Gift from Ukraine to Polish official explodes; Russia changes tactics to counter HIMARS.

A Polish police chief was hospitalized after a gift from a Ukrainian official unexpectedly exploded. Russia changes tactics to counter the HIMARS system.

According to The Guardian, on December 15 (local time), the Polish Interior Ministry confirmed that Jaroslaw Szymczyk, the head of the country's police force, had been hospitalized after a gift from a Ukrainian official unexpectedly exploded.

Polish police chief Jaroslaw Szymczyk. Photo: Guardian

"On December 14, an explosion occurred in the room next to Mr. Szymczyk's office. One of the gifts Mr. Szymczyk received during his visit to Ukraine from December 11-12 exploded. Mr. Szymczyk suffered minor injuries and is receiving treatment. Another employee was also injured in the incident, but did not require hospitalization," the Polish Interior Ministry announced.

During his visit to Ukraine, Szymczyk met with the country's police and emergency services leaders; it is currently unclear whose gift exploded. The Polish Interior Ministry has demanded a clear explanation from Kyiv.

Russia changes tactics in dealing with HIMARS.

According to RT, on December 15, the Commander-in-Chief of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, Valeriy Zaluzhny, gave an interview to The Economist. Zaluzhny acknowledged that Russia had changed its tactics and was trying to adapt to the weapons used by Kyiv.

"The enemy has moved to a distance beyond the reach of HIMARS. We also don't have any more effective long-range weapons," General Zaluzhny said.

Ukraine's HIMARS missile system. Photo: Pravda

During the interview, the Ukrainian commander reiterated Kyiv's request to the West for the supply of long-range weapons. In addition, Zaluzhny also shared information about the recent intense missile attacks targeting critical Ukrainian infrastructure.

"Although our air defense system has a very high interception rate, the electrical system can still collapse at any time," General Zaluzhny added.

Kherson suffered a complete power outage after the attack.

According to Reuters, on December 15 (local time), Yaroslav Yanushevych, head of the Kherson administration, said the region had been completely cut off from the Ukrainian power grid following the attacks.

"Kherson has suffered dozens of attacks, carried out by multiple rocket launchers, tanks, mortars and UAVs within 24 hours. One artillery shell hit a pumping station and a transformer station that supplies the city's heating system in the Korabelny district," Yanusevych said.