Markus's return, searches at Ukrzaliznytsia and Ukraine's assistance to rebels in Syria: highlights for December 11

Markus is back

For the first time in a year and a half, Valerii Markus, the former chief sergeant of the 47th Brigade “Magura”, posted a video in which he talked about conflicts with the brigade's leadership, including the current deputy commander, Ivan Shalamaha.

According to him, Shalamaha is “the result of the collective work of many people”.

Ukrzaliznytsia employees suspected of making money on tickets

After searches, law enforcement officers served suspicion notices to Ukrzaliznytsia employees who earned millions on international tickets.

The investigation found that members of the criminal organization systematically sold passengers seats in service compartments and conductors' rest compartments that are not sold at the ticket office or in the app.

Orban talked to Putin about war for more than an hour

On December 11, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban had a more than hour-long phone conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin to discuss the Russo-Ukrainian war.

According to Orban, he allegedly offered Ukraine a “Christmas ceasefire” and a large prisoner exchange, but Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy refused.

Instead, Zelenskyy stressed that talks about Russia's war against Ukraine cannot take place without Kyiv's participation.

Taganrog and Bryansk under attack

On the night of December 11, the Unmanned Systems Forces and the Defense Intelligence attacked an oil depot in the Bryansk region of Russia.

At the same time, the Russian Defense Ministry announced an attack on a military airfield in Taganrog, Rostov region. They claim that Ukraine launched 6 ATACMS missiles at the military facility.

US warns of a new attack with Oreshnik

US intelligence believes that Russia may use the Oreshnik hypersonic ballistic missile against Ukraine for the second time in the coming days, three Western media outlets report.

According to the American official, Russia probably has only a few experimental Oreshnik missiles, which have a smaller warhead than other missiles that Russians regularly launch at Ukraine.

Death toll rises in Zaporizhzhia

The death toll from the Russian attack on Zaporizhzhia on December 10 has risen to 9. The bodies of three more victims were found under the rubble, and one of the wounded died in hospital. The number of injured has also increased to 22.

Rzeczpospolita: Macron wants to send peacekeepers to Ukraine

During his visit to Poland on December 12, French President Emmanuel Macron may discuss with Polish politicians the creation of a peacekeeping mission of European countries to be sent to Ukraine. It may include 40 thousand soldiers, Rzeczpospolita reports.

WP: Ukraine provided assistance to Syrian rebels

The Syrian rebels of the Hayat Tahrir al-Sham group, who recently overthrew the regime of Bashar al-Assad in the country, received military assistance from the Ukrainian military, the Washington Post reports.

According to the newspaper's sources, 4-5 weeks ago, Ukrainian intelligence sent about 20 experienced drone operators and about 150 FPV drones to the rebel headquarters in Idlib.

Rape case in Zakarpattia may be reopened

The High Qualification Commission of Judges of Ukraine has decided to end the business trip of the judge who heard the case of rape of a minor girl in the village of Verkhni Vorota ahead of schedule. Now the case can be heard from the beginning.

In addition to the rape case, this judge was considering an indictment against the current head of the Volovets village council.

Scheme to transfer “Zelensky's thousand” to another card exposed

About 6.5 million Ukrainians have applied for thousands of hryvnias of “eSupport”. Almost half of the payments were transferred to pay utility bills, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said.

At the same time, Oleksiy Avramenko, CEO of EasyPay payment service, said that some Ukrainians are trying to run schemes with the funds received under the Winter eSupport program.

For example, users of mobile operators replenished their mobile accounts with the money received and then used the refund service through the EasyPay service.

Other important news of the day

• Russians imprisoned 9 more Ukrainian marines who defended Azovstal.
• EU ambassadors agreed on the 15th package of sanctions against Russia.
• Former Party of Regions member Kolesnichenko, who co-authored the controversial language law, is suspected of treason.
• Finance Minister says Ukraine will be able to fight without US aid at least until mid-2025.
• Journalists found out how Donald Trump behaved at a meeting with Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Paris.
• Who can represent Ukraine at the Eurovision Song Contest 2025: the longlist of the National Selection is announced.