Day 687 of the Invasion of Ukraine: NATO Will Provide More Money And More Air Defense In 2024

Day 687 of the invasion of Ukraine. Summary of key events in the last 24 hours:

• Ukraine is intensifying the construction of fortifications, moving to a more defensive position
• 11 people were injured after a Russian attack on a hotel in Kharkiv
• NATO will provide more air defense and billions for Ukraine in 2024
• Seven member countries of the UN Security Council: Russia exploits its position
• Finland will keep its border with Russia closed
• Russia ranks first in Europe in terms of purchasing power parity, but there is still work to be done, Putin said

Ukraine is intensifying the construction of fortifications, moving to a more defensive position

Ukraine has stepped up fortification construction in recent months as it reconfigures its military operations against Russia toward more defensive tactics.

New defensive lines near the northeastern city of Kupiansk were visited by a Reuters team on December 28 last year - exactly a month after President Volodymyr Zelensky announced that Ukraine was "significantly upgrading" the fortifications following Ukraine's failure to quickly break through Russian lines with the counteroffensive that began in June.

Kyiv says there is no wavering or backing down in its ambition to retake all remaining occupied territories, but for now, it is focused on politically sensitive reforms to conscription to replenish manpower and address frontline artillery shortages.

At the same time, Russia is increasing its offensive pressure around the eastern cities of Kupiansk, Lyman and Avdiivka and no longer needs to keep its...