Fico's threats to cut off electricity supplies won't work, Ukraine's Energy Minister says
Herman Halushchenko said Ukraine could compensate for any disruption by importing electricity from Romania and Poland.
Martina Sapio
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Ukraine strikes oil depot in Russia's Smolensk Oblast, General Staff confirms
The depot, which supplied the Russian military, was targeted in a coordinated operation involving Ukraine's Special Operations Forces and the Unmanned Systems Forces.
Russian officers trained for attacks on Japan, South Korea in event of war with NATO, FT reports
One potential target for Russian strikes identified in the plans is a nuclear complex in Tokai, Japan.
Putin 'appears to have ordered Slovakia's Fico to open second energy front against Ukraine,' Zelensky says
Zelensky said this was "the only possible meaning" of Fico's threats to cut off Ukraine's emergency power supply in the winter, given Russian attacks on power plants and the distribution network.
Putin apologizes to Azerbaijani president over plane crash, yet doesn't acknowledge Russia's responsibility
The statement did not address the claims that a Russian air defense missile may have downed the Azerbaijani Airlines plane.
Russia suffered 421,000 casualties in 2024, 'highest price' since start of invasion, Syrskyi says
The figure includes both dead and wounded and is part of the total losses of approximately 785,000 Russian troops since the beginning of the invasion in February 2022.
Russia detains suspect allegedly planning to assassinate defense official, pro-war blogger, Russian media report
Russia claimed that the detained man was acting on instructions from Ukrainian intelligence.
New railway linking China to Central Asia countries, bypassing Russia, begins construction in Kyrgyzstan
The new route, part of China's economic expansion efforts, aims to expand Chinese commercial influence in Central Asia and Europe while bypassing Russian territory.
Ukraine destroys drone storage facility in Russia's Oryol Oblast, General Staff reports
Ukraine's General Staff said this combat operation "significantly reduced the enemy's ability to carry out airstrikes using kamikaze drones against Ukraine's civilian infrastructure."
Russian airport suspends flights after Ukraine drone attack, official claims
Operations at the airport were suspended at 6 a.m. amid a Ukrainian drone attack allegedly targeting the Russian regions of Voronezh, Rostov, and Belgorod.
General Staff: Russia has lost 784,200 troops in Ukraine since start of full-scale invasion
This number includes 1,690 casualties Russian forces suffered just over the past day.
Ukraine's General Staff denies Guardian report about air defense personnel being transferred to infantry units
A source told the Guardian the situation was reaching a critical level, expressing doubts about the air defense's ability to function effectively.
'If Putin attacks, we need to be able to wage war,' German Defense Minister says
Boris Pistorius has come out in favor of a reform of the debt brake in order to increase funding for military defense.
Two Russian airports suspend flights after Ukrainian drones target Kazan, media, officials report
Russian state media Kommersant reported that the airports of both Kazan and the neighboring city of Izhevsk had suspended flights.
Trump picks former intelligence director Richard Grenell as 'envoy for special missions'
Grenell previously served as U.S. Ambassador to Germany during Trump’s first term, as acting National Intelligence Director in 2020, and as Special Presidential Envoy for Serbia and Kosovo Peace Negotiations from 2019 to 2021.
Zelensky rejected opportunity to discuss Christmas truce with Orban, Hungarian minister claims
Hungary has maintained close economic and diplomatic relations with Moscow despite Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine. It has repeatedly criticized EU sanctions against Russia and obstructed efforts to provide military aid to Kyiv.
Two Russian oil tankers reportedly sink in Kerch Strait
Both vessels were carrying approximately 4,000 tons of fuel oil on board each, according to Baza.
Ukraine destroys Russian train with 40 fuel tanks in Zaporizhzhia Oblast, source claims
The source said that the aim of the operation was to disrupt a supply line used to transport fuel from Crimea to the temporarily occupied territories of Zaporizhzhia.
