Russia ramps up production of Shahed drones, decoys at Tatarstan plant, CNN reports
In 2023, the factory produced 2,738 Shahed-136 drones, with output more than doubling to 5,760 units in the first nine months of 2024.
Tim Zadorozhnyy
Articles
Ukraine working to extend basic training to 2 months, Syrskyi says
“We are currently working to create conditions for the training to last 2 months in total. High-quality training means, first and foremost, the preservation of the lives and health of our soldiers,” Syrskyi said.
Ukraine sends 500 tons of wheat flour to Syria under humanitarian program, Zelensky says
The aid aims to help alleviate a looming food crisis following the collapse of the Russia-backed regime of former Syrian President Bashar al-Assad on Dec. 8 amid a large-scale rebel offensive.
Russia's new Oreshnik missile relies on Western manufacturing technology, FT reports
According to the Financial Times, developers of the Oreshnik posted job listings in 2024 that specified expertise in operating German and Japanese metalworking systems.
Storm damages Russian anti-drone barriers near Crimean Bridge, satellite images reveal
The images, taken on Nov. 8, Dec. 16, and Dec. 24, reveal that Russia has yet to fully repair the barriers, which are constructed from old barges.
Ukraine considers 60,000 citizens as missing persons, official says
As of late 2024, 60,000 individuals in Ukraine are considered missing under special circumstances, Ukrinform reported on Dec. 26, citing Dmytro Bohatyuk, head of the Interior Ministry’s Department for Missing Persons.
Russian attacks across Ukraine kill 6, injure 6 over past day
Overnight, Russia launched 24 drones from inside Russia, as well as two Iskander-M ballistic missiles from Voronezh and Kursk oblasts, Ukraine’s Air Force reported.
Seoul confirms Ukrainian capture of wounded North Korean soldier in Kursk Oblast
The confirmation followed a report from Ukraine's military-focused news outlet Militarnyi on Dec. 26, which first revealed the capture without specifying the date of the incident.
General Staff: Russia has lost 782,510 troops in Ukraine since Feb. 24, 2022
This number includes 1,650 casualties Russian forces suffered just over the past day.
Russian air defense missile caused plane crash over Kazakhstan, Azerbaijani government sources claim
A Russian surface-to-air missile caused the crash of the Azerbaijan Airlines flight near Aktau, Kazakhstan, Azerbaijani government sources reportedly confirmed on Dec. 26. The missile was fired from a Pantsir-S air defense system.
North Korean troops in Kursk Oblast endure heavy losses, logistical struggles, Ukrainian military intelligence says
North Korean troops deployed in Russia’s Kursk Oblast continue to suffer significant losses, Ukraine's military intelligence (HUR) reported on Dec. 26.
Willingness to support Ukraine 'until it wins' drops significantly in Western Europe, poll says
Public willingness to support Ukraine “until it wins” has dropped significantly across France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Sweden, Denmark, and the U.K., according to a YouGov poll reported by The Guardian on Dec. 26.
Polish PM Tusk slams Hungary’s Orban for praising Putin amid Ukraine attacks
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk criticized Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban for calling Vladimir Putin Hungary's “honest partner” during Russia’s massive missile attacks on Ukraine on Christmas Day, according to a Dec. 26 statement on X.
Ukraine hits ballistic missile propellant plant in Rostov Oblast, Stratcom reports
The Ukrainian Air Force struck a plant in Kamensk-Shakhtynsky, Rostov Oblast, that produces solid propellant for ballistic missiles, Ukraine's Center for Strategic Communications (Stratcom) reported on Dec. 26.
Russian drone attack on central Nikopol market injures 8, officials report
Russian forces struck the central market in Nikopol, Dnipropetrovsk Oblast, with a drone on Dec. 26, injuring eight people, Ukraine's State Emergency Service reported.
Russian luxury market thrives despite sanctions through shadow networks, FT reports
Russian shoppers continue to access luxury Western brands despite sanctions imposed after the full-scale invasion of Ukraine, The Financial Times reported on Dec. 26.
