Plane Catches Fire on Landing at Canadian Airport

"The Transportation Safety Board of Canada is investigating an incident involving a plane at the Halifax Stanfield International Airport, which one passenger described as a rough landing that sparked flames. Airport spokesperson Tiffany Chase said an Air Canada Express flight operated by PAL Airlines, arriving from St. John’s, Newfoundland, experienced an incident upon landing at approximately 9:30 p.m." Breitbart

Russia launches New Year’s Eve attacks on Ukraine

"Russia launched overnight combined attack across Ukraine, with ballistic strikes hitting Kyiv and the city of Shostka, Sumy Oblast. Russian forces targeted the Shostka municipality in Sumy Oblast with missiles launched from Tu-22 bombers. A massive air raid alert covered all of Ukraine, with threats of ballistic missile strikes reported as early as 02:58." NV

Satellite Images Show Rapid Chinese Build-Up In Disputed Border Area

"China has reportedly constructed new military outposts in the Tawang Valley, according to an analysis of high-resolution satellite images from December 19 obtained by open-source intelligence teams.

The satellite analysis indicates the presence of three new outposts in the region. These positions are strategically located to restrict Indian patrol routes in three directions, effectively reducing the extent of patrol areas claimed by Indian forces.
The Tawang Valley has long been a flashpoint in the broader Sino-Indian border dispute. Located near the Line of Actual Control (LAC), it has been a site of frequent tensions and standoffs between the two countries’ militaries. Both sides agreed to disengage following heightened tensions earlier in the year, with each withdrawing troops from forward positions.
However, the latest developments indicate that China has leveraged the disengagement period to fortify positions behind the LAC. Analysts believe these outposts are designed to provide a tactical advantage by monitoring and restricting Indian troop movements in the area." ZH

Russia, Ukraine swap more than 300 POWs in deal mediated by UAE

"Russia and Ukraine have swapped more than 300 prisoners of war (POWs) in an exchange brokered by the United Arab Emirates in advance of New Year’s Eve, officials from both countries said.
The Russian Ministry of Defense on Monday said it swapped 150 Ukrainian prisoners, while Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenksy said 189 Ukrainians had returned home." AJ

153 clashes on front line

"153 combat clashes occurred between the Ukrainian Defense Forces and the Russian invaders at the front, with the hottest situation in the Pokrovsk, Kurakhove, Lyman, and Vremivka sectors.
In the Kharkiv sector, the enemy attacked twice near Vovchansk and Lyptsi. According to preliminary estimates, the Ukrainian forces neutralized 43 invaders, destroyed a tank, artillery system, anti-tank weapon, three vehicles, 18 UAVs, and two enemy communication devices, and also significantly damaged an artillery system and two vehicles.

In the Kupiansk sector, Russians attempted to advance 16 times toward the Ukrainian positions near Holubivka, Stepanova Novoselivka, Kruhliakivka, and Zahryzove. Currently, six clashes are ongoing.
In the Lyman sector, the invaders attacked 19 times in the areas of Kopanky, Nadiia, Novoiehorivka, Makiivka, Ivanivka, and Terniv. Six clashes are still ongoing, while others were stopped by the Ukrainian forces.
In the Siversk sector, the Russian forces attempted to breach the Ukrainian defense one time during the day near Bilohorivka but were repelled.
In the Kramatorsk sector, the enemy activity resulted in ten combat clashes near Chasiv Yar and Stupochky.
In the Toretsk sector, Russians attempted to push the Ukrainian units from their positions near Shcherbynivka and Toretsk, where Ukraine’s Defense Forces repelled three attacks. Eight clashes are still ongoing.
In the Kurakhove sector, the enemy attacked the Ukrainian positions near Petropavlivka, Slovianka, Shevchenko, and Kurakhove. So far, the Ukrainian forces have repelled 13 attacks, while five clashes are still ongoing.
In the Vremivka sector, the Ukrainian forces repelled attacks near Yantarne, Uspenivka, Vremivka, and toward Kostiantynopil and Novosilka —11 attacks were repelled, and five are ongoing.
In the Orikhiv sector, the enemy attempted to break through toward Novoandriivka twice but suffered losses and retreated.
The Ukrainian Defense Forces continue their operations in Russia’s Kursk region, where the Ukrainian defenders have repelled 17 attacks by invaders." Ukrin

