Ukraine updates: Zelenskyy to address US senators

Baerbock says German budget crisis will not affect Ukraine

German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock said Germany's budget crisis would not diminish support for Ukraine.

"At a time when crises are collapsing on top of each other, we, as strong democracies, must show that we have maximum capacity to act even in times of crisis," the Green politician said during a visit to the Slovenian capital, Ljubljana. 

One thing is clear, Baerbock said: "Germany will remain a reliable international partner because security in the world, especially with regard to Ukraine, also contributes to our own security." 

In view of the "difficult financial times," she said that she and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz had "clearly emphasized that this will not diminish our support for Ukraine, on the contrary." 

Baerbock recalled that Germany had doubled its support for Ukraine's self-defense from €4 billion ($4.3 billion) to €8 billion for next year "just before what is likely to be another brutal winter for the Ukrainians."

UK says Russia controls most of Mariinka near Donetsk

Russia now probably controls "most of the built-up area" of the eastern Ukrainian town of Mariinka in the Donetsk region, the British Defense Ministry said in its intelligence update. 

"However, Ukrainian forces remain in control of pockets of territory on the western edge of the town," the ministry added.

Mariinka has been contested since 2014. It is located about 30 kilometers southwest of the center of Donetsk, which is under Russian control.

The town had about 9,000 inhabitants before the war but is now almost completely destroyed.

"Russia’s renewed efforts against Marinka are part of Russia’s autumn offensive which is prioritising extending Russia’s control over the remaining parts of the Donetsk Oblast," the update said.

The British ministry added that the seizure of the Donetsk region is likely to remain one of the Kremlin's key war aims.

Six Ukrainian children to be returned from Russia in Qatari deal

Six Ukrainian children taken by Russia in the wake of Moscow's full-scale invasion are to be reunited with family after Qatari mediation, officials from the Gulf state said.

The children, aged between eight and 15, would be the second group of minors to be returned via Qatar's Embassy in Moscow through a Doha-mediated deal. A similar agreement between Russia and Ukraine in October saw four children returned.

Qatar facilitated "the reunification of six additional Ukrainian children with their families in time for the festive holidays," said Lolwah Al-Khater, Minister of State for International Cooperation.

"Both sides cooperated fully and engaged in good faith throughout the process, with Qatar serving as an intermediary," she added.

Ukraine has said some 20,000 children were taken to Russia in the wake of Moscow's February 2022 invasion. Fewer than 400 have been returned.

Finnish companies probed for allegedly smuggling drones to Russia

Two Finnish companies are suspected of having exported drones and other military-classified products worth more than €3 million ($3.25 million) to Russia in violation of EU sanctions, Finnish Customs said.

"There are a total of six suspects, one of whom has been in custody since September," the customs agency said in a statement.

It said nearly 3,500 drones are believed to have been sent to Russia. The products also included microcontrollers, semiconductor devices and defense materials designed to stop drones.

Authorities said they suspected the items were approved for export to another nation but ended up in Russia. In the case of the anti-drone equipment, for example, the products were cleared for Kazakhstan.

Drones have been used extensively in the war in Ukraine, including for reconnaissance and to deliver explosives. 

Following Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, the EU imposed 12 sets of sanctions on Russia, targeting crucial oil and gas exports, as well as technology and military products.

Putin to visit UAE, Saudi Arabia on Wednesday

Russian President Vladimir Putin is due to travel to the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia on Wednesday, a Kremlin spokesperson said.

Putin's foreign trips have become rare since the International Criminal Court issued an arrest warrant for him in March over the alleged deportation of Ukrainian children to Russia.

On Thursday, Putin is also expected to hold talks with his Iranian counterpart, Ebrahim Raisi, in Russia, the Kremlin said. Tehran and Moscow have sought to boost economic and military ties in the face of Western sanctions since the start of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

Russia has also made extensive use of Iranian-made drones during the conflict. 

10 Russian drones downed overnight, says Kyiv

Ukraine's military shot down 10 of 17 attack drones launched by Russia overnight, Ukrainian officials said.

The governor of Ukraine's western region of Lviv said three drones hit an unspecified infrastructure target, but damage was minimal and no casualties were reported.

The Ukrainian air force said the drones were shot down over "various regions" of the country. It also said six S-300 missiles had been fired at civilian targets in the eastern Donetsk and southern Kherson regions.

Meanwhile, Andriy Yermak, the head of Ukraine's presidential administration, said at least two people were killed and one wounded after Russian forces attacked the city of Kherson.