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Ukraine Invasion
Defense Policy / Programs
Foreign Policy
News Reports

Ukraine Invasion

• Russian Forces Claim Capture Of Town In Pokrovsk Area, But Next Steps Unclear RFE/RL 29 Dec 2024 -- Russia on December 29 claimed to have seized another town in Ukraine's Donetsk region as it continues its long, bloody drive against the strategic - but nearly destroyed - southern logistics hub of Pokrovsk.
• North Koreans kill themselves to avoid capture by Ukraine: US official Radio Free Asia 29 Dec 2024 -- Some North Korean soldiers are taking their own lives rather than surrender to Ukrainian forces in fighting in Russia's Kursk region, said a senior U.S. official, while Ukraine reported instances of the North Korean military "executing" its own troops to prevent their capture.
• Russian Defence Ministry reports on repelling AFU attempt to invade Russian territory in Kursk region (29 December 2024) Russia MoD 29 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.
• Ukraine Lost Up to 400 Troops in Russia's Kursk Region in Past Day Sputnik 29 Dec 2024 -- Ukraine has lost up to 400 troops in its offensive against the western Russian region of Kursk in the past day, the Russian Defense ministry said.
• Russian Troops Liberate Novotroitskoye in Donetsk People's Republic Sputnik 29 Dec 2024 -- Russia's Tsentr group of forces has taken control of the village of Novotroitskoye in the Donetsk People's Republic, the Russian Defense Ministry said on Sunday.

Defense Policy / Programs

Foreign Policy

• Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov's interview with Rossiya Segodnya, December 29, 2024 Russia Ministry of Foreign Affairs 29 Dec 2024
• Russia Ready for Ukraine Talks, But They Must Include Situation on Ground - Lavrov Sputnik 29 Dec 2024 -- In an interview with Sputnik, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov discussed the Ukraine crisis, Russian military bases in Syria and missile threats from the West.
• Press release on the telephone conversation between Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and Foreign Minister of Jordan Ayman Safadi Russia Ministry of Foreign Affairs 29 Dec 2024
• Syria situation won't impact Iran-Russia strategic partnership: Russian FM Press TV 29 Dec 2024 -- Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has stated that the leadership transition in Syria does not impact the mutual relationship between Iran and Russia and the two countries are prepared to sign their new strategic agreement.
• Syria's De Facto Leader Wants To Maintain 'Respectful' Ties With Iran, Russia RFE/RL 29 Dec 2024 -- New Syrian de facto leader Ahmad al-Sharaa told the Saudi-owned Al Arabiya television channel that he wants relations with Iran and Russia, but he insisted any ties must be based on mutual "respect."
• Lavrov: Iran-Russia partnership deal aims to enhance global peace IRNA 29 Dec 2024 -- Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has said that his country's strategic partnership agreement with Iran focuses on enhancing regional and global peace and security, adding that there is no need to amend the document following the recent developments in Syria.

News Reports

• Azerbaijan's Aliyev says crashed jetliner downed by Russia unintentionally Press TV 29 Dec 2024 -- Azerbaijan's President Ilham Aliyev says the country's jetliner that crashed this week was unintentionally shot down by Russian forces.
• Black Box Sent To Brazil As Baku Accuses Russia Of 'Covering Up' Cause Of Crash RFE/RL 29 Dec 2024 -- Kazakh authorities on December 29 said the cockpit recorders of the Brazilian-made plane involved in a deadly crash are being sent to Brazil for investigation amid accusations by Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev that Russia is trying to "cover up" the cause of the tragedy.
• AZAL Plane Was Not Downed on Purpose Over Russian Territory - Aliyev Sputnik 29 Dec 2024 -- Azerbaijan Airlines' (AZAL) Embraer 190 passenger plane was not shot down in Russia's airspace on purpose, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev said on Sunday.
• National Bureau of Investigation continues investigation into cable rupture Police of Finland 29 Dec 2024 -- The investigation into the events in the Gulf of Finland is still at an early stage. The police, together with other authorities, continue the investigation into the events.