Exclusives
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Ukraine is losing in the south—and Ukrainian commanders are blaming the outnumbered troops on the ground. Ukraine starves its territorial troops of manpower and equipment. No wonder they're falling back in Zaporizhzhia. |
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US captures Maduro in overnight Venezuela strike, dealing blow to Russia's Latin American ally. Delta Force seizes Venezuelan president and wife in pre-dawn operation |
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Russia adopts fleeing tanker mid-chase, tells US to back off. Marinera now registered in Sochi. Moscow demands the US back off. |
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Belarus boasts of tactical nukes that can reach four European capitals. Russian specialists supposedly working to equip adapted Chinese launchers with nuclear warheads. |
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Ukraine's economy adapts to war, but hits a ceiling money can't break (INFOGRAPHICS). Record December confidence, yet forecasters still cap growth at 2%. |
Military
Frontline report: Russian energy system begins failing on its own as Ukraine's deep-strike campaign exhausts repair capacity. The fire at the Saratov refinery, which occurred without a new strike, is one of the clearest signs of how degraded Russia's refining system has become - facilities are now shutting down under their own accumulated stress.
Intelligence and technology
International
From Canada to Finland: 14 nations' security advisors meet in Kyiv to discuss Ukraine's future. Talks continue next week in Europe and US, Zelenskyy says.
Trump calls "war in Russia" primitive compared to Venezuela operation. It's actually Russia's war against Ukraine. Trump's language mirrors Kremlin framing.
"Nice if US attacked military bases in Ukraine": Kremlin's mouthpiece responds to US operation in Venezuela with threats. Medvedev defends Maduro while Russia occupies Ukraine.
"Political slap in face for Putin": US operation in Venezuela threatens Russia's oil revenues and its war funding, says expert. Venezuela falls, Russia loses, says a Ukrainian expert.
Czech speaker calls Zelenskyy "junta," sparks diplomatic clash with Kyiv. Ukraine's ambassador fires back at anti-Ukraine rhetoric from Czech parliament's highest office.
Humanitarian and social impact
12th blackout at Europe's largest nuclear plant: Russia deliberately disrupts Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Plant to integrate it into its grid. Russia attacks Ukrainian energy on multiple fronts overnight.
Political and legal developments
Even ending war won't save Russia's economy. Recession by July 2026 "practically impossible to avoid," Kremlin-linked analysts admit. War or peace, recession comes.
"Dear Comrade": Kremlin equates NYC new mayor's policies with Soviet communism. NYC's democratic socialist mayor gets mocked by envoy of the Russian regime.
Zelenskyy's "substantial overhaul": Who's who in Ukraine's biggest government reshuffle since war began. Spy chief takes over Presidential Office, drone pioneer tapped for Defense Ministry
Read our earlier daily review here.
