Key Takeaways from the ISW:
- Russian President Vladimir Putin used his annual Direct Line televised press conference on December 19 to reaffirm his commitment to achieving his full war aims in Ukraine.
- Putin made even more exaggerated claims about Russian battlefield victories than his senior military officials have made in recent days.
- Putin continued to praise the strength and resilience of the Russian economy, but Kremlin economic policies indicate that the economy is performing markedly worse than Putin is portraying.
- Putin continues to promote Russia as a multinational, multireligious state ahead of the Year of the Unity of the Peoples of Russia in 2026.
- Ukraine’s European allies continue to provide financial support to Ukraine.
- Ukrainian forces continue their strike campaign against Russia’s shadow fleet.
- Russian forces recently advanced near Vovchansk and in the Kostyantynivka-Druzhkivka and Dobropillya tactical areas.
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