Russia More air defense for Ukraine - and talks with Trump's team?

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyi wants to strengthen the troops on the front in the east of the country with further arms deliveries from allies.

"This is a direct dependency: the more firepower and the more technological possibilities our army has, the more Russian attack potential it can destroy and protect the lives of our fighters," said the head of state in his daily video message in the evening. Meanwhile, a Ukrainian government delegation is said to have arrived in the USA to hold talks with President-elect Donald Trump's team, according to media reports.

The usually well-informed Ukrainian radio station NV (New Voice) reported, citing diplomatic sources, that the delegation consists of Presidential Office Chief Andriy Yermak, Defense Minister Rustem Umyerov and Deputy Prime Minister and Economy Minister Yulia Svyrydenko. According to the report, the group is primarily seeking a connection to Trump's designated US special envoy for Ukraine and Russia, Keith Kellogg.

Ukrajinska Pravda reported much the same, although according to the internet portal, one of his deputies traveled with him instead of Umjerov. According to officially unconfirmed information, the Ukrainian government plane landed in New York on Tuesday evening.

Concerns about US aid - and an appeal to the NATO states

There had been speculation in the Ukrainian press for some time about travel plans of this kind. This is because Zelensky's government must fear that the US government will drastically reduce its financial and military support for Ukraine after Trump takes office in January. Since the start of the Russian war of aggression in February 2022, the United States has been by far the largest single supporter and arms supplier to the Eastern European country, which has so far striven in vain to join the EU and NATO. Trump has indicated on several occasions that this is unlikely to continue with him as president.

There will be detailed talks with the partner states about additional arms deliveries, said Selenskyj. In addition, arms production will be expanded in the country itself, not only for long-range weapons.

Ukraine is expecting the arrival of new air defense systems in December. "There are also certain things that could be done for our air shield in January," said Selenskyj. There should be no delay in deliveries, he added. "Winter is a huge temptation for Russian terrorists," he emphasized, referring to the heating season and Russia's recurring air attacks on power plants and other civilian infrastructure.

At a meeting of NATO foreign ministers in Brussels, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiha asked for more Hawk, Nasams and Iris-T air defense systems to protect Ukraine's energy supply. These have ranges of between 25 and 40 kilometers. During his visit to Kiev on Monday, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD) said that two Iris-T systems and other air defense weapons should be delivered in December.

Heavy fighting in eastern Ukraine

Meanwhile, Ukrainian troops on the front line in the east of the country are under heavy pressure. The most recent report from the General Staff primarily mentioned heavy fighting in the Donetsk region at the Pokrovsk and Kurakhove sections. Several dozen Russian attacks had been repelled. The Russian air force had dropped glide bombs on the city of Myrnohrad and other villages.

Ukrainian military experts had previously reported Russian territorial gains in the urban area of Kurakhove and northwest of it near Stari Terny. According to consistent reports, the heavily fortified village was already under Russian control in the evening. The Russian advance was not officially confirmed. In any case, it is almost impossible to independently verify the information provided by both warring parties.

According to the General Staff, there were also battles between Russian and Ukrainian troops on other sections of the front. Fighting in the western part of the Donetsk region around the settlement of Velyka Novosilka and in the Kharkiv region near Kupyansk was highlighted. According to Ukrainian military observers, the defenders succeeded in pushing back Russian units that had advanced across the Oskil River.

SDA