United24 Media:
πΉ A convoy of North Korean military equipment has been observed in Russiaβs Tyumen region. It includes several Koksan self-propelled guns and vehicles resembling KN-15 (Pukguksong-2) missile systems.
The Pukguksong-2 is a medium-range missile system with an estimated range of 1,200β2,000 kilometers, designed primarily for missile defense.
πΈ Poland is prepared to shoot down Russian missiles if they threaten Polish territory or other NATO countries, according to Polish Defense Minister Wladyslaw Kosiniak-Kamysz.
βSo far, no missile has been aimed at a target within Polish territory. However, last week, Polish F-16s were deployed and ready to defend the border area,β the minister stated.
πΉ Putin is conducting hybrid attacks, with Germany being a key target, according to German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius in an interview with Funke Mediengruppe.
Pistorius explained that the aim of these attacks is not just to cause damage but also to destabilize society and manipulate public opinion. He highlighted the need for Germany to actively counter such threats, which include attacks on infrastructure and energy supplies, malicious activities in the North and Baltic Seas, and violations of airspace rules.
He also pointed to social media campaigns, interference in election processes, and financial support for narratives from groups like the AfD and SPD, which claim Germany prioritizes war over national defense.
βAll of this is part of Putinβs strategy to destabilize German society and create division. We must do everything possible to ensure this strategy fails,β Pistorius stated.
πΈ Russians Execute Ukrainian Prisoners Again β Lubinets
Dmytro Lubinets, the Commissioner for Human Rights of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine, confirmed he has reviewed a video showing the execution of Ukrainian prisoners of war. He plans to report the incident to the United Nations and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC).
According to Lubinets, the video was shared by the 110th Separate Mechanized Brigade, named after Brigadier General Mark Bezruchko.
πΉ After a drone attack on Kazan, Russia, on December 21, Putin threatened Ukraine with βmany times greater destruction,β while ignoring the devastation Russia has inflicted on Ukraine during nearly three years of full-scale war.
Speaking via video link during the launch of new transport infrastructure in Russian regions, Putin addressed the Kazan attack, expressing confidence that the cityβs leadership would restore the damage.
βWhoever tries to destroy something in our country, no matter how hard they try, will face many times greater destruction in their own country and will regret their actions,β Putin stated.
However, the Russian leader failed to acknowledge that it was Russia that initiated the full-scale invasion of Ukraine, consistently targeting residential areas in Ukrainian cities. For almost three years, Ukraine has endured daily attacks from Russian drones and missiles.
πΈ Most Data Stolen by Russian Hackers Was Already Public β Former Justice Minister Denis Malyuska
Former Ukrainian Minister of Justice Denis Malyuska commented on the recent Russian cyberattack, stating that most of the information claimed to be stolen from Ukrainian registers was already publicly available.
βThe only exception is data from the State Register of Civil Status Acts, one of the most secure registers. It contains seemingly trivial information, such as births and marriages, but also highly protected secrets, like adoption records,β Malyuska explained.
He noted that Russian hackers have shifted their approach since the full-scale invasion. While they previously focused on stealing data, they now aim to destroy it as well.
Despite this, Malyuska assured that there is no major issue with the deletion of registers, as backups exist and everything will be restored soon.
πΉ Russia Poses Existential Threat to Finland, Says Finnish Prime Minister Petteri Orpo
At a summit in Lapland attended by leaders from Finland, Italy, Sweden, Greece, and EU foreign policy representatives, Finnish Prime Minister Petteri Orpo described Russia as an existential threat to Finland. His statement was quoted by Voice of America.
Finland also accused Russia of enabling illegal migration from the Middle East and other regions into EU countries through Russian territory without proper checks, undermining European security.
βEurope must take greater responsibility for its own security,β emphasized Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson.
Key topics of the summit included EU defense, support for Ukraine, and addressing migration challenges.
πΈπ° Fico Issues Statement Following Meeting with Putin
Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico stated that his visit to Moscow, where he met with Vladimir Putin, was allegedly coordinated with EU leaders. He claimed the visit was a response to Ukraineβs decision to halt gas transit from Russia.
βIn a lengthy conversation with Putin, we exchanged views on the situation in Ukraine, the military developments, the possibility of an early peaceful resolution to the war, and mutual relations between Slovakia and the Russian Federation,β Fico wrote on Facebook.
π BMW Halts Illegal Exports of Cars to Russia
BMW has confirmed it delivered over 100 high-end vehicles to Russian buyers, despite sanctions. The cars were shipped from the automakerβs Hanover branch through so-called gray import channels.
The Munich-based company stated it has stopped the exports and dismissed the employees involved. BMW emphasized its commitment to complying with export restrictions.
π« IMF Predicts War in Ukraine Could Last Until Mid-2026 in Negative Scenario
The IMF has updated its forecast, presenting a negative scenario in which the war in Ukraine continues until mid-2026.
This projection assumes an economic shock beginning in the first quarter of 2025, impacting businesses, public sentiment, and the pace of migrant returns. It also anticipates significant damage to energy infrastructure, resulting in power outages.
This differs from the baseline scenario, which forecasts the war ending in the fourth quarter of 2025.
πΈ Russian Threat to Europe Extends Beyond Ukraine, Says Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni
Speaking at a summit in Lapland alongside leaders from Italy, Sweden, Greece, and EU representatives, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni warned that Russia poses a far broader threat to Europe than many realize. Her remarks were quoted by Reuters.
According to Meloni, Moscow can exploit issues like illegal migration, resource access, and public opinion to destabilize the European Union.
βItβs about our democracy, influencing public opinion, whatβs happening in Africa, raw materials, and the instrumentalization of migration,β Meloni stated.
She emphasized that the Russian threat will persist even after the war in Ukraine ends, urging the EU to prepare for this long-term challenge. She called for stronger border protection and warned against allowing either the Kremlin or criminal organizations to control migration flows.
βSecurity means critical infrastructure, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, raw materials, supply chains, and a more effective foreign and cooperation policy. It also means addressing migration comprehensively, not just through burden-sharing,β Meloni added.
π°π΅ North Korea May Send More Troops and Equipment to Russia, Including Kamikaze Drones β Yonhap
According to South Korean military sources, North Korea is reportedly preparing to deploy additional troops and military equipment to Russia, potentially including kamikaze drones.
The South Korean Joint Chiefs of Staff suggest that this move reflects North Koreaβs desire to gain practical combat experience and modernize its weapons systems.