Victory Chronicles-DAY 1016

Polish Deputy Finance Minister, Paweł Karbownik, has stated that the European Union is prepared to compensate for any losses if the United States withdraws from the $50 billion G7 multilateral loan agreement for Ukraine. The loan, agreed upon by the G7 countries in October, is intended to be repaid with interest using over $300 billion in frozen Russian assets under Western control. Karbownik expressed concerns that U.S. President Donald Trump may withdraw from the deal. The agreement originally stipulated that the EU and the U.S. would contribute $20 billion each, with the remainder being funded by the UK, Canada, and Japan. As US support for Ukraine becomes uncertain due to delays in aid packages, it is unclear if and to what extent the EU will need to increase its contribution.

During a speech at the UN Security Council, Daria Zarivna, Advisor to the Head of the Presidential Office of Ukraine, stated that Ukraine is searching for 20,000 children who Russia forcibly deported, although the actual number may be higher. However, Russian officials refuse to provide accurate information on the matter. Zarivna mentioned that the Russian Ombudsman for Children’s Rights, Maria Lvova-Belova, claimed to have “resettled” over 700,000 Ukrainian children in Russia. Zarivna also shared the case of 10-month-old Maryna Prokopenko, who was abducted from a Ukrainian orphanage and forcibly adopted by a Russian family. Additionally, Zarivna highlighted the alarming statistic that at least 16 children are killed or injured every week in Ukraine. 

Multiple enemy attacks have resulted in four fires in the Kherson region, with Russia targeting settlements and the city itself. The fires damaged a residential building, outbuildings, and a car. Rescuers were forced to relocate to a safer location during the firefighting operations due to the presence of enemy unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). However, all fires have now been extinguished.

The Unmanned Systems Forces successfully destroyed a Tor M-2 air defense system combat vehicle. The Tor M-2 is a mobile system that can fire while on the move, with a high ammunition capacity and advanced missiles that offer increased accuracy and a larger area of destruction. Each unit of the Tor M-2 is estimated to cost around $27 million.

Russian President Vladimir Putin continues to posture Russian economic stability and growth while high interest rates and efforts to combat inflation suggest that the Kremlin is worried about economic stability in the long-term. Putin claimed at the Russian state-owned bank VTB Bank’s investment forum on December 4 that the Russian economy will grow by four precent by the end of 2024 and that Russia’s GDP grew by 4.1 percent from January to October 2024.

Putin is likely attempting to posture economic stability despite reports that Russia may raise key interest rates to 25 percent in December 2024, after the Russian Central Bank already raised the key interest rate to 21 percent in October 2024. Russian Central Bank Head Elvira Nabiullina stated on December 4 that the Central Bank may raise the key interest rate at the upcoming Central Bank’s board of directors meeting.[6] Putin tacitly acknowledged some economic problems on December 4 by calling on the Central Bank to contain inflation. 

Russian state outlet RBK reported on December 4, citing Central Bank data, that Russians’ cash savings have fallen to a historical low and that cash rubles account for only 15 percent of Russian citizens’ savings. VTB Banks Deputy Chairperson Georgy Gorshkov assessed that cash savings may fall by “a couple” percentage points by the end of 2024.

Putin also suggested that the Russian economy is growing by boasting a record low country-wide unemployment rate of 2.3 percent and claiming that unemployment rates, particularly for Russians 25-years-old and younger, have decreased significantly. Putin failed to note that unemployment rates are likely at a record low for youth as many young Russian men are fighting in Ukraine and that Russia is suffering significant labor shortages.

Ivan “Shultz” Shulga died on 14 June 2023 near the village of Zakitne, Kramatorsk district, Donetsk region, after being seriously injured on the way to the staging area. The defender was 34 years old.

Ivan, born and raised in Kyiv, completed his education at Gymnasium №178 and pursued architecture at the Kyiv National University of Construction and Architecture. For many years, he served as the chief sound engineer for major national TV channels such as STB, 1+1, Ukraine, and Pryamyi, among others. Ivan contributed to nationally beloved projects including ‘Battle of the Psychics,’ ‘All Dance,’ ‘X-Factor,’ ‘MasterChef,’ ‘Treasure Hunt,’ ‘Weighed and Happy,’ ‘House for Dad,’ and ‘Surprise Surprise,’ as well as various news programs. Renowned for his expertise, he was often invited to international forums, including those organized by the United Nations.

On 24 February 2022, after broadcasting the latest news, Ivan voluntarily reported to the military commissariat. He took part in defending Kyiv and its surrounding region. Later, as a member of the 241st separate territorial defence brigade, he participated in the liberation of the Kherson region, ‘cleared’ the Mykolaiv region, and defended the border with Belarus. Since March 2023, he has been actively engaged in the combat operations in the Bakhmut direction. His bravery and quick thinking have saved many lives, whether by shielding his comrades or establishing radio communications to facilitate the evacuation of the wounded. Ivan also served as the driver for a grenade launcher unit in a fire support platoon.

On 12 June 2023, Ivan Shulha and his fellow fighters were tasked with holding their combat positions against the enemy’s advance. It was the second day of enemy attacks on the positions of Ukrainian defenders, 4 of them were successfully repelled. And then the shelling started. The first to die was the commander, and panic ensued, but Ivan took command, calmed his comrades and ordered everyone to hold the flanks. A shell landed next to Ivan, severely injuring his legs, and the earth from the dugout fell on top of him. His comrades dug him out, and he was conscious the whole time. It took 5 hours to evacuate Ivan’s 2 kilometers of trench because the enemy was constantly shelling. The defender died on the way to the stabilization point.

‘Ivan lived for music, he had been playing it since childhood. He played the piano and bass guitar. He was the bass guitarist of the Death Metal band Termination Central, organiser of many metal, hardcore and maths festivals in Kyiv. He loved cooking and travelling. We were, are and will be one. I died with my beloved husband. He is my lighthouse that will never go out, I am always with him, no matter what world or life he is in. I will love him forever!’ said Anastasia’s wife.

Ivan Shulga was awarded the Honour, Glory and State medal, and posthumously the Order for Courage, III class. The defender was buried at the Berkovetsky cemetery in his native Kyiv.

Ivan is survived by his mother, wife and son.

*Ivan’s story on the Heroes Memorial – a platform for stories about the fallen defenders of Ukraine.

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