On Tuesday, NORAD intercepted four Russian military aircraft—two Tu-95 Bear bombers and two Su-35 Flanker fighter jets—that flew through the Alaska Air Defense Identification Zone for 15 hours. The Russian aircraft remained in international airspace and did not violate U.S. sovereignty. This action, while prompting a response of four F-16s and support aircraft from NORAD, is consistent with past Russian activity and is considered legal under international law. Similar intercepts have occurred previously, including joint Russian-Chinese flights in the area.
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A fire at a Russian warehouse destroyed components for 400 Shahed-136 drones, highlighting the vulnerability of Russia’s drone production. The destroyed components included thermal imaging cameras and, previously discovered, Starlink units, suggesting a more advanced, GPS-independent drone variant capable of real-time target acquisition. This incident, one of many targeting Russian arms production facilities, underscores a shift in the conflict towards preemptive strikes on drone production and supply chains. The increasing sophistication of both Ukrainian defenses and Russian drones suggests the war’s evolution will continue to focus on disrupting drone production and deployment.
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Eighteen-year-old Oleksandr Yakushchenko, a Ukrainian orphan deported to Russia, died by suicide in Krasnodar Krai. His foster family reported finding his body, offering little explanation for the act. Friends and a former orphanage mate allege the foster family mistreated Yakushchenko, including confiscating his documents, hindering his potential return to Ukraine. This tragic event highlights the plight of Ukrainian children forcibly displaced and the potential consequences of their treatment in Russia.
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The Russian cargo ship Ursa Major sank in the Mediterranean Sea following an engine room explosion on December 23rd. Fourteen crew members were rescued, but two remain missing. The ship, previously sanctioned due to its owner’s ties to the Kremlin, was reportedly carrying port equipment and may have been part of a convoy evacuating Russian military assets from Syria. Ukraine’s military intelligence suggested the incident hampered Russia’s efforts to withdraw equipment from Syria, impacting their military presence in the region.
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The Ursa Major, a Russian cargo ship under US sanctions, sank in the Mediterranean Sea following an engine room explosion. Fourteen crew members were rescued and brought to Spain, while two remain missing. The vessel, owned by Oboronlogistika, was reportedly en route to Vladivostok carrying heavy cargo. Its proximity to another sanctioned Russian ship, the Sparta, and its owner’s involvement in transporting cargo to Tartous, Syria, raise further questions.
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In a recent interview, Pope Francis criticized the hypocrisy of simultaneously advocating for peace while supplying arms to Ukraine, highlighting Europe’s profitable arms industry as a key contradiction. He expressed concern over ignored peace appeals and the devastating impact of the war, particularly on Ukrainian youth. While calling for an urgent peace treaty, the Pope did not directly condemn Russia’s aggression, instead focusing on the need for dialogue and a cessation of hostilities. He reiterated his Christmas message urging a ceasefire across multiple global conflict zones.
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Ukraine’s newly developed Trembita missile, currently under development for 18 months, boasts a 200km range and speeds of up to 400 km/h, utilizing a modernized pulse jet engine. A longer-range variant capable of reaching Moscow is also in development. While serial production awaits field testing, significant challenges remain, including securing funding, scaling industrial production, and maintaining security amidst ongoing Russian attacks on Ukrainian defense facilities. International partnerships are crucial to overcome these obstacles and bolster Ukraine’s missile capabilities.
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South Korean military officials estimate that over 1,100 North Korean soldiers have suffered casualties—killed or wounded—while fighting alongside Russian forces in Ukraine. These high casualties are attributed to unfamiliar battlefield conditions, inadequate countermeasures against drone attacks, and even training accidents. Reports suggest further North Korean troop deployments are imminent, alongside continued provision of weapons and military equipment to Russia. This involvement marks a significant escalation of the conflict and raises concerns regarding North Korea’s evolving military capabilities and potential threats to South Korea.
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For the seventeenth time this year, Russia convened a UN meeting to rewrite history and justify its Ukraine invasion, ignoring the UN Charter. Russia’s actions, including the deployment of weapons supplied by North Korea and Iran, have caused over 12,000 Ukrainian civilian deaths and widespread destruction. This aggression necessitates continued international support for Ukraine’s self-defense and pursuit of a just peace, founded on the UN Charter’s principles. Only Russia’s complete withdrawal from Ukraine can resolve this conflict. The international community must reject Russia’s attempts to distort reality and uphold the truth.
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Russian commanders in Kherson are refusing orders to launch a suicidal offensive across the Dnieper River, citing plummeting troop morale. This insubordination, reported by the ATESH partisan group, involves sabotage of equipment and even self-harm to avoid the mission. The refusal affects planned assaults on Dnipro delta islands, jeopardizing Russia’s offensive preparations and potentially impacting the war’s duration. Despite increased ammunition stockpiles and preparations, the situation reveals significant challenges to Russia’s manpower and operational capacity.
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John Q. Hosedrinker