Apologies for any duplication of pp in my round ups, I'm posting in haste.
United 24
๐ณ๐ฑ๐ฑ๐ป Dutch and Latvian Foreign Ministers Condemn Russiaโs Christmas Attack on Ukraine: Kremlin Rejects Peace
โSuch a malicious choice of timing demonstrates that Putin is not interested in peace; he only seeks the destruction of Ukraine. In 2025, we will continue our efforts to stop this brutal aggression,โ stated Dutch Foreign Minister Veldkamp.
Latvian Foreign Minister Braลพe emphasized, โThe only way to ensure a just and lasting peace in Ukraine is to continue supporting Ukraine on the battlefield, strengthening the energy system, and providing financial and political backing, while simultaneously limiting Russiaโs capabilities.โ
๐น Reports indicate that the AZAL Embraer passenger plane that crashed in Kazakhstan may have been struck by Russian air defense systems. Investigators have allegedly identified traces of air defense system damage on parts of the fuselage.
The plane reportedly flew through Groznyโs airspace, where it was potentially mistaken for a drone during Russian attempts to intercept Ukrainian UAVs.
Subhonkul Rakhimov, one of the surviving passengers, recounted hearing an explosion:
โWhile trying to land the plane in Grozny, something exploded. There was an explosionโnot inside the plane. Where I was sitting, the skin of the plane flew off.โ
Azerbaijan Airlines has suspended flights to Grozny and Makhachkala pending an investigation into the crash. Speculation online suggests the plane could have been unintentionally targeted by a Russian missile.
๐ช๐บ The European Union has transferred a second tranche of grant aid worth 150 million euros to Ukraineโs state budget.
The funds are designated for rapid reconstruction efforts aimed at addressing the countryโs urgent needs.
โ๏ธ The plane that crashed near Aktau was likely shot down by a Russian air defense system, but Russia will try to hide its involvement, according to the Center for Countering Disinformation.
The department stated that Russians familiar with the transcript of the Baku-Grozny flight admit the Azerbaijan Airlines plane was hit by an air defense missile. Shrapnel damage was found, and the holes in the fuselage could not have been caused by birds. Passengers even documented the damage on video.
โRussia failed to close the airspace over Grozny. The plane was also denied permission to land in Grozny or Makhachkala without explanation. Thanks to the pilotsโ professionalism, the Russians couldnโt turn this into a provocation against Ukraine. Now, Russia will do everything to cover up its responsibility for the crash and the loss of lives,โ the department stated.
๐ธ Russia might attempt to seize part of Estonia and is already disrupting satellite navigation in Narva, a city near the border, reports Politico.
The publication also notes that Russians are stealing navigation buoys and deploying reconnaissance drones.
The focus is on eastern Estonia, home to a significant population of ethnic Russians. The alleged Russian plan is to provoke NATO into starting a global war. If NATO does not react, it would undermine the credibility of Article 5 on collective defense.
๐น Russia reportedly shot down an Azerbaijan Airlines plane, according to Euronews, citing Azerbaijani government sources.
The crash in Aktau was caused by a Russian surface-to-air missile, which struck the plane mid-flight, injuring passengers and crew.
The missile was fired at Flight 8432 during its automated flight over Grozny. The debris struck the plane, injuring passengers and crew members as it exploded nearby.
Despite the pilots' request for an emergency landing, the damaged plane was denied permission to land at Russian airports and was directed toward Aktau in Kazakhstan. During its flight over the sea, the plane's GPS navigation systems were jammed.
๐ธ Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov stated that Russia โdoes not need empty talkโ about resolving the โUkrainian crisisโ and again accused the West and Kyiv of โviolatingโ the Minsk agreements.
Lavrov expressed hope that the Trump administration would โexplore the root causes of the crisis in Ukraine.โ He repeated claims that Russia is ready for consultations. However, the Kremlinโs stance remains unchangedโrejecting constructive dialogue and clinging to Putinโs ultimatums.
Lavrov also alleged that France had โrepeatedly offered Russia, through closed channels, to discuss Ukraine without Kyivโs participation.โ
๐น In the Toretsk direction, an Egyptian citizen fighting for Russia surrendered to Ukrainian forces.
According to Ukrainian defenders, they repelled a Russian assault, eliminating nearly all the attackers. The sole survivor chose to surrender. He turned out to be an Egyptian citizen recruited by Russia. Ukrainian soldiers had to use sign language to communicate with him.
๐ธ The US Helsinki Commission has been declared โundesirableโ in Russia, reports Voice of America.
The Russian Prosecutor Generalโs Office added the commission to its list of โundesirableโ organizations, effectively banning its activities in the country. Russians cooperating with it may face criminal prosecution.
According to the Prosecutor Generalโs Office, the commissionโs work allegedly โdestabilizes Russiaโs socio-political situationโ and spreads materials that โdiscreditโ the countryโs leadership, law enforcement, and judicial system.
Founded in 1976, the US Helsinki Commission monitors the implementation of the 1975 Helsinki Accords on cooperation, territorial integrity, and sovereignty, signed by 35 countries, including the USSR.
Russiaโs law on undesirable organizations, in force since 2015, bans listed entities and penalizes participation in their activities. Repeat violations can lead to up to four years in prison, though the lawโs definitions of โparticipationโ remain vague.
๐คก In Lgov, Kursk Region, an attack on the command post of the 810th Separate Brigade of the Russian Marine Corps resulted in casualties among officers, reports Ukraineโs StratCom.
The building housing the personnel was partially destroyed. The strike eliminated the brigadeโs deputy commander and 17 Russian servicemen, most of them staff officers.
๐น Israeli airline El Al has canceled flights to Russia following the plane crash near Aktau.
โDue to events in Russian airspace, El Al is suspending all flights on the Tel Aviv-Moscow route for the next week. The situation will be reassessed next week, and a decision on resuming flights will be made. Passengers will be notified shortly,โ the airlineโs press service announced.
๐ธ The Netherlands plans to provide Ukraine with an additional โฌ6 billion, on top of the โฌ3.8 billion already transferred, focusing on energy support, according to the Dutch Ambassador to Ukraine, Alle Dorhout.
Over the past three years, the Netherlands has supported Ukraine morally, with humanitarian aid, reconstruction efforts, and economic and military assistance.
โIn total, the Netherlands has allocated over โฌ10 billion in military aid, with nearly โฌ4 billion already delivered.
We have done a lot to support your country and are always looking for new ways to help. Colleagues remain in constant contact with the Ukrainian side to identify how we can further assist Ukraine through this winter,โ the ambassador stated.
๐นVladimir Putin is weaponizing illegal migration to destabilize Europe, according to The Hill. This strategy targets nations supporting Ukraine and exploits the vulnerabilities of Western societies.
Pat Fallon, a U.S. Air Force veteran and member of the House of Representatives, argues that Russia is leveraging unconventional tactics, including mass migration, to pressure Europe. The Wagner Group reportedly instigates unrest in Africa and the Middle East, provoking migration waves toward Europe.
Poland, already strained by the Ukrainian refugee crisis, faces increasing migration from the Middle East and Africa. Russiaโs strategy offers three key advantages:
- Straining Resources: The influx forces Poland to divide resources between border security and its military.
- Intelligence Gathering: Russia gains insights into Polandโs crisis response, providing a blueprint for future destabilization.
- Intimidation and Division: Mass migration serves as a tool to intimidate Poland and sow discord among NATO allies, undermining public support for Ukraine.
Fallon warns that Russia will likely intensify this tactic if it continues to weaken the West effectively
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