**Russia Loses 768,220 Troops in Ukraine**
Since February 24, 2022, Russia has lost over 768,000 troops in Ukraine. The General Staff of Ukraine‘s Armed Forces reported this number on December 19. In addition to the human loss, Russia has also lost thousands of tanks, armored vehicles, and other equipment.
**Recent Fighting**
Just over the past day, Russian forces suffered 1,530 casualties. They have also lost 9,576 tanks, 19,799 armored fighting vehicles, and many other types of military equipment. A fire broke out at an oil refinery in Russia’s Rostov Oblast on December 19 after a mass drone and missile attack.
**International Support for Ukraine**
The international community continues to support Ukraine. A package of aid has been approved that includes over $115 million worth of equipment, including small boats and reconnaissance drones. The US has also allocated funds from the presidential drawdown authority to support Ukraine’s navy. President Volodymyr Zelensky met with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte in Brussels on December 18 to discuss air defense and security guarantees.
**Peacekeeping Forces**
Ukraine is discussing ideas with European leaders about the potential deployment of European peacekeeping forces to the country. This comes as Ukraine seeks to secure more air defense and effective security guarantees from its Western allies.
**Other Developments**
Russian state media has claimed that the presence of Tu-95MS military aircraft near Alaska was part of a planned operation. However, US General Keith Kellogg criticized Russia’s actions in an interview with Fox News. Two European Union accession clusters for Ukraine are expected to open during the first half of 2025.
**Economic Support**
Ukraine’s allies have doubled down on economic and military support for Kyiv. Slovakia imports 3 billion cubic meters of gas per year through Ukraine from Russia’s energy giant Gazprom.
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