These are the indicative estimates of Russia’s combat losses as of Dec. 5, according to the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

⚡️ Ukrainian lawmaker exposed as leading criminal group, anti-corruption agencies say.

Ukrainska Pravda, citing law enforcement sources, reported that the lawmaker is Anna Skorokhod from the For the Future party, who is suspected of taking a large bribe.

Skorokhod said her home was being searched by law enforcement officers.

⚡️ New US strategy document takes hard line on Europe's 'trajectory,' NATO expansion.

The document says that it is in the U.S. interest to "negotiate an expeditious cessation of hostilities in Ukraine" to enable the country's post-war recovery, stabilization of European economies, and to "reestablish strategic stability with Russia."

⚡️ Putin wraps up first India visit in 4 years, touts 'privileged partnership' on oil, defense.

President Vladimir Putin said Russia would continue supplying fuel to India's "rapidly growing economy," calling Moscow a reliable energy partner.

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⚡️ Ukraine war latest live: HUR says it hit Russian Su-24 tactical bomber, other targets in occupied Crimea.

Ukraine's military intelligence agency, HUR, said its drones hit a Russian Su-24 tactical bomber as past of a series of eight "accurate strikes" on military targets inside Russian-occupied Crimea on Dec. 5.

The attacks were carried out with long-range drones by the Prymary ("Ghosts") unit, HUR said in a post on Telegram.

⚡️ Ukrainian NGO returns 18 children from Russian-occupied Kherson

A group of Ukrainian children ages 2 to 17 returned to Ukraine from Russian-occupied territories in southern Kherson Oblast, regional governor Oleksandr Prokudin said on Dec. 5.

The Ukrainian humanitarian NGO Save Ukraine, which rescues children from Russian occupation, reported in a Dec. 4 Facebook post that 18 children were brought back to Ukrainian-controlled territories over the last week.

Ukraine is cautiously optimistic as Trump's son-in-law enters peace talks — here's why

As U.S. President Donald Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner takes on a more active role in the latest peace push, Ukrainian officials say they are cautiously optimistic about his involvement.

Kushner joined U.S.-Ukraine negotiations in Geneva on Nov. 23 and in Florida on Nov. 30, and then traveled to Moscow to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin on Dec. 2.

"The very fact that Trump added Kushner is a good sign," Oleksandr Merezhko, the chair of Ukraine's parliamentary foreign affairs committee, said.

He does not appear to be "under Putin's spell," Merezhko added.

Photo: Drew Angerer/Getty Images

⚡️ Update: Kremlin signals Trump's son-in-law could be key architect of Ukraine peace deal.

"I personally believe that if a plan leading to a settlement is put down on paper, it will largely be Mr. Kushner who will be 'holding the pen,'" top Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov said.

War Notes: From the Battlefield

“It's simple math — if 50 Russian soldiers on foot don't break the defenses, Russian commanders send 100 of them. And they will keep going, despite knowing the casualty rate is extremely high,” writes Dimko Zhluktenko, callsign Liber, in this op-ed.

You can follow Dimko on X, and donate to his organization, Dzyga's Paw, which works 24/7 to meet the everyday needs of Ukrainian units across the Armed Forces.

Photo: Francis Farrell / The Kyiv Independent

⚡️ Russian forces reportedly execute yet another Ukrainian POW.

The Prosecutor General's Office said that the wounded soldier tried to take cover, but a Russian soldier "finished him off with a shot from an assault rifle."

Call transcript shows EU leaders tell Zelensky that they, not US, will decide on frozen Russian assets

European leaders privately insisted they alone should control decisions over immobilized Russian assets during a recent call with President Volodymyr Zelensky, according to a transcript obtained by the Kyiv Independent, even as the U.S. reportedly lobbied European countries to block plans to lend the cash to Ukraine.

⚡️US Treasury extends waiver allowing Lukoil gas stations outside of Russia to operate, despite sanctions.

The Trump administration on Dec. 4 extended a waiver that lets Lukoil-branded gas stations abroad stay in business, softening elements of U.S. sanctions imposed on the firm in October.

⚡️At least 3 injured in Russian missile, drone strikes on Kyiv Oblast.

Three people have been injured in a Russian missile and drone attack on Kyiv Oblast overnight on Dec. 6, local officials reported.

Ukraine's Air Force earlier reported Russian forces launching a barrage of missiles, including Kinzhal hypersonic missiles, as well as dozens of drones towards cities on the outskirts of Ukraine's capital.

⚡️Ukrainian drones reportedly strike Russia's Ryazan Oil Refinery.

Ukraine's military reportedly struck the Ryazan Oil Refinery overnight on Dec. 5-6, marking the ninth such strike on the refinery this year, Russian Telegram media channel ASTRA reported.

⚡️ End to war 'depends on Russia's commitment to peace,' Ukraine, US agree.

Talks are set to continue on Dec. 6.

⚡️ 'Grand gesture, but won't kill exports' — G7, EU mull ban on Russian oil maritime services.

If the ban goes through, Russia would likely have to expand its shadow fleet to transport crude oil instead.

⚡️ 'Happy Ukrainian Armed Forces Day' — hackers deface website of Russian company delivering military goods, HUR source claims.

The cyberattack took down over 700 computers and servers and deleted accounts of more than 1,000 Eltrans+ users, HUR claimed.