'Any format of Donbas under Russian control is unacceptable' — Ukraine hails 'real progress' but holds firm on territory after Berlin talks

"Kyiv and Washington made "real progress" toward peace in Ukraine during two-day talks in Berlin, top security official and negotiator Rustem Umerov said on Dec. 15, even as other

officials signal that a final agreement on territorial issues remains elusive.
The statement comes after a delegation led by President Volodymyr Zelensky held two rounds of discussions with U.S. envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner on a plan for ending the Russia-Ukraine war.
Zelensky later commented on the talks, providing his assessment of the negotiations and outlining Kyiv’s priorities.
He acknowledged that while the Washington is pushing for a rapid end to the war, Kyiv is more focused on ensuring the quality of any agreement." KI

China Blasts 'Premeditated' Provocations Of US-Allied Philippines At Disputed Shoal

"China continues to squabble and get in maritime incidents with US allies in regional waters of the Western Pacific. Lately it has been locked in a heightening dispute with Japan over Tokyo's pro-Taiwan stance, but there's been a new recent incident with The Philippines.

Beijing on Monday accused Manila of staging a "deliberate" provocation and carrying out hazardous and aggressive actions near a contested reef in the South China Sea following a tense weekend incident. China has further blamed Washington for issuing what it labeled as misleading statements that have set the region on edge.
The Philippines said Chinese coast guard vessels used water cannons against Filipino fishing boats near Sabina Shoal during an incident Friday. This led to a weekend of tit-for-tat accusations and denunciations." ZH

Air defenses neutralize 57 out of 69 drones used by Russia to attack Ukraine overnight

"Ukraine's air defense forces neutralized 57 out of the 69 drones launched by Russia against Ukraine starting in the evening....., the invaders launched 69 attack UAVs, including Shahed-type drones, Gerberas, and other types of drones, from the directions of Oryol, Primorsko-Akhtarsk, Millerovo (Russia), and Hvardiiske (temporarily occupied Crimea). About 40 of them were Shahed-type drones." Ukrin

5.1 Earthquake - North Pacific Ocean, 135 km east of Hachinohe, Aomori, Japan

"A strong magnitude 5.1 earthquake occurred in the North Pacific Ocean 117 km (73 mi) from Aomori, Japan, in the early afternoon at 2.38 pm local time (GMT +9). The depth of the quake could not be determined, but is assumed to be shallow." VD

5.6 Earthquake - North Pacific Ocean, 230 km southeast of Petropavlovsk-Kamchatskiy, Kamchatka, Russia

"A strong magnitude 5.6 earthquake occurred in the North Pacific Ocean 345 km (214 mi)
from Russia in the morning at 7.33 am local time (GMT +12). The quake had a very shallow depth of 34 km (21 mi) and was felt by many near the epicenter. The shallow depth of the quake caused it to be felt more strongly near the epicenter than a deeper quake of similar magnitude would." VD

5.7 Earthquake - North Pacific Ocean, 73 km south of San Jose, Northern Mariana Islands

"A strong magnitude 5.7 earthquake occurred in the North Pacific Ocean near the coast of
Northern Mariana Islands in the morning at 9.06 am local time (GMT +10). The quake had a moderate depth of 100 km (62 mi) and was felt over a large region." VD

151 combat clashes along the front lines

"Ukraine's Defense Forces engaged in 151 combat clashes with Russian invaders along the front lines.
The Russian army carried out airstrikes on the areas of Ryzhivka in the Sumy region, Havrylivka in the Dnipropetrovsk region, and Huliaipole and Zaliznychne in the Zaporizhzhia region.

