The attack, which used Iranian-designed #Shahed kamikaze drones, reportedly began hitting different districts of #Kyiv in the early hours of Saturday, with more waves coming as the sun rose. The air raid warning lasted for six hours.

Air force chief Mykola Oleschuk said 71 of the 75 drones launched at #Ukraine had been downed.

More than 70 Russian drones hit Kyiv, wounding five: Ukrainian officials | #Russia-#UkraineWar News | Al Jazeera
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/11/25/more-than-70-russian-drones-hit-kyiv-wounding-five-ukrainian-officials

Finnish prime minister Petteri Orpo has announced that the last remaining open border crossing with #Russia will be closed this week.

#Finland has accused Russia over the past days of orchestrating the arrival of people from third countries at its border. #RajaJooseppi #Ukraine #NATO

Finnish border with Russia to be closed for two weeks, prime minister announces
https://www.theguardian.com/world/live/2023/nov/28/geert-wilders-netherlands-government-nato-migration-europe-latest-news?page=with:block-6565f7c58f0892870f38a65b#block-6565f7c58f0892870f38a65b

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The tense situation on the border has developed rapidly in the last two weeks, with #Finland accusing #Russia of driving #AsylumSeekers to its border as an act of revenge for its cooperation with the #US. Relations between the two countries have worsened in recent months, particularly since Finland became a member of #Nato in April. #RajaJooseppi

Finland closes entire border with Russia after tensions over asylum seekers
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/nov/28/finland-closes-entire-border-with-russia-after-tensions-over-asylum-seekers

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In recent weeks, there’s been a surge in #MiddleEastern and #African migrants trying to enter #Finland from #Russia. Finnish officials have accused #Moscow of orchestrating an artificial influx of asylum seekers at the border as retaliation for Finland’s accession to #NATO, a view which the Russian Foreign Affairs Ministry has called “very strange.” #Ukraine

Weaponized migration
https://meduza.io/en/feature/2023/11/28/weaponized-migration

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Ukrainian government cyber snoops claim they've infiltrated the computer systems of #Russia's federal air transport agency #Rosaviatsiya, and stolen data that shows the invading nation’s civil aviation sector is on the "verge of collapse." #UkraineWar

#Ukraine claims Russia's planes in peril as #sanctions bite | #Aviation | The Register
https://www.theregister.com/2023/11/28/ukraine_claims_hackandleak_shows_russian/?td=rt-3a

For months, #Turkey and #Hungary have delayed ratification of #Sweden’s #Nato membership, fuelling frustration within the military alliance. #Ukraine

Turkey told Sweden it expects Nato bid ratification 'within weeks', Swedish minister says
https://www.theguardian.com/world/live/2023/nov/29/sweden-nato-turkey-ratification-membership-europe-latest-updates?page=with:block-6566f0ad8f0892870f38af6d#block-6566f0ad8f0892870f38af6d

#Ukraine has hailed the return of #ScythianGold treasures as a “symbolic and historic” victory over #Russia, which had laid claim to the artefacts in a decade-long struggle over ownership.

On Tuesday the collection was shown off in #Kyiv. They are among 1,000 items lent in 2013 by four museums in #Crimea for an exhibition in the #Netherlands.

‘Part of our history’: Ukraine hails return of Scythian gold treasures
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/nov/28/part-of-our-history-ukraine-hails-return-of-scythian-gold-treasures

Vesa Arffman, the head of Ivalo border guard station, also in #Lapland, says the past few weeks have been “hectic”, preparing for #AsylumSeeker arrivals and the recent increase in numbers.

“For me personally, I would hope that it was a once in a lifetime experience,” Arffman said. #RajaJooseppi #NATO #Ukraine

‘This may be just the beginning’: the guards at #Finland’s closed Russian border
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/nov/30/this-may-be-just-the-beginning-the-guards-at-finlands-closed-russian-border

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The latest #AntiAbortion measures are notable for their scale and speed.

