Russia declares control of Marinka, makes tough statement

Chiến sự Ukraine ngày 670: Nga tuyên bố kiểm soát Marinka, ra tuyên bố cứng rắn- Ảnh 1. — A ruined area in the town of Marinka in the Donetsk region of eastern Ukraine

TASS news agency on December 25 quoted Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu as saying that the country's forces had gained complete control over the town of Marinka in the Donetsk region.

"During the active offensive operation, the assault units of the southern battle group took control of the entire Marinka area. Over the past nine years, the Armed Forces of Ukraine have turned this area into the most heavily fortified area," he said at a meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

According to Mr. Shoigu, the Ukrainian side has built tunnels with complex communication systems, structures and firing points on the road capable of withstanding artillery and air strikes.

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He said there were more than 3,000 houses in Marinka, each of which was a fortified stronghold.

President Putin praised the capture of the town, thanking the troops and calling it a significant success. Earlier, the leader said the progress there would give Russian forces a springboard for further actions in the region.

Meanwhile, Reuters quoted Ukrainian military spokesman Oleksandr Shtupun as rejecting Russia's claim of control over the central Marinka area. "It is not true that (Russia) says it controls Marinka. Our forces are still in the city," he said on national television.

Russia makes tough statement

In another development, Russian Security Council Deputy Chairman Dmitry Medvedev announced that the country's forces will attack any foreign military bases that may be established in Ukraine.

Regarding the European Union's (EU) statement on Ukraine's security guarantees, he said it was "a useless piece of paper".

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However, the announcement opens the door for Kyiv to reach individual agreements with countries on arms supplies, troop training, support for other military programs, and the possibility of establishing military bases in Ukraine.

Mr Medvedev said Russia could not avoid attacking foreign bases if they were established in Ukraine because they were aimed at countering Russia.

Russia reduces Su-34 operations?

The Kyiv Independent news site on December 25 quoted analysis from the Institute for the Study of War (ISW-USA) that Russian forces are reducing aviation activities and using glide bombs after the Ukrainian army shot down three Russian Su-34 fighter-bombers on December 21 and 22.

ISW quoted Ukrainian Air Force spokesman Yurii Ihnat and military observer Kostiantyn Mashovets as saying that the Russian military has limited the use of glide bombs and air strikes in southern Ukraine as well as aircraft near Crimea.

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“Russia’s continued reduction in glide bomb attacks in Kherson could provide Ukrainian forces with the opportunity to operate more freely in areas close to the west bank and establish a more secure position on the east bank for future operations if the Ukrainian high command so chooses,” according to the report analyzing the situation on both banks of the Dnipro River in Kherson.

Ukraine receives $1.3 billion in aid

Ukraine's Finance Ministry said on December 25 that the country has received $1.3 billion in financial aid from the World Bank through grants and loans.

The funding is part of the Public Expenditure for Administrative Capacity (PEACE) Program in Ukraine, which supports social and humanitarian spending.

The PEACE fund is used to "support payments of old age pensions, benefits for internally displaced people and salaries for teachers and emergency services workers".

The fund was set up in June 2022 to support about 13 million beneficiaries. Most of the money received on December 25 came from a World Bank loan supported by Japan. Ukraine also received aid from Norway, the United States and Switzerland.

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