Moldova approves 10-year defense strategy amid tensions with Russia
The country's defense strategy seeks to increase spending to 1% of the country’s gross domestic product (GDP) by 2030.
Ukraine
Ukrainian platoon commander charged with abuse of authority, accused of beating, humiliating subordinates
Ukrainian law enforcement agents have charged a platoon commander of Ukraine's 211th Pontoon Bridge Brigade with abuse of authority, accusing the individual of beating and humiliating subordinates, the Prosecutor General's Office reported on Dec. 26.
Ukraine war latest: Ukraine hits ballistic missile propellant plant in Rostov Oblast; North Korean troops endure heavy losses
Key developments on Dec. 26: * Ukraine hits ballistic missile propellant plant in Rostov Oblast, Stratcom reports * North Korean troops in Kursk Oblast endure heavy losses, logistical struggles, Ukrainian military intelligence says * 18 Russian soldiers allegedly killed in Ukraine's Dec. 25 attack in Kursk Oblast, military says * 'Increase in enemy activity'
Russia detains 4 suspects allegedly planning to assassinate top defense officials
According to the Federal Security Service (FSB), four Russians were involved in an alleged Ukrainian plot to assassinate senior military officers.
Historian Marci Shore: Putin’s obsession with denazification is ‘Freudian projection’
The return of U.S. President-elect Donald Trump to political life has raised uncomfortable questions about the future, not only within the U.S. but also on the global stage. This is particularly true for countries like Ukraine, which relies on U.S. aid as it’s locked in a
'Increase in enemy activity' — governor on Russia's assaults in Kherson Oblast
Russia's sabotage groups are trying to gain a foothold and have increased the number of attacks in Kherson Oblast, Governor Oleksandr Prokudin said on Dec. 26 on national television.
18 Russian soldiers allegedly killed in Ukraine's Dec. 25 attack in Kursk Oblast, military says
Ukrainian troops reportedly hit the command post of Russia's 810th Separate Marine Brigade in the town of Lgov in Kursk Oblast overnight on Dec. 25.
‘Praise is not practice’ – Snyder’s new book challenges America’s understanding of freedom through comparison with Ukraine
In his latest book, “On Freedom,” American scholar Timothy Snyder establishes a thought-provoking distinction between the word "liberation" and the Ukrainian wartime variant "de-occupation" to probe the fraught but necessary question: When is a person truly free? Russia's full-scale war against Ukraine has left countless settlements in ruins and displaced
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.
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.
Ukrainian poet and prose writer Oleksii Bezpaltsev killed in action
Oleksii Bezpaltsev, a 34-year-old poet and prose writer from Kharkiv, was killed in action while performing a combat mission in Kharkiv Oblast, PEN Ukraine reported on Dec. 25.
Zelensky wishes Ukrainians peace and unity in third wartime Christmas address
President Volodymyr Zelensky said in his Christmas Eve address on Dec. 24 that Ukrainians continue to hold on to their faith, unity, and traditions during the third Christmas in wartime.
Ukraine war latest: Russian air defense may have downed Azerbaijani plane, media say
Key developments on Dec. 25: * Russian air defense missile may have downed Azerbaijani plane, media say * Russia terrorizes Ukraine with mass missile, drone attack against energy grid on Christmas morning * Ukrainian drones destroy Russian ammunition depot in Rostov Oblast, SBU source claims * Ukraine approves homemade Shchedryk aerial vehicle for military
Kellogg condemns Russia's mass attack against Ukraine on Christmas Day
President-elect Donald Trump's nominee for Ukraine peace envoy, Keith Kellogg, denounced Russia's mass attack on early Christmas morning, emphasizing that "Christmas should be a time of peace."
Japan to transfer $3 billion from frozen Russian assets to Ukraine, Zelensky says
In a phone call with Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, Zelensky expressed his gratitude for Japan's previous aid to Ukraine, which has totaled $12 billion and "makes it possible to save thousands of lives."
