Russia-Ukraine War

Moldova Declares Emergency Over Potential Russian Gas Cut-Off

With the Russia-Ukraine gas transit deal expiring December 31st and no extension planned, Moldova declared a national state of emergency due to potential energy shortages. This action follows Russia’s recent massive missile strike on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure and the threat of halted gas supplies to Moldova’s Transnistrian region, which could create a humanitarian crisis. Moldovan Prime Minister Dorin Recean aims to end the country’s energy vulnerability. Russia has expressed willingness to continue supplying gas to Europe via Ukraine.

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Over 2,000 Ukrainian Soldiers Hospitalized for Chemical Poisoning

Over 4,800 incidents involving chemical weapons, including riot control agents, have been documented against Ukrainian forces since the war began, resulting in over 2,000 servicemen hospitalized with chemical poisoning and three fatalities. Russian forces utilize these weapons under the cover of intense attacks, hindering investigation and prosecution. The Ukrainian military faces challenges in identifying and mitigating these threats due to equipment limitations. Despite a recent decrease in K-51 tear gas grenade use due to colder weather, Ukraine maintains its commitment to the Chemical Weapons Convention.

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Ukraine Strikes Russian Oil Depot in Oryol Oblast

Overnight on December 14th, multiple Russian Telegram channels reported a Ukrainian drone attack on an Oryol oil depot, resulting in a significant fire and explosions. Oryol Oblast governor Andrey Klychkov confirmed the downing of eleven drones and the localization of the fire, reporting no casualties. While unverified by Ukrainian authorities, videos circulating on social media appear to show a drone strike impacting an oil storage tank. This attack follows a pattern of Ukrainian drone strikes targeting Russian oil infrastructure near the border.

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New $500 Million Weapons Package for Ukraine Sparks Debate

On December 12th, the United States approved a $500 million weapons package for Ukraine, the 72nd such shipment under the Presidential Drawdown Authority. This aid, announced by Secretary of State Antony Blinken, includes ammunition for HIMARS, artillery, air defenses, drones, armored vehicles, and anti-armor systems. The package aims to bolster Ukraine’s defense capabilities before President-elect Trump’s inauguration. This is part of a broader effort to provide substantial military aid to Ukraine before a potential shift in U.S. policy.

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Ukraine’s War Dead: Zelensky’s 43,000 Figure Questioned

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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$1 Billion in US Military Aid to Ukraine: Debate Rages Over Spending Priorities

A new $988 million military aid package for Ukraine, nearly halving the remaining Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative funds, was announced. This package, which includes drones and ammunition for HIMARS, prioritizes purchasing new weapons from industry rather than depleting U.S. stockpiles. The aid is being expedited before the incoming administration, due to concerns about the future of U.S. support for Ukraine under the new president. This action follows a previous $725 million package and builds on over $62 billion in total U.S. security assistance since the Russian invasion.

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Belarus Under Fire: Torture, Drones, and Mounting Sanctions

A Belarusian Investigative Center report revealed a Russian-operated torture chamber in Naroulia, Belarus, between March and May 2022, where Ukrainian prisoners of war and civilians were held and abused. Concurrently, a record-high 151 Russian drones illegally entered Belarusian airspace in November, significantly exceeding previous monthly totals. The European Parliament responded by urging stronger sanctions against Belarus, Iran, and North Korea for supporting Russia’s war effort. Furthermore, sanctioned Belarusian potash producer Belaruskali filed a €1 billion arbitration claim against Lithuania.

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Putin Relative Leaks Staggering Figure of Missing Russian Troops in Ukraine

A leaked video shows Anna Tsivilyova, reportedly a relative of Vladimir Putin, stating that 48,000 relatives have contacted the Ministry of Internal Affairs for DNA assistance in identifying missing soldiers. This figure, quickly cautioned against by Defence Committee chief Andrei Kartapolov as sensitive and confidential, offers a potential indication of the scale of Russian military losses in Ukraine. Tsivilyova later clarified that the number reflected applications, not necessarily the number of missing soldiers. The incident highlights the secrecy surrounding Russia’s casualty figures in the ongoing conflict.

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Biden Announces $725M More in Military Aid to Ukraine: Controversy and Concerns

Facing a potential halt in military aid under a Trump presidency, the Biden administration is expediting a $725 million weapons package to Ukraine. This includes anti-air and anti-armor systems, artillery, and HIMARS rockets, bolstering Ukraine’s defenses against Russian advances in eastern Ukraine and a potential assault in the Kursk region. The aid, utilizing Presidential drawdown authority, aims to strengthen Ukraine’s position before the end of Biden’s term. Additionally, the package controversially includes anti-personnel mines and enables US contractors to repair damaged equipment in Ukraine.

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Putin’s Cousin Rebuked for Revealing Russian War Casualties

During a Duma address, Anna Tsivileva, a Russian Deputy Minister of Defense and relative of Vladimir Putin, inadvertently disclosed that 48,000 DNA requests had been received for missing soldiers. This revelation, deemed classified information by Duma member Andrey Kartapolov, directly contradicted Russia’s policy of concealing military casualty numbers. The broadcast was subsequently removed, though clips circulated online. This incident comes amidst reported high Russian military losses and a recent territorial gain in Ukraine, highlighting the ongoing conflict’s complexities.

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