In its December 31st report, the General Staff of Ukraine’s Armed Forces estimated total Russian troop losses since February 24, 2022, at 789,550, including 1,610 casualties in the preceding day. This staggering figure is accompanied by the destruction of significant military hardware, encompassing over 9,600 tanks, more than 20,000 armored vehicles, and thousands of artillery systems and aircraft. The losses also include substantial numbers of drones, vehicles, and naval vessels.
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In a meeting with European leaders, concerns were raised about Slovak Prime Minister Fico’s dealings with Russia, which include securing discounted gas prices for Slovakia at the apparent cost of national sovereignty. These discounts, according to Zelenskyy, appear to serve Russia’s strategic interests by hindering European energy independence and potentially funding the war in Ukraine. Fico, despite public protests, reportedly secured assurances of continued gas supply from Putin, contingent on Ukraine’s actions. This situation highlights Russia’s ongoing efforts to exert influence within Europe.
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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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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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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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Ukrainian forces killed three North Korean soldiers in Russia’s Kursk region and seized their falsified Russian military IDs, revealing Pyongyang’s involvement in the conflict. These documents, bearing Russian names and birthplaces but Korean signatures, underscore Russia’s attempts to conceal foreign troop losses. US and South Korean intelligence estimates suggest thousands of North Korean soldiers have been deployed, suffering substantial casualties, with reports ranging from several hundred to over a thousand killed or wounded. Ukraine alleges Russia is actively concealing these losses, including claims of body burning and rapid body removal from the battlefield.
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Intense Russian attacks across multiple front lines, particularly in Donetsk Oblast targeting Pokrovsk and Kurakhove, have been repelled by Ukrainian forces, according to Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi. Despite the “extremely difficult” situation, Ukrainian defenses held firm against approximately 250 clashes in a single day. Syrskyi confirmed increased UK support for Ukraine is planned for 2025. Further, Russia is also offensively active in Kursk Oblast, employing North Korean troops.
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On December 20th, Ukraine repatriated 503 fallen soldiers from Donetsk, Zaporizhzhia, Luhansk oblasts, and morgues in Russia, fulfilling the Geneva Conventions’ mandate for dignified burials. This operation, involving multiple government agencies and the ICRC, brought the total number of identified fallen soldiers to over 2,800. The recovered remains will undergo identification by law enforcement and forensic experts. President Zelensky previously reported approximately 43,000 Ukrainian soldier deaths since the full-scale invasion began.
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The assertion that President Biden’s strategy cost Ukraine its chance at victory is a complex one, sparking heated debate and raising important questions about the nature of the conflict and the role of the United States. While the US has undeniably provided significant military and financial aid to Ukraine, far exceeding any other nation’s contribution, criticisms persist regarding the timing and scope of this support.
The argument centers around the claim that delays in providing crucial weaponry and the imposition of restrictions on their use hampered Ukraine’s ability to launch effective offensives and potentially achieve a decisive victory. Concerns have been voiced that a more proactive and aggressive approach, including earlier and more extensive provision of long-range weaponry, could have altered the course of the war.… Continue reading
A $4.5 million Antonov An-72 military transport aircraft, belonging to the Russian Navy, exploded at Moscow’s Ostafyevo airfield on December 12, 2024. The Defense Intelligence of Ukraine attributed the blast to the detonation of the aircraft’s main power plant, though it did not claim responsibility. This incident follows the recent destruction of a Crimean radar system, highlighting the ongoing strain on Russia’s military resources amid the war in Ukraine. The timing is significant given Russia’s economic challenges and ongoing conflict.
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John Q. Hosedrinker 
Matt Underwood