EU imposes sanctions against Russia, and Zaluzhnyi speaks about mobilization in Ukraine - Tuesday brief

Russia's war against Ukraine: The latest news

• Ukrainian Armed Forces face artillery shells shortage due to aid reduction;
• Tavria front update: near 500 Russians eliminated with captives taken;
• Guerrillas discover Russian Pantsir-S1 system in occupied Sevastopol.

Niece of Putin, Medvedev's son, and plants: Who's on new EU's sanctions list

The European Union on Monday, December 18, published a list of individuals and legal entities included in the 12th package of sanctions against Russia, according to the EU website.

The new package of sanctions includes Belarusian and Russian military personnel, officials linked to the war in Ukraine, and territorial annexation. It also targets defense-related enterprises and private military companies.

Relatives of Vladimir Putin's cousin, Anna Tsvileva, and the son of the Deputy Chairman of the Security Council, Ilya Medvedev, were included in the sanction list. Anna Tsvilova is connected to the Defenders of the Fatherland fund, playing a significant role in the military aggression against Ukraine. Sanctions were also imposed on this so-called fund.

Medvedev's son was accused of organizing a disinformation propaganda campaign by curating the I am in Russia platform, which provides state services in the annexed Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson, and Zaporizhzhia regions.

Individuals involved in the Bucha occupation, such as Assistant Commander of the Special Purposes Mobile Unit Arsenal of the National Guard Andriy Frolenkov and Head of the Special Forces Center Vityaz Oleksandr Beloglazov, also faced sanctions.

Zaluzhnyi about mobilization: It is necessary to return 'frameworks that worked before'

Ukrainian Armed Forces Commander-in-Chief Valerii Zaluzhni stated that it is premature to assess recruiting efforts. However, he believes that mobilization should return to the frameworks that were effective in the past, according to his comment to RBC-Ukraine.

"It's a bit early to assess recruiting, but regarding mobilization, it's not about strengthening it but returning to the frameworks that worked before. It is an issue that those guys fighting on the front lines are dealing with now. Someone needs to replace them, someone needs to help them," Zaluzhnyi said.

He added that sometimes they are left on their own, which is entirely wrong.

"We just need to return to the frameworks that were in place, the ones that worked before," emphasized Zaluzhnyi.

Russians reduce assaults near Avdiivka, but nuance exists: Ukraine's military reports

Russian occupiers have reduced their attacks on Ukrainian positions near Avdiivka. However, their assaults now involve a larger number of infantry and military vehicles, reports Oleksandr Shtupun, the spokesperson for the press center of the defense forces in the Tavria direction.

He notes that the Russians continue their attacks on the Avdiivka front, employing drones and aircraft to strike Ukrainian positions. There were a total of 15 airstrikes within a day.

Moreover, he mentions that previously, the armored vehicles would stay with the infantry, providing cover, but now, after landing troops, the vehicles begin to withdraw.

"The enemy is probably preserving their equipment. As for the infantry, they are treated like meat," adds Shtupun.

Czechia envisages 'significant shifts' in Russia-Ukraine war in 2024

The President of Czechia, Petr Pavel, believes that significant shifts will occur in Russia's war against Ukraine in 2024. This is linked to the elections in Russia and the United States, writes Seznam Zpravy.

Pavel emphasized that there is much to address due to the unfolding conflict in Ukraine, indicating that significant shifts will likely occur next year. He expressed concern that the desired new situation might not unfold favorably.

He reminded that in 2024, presidential elections will take place in the United States and Russia. And if dictator Vladimir Putin wins in Russia without any surprises, the result in the United States is not so clear-cut.

"And it can be expected that the expectations of the elections will also lead to certain changes on the battlefield. Because President Putin has made it absolutely clear that there can be no talk of any peace negotiations until the outcome of the elections in the United States becomes clear," added the President of Czechia.

U.S. planning another military aid package for Ukraine, potentially last, White House states

The United States intends to provide another package of military aid to Ukraine in December. However, it might be the last one, reports a Politico journalist on X, according to the statement of the Coordinator for Strategic Communications at the National Security Council at the White House, John Kirby.

"The US is still planning to release one more package of military aid for Ukraine later this month. But that could be the last one until Congress acts to pass more funding," he stated.

Kirby noted that after this, the White House would no longer have the authority to replenish supplies.

Sweden and Denmark to keep sending CV90 to Ukraine

Sweden and Denmark have agreed to continue their support for Ukraine in the field of combat vehicles. Copenhagen and Stockholm have agreed to transfer infantry fighting vehicles CV90 to Kyiv, according to the press service of the Swedish government.

"The Ministers of Defense of Sweden and Denmark have signed a joint letter of intent regarding further support for Ukraine in the field of combat vehicles," the statement said.

Denmark will initially make a financial contribution of DKK 1.8 billion (approximately $263.6 million), and Sweden will support purchases under the agreement signed between the Swedish Defense Materiel Administration (FMV) and Ukraine in July of this year.

Swedish Minister of Defense Peter Hultqvist stated that Copenhagen and Stockholm will use their industrial potential to ensure the supply of new CV90 to Ukraine.