Live coverage: Putin warns NATO while paramilitary forces decimate squadron in surprise attack.

Live coverage: Putin warns NATO while paramilitary forces decimate squadron in surprise attack.


The city of Kyiv experiences a significant drone attack carried out by Russia, resulting in five people being injured.

According to a US war analysis group, Russian President Vladimir Putin has issued a warning to Finland and the larger Nato alliance. Additionally, paramilitary forces from Russia stationed in Ukraine have confessed to conducting a cross-border assault.

The Institute for the Study of War stated that the Russian President’s recent interview on state TV reflects the Kremlin’s aggressive intentions towards the alliance. They believe that this poses a significant and expensive threat to Western security.

In the meantime, the Freedom of Russia Legion, which was established in the spring of 2022 with the purpose of opposing Putin’s military in Ukraine, asserted that they successfully executed a raid into Russia’s Belgorod region on Sunday.

The organization, identified as a terrorist group in Russia, claimed to have demolished a Russian military base near the village of Trebreno. They did not mention if any infrastructure was destroyed or if there were casualties, but they also announced that they had left behind explosive devices.

On Sunday, Ukraine and Russia engaged in a drone attack on each other’s territories, escalating the ongoing attacks. Reports claim that one person was killed in Odesa by the Russian assault, while the Ukrainian strike aimed at a Russian military airfield.

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Diplomats from Russia: The latest sanctions imposed by the EU indicate that their efforts to penalize Moscow have been unsuccessful.

The Russian embassy to the European Union stated on Monday that the EU’s recent sanctions demonstrate that their efforts to penalize Moscow have been ineffective.

The Russian economy is not completely destroyed, and efforts to isolate us in the global arena, particularly through the Brussels platform, have been unsuccessful. The mission released a statement online stating that the goal of causing a major defeat has not been successful.

The Foreign Ministry of Russia in Moscow did not release a statement, only stating that a response to the sanctions would be given soon.

Athena Stavrou19 December 2023 03:00

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Zelensky expresses his approval of the 12th set of sanctions imposed by the EU on Russia.

Zelensky, the President of Ukraine, has expressed approval for the EU’s decision to implement a 12th set of sanctions on Russia on Monday.

The package aims to enforce further restrictions on Russia’s imports and exports while also tightening any loopholes. It specifically forbids the direct or indirect import, purchase, or transfer of diamonds from Russia.

“I am pleased with the implementation of the 12th EU sanctions against Russia,” stated Zelensky on X.

A complete prohibition on diamonds from Russia, tightening current sanctions to eliminate any loopholes, and implementing restrictions on the import of goods with dual uses and other items. These measures generate €2.2 billion in revenue for Russia each year and enable its ongoing aggression against Ukraine.

Athena Stavrou19 December 2023 02:00

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Russian troops were redeployed to the frontlines despite not fully recovering from their injuries.

The UK’s ministry of defence stated on Monday that Russian soldiers may be returning to active duty with untreated injuries.

According to the recent update on defense intelligence, Britain has stated that it is highly probable that Russian troops are being sent back to active duty despite having unhealed injuries and even undergoing limb amputations.

According to reliable sources, there have been reports of units receiving very little or no treatment on a regular basis.

Athena Stavrou19 December 2023 01:00

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Ukraine is reducing its military activities due to a lack of support from foreign aid.

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A senior general in the army has stated that Ukraine had to reduce its military actions because they lacked foreign aid.

According to Brigadier General Oleksandr Tarnavskyi, Reuters was informed that there is currently a deficit of artillery shells and the decrease in foreign military assistance is affecting the situation on the frontlines.

In an interview, he stated that there are issues with ammunition, particularly with post-Soviet shells of 122mm and 152mm. These problems are present throughout the entire front line.

“The current volumes are inadequate for our current needs, and therefore we are redistributing them. We are also revising our tasks and reducing their size in order to meet our needs,” he stated, but did not specify any further information.

The remarks emphasize that Kyiv is dependent on military assistance from Western countries in order to combat Russian forces along a 1,000-kilometer front, which has been ongoing for almost 22 months and is the largest conflict in Europe since World War Two.

He stated, “We have shifted to a defensive stance in certain regions, while also maintaining our offensive actions through strategic movements, firing, and advancing. Additionally, we are getting our reserves ready for future large-scale operations.”

Athena Stavrou19 December 2023 00:01

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A Russian individual accused of committing war crimes in Ukraine has been apprehended in Finland.

A man from Russia who is believed to have committed war crimes in Ukraine between 2014 and 2015 has been detained in Finland.

In August, Finnish officials arrested Yan Petrovsky after Ukraine issued a warrant for his arrest. According to court papers viewed by Reuters, he is suspected of being involved in a terrorist group.

