‘No schemes involving a freeze of the conflict will suit Russia’ — Russian ambassador to the U.N. on prospects for peace talks with Ukraine

Russian Ambassador to the U.N. Vasily Nebenzya said Moscow would not accept proposals to freeze the war in Ukraine.

Юристы Трампа не смогли убедить суд отменить приговор по делу «денег за молчание» порноактрисе Сторми Дэниэлс

Юристы Дональда Трампа не смогли убедить нью-йоркский суд отменить приговор против избранного президента по уголовному делу, связанному с «деньгами за молчание» порноактрисе Сторми Дэниэлс и другим женщинам, сообщает Financial Times

ФСБ сообщила о задержании жителя Ялты, который якобы передавал ГУР данные о расположении и передвижении тех...

Сотрудники ФСБ задержали 31-летнего жителя Ялты, который якобы передавал украинской разведке сведения о передвижении техники армии России в Крыму

Правительство выделило 1 млрд рублей на покрытие долгов Большой российской энциклопедии

Правительство России выделило 1 млрд рублей АНО «Большая российская энциклопедия», управляющей одноименным образовательным проектом

WSJ: Турция готовится к военной операции против курдов на севере Сирии

По данным высокопоставленных американских чиновников, турецкие силы, включая ополченцев и регулярные войска, сосредотачиваются вблизи сирийского города Кобани, где проживает преимущественно курдское население, сообщает The Wall Street Journal

Head of Russia’s radiation, chemical, and biological protection force killed by bomb in Moscow

Lieutenant General Igor Kirillov, the chief of Russia's radiation, chemical, and biological protection force, and his aide were killed in an explosion in Moscow on Tuesday morning, Russia’s Investigative Committee said.

«Никакие схемы с заморозкой конфликта Россию не устроят». Постпред РФ в ООН — о возможности мирных переговоров

Постоянный представитель России в ООН Василий Небензя заявил, что Россию не устраивают предложения о заморозке войны в Украине.

Беспилотники бьют по репутации Кадырова

С 29 октября Чечня пережила уже четыре налета украинских беспилотников. Причем, интервал между атаками БПЛА сокращается, и ни один из украинских дронов до сих пор не был сбит.

Z-блогер Егор Гузенко, критиковавший Путина и Минобороны, рассказал о пытках из-за конфликта с бойцами «Ахм...

В Ставропольском крае Z-блогера Егора Гузенко под ником «Тринадцатый» избили и пытали после задержания

Информатор ФБР, утверждавший, что сын президента США Джо Байдена Хантер получил взятку от украинской фирмы,...

Александр Смирнов, бывший информатор ФБР, признал в суде, что информация о взятке в размере $5 млн, якобы выплаченной украинской компанией Джо Байдену и его сыну Хантеру, — ложная, сообщает Би-би-си

В Мексике задержали более 100 полицейских по обвинениям в коррупции. 92 из них передавали информацию о рейд...

В двух южных штатах Мексики в понедельник были арестованы более 100 местных полицейских по обвинениям в злоупотреблениях и различных преступлениях, пишет Associated Press

West should pressure Russia into peace talks, not Ukraine, Polish FM says

"Both the United States and the European Union must help Ukraine to achieve a better negotiating position for possible future negotiations, which should be encouraged and forced on the aggressor, not the victim."

Russian general charged with chemical weapons crimes reported dead in Moscow explosion

Lieutenant General Igor Kirillov, the head of the Russian Armed Forces' radiation, chemical, and biological defense troops, was reportedly killed in an explosion at a residence in Moscow the morning of Dec. 17.

North Korean troops suffer casualties in Russia’s Kursk Oblast, Pentagon says

North Korean troops have joined combat operations in the Kursk Oblast, marking the first confirmed engagement of North Korean soldiers alongside Russian military, Pentagon spokesperson Major General Patrick Ryder said on Dec. 16.

