Russia kills 4, injures 10 in Donetsk Oblast

1:50 PM  (Updated:  December 8, 2024 3:30 pm)

Reuters reports Assad may have died in plane crash, later removes report.

Reuters on Dec. 8 reported, citing its Syrian sources that "there was a very high probability that Syrian President Bashar al-Assad may have been killed in a plane crash" as he was fleeing Damascus following its capture by rebels. Reuters later deleted the information from its reporting.

3:27 PM

Ukraine has lost 43,000 soldiers in action since start of invasion, Zelensky says.

This figure contrasts a claim made earlier the same day on Dec. 8 by U.S. President-elect Donald Trump, who wrote on his Truth Social platform that Ukrainian military losses had reached "400,000 soldiers, and many more civilians."

12:44 PM

Zelensky ready to 'make a deal' on the war in Ukraine, Trump says after meeting in Paris.

Trump and Zelensky met in Paris as world leaders gathered in the city for the reopening of the Notre Dame Cathedral.

10:46 AM

28 drones intercepted, 46 lost in Russia's overnight attack on Ukraine, Air Force reports.

The drones targeted multiple oblasts, with debris from downed drones causing damage to residential buildings.

10:25 AM

General Staff: Russia has lost 753,370 troops in Ukraine since Feb. 24, 2022.

This number includes 1,460 casualties Russian forces suffered just over the past day, Ukraine's General Staff reported.

5:38 AM

Syrian rebels announce fall of Russia-backed Assad regime.

"The tyrant Bashar al-Assad has fled. We declare the city of Damascus free from the tyrant Bashar al-Assad," rebel leaders claimed on Dec. 8.

5:03 AM

Rebels enter Damascus, Assad reportedly flees capital.

Syrian President Bashar al-Assad boarded a plane out of Damascus on Dec. 8 as rebel forces swept into the capital, two senior army officers told Reuters.

3:37 AM

Russia claims control of village in Donetsk Oblast, Ukraine has not confirmed capture.

Russia claimed control over the village of Beretsky in Donetsk Oblast, the Russian Defense Ministry announced on Dec. 7. Ukrainian officials have not commented on Russia's claims, which could not be independently verified.

2:49 AM

Russia's war in Ukraine weakened Assad regime, US won't get involved, Sullivan says.

"Assad's backers — Iran, Russia, and Hezbollah — have all been weakened and distracted," U.S. National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan said. Russia cannot provide large-scale military support while "ground down in a war of attrition" in Ukraine.

12:53 AM

Syrian government forces withdraw from Homs, cutting Assad off from key Russian military base.

Homs is located between Damascus, Syria's capital, and the Mediterranean coast — where Russia maintains its Khmeimim Air Base and Tartus Naval Base.

11:50 PM

US announces $988 million military aid package for Ukraine.

The latest aid package will be pulled through the remaining $2 billion in funding from the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative (USAI) — a Pentagon-led program for supplying arms to Ukraine through contracts with U.S. defense companies.

10:22 PM

US officials believe Assad's regime may fall within days, CNN reports.

The regime of Syrian President Bashar Al Assad may fall within days as Syrian rebels continue to advance on the country's capital Damascus, five different U.S. officials told CNN on Dec. 7.

9:13 PM

Zelensky meets with Georgian President Zourabichvili, urges Georgians to 'not let government surrender country to Putin.'

"Ukraine supports and stands in solidarity with the Georgian people, who are currently fighting for a worthy future for themselves," Zelensky told Georgian President Salome Zourabichvili during the meeting. "It is important to always respect the will of the people and not let the Ivanishvili government surrender the country to (Russian President Vladimir) Putin."

8:15 PM

Zelensky praises 'productive' meeting held with Trump, Macron, stresses 'peace through strength.'

The previously unannounced meeting comes ahead of Trump's inauguration on Jan. 20. It also marks the first in-person encounter between Zelensky and Trump since Trump won re-election.

7:38 PM

Syrian rebels claim to have reached Damascus' suburbs.

Syrian rebels claim to have reached the suburbs of Damascus, Syria's capital, on Dec. 7, as the rebel groups' rapid offensive against pro-government forces continues.

7:04 PM

Zelensky to meet with Trump, Macron on Dec. 7 during visit to Paris.

President Volodymyr Zelensky will meet with U.S. President-elect Donald Trump as well as French President Emmanuel Macron in Paris for a trilateral meeting on Dec. 7, amid world leaders' visit to France for the reopening of the Notre-Dame Cathedral.

6:19 PM

Zelensky discusses peace efforts with Austria's Nehammer in Paris.

President Volodymyr Zelensky arrived on Dec. 7 in Paris to attend the opening ceremony of the Notre Dame Cathedral.

5:34 PM

Russian milbloggers raise alarm over threat to Kremlin bases in Syria amid escalating Middle East crisis.

There is much at stake for Russia — if Assad's regime falls, Russia will lose its regional foothold in the Middle East.

3:25 PM

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Chornobyl: An exclusive look at the exclusion zone during war | Dare to Ukraine.

In the sixth episode of Dare to Ukraine, we gain rare access to the Chornobyl Exclusion Zone, known globally as the site of the catastrophic 1986 nuclear disaster and one of the most radioactive places on Earth.

1:50 PM

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1:31 PM

Situation in Zaporizhzhia Oblast 'difficult,' but 'predicted,' Freedom of Russia Legion spokesperson says.

The comment comes after a series of warnings about, and attacks on, Zaporizhzhia Oblast, which is becoming an increasingly active part of the frontline.

11:39 AM

Denmark delivers second batch of F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine, Zelensky announces.

President Volodymyr Zelensky said that if all international partners demonstrated the same level of commitment then "Russian terror could already have been made impossible."

11:21 AM

Russian attacks against Kherson Oblast injure 16, including child, governor reports.

These attacks follow recent developments on the front line, where military forces are locked in battle over small islands in the Dnipro River.

10:20 AM

Ukrainian sea drones target Russian-occupied gas platforms in Crimea, Navy says.

"The hunt for the enemy in the Black Sea continues," Commander of the Naval Forces Vice-Admiral Oleksii Neizhpapa said.

9:24 AM

General Staff: Russia has lost 751,910 troops in Ukraine since Feb 24, 2022.

This number includes 1,300 casualties Russian forces suffered just over the past day.