Syria's ousted dictator Assad in Russia, Russian official confirms
This comes as the first official confirmation of speculations that Assad and his family fled to Moscow following the collapse of the dictator's regime in Syria.
Russia
Russia killed at least 109 Ukrainian POWs in 2024, ombudsman says
"In 2024 alone, we can confirm that Russian troops shot 109 Ukrainian prisoners of war," Lubinets said. Reports of murders, torture, and ill-treatment of Ukrainian prisoners of war are received regularly by Ukrainian authorities.
Media identifies over 82,000 Russian soldiers killed in Ukraine
Russia has made territorial gains in Eastern Ukraine, using brutal meat wave tactics to achieve minor tactical victories on the frontline at the cost of high casualties among its soldiers.
General Staff: Russia has lost 757,340 troops in Ukraine since Feb. 24, 2022
This number includes 1,400 casualties Russian forces suffered just over the past day.
Updated: Ukraine reportedly strikes industrial targets in Russia's Rostov, Bryansk oblasts
A Ukrainian missile struck a boiler plant in Russia's Rostov Oblast overnight on Dec. 11, damaging critical infrastructure in the city of Taganrog, Russian officials claimed.
Russia 'prepared to consider' prisoner exchange with US, Russian official says
Russia will "definitely be prepared to consider" a prisoner exchange, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov told NBC News, adding that a potential exchange could mark "a healthy step forward, especially at the beginning of the next (U.S.) administration."
US considering implementing harsher sanctions on Russian oil ahead of Trump's inauguration, Bloomberg reports
Although no concrete decisions have been made on the potential sanctions, sources familiar with the discussions told Bloomberg that a number of avenues are being explored, including sanctions on Russia's so-called 'shadow fleet.'
Ukraine war latest: US announces $20 billion loan for Ukraine as part of G7 initiative
Key developments on Dec. 10: * US announces $20 billion loan for Ukraine as part of G7 initiative * Zelensky announces 'successful tests' of new Ukrainian missile * 70% of Ukrainians support 'West German' model for NATO accession, survey shows * Explosions heard in occupied Donetsk Oblast city, Russian proxies announce evacuation * Confusion over
Russia reduces barge barriers protecting Crimean Bridge by half in a month
The number of barges Russia has deployed in the Kerch Strait to protect the illegal Crimean Bridge against Ukrainian maritime drones has halved in a month, the Center of Journalistic Investigations reported on Dec. 10.
US announces $20 billion loan for Ukraine as part of G7 initiative
The U.S. Treasury Department announced on Dec. 10 that it will provide $20 billion in loan assistance to Ukraine, marking its contribution to a broader $50 billion initiative supported by G7 countries.
Zelensky announces 'successful tests' of new Ukrainian missile
Successful tests of a new Ukrainian missile, dubbed Ruta (Rue), are underway, President Volodymyr Zelensky announced on Dec. 10.
Confusion over Russian advances in Sumy Oblast, authorities deny border breach
The map changes showed Russian forces occupying 2 square kilometers (0,8 square miles) in Sumy and advancing in the Kursk Oblast. These developments are reflected as of December 10.
Russia could swap North Korean soldiers for Su-27s and MiG-29s, US officer says
Russia may have transferred MiG-29 and Su-27 fighter jets to North Korea in exchange for North Korean soldiers, Admiral Samuel Paparo, commander of the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, said on Dec. 8, according to Aviation Week Network.
Ukraine peace talks could start this winter, Tusk says
Speaking during a government meeting, the Polish Prime Minister announced that Poland, set to assume the rotating presidency of the Council of the European Union on Jan. 1, intends to play an active role in the talks.
Russian troops evacuate from Syria amid base siege, military intelligence says
Military transport aircraft, including An-124 and Il-76 planes, continue to transport personnel and equipment to Russian airfields in Ulyanovsk, Chkalovsky, and Privolzhsky.
Russian attack on Zaporizhzhia kills 3, injures 16, destroys clinic
The strike destroyed a private clinic and damaged nearby buildings.
Politico lists Yermak, Putin among Europe's most influential people
Politico presented on Dec. 10 its end-of-the-year list of the most influential people in Europe, with President Volodymyr Zelensky’s chief of staff Andriy Yermak and Russian President Vladimir Putin among the finalists for the "dreamers" and "doers" categories, respectively.