North Korean soldiers 'legitimate targets' for Ukrainian military, US official says

U.S. State Department Spokesperson Matthew Miller warned that if North Korean troops crossed the border into Ukraine to fight for Russia, that would mark a serious "escalation" in the war.

Russia to mass-produce Oreshnik ballistic missiles, Putin claims

Large-scale production of Russia's nuclear-capable Oreshnik missile is a goal for "the near future," Putin alleged at a defense ministry board meeting on Dec. 16.

Russia trying to hide North Korean losses in Ukraine war, Zelensky claims

"Russia is not only involving North Korean soldiers in assaults on Ukrainian positions, but is also trying to hide the losses of these people," President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Dec. 16.

Russian gas transit deal ends on December 31, won't be renewed, PM Shmyhal says

EU imposes sanctions on Chinese companies, North Korean minister over Ukraine war

The EU imposed fully fledged sanctions on Dec. 16, including asset freezes and visa bans, on Chinese firms for supplying Russia's military for the war against Ukraine.

Estonia urges NATO allies to boost defense spending to counter Russian threat, Reuters reports

"Everybody in NATO and in the EU right now has the feeling in their backbone that you should increase defense expenditure because of what is happening all over the world and with Russia," Estonia's Prime Minister Kristen Michal told Reuters.

Ukraine condemns Hungary’s ‘peacekeeping’ proposals, calls them manipulative

Hungary, which maintains close ties with Moscow despite Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, has consistently criticized EU sanctions against Russia and blocked initiatives to provide military aid to Kyiv.

Ukraine war latest: Russia sets goal to fully occupy 4 Ukrainian regions in 2025

Key developments on Dec. 16: * Russia sets 2025 goal to fully occupy 4 Ukrainian regions, Defense Minister says * 'It's a tough one,' Trump says following questions on how he plans to stop Russia's war against Ukraine * Ukrain…

'It's a tough one,' Trump says following questions on how he plans to stop Russia's war against Ukraine

President-elect Donald Trump confirmed he had not invited President Volodymyr Zelensky to his January inauguration but noted that Zelensky would be “welcome” if he chose to attend.

EU will train 75,000 Ukrainian soldiers by early 2025, chief diplomat says

Launched in October 2022, the European Union Military Assistance Mission in support of Ukraine (EUMAM) has already trained approximately 60,000 Ukrainian troops as of August 2024, primarily in Germany and Poland.

Bundestag votes no confidence in Scholz government, elections set for February

EU imposes new sanctions on Belarusian officials and companies supporting Lukashenko regime

The sanctions target judges who sentenced opposition figures, law enforcement officials involved in persecuting dissidents, and heads of penitentiaries where political prisoners are held.

Ukraine possesses laser weapons, advanced drone technologies, commander says

Speaking on Dec. 16, Colonel Vadym Sukharevskyi said Ukraine’s laser system, called Tryzub, can down aircraft at altitudes exceeding 2 kilometers.

Assad releases first statement since fleeing to Russia, claims he never considered 'seeking refuge'

In a post on the official Facebook page of the Syrian presidency, Assad said he was releasing the statement to address "misinformation and narratives far removed from the truth" in the wake of his overthrow.

Assad airlifted $250m in cash from Syria to Russia over two years, FT reports

The FT said Syria's central bank flew nearly two tonnes of $100 bills and €500 notes into the country, which were then deposited in sanctioned Russian banks.

Russia sets 2025 goal to fully occupy 4 Ukrainian regions, Defense Minister says

Russian Defense Minister Andrei Belousov said during a Defense Ministry meeting on Dec. 16 that Moscow aims to seize the entirety of Ukraine's Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson, and Zaporizhzhia oblasts in 2025.

Ukraine charges Russian general over use of banned chemical weapons

According to the SBU's investigation, chemical weapons have been used in more than 4,800 cases since the beginning of the full-scale invasion.