China Hacks the U.S. Treasury

"On Monday, a report was released that a Chinese hacker gained access to the U.S. Treasury

Department. According to the report, this was a state-sponsored attack, and the hacker was affiliated with the Chinese government. Although the announcement was made on Monday, Fox News said officials learned about the breach on December 8..... the department explained that the hacker infiltrated Treasury's system through access to a key used by the vendor to secure a cloud-based service used to remotely provide technical support for Treasury Departmental Offices (DO) end users. With access to the stolen key, the threat actor was able to override the service’s security, remotely access certain Treasury DO user workstations, and access certain unclassified documents maintained by those users." PJM

Kenyans protest in Nairobi for end to abductions targeting government critics

"Kenyan protesters took to the streets of Nairobi on Monday, calling for an end to abductions targeting government critics.

Police threw tear gas at demonstrators in a bid to disperse the crowd; opposition politician Senator Okiya Omtatah and several others were arrested.
Among the hundreds who had taken to the streets of Nairobi were relatives of those who have disappeared.
The Kenyan National Commission on Human rights has voiced concerns over a growing number of government critics who are thought to have been abducted.
According to the commission, 82 people have been abducted since demonstrations against the government in June.
Rights groups accuse Kenya’s police force of being responsible; police have denied the allegations, and insist that they are looking into the disappearances." AN

Explosions heard in Lgov, Kursk region

"Explosions were reported in the city of Lgov in Russia's Kursk region. Acting Governor of Kursk Region, Alexander Khinshtein, confirmed the strike on the city, noting that "currently, there have been no reports of casualties or significant damage." Ukrin

Ukrainian air defenses destroy 21 Russian drones in 6 oblasts overnight

"Russian forces launched 43 Shahed loitering munitions and other types of attack drones on Ukraine in the night. Ukrainian air defense units have destroyed 21 of them, while 22 disappeared from radar. The fall of wreckage from downed UAVs damaged houses in Kharkiv and Odesa oblasts." Ptavada

Ukrainian troops risk losing control of conquered territories in Kursk Oblast

"Exhausted and demoralised Ukrainian

troops risk losing much of the territory in Russia's
Kursk Oblast that they captured during the lightning-fast August offensive. The fighting is so intense that some Ukrainian commanders are unable to evacuate the dead. Delays in communication and ill-timed tactics are costing lives, and the troops have little opportunity to counterattack." Pravada

158 clashes on frontline over past day, Pokrovsk sector hottest spot

"In the past 24 hours, there were a total of 158 combat clashes on the frontline, with the most intense fighting reported in the Pokrovsk sector.
In the Kharkiv sector, three combat clashes were reported near Vovchansk.
In the Kupiansk sector, Ukraine’s Defense Forces repelled four enemy attacks in the areas of Hlushkivka and Lozova.