Ukrainian aircraft, missile troops, and artillery units struck two concentrations of enemy personnel and equipment, one artillery system, and two Russian command posts.
One combat engagement occurred on the Northern Slobozhanshchyna and Kursk axes. The enemy carried out 121 shelling attacks, including two from MLRS.
On the Southern Slobozhanshchyna axis, Ukrainian forces repelled four Russian attacks near Prylipky and toward Obukhivka.
On the Kupiansk axis, Ukrainian forces repelled one Russian assault near Pishchane.
On the Lyman axis, the enemy attacked Ukrainian positions 12 times, attempting to break into Ukrainian defenses near Novoselivka, Serednie, Zarichne, and toward Drobysheve and Lyman.
On the Sloviansk axis, Ukrainian defenders repelled seven Russian attacks near Serebrianka, Dronivka, Siversk, and toward Sviato-Pokrovske.
On the Kramatorsk axis, the enemy conducted no offensive operations.
On the Kostiantynivka axis, Russian forces carried out 20 attacks near Oleksandro-Shultyne, Pleshchiivka, Kleban-Byk, Rusyn Yar, and toward Kostiantynivka, Novopavlivka, Ivanopillia, and Sofiivka.
On the Pokrovsk axis, Ukrainian defenders repelled 40 Russian assault operations near Rodynske, Myrnohrad, Pokrovsk, Kotlyne, Udachne, Molodetske, Filiia, and toward Hryshyne, Toretske, Bilytske, and Novopavlivka.
On the Oleksandrohrad axis, the invaders carried out 24 attacks near Yalta, Sichneve, Sosnivka, Verbove, Zlahoda, Pryvilne, Rybne, Zelenyi Hai, Andriivka-Klevtsove, Oleksandrohrad, Solodke, Yehorivka, and toward Oleksiivka.
On the Huliaipole axis, Ukrainian forces repelled 13 Russian attacks toward Huliaipole, Dobropillia, and Varvarivka.
On the Orikhiv axis, the enemy made three unsuccessful attempts to break through the defenses toward Novoandriivka, Pavlivka, and near Shcherbaky.
On the Dnipro River axis, one attempt by the invaders to approach Ukrainian positions near Antonivka ended in failure." Ukrin

Russia hits supermarket in Zaporizhzhia in Ukraine

"Russian forces attacked a supermarket in the southern Ukrainian city of Zaporizhzhia injuringat least 14 people, including a six-year-old child, Governor Ivan Fedorov reported.
According to Fedorov, the supermarket is located in a residential neighborhood. Footage from the scene shows the building's severe damage." KI

Cameroon post-election unrest: Protesters jailed, others freed

"A political crisis continues to engulf Cameroon just a few weeks after the West African country held its presidential election.
Around 30 protesters were detained overnight from Friday, December 12th, to Saturday, December 13th, at the Yaoundé-Nkondengui Central Prison.

At the same time, the military court prosecutor's office released about twenty others.
Fifty people, including a minor, arrested during the post-election protests, were brought before the military court prosecutor. Around thirty were remanded in custody at Yaoundé's Kondengui prison.
The group of lawyers representing the defendants is calling for their outright acquittal.
According to civil society and government sources, more than 1,000 people remain in detention following the unrest that has shaken Cameroon after the dispute over the re-election of President Paul Biya .
Cameroon’s top court on October 27 declared Biya the winner of the election, with 53.66% of the vote, ahead of his former ally-turned-challenger Issa Tchiroma Bakary, who scored 35.19%.
There were protests in several parts of Cameroon days after the October 12 vote, followed by a three-day lockdown this week after Tchiroma claimed victory and alleged vote tampering.
The government has confirmed that at least five people were killed during the protests, although the opposition and civil society groups claim the figures are far higher.
Tchiroma insists Biya was awarded a “fraudulent” victory in the election." AfticaNews

UN condemns deadly drone strike on peacekeepers in Sudan’s Kordofan

"The United Nations has condemned a recent drone attack that targeted its Sudanese logistics in the central region of Kordofan base in Kadugli, resulting in fatalities & injuries of members of the Bangladeshi Peacekeeping contingent.
The UN's Secretary General António Guterres said in a statement that attacks against UN

peacekeepers like this one are unjustifiable & may constitute war crimes. He further reminded the parties to the war of their obligation to protect UN personnel & civilians, while also calling for accountability.
A drone strike hit the UN facility in war-torn Sudan on Saturday, killing six peacekeepers, according to the U.N.
Eight other peacekeepers were wounded in the strike.
All the victims are Bangladeshi nationals, serving in the U.N. Interim Security Force for Abyei, UNISFA.
“Attacks targeting United Nations peacekeepers may constitute war crimes under international law,” said Guterres, who called for those responsible for the “unjustifiable” attack to be held accountable.
The Sudanese military blamed the attack on the Rapid Support Forces, RSF, a notorious paramilitary group at war with the army for control of the country for more than two years.
There was no immediate comment from the RSF." AfricaNews

Syria Launches ‘Large-Scale Anti-ISIS Operation' After Deadly Attack on US Forces

