Russian Empire

5:42 AM

EU to impose first sanctions on Russian intelligence over disinformation campaigns, Bloomberg reports.

The proposed measures target more than a dozen individuals and three entities, including Russian intelligence officers and media entrepreneurs, according to Bloomberg. The sanctions aim to counter destabilizing operations globally.

3:28 AM

Russian authorities block Viber messaging app.

Russia's communications regulator, Roskomnadzor, announced on Dec. 13 that it had blocked access to the Viber messaging app.

2:45 AM

Macron expected to raise possibility of peacekeepers in Ukraine at upcoming EU summit, RFE/RL reports.

French President Emmanuel Macron is expected to raise the possibility of deploying European soldiers to Ukraine at the upcoming EU leaders' summit on Dec. 18-19, if a ceasefire deal is eventually reached between Russia and Ukraine, Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL) reported on Dec. 13, citing EU diplomats.

1:30 AM

Ukraine reportedly strikes oil depot in Russia's Oryol Oblast.

Ukrainian drones reportedly struck an oil depot in the city of Oryol overnight on Dec. 14, causing a large fire, Russian Telegram channels reported.

12:46 AM

Biden administration sharing information on Ukraine war with Trump's team ahead of potential peace talks, NBC reports.

Members of President-elect Donald Trump's incoming administration have held discussions with White House officials as part of the incoming administration's ongoing effort to establish a ceasefire once Trump is inaugurated in January, NBC News reported on Dec. 13, citing sources familiar with the talks.

11:23 PM

War will be 'resolved in next few months,' Trump's Ukraine peace envoy believes, plans to 'listen' ahead of peace talks.

"I truly believe this will be resolved in the next few months," Kellogg said in an interview on Fox Business. "The only person who can do this is President Donald Trump, and he will do it. They're tired of killing each other out there. This is time," Kellogg added.

11:02 PM

War update

Ukraine war latest: Russia launches one of the largest aerial attacks on Ukraine's energy grid

10:19 PM

Chechnya

How Kadyrov became so powerful, and why Chechnya remains vital for survival of Putin's regime.

10:15 PM

Zelensky to meet with EU, NATO leaders in Brussels on Dec 19.

Brussels will host a two-day European Summit in the EU Council buildings on Dec. 18-19.

8:53 PM

Former prosecutor general reportedly appointed Ukraine's ambassador to Netherlands.

Kostin submitted his resignation on Oct. 22 following a National Security and Defense Council (NSDC) meeting headed by President Volodymyr Zelensky.

7:40 PM

Russia mulls attacking Ukraine with Oreshnik nuclear-capable missile this weekend, FT reports.

The unnamed official said that Russia wanted to use the weapon to intimidate Ukraine and its supporters, but the Oreshnik "does not change the rules of the game on the battlefield."

7:14 PM

Opinion

The West is pushing Ukraine toward concessions that will backfire

7:10 PM

Opinion

The collapse of Assad’s regime shows the limits of Russian airpower

6:52 PM

Belarus weekly

Belarus Weekly: Putin, Lukashenko sign security treaty, promise Oreshnik deployment in Belarus

6:36 PM

Russia advances toward Pokrovsk, Kurakhove, Ukraine makes progress near Kupiansk, Estonian intelligence says.

Ukrainian forces are enjoying success in the Kupiansk sector, where two Russian bridgeheads that emerged during the crossing of the Oskil River were destroyed, Estonian intelligence said.

6:19 PM

Religion in Ukraine

Breakaway churches, spiritual awakenings, prayers in captivity. How war is changing Ukraine’s faith

5:36 PM

Georgian parliament bans masks, fireworks during protests.

The fine for wearing a mask or using lasers or fireworks is 2,000 Georgian lari ($712).

3:53 PM

Ukraine resisting Russian encirclement attempts at 4 Donetsk Oblast villages, military says.

The statement comes as analysts raise concerns about a growing risk of Ukrainian units being encircled in the area.

3:26 PM

War analysis

How will Russia's war in Ukraine end? The good, the bad, and the ugly scenarios

3:23 PM

Ukraine not ready for negotiations without strong Western support, Yermak says.

Regarding U.S. President-elect Donald Trump’s repeated promises to quickly end the war, Yermak said, "There is no plan yet, and we have not seen it for sure. We know that several opinions and positions are being discussed."

3:06 PM

Dutch Supreme Court dismisses Russia's appeal in Naftogaz's $5 billion arbitration case.

The Supreme Court of the Netherlands has rejected Russia's appeal, upholding a decision by the Hague Arbitration Court requiring Russia to pay $5 billion in compensation to Ukraine’s state-owned Naftogaz for misappropriated assets in occupied Crimea, Naftogaz reported on Dec. 13.

2:49 PM

Italy willing to join potential peacekeeping mission in Ukraine, defense minister says.

"I hope to talk about peace, about peacekeeping, as soon as possible in Ukraine, but also in Gaza and Lebanon," Defense Minister Guido Crosetto told journalists in Madrid when asked about the possibility of Rome deploying peacekeepers in Ukraine.

2:15 PM

EU defense commissioner takes shelter in Kyiv amid massive Russian aerial strike.

Andrius Kubilius, the newly appointed European defense commissioner, spent the morning of Dec. 13 in a shelter in Kyiv during a large-scale Russian missile attack, EU Ambassador to Ukraine Katarina Mathernova said on X.

2:05 PM

Moldova announces state of emergency over expected halt of Russian gas.

Moldova's parliament on Dec. 13 voted to introduce a 60-day-long state of emergency starting Dec. 16 over the expected halt of Russian gas transit via Ukraine.

1:13 PM

Putin orders 'emergency support' for struggling Russian coal industry.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has called for urgent measures to support the country’s coal companies, which face multibillion-dollar losses and risk mass bankruptcies, The Moscow Times reported on Dec. 12.