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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North Korea is reportedly experiencing devastating losses in the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, with the White House claiming casualties amount to nearly 10 percent of the country’s deployed forces. This signifies a significant blow to the North Korean military presence in Russia, and raises questions about the strategic rationale behind their deployment in the first place.
The sheer scale of the reported losses suggests a much higher casualty rate than initially anticipated. This raises concerns about the effectiveness of North Korean military training and equipment, particularly when pitted against the technologically superior Ukrainian and potentially NATO forces. It seems highly probable that these soldiers were sent into battle with inadequate support, acting essentially as cannon fodder.… Continue reading
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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Russia’s recent warnings against the United States conducting nuclear tests, particularly under a potential Trump presidency, are raising eyebrows. The timing is certainly interesting, considering Russia’s own withdrawal from the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty. This leaves one wondering if these warnings are genuine concerns about escalating tensions or simply a calculated tactic for domestic consumption and international posturing.
The Kremlin’s pronouncements often seem designed to paint a picture of a world teetering on the brink of nuclear conflict, where every nuclear power is a potential aggressor. This narrative is likely intended to rally support at home and perhaps deflect attention from Russia’s own actions in Ukraine and its weakened global standing.… Continue reading
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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The Global Engagement Center (GEC), tasked with countering foreign disinformation, particularly from Russia and China, was shut down due to congressional opposition. Despite a $60 million budget and a staff of 120, the GEC faced criticism from Republicans who alleged it silenced conservative voices. The center’s work included identifying and countering disinformation campaigns using social media analytics, publishing reports detailing Russian and Chinese propaganda efforts, and collaborating with international partners. Ultimately, funding was removed from the final appropriations bill, leading to the GEC’s termination.
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Following suspected sabotage of an undersea power cable linking Finland and Estonia, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte announced plans to bolster its Baltic Sea military presence. Estonia initiated naval patrols to protect its remaining energy cable from Finland, emphasizing its commitment to safeguarding critical infrastructure. Finnish authorities are investigating a Russian-linked oil tanker as a potential suspect in the incident, focusing on the possibility that its anchor damaged the cable. This act of suspected sabotage follows similar incidents affecting undersea telecommunication cables in the region.
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Following a recent Embraer 190 aircraft accident, Azerbaijan Airlines (AZAL) has suspended flights from Baku to ten Russian cities. This precautionary measure, effective December 28th, 2024, is due to ongoing investigations into potential flight safety risks and was mandated by the Azerbaijan State Civil Aviation Agency. The suspension impacts both AZAL and other airlines operating routes to these destinations, and affected passengers are offered refunds or free ticket changes. The temporary flight halt aims to ensure passenger and crew safety until the investigation concludes.
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Ukraine confirms it destroyed a major Russian ammunition depot, a significant blow to Russia’s military capabilities. The reported destruction of the depot, located at the Kadamovsky training ground in Russia’s southern Rostov region, is being hailed as a major victory. The sheer scale of the operation, and its success, underscores Ukraine’s evolving tactical prowess and ability to strike deep within Russian territory.
Ukraine confirms it destroyed the depot in a large-scale operation conducted by the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) overnight on December 21-22. This targeted strike, executed with precision and efficiency, resulted in the complete destruction of the depot and a massive fire.… Continue reading
John Q. Hosedrinker 
Matt Underwood