Some observers believe the sudden, increased focus is linked to #Russia’s ongoing invasion of #Ukraine, which has placed a new spotlight on old demographic fears. #PopulationCrisis

Russia limits women’s access to abortion, citing demographic changes | Women News | Al Jazeera
https://www.aljazeera.com/features/2023/11/28/russia-limits-womens-access-to-abortion-citing-demographic-changes

Leading economists say the consequences of the court ruling will stretch far beyond #Europe’s largest economy. With talks on a 2024 budget indefinitely deferred, future financial support for #Ukraine, the #EU budget and other key areas of spending are all up in the air.

Fear and anger rise in #Germany over handling of budget crisis | #Economy | The Guardian
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/dec/01/germany-scholz-government-handling-of-budget-crisis

The new Polish government has gutted the top management of #PublicTelevision, making good on a campaign promise to reform a broadcaster that functioned as a mouthpiece of its rightwing populist predecessor, but also prompting criticism of their methods from some quarters. #Ukraine

#Poland’s new government sacks state TV, radio and news bosses | Poland | The Guardian
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/dec/20/poland-new-government-sacks-state-tv-radio-and-news-bosses

The delivery of the fighter jets is still pending on an export permit by the Dutch ministry of Foreign Affairs and the fulfillment of criteria for staff and infrastructure in #Ukraine, Rutte added without giving a timeline for these decisions.

But the announcement made it possible to reserve funds and people to prepare the planes for delivery, the government said.

#Russia-Ukraine war live: #Netherlands to deliver #F16 jets to Ukraine
https://www.theguardian.com/world/live/2023/dec/22/russia-ukraine-war-latest-news-updates?page=with:block-65858b0c8f08dc9aada0ca94#block-65858b0c8f08dc9aada0ca94

A spokesperson for Vladimir #Putin told reporters on Friday that if the #Biden administration and European leaders planned to seize Russian central bank assets believed to be in excess of $300bn (£236bn) that were frozen after #Moscow launched its full-scale invasion of #Ukraine in February 2022, they should “realise that Russia will never leave those who do it alone”.

#Russia warns #US and #Europe over reports Ukraine may get its seized assets | Russia | The Guardian
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/dec/22/russia-europe-us-ukraine-seized-assets

#Britain should lead in creating a coordinated sanctions and military supply chain unit that brings together #UK, #US and #EU efforts. This would map the complex Russian military supply chains at every step of their way, define their choke points and combine resources to disrupt them using the full range of tools. #Russia

#DavidCameron has a chance at redemption by delivering crucial weapons to #Ukraine | Peter Pomerantsev | The Guardian
https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2023/dec/24/david-cameron-has-a-chance-at-redemption-by-delivering-crucial-weapons-to-ukraine

#Navalny had been imprisoned in the Vladimir region of central #Russia, about 230 kilometers (140 miles) east of #Moscow, but his lawyers said they had not been able to reach him since Dec. 6.

His spokesperson, Kira Yarmysh, said on X, formerly Twitter, that he was now located in a prison colony in the town of Kharp, in the Yamalo-Nenetsk region about 1,900 kilometers (1,200 miles) northeast of Moscow. #Ukraine

https://www.theguardian.com/world/live/2023/dec/25/russia-ukraine-war-live-moscow-russia-zelenskiy-christmas-day-on-25-december?page=with:block-658991e68f08abff3716cdc8#block-658991e68f08abff3716cdc8

The Turkish parliament was Tuesday set to resume debate on approving #Sweden's bid to join #NATO, a thorny issue that was further complicated after President Recep Tayyip #Erdogan linked it to Ankara's request for F-16 fighter jets from its ally the United States. #Russia #Ukraine

#Turkey's parliament set to debate Sweden NATO bid
https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20231226-turkey-s-parliament-set-to-debate-sweden-nato-bid

The move paves the way for a vote by the full parliament, where Erdogan's ruling alliance holds the majority of seats. It was not immediately clear when it would be. #Russia #Ukraine

#Turkey parliament committee approves #Sweden's bid to join #NATO
https://www.france24.com/en/europe/20231226-turkey-parliament-committee-approves-sweden-s-bid-to-join-nato

The Russian BMP lacks the heavy armor and clever shaping that protects the best new infantry vehicles from rockets, mines and artillery fragments.