Earlier this month, the Finnish Supreme Court denied Ukraine’s request to extradite Petrovsky, citing concerns about inhumane prison conditions.

The district court announced on Monday that the cut-off date for filing charges is May 31, 2024.

In August, social media accounts associated with Russia’s Wagner Group private military contractors claimed that Petrovsky held a high-ranking position within Rusich, a far-right subgroup connected to Wagner.

According to Reuters, Rusich has named Petrovsky as a key member and leader of the group. Petrovsky has been subject to sanctions from both the European Union and the United States since last year.

Athena Stavrou18 December 2023 23:00

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Denmark allocates 1.8 billion crowns for Ukraine.

The government of Denmark has allocated 1.8 billion Danish crowns (equivalent to £211 million) to support the purchase of armoured combat vehicles in Ukraine.

On Monday, the Danish defense ministry announced their support for a Swedish effort to provide CV90 armored vehicles to the occupied nation.

The ministry stated that Sweden has given 50 CV90s to the nation for its conflict with Russia. The donation from Denmark would aid in funding the creation of additional vehicles, as well as providing spare parts, ammunition, and a long-term maintenance agreement.

Athena Stavrou18 December 2023 22:00

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By 2027, there will be thousands of German soldiers stationed on the border of Russia.

In 2027, German and Lithuanian defense ministers announced that approximately 4,800 German soldiers will be stationed on the Russian border in Lithuania. They are considered to be prepared for combat.

This marks the first time German soldiers will have a permanent deployment in a foreign country since World War Two.

The German Defence Minister, Boris Pistorius, drew a comparison between an agreement he deemed “historic” and the placement of allied forces in West Germany during the Cold War. These forces were stationed to protect Western Europe in the event of a Soviet attack.

“The eastern border has shifted towards the east, and Germany is responsible for its defense,” stated Pistorius during a joint press conference with the Lithuanian Minister, whose country shares borders with Russia and its ally Belarus.

According to Pistorius, the majority of the groups will arrive between 2025 and 2026. They and their loved ones will receive appealing benefits, such as access to German-language schools, kindergartens, housing, and flight connections.

Athena Stavrou18 December 2023 21:00

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The highest-ranking military official in Ukraine condemns Zelensky’s actions.

The head of Ukraine’s military has expressed disapproval of President Volodymyr Zelensky’s recent choice to dismiss the leaders of military recruitment on Monday.

In August, Zelensky dismissed all regional military recruitment leaders in Ukraine as part of an effort to combat corruption.

He reported that a state probe into facilities throughout Ukraine had uncovered misconduct by authorities, including illegal profiteering and transporting eligible men across the border despite a ban on them leaving during wartime.

When questioned by journalists about the impact on mobilization levels, Armed Forces Commander-in-Chief Valeriy Zaluzhnyi expressed disapproval over the dismissal of recruitment leaders.

According to Interfax Ukraine, he stated that these individuals were experts and knew how to accomplish this task, but they have since departed.

When questioned by journalists about the recent proposal from the Defence Ministry to enhance military recruitment, Zaluzhnyi stated that the previous system should be reinstated.

According to Interfax Ukraine, he stated that it is currently premature to assess recruitment. Regarding mobilization matters, the focus should not be on strengthening it, but rather on reverting back to the previous boundaries and frameworks that were effective.

Ukraine, which initially had a large number of enthusiastic volunteers ready to defend against Russia’s invasion, is now attempting to enlist additional men to fill in for those currently serving on the front lines.

In the past few weeks, there has been an increase in angry posts on social media claiming that army recruiters are appearing at gyms and resorts to distribute draft notices.

Athena Stavrou18 December 2023 20:00

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In Russia’s 2024 election, Putin has officially registered as an independent candidate.

Vladimir Putin, the President of Russia, has submitted paperwork to the Central Election Commission of Russia in order to run as a candidate in the 2024 presidential election.

According to Russian state media, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov stated that he turned them in.

On Saturday, followers of Mr. Putin officially selected him as their candidate for the 2024 independent presidential election.

According to Russian election laws, individuals who are not affiliated with a political party are required to be nominated by a group of at least 500 supporters.

Independent candidates also need to gather at least 300,000 signatures of support from 40 regions or more.

The individuals who proposed Mr Putin’s nomination consisted of high-ranking members of the ruling United Russia party, well-known Russian performers, athletes, and other notable public figures.

Athena Stavrou18 December 2023 19:00

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The United States is preparing to provide additional aid to Ukraine.

The White House announced that the United States will be providing another aid package to Ukraine in December.

“Once that task is completed…we will exhaust our replenishment authority and require immediate action from Congress,” stated John Kirby, the White House’s national security spokesperson.

Athena Stavrou18 December 2023 17:53

Source: independent.co.uk