Secret Ukrainian missiles, NATO assurance of Ukraine's unwaivering support - Monday brief

Russia-Ukraine war: Rundown

• The Ukrainian defense forces have struck the occupied city of Luhansk. Russian oil and lubricant depots were hit in the attack. Earlier, it was reported that unidentified drones attacked an oil depot in the temporarily occupied Luhansk, resulting in a massive fire. Reports on social media suggested that one of the reservoirs caught fire due to the attack on the oil depot. Russians, as usual, blamed the Ukrainian Armed Forces for the assault.
• The Prime Minister of Czechia spoke about additional opportunities for supplying weapons to Ukraine.
• Last night, Russia launched another massive attack on Ukrainian cities, using both drones and missiles. Fortunately, there were no hits or casualties.

Ukraine creating long-range Neptunes: What is known

Ukraine is working on a secret project - the development of missiles of a new model, known as "long-range Neptunes."

"Now work is underway to create the so-called 'long-range Neptune. This involves a new modification of the missile for the Neptune complex. Active work is also being carried out in collaboration with the Ministry of Strategic Industries to strengthen the air defense system," said Lieutenant General Ivan Havryliuk, Deputy Minister of Defense of Ukraine.

For more details on the creation of the new missiles, see the material by RBC-Ukraine.

Rockets, anti-aircraft guns, and six Bohdana howitzers per month: Zelenskyy holds military meeting

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy held another meeting on Monday, December 4. Among other things, the issue of increasing the production of the Bohdana howitzers was discussed.

"Daily selector. The implementation of important defense agreements with our partners continues. We received both lacking missiles for existing air defense systems and new modern anti-aircraft complexes. Grateful to our friends," he said.

Zelenskyy added that efforts to increase domestic production are yielding results.

According to him, the grain corridor is also operational. The mark of 7 million tons of cargo has already been exceeded.

Winter to complicate fighting: Stoltenberg assures of NATO's unwavering support for Ukraine

On December 4th, the Minister of Defense of Ukraine, Rustem Umerov, and the Secretary-General of NATO, Jens Stoltenberg, held talks in Brussels. The parties discussed the current situation on the front and the urgent military needs of the Ukrainian Armed Forces in countering Russian aggression.

The Secretary-General of the North Atlantic Alliance assured of the steadfast support for Ukraine from allies and partners. It is also noted that winter conditions will affect the course of battles and conflicts.

"With winter expected to complicate fighting, Mr Stoltenberg stressed that Allies are committed to stepping up political and practical support to Ukraine as it defends itself against Russia’s invasion," NATO stated.

Stoltenberg confirmed that the alliance would provide long-term support to the Ukrainian side to make the Armed Forces of Ukraine "fully compatible" with NATO and "bring them even closer to the Alliance."

Umerov, the head of the Ukrainian Ministry of Defense, and NATO Secretary-General also discussed Ukraine's path to NATO membership and our country's efforts towards reform.

"Mr Stoltenberg reiterated that Ukraine will become a member of NATO when all Allies agree and when conditions are met," the statement said.

European Commission on 50bln euros for Ukraine: Crucial to reach agreement by year's end

An agreement to provide Ukraine with 50 billion euros in credits and grants over the next four years should be reached by the end of 2023. In that case, Kyiv can continue receiving assistance from the EU starting from the beginning of 2024.

"It is crucial to reach an agreement by the end of the year to ensure that Ukraine can continue to receive our support from the beginning of the next year," emphasized Ana Pizonero, a representative of the European Commission.

She reminded that EU leaders have repeatedly stated that the EU will continue to provide "strong financial, economic, military, and diplomatic support to Ukraine and its people, as much as needed."

"This is part of the MFF review, the European Commission has proposed a new facility of up to 50 billion euros both in grants and loans and this is obviously to continue providing predictable financial support to Ukraine for the period 2024-2027," she noted.

Biden urgently appeals to Congress for assistance to Ukraine

Shalanda Young, the Director of the US Office of Management and Budget (a division of the Executive Office of the US President), sent a letter to Congress urging the approval of aid to Ukraine.

In the letter, released by the White House, it is noted that the cessation of funding and the supply of weapons to the Ukrainians would "kneecap Ukraine on the battlefield," not only jeopardizing its gains but also "increasing the likelihood of Russian military victories."

The White House also asserted that the funding would help strengthen the U.S. industrial base, as old defense systems would be delivered to Ukraine and replaced with new ones made in the United States.