Thursday, December 26

Russia’s war against Ukraine

First responders at the site of a Russian attack on Dec. 25, 2024. (State Emergency Service)

Russia terrorizes Ukraine with mass missile, drone attack against energy grid on Christmas morning. Russia launched more than 70 missiles, including ballistic ones, and over 100 drones, President Volodymyr Zelensky said. More than 50 missiles and “a significant number” of drones were shot down, he added.

Ukraine hits Russian naval infantry brigade command post in Kursk Oblast, military claims. “This fire strike is part of a comprehensive campaign to weaken the ability of the Russian Armed Forces to coordinate military operations against the people of Ukraine,” Ukraine’s Center for Strategic Communications said.

Russia begins movement near Toretsk, uses military equipment, Kyiv says. Anastasia Bobovnikova, a spokesperson of the Operational Tactical Group Luhansk, said that fighting with the use of armored combat vehicles, motorcycles and buggies took place in the village of Nelipivka north of Toretsk.

Russian missile enters Moldova’s airspace during mass attack on Ukraine. “Moldova condemns these acts and stands in full solidarity with Ukraine,” Moldovan President Maia Sandu said.

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Ukrainian drones destroy Russian ammunition depot in Rostov Oblast, SBU source claims. “(The depot) was used by the enemy to supply its troops in the Kramatorsk sector (in Donetsk Oblast). Now the Russians have logistical difficulties, which significantly affect their ability to conduct combat operations,” a source in the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) said.

Ukraine approves homemade Shchedryk aerial vehicle for military use. The Shchedryk unmanned aerial vehicle has increased resistance to electronic warfare and can be tasked with monitoring the actions of Russian troops on the battlefield, the Defense Minitsry said.

Russia ready to export gas to EU via routes bypassing Ukraine, official claims. The declaration comes after President Volodymyr Zelensky confirmed during a press conference on Dec. 19 that Ukraine would not extend the transit agreement for Russian gas through its territory, which is set to expire on Dec. 31.

Human cost of war

Ukrainian poet and prose writer Oleksii Bezpaltsev killed in action. Oleksii Bezpaltsev, a 34-year-old poet and prose writer from Kharkiv, was killed in action while performing a combat mission in Kharkiv Oblast, PEN Ukraine reported on Dec. 25.

General Staff: Russia has lost 779,320 troops in Ukraine since Feb. 24, 2022. This number includes 1,600 casualties Russian forces suffered just over the past day.

Opinions and insights

Is Putinism fascism by another name?

The term “fascism” is increasingly used to describe the agenda and actions of the current Russian state under Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Photo: Contributor/Getty Images

International response

Japan to transfer $3 billion from frozen Russian assets to Ukraine, Zelensky says. In a phone call with Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, Zelensky expressed his gratitude for Japan’s previous aid to Ukraine, which has totaled $12 billion and “makes it possible to save thousands of lives.”

Kellogg condemns Russia’s mass attack against Ukraine on Christmas Day. President-elect Donald Trump’s nominee for Ukraine peace envoy, Keith Kellogg, denounced Russia’s mass attack on early Christmas morning, emphasizing that “Christmas should be a time of peace.”

In other news

Zelensky wishes Ukrainians peace and unity in third wartime Christmas address. President Volodymyr Zelensky said in his Christmas Eve address on Dec. 24 that Ukrainians continue to hold on to their faith, unity, and traditions during the third Christmas in wartime.

Azerbaijani Airlines plane en route to Russia crashes in western Kazakhstan. According to Kazakhstan’s Transport Ministry, the plane operated by Azerbaijan Airlines had 37 Azerbaijani passengers, 16 Russians, six Kazakhs, and three Kyrgyz, along with five crew members on board.

Russian air defense missile may have downed Azerbaijani plane, media say. Footage of the plane shows traces of a large surface-to-air missile impact on the tail section of the plane, according to Russian independent media outlet Meduza.

Former top enlistment officer arrested after planning to flee abroad, investigators say. The former official planned to hide from authorities after his release from detention and flee abroad, the bureau said.

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