After a few BMPs ran over mines in #Afghanistan during the Soviet war there in the 1980s, the infantry took to riding on top of the vehicles instead of inside them. #Ukraine #Russia

Russian Troops Face An Impossible Choice: Burn Inside Their Flimsy Vehicles Or Ride Outside—And Get Killed By #Drones
https://www.forbes.com/sites/davidaxe/2023/12/27/russian-troops-face-an-impossible-choice-burn-inside-their-flimsy-vehicles-or-ride-outside-and-get-killed-by-drones/

Here we go again 🙄
-----
Tobolsk City Duma deputy Egorov, 46, a member of #Putin's ruling #UnitedRussia party, fell from the third floor window of a house on Kedrovaya Street in Tobolsk in the #TyumenOblast, Russian Telegram channel Baza, which has links to Russian security services, reported. #Russia #Ukraine

Putin Ally Found Dead After Falling From Third Floor Window: Reports
https://www.newsweek.com/vladimir-egorov-putin-ally-found-dead-window-1856059

The partisans stated #Putin’s furious crackdown showed #Russia’s inability to intercept Western-made missiles like #Ukraine’s #StormShadow cruise missile and would lead to military figures being accused of sabotage, despite commanders claiming otherwise. #Crimea #Russia

Furious Putin "orders commanders to frontline" after 74 sailors killed in Novocherkassk sinking - Euromaidan Press
https://euromaidanpress.com/2023/12/30/furious-putin-orders-commanders-to-frontline-after-74-sailors-killed-in-novocherkassk-sinking/

"It’s no secret that #Moscow’s new strategy is to outlast #Kyiv—to win a war of attrition. But the Russians can’t win a war of attrition if they continue to lose many more vehicles and troops than the Ukrainians lose.

In that context, the battle for #Avdiivka has been a disaster for #Russia."

Killing Russians By The Truckload Around Avdiivka, #Ukraine’s M-2 Fighting Vehicles Are Showing How Russia Loses—And Ukraine Wins | David Axe
https://www.forbes.com/sites/davidaxe/2023/12/30/killing-russians-by-the-truckload-around-avdiivka-ukraines-m-2-fighting-vehicles-are-showing-how-russia-loses-and-ukraine-wins/

In one of the most aggressive air offensives of the 22-month war, #Moscow's strikes damaged buildings in six cities including warehouses, a shopping mall, and a maternity hospital, according to Ukrainian officials.

In Photos: The Aftermath of #Russia's Massive Drone and Missile Attack on #Ukraine - The Moscow Times
https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2023/12/29/in-photos-the-aftermath-of-russias-massive-drone-and-missile-attack-on-ukraine-a83604

#Moscow touted the Yastreb-AV as a modern and highly capable system in its announcements, with state media reporting that it was tested in late 2021 or early 2022. But just hours after the announcement it had been fielded in #Ukraine, it was hit hard by the very threat it was there to help defeat.

Ukraine struck a new $250 million Russian #ArtilleryRadarSystem right after the military touted its arrival
https://www.businessinsider.com/ukraine-blew-up-new-russian-radar-system-after-it-arrived-2024-1

#LONDON, #UnitedKingdom – Russian hackers were inside Ukrainian telecoms giant #Kyivstar’s system from at least May last year in a cyberattack that should serve as a “big warning” to the West, Ukraine’s cyber spy chief told Reuters.