In the Lyman sector, 21 clashes occurred, with Russian efforts focused on the areas of Hrekivka, Pershotravneve, Nadiia, Tverdokhlibove, Terny, Kopanky, Novoyehorivka, Novoplatonivka, and Makiivka.
In the Kramatorsk sector, the Ukrainian defenders repelled 14 enemy advances near Stupochky and Chasiv Yar.
In the Toretsk sector, the Russian army attempted seven penetrations of the Ukrainian defenses in Toretsk and Shcherbynivka.
In the Pokrovsk sector, the Ukrainian Defense Forces successfully repelled 54 enemy attacks. The Russian forces attempted advances near Zelenyi Hai, Kalynove, Uspenivka, Vovkove, Novoielyzavetivka, Vozdvyzhenka, Myroliubivka, Promin, Lysivka, Dachenske, Zelene, Pokrovsk, Novyi Trud, Pershe Travnia, and Shevchenko.
In the Kurakhove sector, the Ukrainian defenders continued to hold the line as Russian forces attempted 22 breakthroughs near Petropavlivka, Ukrainka, Kurakhove, and Dachne.
In the Vremivka sector, the Russian forces launched 15 attacks near Kostiantynopil, Velyka Novosilka, Vremivka, and Yantarne.
In the Prydniprovske sector, the Ukrainian defenders repelled one enemy assault.
In the Kursk sector, the Russian forces conducted one missile strike using six missiles, over 400 artillery shellings targeting the Ukrainian forces positions and populated areas. Nine combat clashes occurred in this sector.
No active engagements occurred in the Siversk, Huliaipole, and Orikhiv sectors of the front over the past day.
The operational situation in the Volyn and Polissia sectors remained stable without significant changes.
On the borders with Chernihiv and Sumy regions, Russians actively used artillery from their territory against Ukrainian settlements." Ukrin

Ukraine Receives First Ever Natural Gas Shipment From US As It Cuts Energy Ties With Russia

"Ukraine has received its first-ever shipment of liquefied natural gas (LNG) from the United States, marking a pivotal step in Ukraine’s efforts to cut energy supply ties with Russia amid dismal relations between the two warring neighbors." ZH

Germany Has No Defense Against Russian Ballistic Missiles, Govt Review Says

"Russian media has picked up on a report in Germany's Bild newspaper which highlights a German government assessment saying the country is defenseless against the Russian Oreshnik missile system. Germany has no effective method of intercepting an inbound ballistic missile, following decades of a 'neutral' and degraded post-WWII military." ZH

New Israeli Airstrikes Near Damascus

"An Israeli strike targeted an old army weapons depot northeast of the capital." ZH

Russia withdraws from nuclear cleanup agreement

"A law renouncing participation in the Multilateral Nuclear and Environmental Program has been signed by President Vladimir Putin. President Vladimir Putin has signed a decree terminating Russia’s participation in the framework agreement and Protocol on the Multilateral Nuclear and Environmental Program (MNEPR)." RT

Jimmy Carter, 39th US President, Dead At 100

"Former President Jimmy Carter has died. He was 100. Carter died in his hometown of Plains, Georgia." MS

Sweden Starts to Search for Extra Cemetery Space in Case of War

"Burial associations in Sweden are looking to acquire enough land for something they hope they’ll never have to do: bury thousands of people in the event of war.

The search follows recommendations from the Church of Sweden’s national secretariat, which reflect crisis preparedness guidelines from the Swedish Civil Contingencies Agency (MSB) and the Swedish Armed Forces.
The preparedness guidelines have been put in a new light by Sweden’s decision to join NATO and tensions with Russia in the Baltic Sea region.
According to the Church of Sweden provisions, supported by legal paragraphs in Sweden’s Burial Act, burial associations are responsible for ensuring the availability of enough land to bury roughly 5 percent of the population within a parish, if needed." Breitbart

Russia says it thwarted Ukrainian plot to kill officer and a blogger

"Russia’s Federal Security Service (FSB) said on Saturday it had foiled a plot by Ukrainian

intelligence services to kill a high-ranking Russian officer and a war blogger. 

According to the FSB, acting on the instructions of the Ukrainian intelligence officer, the Russian citizen retrieved a bomb from a hiding place in Moscow.
The FSB reiterated that the bomb, which was packed with ball bearings, was concealed inside a portable music speaker." MS

Russia removes Taliban and Hayat Tahrir al-Sham from list of terrorist organizations

"Russian ruler Vladimir Putin has signed a law allowing for the removal of the Taliban and Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) from the list of terrorist organizations, creating a legal basis for changes in relations with these groups." Pravada

Russia rehearses attack on Finland and Baltic states

"Russia has rehearsed an attack on Finland and the Baltic states. The media outlet writes that the Russian attack would allegedly be a simultaneous operation of several different units of the Russian army. The attack would have involved tens of thousands of Russian soldiers.
In the north, the 14th Army Corps would attack the Norwegian coast from Murmansk by sea, land and air. The Russians will land in Finnish Lapland. Russian missile troops deployed on the Kola Peninsula will also invade Finland." MS

