Poll Shows Declining Russian Support for War, Report

An internal poll reportedly commissioned by the Kremlin shows support for continuing Russia's war with Ukraine has dropped since the summer, according to Meduza, an independent Russian news site.

The poll was reportedly conducted by Russia's Federal Protection Service (FSO) on behalf of the Kremlin. Its results found that only 25 percent of Russians polled for the survey said they want the war to continue, down from 57 percent who said the same for internal polls conducted in July. Fifty-five percent of respondents in November said they are "in favor of peace talks," compared with 32 percent in July.

Details regarding when the study was conducted and how many people were polled were not included in Meduza's report.

The news outlet said the FSO's polling results are similar to recent polling conducted by the Levada Center, an independent polling and research organization headquartered in Moscow.

Russia's war with Ukraine has been going on for more than nine months, though Russian President Vladimir Putin reportedly expected it to resolve quickly. Ukraine's Ministry of Defense recently estimated that Russia will lose more than 100,000 soldiers before the countries reach a full year of fighting. Military officials in Ukraine have also speculated that Russia is unable to use some of its military drones due to winter weather restrictions.

England Reports Rise in Homeless Ukrainian Refugees

There has been a recent rise of about 30 percent of Ukrainian refugees in England who are now considered homeless, according to The Times.

The British newspaper cited publicly available government data in its report, which noted that more than 2,000 Ukrainian refugee families with children are now homeless, as are more than 900 individuals. Government data reviewed by Newsweek shows the total number of Ukrainian households considered homeless as of November 18 was 2,985, up from the 2,175 households reported by October 21.

The United Kingdom has a program called Homes for Ukraine that enables residents to provide a temporary home for Ukrainian refugees "for at least 6 months." People approved to take in refugees receive money from the government for each month they provide that home, according to The Times. The paper reported that the rise in homeless refugees comes as the six-month mark passes, leaving many Ukrainians who had shelter left without a temporary home.

As many as 14,000 Ukrainian refugees could reach the end of their six-month temporary housing agreement by Christmas, according to The Guardian.

More than 7.8 million Ukrainians have sought refuge across Europe since Russia's invasion of Ukraine began in February, according to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR). As of late November, the UNHCR reported 146,200 Ukrainian refugees had registered in the UK for temporary protection.

Russia Says 'Only We' Can Ensure ZNPP Safety, Report

A spokesperson for Russia's Ministry of Foreign Affairs reportedly said Monday that Russia is the only party able to make sure the Zaporizhzhya Nuclear Power Plant (ZNPP) remains safe as Russia's war with Ukraine continues.

The reported comment came amid other reports that the United Nation's International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) felt talks about establishing a safety zone around the plant were going well.

The IAEA has for months been discussing terms for a nuclear safety zone around the plant in Ukraine's Zaporizhzhya region. The plant is also the largest of its kind in Europe. According to the IAEA, the ZNPP has had to rely on backup power supplies multiple times due to wartime shelling in the area.

Last week, Reuters reported that IAEA's director general, Rafael Grossi, said officials discussing the creation of a safety zone were close to a deal. Maria Zakharova, a spokesperson for Russia's foreign ministry, was asked about Grossi's remarks during a Monday press briefing, according to CNN.

"There can be no talk of any withdrawal of the Zaporizhzhya NPP from Russian control or transfer of control over it to some 'third party,'" Zakharova was quoted as responding. Zakharova then said the ZNPP is "fully controlled" by Russia and "on Russian territory." Zaporizhzhya is one of the four Ukrainian regions Russian President Vladimir Putin annexed in September. Ukraine and countries that support Ukraine in its fight with Russia have refused to acknowledge the annexations.

"We presume that only we are able to ensure the physical and nuclear safety of ZNPP," Zakharova reportedly said.

Lloyd Austin Condemns 'Brutal' Air Strikes

U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin had a call with Ukraine's minister of defense on Monday, during which he condemned Russia's latest air strikes and reiterated support for Ukraine's war effort, according to the U.S. Department of Defense.

