and Zaporizhzhia: Civilian Casualties
🎦 14:08-15:47⏩
Russia struck Kryvyi Rih and Zaporizhzhia, with a third body recovered in Kryvyi Rih. In Zaporizhzhia, a petrol station and car repair service were hit by a guided bomb, resulting in at least nine civilian deaths and 20 injuries, including a four-month-old girl. Jonathan expresses horror at the civilian casualties, calling it "murder for the sake of murder."
Return to top⤴️
Ukrainian Strikes on Mykop, Adygea in Russia
🎦 15:47-16:28⏩
Several explosions were reported in Mykop, Adygea, Russia, with air defence systems active in the area. No official statements have been issued. Jonathan hopes the explosions indicate successful Ukrainian strikes.
Return to top⤴️
Ukrainian Navy Strikes Russian Gas Platforms in Black Sea with Drones
🎦 16:28-19:26⏩
The Ukrainian Navy struck Russian-occupied gas platforms in the Black Sea using naval and aerial drones. Unmanned surface vehicles (USVs) launched aerial drones (UAVs) to target observation points and other installations on the platforms. This new capability allows USVs to act as motherships for FPV drones, significantly enhancing their operational range and effectiveness. Jonathan highlights the evolving capabilities of these drones and their potential impact on Russian infrastructure.
Return to top⤴️
Ukrainian Drones Strike Russian 3rd Motorized Division HQ in Boguchar
🎦 19:26-20:28⏩
Three drones targeted the headquarters building of the Russian 3rd Motorized Division in Boguchar, Voronezh region, a couple of nights ago. Two drones directly hit the HQ building, causing a fire, while a third landed on a barracks roof without detonating. Jonathan notes that many such strikes occur nightly without being reported immediately.
Return to top⤴️
Mounting Pressure on Russian Military Fuel Supplies Due to Strikes and Sanctions
🎦 20:28-23:40⏩
Russian military fuel supplies are under increasing pressure due to both Ukrainian strikes and international sanctions. Sanctions have disrupted Russia's ability to extract, store, process, and transport hydrocarbons. Ukrainian intelligence reports indicate significant problems with fuel supplies to the Russian military. Jonathan describes this as a "perfect storm" of issues for Russia.
Return to top⤴️
Fitch Ratings Predicts War Will Continue into 2025
🎦 23:40-24:40⏩
Fitch Ratings expects the war to continue into 2025 within its current broad parameters. While a new US administration's policy might lead to a negotiated ceasefire, a peace agreement is unlikely due to the difficult concessions required from both sides.
Return to top⤴️
Putin Appoints Controversial Figure Mr. Hingstein as Governor of Kursk Region
🎦 24:40-26:04⏩
Putin appointed Mr. Hingstein, a controversial figure known for his work in journalism and scandals, as the governor of the Kursk region. Hingstein is expected to downplay the crisis in the region and craft a positive narrative for the Russian public. Jonathan compares him to other figures like Sergey Lavrov and Vasily Nebenzya, who are known for their pro-Kremlin rhetoric.
Return to top⤴️
Execution of 19-Year-Old Russian Conscript for Refusing Deployment
🎦 26:04-26:58⏩
A 19-year-old Russian conscript was executed in Primorsky Krai after refusing deployment to the Kursk region. He was tortured and beaten before his death. Jonathan expresses sadness over the mistreatment of young Russians forced into the war.
Return to top⤴️
Developments in Romania, Georgia, and US Politics
🎦 26:58-30:23⏩
Jonathan discusses political developments in Romania, Georgia, and the US. In Romania, supporters of a pro-Russian candidate, Georgescu, have fled the country following revelations of Russian influence in the election. In Georgia, an FSB agent was seen among protesters, indicating Russian involvement in underpinning the government. Jonathan then criticizes Donald Trump Jr. for supporting the far-right candidate in Romania and aligning with Russian interests. He emphasizes the importance of recognizing these connections and the broader implications for regional stability.
Return to top⤴️
HTS Advances Towards Damascus as Syrian Regime Withdraws
30:23-30:47⏩
Return to top⤴️HTS, a rebel group in Syria, claims to have begun the final phase of encircling Damascus as the Syrian regime withdraws from the countryside. Jonathan sarcastically remarks that he wouldn't be surprised if Donald Trump Jr. supported Bashar al-Assad, given his alignment with Russian interests.
Return to top⤴️
Zelenskyy Remains in Kyiv, Unlike Assad
🎦 30:47-32:24⏩
Jonathan contrasts Zelenskyy's steadfastness in remaining in Kyiv despite the Russian invasion with Bashar al-Assad's quick evacuation of his family from Syria. He criticizes figures like Donald Trump Jr. and Joe Rogan for their comments against Zelenskyy, asserting that they are not even "a tenth of the man" Zelenskyy is. He concludes with a strong condemnation of those who criticize Zelenskyy from the safety of their positions, telling them to "sod off."
Return to top⤴️
Wrap up
🎦 32:24-32:45⏩
Jonathan thanks viewers for watching and encourages them to like, subscribe, and share the video. He sets a goal of reaching 50,139 subscribers by January 2nd.
Return to top⤴️