149 combat clashes on front lines, one-third in Pokrovsk sector

"A total of 149 combat clashes have taken place on the front since day-start, with a third of them occurring in the Pokrovsk sector.
In the Kharkiv sector, the enemy unsuccessfully attempted to storm the Ukrainian positions near Vovchansk three times.
In the Kupiansk sector, the invaders launched offensive actions near Hlushkivka and Lozova. The Ukrainian defenders repelled three enemy attacks. One combat clash is still ongoing.

In the Lyman sector, the Russian forces attacked the Ukrainian positions near Hrekivka, Pervomaiske, Nadiia, Tverdokhlibove, Kopanky, Novoyehorivka, Novoplatonivka, and Makiivka 19 times. Four combat clashes are still ongoing.
In the Kramatorsk sector, the enemy stormed the Ukrainian positions near Stupochky and Chasiv Yar 14 times. Two combat clashes are ongoing.
In the Toretsk sector, the Ukrainian forces repelled three attacks near Toretsk and Shcherbynivka. Two clashes are still in progress.
In the Pokrovsk sector, since the beginning of the day, Russians have launched 48 attacks in near Zelene Pole, Vovkove, Novoielyzavetivka, Vozdvyzhenka, Myroliubivka, Promin, Lysivka, Dachenske, Zelene, Pokrovsk, Novyi Trud, Pershe Travnia, and Shevchenko. The Ukrainian defenders repelled 30 assaults, with 18 still ongoing.
Today, in this sector, according to preliminary data, the Ukrainian forces have eliminated 425 occupiers, including 201 irrecoverable losses. Two armored fighting vehicles and seven vehicles were destroyed, and one armored fighting vehicle was damaged.
In the Kurakhove sector, the enemy made 17 attempts to break through the Ukrainian defenses near Petropavlivka, Ukrainka, Kurakhove, and Dachne. Eleven clashes have been completed, and six are still ongoing.
In the Vremivka sector, the enemy attacked the Ukrainian units near Kostyantynopil, Velyka Novosilka, and Vremivka 11 times. One battle is ongoing.
In the Prydniprovsk sector, the Ukrainian troops repelled one attack, with the enemy failing to achieve success.
In Russia’s Kursk region, the Ukrainian defenders have repelled nine enemy attacks today, with one battle still ongoing." Ukrin

Deadly Retaliation: Afghan Forces Strike Pakistan After Civilian Massacre

"Tensions between Afghanistan and Pakistan reached a boiling point as Afghan forces carried out retaliatory strikes against Pakistan. This action came in response to deadly airstrikes

conducted by Pakistan in Afghanistan’s eastern Paktika province, which killed dozens of civilians, including women and children.
The current crisis began when Pakistan launched airstrikes last Tuesday in Paktika, a province near the Afghan-Pakistan border. According to Pakistani officials, the operation aimed to destroy a training facility for insurgents believed to be planning attacks on Pakistani soil.
The Afghan Defense Ministry criticized Pakistan’s actions, calling them an attack on Afghanistan’s sovereignty. In a statement posted on social media platform X, the ministry said Afghan forces targeted locations in Pakistan that were being used as “centers and hideouts for malicious elements” orchestrating attacks inside Afghanistan." msn

Scientists Warn of an Undersea Volcano Eruption Near Oregon Coast in 2025

"Beneath the waves of the Pacific Ocean, about 470 kilometers off the coast of Oregon, lies

Axial Seamount, an undersea volcano at the cutting edge of scientific exploration. Decades of monitoring have allowed researchers to make a bold prediction: Axial Seamount is likely to erupt in 2025. This rare advance notice—achieved through years of precise data collection—marks a turning point in the science of volcanic forecasting. By interpreting ground swelling, seismic activity, and other signs, scientists aim to not only predict eruptions but also deepen their understanding of the volcanic processes shaping our planet." MS

