Admiral Samuel Paparo, commander of the Indo-Pacific Command, revealed that Russia will provide North Korea with MiG-29 and Su-27 fighter jets in exchange for the thousands of North Korean troops deployed to support Russia’s war effort in Ukraine. These Soviet-era aircraft, while not modern, represent a significant addition to North Korea’s air power. This exchange follows reports of North Korean troop deployments to the Kursk region and further underscores the growing military cooperation between Russia and North Korea, a development that has alarmed the U.S. and its allies. This cooperation raises concerns about potential technology transfers to North Korea’s weapons programs.
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Following the reported overthrow of Bashar al-Assad’s regime in Syria, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk declared that the event demonstrates the defeatability of Russia and its allies. This assessment was echoed by several other European leaders, including Lithuania’s and Czech’s prime ministers and the EU’s High Representative for Foreign Affairs, who all cited Syria as evidence of Russia’s weakening position. The swift fall of Assad’s regime, after over two decades in power, is being interpreted as a significant symbolic victory for those opposing Russia’s influence. These statements highlight a growing belief among European leaders that Russia’s military capabilities and influence are overestimated.
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President Zelenskyy met with President-elect Trump in Paris, emphasizing the need for a “just” peace settlement in Ukraine that prevents future Russian aggression. This meeting, facilitated by President Macron, followed a $988 million US military aid package for Ukraine. Despite Trump’s past skepticism towards aid and calls for quick settlements, Zelenskyy expressed gratitude for Trump’s “unwavering resolve,” highlighting the importance of the talks. The discussions also allowed Macron to gauge the direction of a second Trump presidency, given concerns about Trump’s potential shift in US foreign policy.
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President Zelensky announced that 43,000 Ukrainian soldiers have died since the start of the full-scale Russian invasion, a significant increase from the 31,000 reported in February. He also claimed 198,000 Russian soldiers killed and 550,000 wounded, figures that align with Western estimates of substantial Russian losses. These casualty figures, unverifiable by independent sources, emerged following a claim by Donald Trump of vastly higher Ukrainian losses. Both sides have consistently been reluctant to publicly disclose their own military casualties.
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SpaceX has been awarded a Pentagon contract to upgrade 2,500 existing Starlink terminals in Ukraine to the enhanced Starshield security system, adding to the 500 already using it. This brings the total number of Starshield-equipped terminals to 3,000, bolstering Ukraine’s secure communication capabilities. The contract, signed in August 2024, aims to provide resilient internet connectivity through 2025. While the exact cost remains undisclosed, it follows a previous $40 million contract.
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Ousted Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, along with his family, has received asylum in Moscow, Russia, following the swift collapse of his regime after a rebel offensive. The rebels, having secured key cities like Homs and Damascus, including the presidential palace, celebrated widely while Assad’s whereabouts remained initially unknown. Russia’s actions came after negotiations with Syrian opposition leaders, guaranteeing the safety of Russian assets in the country. This event marks a significant turning point after 13 years of civil war in Syria.
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A $988 million military aid package for Ukraine, including HIMARS ammunition and new drones, was announced by the Pentagon on December 7th. This aid, sourced from the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative, accelerates the delivery of remaining funds before the inauguration of President-elect Trump, who has expressed intentions to halt such aid. The package also funds maintenance and repair of Ukrainian military equipment. This marks a shift from the Biden administration’s recent reliance on Presidential Drawdown Authority for smaller, more frequent aid packages.
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In a recent address, President Zelenskyy reported Ukrainian military losses of 43,000 dead and 370,000 wounded since the war’s outset, noting that roughly half of the wounded have returned to duty. He contrasted these figures with significantly higher estimated Russian losses—over 750,000, comprising 198,000 dead and over 550,000 wounded—claiming a recent kill ratio of five or six Russian soldiers for every Ukrainian soldier. Furthermore, 3,767 Ukrainian soldiers have been returned from Russian captivity. Zelenskyy emphasized the need for a lasting peace secured by guarantees to prevent future Russian aggression.
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Following the rebel takeover of Damascus, Russia officially announced that Bashar al-Assad had resigned and left Syria. His last public appearance was a week prior, where he vowed to crush the rebels. Conflicting reports place Assad on a Syrian Air plane departing Damascus airport early Sunday, though flight tracking data is inconclusive. The plane’s transponder signal was lost near Homs, but no crash has been reported.
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A second shipment of Danish F-16 fighter jets has arrived in Ukraine, significantly strengthening its air defenses against ongoing Russian attacks, according to President Zelensky. This follows the deployment of an initial batch and underscores Denmark’s leading role in providing crucial military support. Zelensky expressed gratitude for Denmark’s commitment, highlighting that broader international cooperation of this caliber could significantly hinder Russian aggression. Denmark’s support, including direct purchases from Ukrainian defense industry, is part of a wider coalition effort to bolster Ukraine’s defenses against Russia.
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John Q. Hosedrinker