Over 3,000 North Korean troops killed, wounded in Kursk Oblast, Zelensky says
This estimation, coming from Ukraine's intelligence, is a significant increase from other recent reports about the North Korean casualties.
Ukraine
Assassinations of pro-war figures seek to demoralize Russia, punish war criminals
The Dec. 17 killing of Russian Lieutenant-General Igor Kirillov in Moscow — reportedly by the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) — is the most high-profile assassination of a Russian military official to date. It's not the first one, however. Military officials, propagandists, and those seen as collaborators by Kyiv have been assassinated
First Ukrainian Legion unit trained in Poland deployed to Ukraine, ambassador says
The initiative aims to bolster Ukraine’s Armed Forces by recruiting Ukrainian men living in Poland and other EU countries.
47% of Ukrainians back NATO accession even while territories stay occupied, survey shows
Nearly half of Ukrainians support Ukraine joining NATO even if some territories remain under Russian occupation at the time of accession, according to a new poll.
Satellite imagery suggests North Korea to supply more arms to Russia, WSJ reports
North Korea appears to be preparing to supply more arms to Russia on top of some 20,000 containers it had already sent, the Wall Street Journal reported on Dec. 23 based on its analysis of satellite images.
Germany provides Ukraine with 15 Leopard 1 tanks, 2 IRIS-T systems, 2 Patriot launchers
Berlin supplied Ukraine with 15 Leopard 1A5 tanks, one short-range and one medium-range IRIS-T air defense system with missiles, two Patriot air defense launchers, and other aid in the latest delivery, the German government said on Dec. 23.
More than two-thirds of Ukrainians favor idea of restoring nuclear arms arsenal, poll shows
Around half of the respondents said they would support the development of nuclear weapons even at the price of losing Western aid and coming under sanctions.
2025 – A Turning Point for Ukraine
Editor's note: This article is a special edition of the KI Insights' The Week Ahead newsletter, looking at challenges and opportunities facing Ukraine in 2025. 2025 is gearing up to be a decisive year for Ukraine. The country’s leadership will need to navigate a turbulent international landscape, as well
'What is being paid to him, and what does he pay with?' — Zelensky blasts Fico after Moscow visit
Zelensky called Fico's pro-Russian energy policy "a big security issue" for Slovakia and Europe, asking: "Why is this leader so dependent on Moscow? What is being paid to him, and what does he pay with?"
Russian cyberattack: Breach occurred at 'top-level account,' MP says
Hackers could have used phishing or bribed employees to break into Justice Ministry registries during a Russian cyberattack last week, Oleksandr Fedienko, head of the parliamentary subcommittee on cybersecurity, told Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL) on Dec. 23.
Ukraine receives $1.1 billion from IMF
The funds come as already the sixth tranche disbursed to Ukraine under the IMF's Extended Fund Facility (EFF) program, raising the amount provided so far to $9.8 billion.
Cargo vessel sent to transport Russian military equipment from Syria breaks down in open sea, Ukraine's intel claims
Concurrently, marine traffic monitors show a Vladivostok-bound cargo ship, Ursa Major, previously registered as Sparta III and visually matching the picture published by HUR, moving at a very low speed of little over 1 knot in the open sea between Spain and Algeria.
NATO chief defends Scholz, calls Zelensky's criticism 'unfair'
In the interview, Rutte said that Scholz's contributions to Ukraine are commendable. The chancellor ensured that Germany ranks second after the U.S. in military support for Ukraine, something Kyiv could express its gratitude for, Rutte noted.
Russian attacks against Ukraine kill 3, injure 3 over past day
The Russian military attacked Ukraine with 72 Shahed-type drones and other unmanned aerial vehicles overnight on Dec. 23, Ukraine's Air Force reported on Telegram.
Australian citizen fighting for Ukraine allegedly captured by Russia
The man, who identifies himself as 32-year-old Australian citizen Oscar Jenkins, is seen in military fatigues, apparently tied up, and violently interrogated in a video shared on Russian Telegram channels.
General Staff: Russia has lost 776,090 troops in Ukraine since Feb. 24, 2022
This number includes 1,990 casualties Russian forces suffered just over the past day.
