Victory Chronicles-DAY 1027

The European Union Council (EC), the 27-nation member body’s essential decision maker, adopted a 15th package of economic and individual restrictive measures against Russia on Dec. 16.

It includes sanctions against 54 people and 30 entities and are intended to limit “Russia’s ability to wage its illegal, unprovoked and unjustified war of aggression against Ukraine,” the EC’s news release said. 

They specifically address Russia’s ability to constantly evade EU sanctions by targeting Kremlin ruler Vladimir “Putin’s shadow fleet and weakening Russia’s military and industrial complex,” the EC said from Brussels. 

Particularly, sanctions were imposed against the military unit responsible for the shelling of a children’s hospital in Kyiv, as well as top managers of leading energy companies. 

Individuals responsible for deporting children, propaganda, and workarounds, along with two DPRK officials, are also included in the new sanctions. For the first time, Chinese entities supplying drone components and microelectronic components to support Russian aggression against Ukraine are subject to “full” EU sanctions. 

The list of organizations subject to sanctions includes a chemical plant, Russian defense and shipping companies involved in the transportation of crude oil and oil products by sea, and a civilian Russian airline that provides support to the Russian military. These organizations face bans on accessing ports and providing a range of services related to maritime transportation.

Norway has announced that it is allocating the equivalent of about $242 million in additional assistance to bolster Ukraine’s navy and maritime defense. 

The aid package will support various initiatives, including protecting Ukrainian civilians from attacks, mine removal efforts, and training the Ukrainian military. Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre emphasized the importance of strengthening Ukraine’s defense capabilities to counter the Russian naval presence in the Black Sea. The allocation of funds aims to safeguard the Ukrainian population and infrastructure from potential aggression by the Russian Black Sea Fleet. Additionally, it seeks to protect Ukraine’s maritime trade, particularly the export of grain and other goods, which contributes significantly to the country’s revenue and helps feed the world.

Ukraine’s military releases photos and videos of Russian and North Korean soldiers who were killed in the Kursk region during Dec. 14 assaults. 

They depict bodies of dead soldiers lying on the snow. According to Robert Brovdi – call sign “Magyar”  – founder and commander of the special “Birds of Magyars” unit, this was a joint effort effort involving pilots from various military brigades, including the 414th Airborne, Magura, 95th Airborne, 36th Marine, 1st, and 17th Tank Brigades.

Ukraine’s Defense Ministry approves the use of a Ukrainian robotic combat system, known as Droid TW 12.7, which is equipped with a Browning 12.7 machine gun. 

The system has been tested in combat situations and has shown reliability. It operates on a tracked platform, allowing it to navigate through challenging terrains. The system can be controlled remotely using a tablet, and it relies on digital communication.

North Korean forces are reportedly facing expected struggles with high casualties and poor communication with Russian forces in Kursk Oblast, likely disrupting coordination between North Korean and Russian personnel and undermining Russian military operations. 

Ukraine’s Defense Intelligence (HUR) reported on Dec. 14 that North Korean forces operating in Kursk Oblast recently fired at Chechen “Akhmat” Spetsnaz battalion vehicles and killed eight Chechen personnel in a friendly fire incident, likely due to the language barrier between the Russian and North Korean forces. HUR noted that the language barrier also hinders effective combat coordination between Russian and North Korean forces. A contingent consisting of Russian and North Korean servicemen in Kursk Oblast lost 200 personnel as of Dec. 14 and that Ukrainian drones swarmed a North Korean position, which is consistent with recent reports of North Korean forces engaging in attritional infantry assaults. According to the ISW, the poor integration and ongoing communication problems between Russian and North Korean forces will likely continue to cause friction in Russian military operations in Kursk Oblast in the near term. Ukraine invaded Russia’s Kursk region in August. 

Ukrainian serviceman Volodymyr Dizhak, 23, was killed on 10 July near the village of Druzhba in the Bakhmut district of Donetsk region. He fill during an enemy mortar attack on his position.

Dizhak was born in the village of Ozhydiv, Lviv region where he studied at the population center’s secondary school. Since childhood, he was friendly, affable, and responsive. He was most interested in the automotive business. He had a keen sense of patriotism and national consciousness. After completing 9 grades, he entered the Olesko Lyceum, graduating in 2018.

After reaching adulthood, Volodymyr signed a contract with the 44th Artillery Brigade of the Armed Forces of Ukraine and dedicated himself to military service and went on combat missions in the Joint Forces Operation. During the full-scale invasion, he fought for Ukraine in the ranks of the 95th separate airborne assault brigade, where he held the position of a service number shooter.

‘He was a beloved husband, a kind and loving father. He always supported me, asked me not to worry, even though I could see that it was very difficult for him. The last time he left, he was more positive than ever,’ said Marta, his widowed wife.

Dizhak was buried in his native village.  He is survived by his parents, sister, wife and son, who was 2 years old at the time of his father’s death.

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

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