Russia announces transfer of those allegedly killed in the crash of IL-76, ex-head of Olenivka colony blown up in car: highlights for December 9

Russia claims to have handed over bodies of Ukrainian prisoners to Kyiv

Russian Ombudsman Tatyana Moskalkova said that Russia had allegedly handed over to Ukraine the bodies of its prisoners of war who allegedly died as a result of the crash of an Il-76 transport plane over the Belgorod region in January 2024.

The Coordination Headquarters for the Treatment of Prisoners of War stated that during one of the last repatriation events, Russia handed over to Ukraine the remains of the dead that require additional identification.

Car with former head of Olenivka colony blown up

In the center of temporarily occupied Donetsk, an SUV carrying the former head of the Olenivka colony, Serhiy Yevsiukov, exploded. The explosion probably killed the man and injured his wife, who was in the passenger seat.

Ukrainian drones fire at Russian helicopters

The fighters of Security Service of Ukraine engaged in a battle with Russian helicopters and maritime patrol boats in the Kerch Bay in temporarily occupied Crimea. As a result of the operation, the helicopters were heavily damaged and now require major repairs. There were killed and wounded on board. The drones also hit a barge transporting military equipment and equipment for the repair of the Crimean bridge.

Russia has spent $200 billion on the war against Ukraine

U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin said that Russia has spent more than $200 billion on the war against Ukraine since February 2022. And its losses in people have exceeded 700,000.

President Zelenskyy: 800 thousand Russians are fighting in Ukraine

President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that 800,000 Russian soldiers are fighting on Ukrainian territory. Zelenskyy believes that Bashar al-Assad's regime in Syria has fallen not only because of rebel forces, but also “because there are no real Russian troops there”. Because “all the powerful Russian troops have been transferred to Ukraine.”

Recruitment centers can work without police

Interior Minister Ihor Klymenko said that employees of territorial recruitment centers have the authority to independently check citizens' documents without the participation of police officers. According to him, despite their powers, recruitment centers still ask the National Police to accompany them during document checks.

Ukraine to receive another €4.2 billion from the EU

The EU Council has approved another disbursement to Ukraine under the Ukraine Facility program. Ukraine is to receive €4.2 billion by the end of December. This will bring the total assistance under this initiative to €16 billion in 2024.

Military man sided with Russia after being captured

A resident of Kyiv region was a rifleman in an airborne assault brigade. During the battles near Torske in Donetsk region, he voluntarily surrendered to the Russians and then went over to their side. In an interview with Russian media, the former Ukrainian soldier said that he killed two other Ukrainian soldiers and burned a truck. He is suspected of treason.

Other important news

• Trump reiterated that Zelenskiy is ready for peace and Putin has already lost the war.
• Zelenskyy suggested the deployment of European troops in Ukraine.
• Time has published a list of candidates for the title of “Person of the Year 2024”. The nominees include Trump, Navalnaya, and Musk.
• Klymenko tells how many police officers are currently at the front.
• In Kyiv region, a taxi driver dropped off the family of a fallen soldier because they asked her to turn off the Russian-language navigator.
• IT exports brought Ukraine $530 million a month in 2024. This figure has been falling for the second year in a row.