North Korea preparing to ship more troops, drones to Russia, Seoul says
North Korea is preparing to deploy additional troops and weapons, including kamikaze drones, to aid Russia in its full-scale war against Ukraine, the South Korean military said on Dec. 23.
Putin threatens 'more destruction' for Ukraine after Kazan drone strike
"Whoever, and however much they try to destroy, they will face many times more destruction themselves and will regret what they are trying to do in our country," Putin said on Dec. 22.
Putin, Slovak PM discuss gas transit, standardizing 'mutual relations,' Fico says after Kremlin meeting
"In a long conversation ... Putin and I exchanged views on the military situation in Ukraine, the possibilities of an early peaceful end to the war, and on mutual relations between the Slovak Republic and the Russian Federation, which I intend to standardize."
Trump claims Putin wants to meet with him 'as soon as possible'
"President Putin said that he wants to meet with me as soon as possible. So we have to wait for this. But we need to end that horrible, horrible war."
More than 1,000 applications submitted to join Ukrainian Legion in Poland, ambassador says
Over a thousand applications have been submitted to the Ukrainian Legion in Poland, Ukrainian Ambassador to Poland Vasyl Bodnar said in an interview with Suspilne on Dec. 22.
New IMF forecast predicts war in Ukraine ending in late 2025 or 2026
The International Monetary Fund’s (IMF) updated projections for Ukraine outline two scenarios regarding Russia’s ongoing war.
Ukraine war latest: For the first time, Ukraine attacks Russian positions using solely ground, FPV drones
Key developments on Dec. 21-22: * For the first time, Ukraine attacks Russian positions using solely ground, FPV drones * Over 12,000 civilians killed in Ukraine during Russia's full-scale war, UN says * Two Russian airports suspend flights after Ukrainian drones target Kazan, media, officials report * Slovak PM Robert Fico meets with
Ombudsman reacts to alleged Russian execution of Ukrainian POWs
"The video shows how Russian soldiers shot five captured Ukrainian defenders," Ombudsman Dmytro Lubinets said, referring to drone footage released by the 110th Mechanized Brigade earlier on Dec. 22 that appears to have captured Russian troops shooting surrendered Ukrainian soldiers from behind.
Full restoration of state registries expected within weeks, Justice Ministry says after major cyberattack
In comments to the Kyiv Independent, the first deputy justice minister said that the precise date of the full restoration of the registries would be more clear in the coming days.
At least one killed, 10 wounded by Russian attacks over past day, local authorities say
The reports of casualties come as Ukraine's Air Force reported shooting down 52 attack drones, including the Shahed type, that Russia launched against the country overnight.
Air Force reports downing 52 Russian drones overnight
The Air Force added that it lost track of 44 decoy drones that Russia launched alongside the real attack drones.
General Staff: Russia has lost 774,100 troops in Ukraine since Feb. 24, 2022
This number includes 1,820 casualties Russian forces suffered just over the past day, the General Staff of Ukraine's Armed Forces reported on Dec. 22.
Media identifies nearly 85,000 Russian soldiers killed in Ukraine
According to the outlets' conclusions for the year, 2024 will likely mark the "war's deadliest year," with a current count of over 20,000 deaths confirmed over the past 12 months — although final conclusions cannot yet be made as data on casualties continues to emerge.
Oil depot in Russia’s Oryol Oblast targeted by ‘massive’ Ukrainian drone strike, governor says
Oryol Oblast Governor Andrey Klychkov claimed that Russian forces downed 20 drones over Oryol Oblast targeting fuel and energy infrastructure facilities.
Ukrainian boxer Usyk defeats Fury to retain heavyweight championship belt
Ukrainian boxer Oleksandr Usyk defeated U.K.-born Tyson Fury by unanimous decision in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia on Dec. 22 to retain his unified heavyweight championship title.
Russian attack on cancer treatment center in Kherson 'heinous act of cruelty against civilians,' Zelensky says
The oncology center, which has operated in a limited capacity since the start of the full-scale invasion, housed the only linear accelerator offering radiotherapy treatment in the city.
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