Zelensky accused Slovak Prime Minister Fico of acting on Putin’s orders to cut off Ukraine’s crucial winter electricity supply, framing the threat as a second energy front against Ukraine. The Ukrainian president asserted that such actions would violate EU energy market rules and damage Slovakia’s relationship with the European community. Ukraine’s Foreign Ministry emphasized that electricity supplies are paid for, not charity, and Fico’s threats align him with Putin. Fico’s threat followed a meeting with Putin and stems from Slovakia’s significant reliance on Russian gas despite EU efforts to diversify energy sources.
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Amidst an ongoing dispute over Russian gas transit, Ukrainian President Zelenskyy accused Slovak Prime Minister Fico of initiating a second energy front against Ukraine at Russia’s behest. This accusation follows Fico’s threat to retaliate against Ukraine’s planned halt of Russian gas transit by cutting off emergency power supplies. Zelenskyy argues Fico’s actions disregard Slovakia’s role in the EU energy market and harm Ukrainian citizens during ongoing Russian attacks on energy infrastructure. Slovakia, however, maintains that maintaining Russian gas transit through Ukraine is crucial for its economy, despite reduced reliance on Russian gas across the EU.
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The diary of deceased North Korean special forces operative Gyeong Hong Jong, recovered by Ukrainian SOF in Kursk Oblast, details his deployment to Russia. His entries reveal the dispatch of elite North Korean fighters to aid Russian forces, seemingly as atonement for past transgressions. The diary includes descriptions of both combat tactics, such as drone hunting techniques, and personal reflections on loyalty and duty to Kim Jong Un. These findings corroborate previous US reports of North Korean soldiers fighting in Ukraine.
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Ukraine’s limited supply of U.S.-provided ATACMS missiles, estimated at around 50 before authorization for strikes on Russian territory, is dwindling rapidly after a series of attacks on Russian military infrastructure. This depletion, coupled with potential policy shifts under the incoming Trump administration, which opposes the missile transfers, suggests that Ukraine’s ability to conduct such long-range strikes is severely hampered. Replenishment is unlikely due to existing U.S. commitments elsewhere. Despite these strikes, significant escalation with Russia has not yet occurred.
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The U.S. alleges that Russia is deploying approximately 11,000 North Korean soldiers in “human wave” assaults in Ukraine’s Kursk region, resulting in significant casualties. Reports indicate over 1,000 North Korean soldiers have died in the past week alone, with some choosing suicide over capture due to fear of reprisal against their families. These poorly equipped soldiers are being used as expendable assets in futile attacks, while Russia simultaneously faces heavy losses, exceeding 1,500 casualties daily according to British estimates. Both Russia and North Korea deny the deployment.
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Ukraine reports a successful strike on a key Russian drone depot in the Oryol region, dealing a significant blow to Russia’s ability to launch mass drone attacks against Ukrainian infrastructure. This targeted operation, carried out by the Ukrainian air force, reportedly destroyed a depot responsible for the storage, maintenance, and repair of Shahed kamikaze drones. The attack, which occurred on Thursday, highlights a growing capability within the Ukrainian military to proactively disrupt Russia’s drone warfare strategy.
The Ukrainian military statement emphasized the strategic importance of this strike, declaring that the destruction of the depot “significantly reduced the enemy’s potential in terms of conducting air raids of strike drones on Ukraine’s civilian infrastructure.”… Continue reading
A $1.25 billion military aid package for Ukraine is expected to be announced on Monday, comprising munitions for advanced air defense systems, Stinger missiles, and artillery rounds. This presidential drawdown authority funding will leave approximately $4.35 billion in previously allocated Pentagon funds. The aid aims to bolster Ukraine’s position before a potential negotiation with Russia, though concerns remain about the incoming administration’s commitment to continued support. This latest package brings total U.S. security assistance to Ukraine to over $64 billion since the February 2022 invasion.
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Ukrainian forces captured several seriously wounded North Korean soldiers, some of whom later died from their injuries; these are believed to be the first North Korean prisoners of war taken by Ukraine. Intelligence suggests thousands of North Korean troops have been deployed to the Kursk region, suffering significant casualties due to minimal protection provided by Russia. Russia’s alleged attempts to conceal these losses include falsifying identification documents and burning the bodies of deceased soldiers. Ukraine warns of the potential for further North Korean troop deployments to Russia.
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Slovakia’s Prime Minister Robert Fico warned of potential retaliatory measures against Ukraine, including electricity supply cuts, should Ukraine cease Russian gas transit after January 1st. This decision follows a meeting between Fico and Vladimir Putin, and comes amid Ukraine’s refusal to renew a gas transit deal with Russia. Fico argues that halting transit would harm EU competitiveness and highlighted Slovakia’s reliance on Russian gas despite increased EU efforts to diversify energy sources. The move reflects a shift in Slovakia’s foreign policy under Fico, causing concern among Ukraine and its European allies.
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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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John Q. Hosedrinker 
Matt Underwood