Russia's inflation hits year-high, driven by war spending, food price hikes, Rosstat says
Inflation in Russia has reached its highest levels in nearly a year, driven by war spending and rising food prices, The Moscow Times reported on Dec. 25, citing Russia's Federal State Statistics Service (Rosstat).
Russian companies increasingly using Bitcoin amid sanctions, Reuters reports
Russian companies are increasingly using Bitcoin and other digital currencies for international payments in response to Western sanctions, Reuters reported on Dec. 25.
Biden directs Pentagon to 'continue its surge' of weapons deliveries to Ukraine after Russia's Christmas attack
U.S. President Joe Biden directed the Pentagon to "continue its surge" of weapons deliveries to Ukraine in response to Russia's mass attack on the country on Christmas Day, he announced on Dec. 25.
General Staff: Russia has lost 780,860 troops in Ukraine since Feb. 24, 2022
This number includes 1,540 casualties Russian forces suffered just over the past day.
Ukraine war latest: Over 3,000 North Korean troops killed, wounded in Kursk Oblast, Zelensky says
Key developments on Dec. 23: * Over 3,000 North Korean troops killed, wounded in Kursk Oblast, Zelensky says * Satellite imagery suggests North Korea to supply more arms to Russia, WSJ reports * 'Mysterious' fire engulfs Russian Shahed warehouse, Ukrainian intelligence claims * First Ukrainian Legion unit trained in Poland deployed to Ukraine,
'Fico’s energy policy poses a threat to Europe' — Ukraine criticizes Slovak PM after Russia visit
The criticism followed Fico's meeting with Putin in Moscow on Dec. 22 to discuss gas supplies after Ukraine announced it would not extend its transit deal for Russian gas beyond Dec. 31.
North Korean troops deployed to aid Russia were Pyongyang’s idea, NYT reports
While some Western officials initially viewed the arrival of North Korean soldiers in Russia as evidence of the Kremlin’s desperation, U.S. agencies now reportedly believe the idea was North Korea’s initiative, quickly embraced by Russian President Vladimir Putin.
YouTube traffic in Russia drops 80% as authorities try to curb access
The ongoing slowdown, reportedly implemented by Russian regulators to restrict access to the service, has made the platform nearly unusable in the country.
Over 3,000 North Korean troops killed, wounded in Kursk Oblast, Zelensky says
This estimation, coming from Ukraine's intelligence, is a significant increase from other recent reports about the North Korean casualties.
First Ukrainian Legion unit trained in Poland deployed to Ukraine, ambassador says
The initiative aims to bolster Ukraine’s Armed Forces by recruiting Ukrainian men living in Poland and other EU countries.
47% of Ukrainians back NATO accession even while territories stay occupied, survey shows
Nearly half of Ukrainians support Ukraine joining NATO even if some territories remain under Russian occupation at the time of accession, according to a new poll.
Ukraine war latest: Russian An-72 military transport plane damaged in blast near Moscow, Ukraine's intel claims
Key developments on Dec. 20: * Russian An-72 military transport plane damaged in blast near Moscow, Ukraine's intel claims * Fire, casualties reported in Kyiv amid Russian missile attack * Ukraine charges Russian general with killing Reuters employee in Kramatorsk * Russia captures 'Uspenivka pocket,' Ukraine denies reports of failed breakout * Ukraine begins
Druzhba pipeline disruption halts Russian, Kazakh oil shipments to Europe, Reuters reports
Russian and Kazakh oil shipments to Hungary, Slovakia, the Czech Republic, and Germany via the Druzhba pipeline have been halted since Dec. 19 due to technical issues at a Russian pumping station, Reuters reported, citing anonymous sources.
Ukraine, US agree on date of peace envoy Kellogg's visit to Kyiv, official says
Tykhyi did not disclose the specific date of the visit for security reasons. President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Dec. 19 that Kellogg would visit Ukraine before Trump's inauguration in January.
Zelensky approves over 30 new ambassador appointments
President Volodymyr Zelensky announced the approval of over 30 Ukrainian ambassadorial appointments abroad during his evening address on Dec. 20.
Several countries interested in deploying peacekeepers to Ukraine, Foreign Ministry says
This idea, initially proposed by French President Emmanuel Macron, has reportedly garnered interest from multiple countries.
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