the Russian army claims the capture of a new locality in the east of the country

The locality is claimed about ten kilometers south of Kourakhové, a working-class town that Moscow has been seeking to conquer for weeks. Norway will provide aid worth 2.7 billion crowns (230.3 million euros) to the Ukrainian navy to support its defense in the Black Sea, the government announced on Monday. Le Figaro takes stock of the situation.

The Russian army claims the capture of a new locality in the east of the country

The Russian army claimed Monday, December 16, the conquest of a new locality in eastern Ukraine, where Ukrainian forces have been retreating for months, facing a more numerous and more armed adversary. “Due to the resolute action of the units of the “South” group of forces, the village of Yelyzavtivka (…) was liberated”the Russian Defense Ministry said in a statement. The town is located about ten kilometers south of Kourakhové, a working-class town that Moscow has been trying to conquer for weeks.

The day before, he had claimed the capture of the village of Vessely Gaï, south of Kurakhové, and that of Pushkiné, south of Pokrovsk, a mining town in Donbass and an important logistical node for the Ukrainian army. Despite heavy losses, but with numerical and weapons superiority, the Russians accelerated their advances in Ukraine, particularly in the Donetsk region, where Kurakhové and Pokrovsk are located.

They took more Ukrainian territory last November than in any other month since March 2022, according to an AFP analysis based on data from the US-based Institute for the Study of War. -United. The Ukrainian force grouping in Khortytsia reported on Sunday “exhausting confrontations” ongoing in the surrounding area and in the town of Kourakhové, as well as further north in the town of Tchassiv Yar, perched on a hill and taken by storm. “The situation is complex and changing. Our troops are currently organizing themselves to improve the tactical situation.commented on this military group on the Telegram network.

Norway provides 230 million euros in aid to the Ukrainian Navy

Norway will provide aid worth 2.7 billion crowns (230.3 million euros) to the Ukrainian navy to support its defense in the Black Sea, the government announced on Monday. These funds will also be used for training Ukrainian soldiers and mine clearance operations, he said.

“Ukraine needs more support to deter Russian naval forces in the Black Sea in the coming times. It is essential to protect the Ukrainian population and infrastructure from attacks by the Russian Black Sea Fleet.Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store said in a statement. “It is also important to protect exports of grain and other products by sea, which generate crucial income for Ukraine”Store added.

According to the Norwegian government, 100 million crowns (8.5 million euros) had already been allocated for maritime training and other measures for 2025, and it has just approved a new program worth 2 .6 billion crowns (221.8 million euros). Support will include donations from the Norwegian armed forces as well as military equipment purchased from industry for donation. “Mines pose a significant threat to maritime security and passage in the Black Sea, and mine clearance operations are very difficult”said Defense Minister Bjorn Arild Gram.

“The systems we provide will improve the ability of Ukrainian forces to detect and defuse mines along their coastline”added the Minister of Defense. Norway and the United Kingdom are leading the Ukraine Maritime Capability Coalition, launched in December 2023. This new support package was announced during British Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s visit to Norway this Monday.