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Ukraine Invasion
Defense Policy / Programs
Foreign Policy
News Reports

Ukraine Invasion

• North Korean soldier captured in Kursk dies from injuries: South's spy agency Radio Free Asia 26 Dec 2024 -- A North Korean soldier who was captured by Ukrainian forces in Russia's Kursk region has died from his wounds, South Korea's spy agency confirmed.
• Ukraine says it shot down 20 Russian drones VOA 26 Dec 2024 -- Ukraine's military said Thursday it shot down 20 of the 31 drones that Russian forces launched in overnight attacks.
• Notebook found on North Korean soldier outlines tactics for countering drones Radio Free Asia 26 Dec 2024 -- A North Korean soldier's notebook described tactics for shooting down Ukrainian drones, including diagrams and details on how a three-person team should be used to lure and destroy the unmanned devices, the Ukrainian Special Forces said on Thursday on Telegram.
• South Korea confirms capture of wounded North Korean soldier in Kursk Radio Free Asia 26 Dec 2024 -- South Korea's spy agency confirmed that a wounded North Korean soldier was captured alive in Russia's Kursk region, following the release of a photo by Ukrainian media purportedly showing the soldier in custody.
• Putin Says Slovak PM Ready To Offer 'Platform' For Possible Ukraine Talks RFE/RL 26 Dec 2024 -- Russian President Vladimir Putin said on December 26 that Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico is ready to offer a "platform" for possible peace talks between Moscow and Kyiv to end the war in Ukraine.
• Russian Defence Ministry reports on repelling AFU attempt to invade Russian territory in Kursk region (26 December 2024) Russia MoD 26 Dec 2024 -- The Armed Forces of the Russian Federation continue the operation to neutralise an enemy group, which broke into the territory of Kursk region.

Defense Policy / Programs

• The Supreme Eurasian Economic Council Meeting President of Russia 26 Dec 2024 -- Leningrad Region hosted the Supreme Eurasian Economic Council Meeting.
• Answers to media questions President of Russia 26 Dec 2024 -- Following the Supreme Eurasian Economic Council Meeting Vladimir Putin answered the questions of Russian journalists.

Foreign Policy

• Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov's interview with Russian and international news media, Moscow, December 26, 2024 Russia Ministry of Foreign Affairs 26 Dec 2024
• Lavrov warns West against challenging Russia's resolve to defend interests Press TV 26 Dec 2024 -- Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has reaffirmed a nuclear weapons warning to the West, underlining that Moscow will take all necessary measures to defend its national interests amid rising tensions over Ukraine.
• Press release on the adoption of the UN Convention against Cybercrime Russia Ministry of Foreign Affairs 26 Dec 2024

News Reports

• Kyrgyzstan faces difficulties enforcing West's Russia sanctions VOA 26 Dec 2024 -- Experts say Kyrgyzstan's efforts to enforce Western sanctions against companies supplying dual-use goods and equipment to Russia are constrained by opposition from business, limited bureaucratic resources, and unwillingness to antagonize the Kremlin.
• Ship Suspected Of Damaging Cables Off Finland Part Of Russia's 'Shadow Fleet,' EU Says RFE/RL 26 Dec 2024 -- The European Commission said a cargo ship suspected of having deliberately damaged power and Internet cables in the Baltic Sea is part of Russia's so-called "shadow fleet," prompting the EU to threaten new sanctions against Moscow.
• Police investigating incidents in the Gulf of Finland in cooperation with other authorities Police of Finland 26 Dec 2024 -- The police, in cooperation with other authorities, are investigating the rupture of the Estlink 2 power transmission cable within Finland's Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) in the Gulf of Finland on Wednesday, 25 December, 2024.
• Joint Statement by the European Commission and the High Representative on the Investigation into Damaged Electricity and Data Cables in the Baltic Sea European External Action Service (EEAS) 26 Dec 2024 -- "Yesterday's incident involving undersea cables in the Baltic Sea is the latest in a series of suspected attacks on critical infrastructure."
• Foreign Minister Tsahkna: It is difficult to see dragging anchors on the seabed as accidents Estonia MFA 26 Dec 2024 -- Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna just spoke to Finnish Foreign Minister Elina Valtonen on the phone to discuss yesterday's incidents involving submarine infrastructure.
• Mounting Evidence Suggests Russian Air Defenses Hit Passenger Jet Before Crash RFE/RL 26 Dec 2024 -- When a passenger plane with 67 people on board slammed to the ground on Kazakhstan's Caspian Sea coast early on December 25, Russian authorities and state media were quick to name possible causes: heavy fog, a bird strike, and - after footage showing pre-crash damage to the jet emerged - the explosion of an oxygen tank in the cabin.
• Aviation Experts Due To Arrive At Kazakh Crash Site To Examine Black Box RFE/RL 26 Dec 2024 -- Kazakh experts are due to arrive on December 27 to examine the crash site and black box of the ill-fated Azerbaijan Airlines passenger jet, as speculation - and evidence - mounted suggesting that a Russian air defense missile may have inadvertently struck the craft.