Relatives of Bashar al-Assad arrested at Beirut airport using fake passports

"Authorities arrested the wife and daughter of a cousin of former Syrian dictator Bashar Assad

at Beirut’s airport on Dec. 27 as they attempted to leave using fake passports. Rasha Hazem, wife of Duraid Assad, and their daughter Shams entered Lebanon illegally and attempted to board a flight to Egypt. Duraid is the son of Rifaat Assad, the uncle of Bashar Assad and a former vice president of Syria." NV

Russia Surrounds Vital Ukrainian Stronghold After Devastating Power Grid Attack

"Ukraine is facing a long period of rolling blackouts this winter after Russia's "Christmas

attack" on the country's energy infrastructure. Ukraine reports at least 70 ballistic missiles and hundreds of drones were involved in the onslaught which has left at least 50% of Ukrainians without power (accurate reports on true grid damages are impossible to come by and Ukraine keeps such information censored).
Southwest of the key city of Pokrovsk, Putin's forces are currently surrounding another "linchpin" town called Velyka Novosilka. The area is considered a gateway to the Dnipropetrovsk Oblast region and its fall would give Russia easier access to central Ukraine due to thinner defensive lines. The town is currently surrounded on at least three sides and experts suggest Ukraine is unlikely to order their troops to retreat due to the importance of the location. Kyiv now fears that the soldiers in the area will soon be encircled." ZeroHedge

Plane With 175 Passengers Crashes At South Korea Airport, At Least 23 Dead

"A Jeju Airlines airplane veered off the runway upon landing in South Korea and collided with a wall, killing at least 23, Yonhap News agency reported.

The flight, yet another unfortunate Boeing 737 aircraft, was carrying 175 passengers and 6 crew members to Muan International Airport, in the country’s south. It was returning from Bangkok, according to the news agency and Flightradar24 data. The 737 plane in question was not a Max jet.
The incident is suspected to have been caused by a landing gear malfunction following a bird strike, according to the local fire department.
The Korean transport ministry said it was investigating the crash. The airline and the fire department were not immediately available for comment.
The fatal crash takes place just days after a Dec. 25 crash involving an Azerbaijan Airlines passenger plane, killing dozens." ZH

Biden Unveils Bigger 'Surge' In Arms To Ukraine, With Just 3 Weeks Till Trump Sworn In

"With a little over three weeks to go until President-Elect Donald Trump enters the White House, President Biden has ordered a 'surge' in US weapons to the Zelensky government." ZeroHedge

100 clashes on frontline since day-start

"Since the beginning of the day, there have been 100 combat engagements between the Ukrainian Defense Forces and the Russian invaders on the frontline, with 34 enemy attacks recorded in the Pokrovsk sector.
In the Kharkiv sector, the Russian invaders launched two assaults on the defensive lines of the Ukrainian forces near Vovchansk, the battle continues. Moreover, Russian aviation struck Veterinary and Kozacha Lopan with unguided air rockets.
In the Kupiansk sector, the enemy, supported by assault aviation, made two active attempts to advance on the positions of Ukraine’s Defense Forces near Lozova. "The Ukrainian soldiers are steadfastly holding the defense, combat engagements are still ongoing," the General Staff added.
In the Lyman sector, the Russian forces carried out 17 attacks on the Ukrainian positions near Pervomaiske, Novoiehorivka, Nadiia, Terniv, Torske, Zarichne, Dibrova, and in the Serebrianskyi forest. Five combat engagements are currently ongoing.
In the Siversk sector, the enemy attempted to advance twice on the positions of the Ukrainian forces near Bilohorivka and towards Vyimka, but was repelled.
In the Kramatorsk sector, the Ukrainian forces repelled two assault attempts near Chasiv Yar.

