Ukraine Strikes Ballistic Missile Propulsion Plant in Rostov Region; North Korean troops are suffering heavy losses

Key developments on December 26:

Ukraine strikes a ballistic missile launcher factory in the Rostov region, Stratcom reports
North Korean troops in the Kursk region have suffered heavy losses and logistical struggles, Ukrainian military intelligence says
18 Russian soldiers reportedly killed in Ukraine’s Dec. 25 attack in Kursk Oblast, military says
“Increasing enemy activity” – governor to Russian attacks in Kherson Oblast
Willingness to support Ukraine “until it wins” falls significantly in Western Europe, survey shows

The Ukrainian Air Force struck a factory in Kamensk-Shakhtynsky, Rostov region, which produces solid fuel for ballistic missiles, Ukraine’s Center for Strategic Communications (Stratcom) reported on December 26.

These rockets are according to reports used to attack civilian infrastructure in Ukraine, including hospitals, residential buildings and power plants.

“This strike is part of a comprehensive campaign to weaken the capabilities of the Russian armed forces to carry out terrorist attacks against Ukrainian civilians,” Stratcom said.

The Kyiv Independent could not verify these claims.

The attack is one of several recent strikes in the Rostov region. On December 25, long-range Ukrainian drones targeted a ammunition depot at the Kadamovsky military training ground, a source from the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) told The Kyiv Independent.

On December 24, the drones struck military air base in Millerovo, according to the local acting governor, Yury Slyusar.

Earlier, on December 19, the Ukrainian Navy and the SBU carried out a combined strike on Novoshakhtinsk oil refinery in the Rostov region.

These operations are part of Ukraine’s operations wider efforts to disrupt Russia’s military supply chain and impede its ability to conduct attacks on Ukrainian cities.

`North Korean troops in Kursk Oblast endure heavy losses, logistical struggles, Ukrainian military intelligence says`

North Korean troops deployed in Russia’s Kursk region continue to suffer significant losses, Ukraine’s military intelligence (HUR) reported on December 26.

Russia has stationed about 12,000 North Korean troops in the region since August to help remove Ukrainian forces.

On December 20, Ukrainian strikes near Novoivanovka inflicted heavy casualties on North Korean troops. HUR confirmed the destruction of a North Korean mortar unit, with additional casualties recorded at several locations.

Despite medical losses, including five soldiers on December 20 alone, Russian officers ordered the units to hold their positions.

HUR also reported severe logistical problems for north korea units on the front line, including the lack of drinking water due to active hostilities.

However, Russian forces continued to supply these troops with ammunition and food to maintain their positions and resume assault operations.

The Kyiv Independent could not verify these claims.

President Volodymyr Zelensky said on December 23, that more than 3,000 North Korean soldiers have been killed or wounded since their deployment to the Kursk region.

Their victims were related to them lack of experience with terrain and modern drone warfare, according to South Korean lawmaker Lee Sung-kwon.

While the North Korean forces proved vulnerable to the Ukrainian drone strikestheir presence allowed the Russian troops to do limited earnings in the region, recapturing territory previously held by Ukrainian forces.

`18 Russian soldiers allegedly killed in Ukraine's Dec. 25 attack in Kursk Oblast, military says`

Ukrainian troops struck a Russian command post in the city of Lgov in the Kursk region, killing 18 Russian soldiers, Ukraine’s Center for Strategic Communications reported on December 26.

Ukrainian forces It reportedly struck the command post of Russia’s 810th Separate Marine Brigade, located in an abandoned civilian building in Lgov, overnight on December 25.

Following the attack, the acting governor of the Kursk region, Alexander Khinshtein, claimed that Ukraine attacked civilian facilities and infrastructure in Lgov, killing four people and injuring five others.

The strike killed 18 personnel and partially destroyed the command post, Ukraine’s Center for Strategic Communications said in a Dec. 26 statement. statement. A deputy brigade commander was most likely among those killed, and most of the soldiers killed were staff officers.

The Kyiv Independent could not verify these claims.

Ukraine launched a surprise incursion into the Kursk region in early August. The settlement of Kiev in the Kursk region is considered possible exchange currency ahead of US President-elect Donald Trump’s expected push for peace talks.

despite big losses in the Russian and North Korean ranks, Ukrainian forces in the Kursk region appear increasingly to be on the back foot, facing a Russian advantage in manpower and equipment.

`'Increase in enemy activity' — governor on Russia's assaults in Kherson Oblast`

Russia’s sabotage groups are trying to gain a foothold and have increased the number of attacks in the Kherson region, Governor Oleksandr Prokudin said on December 26 on national television.

Prokudin’s statement comes amid an anticipated large-scale Russian advance in Kherson Oblast. In early December, Russian troops carried out attacks in the southern region to get a foothold on the islands of Dnipro River Delta.

“We are seeing an increase in enemy activity. We understand the places where enemy air groups can land, and the (Ukrainian) Defense Forces are ready to destroy them,” Prokudin said.

Attacks are “not rare” and Russian soldiers regularly try to gain a foothold on the west bank of the Dnieper, according to the governor. However, none of these attempts were successful, he added.

Russian diversionary groups are trying to put a stop to nearby islands Kherson or on the west bank of the river every day, Prokudin said, adding that “all the saboteurs have been eliminated.”

The Russian army tried to advance Kozatsky IslandVelykyi Potemkin Island and the southern Zabych Island in recent weeks, Vladyslav Volosyn, spokesman for the Ukrainian military’s Southern Command, told Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL) on December 24.

Kherson and other regional settlements west of the Dnipro River have been subject to almost daily Russian attacks since Ukraine. ISSUED area in November 2022, pushing Russian troops east of the river.

Russian troops have intensification of ground attacks in several areas along the front line in recent days, but failed to break through Ukraine’s defense lines, Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi said on December 19.

`Willingness to support Ukraine 'until it wins' drops significantly in Western Europe, poll says`

The public’s willingness to support Ukraine “until it wins” has fallen significantly in France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Sweden, Denmark and the UK, according to a YouGov poll reported by The Guardian on 26 December.

The studyheld between December 3 and 18, highlights growing skepticism about prolonged support for Kiev as war with Russia pull on.

In Sweden, Denmark and the UK, support for Ukraine’s victory remains relatively high at 50%, 40% and 36% respectively. However, these figures represent notable declines from January’s levels of 57%, 51% and 50%.

Meanwhile, the share of respondents who favor a negotiated peace rose – reaching 55% in Italy, 46% in Spain, 45% in Germany and 43% in France – by eight to 10 points in each country over the year.

While many respondents in Western Europe oppose an agreement that imposes Ukraine cede the territory to Russia, there is widespread concern that US President-elect Donald Trump might reduce or withdraw American support for Ukraine after its inauguration on January 20.

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Notably, in France, Germany and Sweden, the percentage of people hoping for Ukraine’s outright victory has remained stable since early 2023, although overall willingness to continue support until victory has declined elsewhere.

In Poland, a CBOS poll on December 17 showed a dramatic shift in public opinion, with 55% of respondents in favor of ending the conflict, even if it means ceding territory to Ukraine – a sharp increase from 39% in September 2024 and 26% in April 2022.

Support for Ukraine fighting without concessions fell to 31%, compared to 46% in September and 59% in April 2022.

The contrasting attitudes underscore Ukraine’s challenges as it prepares renewed Russian offensives and continued pressure from some western areas for negotiations.

These shifts in public sentiment could complicate Kiev’s efforts to shore up international support for its defense against Russian aggression.