Massive attack on energy infrastructure, 'large-scale' changes in Ground Forces: December 13 highlights

Massive Russian attack

Overnight on December 12, Russian troops carried out another massive attack on Ukrainian civilian energy infrastructure facilities — this is the 12th such attack in a year.

Ukraine was attacked by 93 missiles, including at least one from North Korea. 81 of them were shot down. The Russians also launched almost 200 drones.

The DTEK energy company claims that its thermal power plants were also hit, with equipment severely damaged. US Ambassador Bridget Brink also said that Russian ballistic missiles targeted not only energy systems, but also transport networks and key facilities across Ukraine.

The Ground Forces promise "large-scale" changes

The new commander of the Ground Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Mykhailo Drapatyi, announced the beginning of fundamental changes in this branch of the troops. They should affect the situation on the front in favor of Ukraine. The transformation promised by the new leader will concern recruiting and military training, as well as the digitalization of processes in the army and the transformation of management.

An additional 1.1 billion hryvnias are allocated for drones

The Ministry of Defense is allocating an additional 1.1 billion hryvnias ($26.4 million) for the purchase of drones. These funds will go directly to the brigades so that they can quickly meet their most important needs.

Khortytsia troop grouping commented on the situation in Uspenivka

Ukrainian military forces are repelling Russian assaults and trying to escape encirclement near Uspenivka, Hannivka, Trudove, and Romanivka in Donetsk Oblast, where analysts have reported the threat of a "cul-de-sac."

The Khortytsia operational-strategic troop grouping "claims that the "emotional interpretation" of information about operational circumstances at the front "encourages the enemy to complicate the situation" and is an action in its favor.

What do Ukrainians spend "Zelenskyy's thousand" on?

Already 1.8 million adults and 520,000 children have received 1,000 hryvnias ($24) on the National Cashback card. The most common uses of Winter eSupport are: utilities — 63%; mobile communications — 17%; transfers for the Defense Forces of Ukraine — 4%.

Court denies Kyrylenko permission to travel to Paris

The head of the Antimonopoly Committee of Ukraine, Pavlo Kyrylenko, who is embroiled in a case of illegal enrichment of 72 million hryvnias ($1.7 million), was supposed to go on a business trip abroad. The Supreme Anti-Corruption Court denied him permission.

A mine near Pokrovsk was partially closed

Metinvest has decided to stop operating one of the mine sites located in the village of Pishchane near Pokrovsk in Donetsk Oblast. The front line is approaching the area. The site provided about half of the total volume of Ukrainian coal production carried out by Metinvest.

Other news

• The Italian Ministry of Defense is ready to talk about a peacekeeping mission in Ukraine. However, the country’s Foreign Ministry considers the discussion "premature."
• The mother of a former MP from the Party of Regions was sentenced to 14 years for high treason.
• The Armed Forces of Ukraine stated that "there were and are no glaring problems" with the construction of the fortifications.
• FIFA showed a map of Ukraine without Crimea during the draw for the 2026 World Cup.
• In 10 years, there have been no appointments to the courts of appeal, according to the head of the Supreme Court.