**Estonian PM Arrives in Kyiv**
Estonia’s Prime Minister Kristen Michal has arrived in Kyiv to meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. This is the first visit by the Estonian head of government since the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
Michal met with Ukrainian officials, including Parliament speaker Ruslan Stefanchuk and his Ukrainian counterpart Denys Shmyhal. In a statement on X, Michal said that supporting Ukraine to victory would remain Estonia’s priority, and that concessions would not be made.
Estonia has been one of Kyiv’s strongest supporters since the start of the war, providing humanitarian, developmental, and military assistance.
**Russian Attacks Continue**
In separate news, Russian forces attacked Ukraine with cruise missiles and drones overnight on December 9. Two Kh-59/69 cruise missiles were fired from the Black Sea, while 37 Shaheds and other unidentified drones targeted multiple oblasts.
The attacks caused damage to residential buildings, with debris from downed drones causing destruction. Ukrainian Air Force reported the attacks, saying that Russian forces also attempted to intercept drones in Kerch Bay on December 6.
**Russia’s War Cost**
US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin said at a conference in California that Russia has spent at least $200 billion on its war with Ukraine since the start of the invasion in 2022. President Joe Biden also spoke about Russia’s failed support for Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, saying that Ukraine and American allies have put up a wall of resistance against invading Russian forces.
**Other News**
The Georgian government has announced plans to introduce a law banning participants in rallies from covering their faces. Ukrainian writer Victoria Amelina was posthumously honored with the Special Prix Voltaire Award at an international publishers congress in Mexico.