Austin described the air strikes as "indiscriminate and brutal" in a Monday tweet. A readout of his call with Ukrainian Minister of Defense Oleksii Reznikov said many of the strikes were on civilian infrastructure. Earlier Monday, the United Nations said these strikes pose a threat to "millions" of civilians who are battling sub-zero temperatures without the electricity they need to heat their homes.

Austin spoke of the "unwavering U.S. commitment" to help Ukraine as fighting continues against "Russia's war of aggression," according to Pentagon Press Secretary Brig. Gen. Pat Ryder.

"Secretary Austin reiterated air defense as a top priority for U.S. security assistance efforts, made evident by recent commitments to provide Ukraine additional munitions for U.S.-provided National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile Systems (NASAMS) as well as capabilities to counter Unmanned Aerial System," Ryder said in the call readout.

Austin and Reznikov plan to "remain in close contact" as the war continues, Ryder said.

Russia's Monday missile strikes resulted in the deaths of four people and impacted civilian infrastructure in several regions, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Monday. Neighboring countries are also at risk, Zelensky said, adding that Moldova experienced interruptions to its own power supply. Zelensky said putting a stop to what he described as "Russian terror" is "a joint task."

Marjorie Taylor Greene Calls for Ukraine Audit

Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia on Monday called for an audit of funding the U.S. has provided Ukraine, one of several such calls she has made in the months since Russia's invasion of Ukraine began.

"The American people deserve to know where every penny has gone because it's the American people who worked hard to earn the money in the first place," Greene wrote in a Monday tweet. "Audit Ukraine!"

Greene and other Congressional Republicans called for an audit of "every American taxpayer dollar sent to Ukraine" during a mid-November press briefing. She also said in a tweet posted last month that the U.S. "must stop letting Zelensky demand money & weapons from US taxpayers while he is trying to drag us into WW3."

As of late November, the U.S. Department of State said President Joe Biden's administration sent Ukraine almost $32 billion in assistance since Russia's invasion began in late February.

Greene's latest calls for an audit came as Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said "stopping terror" inflicted by Russian troops will be "a joint task."

Russia's latest missile strikes on Monday impacted critical civilian infrastructure in Ukraine and resulted in the deaths of four people, Zelensky said.

As the missile strikes were being carried out, Moldova's Ministry of Internal Affairs said police found a rocket in an orchard near one of Moldova's border towns. Zelensky said the electricity supply in Moldova was also impacted by the latest strikes.

"Russian terror again affects neighboring states," Zelensky said in a Monday evening video address. The energy supply disruption in Moldova "proves that Russia's ability to carry out such massive terrorist attacks is a threat not only to Ukraine, but also to our entire region. At least," Zelensky said.

"When one terrorist destabilizes everyone's lives, stopping terror is a joint task," he said.

White House 'Not Surprised' by Russia's Reaction to Price Cap

The White House said it is "not surprised" by Russia's reaction to the EU and G7 price cap on Russian oil.

During a press conference Monday, White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said the goal of the measure is to ensure discounted Russian oil will continue to flow into global markets as it limits the revenue the Kremlin uses to find its war in Ukraine.

Jean-Pierre said the price cap outlines "clear incentives" for Russia to continue exporting and that the price can be adjusted over time to prevent Russia from further profiting from the war.

She added that this price cap is an "unprecedented action" that demonstrates the unity between the U.S. and its allies and partners.

Biden Says Gas Prices Are Lowest Since War Began

President Joe Biden boasted national gas prices Monday, saying the current average is lower than when the Ukraine war began in February.

In a tweet, Biden said today's national average price of gas is $3.40 a gallon, the lowest since early February and lower than when [Vladimir] Putin invaded Ukraine."

The White House has blamed Russia's war in Ukraine for the surge in gas prices, labeling it the "Putin price hike."

Today's national average gas price is about 10 cents lower than it was a week ago and nearly 40 cents lower than it was a month ago, according to AAA.

Currently, the price of gas is less than one cent higher than the national average one year ago.

Ukraine Shares Video of Helicopter Exploding

Ukrainian forces shared a video on Monday that they said showed a Russian helicopter being taken down over Ukrainian territory with help from a German military tank.

In the video, weapons can be heard firing as a military helicopter approaches. An explosion is then seen in the sky before the helicopter falls to the ground in a blaze of fire, trailed by a line of thick black smoke.