In the Toretsk sector, the Russian forces attempted to push the Ukrainian units from their positions near Shcherbynivka and Toretsk, where the Defense Forces repelled four attacks. One battle is still ongoing.
In the Pokrovsk sector, since the beginning of the day, the enemy has already made 34 attempts to push the Ukrainian defenders from their positions in the areas of Myroliubivka, Promin, Vozdvyzhenka, Lysivka, Dachenske, Novyi Trud, Shevchenko, Novoielyzavetivka, Novovasylivka, and Vovkove. The Ukrainian Defense Forces are holding back the pressure and have repelled 25 enemy attacks. Enemy losses are being clarified.
In the Kurakhove sector, fighting continues near Petropavlivka, Slovianka, Dachne, and Kurakhove. According to updated information, Ukraine’s Defense Forces have repelled nine Russian attacks today, while three attacks are still ongoing.
In the Vremivka sector, four combat engagements continue. Overall, the enemy has launched seven attacks near Kostiantynopilske, Rozlyv, Novyi Komar, and Novodarivka, and also conducted airstrikes with guided aerial bombs on Kostiantynopil, Oleksiivka, and Zelene Pole.
In Russia’s Kursk region, the Ukrainian defenders repelled 11 offensive actions of the invaders, with six combat engagements still ongoing. Russian aviation also carried out five strikes, using nine guided bombs on their own territory." 

Ukrin

Mainstream Media Ignores Sectarian Killings In 'Liberated' Syria While Jolani Plays Nice For Cameras

"Since the rapid collapse of the Assad government and the takeover of Damascus by US-designated terror group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) on December 8, Syrians by the hundreds or even thousands have been filmed in city streets celebrating, expressing hope for a new era.

But for every scene of hundreds gathered in a city square in front of Al Jazeera or CNN cameras, the reality is that there are many tens of thousands more families holed up in their homes, deeply fearful of venturing outside, with the more fortunate ones having stocked up on supplies just prior to Abu Mohammad al-Jolani's army of mujahideen fighters entering the capital.
With the basically overnight and shock collapse of a state system earlier this month which had been in place for over a half-century, Syrians whether in Aleppo, Hama, Homs, Latakia, or Damascus have no clue which armed factions might be patrolling the neighborhoods just around the corner from their apartments.
The ideology of the conquerors, in their own words and patches/symbols on their tactical vests, are without doubt Takfirism, Salafism, and Wahhabism. This has been exhaustively documented over many, many years of the tragic proxy war in Syria - yet now suddenly Western leaders and media lackeys have 'forgotten' it all. Non-Sunni Muslims are especially being targeted, for nothing else other than religion and identity.
Now, for the first time in Syria's modern history, women who dare to venture out in the city center of Damascus are being asked their sectarian affiliation: Are you Sunni, Shia, Christian, Druze? Or else they are being told to put on the Islamic veil, by bearded militants from outside cities or villages, or worse who are from other countries. Latakia, as well as parts of the countryside, are already witnessing armed jihadist gangs conducting summary executions." 

ZH

Israel Defense Forces Finds Hezbollah Weapons Depot in Pharmacy in Southern Lebanon

"TheIsrael Defense Forces (IDF) said it had discovered a weapons depot belonging to theShia movement Hezbollah and a truck containing 40 rocket launchers during raids in southern Lebanon.

The troops operating in the Naqoura area, the westernmost village in southern Lebanon, located terrorist infrastructure used by Hezbollah for carrying out terror attacks against the State of Israel. The troops identified military equipment and weapons storage facilities embedded inside civilian buildings, including found explosives, RPG missiles, and AK-47 rifles inside a pharmacy." Sputnik

Russian court convicts Belgian mercenary

"A Russian court has sentenced in absentia Belgian national Jetmir Hussein to six years in a general population penal colony for participating in the Ukraine conflict on the side of Kiev, Moscow’s Prosecutor’s office reported on Thursday.

