Victorious news of 656th day of war: UK to hand over two Sandown class ships, Ukrainian drones target Russian logistics, Crimea faces fuel shortage

Britain, Norway set up a coalition to support Ukraine in the Black Sea

The United Kingdom and Norway have established a new Maritime Capability Coalition to help Ukraine, and will supply ships and other vehicles to the Ukrainian Armed Forces to strengthen its ability to fight at sea. 

"New coalition will deliver long-term support to Ukraine, including training, equipment, and infrastructure to bolster security in the Black Sea," the statement said. 

In particular, the UK will provide the Ukrainian Navy with two Sandown-class mine countermeasures vessels.

Volyn defenders target Russian trucks

Soldiers of the 103rd Detached Territorial Defense brigade of the Armed Forces of Ukraine have shown how they continue to effectively destroy enemy logistics. In particular, they recorded the elimination of several more Russian trucks. This was reported by the forces of the Zakhid regional military task force of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Espreso reports. 

"Traditionally, the enemy's logistics are in the lens of the 103rd Brigade's kamikaze drones, and they are traditionally damaged and defeated," the soldiers wrote on their brigade's social media page. "Operators of attack drones improve the statistics in our favour every day and bring victory closer step by step, day by day.

Germany to double military aid to Ukraine next year

German Minister for European Affairs Anna Lührmann has confirmed that military aid to Ukraine will double next year. She said this before a meeting of EU foreign ministers in Brussels.

"The Federal Republic of Germany will double its military support for Ukraine next year - from 4 billion euros to 8 billion euros," the deputy foreign minister said. 

According to her, this week is also crucial, as the partners want to open negotiations on Ukraine's membership in the EU. The diplomat assured that Germany continues to stand firmly by Ukraine. 

"Germany's position here is very clear. The 26 EU members are very united in wanting to start such negotiations," Lührmann said and expressed hope that this would happen despite Hungary's position.

Ukrainian book Who Will Make the Snow is included in the list of the best children's books by The New York Times

The book Who Will Make the Snow by Mariana Prokhasko and Taras Prokhasko was included in the ranking of the best books for children and teenagers in 2023 by the famous publication. 
This was reported by the Old Lion Publishing House.

The book was translated into English by Borys Draliuk and Jennifer Croft, and this version of the book was included in this year's rating of the best children's literature. 

"Published in Ukraine for the first time, this cute, strange, lightly philosophical book, illustrated with soft doodles, tells the story of newborn twin moles who live in a bizarrely imaginary forest. The title comes from the moles' belief that when they die, they will ascend to the clouds and make snow for those who remain," the editors of The New York Times wrote about Who Will Make the Snow.

Crimea has up to 15 days of fuel reserves left

A significant fuel shortage has emerged in Crimea, temporarily occupied by Russia. The reserves will last for at most 15 days. This was reported by the National Resistance Centre.

According to the partisans, the reason for the shortage is high costs and limited logistics across the Crimea bridge.

"Fuel supplies last for 9-15 days, which makes the local occupation administration sound the alarm. At the same time, the fuel is primarily allocated for the needs of the Russian Armed Forces, so the civilian population is already experiencing a shortage," the statement said.