Russia detains Russian-German citizen over alleged sabotage plot
Russia’s security services detained a Russian-German citizen for allegedly preparing a sabotage plot against railways, Russian news agency Interfax reported on Dec. 10.
Explosions heard in occupied Donetsk Oblast city, Russian proxies announce evacuation
Russian occupation authorities in the Donetsk Oblast city of Yenakiieve announced evacuations from parts of the city on Dec. 10 amid reports of explosions.
Chinese exports to Russia decrease for first time in 4 months, Reuters reports
The decrease of 10.5% compared to November 2023 marks the first drop since July, Reuters writes.
Russian losses in Syria — BBC identifies 543 soldiers, Wagner mercenaries who died since 2015
Of the total number, 346 were employees of the Wagner company, a private mercenary group also deployed in Russia's war in Ukraine and elsewhere.
70% of Ukrainians support 'West German' model for NATO accession, survey shows
A key difference is that the invitation would encompass the entire Ukraine, but the alliance's defensive "umbrella" would extend to the occupied territories only after their future liberation.
Russian troops sabotage their boats to avoid Dnipro River crossing, Ukrainian partisans claim
Russian soldiers increasingly sabotage their own boats and equipment to avoid having to attack the Dnipro River islands on the southern front, Ukrainian resistance group Atesh claimed on Dec. 10.
Zelensky tells Trump 'Putin fears only him and, perhaps, China'
"And that’s the truth — only decisiveness can bring this war to a just end and ensure lasting peace," President Volodymyr Zelensky said on X.
General Staff: Russia has lost 755,940 troops in Ukraine since Feb. 24, 2022
This number includes 1,350 casualties Russian forces suffered just over the past day.
UK sanctions illicit gold trade, says it funds Russia's war
The latest round of sanctions imposes asset freezes on five individuals involved in the illicit gold trade, including the CEO of Paloma Precious, which has purchased more than $300 million of Russian gold.
Ukraine won't trade young soldiers' lives for better weapons, Zelensky says
"The priority should be providing missiles and lowering Russia's military potential, not Ukraine's draft age. The goal should be to preserve as many lives as possible, not to preserve weapons in storage."
5 Ukrainian children return home from Russia, Russian-occupied territories
Ukraine successfully returned five children from Russia and Russian-occupied territories as part of the "Bring Kids Back UA" initiative, Presidential Office head Andriy Yermak announced early on Dec. 10.
German opposition leader vows Ukraine won't fight one-handed
During his meeting with President Volodymyr Zelensky, Friedrich Merz, the leading contender to become Germany's next chancellor, condemned the German government's hesitance to provide long-range weaponry like Taurus cruise missiles.
What does Assad’s downfall mean for Russia and Ukraine?
As Syrian dictator Bashar al-Assad's regime collapsed in a matter of days, Russia's influence in the Middle East appeared to wane. Preoccupied with its all-out war against Ukraine, Russia was unable to prevent the Dec. 8 downfall of its main ally in the region. The stunning rapidity of the rebels'
US says it's ready to train, arm new soldiers if Ukraine changes conscription policy
"We have made clear is that if (Ukraine) produces additional forces to join the fight, we and our allies will be ready to acquit those forces and train those forces to enter battle," U.S. State Department Spokesperson Matthew Miller said on Dec. 9.
Ukraine war latest: Zelensky 'may consider' deployment of foreign peacekeepers to ensure ceasefire
Key developments on Dec. 9: * Zelensky 'may consider' deployment of foreign peacekeepers in Ukraine to ensure ceasefire * Ex-chief of Russian-run Olenivka prison allegedly killed in car bombing in occupied Donetsk * Trump 'formulating a concept' to end Russia-Ukraine war * Russia claims bodies of Il-76 crash victims given to Ukraine, Kyiv says
Let’s see how far we can go?
We’ve been amazed by your support. We’ve reached our initial goal of finding 1,000 new paying members. We still have till the end of our birthday campaign — with more support, we can do even more good journalism. Over 13,000 people are standing behind us. Can we count on you, too?
Show us support this birthday month
(Updated: )
Most popular
Editors' Picks
Fall of Aleppo deals blow to Russia's Middle East clout, may indirectly strengthen Ukraine's hand
‘Destroying us little by little:’ Ukrainian troops worried about fate of Kursk operation
Once liberated Kupiansk braces for worst as Russian troops approach, and future Western support looks uncertain