"Security forces launched a major operation targeting ISIS cells in al-Furqlus, al-Quaryataynand the Syrian Desert (Badiya) in Homs Governorate on Sunday, local media have reported.
A commander said the operation was a response to Saturday’s attack in Palmyra on a joint US-Syrian patrol, in which two US troops and an interpreter were killed.
The operation is said to include field raids, searches of suspected terror hideouts, and an effort to dismantle suspected ISIS sleeper cells." Sputnik

5.2 Earthquake - Southeast of Easter Island

"A strong magnitude 5.2 earthquake occurred in the South Pacific Ocean near the coast of n/a in the early morning at 2.44 am local time (GMT -7). The depth of the quake could not be determined, but is assumed to be shallow." VD

148 clashes on frontline

"There were 148 combat engagements on the frontline.
According to the General Staff, one combat engagement occurred in the Northern Slobozhanshchyna and Kursk sectors. The enemy carried out two air strikes, dropping six guided bombs, and conducted 140 shellings, including six from multiple launch rocket systems.

Today, Russians attacked ten times in the Southern Slobozhanshchyna sector, near Synelnykove, Prylipky, Vovchansk, and toward Kolodiazne. Two enemy attacks are still ongoing.
The aggressor attempted three times to advance on Ukrainian positions in the Kupiansk sector, toward Petropavlivka and Pishchane.
In the Lyman sector, Ukrainian defenders repelled nine Russian attacks during the day. The enemy advanced toward Novoiehorivka, Kolodiazi, Novoselivka, Serednie, and Zarichne. Two engagements are still ongoing.
In the Sloviansk sector, Ukrainian forces repelled six enemy attacks. Invading forces attempted to advance near Yampil, Serebrianka, and Pereizne.
One combat engagement with the enemy took place in the Kramatorsk sector in the area of Chasiv Yar.
In the Kostiantynivka sector, Ukrainian troops repelled 23 enemy attacks near Oleksandro-Shultyne, Shcherbynivka, Pleshchiivka, Ivanopillia, Yablunivka, and toward Sofiivka.
In the Pokrovsk sector, Russian forces attacked Ukrainian positions 42 times near Shakhove, Nykanorivka, Rodynske, Myrnohrad, Pokrovsk, Kotlyne, Udachne, Molodetske, Dachne, and toward Novopavlivka.
According to preliminary estimates, in the Pokrovsk sector alone, the occupiers lost 96 personnel killed and wounded today. Ukrainian forces destroyed one artillery system, nine vehicles, and 11 unmanned aerial vehicles, and struck four artillery systems, two vehicles, nine personnel shelters, and an enemy ammunition depot.
In the Oleksandrohrad sector, Ukrainian defenders repelled 17 enemy attacks near Oleksandrohrad, Novoselivka, Sosnivka, Verbove, Krasnohirske, Pryvilne, Zlahoda, and Rybne. Six more engagements are still ongoing.
In the Huliaipole sector, the enemy carried out 13 assault actions. Ukrainian defenders repelled attacks near Solodke, Huliaipole, and toward Varvarivka.
In the Orikhiv sector, the enemy advanced once toward Prymorske.
In the Prydniprovske sector, one attempt by the invaders to approach the positions of Ukrainian units near the Antonivskyi Bridge ended in failure." Ukrin

Twelve dead and gunman 'neutralized' after Hanukkah terrorist attack on Bondi Beach

"Police have confirmed that the mass shooting at Bondi Beach, Australia, is being treated as a

terrorist attack.
At least 12 people have died, with one gunman also killed, during celebrations on the first day of Hanukkah. A further 29 people have been taken to various hospitals around Sydney, including a child.
The other gunman is in serious condition. NSW Police Commissioner Mal Lanyon confirmed they will "make sure no stone is left unturned" in regards to a potential third gunman, adding police are investigating "thoroughly" of any other people linked to the shooting.
Premier Chris Minns said the attack was "designed to target Sydney's Jewish community"." GBN

Trump Admin Secures Release Of 123 Political Prisoners, Including American Citizens, From Belarus

"Belarus freed 123 political prisoners, including 2022 Nobel Peace Prize winner Ales Bialiatski and a number of American citizens, after the U.S. agreed to lift some trade sanctions on the state.
The release of the prisoners came after John Coale, President Donald Trump’s special envoy for Belarus, met Friday and Saturday with Belarus’s autocratic president, Aleksandr G. Lukashenko, at his palace in Minsk, The New York Times reported. A catalyst for the diplomatic breakthrough was the U.S. government’s agreeing to remove sanctions on potash, according to BBC News. Potash is an important ingredient used for fertilizer and also a key export for the Russia-aligned Belarus, according to the outlet."
DC

