Exclusives
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Russia’s smartest move is not in Ukraine—it’s deep in Asia. The world watches Belarus. But 4,000 km east, another country is slipping into Moscow’s orbit. |
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It’s your war. You’ve just outsourced the dying.. A Ukrainian's message to Europe from 400 km east of Warsaw |
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Ukraine’s F-16s may now be hunting Shaheds that hide from radar. Are Ukraine's ex-European F-16s fighters carrying special anti-drone sensors into combat? At least one observer believes so. |
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“We do not trust empty pledges anymore” – Ukraine’s foreign minister on Budapest Memorandum. 31 years ago, Ukraine traded its nuclear arsenal for a promise. Russia broke it. Now Kyiv wants real guarantees. |
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Ukraine’s drones finally beat the fog—11 Russian tanks burn near Myrnohrad. Ground robots, AI, and signals intel restore Ukraine's winter edge |
Military
Frontline report: Russia's shadow fleet begins to collapse as Ukraine expands maritime campaign beyond Black Sea. Naval drone strikes have turned the Black Sea into a high-risk zone for Russian oil shipping, while incidents off Senegal suggest Ukrainian targeting now follows Russia's global export routes.
Ukraine says drones hit 23,441 Russian targets in November. A total of 23,441 targets were hit, including 8,473 personnel (4,868 eliminated). Drones hit energy, logistics and military sites across occupied areas and deep in Russia's rear.
Satellite images confirm damage to Afipsky oil refinery after Ukrainian drone strike. Satellite imagery shows burned areas and structural damage at Russia's Afipsky oil refinery—a facility producing over 6 mn tons of fuel annually, including aviation fuel for the Russian military.
Drones hit gas terminal, oil refinery, and Chechen government building in overnight strikes deep inside Russia. Drones struck a gas terminal at Temryuk port, an oil refinery in Syzran 900 km from the frontline, and a Grozny skyscraper housing Chechnya's Security Council offices overnight on 5 Dec.
UK, Norway join forces to hunt Russian submarines in the North Atlantic. Lunna House Agreement links 13 anti-submarine frigates to protect undersea cables and pipelines.
Frontline report: Russia's third Kharkiv offensive unravels as flag-planting stunt ends in disaster. Moscow rushed to claim Vovchansk was captured, but footage of fallen flag bearers lying in rubble tells a different story.
Intelligence and Technology
Russia's "Doppelgänger" network floods France with 200 fake news sites ahead of 2026 elections, Ukrainian watchdog says. Over 140 sites clone real French outlets, twist stories to push Kremlin-friendly themes.
International
EU defense chief: Stop relying on Washington and craft our own peace plan – POLITICO. Former Lithuanian PM warns Brussels could lose its seat at the table as US-led talks proceed without European input.
Wrong time to cut back? Denmark cuts Ukraine aid nearly in half as battlefield situation worsens. Copenhagen says it has outpaced larger countries and others should now share the burden.
"Ukraine is now Sweden's top aid priority": Stockholm redirects billions from five countries to fund energy reconstruction. Stockholm aims for 10 billion kronor in Ukraine support by 2026.
Merz to the rescue as EU races to bypass Belgium on Russia's €210bn. Belgium holds €183bn and demands EU-wide risk-sharing before releasing a cent.
With Ukraine's reserves running low, Merz presses Belgium to unlock €165 billion loan. EU summit on 18 December seen as critical moment for deciding loan's fate.
Putin uses India media platform to peddle historical myths justifying Ukraine land grab as Trump peace talks continue. Just before New Delhi visit, Russian president recycles debunked territorial claims.
Putin rejects parts of US plan to end war in Ukraine, says negotiations remain ongoing.
Peace in Ukraine must guarantee its sovereignty and territorial integrity, says Austrian Foreign Minister. Beate Meinl-Reisinger at the OSCE meeting in Vienna: "The rule of law must prevail, not the law of the strongest."
UK weighs plan to unlock $10.7 bn in frozen Russian funds for Ukraine — The Times. The UK is attempting to forge a multinational deal that would allow the release of Russian assets frozen in Britain, as Kyiv faces a significant funding gap over the next two years.
US presses EU states to reject plan using frozen Russian assets for Ukraine — Bloomberg. Washington has been privately pressing European governments to block an EU proposal to deploy immobilized Russian funds for Ukraine's financing needs.
US delays enforcement of Lukoil fuel-station sanctions until April 2026. The United States has postponed sanctions directed at Lukoil-operated fuel stations, citing the need to avoid disruption for consumers and suppliers.
Vance calls Ukraine peace talks "perennial frustration" but predicts breakthrough within weeks. Vice President JD Vance says negotiating an end to Russia's war against Ukraine has proven more difficult than resolving Middle East conflicts.
The new US security strategy includes a clause on "containing NATO expansion" and criticism of Europe. The Trump administration's National Security Strategy refers to the conflict in Ukraine as "the Ukraine War" without mentioning Russian aggression.
Moldova drafting Transnistria reintegration plan with Western partners, but keeping details under wraps. Old international formats collapsed; Moldova and Transnistria now talk directly.
Humanitarian and Social Impact
Russian forces kill another surrendering Ukrainian servicemember, prosecutors say. Pretrial investigation launched under Ukraine's war crimes statute as prosecutors document yet another POW execution.
Political and Legal Developments
From proxies to puppets: Russia strips collaborators of power in occupied territories. New "curator" positions shift all major decisions to Moscow as local proxies lose influence in "Effective Region" project.
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