Ukrainian forces report significant North Korean troop losses in the Kursk region, with both Russian and North Korean commanders viewing them as expendable, resulting in heavy casualties and a lack of protection. The US estimates over 1,000 North Korean soldiers were killed or wounded last week alone. Simultaneously, the US plans to deliver further military aid to Ukraine, including air defense systems, while Slovakia offers to host potential peace talks between Russia and Ukraine, a proposition raising concerns in Kyiv. Finally, Ukraine received its first US LNG shipment, bolstering its energy independence.
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Following a December 25th crash in Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan’s transport minister stated that the Azerbaijan Airlines plane suffered “external interference,” resulting in both internal and external damage. Survivors reported hearing three blasts while the aircraft was over Grozny, Chechnya, leading to speculation that Russian air defenses were involved. While the Kremlin remains silent, Russia cited a “closed-skies protocol” due to Ukrainian drone attacks, and US officials have expressed early indications supporting the theory of Russian air defense involvement. Azerbaijani officials, while avoiding direct accusations, suggest the plane was struck by shrapnel from a missile, impacting its GPS and hydraulic systems.
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President Zelenskyy asserted that mounting evidence implicates Russia in the Azerbaijan Airlines plane crash in Kazakhstan, drawing parallels to the 2014 downing of MH17 by a Russian missile. He offered condolences to Azerbaijan and warned that Russia’s potential disinformation campaign necessitates unified international pressure to uncover the truth and hold those responsible accountable. The December 25th crash killed 38, with Azerbaijani officials citing evidence of external interference, including perforations in the aircraft’s fuselage. Zelenskyy’s statement highlights the growing suspicion surrounding Russia’s involvement in the tragedy.
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An Azerbaijan Airlines Embraer 190 jet crashed in Kazakhstan after sustaining damage over Russian airspace, resulting in 38 fatalities and 29 survivors. Investigations suggest the plane may have been struck by Russian air defenses, a theory supported by analysts. Following the incident, several airlines, including Azerbaijan Airlines, El Al, Flydubai, and Qazaq Air, temporarily suspended flights to various Russian cities, citing safety concerns and the ongoing investigation. This incident raises significant concerns about the safety of Russian airspace, potentially impacting future flight routes and Russian aviation revenue.
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A U.N. report details over 12,340 civilian deaths and more than 27,836 injuries in Ukraine from February 2022 to November 2024, with a significant increase in casualties caused by aerial bombs and long-range weapons in 2024. This surge, particularly notable in October and November, resulted from intensified Russian attacks on densely populated areas. The report highlights a threefold increase in civilian deaths from aerial bombs compared to 2023, and Russia’s use of long-range weapons, such as the Oreshnik missile, has raised serious concerns within the U.N. These escalating attacks are viewed as a deliberate tactic to intimidate Ukraine and deter Western support.
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The Russian-linked tanker *Eagle S*, seized by Finnish authorities for damaging an undersea cable, was equipped with sophisticated surveillance technology, transforming it into a de facto spy ship. This equipment, also found on a sister vessel, *Swiftsea Rider*, was unusual for a merchant ship and suggests deliberate monitoring of NATO naval activity. The *Eagle S*’s crew, likely aware of the spying, were allegedly threatened into silence. The tankers’ ownership is obscured through complex corporate structures, characteristic of the “dark fleet” known for circumventing sanctions.
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Following damage to the Estlink-2 power cable connecting Finland and Estonia, the EU is preparing sanctions against Russia’s “shadow fleet,” a group of aging vessels suspected of involvement. A Russian-linked ship, the Eagle S, was detained by Finnish authorities, with its anchor suspected of causing the damage. This incident, along with previous attacks on undersea cables and pipelines in the Baltic Sea since 2022, highlights a systemic threat to regional infrastructure, prompting increased security measures and investigations. Repairs to the damaged cable are estimated to take up to seven months.
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On December 27, Ukraine’s Defense Intelligence (HUR) announced the successful elimination of three senior Russian officers—Captains Dmitry Nagorny, Grigory Krokhmalyov, and Yuri Fomin—during a precision HIMARS strike targeting a command meeting in Zaporizhzhia. The operation, coordinated with the Tavria Operational Group, UAV forces, and Ukraine’s Security Service, also destroyed five Russian vehicles. Intelligence gathering and verification preceded the strike, which was followed by a drone attack on the evacuation team. This follows the reported death of another Russian officer, Salim Pashtov, on December 25.
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A federal-level emergency has been declared in Russia following an oil spill in the Black Sea, impacting approximately 55 kilometers of coastline. The spill, caused by damaged tankers during a storm, released thousands of tons of mazut, prompting criticism of initially insufficient local cleanup efforts. This federal declaration, following a regional state of emergency, will allow for the allocation of federal funds to support cleanup operations aided by volunteers. President Putin authorized the federal response after reviewing the situation with colleagues.
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Vladimir Putin rejected a proposed Trump team peace plan that would delay Ukraine’s NATO membership for a decade in exchange for ending the war. Putin’s rejection reiterates his earlier demands, including Ukraine’s permanent neutrality and limitations on its military. Simultaneously, intense fighting continues in eastern Ukraine, with recent Russian gains near Kurakhove offset by Ukrainian successes near Toretsk. The conflict also involves ongoing missile strikes and Ukrainian counter-attacks targeting Russian infrastructure and military assets. Japan, meanwhile, pledged $3 billion in non-lethal aid to Ukraine using frozen Russian assets.
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John Q. Hosedrinker