On the 1014th day of the war in Ukraine, Russian President Vladimir Putin and his Belarusian counterpart Alexander Lukashenko will sign a borderless union and alliance between the two former Soviet republics and neighbors in Minsk on Friday, as reported by RIA news agency, calling it a historic security pact.
Russia attacked energy facilities in western Ukraine overnight in the regions of Rivne and Ternopil, where emergency services were working on the damages, leaving parts of the city of Ternopil without electricity.
Russian forces have taken control of Novodarivka and Romanivka in southern and eastern Ukraine, respectively.
United States announced sending $725 million in missiles, ammunition, anti-personnel mines, and other weapons to Kiev to bolster support before the transition from President Joe Biden to Trump. A meeting of the Ramstein Group, an alliance of NATO, the European Union, and countries supporting Kiev, is also in the works for December.
Moscow's focus on Ukraine (33 months of war) has allowed a rebel coalition offensive in northwest Syria, intensifying Russian airstrikes to support President Bashar al-Assad. The Syrian regime will heavily rely on Moscow and Tehran.
The Russian forces take control of Novodarivka and Romanivka
Russian forces have taken control of Novodarivka in southern Ukraine, as reported by the Russian Ministry of Defense, and previously of Romanivka in eastern Ukraine.
"The only" security guarantee for Ukraine is NATO membership, according to Kiev
Ukrainian diplomats insist that the "only real guarantee" of security for Ukraine, as a deterrent against Russian aggression, is full membership in NATO, as stated during a meeting of NATO Foreign Ministers in Brussels.
"We are convinced that the only real security guarantee for Ukraine, in addition to being a deterrent against any new Russian aggression against Ukraine and other states, is Ukraine's full membership in NATO," stated Ukrainian diplomats in a press release.
The Mayor of Ternopil: "Stock up on water, charge your phones"
Russian drones targeted critical infrastructure in the western Ukrainian regions of Ternopil and Rivne overnight, according to the Ukrainian Air Force, leaving part of the city of Ternopil without electricity, as reported by Mayor Serhiy Nadal. Ternopil is about 220 km (135 miles) east of Poland, a NATO member.
Russia launched two major attacks on Ukraine's energy infrastructure in November, causing power outages across the country. The Ukrainian Air Force reported shooting down 22 of the 28 Russian drones launched overnight. Russia also targeted energy infrastructure in the Rivne region, as reported by Governor Oleksandr Koval.
Merkel says Trump was fascinated by the absolute power of leaders like Putin or Kim Jong Un
Former German Chancellor Angela Merkel recalls that during his first term in the White House, President Donald Trump was "fascinated by the absolute power" of strongmen like Russian President Vladimir Putin and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un.
In an interview with CNN, Merkel discussed her new memoir, "Freedom," reflecting on her 16 years leading Europe's largest economy and addressing current issues, including the upcoming change in the U.S. government.
Russia accuses Ukraine of sabotaging the prisoner of war exchange
Russia accuses Ukraine of sabotaging the prisoner of war exchange, claiming that Kiev refuses to accept 630 Ukrainian citizens. Russia is willing to immediately hand over these prisoners in exchange for an equal number of captured Russians.
Ukrainian Air Force claims to have shot down 22 Russian drones
The Ukrainian Air Force reported shooting down 22 of the 28 drones launched by Russia overnight. Some drones targeted critical infrastructure in the western Ukrainian regions of Ternopil and Rivne.
Russian gas flows through Ukraine to the EU and Austria increase
Russian gas exports to Europe through Ukraine increased by about 1.2% on Tuesday compared to Monday, with gas nominations to Austria from Slovakia also rising, according to Gazprom and Eustream gas pipeline operator data.
Removing Volodymyr Zelensky from the presidency of Ukraine
In an interview with the Financial Times, NATO's new Secretary-General Mark Rutte warns Donald Trump that if Ukraine is forced to sign a peace agreement favorable to Russia, it will severely threaten the security of both Europe and the U.S.
Russia promises Assad the necessary support after the lightning offensive in Syria
Russia and Iran have pledged to provide the necessary support to Syrian President Bashar al-Assad following a rebel coalition's lightning offensive in northwest Syria, taking advantage of Moscow's distraction in Ukraine.