Georgia's opposition parties appeal to EU following election of pro-Russian president, Sova reports
In a joint letter, Georgian opposition leaders urged the release of all detained politicians, activists, and peaceful demonstrators; the introduction of targeted sanctions against those responsible for "undermining democracy;" the suspension of visa-free travel and visa restrictions for Georgian Dream officials; and the declaration of the "self-proclaimed regime" of Bidzina Ivanishvili as illegitimate.
292 front-line clashes recorded over the past day, General Staff reports
Russian forces continue their assaults employing diverse weaponry and tactics to strike Ukrainian positions, with a concentrated focus on Kharkiv, Donetsk, Zaporizhzhia, and Kherson oblasts.
2 injured in Mykolaiv amid Russia’s overnight missile and drone attack, Governor reports
Two people were injured and an infrastructure facility was damaged in the city of Mykolaiv amid Russia’s overnight drone and missile attack, Governor Vitalii Kim reported on Dec. 15.
General Staff: Russia has lost 762,440 troops in Ukraine since Feb. 24, 2022
This number includes 1,280 casualties Russian forces suffered just over the past day.
Suspected terrorist attack in Dnipro kills 1, injures 4
Ukraine's Security Service (SBU) has classified the incident as a terrorist attack and detained a 37-year-old resident suspected of acting on instructions from Russian special services.
Ukrainian film actor Yakiv Tkachenko killed in action
Yakiv Tkachenko, a theater and film actor from Dnipro, was killed in action while serving on the front line with Ukraine's 128th Territorial Defense Brigade.
German CDU party highlights support for Ukraine in election program, European Pravda reports
The Christian Democratic Union (CDU), one of Germany’s leading political parties, has reaffirmed its support for Ukraine as part of its platform in the upcoming German parliament elections, European Pravda reported on Dec. 14.
Deputy defense minister outlines military, financial plans for 2025 with Baltic, Nordic Allies
Defense Minister Serhii Boiev held talks with representatives of the foreign ministries of Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, Finland, Denmark, Norway, Iceland, and Sweden to outline plans for military and financial assistance to Ukraine in 2025, the Defense Ministry reported on its website on Nov. 14.
US weighs sanctions on Russia's shadow fleet, Chinese banks supporting war effort, Reuters says
Washington is considering more sanctions on "shadow fleet" tankers and has not ruled out targeting Chinese banks if they are found to be involved in Russia’s war effort, U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen told Reuters in an interview on Dec. 13.
Russia's focus on Ukraine weakened support for Syria's Assad, UK Defense Ministry says
Russia’s focus on the war in Ukraine has significantly reduced its ability to support Syria’s Assad regime, increasing the risk of losing key military assets in the region, the U.K. Defense Ministry reported on Dec. 13 via X.
Ukraine downs 58 of Russian 132 drones launched overnight, Air Force reports
Ukrainian air defense intercepted 58 drones out of 132 launched by Russia overnight, the Air Force reported on its Telegram channel on Dec. 14.
Over 2,000 Ukrainian military personnel hospitalized for chemical poisoning since start of full-scale war, Ukrainian colonel says
Since the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, more than 2,000 Ukrainian servicemen have been hospitalized with chemical poisoning, and three have died, Ukrainian Colonel Artem Vlasiuk said during a Dec. 13 press briefing.
Norway to relocate Ukrainian F-16 pilot training base to Portugal, Norwegian defense minister says
Norway will continue training Ukrainian F-16 pilots as part of its support for Ukraine’s defense and will relocate its training base from Denmark to Portugal, Norwegian Defense Minister Bjørn Arild Gram announced in a Dec. 13 press release.
General Staff: Russia has lost 761,160 troops in Ukraine since Feb. 24, 2022
Russia has lost 761,160 troops in Ukraine since the beginning of its full-scale invasion on Feb. 24, 2022, the General Staff of Ukraine's Armed Forces reported on Dec. 14.
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