Putin names Ukraine main source of 'extremism' in new decree
Russia's updated anti-extremism strategy names Ukraine among the "main sources of extremism" and enshrines the concept of "Russophobia" for the first time.
Abbey Fenbert
Articles
Ukraine receives 1st shipment of US LNG
"Despite Russia's attempts to destroy our energy system during the war, we have won another victory on the energy front," Andriy Yermak, head of the Presidential Office, said on Dec. 28.
Russian shelling in Kherson Oblast injures 8, including 2 teens
The wounded victims, including a 16-year-old boy and a 15-year-old girl, have been hospitalized, according to Governor Oleksandr Prokudin.
Zelensky teases multiple 'important personnel decisions' coming soon
"We are preparing several important personnel decisions," President Volodymyr Zelensky said via his official Telegram channel the evening of Dec. 28. "The decrees will be announced soon."
Russia officially halts gas supplies to Moldova's Transnistria
Russia's energy giant Gazprom claimed the decision was related to Moldova's outstanding debt, not problems with transit via Ukraine.
Greece to deliver 24 Sea Sparrow missiles to Ukraine, media reports
Sea Sparrows are U.S.-made short-range missiles that can be launched from the sea or ground to intercept cruise missiles or aircraft.
Ukrainian drones can hit targets 2,000 km away, military intelligence claims
"From what we can tell — it's no longer a secret — Ukrainian long-range unmanned aerial vehicles can hypothetically operate up to 2,000 kilometers," military intelligence spokesperson Andrii Yusov said.
Drone strike damages railway line in Russia's Voronezh Oblast, governor claims
Debris from an intercepted drone damaged the contact network of a railway in Russia's Voronezh Oblast overnight on Dec. 28, regional Governor Alexander Gusev alleged.
Kyiv running out of ATACMS missiles, NYT reports
Two senior U.S. officials said that when Biden gave Kyiv permission to launch ATACMS into Russian territory, Ukraine likely had only about 50 of the missiles left in its arsenal.
Russia declares state of emergency due to oil spill in Kerch Strait
Some 3,700 tons of low-grade fuel oil have spilled into the Black Sea since two Russian oil tankers were severely damaged in a storm on Dec. 15.
Russia closes all 4 Moscow airports for unspecified 'safety' concerns
"To ensure the safety of civil aircraft flights, temporary restrictions have been introduced on the operation of Sheremetyevo, Domodedovo, Vnukovo, Zhukovsky and Kaluga airports," Rosaviatsiya said on Dec. 26.
Thailand accepts Russia's invitation to join BRICS
"(M)embership in BRICS will benefit Thailand by promoting trade, investment, food and energy security," Thai Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Nikondet Phalangkun said on Dec. 26.
Russian shadow fleet tanker likely caused damage to undersea power cable, Finland says
The Estlink 2, an undersea power cable linking Finland and Estonia, was seriously damaged on Christmas Day. Authorities are investigating the incident as a possible act of sabotage.
Russia terrorizes Ukraine with mass missile, drone attack against energy grid on Christmas morning
Russia launched more than 70 missiles, including ballistic ones, and over 100 drones, President Volodymyr Zelensky said. More than 50 missiles and "a significant number" of drones were shot down, he added.
Russia deems record number of organizations 'undesirable' in 2024
Russia added 65 organizations to the list in 2024, include the Clooney Foundation for Justice (CFJ), founded by George and Amal Clooney, and the independent Russian media outlet the Moscow Times.
Russian court sentences US citizen to 15 years for alleged espionage
Eugene Spector, 52, was already serving a three-and-a-half-year sentence for bribery when he was charged with espionage.
Kyiv to simplify procurement of drones, electronic warfare equipment
"From now on, the military will be able to plan their needs more effectively, and manufacturers will be able to focus on technological development and scaling up production," Defense Minister Rustem Umerov said.
Fire damages United Russia party office in Arkhangelsk, official claims
The office was storing "humanitarian aid" for Russia's front-line military personnel, according to United Russia representative Vladimir Zhgilyov.
Russia has 'systemic problems' with fleet, Navy spokesperson says after Ursa Major explosion
"The Russians have a systemic problem. It is quite expectedly reflected in the general condition of their fleet," Ukrainian Navy spokesperson Dmytro Pletenchuk said on Dec. 24.
North Korea preparing to ship more troops, drones to Russia, Seoul says
North Korea is preparing to deploy additional troops and weapons, including kamikaze drones, to aid Russia in its full-scale war against Ukraine, the South Korean military said on Dec. 23.
BMW dismisses employees involved in scheme to illegally deliver cars to Russia
BMW discovered irregularities that allowed cars to be transferred to Russia from its branch in Hanover, the German automaker said on Dec. 22.
Trump names 5 picks for Pentagon jobs
Trump's picks include Elbridge Colby, who opposes Ukraine's NATO membership but supports tougher sanctions on Moscow, and Michael Duffey, who froze military aid to Kyiv in 2019.
Putin threatens 'more destruction' for Ukraine after Kazan drone strike
"Whoever, and however much they try to destroy, they will face many times more destruction themselves and will regret what they are trying to do in our country," Putin said on Dec. 22.
Putin, Slovak PM discuss gas transit, standardizing 'mutual relations,' Fico says after Kremlin meeting
"In a long conversation ... Putin and I exchanged views on the military situation in Ukraine, the possibilities of an early peaceful end to the war, and on mutual relations between the Slovak Republic and the Russian Federation, which I intend to standardize."
Trump claims Putin wants to meet with him 'as soon as possible'
"President Putin said that he wants to meet with me as soon as possible. So we have to wait for this. But we need to end that horrible, horrible war."
Russian attack on Zaporizhzhia injures 4, including child
The attack damaged a 9-story apartment building in the city, Governor Ivan Fedorov said. Three women and a 12-year-old boy sustained injuries.
OSCE urges Tbilisi to institute reforms in final report on Georgian parliamentary elections
"To safeguard the democratic principles currently at stake in Georgia, it is imperative that the authorities urgently address all concerns," OSCE representative Eoghan Murphy said.
Over 12,000 civilians killed in Ukraine during Russia's full-scale war, UN says
Over 12,340 civilians were killed and more than 27,836 were wounded in Ukraine between Feb. 24, 2022 and Nov. 30, 2024, according to the United Nations.
IMF approves $1.1 billion in funding for Ukraine
The IMF approved the $1.1 billion tranche after completing its sixth review of the Extended Fund Facility (EFF), a plan to provide Ukraine with over $15 billion in budget support over four years.
Russian drone attack in Kharkiv injures 6, including child
The drone hit a 9-story residential building in the city's Saltivskyi district, authorities said. A 12-year-old child was among the injured.
Fire reported at Novoshakhtinsk oil refinery in Russia's Rostov Oblast amid alleged drone strike
A fire broke out at the Novoshakhtinsk oil refinery in Russia's Rostov Oblast in the early hours of Dec. 19 following a mass drone and missile attack, Yuri Slyusar, acting governor of Rostov Oblast said.
Zelensky, Macron discuss possibility of peacekeeping force in Ukraine
"We continued to work on the initiative of President Macron regarding the presence in Ukraine of forces that can contribute to stabilization on the path to peace," Zelensky said after meeting with the French President on Dec. 18.
Editors' Picks
'Surrender & betrayal' — US, EU officials condemn Trump, Hegseth's comments on Ukraine peace negotiations
Trump says peace talks to start 'immediately.' But what terms would be acceptable for Ukraine?
From drone simulators to civics: Ukraine reforms school curriculum to protect next generation from Russian threat