One person out of view of the camera can be heard cheering in the video as the helicopter falls.

The Air Force Command of Ukraine's armed forces posted the video on Facebook. According to Facebook's English translation of the post, the Air Force Command wrote, "The equipment provided by partners protects the Ukrainian sky from winged missiles of Russian terrorists." The post credited the helicopter's downing to a German anti-aircraft tank known as the "Cheetah."

Ukraine's Air Force Command also posted the video on Telegram.

"You can watch forever how the fire burns, the water flows and the enemy 'alligator' falls," the post said, according to the platform's English translation.

The post's mention of the "enemy 'alligator'" was a reference to the Russian Ka-52 Alligator attack helicopter, which was the type of military aircraft that was shot down, according to Ukraine's national news agency.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Ukraine's air defense teams on Monday shot down "most" of the missiles that were part of Russia's latest attack on Ukraine. The Ukrainian Air Force reported that troops shot down more than 60 of the more than 70 missiles fired by Russian troops.

Putin Signs New Law Limiting Where Rallies Can be Held

Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a new law Monday limiting where protests and rallies can be held.

The new law bans protests in several areas, including government buildings, universities and schools, as well as anywhere near churches, airports and ports, railway stations and vital infrastructure, according to Russian state news agency RIA.

Rallies were previously banned from areas near presidential residences, courts, prisoner and emergency operational services.

Regional authorities can additionally introduce further bans on demonstrations based on "historical, cultural, and other objective characteristics of the subject."

EU, G7 Price Cap on Russian Oil is Now in Effect

The European Union and G7 members' price cap on Russian oil goes into effect Monday.

The $60 per barrel oil price cap on Russian crude oil aims to curb the Kremlin's ability to wage war in Ukraine while keeping global energy markets stable through continued supplies, according to the European Commission.

The EC said the cap will also address inflation and keep energy costs stable amid concerns of high costs across the EU and around the world.

"The G7 and all EU Member States have taken a decision that will hit Russia's revenues even harder and reduce its ability to wage war in Ukraine," EC President Ursula von der Leyen said in a statement. "It will also help us to stabilize global energy prices, benefitting countries across the world who are currently confronted with high oil prices."

Von der Leyen said this price cap will strengthen the effect of EU sanctions on Russia. She also said it will help stabilize global energy prices by allowing some Russian seaborne oil to be traded, brokered and transported by EU operators to third-party countries "as long as it is sold below the cap."

U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen said this price cap is the culmination of months of efforts by the G7, EU and Australia.

She said this measure will help low and medium income countries "who have already borne the brunt of elevated energy and food prices exacerbated by Putin's war."

"Whether these countries purchase energy inside or outside of the cap, the cap will enable them to bargain for steeper discounts on Russian oil and benefit from greater stability in global energy markets," she said in a statement last week.

In response, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said Russia "will not accept" the price cap.

Peskov said Monday that the price cap "will have no impact" on Russia's "special military operation" in Ukraine, according to Russian state media TASS.

"However, these measures will undoubtedly have an impact on the stability of the global energy market, as far as its complete destabilization goes," he said.

Peskov added that Russia is working on a response to the price cap.

The cap will be in effect from Monday, Dec. 5, 2022 to Feb. 5, 2023.

Ukraine Air Troops Shoot Down Over 60 Missiles

The Ukrainian Air Force said defense troops shot down more than 60 missiles fired Monday by Russian forces. Russia fired more than 70 missiles as part of its latest attack on Ukraine, the Ukrainian Air Force said.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky thanked his country's air defense teams for their response to the latest attack in a Monday video address.

"The air defense forces have shot down most of the missiles," Zelensky was quoted as saying by Ukrinform, Ukraine's national news agency. "Power engineers have already begun to restore the light. Our people never give up. Glory to Ukraine!"

Ukraine's Ministry of Defense said on Twitter that Russia's Monday target was "the Ukrainian people's will." The ministry reiterated that Ukrainian air defense teams intercepted more than 60 missiles and wrote that Russia's mission "failed" while Russia's "future as a terrorist state" was "sealed."

