Victorious news of 652nd day of war: Russia’s losses near Avdiivka reach 15,000, Ukraine to receive Vampire counter-drone systems

The US will supply Ukraine with a new Vampire system to counter drones

This month, the US Navy will complete the delivery of a new counter-drone system to Ukraine as part of the Department of Defense assistance package. It will be used to combat Russian drones.

The Navy noted that four such systems have already been delivered to the Ukrainian Armed Forces over the past six months "using an innovative contracting strategy."

With Vampire, a laser-guided missile can defend against unmanned aerial threats. The Ukrainian Army will receive 14 of these systems to target and neutralize UAVs and defend against ground threats.

Russia announces "evacuation" from Nova Kakhovka

Russian-installed authorities have announced the evacuation of the population from the temporarily occupied Nova Kakhovka, Kherson region, regional council member Serhiy Khlan reported.

"The Russians announced the evacuation of the population from the occupied Nova Kakhovka. Those who want to be taken to a "safe territory" must register and gather near the hospital on December 13," Khlan said. He added that it is currently unknown where and under what conditions the Russians plan to evacuate civilians.

Russia’s losses in the Avdiivka sector reach 15,000

Russian troops conducted 34 attacks in the Avdiivka direction over the last day.

"Fierce fighting continues there, we cannot say that anything has been captured. The occupiers advance a little bit, then we push them back; there are contact battles," said Oleksandr Shtupun, spokesman for the Tavria Defense Forces, on Hromadske Radio.

He emphasized the huge losses of Russian troops in manpower. According to him, over the past months, during which they have been trying to surround Avdiivka, their losses "have definitely exceeded 15,000."

"They are likely to be approaching 20,000. These are the total losses: both dead and wounded... In three days it will be two months since the enemy has been actively trying to capture Avdiivka. During this time, the Russians have lost eight Su-25 aircraft, more than 600 pieces of equipment (the figure is, of course, approximate), and more than 15,000 people; maybe even more," said the spokesman for the Tavria Defense Forces.

The US and Ukraine sign an agreement of intent to jointly produce weapons

Ukraine and the United States of America have signed an agreement of intent to jointly produce weapons and exchange technical information.

According to the statement, the pact involves the US State Department of Defense Ukraine's MoD and, as well as Ukraine's Ministry for Strategic Industries. The focus is on addressing the pressing needs of the Armed Forces, including air defense, equipment repair and maintenance, and the production of crucial ammunition.

Furthermore, the US Defense Department, along with industrial partners, has supplied Ukraine with technical data for initiating local production of specific components of the FrankenSAM air defense system. This move aims to upgrade Ukraine's air defense systems by integrating certain Western munitions.

Ukrainian Armed Forces destroy Russian 2C4 Tulip self-propelled mortar in the Tavria direction 

A Russian 2C4 Tulip self-propelled mortar of 240 mm caliber has been destroyed. This was reported by the commander of the Tavria operational and strategic group of Ukrainian troops, Oleksandr Tarnavskyi.

For the second day in a row, Russian troops have been actively launching “kamikaze” drones and aircraft. They have also significantly increased the number of combat clashes. In total, Russia carried out 13 air strikes in the operational area of the Tavria Joint Forces Operation yesterday, engaged in 61 combat clashes and fired 743 artillery rounds.

Russia’s total losses amounted to 513 people. 45 units of military equipment were destroyed. In particular, 6 tanks, 12 armored personnel carriers, 1 air defense system, 5 artillery systems. Thirty-four Russian attacks were successfully repelled east of Novobakhmutivka and near Stepove, Avdiivka, Sieverne, Tonenke and Pervomayske.