Nightly update without photos: Ukraine receives patriots to protect Odessa After-school attack: France imposes highest terror alert level

In the port city of Odessa, which was hit by numerous Russian drone and missile attacks, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyj thanked the Netherlands for the arms assistance from the Netherlands. At a joint press conference with Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte on Thursday, Zelensky mainly mentioned the strengthening of air defense and the expected delivery of F-16 fighter jets. In the southern Ukrainian city, Rutte assured that the country attacked by Russia would continue to receive attention and support, despite the bloody escalated conflict in the Middle East.

“The Netherlands is helping Ukraine with patrol boats so that the grain corridor system (in the Black Sea) remains safe,” Rutte said, referring to Ukrainian grain exports being hampered by Russia. The Dutchman visited the Odessa hotel on the harbour, which was damaged in a Russian air raid, and honored fallen Ukrainian sailors with flowers. He also visited a military hospital.

Zelenskiy insists on preparing for winter

Zelensky also later expressed his gratitude for the Patriot anti-aircraft weapons in his daily video message. “There is a decision about the Patriots – the Netherlands will give more missiles,” Zelensky said on Friday. He also spoke with Rutte about further military aid during his visit to Odessa. The talks focused specifically on the protection of southern Ukraine and grain supplies across the Black Sea.

Zelensky recorded his message at the Transfiguration Cathedral, the largest Orthodox church in the city, which was heavily damaged by a Russian missile attack in July 2023. He again called for the energy sector, which was hit hard by Russian attacks last year, to prepare for the coming winter. He also promised to “rebuild what was destroyed by Russian attacks.”

US: North Korea has supplied Moscow with weapons for war against Ukraine

According to the US government, North Korea has supplied more than 1,000 containers of military equipment and ammunition to Russia for its war of aggression against Ukraine. In return, Pyongyang is expected to rely on advanced Russian weapons technology to expand North Korea’s nuclear program, National Security Council communications director John Kirby said.

North Korea will likely rely mainly on missiles, armored vehicles and ballistic missile production equipment, Kirby said. “We are closely monitoring whether Moscow will make these materials available to Pyongyang.” Containers have already been observed unloading from Russian ships in North Korea – possibly with the first deliveries of materials from Russia. But that’s not certain, Kirby explained.

In the past, the US and allies such as South Korea had repeatedly warned the two countries against military cooperation and arms deals. Any arms trade between Moscow and Pyongyang would violate existing UN resolutions, they warned.

After new damage to the pipeline, Putin speaks of diversionary tactics

Meanwhile, Russian President Vladimir Putin described speculation about Russian involvement in damaging a gas pipeline between Finland and Estonia as a diversionary tactic. “These statements were made only to cover up the West’s terrorist attack on Nord Stream,” Putin said at a press conference in Bishkek on the sidelines of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) summit.

Lawyers for Kremlin opponent Navalny in custody

One of the fiercest critics of Putin and his propaganda apparatus is jailed Russian opposition politician Alexei Navalny. According to a media report, the Moscow judiciary has now taken three of Navalny’s lawyers into custody. Vadim Kobsev and Alexei Lipzer were detained until December 13 on suspicion of forming an extremist organization, Interfax news agency reported on Friday. A few hours earlier, Navalny’s former criminal lawyer Igor Sergunin had been arrested on the same grounds. Searches also took place at the homes of all three lawyers.

This is important on Saturday

In eastern Ukraine, the small town of Avdiivka has become the new center of struggle. The Russian army is trying to advance in the south and northwest with massive attacks and support from the air force to cut off the fortress city from supply routes and encircle the Ukrainian soldiers stationed there. (sda/dpa)