**Russia Summarily Executed 109 Ukrainian POWs in 2024**
Ukraine’s Ombudsman, Dmytro Lubinets, said on national television that Russian troops killed at least 109 Ukrainian prisoners of war (POWs) in 2024. This number is based on confirmed cases and may be higher.
**Torture and Ill-Treatment Reports**
Reports of murders, torture, and ill-treatment of POWs are regular in Ukraine. The ombudsman mentioned that 177 cases of executions were confirmed “during the previous years of the full-scale war.” This trend coincides with an accelerated pace of Russian advance in Ukraine.
**International Concerns**
Lubinets criticized the international community for not taking effective action against Russia’s actions. He said, “Unfortunately, we do not see an effective reaction from the international community.”
**New Developments**
* A Ukrainian missile struck a boiler plant in Russia’s Rostov Oblast overnight on Dec. 11.
* Russian forces suffered high casualties, with 1,400 casualties reported just over the past day.
* Russia will consider a prisoner exchange, but no concrete decisions have been made.
**Global Response**
* The US Treasury Department announced it will provide $20 billion in loan assistance to Ukraine.
* A $266 million foreign military sales package for Ukraine was approved by the State Department.
* Poland intends to play an active role in EU talks as they assume the rotating presidency of the Council of the European Union.
**Other News**
* A Russian drone struck and damaged an International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) service vehicle near the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant.
* Successful tests of a new Ukrainian missile, dubbed Ruta (Rue), are underway.
* Russia may have transferred fighter jets to North Korea in exchange for soldiers.