The hack knocked out services provided by Ukraine’s biggest telecoms operator for some 24 million users for days from December 12. #Russia #CyberWar

Russian hackers were inside #Ukraine telecoms giant for months – cyber spy chief
https://www.rappler.com/technology/russian-hackers-inside-ukraine-telecoms-giant-kyivstar-months/

Around #Avdiivka alone, the Russians are losing 60 tanks a month. And that number could grow as the 239th Tank Regiment rolls into battle—and runs afoul of the same #minefields and #artillery and #drone kill-zones that pulverized the tank units that came before it. #Ukraine #Russia

Avdiivka Eats Russian Tanks. The Kremlin Is About To Feed It More.
https://www.forbes.com/sites/davidaxe/2024/01/03/avdiivka-eats-russian-tanks-the-kremlin-is-about-to-feed-it-more/

The #US’s national security council spokesperson, #JohnKirby, said on Thursday that #Russia fired a North Korean #ballistic missile into #Ukraine on 30 December, but it landed in an open field. However, Kirby said Russian forces had launched more such missiles as part of a large salvo on 2 January, and their impact had yet to be assessed.

Russia ‘attacked Ukraine with North Korea-supplied ballistic missiles’ | Russia | The Guardian
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/jan/04/russia-attacked-ukraine-with-north-korea-supplied-ballistic-missiles

#Russia confirmed Friday it had blocked the #UN's nuclear watchdog from accessing parts of #Ukraine's #Zaporizhzhia power plant, but said the restrictions were for safety reasons.

IAEA chief Rafael Grossi said in a statement Wednesday that experts had not been allowed to access reactor halls in three of the plant's units for two weeks.

Russia Curbs UN Access at Zaporizhzhia #NuclearPlant - The Moscow Times
https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2024/01/05/russia-curbs-un-access-at-zaporizhzhia-nuclear-plant-a83645

Old isn't necessarily obsolete
-----
The #US is currently working on a successor to the #U2. Nevertheless, these aircraft were recently modernized to accommodate contemporary detection methods better. The upgrades include communication, navigation, imaging systems, new cockpit gear, and a new mission computer

US deploys historic U-2 spy plane amid #Ukraine conflict and #GPS interference in #Baltics
https://essanews.com/us-deploys-historic-u-2-spy-plane-amid-ukraine-conflict-and-gps-interference-in-baltics,6981846474594433a

#Farmers accused the new Polish government of failing to defend them against Ukrainian #GrainImports, but also demanded a series of financial support measures. Saturday's deal finally implemented those financial demands but didn't include restrictions on #Ukraine imports. #TruckersBlockade

#Poland reaches deal with farmers to call off blockade of Ukraine border crossing
https://www.politico.eu/article/poland-deal-farmers-blockade-ukraine-border/

The scheme highlights how #Russia has struggled to keep its commercial planes in the air since western #sanctions were imposed after Vladimir #Putin invaded #Ukraine in February 2022.

A Kansas man pleaded guilty to selling plane parts to Russia. Here's how Russian airlines have struggled with sanctions.
https://www.businessinsider.com/man-pleaded-guilty-selling-plane-parts-russia-sanctions-2024-1

For two months, Polish truckers have been blocking traffic at the #Ukraine-#Poland border, holding up thousands of trucks waiting to cross. They are outraged over the #EuropeanUnion's decision to remove limits on how many Ukrainian drivers and businesses can enter Poland and the EU. #TruckersBlockade

20-mile backup as Polish truckers blockade border in standoff with Ukrainian drivers

https://www.npr.org/2024/01/07/1223065019/20-mile-backup-as-polish-truckers-blockade-border-in-standoff-with-ukrainian-dri

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#Canada, #Sweden, the #UnitedKingdom and #Ukraine have filed a complaint with the #UnitedNations civil aviation agency against #Iran for shooting down a passenger plane in 2020, killing 176 people.

The 4 countries, which all had citizens on board the Ukraine International Airlines flight, accused #Tehran of “using weapons against a civil aircraft in flight in breach of its international legal obligations”.

https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2024/1/9/countries-file-un-complaint-over-boeing-737-800-shot-down-by-iran-in-2020

#Moscow's current #MilitarySpending has overshadowed social spending for the first time since the fall of the #SovietUnion.

