Exclusives
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Russia is targeting Germany already — and Berlin believes worse is coming. In a document, reviewed by Bloomberg, the German military warns hybrid attacks on critical infrastructure could be a warm-up for open war. |
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War forced Ukraine to build a banking system the EU doesn't have (INFOGRAPHIC). The country's crisis-forged financial infrastructure is now a model for nations facing cyber threats and infrastructure attacks. |
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Venezuela proved Trump thinks like Putin—and Europe needs new allies. Trump called Putin "genius." Then he followed the playbook. |
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Russia imports more food, fewer machines as sanctions tighten (INFOGRAPHIC). First full-year trade data show Moscow choosing survival over industrial future. |
Military
One drone. One hit. One rare Russian radar obliterated in Donetsk Oblast. A middle-range strike drone from Ukraine's 412th NEMESIS brigade directly struck the 9S32M1 — a key part of Russia's air defenses.
Russian "rat" hid quietly in shelters of Kupiansk, changing locations constantly. Ukrainian special forces found him anyway. A Ukrainian operator receives Order for Courage from Zelenskyy after capturing Russian spotter.
Russian defense-linked Energiya plant burns after latest Ukrainian drone strike (VIDEOS, MAP). Energiya, one of only three such factories in Russia, supplies batteries for everything from drones to intercontinental missiles.
Russia sets new February deadline to take Kupiansk, Ukrainian military says (MAP). After previous failed attempts and false claims of control, Moscow now reportedly wants results by the end of January.
Intelligence and technology
SBU chief Maliuk refused to be "used for anyone's interests" in anti-corruption scandal in Ukraine. Reports say that's why he's out. Reports link dismissal to Yermak's pressure.
SBU Chief Vasyl Maliuk, architect of Ukraine's historic "Spiderweb" operation that hit 41 Russian aircraft, resigns. Maliuk's new mission is "world-class asymmetric operations".
International
Graham unveils 500% tariff threat to countries buying Russian oil. "This stuff works," Graham says—India already cut purchases.
Serbia's Vučić says Russian-owned Serbian refinery to fire up again mid-month. Serbia's president confirmed the sanctioned NIS plant will begin producing oil derivatives by late January.
Humanitarian and social impact
"Purely civilian production facilities": Russia bombs American plant in Dnipro, spills 300 tons of oil onto streets. Russia targets the American-owned civilian infrastructure facility in Ukraine.
Political and legal developments
Putin calls Russia's Paralympic flag restoration "our common great victory" amid war against Ukraine. Russia's war killed 644 Ukrainian athletes. Its reward is Paralympic flag restored.
Read our earlier daily review here.
