German peacekeeping troops in Ukraine to be discussed “in due time,” Pistorius says
German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius indicated openness for a Ukraine peacekeeping role, calling Germany "NATO’s largest partner in Europe."
Zelenskyy urges West for more Patriot systems on eve of Trump’s inauguration
With Donald Trump's inauguration tomorrow, Ukraine reported intercepting over 300 Russian drones and 60 missiles this week amid intensifying aerial assaults.
Ukraine destroys 7 Russian vehicles near strategic hub Velyka Novosilka as UK intel confirms offensive
The village's position at the intersection of Donetsk, Zaporizhzhia, and Dnipropetrovsk Oblasts makes it a critical stronghold for southern Ukraine.
Forbes: Russia resurrects WWII “funnies” tactic as Ukraine relentlessly bombards bridges in Kursk
British WWII veterans might recognize Russia's latest innovation in Kursk: vehicles turned into rapid-deployment bridges, echoing Allied “funnies” of 1944.
ISW: Russia shifts forces from captured Kurakhove for new Pokrovsk offensive
Russian troops are redeploying from Kurakhove, captured in late December, to strengthen their position for an offensive around Pokrovsk in Donetsk Oblast.
“You torture Russians, too” UN says, as skeletal Ukrainian prisoners of war return from captivity
While Ukraine grants UN monitors full access to its POW facilities, Russian detention centers remain completely closed to outside observers. The condition of returning Ukrainian prisoners—marked by visible signs of torture and neglect—underscores mounting allegations of war crimes.
Forbes: Russia promises soldiers 10-day leave for capturing Ukrainian “Baba Yaga” drones it can’t build
The $20,000 heavy Ukrainian UAVs have so rattled Russian defenses that commanders offer extended leave bounties while technicians refurbish captured drones for their own use.
Forbes: Russian tank dies lonely death in broad daylight as five Ukrainian drones strike
Russian military bloggers derided commanders as "geniuses" after a lone tank near besieged Pokrovsk met five Ukrainian drones, each executing their part in its destruction.
“Let’s meet at Ukraine border and discuss Russian gas,” Slovak PM says. “Come to Kyiv on Friday,” Zelenskyy replies
Robert Fico wants to renew halted Russian gas transit via Ukraine to Slovakia.
Bloomberg: Three tankers with 2M barrels of Russian oil stranded off China as US sanctions bite
Shandong Port Group's terminals are turning away Russian oil shipments after US Treasury sanctions targeted 183 tankers.
Forbes: Russians pray in Kursk as 33-ton Ukrainian Bradley meets them in church battle
A US-made Bradley fighting vehicle challenged Russian positions around Saint Michael's Church in Pogrebki until a drone's grenade found a gap in its protective netting.
Russia’s secret $ 250B war fund threatens economic collapse, ex-Bank of America vice chairman says
The Kremlin forced Russian banks to provide $210-250 billion in preferential loans to defense contractors, matching its official military budget.
Forbes: Drones give Ukraine first tank advantage in war with Russia
For the first time since Russia's invasion, Ukrainian tank crews operate freely near the front while their opponents shoot blindly from miles back.
Newsweek: US corporations are Russia’s biggest foreign tax source, paying $ 1.2 billion in 2023
Tobacco giant Philip Morris International and PepsiCo led American corporate payments to Russia in 2023, contributing $220 million and $135 million respectively in profit taxes.