Ukraine War - Intel News

A Ukrainian missile strike targeted Lgov in the Kursk oblast of Russia. Russian media report that a fire broke out following the missile impacts.

Ukraine claims that Russia has reportedly hacked into the local television frequencies to broadcast this emergency message. The emergency warning has not been issued by Ukraine.

Europe not ready to confront Russia without US support - The Independent.

"We are not ready. That is absolutely certain. We cannot simply hope that the US will remain very involved in Europe" said Latvian President Edgars Rinkēvičs.

He was supported by Finnish President Alexander Stubb, who noted that without the US, NATO would not be able to function effectively:

“We must acknowledge this because we are worried about Moscow”.

Finland, which has the largest military presence among European countries, is also increasing its military budget, including the purchase of 64 F-35A aircraft. In turn, Estonian Prime Minister Kristen Michal stressed the importance of countering Russian aggression:

“If we agree to the seizure of territories, it will be a bad signal for the future of the democratic world”.

US will provide Ukraine with $15 billion, backed by future revenues from frozen Russian assets, Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal announced.

The United States will provide Ukraine with nearly $2.5 billion in security assistance. This includes $1.22 billion under the USAI program, which covers weapons and equipment that are yet to be produced, and $1.24 billion from Pentagon stockpiles. The Biden administration has fully utilized the $61 billion allocated for Ukraine by the US Congress in April.

By the end of this year, Latvia will deliver another 1,000 drones to Ukraine — according to Andris Sprūds, the country's Minister of Defense.

Poland will build a road to the border with the Kaliningrad region of the Russian Federation next year to enable the rapid transfer of troops and security forces if necessary, the Ministry of Internal Affairs said.

Russia will lift moratorium on medium- and short-range missiles that can carry nuclear warheads, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov says. - Russia will not participate in the Peace Summit in "any format"; - Ukraine has not refused to restore the 1991 borders and withdraw Russian troops, so it will try to issue an ultimatum; - The non-aligned status of Ukraine remains the goal of the "special operation"; - NATO is involved in long-range missile strikes on Russia.

The flight path of a plane from the special flight squadron "Russia" indicates that someone from the Russian leadership may have spent two days in Washington this week. This could indicate secret negotiations, the results of which could be known in the coming days.

Poland plans to complete border wall and close border with Belarus by summer 2025 - Financial Times. The publication, citing Polish Deputy Minister of Migration Maciej Duszczyk, writes that after the completion of the fortifications, “100% border security will be ensured”. Poland began building the border wall in late 2021, as Lukashenko facilitated the arrival of thousands of migrants to Poland and neighboring Baltic states. Many migrants received sponsored visas and tickets on flights from the Middle East and Africa to Moscow or Minsk before traveling by bus to the Polish border.

Jimmy Carter - the 39th President of the US - has died at the age of 100.

NATO is developing a strategy to respond to potential destructive "hybrid attacks" from Russia. The strategy will include military measures, according to James Appathurai, NATO's Assistant Secretary General for Innovation, Hybrid Threats, and Cybersecurity.

Russia is not satisfied with Trump's proposal to delay Ukraine's NATO membership for 20 years and the deployment of European and British peacekeepers, said Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov.

A passenger plane crashed in South Korea. While landing at Muan Airport, the plane skidded off the runway and crashed into a fence at high speed. Immediately after that, the plane exploded - the moment of the disaster was captured on video. According to preliminary information, the tragedy was caused by birds. There were 175 passengers and six crew members on board.

Night footage of Russian cruise missiles hitting the Pridneprovskaya TPP in Dnepropetrovsk.

Russia is working on a scenario of attack on Finland - Iltalehti Journal. NATO sources told the Finnish newspaper Iltalehti Journal that Russia is preparing for a possible attack on Finland and other countries on the Alliance's eastern flank. According to estimates, the Russian invasion could target the borders of the 1743 Peace of Turku. In particular, Russian forces could target the region up to the Kymijoki River and, in the north, the Puumalan Strait. Interestingly, the Russian tanker Eagle S, which was recently detained in Finland, was found to be carrying spy equipment used to track NATO equipment. The vessel is also suspected of damaging the Estlink 2 cable in the Baltic Sea and other acts of sabotage on underwater communications.

Fortified Russian storage facilities for Geran-2 kamikaze drones in the Oryol region, the construction of which began in late August 2024, were captured on satellite images. Several objects are visible, connected by access roads. Presumably, part of the entire complex is buried underground. It is reported that the Ukrainian Armed Forces struck these storage facilities with several Strom Shadow missiles.

Greece to provide Ukraine with RIM-7 Sea Sparrow anti-aircraft missiles.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky responded to Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico’s statement about potentially halting electricity exports to Ukraine.

“It seems Putin has tasked Fico with opening a second energy front against Ukraine at the expense of the Slovak people” Zelensky wrote.

He highlighted that Slovakia accounts for approximately 19% of Ukraine’s imported electricity. Zelensky also noted that Fico’s shortsighted policies have already deprived the Slovak people of compensation for the loss of Russian gas transit and risk forfeiting at least $200 million annually that Ukraine pays for imported electricity.

The US is set to announce a new $1.25 billion aid package for Ukraine on December 30, according to Associated Press, citing American officials. The package is expected to include a “significant quantity” of ammunition for NASAMS and HAWK air defense systems, Stinger missiles, and 155mm and 105mm artillery shells.