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Ukraine Invasion
Defense Policy / Programs
Foreign Policy
News Reports

Ukraine Invasion

• The total combat losses of the enemy from 24.02.2022 to 20.12.2023 Ukraine MOD 20 Dec 2023
• Russia Targets Ukraine With More Drones As Kremlin Rules Out Talks With Kyiv RFE/RL 20 Dec 2023 -- Russia fired drones at targets across Ukraine, including Kyiv, early on December 20, Ukrainian authorities said, as the Kremlin ruled out peace talks hours after further U.S. aid to Ukraine was thrown into doubt.
• Russian Shelling Of Kherson In Southern Ukraine, Sumy Region in East Injures At Least Four RFE/RL 20 Dec 2023 -- A drone attack in the southern Ukrainian city of Kherson and Russian shelling in the eastern region of Sumy injured at least four people, authorities said late on December 19.
• Ukraine Says Russian Attack Injured 9 People in Kherson VOA 20 Dec 2023 -- Ukrainian officials said Wednesday a Russian aerial attack on the southern city of Kherson injured nine people, including four children.
• Ukraine Loses Up to 250 Soldiers in Donetsk Region in Past Day - Russian MoD Sputnik 20 Dec 2023 -- Ukraine has lost up to 250 soldiers both killed and wounded in the Donetsk direction over the past 24 hours, the Russian Ministry of Defense (MoD) said on Wednesday.

Defense Policy / Programs

• Russia's 'Granat' Strike Recon Drone: What is Known About It? Sputnik 20 Dec 2023 -- The Israeli occupation carried out, on Tuesday night through Wednesday early morning, wide-scale raids in the occupied West Bank.
• Meeting of the Council of Legislators President of Russia 20 Dec 2023 -- Vladimir Putin took part in the ceremonial meeting of the Council of Legislators dedicated to the 30th anniversary of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation.

Foreign Policy

• Excerpts from the briefing by Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova, Moscow, December 20, 2023 Russia Ministry of Foreign Affairs 20 Dec 2023
• Greetings to Sheikh Mishaal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, Emir of the State of Kuwait President of Russia 20 Dec 2023 -- Vladimir Putin sent greetings to Emir of the State of Kuwait Sheikh Mishaal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah on the occasion of his enthronement.
• Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov's statement and answers to media questions during a joint news conference with Foreign Minister of the Kingdom of Morocco Nasser Bourita and Assistant Secretary-General of the League of Arab States Hossam Zaki following the 6th session of the Russian-Arab Cooperation Forum, Marrakech, December 20, 2023 Russia Ministry of Foreign Affairs 20 Dec 2023
• Press release on the 6th Session of the Russian-Arab Cooperation Forum at the ministerial level held in Marrakesh, Morocco Russia Ministry of Foreign Affairs 20 Dec 2023
• Press release on Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov's working visit to the Kingdom of Morocco Russia Ministry of Foreign Affairs 20 Dec 2023
• Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov's remarks at a joint news conference following talks with Foreign Minister of the Kingdom of Morocco Nasser Bourita, Marrakech, December 20, 2023 Russia Ministry of Foreign Affairs 20 Dec 2023
• Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov's opening remarks at the plenary meeting of the 6th session of the Russian-Arab Cooperation Forum, Marrakesh, December 20, 2023 Russia Ministry of Foreign Affairs 20 Dec 2023
• Press release on Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov's meeting with Foreign Minister of the Arab Republic of Egypt Sameh Shoukry Russia Ministry of Foreign Affairs 20 Dec 2023
• U.S. Issues New Sanctions On Russia-Related Oil Sales RFE/RL 20 Dec 2023 -- The United States on December 20 issued new Russia-related sanctions against entities in Hong Kong and the United Arab Emirates that the Treasury Department said have transported Russian crude oil sold above a price cap set last year by Group of Seven (G7) countries.
• Taking Further Actions in Support of the Coalition Price Cap Policy US Dept. of State 20 Dec 2023 -- The United States is designating a Government of Russia-owned ship manager as well as three oil traders involved in the seaborne export of Russian crude oil. Today's designations follow similar actions by our partners in the Price Cap Coalition to degrade Russia's ability to fund its illegal war against Ukraine while keeping oil markets stable.
• Treasury Tightens the Price Cap with New Sanctions and Updated Guidance US Treasury 20 Dec 2023 -- Today, the U.S. Department of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) continued to tighten enforcement of the price cap on Russian oil by building on previous actions targeting shipowners and vessels implicated in transporting Russian crude oil above the cap. In line with actions previously taken by partners in the Price Cap Coalition, OFAC is designating a Government of Russia-owned ship manager as well as several obscure oil traders who have emerged as frequent participants in the seaborne transportation of Russian-origin oil following the imposition of the price cap.
• Slovak Leader Confirms EU Extended Exemption on Selling Fuels From Russian Oil to Czechia Sputnik 20 Dec 2023 -- Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico confirmed on Wednesday that his country would continue refining Russian crude and exporting fuels to the Czech Republic, after the European Union extended its exemption as part of the bloc's 12th package of Russia sanctions.
• Slovakia Will Not Freeze Russia's Real Estate - Prime Minister Sputnik 20 Dec 2023 -- Slovakia will not follow example of the countries that have decided to freeze Russia's real estate, Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico said on Wednesday.
• Kazakh Ex-President Holds 'Private Talks' With Putin In Moscow RFE/RL 20 Dec 2023 -- Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov on December 20 confirmed media reports about former Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbaev holding talks with President Vladimir Putin in Moscow this week, telling journalists that the talks were "absolutely private."
• 'External forces' seeking to turn Gaza war into regional conflict: Russia Press TV 20 Dec 2023 -- Russia says some "external forces" are trying to exploit the Israeli war on the besieged Gaza Strip to ignite hostilities in the Middle East.
• Western Countries Plotting Against Establishment of Palestinian State - Lavrov Sputnik 20 Dec 2023 -- The de-escalation efforts of Western countries in the Middle East are aimed at preventing the Gaza Strip from uniting with other Palestinian territories into a single political entity, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said on Wednesday.
• China, Russia hail bilateral ties as strategic choice, stabilizer of intl relations amid Russian PM's China visit Global Times 20 Dec 2023 -- Maintaining and developing China-Russia relations is a strategic choice made by both sides based on the fundamental interests of the two peoples, Chinese President Xi Jinping said in his meeting with Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin on Wednesday, following the Russian high-ranking official's meeting with Chinese Premier Li Qiang, chairing the 28th regular meeting between the Chinese and Russian heads of government.

News Reports