Germany Ukraine relies on its own mass production of missiles

Ukraine is increasingly relying on long-range missiles and drones of its own production in its defense against Russia's war of aggression.

Previously, projects like these were science fiction, "today they are reality", said President Volodymyr Zelenskyi. Among other things, he mentioned the new Paljanytsja drone with jet propulsion, which was reportedly used for the first time in August. "The Palyanytsya missile has gone into mass production," said Zelenskyi.

Meanwhile, international efforts to support the war-torn country, which has been fending off a Russian invasion for more than 1,000 days, continue. According to the Ministry of Finance, the USA is paying out a promised loan of 20 billion US dollars (around 19 billion euros). But how much longer will the fighting last? Poland's government can imagine negotiations on an end to the war as early as this winter.

The military situation in Ukraine remains difficult. The General Staff in Kiev reported almost 200 Russian assault attacks along the front in the east and south of the country. There was an air alert in the Kharkiv region in the east on Tuesday evening. The Ukrainian air force warned of Russian glide bombs being dropped by aircraft.

Ukraine wants to make up for its disadvantage in missiles

Ukraine is dependent on its own missiles because Western weapons with a longer range are only supplied in small quantities. They are also often subject to deployment restrictions, which were only recently relaxed in the case of the ATACMS missiles from the USA and the Storm Shadow and Scalp missiles from the UK and France. The Russian arsenal of missiles and cruise missiles is much larger.

Selensky reported that the Peklo drone missile with a range of 700 kilometers had successfully completed its first combat mission. A missile with the designation Ruta had also been successfully tested. He also mentioned the further developed Neptun anti-ship missile.

Deaths in Russian attack on Zaporizhia

According to the regional administration, at least four people were killed and a further 20 injured by a Russian missile attack in the southeast Ukrainian city of Zaporizhia. According to a report by the public broadcaster, the building of a private clinic was damaged. The Russian military had used ballistic missiles, it said.

Later, the Russian authorities reported a missile attack on the port city of Taganrog on the Russian Black Sea coast. According to the state news agency Tass, the governor of the Rostov region reported that an industrial plant had been damaged. No people were injured, but 14 vehicles were burnt out. As a rule, it is almost impossible to independently verify the statements of both warring parties.

Tusk does not rule out early Ukraine negotiations

Poland will take over the EU Council Presidency for six months in January 2025 and wants to coordinate diplomatic efforts to end the war. "Our EU Council presidency will be partly responsible for the situation in the negotiations that could begin this winter," said the liberal-conservative Prime Minister Donald Tusk in Warsaw.

He announced a series of meetings with foreign politicians. French President Emmanuel Macron is expected in Warsaw on Thursday. According to the Polish news agency PAP, Tusk could also meet with Selensky this week. And British Prime Minister Keir Starmer is due to come to Warsaw at the start of the Polish EU Council Presidency. Tusk will also travel to the Norwegian capital Oslo to coordinate closely with the Scandinavian countries.

Russia must indirectly pay for US loan to Ukraine

The United States is paying Ukraine a promised loan of 20 billion US dollars, which is part of a more comprehensive package: In October, the Group of Seven leading Western industrialized nations (G7) had promised Ukraine a loan of USD 50 billion, secured by interest income from frozen Russian assets. The EU countries are providing a similar amount to the USA. The remaining ten billion US dollars are to be provided by the UK, Japan and Canada.

Drone attack on nuclear inspectors

The Russian war of aggression and the occupation of the Ukrainian nuclear power plant in Zaporizhia have also increased the risk of a potential nuclear catastrophe in Ukraine. Inspectors from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) are tasked with ensuring that this does not happen. A vehicle belonging to the agency has now been damaged in a drone attack in Ukraine, as IAEA chief Rafael Grossi announced on Platform X. No one was injured. No one was injured.

The IAEA has permanently stationed experts at the Russian-occupied Zaporizhzhya nuclear power plant to monitor the situation at the frontline facility. The teams are regularly replaced. The incident with the drone occurred during the most recent rotation. Grossi condemned the attack: attacks on nuclear power plants are fundamentally unacceptable, but "attacking those who ensure the nuclear safety of these power plants is even more unacceptable."

This is important today

Ukraine's economic resilience is the focus of the German-Ukrainian Economic Forum in Berlin. Federal Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD) and Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal from Kiev are due to speak there. According to the organizers, particular attention will be paid to Ukraine's energy supply and cooperation between the two countries' defence companies.