The collapse of Assad’s regime shows the limits of Russian airpower

After a decade-long civil war, Bashar al-Assad was firmly ensconced in Damascus — a far cry from the summer of 2012 and again in 2015, when policymakers, analysts, and pundits alike believed his rule was on the brink of collapse.

Russia must be ready for potential conflict with NATO 'within 10 years,' defense minister says

Russia should prepare for multiple scenarios, including a war with NATO, in the next 10 years, Defense Minister Andrei Belousov said.

Breakaway churches, spiritual awakenings, prayers in captivity. How war is changing Ukraine’s faith

For a decade, the world has seen how Russia has scarred Ukraine’s landscape with tens of thousands of bombs and missiles. The spiritual wounds — and awakenings — experienced by millions of Ukrainians are less visible.

Norway to provide $242 million for Ukrainian naval defense against Russian Black Sea threats

The money will be channeled through the Nansen Support Program, Norway's civil and military support program for Ukraine.

Ukraine produces almost 100 new Peklo missile-drones, media reports

Almost 100 of Ukraine's new Peklo missile-drone hybrids have been produced as the weapon entered serial production, Ukrainska Pravda reported on Dec. 16.

EU adopts 15th package of sanctions against Russia

The new listings include 54 persons and 30 entities "responsible for actions undermining or threatening the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of Ukraine."

Russian attacks against Ukraine injure 6 over past day

Ukrainian air defenses shot down 27 of the 49 drones launched by Russia overnight, the Air Force said. Nineteen drones were reportedly lost across the country thanks to electronic warfare countermeasures.

В Москве покончил с собой латвийский баскетболист Янис Тимма

Латвийский баскетболист Янис Тимма совершил самоубийство в Москве, сообщили российские агентства ТАСС и РИА Новости со ссылкой на источники.

ЕС собирается обсудить с новыми властями Сирии вывод российских военных баз из страны

ЕС планирует обсуждать с новыми властями Сирии вывод российских военных баз из страны, заявила глава европейской дипломатии Кая Каллас. 

В Вануату произошло землетрясение магнитудой 7,3

Землетрясение магнитудой 7,3 произошло у берегов Вануату в Тихом океане 17 декабря, сообщила Геологическая служба США. Подземные толчки зарегистрировали в 30 километрах к западу от города Порт-Вила, столицы Вануату.

В Москве убит генерал Игорь Кириллов — начальник войск радиационной, химической и биологической защиты

На Рязанском проспекте в Москве утром 17 декабря произошел взрыв, сообщает РИА Новости со ссылкой на экстренные службы. В Следственном комитете РФ заявили, что в результате инцидента погибли двое мужчин.

Два человека погибли при взрыве у дома в Москве. Среди них генерал-лейтенант Игорь Кириллов, известный фейк...

В результате взрыва самодельного взрывного устройства в Москве погиб начальник войск радиационной, химической и биологической защиты ВС РФ генерал-лейтенант Игорь Кириллов

Санкции все еще опасны, прогнозы теряют смысл, будущее туманно

Пять главных выводов о российской экономике по итогам 2024 года

Russian parliamentary ethics commission says it’s inoffensive to say women risk damnation if they don’t use their ‘baby factories’

The State Duma’s Ethics Commission has rejected a claim against United Russia lawmaker Alexander Ilytyakov, who recently insulted women who refuse to bear children.

Another right denied

A new Russian law bans migrant children from school if they don’t know the language — but offers no way for them to learn it

After Putin meets again with Russia’s business leaders, Kremlin releases footage hiding their faces, apparently to avoid further sanctions

On Monday, the Kremlin released a video showing Vladimir Putin meeting with representatives of the largest businesses in Russia.

Putin orders military to build integrated information network for battlefield coordination, but Z-bloggers say Russia has failed here, so far

On Monday, Vladimir Putin ordered Defense Ministry officials to create an “integrated information network connecting reconnaissance and strike assets across various levels of command.

