Large-scale offensive on Aleppo, pro-EU protests in Georgia, strikes on Russian radars in Crimea - Weekend brief
Collage by RBC-Ukraine
Opposition forces in Syria have fully captured Aleppo during a major offensive against Bashar al-Assad's regime. Meanwhile, Pro-EU protests in Georgia enter their fourth day, with demonstrators defying security force crackdowns.
Read more about what happened over the weekend.
Russia's war against Ukraine: Latest
November 30
- Ukraine's intel releases dramatic footage of Russian losses in Zaporizhzhia region
- Russian army may establish separate drone systems service - ISW
- Explosions and gunfire reported in Crimea: First details
- Ukrainian intelligence hit three Russian radars in Crimea
December 1
- Drones attacked Kaluga and Bryansk regions of Russia
- Zelenskyy details Russia’s weekly barrage of missiles, drones, and bombs over Ukraine
- Russian army faces record manpower losses in Ukraine in November
Trump threatens 100% tariffs on BRICS countries
US President-elect Donald Trump has threatened to impose 100% tariffs on the BRICS countries in his post on Truth Social if they do not give up trying to find an alternative to the dollar in international trade.
“We require a commitment from these countries that they will neither create a new BRICS currency, nor back any other currency to replace the mighty US dollar or, they will face 100% tariffs, and should expect to say goodbye to selling into the wonderful US Economy,” he said.
Syrian rebels have completely taken control of Aleppo
On December 1, groups opposed to the regime of Syrian dictator Bashar al-Assad completely captured Aleppo during an offensive. Thus, government forces lost control of the country's second-largest city for the first time in more than 10 years, according to Alarabiya News and Barron's.
Assad's forces, backed by Iran and Russia, failed to hold Aleppo, which began fighting a few days ago during a massive rebel offensive.
Protests in Georgia enter fourth day: What's happening now?
Protests against the disruption of EU integration continue in Georgia for the fourth day. According to Echo of the Caucasus and First Channel of Georgia, demonstrators have not dispersed despite attempts by security forces to break up the protests.
As of the morning of December 1, large-scale protests continue in Tbilisi and other cities in Georgia against the ruling party, Georgian Dream. The protests were triggered by the government's announcement to halt the EU integration process until 2028.
European Council president arrives in Kyiv: First details
President of the European Council António Costa arrived in Kyiv on December 1. He was not alone on his visit to the Ukrainian capital, according to his Twitter.
Costa also noted that he arrived in Kyiv accompanied by EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Josep Borrell, and Commissioner for Enlargement, Olivér Várhelyi.
EU will provide Ukraine with €1.5 billion in monthly aid throughout year
Ukraine will receive €1.5 billion monthly in financial assistance from the European Union through 2025. Payments of such tranches will begin in January, states António Costa, President of the European Council.
According to Costa, the EU will provide Ukraine with an additional 4.2 billion euros in December to “support the Ukrainian budget.”
Biden's team rejects possibility of returning nuclear weapons to Ukraine
The current administration of US President Joe Biden rejects the possibility that Ukraine could obtain nuclear weapons. It will focus on the transfer of conventional weapons, states the National Security Adviser to the President of the United States, Jake Sullivan.
“That is not under consideration. No. What we are doing is surging various conventional capacities to Ukraine so that they can effectively defend themselves and take the fight to the Russians, not nuclear capability,” Sullivan said.
