New Polish Prime Minister elected and Zelenskyy's visit to the U.S.: Monday brief

Russia's war against Ukraine: Latest news

• Ukrainian MoD has candid talk with Hungarian counterpart: Discussed topics;

• Tavria front update: Equipment and hundreds of Russians destroyed;

• Russian drones attack on southern Ukraine: Fires erupt, damage reported;

• Ukrainian defenders successfully counterattack near Avdiivka - UK Intelligence.

Air Defense Forces shot down 8 aerial targets at night over Kyiv

Russian forces attempted to attack Kyiv with airborne targets following a ballistic trajectory early in the morning on December 11, 2023. The Ukrainian Air Defense successfully intercepted and shot down eight airborne targets heading toward the capital, according to the Air Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

"According to preliminary information, around 4:00 on December 11, 2023, Russian occupiers launched a missile strike on the Kyiv region. In total, the air defense system destroyed eight airborne targets flying towards the capital on a ballistic trajectory," as stated in the communication from the Air Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

Zelenskyy meets with U.S. Defense Secretary and army's head

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy met with the head of the Pentagon, Lloyd Austin, and the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, General Charles Brown, during his visit to the United States, according to the Ukraine President's Telegram page.

"The visit to the U.S. began with a meeting with Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, General Charles Brown, at the National Defense University," states the announcement.

According to the President, they discussed global security challenges, developments on the frontlines, and further Ukrainian-American cooperation in defense.

IMF approves second review of program for Ukraine: What to expect from next tranche

Today, on December 11, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) decided to approve the review of the program for Ukraine. This will allow our country to receive a tranche of about $900 million, according to the permanent representative of Ukraine to the IMF, Vladyslav Rashkovan.

"The Board of Directors (IMF - ed.) today approved the second review of the Extended Fund Facility program, which also enables the disbursement of the third tranche to the Ukrainian government, amounting to about $900 million," Rashkovan wrote.

According to Rashkovan, Ukraine will now work on preparing for the third program review, which may take place as early as this spring.

Polish Sejm appoints Tusk as Prime Minister

On Monday evening, December 11, the Polish Sejm elected Donald Tusk as the Prime Minister, reports Polish Radio.

The election of Tusk's candidacy took place within the framework of the so-called second constitutional step. 248 deputies voted in favor of Tusk as the prime minister, 201 voted against, and no one abstained.

"First of all, I want to thank the Polish people. Thank you, Poland, this is truly a wonderful day - not for me, but for all those who believed for many years that things would get better, that we would drive away the darkness. And it happened - thanks to you," Tusk said after the vote.

Ukrainian general provides update on frontline hotspots

The Russians continued to advance at the Kupiansk, Lyman, and Bakhmut directions. In particular, in an attempt to block Kupiansk, they are trying to seize the village of Synkivka, according to the commander of the Army of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Oleksandr Syrskii.

"To create conditions for blocking Kupiansk, the enemy is trying to capture the village of Synkivka with assault companies," he says.

However, according to him, the invaders are suffering significant losses in manpower.

"In this regard, the enemy began to transfer assault units in reserve to the area," adds Syrskii.

In addition, Russian occupants are conducting active offensives in Novoselivske, Stelmakhivka, Lyman Pershyi, and in the direction of Siversk.

"Despite the difficult conditions and undeniable offensive actions of the occupiers, our soldiers are steadfastly holding the lines," assures Syrskii.