In a statement on its Telegram channel, it stated that the 25-year-old has been found guilty of acting as a mercenary in an armed conflict.
Prosecutors established that Hussein, who does not hold Ukrainian or Russian citizenship, travelled to a training camp in Ukraine’s Lviv Region in March 2022 that is said to belong to the International Legion of the Territorial Defense of Ukraine.
There, with the goal of receiving “material compensation,” investigators claim that Hussein joined the International Legion as a mercenary, underwent military training and “agreed to participate in hostilities against representatives of the security forces of the Donetsk (DPR) and Lugansk People’s Republics (LPR), as well as servicemen of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation.”
The prosecutor’s office said that Hussein’s case was heard by the Moscow City Court which, due to the absence of the defendant, has issued an arrest warrant for him and placed him on the international wanted list." RT

A 9th telecoms firm has been hit by a massive Chinese espionage campaign

"A ninth U.S. telecoms firm has been confirmed to have been hacked as part of a sprawling

Chinese espionage campaign that gave officials in Beijing access to private texts and phone conversations of an unknown number of Americans, a top White House official said Friday.
Biden administration officials said this month that at least eight telecommunications companies, as well as dozens of nations, had been affected by the Chinese hacking blitz known as Salt Typhoon.
The update from Neuberger is the latest development in a massive hacking operation that has alarmed national security officials, exposed cybersecurity vulnerabilities in the private sector and laid bare China's hacking sophistication." MS

Finland Boards Russian 'Shadow Fleet' Tanker in Connection With Damage of Undersea Electric Cables

"Finnish commandos boarded and seized an oil

tanker Thursday that is believed to have
temporarily disabled the Estlink-2 power line connecting Finland and Estonia. The vessel in question, the Cook Islands-registered Eagle S, was traveling from St. Petersburg to Port Said, Egypt. The Eagle S is thought to be part of Russia's "shadow fleet" that smuggles Russian crude oil to market." RedState

Russian Airliner Shoot-Down Update

"Azerbaijan wants Moscow to admit to an "attack" on a national airliner on Christmas day that left 38 dead after it crashed in Kazakhstan. "The Azerbaijani government demands official recognition, a formal apology, and accountability for those responsible for the attack..."

There were 17 survivors, including 14 passengers and three crewmembers. Video taken of the crash indicates that the pilots were relying entirely on the engines to maneuver the aircraft.
Various reports indicate that Azerbaijan Airlines Flight 8432 lost hydraulic controls following an explosion near the rear of the aircraft, indicative of a small surface-to-air missile like those fired by Russia's Pantsir-S air defense system. Survivors heard an explosion and reported shrapnel flying through the Embraer 190AR.
The flight originated in Baku, Azerbaijan, on its way to Grozny in the Russian Federation's Chechnya Republic but was re-routed to Makhachkala, also in Russia, due to fog. However, the plane diverted again just before reaching Makhachkala and headed east across the Caspian Sea toward Kazakhstan in Central Asia.
Before getting to why J2-8243 turned east instead of landing, let me remind you that it's not the war crime; it's the cover-up. Russian air defenses were on heightened alert due to a Ukrainian drone attack, and some Russian air defense soldier with an itchy trigger finger seemed to have made a gruesome mistake." PJMedia

HIMARS strike wipes out Russian command meeting in Zaporizhzhya Oblast

"Three senior officers of the Russian Southern Troop Grouping and five enemy vehicles were eliminated in a precision strike by the High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) strike in Zaporizhzhya Oblast." NV

Ukraine possibly captures 1st North Korean prisoner of war

"Ukrainian forces have likely captured a North Korean prisoner of war in what could be the first instance of its kind, a Ukrainian news report has said, as North Korean troops were fighting alongside Russia against Ukraine.
Ukraine's special operations troops reportedly took the soldier during operations in Russia's western frontline region of Kursk." MS

171 combat clashes on frontline, most intense in Pokrovsk sector

"171 combat clashes between the Ukrainian Defense Forces and Russian invaders.
In the Kharkiv sector, two Russian attacks occurred near Vovchansk and Starytsia.
In the Kupiansk sector, nine attacks by the Russian forces were recorded, with the Ukrainian defenders repelling assaults in the areas of Zapadne, Lozova, Kruhliakivka, Bohuslavka, and Nova Kruhliakivka.

