Victorious news of  651st day of  war: Ukraine approaches third line of Russian defense, National Guard targets Russia's most advanced SAM

Ukrainian Armed Forces break through two Russian defensive lines in certain areas

Ukraine's Defense Minister Rustem Umerov has said that the Ukrainian military have passed two lines of Russian defense and are now between the second and third lines.

"We are making it. We continue to liberate our territory. We have passed the first (defense line - ed.) and the second," - said the Defense Minister.

According to him, the Armed Forces have liberated 50% of the captured Ukraine's territory and are defeating Russia on Ukrainian soil. Umerov also stressed that Ukraine now has a plan to liberate the territories by 2024.

The return to the 1991 borders remains a strategic victory for Ukraine. 

Later, the Ministry of Defense's press center published an explanation of the minister's words. They noted that the Ukrainian military is indeed engaged in combat operations between the second and third lines of defense in certain areas of the frontline.

However, the names of the specific areas where this is being done and the stage of the specific operations will be reported by the relevant units in accordance with communication protocols.

National Guard destroys Russia's most advanced air defense system in Kherson region

Ukrainian soldiers in the Kherson region successfully attacked a Russian air defense system using two FPV drones. The video was posted on his social media page by the National Guard Commander Oleksandr Pivnenko.

The Vityaz SAM is Russia's latest short- and medium-range surface-to-air missile system designed to provide point defense against aircraft, ballistic missiles, drones, and precision attacks. It was destroyed by two FPV drones. The launcher was completely destroyed, and another machine was damaged. This air defense system entered service with the Russian Armed Forces in 2020. The cost of the launcher alone for export is from $135 million. This is the most expensive weapon FPV ever destroyed.

Valerii Riabykh, military expert and development director of the media and consulting company Defense Express, noted that the S-350 Vityaz is the most advanced system and an achievement of the Russian defense industry

The S-350 is a system that is supposed to combat airborne threats, but it was not able to counter FPV drones.

Ukraine may receive more F-16 fighter jets than previously planned

Western allies are working to increase the number of F-16 fighter jets to be delivered to Ukraine, Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba said.

"The F-16 Coalition is working, in particular, to increase the number of aircraft to be transferred to Ukraine," Kuleba said.

According to him, all political decisions have already been made.

"Regarding the F-16, firstly, all political decisions have been made. We are already in the technical preparation phase. Therefore, as soon as the technical training of pilots, technicians and infrastructure in Ukraine is completed, these aircraft will be in Ukraine, protecting our skies and defending our soldiers who will be counter-attacking," the Ukrainian Foreign Minister said.

He added that work is underway to build a training center for Ukrainian pilots and technicians in Romania.

"Today I have received assurances that the commitments made by the Netherlands to provide Ukraine with F-16s will be fulfilled," Kuleba said.

Ukraine's Security Service eliminates Medvedchuk's associate Kiva

The body of former MP Ilya Kiva was found in the Moscow region. The Russian propaganda media outlet RIA Novosti reported the discovery of the body of the famous collaborator.

"The body of probably ex-MP Kiva was found in the village of Suponevo, Odintsovo district, Moscow region," the Russian media said in a statement.

According to the reports, Ilya Kiva was killed with small arms — it was a special operation of the Security Service of Ukraine. The Defense Intelligence of Ukraine also confirms the liquidation of the collaborator.

Kiva was joined by Popov, a member of the so-called People's Council of the LPR

On December 6, in the temporarily occupied Luhansk, unidentified persons blew up a car carrying Oleg Popov, a deputy of the so-called People's Council of the Luhansk People's Republic. He died from his injuries.

It is noted that the car of the collaborator was blown up near the Avangard stadium in the centre of Luhansk. According to TASS and RIA Novosti sources, the explosion killed Oleg Popov, a member of the LPR People's Council who was in the car.

The head of the Luhansk regional military administration, Artem Lisogor, also said that collaborator Popov had sustained injuries incompatible with life as a result of the car explosion. According to him, in September 2022, the collaborator was allegedly assassinated. Then, in February 2023 he reappeared in public. He returned to his duties as a deputy, which he had performed before the so-called first elections.