Former top enlistment officer arrested after planning to flee abroad, investigators say
The former official planned to hide from authorities after his release from detention and flee abroad, the bureau said.
Russia ready to export gas to EU via routes bypassing Ukraine, official claims
The declaration comes after President Volodymyr Zelensky confirmed during a press conference on Dec. 19 that Ukraine would not extend the transit agreement for Russian gas through its territory, which is set to expire on Dec. 31.
Is Putinism fascism by another name?
The term “fascism” is increasingly used to describe the agenda and actions of the current Russian state under Russian President Vladimir Putin. Today’s use of this label has three dimensions: It is a historical analogy to interpret present events, an expression of Ukraine's lived experience, and a scholarly classification
Ukraine approves homemade Shchedryk aerial vehicle for military use
The Shchedryk unmanned aerial vehicle has increased resistance to electronic warfare and can be tasked with monitoring the actions of Russian troops on the battlefield, the Defense Minitsry said.
Ukrainian drones destroy Russian ammunition depot in Rostov Oblast, SBU source claims
"(The depot) was used by the enemy to supply its troops in the Kramatorsk sector (in Donetsk Oblast). Now the Russians have logistical difficulties, which significantly affect their ability to conduct combat operations," a source in the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) said.
Ukraine hits Russian naval infantry brigade command post in Kursk Oblast, military claims
"This fire strike is part of a comprehensive campaign to weaken the ability of the Russian Armed Forces to coordinate military operations against the people of Ukraine," Ukraine's Center for Strategic Communications said.
Russian missile enters Moldova’s airspace during mass attack on Ukraine
"Moldova condemns these acts and stands in full solidarity with Ukraine," Moldovan President Maia Sandu said.
Russia begins movement near Toretsk, uses military equipment, Kyiv says
Anastasia Bobovnikova, a spokesperson of the Operational Tactical Group Luhansk, said that fighting with the use of armored combat vehicles, motorcycles and buggies took place in the village of Nelipivka north of Toretsk.
General Staff: Russia has lost 779,320 troops in Ukraine since Feb. 24, 2022
This number includes 1,600 casualties Russian forces suffered just over the past day.
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.
Ukraine war latest: Russia attempts to seize bridgehead on west bank of Dnipro, potentially for Kherson assault
Key developments on Dec. 24: * Russia trying to seize bridgehead on west bank of Dnipro, but no talk of storming Kherson, military says * Russia strikes apartment building in Kryvyi Rih on Christmas Eve, at least 1 killed, 13 injured * Ukrainian volunteers developing more powerful model of Trembita missile capable of
Slavoj Žižek: Ukraine’s fight against Russia is a metaphysical struggle for survival
To understand recent fears about the possible escalation of Russia’s war on Ukraine into a nuclear conflict, we must revisit its beginnings, where the groundwork for this crisis was laid. Dmitry Medvedev, a former Russian president and now deputy chairman of Russia's Security Council, articulated the wager underpinning Russia’
Ukraine receives first $1 billion as part of US batch of frozen Russian assets profits
This is the first tranche of the planned $20 billion that the U.S. intends to provide as part of the G7 initiative.
Narrowly overcoming pro-Russian comeback, Moldovan President Sandu is facing tough term ahead
Moldovan President Maia Sandu begins her second term in office on Dec. 24 in unprecedented circumstances. Russian meddling in domestic affairs is widespread, and the Kremlin makes clear their position of not acknowledging Sandu as a legitimate president of her own country. Sandu also begins her term amid an energy
Civil partnerships in limbo as LGBTQ+ people seek equal rights amid war
Editor's Note: This story was sponsored by Gender Zed, a Ukrainian human rights organization that works with a broad range of issues, including sexual orientation and gender identity, gender equality issues, women’s rights, and prevention of HIV infection and sexually transmitted diseases. Andrii Kovalenko, 35, and his partner are
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