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Russia switched cruise missile launches to a new mode

According to recent analysis from the OSINT channel Tracking, Russia has shifted to a new operational mode for launching cruise missiles against Ukraine, deploying Tu-95MS strategic bombers directly from remote Far East airbases like Ukrainka, following Ukrainian drone strikes that forced Moscow to relocate its aviation assets eastward in June 2025.

This adaptation, a response to vulnerabilities exposed during Operation Spider's Web—which damaged or destroyed dozens of Russian aircraft including at least eight Tu-95MS bombers—requires the planes to undertake grueling 12,000+ kilometer round-trip flights to reach launch zones over Saratov Oblast, extending mission times to over 23 hours and straining fuel and crew resources.

While this complicates Russia's strike tempo, it demonstrates Putin's determination to maintain pressure on Ukrainian infrastructure despite logistical hurdles, as bombers now rotate between distant bases to evade further SBU attacks and sustain Kh-101 missile barrages amid ongoing frontline advances in Donetsk.

Zelensky`s aide Yermak resigned after continuous dissatisfaction from the US and EU

Andriy Yermak, formerly President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s top aide and one of the most influential figures in Ukraine’s political system, has resigned amid a $100 million corruption scandal and growing pressure from Western partners.

Although Yermak has not been officially named a suspect in the investigation into the alleged embezzlement of funds designated for air defense and the energy sector, opposition figures claim his name appears in case materials. His position became untenable after NABU (National Anti-Corruption Bureau) conducted a search of his office last Friday.

Yermak—often nicknamed the “green cardinal” for his sweeping influence—had long irritated officials in Washington and Brussels. A U.S. insider described him as a “bipartisan irritant” who had alienated both Republicans and Democrats. According to the BBC, similar frustrations existed in the EU. Even Donald Trump’s advisers reportedly urged Zelensky to dismiss Yermak following what they considered a “disastrous” Oval Office meeting, citing his aggressive and patronizing demeanor.

His resignation is widely seen as an act of political survival for Zelensky. With new negotiations and requests for Western assistance approaching, the scandal had become too damaging to the president’s image. Removing Yermak, analysts say, allows Zelensky to maintain the moral authority needed to continue asking international partners for support while avoiding uncomfortable questions about the misuse of aid.

Russian tanker reportedly hit by sea drones in Black Sea near Turkey

A Russian-flagged oil and chemical tanker, Midvolga-2, reportedly came under drone attack in the Black Sea on December 2 while sailing toward a port in northern Turkey, Turkish authorities said.

The Turkish Transport Ministry wrote on X that the tanker, carrying sunflower oil from Russia to Georgia, reported being attacked 80 miles off the Turkish coast. All 13 crew members are safe, the ship requested no assistance, and it is continuing to the port of Sinop under its own power.

According to Marine Traffic, the Midvolga-2 is a 140-meter Russian-flagged tanker. Bloomberg, citing unnamed Turkish officials, reported the vessel was struck by sea drones.

The location of the incident lies outside Turkey’s territorial waters but within its Exclusive Economic Zone.

Ukraine’s Foreign Affairs Ministry spokesperson Heorhii Tykhyi denied any involvement, suggesting on X that Russia may have staged the incident.

NATO intelligence shows no sign that Putin is ready for a peace deal

A senior NATO official said the Alliance has no intelligence suggesting Vladimir Putin is ready for a peace agreement.

Speaking anonymously ahead of NATO’s ministerial meeting, the official stressed that NATO is not involved in the talks but fully supports the peace efforts of the U.S. administration.

The official described Putin’s stance as the main obstacle, saying there is no indication the Kremlin leader is serious about negotiations or willing to make concessions that could bring peace. He added that he hopes to be wrong.

Thirteen people were injured in Russian attacks on the Nikopol district

Russian forces launched over 20 attacks on the Nikopol district in Dnipropetrovsk Oblast on December 1, injuring 13 people, acting regional chief Vladyslav Haivanenko reported.

A 74-year-old man was hospitalized, while three men and nine women received outpatient care. Artillery and drone strikes hit the Nikopol, Marhanets, Myrivska, and Chervonohryhorivska hromadas, damaging infrastructure, a municipal facility, an administrative building, several residential buildings, service structures, a shopping area, and cars.

Security Service exposed a Briton recruited by Russians

Counterintelligence officers of Ukraine’s SBU (Security Service), working together with UK intelligence, have exposed and detained British citizen Ross David Cutmore, who allegedly carried out espionage and sabotage in Ukraine on behalf of Russian intelligence in 2024–2025, Ukrainian Pravda reported, citing SBU sources.

Cutmore reportedly entered Ukraine in 2024 under the guise of a military instructor helping train Ukraine’s Armed Forces. Sources say he previously served in the UK military, including deployments in the Middle East.

According to investigators, Russian handlers supplied him with firearms and ammunition for planned targeted killings in Ukraine. He was detained during an SBU operation in early October and remains in custody as the investigation continues.