Reuters: Pope Francis condemns use of mercenaries in Ukraine

4:01 PM

Russia claims Ukrainian pilot surrendered in Kursk Oblast, Ukraine denies.

Ukraine's Air Force on Dec. 29 denied claims spread by Russian media about a Ukrainian pilot surrendering to Russian forces in Kursk Oblast.

3:34 PM

Ukraine secures over $156 million for defense industry from European allies, defense minister says.

The funds will support the production of long-range drones, missiles, and artillery, which are critical to Ukraine’s defense strategy.

3:11 PM

Commander of Ukrainian engineering brigade charged with inaction over soldier abuse.

Ukraine's State Bureau of Investigation detained Colonel Oleh Poberezhniuk, commander of the 211th Brigade, on Dec. 29, accusing him of failing to address abuse and torture allegations involving his subordinates.

1:57 PM  (Updated:  December 29, 2024 3:00 pm)

Azerbaijani airliner damaged by fire from ground, Russia must admit responsibility, Azerbaijan's president says.

An Azerbaijan Airlines plane was rendered "uncontrollable" by electronic warfare, and its tail section was damaged by fire from the ground while flying over Russia before crashing, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev told the media, the Trend News Agency reported on Dec. 29.

2:32 PM

Child casualties in Ukraine within 9 months of 2024 surpass 2023 figures, UN reports.

Child casualties in Ukraine during the first nine months of 2024 have exceeded the total for 2023, highlighting the devastating impact of the war on children, the U.N. Humanitarian Aid Organization for Children (UNICEF) said on Dec. 27.

2:09 PM

Russia attacked Ukraine with over 280 bombs, 370 drones, 80 missiles this week, Zelensky says.

Russia has escalated its aerial assault on Ukraine, launching more than 280 KAB guided bombs, nearly 370 attack drones, and over 80 missiles in the past week, President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Dec. 29.

1:33 PM

Putin's apology over Azerbaijani plane crash 'apparent' admission of responsibility, Biden says.

U.S. President Joe Biden said on Dec. 28 that Russian President Vladimir Putin's apology over a deadly Azerbaijan Airline crash appears to acknowledge Moscow's responsibility for the disaster.

12:35 PM

Zelensky extends condolences over deadly South Korean plane crash.

President Volodymyr Zelensky expressed condolences on Dec. 29 to the families of victims and the people of South Korea following a tragic Jeju Air plane crash that killed at least 176 people, marking the worst disaster involving a South Korean airline in decades.

12:20 PM

Russia may escalate hybrid warfare near NATO borders, Yermak warns.

"The appearance of North Korean troops dressed in Russian uniforms or Iranian proxies on the borders of NATO countries is quite realistic if Russia is not stopped now. The North Korean military is already fighting in Europe. Who could have thought of this before?" Andriy Yermak said.

11:56 AM

Ukraine prioritizing security guarantees over immediate NATO membership, senior diplomat says.

Ukraine’s accession to NATO remains on the agenda but is not a top priority for diplomatic efforts, Andrii Melnyk, Ukraine’s new permanent representative to the U.N., told Berliner Morgenpost on Dec. 27.

11:43 AM

Russia could inflict 'substantial' casualties by unconventional attack against NATO, allied official says.

"What really worries me is that one of these attacks, as I say, will break through in a big way," Deputy Assistant Secretary General James Appathurai told Sky News.

11:04 AM

Russian attacks across Ukraine kill 2, injure 14 over past day.

Overnight, Russia launched 10 drones from Crimea and six S-300/S-400 missiles from Russia's Belgorod Oblast, targeting the Kursk and Sumy oblasts, Ukraine’s Air Force reported.

10:29 AM

Anti-Western Kavelashvili sworn in as Georgia's president, pro-EU Zourabichvili disputes legitimacy.

Georgian anti-Western politician Mikheil Kavelashvili, an ally of the ruling Georgian Dream party, was inaugurated as the country's sixth president on Dec. 29 in a move seen as illegitimate by the opposition.

9:57 AM

German peacekeeping role in Ukraine hinges on Russia's consent, Merz says.

"If a peace agreement is reached and Ukraine needs security guarantees, we can only discuss this if there is a clear mandate under international law. I don’t see it at the moment. I would like such a mandate to be given in consensus with Russia, not in conflict," Friedrich Merz said.

9:34 AM

Azerbaijan to change rules for temporary stay of Russian citizens.

Azerbaijan will change the rules for the temporary stay of Russian citizens on its territory in the coming days after Russia announces stricter rules for the stay of foreigners, the Azerbaijan State News Agency reported on Dec. 28.

9:13 AM

General Staff: Russia has lost 785,930 troops in Ukraine since Feb. 24, 2022.

This number includes 1,730 casualties Russian forces suffered just over the past day.

6:59 AM

US teacher in Russian prison declared wrongfully detained, Associated Press reports.

The U.S. government has officially classified Marc Fogel, an American schoolteacher jailed in Russia on drug charges, as wrongfully detained, the State Department announced on Dec. 27.

4:38 AM

Telegram blocks Russian state-owned media channels in several EU countries.

A number of major Russian news outlets had their Telegram channels blocked across several European Union countries on Dec. 28. Users attempting to access these channels now see a notice saying that the content has been restricted and is no longer available.

3:43 AM

German FM warns of Russian 'shadow fleet' amid undersea cable incidents, calls for sanctions.

"Almost every month, ships are currently damaging important undersea cables in the Baltic Sea," German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock told Funke media group on Dec. 28. "This is an urgent wake-up call for all of us."

1:52 AM

Oil spill in Black Sea sparks environmental emergency near Crimea.

Authorities estimate the tankers were carrying 9,200 tons of fuel oil, of which approximately 40% potentially leaked into the sea. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov described the situation as "truly critical."

11:48 PM

Ukrainian drones made up over 96% of UAVs military used in 2024, defense minister says.

The domestic drone industry "reached unprecedented production volumes" in 2024, Defense Minister Rustem Umerov said on Dec. 28.

11:08 PM

Pro-Russian hackers launch cyberattack against Italy's Foreign Ministry, Milan airports.

The websites had to shut down temporarily, Italy's cybersecurity agency said, but no flights were disrupted. A pro-Russian hacker group claimed responsibility for the attacks.

10:13 PM

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.

9:16 PM

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.

8:33 PM

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.