Despite the Ukrainian Air Force's work shooting down the missiles, the Russia-controlled news outlet Russia Today (RT) reported that Russia's Ministry of Defense said it hit each of its "17 assigned objectives" on Monday.

In Russia, the defense ministry said three service members were killed and four others were injured as a result of a Ukrainian strike on two Russian air bases, according to RT. Two airplanes were also reportedly damaged in the attack.

The attacks are reported to have occurred in the Ryazan and Saratov regions. "Soviet-made" drones were used in the attacks, according to RT, and Russian forces reportedly shot them down.

UN Says Attacks on Energy Grid Put Millions at Risk

A United Nations (UN) spokesperson said Monday that Russia's recent missile strikes impacting critical infrastructure in Ukraine are "putting millions of civilians at risk" as they battle cold winter temperatures.

Stephanie Tremblay, an associate spokesperson for UN Secretary-General António Guterres, said during a Monday press briefing that most of Ukraine is dealing with below-zero temperatures. Missile attacks impacting Ukraine's power grid are making it difficult for civilians to heat their homes as winter temperatures drop.

"Another wave of missile strikes today have left millions without electricity and water in some regions in the north, center and south, as well as in the capital, Kyiv," Tremblay said. In Odessa, Tremblay said impacts on the power system are compromising the area's water supply, while about 40 percent of Kyiv is without electricity.

"These repeated attacks on the energy system are putting millions of civilians at risk of freezing temperatures, particularly people living on the frontlines without access to heating, water and essential services," she said.

The UN is providing Ukrainians with supplies needed to keep them warm, including generators, cold weather clothing and heating appliances, Tremblay said. More than 400 generators have already been sent, "and more are arriving in the coming days," she added.

In the Kherson region, Tremblay said the UN is sending in "critical supplies" such as health kits that she said can treat 20,000 people for three months. Aid workers are also providing items like blankets, mattresses and sleeping bags to people in need in the Kherson region, she said.

EU to Target Russian Drone Industry in New Sanctions, Report

The European Union is reportedly planning to impose restrictions on Russia's drone industry, according to Bloomberg.

According to "people familiar with the matter," the EU's next sanctions package will also restrict other technologies Russia uses for military purposes as well as other services, investments, media and financial sectors, Bloomberg reports.

One source told the outlet that about 180 Russia individuals and entities will be added the the EU sanctions list.

EU authorities plan to approve the package before leaders of member state meet in Brussels next week, Bloomberg reports.

This comes as the EU's ban on all seaborne imports of Russian oil takes effect Monday.

The EU, the United States and other G7 members and partners are imposing a $60 price cap on Russia oil sold to other parts of the world.

Missile Found in Orchard in Moldova

Authorities in Moldova found a rocket in an orchard near the Moldova-Ukraine border, according to Moldova's Ministry of Internal Affairs.

In a Monday Facebook post, the ministry said border police found the device near Briceni, a city close to the border Moldova shares with Ukraine. Border police "intensified their attention" in Briceni and other border areas in light of Russia's Monday attacks on Ukraine, the ministry said. Authorities found the rocket while on patrol.

The ministry said police "isolated" the area in which they found the rocket as other authorities travel in to address the situation.

The ministry did not say how officials believe the rocket landed in Moldova or who they believe is responsible. The Kyiv Independent reported that the photo shared online by the ministry looked like the rocket in question was part of a larger missile.

The incident occurred less than one month after a missile landed in a Polish town near Poland's border with Ukraine, killing two people.

Putin Signs Law Banning 'LGBT Propaganda'

Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a law that bans "LGBT propaganda."

According to Russian state media, the law prohibits "propaganda of nontraditional sexual relations, gender reassignment and pedophilia."

Such propaganda has been completely prohibited on social media, in mass media, films and advertisements.

This comes after the upper and lower houses of the Russian State Duma passed the law.

Russia already has a law that prohibits the spread of "propaganda of non-traditional sexual relations" to minors. This new law expands on that to ban the spread of LGBTQ-related information to people aged 18 and older.

Violators can be fined up to 400,000 rubles ($6,370) for "LGBT propaganda" and up to 200,000 rubles ($3,185) for "demonstrations of LGBT and information that encourages a change of gender among teenagers."