North Korean troops killed in combat against Ukraine for the first time, Pentagon says

North Korean troops have engaged in combat alongside Russian forces for the first time and have suffered casualties, Pentagon spokesperson Major General Patrick Ryder said on Monday.

ВС РФ приняли на вооружение «меч Джедая», военные из КНДР показали тактику времен Первой мировой в Курской ...

В сегодняшней сводке:

Trump says decision to let Ukraine fire long-range strikes into Russia was ‘mistake’ that he ‘might’ reverse 

It was a mistake for the U.S. to allow Ukraine to strike deep inside Russia using Western long-range weapons, U.S. President-elect Donald Trump said at his first post-election press conference on Monday.

«Медиазона» узнала, что сотрудника саровского НИИ обвинили в госизмене и попытке выезда из России с ограничением из-за допуска к гостайне

В Нижегородский областной суд 13 декабря поступило дело жителя Сарова Дмитрия Кижменева, которого обвиняют в госизмене (статья 275 УК), попытке выезда из России при ограничении из-за допуска к гостайне (часть 3 статьи 30, часть 1 статьи 283.

В Москве появился призывной «пункт строгого режима» для уклонистов. Их запирают, игнорируют отсрочки, родны...

Возле Единого пункта призыва в Москве на улице Яблочкова появилось отдельное здание для тех, кто пытался избежать службы в армии, — не явился по «электронной повестке», не состоит на воинском учете или ранее оспаривал решение о призыве в суде

Mass layoffs hit Russian IT workers as businesses try to conceal cutbacks amid claims of a robust economy — The Bell

Layoffs of IT specialists in Russia have accelerated as 2024 draws to a close. According to reporting by The Bell in its subscribers-exclusive newsletter, the cutbacks have hit both tech firms and the IT divisions of companies in other industries.

Пентагон подтвердил гибель северокорейских военных в боях в Курской области

Северокорейские военные впервые вступили в бой вместе с российскими войсками в Курской области и понесли потери, заявил представитель Пентагона генерал-майор Патрик Райдер.

Forse vi state chiedendo che ci fanno queste celebrità alle partite del Como

APOD: 2024 December 16 – A Kilometer High Cliff on Comet Churyumov Gerasimenko

A different astronomy and space science related image is featured each day, along with a brief explanation.

Ukrainian drones destroy Russian ammunition depot in Donetsk Oblast, SBU source claims

"There were thousands of ammunition rounds for armored personnel carriers, tanks, anti-tank guided missiles, mines, grenades, and millions of rounds of ammunition of various calibers," the SBU source said.

South Africa will not invite Putin to next G20 summit over ICC arrest warrant

Russian President Vladimir Putin will not be invited to the next G20 summit due to his pending arrest warrant issued by the International Criminal Court (ICC), a spokesperson of the South African president told Russia’s state-owned TASS news agency o…

Trump's team seeks 'permanent end' to Russia-Ukraine war, national security advisor nominee says

When asked whether the upcoming Trump administration plans to restrict how Ukraine can use U.S. arms, Mike Waltz said that a "blank check... just isn't a strategy... This just, kind of, forever war that we seem to be backing into."

Sinking of two Russian oil tankers may cause 'significant environmental impacts,' Greenpeace warns

The two tankers, which reportedly sank on Dec. 15 due to severe weather conditions, were carrying approximately 4,000 tons of fuel oil on board each.

The Week Ahead: Key Developments Impacting Global Politics & Markets

Editor's note: This article is a shortened on-site version of KI Insights' The Week Ahead newsletter covering events from Dec. 16 to Dec. 22.

Pope Francis refers to Ukraine, Russia as 'brothers,' calls for peace during Sunday Mass

The pope has earned a controversial reputation in Ukraine with his earlier remarks that relativized the responsibility of Russia’s war, encouraging Ukrainians to have the "courage" to negotiate for peace.

Ukrainian gift guide 2024