Day: December 5, 2025

Five unidentified drones flew over a major French nuclear submarine base on the evening of December 4 amid increasing reports of drones flying over European military infrastructure. French Defense Minister Catherine Vautrin confirmed on December 5 that the French military used unspecified means to intercept the drones over the Île Longue base in Finistère, which houses France’s four nuclear ballistic missile submarines (SSBNs). French military sources told Agence France-Presse that French marines opened fire on the drones, but other French media sources suggested that French authorities attempted to jam the drones. French officials have not officially attributed the drones to a specific actor as of this writing. Several sources noted that an unspecified number of drones also flew over the Crozon peninsula — where the Île Longue base is located — on the evening of November 17 to 18, but the drones did not enter restricted military airspace. The December 4 drone sightings are part of a newly observed pattern of aerial incursions into NATO airspace, possibly with the purpose of reconnoitering known European military bases and defense infrastructure.

ISW continues to assess that Russia is increasingly engaging in covert and overt attacks against Europe and that ongoing Russian and suspected Russian airspace violations are likely part of Russia’s “Phase Zero” effort — Russia’s broader informational and psychological condition-setting effort that aims to prepare for a possible NATO-Russia war in the future.Institute for the Study of War (@TheStudyofWar)NEW: US and Ukrainian officials continued peace talks to end the war in Ukraine in Miami, Florida, on December 4 and 5.⬇️(1/2)

Available open-source information indicates that Russian forces have not encircled Ukrainian forces in Myrnohrad as of December 5, as Russian forces continue efforts to complete the encirclement of the Pokrovsk-Myrnohrad pocket.

Russian forces are attempting to completely deny Ukrainian tactical- and operational-level logistics to the Pokrovsk direction using drones to achieve effects of battlefield air interdiction (BAI).

Ukrainian forces continue to strike Russian oil and defense industrial base (DIB) infrastructure.

Five unidentified drones flew over a major French nuclear submarine base on the evening of December 4 amid increasing reports of drones flying over European military infrastructure.

Russian forces committed a war crime in the Siversk direction.—  https://x.com/TheStudyofWar/status/1997110937556230395

— Institute for the Study of War (@TheStudyofWar) Dec 6, 2025

This reads like it was written by the Ukrainians first, which may be the only complimentary thing I ever say about this guy.Special Envoy Steve Witkoff (@SEPeaceMissions)Readout of Meeting Between Special Envoy for Peace Steven Witkoff, Jared Kushner,  Ukrainian Secretary of National Security and Defense Council Rustem Umerov, and Chief of General Staff General Andriy Hnatov

Over two days, Special Envoy for Peace Steven Witkoff and Jared Kushner met with Ukrainian Secretary of National Security and Defense Council Rustem Umerov and Chief of General Staff General Andriy Hnatov for constructive discussions on advancing a credible pathway toward a durable and just peace in Ukraine.

Today, the group had their sixth meeting over the past two weeks. Secretary Umerov reaffirmed that Ukraine’s priority is securing a settlement that protects its independence and sovereignty, ensures the safety of Ukrainians, and provides a stable foundation for a prosperous democratic future.

The participants discussed the results of recent meeting of the American side with the Russians and steps that could lead to ending this war. The American and Ukrainians also agreed on the framework of security arrangements and discussed necessary deterrence capabilities to sustain a lasting peace.

Both parties agreed that real progress toward any agreement depends on Russia’s readiness to show serious commitment to long-term peace, including steps toward de-escalation and cessation of killings.

Parties also separately reviewed the future prosperity agenda which aims to support Ukraine’s post-war reconstruction, joint U.S.–Ukraine economic initiatives, and long-term recovery projects.

American and Ukrainian parties underscored that an end to the war and credible steps toward ceasefire and de-escalation are necessary to prevent renewed aggression and to enable Ukraine’s comprehensive redevelopment plan, designed to make the nation stronger and more prosperous than before the war.

Parties will reconvene tomorrow to continue advancing the discussions.—  https://x.com/SEPeaceMissions/status/1997076434498535814

— Michael Weiss (@michaeldweiss) Dec 6, 2025