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Mikhail Shatsky, Deputy General Designer and Head of the Software Department at the Mars Design Bureau, was fatally shot in Moscow.

Shatsky played a key role in modernizing X-59 cruise missiles to the X-69 level and was involved in developing new UAVs used by Russia in daily attacks on Ukraine.

OSCE Appoints Special Representative to Support Ukraine's EU and NATO Accession

Czech diplomat Petr Mareš has been elected as the OSCE’s special representative in Ukraine, tasked with preparing the country for future EU and NATO membership. The decision was made during the organization's recent foreign ministers' meeting in Malta, with 55 out of 57 member countries supporting the appointment. As expected, Russia and Belarus opposed the move, labeling it "illegal."

According to Czech Foreign Minister Jan Lipavsky, Mareš's mission is expected to begin in 2025. Speaking about his role, Mareš stated:

"We have 24 active projects in Ukraine, all requested by the Ukrainian side. My job will be to coordinate these efforts and develop new initiatives. I won’t deliver weapons, but I will prepare Ukraine for partnerships and eventual EU and NATO membership."
Additionally, Mareš advocates for the restoration of the OSCE's peacekeeping and monitoring mission in Ukraine. The original monitoring mission, which began in 2014, was suspended in 2022 following Russia's full-scale invasion.

“The OSCE peacekeeping mission should return. If successful, it could pave the way for independent observation missions,” Mareš said.

Unsurprisingly, Russia's OSCE representative, Alexander Lukashevich, along with Belarus, voiced opposition to the initiative. However, the OSCE may explore mechanisms to circumvent their veto and proceed with the plans.

Scholz Open to Further Dialogue with Putin Despite Previous Disappointments

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz expressed his willingness to engage in another conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin, despite finding their previous discussion unproductive.

“He simply repeated all his formulas again,” Scholz said in an interview with RTL, describing the earlier exchange as disappointing.

The German leader defended the necessity of such dialogue, emphasizing that it serves to make clear to Putin that Germany’s support for Ukraine remains steadfast.

“This has to happen, and I will do it again. But we should not have any illusions about its results,” Scholz acknowledged, while also addressing criticism, including from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, regarding his approach to talks with Moscow.

"Come Back Alive" Foundation Modernizes Osa-AKM Air Defense System

The Osa-AKM surface-to-air missile system has been upgraded to use R-73 air-to-air missiles, thanks to efforts by the "Come Back Alive" foundation.

This modernization offers a significant advantage over traditional missiles used by the Osa system. With the R-73, operators can fire and change position immediately, eliminating the need to continuously guide the missile to its target.

Ukrainian Artillery Sets World Record with 70 km Strike

The Armed Forces of Ukraine have achieved a new world record in the range of conventional artillery, hitting a target from an impressive distance of 70 kilometers, according to Defence24.

The record was set using a 155-mm "Krab" self-propelled gun equipped with a Vulcano GLR precision-guided shell. Details about the timing and specific results of the shot remain undisclosed in the report.

Zelenskyy Expresses Optimism About Trump’s Potential Role in Achieving Peace

In an interview with CBN News, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy shared his belief that former U.S. President Donald Trump and his team might secure peace swiftly, leveraging strength. Zelenskyy stated that Ukrainians trust Trump’s commitment to this goal.

Key points from Zelenskyy's remarks:

▫️Ukraine is already in communication with Trump’s team.
▫️The invitation to NATO should encompass all of Ukraine, though Article 5 protections may not apply to all territories immediately.
▫️Enhanced military support from allies could intensify Ukraine's pressure on the battlefield.
▫️Diplomatic solutions could address some challenges if military resources prove insufficient.
▫️Russia has abducted at least 19,000 Ukrainian children during the war.

Zelenskyy's comments reflect Ukraine’s dual strategy of pursuing both military and diplomatic efforts to achieve peace and reclaim sovereignty.

Dnipro's Resilience Fuels Ukraine's Missile Ambitions Amid Russian Strikes

Dnipro, Ukraine's "Rocket City," has endured relentless Russian missile attacks, yet its ambitions for advanced missile technology remain unshaken. The Yuzhmash plant, a Soviet-era industrial giant, bears scars of war but continues its operations despite recent strikes, including a hypersonic missile attack last month.

Russian President Vladimir Putin admitted targeting the facility, highlighting his concerns over Ukraine’s evolving missile capabilities. Shortly before the attacks, President Zelenskyy announced the successful testing of Ukraine’s first ballistic missile, a pivotal step in his plan for a “comprehensive non-nuclear strategic deterrence package.”

The Hrim-2 ("Thunder-2") missile, with a 500-kilometer range, is central to these ambitions, aiming to deter Russian aggression without reliance on Western approval. While skeptics question Ukraine’s ability to produce these missiles on a significant scale, historical ingenuity and modern resilience suggest otherwise.

Dnipro, once a secretive hub of Soviet intercontinental missile development, retains its strategic edge. Though challenges like Russian strikes on production facilities persist, Ukraine’s recent success with the Neptun anti-ship missile, which sank the Moskva cruiser, underscores its capacity to innovate under pressure.

For Putin, the risk of underestimating Ukraine's missile advancements could prove costly, as the nation pushes forward with a determination reminiscent of its Cold War-era achievements.

New Report Exposes Russian Militarization of Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant

Satellite intelligence from McKenzie Intelligence Services, commissioned by Greenpeace Ukraine, reveals intensified Russian military activity at the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant (ZNPP).

The analysis highlights the deployment of Russian multiple launch rocket systems (MLRS), including BM-30 Smerch and BM-27 Uragan, near the ZNPP. Military trenches and fortifications have also been constructed on the cooling pond’s territory. These actions pose a threat to neighboring areas, such as Nikopol and Kryvyi Rih, while preventing Ukrainian counter-battery fire due to the plant's strategic importance.

Sean Burney, Senior Nuclear Officer at Greenpeace Ukraine, warned, “Russian forces are endangering Ukrainian lives and violating nuclear safety by militarizing Europe’s largest nuclear power plant. The ZNPP occupation must end.”

The report comes ahead of a December 12 emergency IAEA meeting addressing the nuclear crisis fueled by Russia’s missile attacks on Ukraine's energy infrastructure. Greenpeace further criticized the IAEA for failing to report major Russian military violations at the ZNPP.

Russia’s seizure of the ZNPP in March 2022 was part of a strategy to deprive Ukraine of electricity while leveraging the plant as a military base and nuclear threat. Following the destruction of the Nova Kakhovka dam in June 2023, ZNPP reactors lost access to vital water supplies. International pressure forced Russia to postpone its plans to restart reactors by December 10, 2024.

Greenpeace continues to demand a permanent IAEA mission at Ukrainian substations, emphasizing that Russia’s militarization of the ZNPP exacerbates the risk of radiation release in the event of a grid collapse. Nuclear expert Jan Vande Putte stated, “The seriousness of this crisis requires removing Russia from any control over the plant.”

British Army Successfully Tests Laser Weapon, Destroys Drone in Mid-Air

The British Army has successfully tested a new laser weapon capable of destroying drones mid-flight.

The system uses an intense beam of infrared light, powered by advanced sensors and tracking systems for real-time lock-on and precise targeting. During the tests, the laser was mounted on a Wolfhound armored personnel carrier.

The trials took place at the Radnor Proving Ground in Wales, marking a significant step forward in counter-drone technology.