#Russia has allocated nearly one-third of its 2024 budget to defense spending. #SocialSpending including salaries, pensions, and benefits will make up for about one-fifth of the budget #Ukraine

Russia is spending so much money and manpower on defense that it's draining the rest of the economy
https://www.businessinsider.com/russia-economy-defense-military-war-spending-drains-resources-other-sectors-2024-1

"#Ukraine has spent a considerable reserve on those three attacks that took place,” Ihnat told Ukrainian TV, according to Reuters. “It is clear that there is a deficit of #AntiAircraft guided missiles.”

#USCongress last month failed to approve $50bn (£39bn) in security aid for Ukraine as negotiators fell short of a deal.

Russia-Ukraine war live: Ukrainian air force says it is running short of anti-aircraft missiles
https://www.theguardian.com/world/live/2024/jan/09/russia-ukraine-war-latest-news-updates?page=with:block-659cffd68f082bcdaa7df661#block-659cffd68f082bcdaa7df661

"There are suspicions that Vladimir #Putin is engaged in espionage activities at #Bundeswehr sites where Ukrainian troops are training for frontline combat," reports the "Münchner Merkur." Despite the German authorities' lack of solid evidence, substantial indications suggest unwelcome Russian activities. #Russia #Ukraine

#Germany on high alert over suspected Russian spy drones at military sites
https://essanews.com/germany-on-high-alert-over-suspected-russian-spy-drones-at-military-sites,6982514269624449a

#Ukraine has become heavily reliant on its air defence, but with #US funding in increasing doubt after Western financial and military aid has become snarled in internal wrangling, US military experts warned in December that Ukraine will start running out of ammo for its #AirDefence systems in February or March, exposing cities to attack again.

US warns #Kyiv it will stop delivering badly needed #PatriotMissiles to Ukraine soon
http://www.intellinews.com/us-warns-kyiv-it-will-stop-delivering-badly-needed-patriot-missiles-to-ukraine-soon-306826/

#LONDON (#Reuters) - #Hackers linked to #Ukraine’s main spy agency have breached computer systems at a #Moscow-based internet provider in retaliation for a Russian cyber attack against Ukrainian telecom giant #Kyivstar.

The digital intrusion was a warm-up for a larger cyber attack which would be "serious revenge for Kyivstar", the source said, citing the hackers. #CyberWar #Russia #Ukraine

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/hackers-hit-moscow-internet-provider-in-response-to-kyivstar-cyber-attack-source/ar-AA1mHg8y?ocid=emmx-mmx-feeds&PC=EMMX01

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The “world is literally at war,” McConnell stated. “So make no mistake about it. This is the most serious international situation we have faced since the #BerlinWall came down,” 34 years ago in 1989. "We’ve got wars that we’re all familiar with. In the #MiddleEast, and in #Europe"

#UkraineWar #IsraelGazaWar #Ukraine #Israel

'The world is literally at war': McConnell sends strong warning to House Republicans
https://www.alternet.org/world-literally-war-mcconnell-republicans/

Russian forces are losing at least as many #BMP fighting vehicles as Russian industry is building new or pulling out of long-term storage.

That matters. More than tanks, #BMPs are the workhorses of Russian mechanized warfare. They haul #infantry into battle, support them as they dismount and evacuate the survivors if they must retreat. #Russia #Ukraine #IFV

The Russians Could Run Out Of Infantry Fighting Vehicles In Two Or Three Years
https://www.forbes.com/sites/davidaxe/2024/01/09/the-russians-could-run-out-of-infantry-fighting-vehicles-in-two-or-three-years/

If the #RajaJooseppi border gate remains closed, then none of the others will open.
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#COPENHAGEN, Jan 10 (Reuters) - #Finland will extend the closure of its border with #Russia, which had otherwise been set to end on Jan. 15, Minister of Agriculture and Forestry Sari Essayah told national broadcaster YLE on Wednesday. #NATO #Ukraine

Finland to extend Russia border closing | Reuters
https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/finland-extend-russia-border-closing-daily-iltalehti-reports-2024-01-10/

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