Spanish Foreign Minister José Luis Albares dismissed Donald Trump’s claim of ending the Ukraine war in 24 hours as unrealistic, citing Vladimir Putin’s apparent lack of desire for peace. Albares emphasized that a Russian victory would severely escalate global instability. This skepticism contrasts with surprisingly high Ukrainian trust in Trump, despite Zelenskyy’s own non-literal interpretation of the campaign promise. The statement highlights the significant doubt surrounding Trump’s assertion within international circles.
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President Zelensky announced record Russian military losses in November and December, attributing the success to recent Ukrainian strikes on Russian military and energy infrastructure. These attacks, including those on Taganrog and Bryansk, demonstrate increasing Ukrainian range and accuracy, pushing Russia closer to ending the war. Intense fighting continues in the Donetsk region, with the Russian army suffering substantial casualties in ongoing assaults. Zelensky specifically praised several Ukrainian brigades for their contributions to these battlefield victories.
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Recent UK intelligence indicates Ukraine’s persistent attacks are significantly undermining Russia’s Black Sea Fleet, restricting its operations primarily to the eastern Black Sea. These actions, including targeting naval infrastructure and vessels, have forced Russia to increase defensive measures around Novorossiysk. Despite this, the overall tempo of Black Sea operations remains low. This naval pressure comes as Russia continues its land invasion, albeit at an accelerated pace.
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A man died after falling from the 11th floor of the Russian Investigative Committee building in Krasnoyarsk, Russia. Security camera footage captured the incident, showing the man falling through the roof of a neighboring building. The Investigative Committee has launched an inquiry into the death, noting the man was at the building to be questioned regarding an unspecified criminal case. His identity remains unconfirmed.
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Satellite imagery reveals that, following the Syrian rebel takeover of Damascus and the flight of President Assad, Russian naval vessels, including two guided-missile frigates and an oiler, have departed from their Tartous base. These ships have anchored approximately 13 kilometers northwest of Tartous, while the remaining fleet’s location remains undetermined. This relocation comes as Moscow seeks to secure its strategically vital air base in Latakia and its sole Mediterranean naval facility at Tartous. The departure was confirmed by both satellite imagery and Russian war blogger reports.
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Ukrainian intelligence recently provided Syrian rebels with approximately 150 FPV drones and 20 operators to aid in attacks against Russian and Syrian forces. This covert operation, though playing a modest role in the overall Syrian conflict, represents a broader Ukrainian effort to undermine Russian interests globally. While not a secret, the Ukrainian actions were reportedly unknown to senior Biden administration officials. Similar operations have targeted Russian mercenaries in Mali, resulting in significant casualties and severed diplomatic ties between Ukraine and Mali.
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The Russian Foreign Ministry advises its citizens against travel to the United States, Canada, and most EU nations, citing heightened risks due to strained US-Russia relations. These warnings stem from concerns of potential harassment or detention by authorities in these countries, described as US “satellites.” The deteriorating relationship, considered worse than at any point since the Cuban Missile Crisis, is fueled by the ongoing war in Ukraine and recent escalatory actions by both sides. This travel advisory follows reciprocal warnings issued by the US government to its citizens regarding travel to Russia.
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Russia recently conducted a day-long internet blackout in Dagestan, Chechnya, and Ingushetia, blocking access to major foreign websites and apps, even those accessed via VPNs. This action, attributed to Russia’s development of a sovereign internet, follows previous tests involving site throttling and demonstrates a growing effort to control online content. Future plans reportedly include migrating Russian users to domestic web hosting services, further isolating the nation’s internet. These actions parallel similar, though more established, internet censorship practices in China, highlighting a global trend towards a fragmented “splinternet.”
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A former intelligence officer alleges that Bashar al-Assad moved $135 billion in Syrian assets to Russia during his escape, a claim generating significant international scrutiny. These accusations, reported by Turkiye Gazetesi, raise questions about the origin and future management of this alleged fortune, as well as the potential for legal action. The timing coincides with calls for Assad’s Russian citizenship and President Zelenskyy’s condemnation of Assad’s actions in Syria. The situation highlights the complex geopolitical implications of Assad’s exile and the potential ramifications of his alleged wealth transfer.
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Despite sanctions and Western company withdrawals, the Russian economy surprisingly withstood the impact of the war in Ukraine for over two years. Domestic spending remained robust due to increased defense spending and government-backed loans. The MOEX stock index, after an initial decline, showed a steady recovery. This resilience was achieved despite significantly reduced access to foreign markets and rising inflation. Ultimately, Russian businesses largely adapted to the altered economic landscape.
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John Q. Hosedrinker