Weather Expected to Limit Russian Ground Attacks

Winter weather is expected to restrict the extent to which Russian troops can conduct ground attacks as Russia's war with Ukraine continues.

According to the United Kingdom's Ministry of Defense, Russian air troops are already conducting fewer attacks on Ukraine than they were previously.

"Russian aircraft now probably conducts tens of missions per day, compared to a high of up to 300 per day in March 2022," UK defense officials said in a Monday update. Officials said the decrease is "likely" due to a combination of the threats posed by Ukraine's air defense, less time open to Russian air troops to conduct missions and the winter weather.

Russian troops on the ground are "largely reliant" on intel provided by air troops, UK defense officials said, meaning "the Russian air force will likely continue a low rate of ground attack operations through the poor winter weather."

As of Monday, Russia has control over about 18 percent of land "internationally recognized" as Ukrainian territory, the latest British intelligence asserts. That Russian-controlled territory includes the Donbas and Crimea regions, both of which Russia has held for years since claiming it back in 2014.

Of the new territory Russia has claimed in the months since its invasion began in February, Ukraine has retaken control of about 54 percent, according to the report.

The UK Ministry of Defense shared an animated map on social media showing Ukrainian and Russian troop advancements since late August. The map shows Ukraine's recent liberation of the Kharkiv region and parts of the Kherson region, as well as the areas that remain under Russian control.

Over 17k Civilian Casualties Reported Since February

More than 17,180 civilian casualties have been reported in Ukraine since Russia began its invasion in late February, according to the United Nations.

At least 6,702 civilians have been killed and 10,479 injured over the past nine months, the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) said Monday. The office, however, continues to warn the actual figures are "considerably higher," as information from some areas where "intense hostilities have been going on has been delayed and many reports are still pending corroboration."

"This concerns, for example, Mariupol (Donetsk region), Izium (Kharkiv region), Lysychansk, Popasna, and Sievierodonetsk (Luhansk region), where there are allegations of numerous civilian casualties," OHCHR said.

The office said most of the casualties were caused by the "use of explosive weapons" including shelling from "heavy artillery, multiple launch rocket systems, missiles and air strikes."

Putin Drives Over Crimean Bridge to Assess Repairs

Russia President Vladimir Putin drove across a bridge to Crimea that was damaged by a truck bomb in October to assess the current repair operation.

Russia state television broadcasted Putin's drive across the across the bridge connection Russia and the annexed Crimean Peninsula. The president discussed the repairs in the car with Marat Khusnulin, a deputy prime minister in charge of the project.

On Oct. 8, there was a truck bomb attack on the bridge. Russia blames the attack on Ukrainian military intelligence and responded with a series of strikes on Ukraine's key infrastructure systems.

Putin met with workers repairing the roadway. He reportedly emphasized the importance of the "land road that connects Crimea with the rest of Russia."

This bridge has been the main pathway for ferrying supplies to Crimea, which has served as a key military base for Russia during the war in Ukraine.

Russia Launches Deadly Missile Strikes

Russia has launched a new round of missile attacks across Ukraine Monday, according to Ukrainian officials.

The deadly strikes have hit homes and buildings, as well as energy and power infrastructure.

People in the capitol city of Kyiv have taken shelter in crowded metro stations after strike warnings Monday.

At least two people have died and three were injured, including an infant, in the Zaporizhzhia region, according to Kyrylo Tymoshenko, the deputy head of the Ukrainian president's office. He also said in a Telegram post that two infrastructure objects in Odesa were damaged.

In the central Ukrainian city of Kryvyi Rih, local authorities report at least one person was killed and three other were wounded after Russian strikes.

Valentyn Reznichenko, head of the Dnipropetrovsk regional military administration, said on Telegram that the strikes were aimed at an industrial enterprise. Details of the attack are still be clarified, he said.

"The Russian occupying forces once again covered the Nikopol district with heavy artillery," Reznichenko wrote.

The region is also experiencing power outages as the energy infrastructure is "still recovering from the destruction caused by Russian missile."

There were at least five people killed and seven injured in the Dnipropetrovsk, Donetsk, Kharkiv and Kherson regions as a result of Russian missile strikes on Sunday, Tymoshenko said.