First cargo ship heads to Ukraine since Feb. 24.

10:02 AM

German opposition leader Merz arrives in Kyiv.

"The purpose of my visit is to learn about the current state of defense in the country," Friedrich Merz said upon arrival. "I am looking forward to a meeting with President (Volodymyr Zelensky) again."

9:16 AM

Russia has spent $200 billion on full-scale war in Ukraine, suffered 700,000 casualties, Austin says.

Russia has spent at least $200 billion on its war with Ukraine since the start of its full-scale invasion in 2022, U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin said at a conference on Dec. 7 in California.

8:45 AM

Russian losses in Ukraine prevented Moscow from saving Assad regime in Syria, Biden says.

"Additionally, Russia's support for Assad also failed. And that's because Ukraine, backed by our American allies, has put up a wall of resistance against invading Russian forces, inflicting massive damage on the Russian forces," U.S. President Joe Biden said.

8:17 AM

General Staff: Russia has lost 754,590 troops in Ukraine since Feb. 24, 2022.

This number includes 1,220 casualties Russian forces suffered just over the past day.

7:10 AM

Georgian PM announces new law banning face-coverings at protests.

Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze announced plans to introduce a law banning participants in rallies and counter-rallies from covering their faces, Georgia Today reported on Dec. 8.

3:56 AM

Ukrainian writer Victoria Amelina posthumously receives Prix Voltaire Special Award.

Ukrainian writer Victoria Amelina was posthumously honored with the Special Prix Voltaire Award at the 34th International Publishers Congress in Guadalajara, Mexico, PEN Ukraine reported on Dec. 6.

3:05 AM

EU Defense Commissioner proposes $105 billion defense budget allocation, Politico reports.

European Union Commissioner for Defense and Space, Andrius Kubilius, has proposed allocating 100 billion euros ($105 billion) for defense in the next seven-year EU budget, Politico reported on Dec. 8.

11:40 PM

Trump urges Putin it's 'time to act' on ceasefire negotiations with Zelensky.

U.S. President-elect Donald Trump urged Russian President Vladimir Putin to take action toward negotiating a truce, saying on Dec. 8: "I know Vladimir well. This is his time to act. China can help. The World is waiting!"

10:39 PM

Russia's attack on Kherson Oblast kills 1, injures 7.

A 73-year-old man in a town of Kindiika close to Kherson died after explosives were dropped from the drone on Dec. 8.

10:00 PM

KI Insights

The Week Ahead: Key Developments Impacting Global Politics & Markets

8:13 PM

Syria's Assad, his family have arrived in Moscow after being granted asylum, sources tell Russian news agencies.

Russian news agencies reported on Dec. 8 that Syria's Bashar al-Assad and his family have arrived in Russia, where they have been granted asylum on "humanitarian grounds."

7:53 PM

War update

Ukraine war latest: Ukraine has lost 43,000 soldiers in action since start of invasion, Zelensky says

7:09 PM

Video

Trump -Zelensky meeting and Johnny Harris controversy | Ukraine This Week.

6:59 PM

Trump tells NBC News Ukraine should likely prepare for reduced US aid.

Trump reiterated that he is working to end the hostilities in Ukraine, reinforcing his earlier campaign claim that he could resolve the war within 24 hours if he were in charge.

6:03 PM

Assad regime collapse in Syria exposes weakness of Russia, Iran, EU's top diplomat says.

In a post on X, top EU diplomat Kaja Kallas described Assad’s fall as a “positive and long-awaited development," saying that the collapse "shows the weakness of Assad’s backers, Russia and Iran."

4:48 PM

Russia withdraws ships, weapons from Syria, Ukrainian intelligence reports.

The withdrawal comes as rebels advancing from Damascus push toward Syria's coastal provinces, including Latakia, Hama and Tartus, where Russian military bases are located, Ukraine's military intelligence agency said.

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."

1:50 PM  (Updated:  December 8, 2024 3:00 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.

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.