With air support, the Russian forces launched 25 attacks in the Lyman sector, attempting to advance near Kopanky, Cherneshchyna, Novoserhiivka, Platonivka, Zelenyi Hai, Druzheliubivka, Makiivka, Terniv, Zarichne, and Torske.
On the Siversk sector, the Russian invaders unsuccessfully tried four times to displace the Ukrainian defenders from their positions near Bilohorivka and Hryhorivka.
In the Kramatorsk sector, four assaults were made in the areas of Chasiv Yar, Stupochky, Bila Hora, and Oleksandro-Shultyne.
The enemy conducted 13 attacks in the Toretsk sector, targeting Dyliivka and Toretsk.
In the Pokrovsk sector, the Ukrainian defenders repelled 42 Russian assaults aimed at the settlements of Vozdvyzhenka, Myroliubivka, Promin, Lysivka, Zelene, Dachenske, Novyi Trud, Pishchane, Pokrovsk, Novoolenivka, Vovkove, Shevchenko, and Novotroitske.
In the Kurakhove sector, 23 Russian assaults were repelled, with the Russian forces focusing their efforts in the areas of Petropavlivka, Slovianka, Andriivka, and Kurakhove.
In the Vremivka sector, the enemy conducted 24 assaults near Yantarne, Vremivka, Kostiantynopil, Novyi Komar, and Kostiantynopilske.
In the Huliaipole sector, the Russian forces did not engage in active actions.
In the Orikhiv sector, the invaders made a failed attempt to push the Ukrainian forces from their positions near Novoandriivka.
In the Prydniprovsk sector, the Russian forces attacked three times but suffered losses and retreated.
In the Kursk sector, the Ukrainian forces repelled 20 Russian attacks, with the enemy launching 424 artillery strikes, including 30 from multiple rocket launchers, and carrying out 24 airstrikes, dropping 34 guided aerial bombs.
No signs of Russian offensive group formations were detected in the Volyn and Polissia sectors.
Along the border with Chernihiv and Sumy regions, Russians have been actively using artillery and aviation against Ukrainian settlements." Ukrin

Azerbaijan Airlines Flight Reportedly Hit By Russian Missile On Christmas Day

"Azerbaijani government sources told Euronews on Thursday that a Russian surface-to-air

missile hit Azerbaijan Airlines Flight J28243, ultimately causing the plane to crash during an emergency landing attempt in the Kazakhstani city of Aktau shortly thereafter. A Russian SAM was fired at the Embraer ERJ-190 during a drone swarm above Grozny, the capital city of Chechnya, Russia. The SAM detonated near the commercial jet and unleashed a spray formation of shrapnel that damaged the plane's rear fuselage and flight controls." ZH

Ukraine's Shelling of Lgov Town in Kursk Region

"As a result of Ukraine's shelling of the town Lgov in Russia's Kursk Region four people have been killed and five have been injured. The operational headquarters of the government of the Kursk Region has been deployed in Lgov after the shelling." Sputnik

China Creating Large-Scale System of Commercial Remote Sensing Satellites

"China is creating a group of commercial remote sensing satellites, which will include more than 100 devices, Chinese newspaper China Daily reported.

Chinese satellite Internet company PIESAT told the publication that the system, which currently includes 12 satellites, had started operating on Monday, December 23. The system was named Nuwa in honor of the goddess from ancient Chinese mythology.
It is expected that the Nuwa constellation would comprise at least 20 satellites by 2025, with plans to increase their number to 114 in the future.
According to the newspaper, the satellite constellation provides global coverage of the planet, including in the polar and equatorial regions, and can "see" through clouds and rain, thereby providing all-weather continuous Earth sensing with an imaging resolution of up to 1 meter." Sputnik

Air Defense Destroys 59 Ukrainian Drones Over 5 Russian Regions, Sea of ​​Azov

"Over the past night, air defense systems destroyed 59 Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicles: 26 drones were shot down over the Belgorod Region, 23 over the Voronezh Region, three drones each over the Kursk, Bryansk and Tambov Regions, and one over the Sea of ​​Azov." Sputnik