Yellowstone logs 86,276 quakes, sparking supervolcano fears

"The discovery of 86,276 previously undetected earthquakes beneath Yellowstone has reignited public anxiety about the park’s vast supervolcano and what it might be quietly preparing underground. The figure is startling, but the real story is how artificial intelligence, long-term monitoring and decades of geologic research are reshaping what I can reasonably say about risk, secrecy and the line between scientific caution and public fear." msn

Russia fires overnight barrage of 450 drones, 30 missiles

"Russia launched over 450 strike drones and 30 missiles overnight into Saturday, targeting various areas across Ukraine, killing at least three people and injuring 10 others.

One person was killed in the settlement of Oleksiievo-Druzhkivka in the eastern Donbas region, one of the most active frontlines in Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, well into its fourth year.
In the nearby city of Kostiantynivka, two other people were killed in Russian attacks, as the Kremlin pummelled the Donbas with over 17 attacks on various settlements over the past 24-hours. Six people were also injured in strikes targeting Druzhkivka.
The southern port city of Odesa sustained major damage, after a second consecutive night of strikes targeting what officials called civilian areas and infrastructure." msn

Explosions reported at oil depot in occupied Crimea, several Russian energy sites amid Ukrainian drone attack

"Explosions were reported at an oil depot near Simferopol in occupied Crimea, a chemical plant in the Russian city of Veliky Novgorod, and several energy sites.
Russian authorities reported 41 drones over the territory of occupied Crimea amid the reported explosions at an oil depot near Simferopol." KI

5.0 Earthquake - South Atlantic Ocean, 48 km east of Bristol Island, South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands

"A strong magnitude 5.0 earthquake occurred in the South Atlantic Ocean near Bristol Island island, South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands, around noon at 12.04 pm local time (GMT -2). The quake had a moderate depth of 75 km (46 mi) and was not felt (or at least not reported so)." VD

154 clashes on frontline over past day

"Ukrainian Defense Forces engaged in 154 combat clashes with Russian troops along the frontline.
In the Northern Slobozhanshchyna and Kursk sectors, there were two clashes; the enemy conducted two airstrikes, dropped four glide bombs, and launched 135 artillery strikes (including two with MLRS).
In the Southern Slobozhanshchyna sector, Ukrainian forces repelled nine Russian attacks near Prylipka, Vovchansk, and toward Synelnykove and Vilcha.

In the Kupiansk sector, two enemy attacks were repelled near Pishchane and Monachynivka.
In the Lyman sector, the Russians carried out 12 attacks, attempting to breach defenses near Serednie and toward Novyi Myr, Novoselivka, Drobysheve, and Zarichne.
In the Sloviansk sector, seven enemy attacks were repelled near Yampil, Serebrianka, and toward Platonivka.
In the Kramatorsk sector, no Russian offensive actions were reported.
In the Kostiantynivka sector, there were 19 attacks near Pleshchiivka, Kleban-Bik, Rusyn Yar, and toward Kostiantynivka, Oleksandro-Shultyne, and Novopavlivka.
In the Pokrovsk sector, Ukrainian defenders stopped 44 assaults near Udachne, Kotlyne, Novomykolaivka, Dachne, and toward Sofiivka, Kucherov Yar, Novo-Shakhove, Sukhetske, Bilytske, Rodynske, Myrnohrad, Pokrovsk, Hryshyne, Molodetske, and Novopavlivka.
In the Oleksandrohrad sector, Russian forces launched 16 attacks near Verbove, Krasnohirsk, Pryvilne, and toward Oleksandrohrad, Oleksiivka, and Rybne.
In the Huliaipole sector, Ukraine’s Defense Forces repelled 19 attacks toward Rybne, Dobropillia, and Huliaipole.
In the Orikhiv sector, there were two failed Russian attempts to attack near Plavni and toward Stepnohirsk." Ukrin

Estonia state jails anti-NATO politicians for ‘treason’

"An Estonian court has handed lengthy prison sentences to the leaders of an anti-NATO party

convicted of working on behalf of Russia to undermine the Baltic state’s security.
The Harju District Court sentenced Aivo Peterson, co-founder of the small conservative Koos (Together) party, to 14 years in prison for treason. 

His associates Dmitri Rootsi and Andrei Andronov received sentences of 11 years and 11 years and six months, respectively. All three denied any wrongdoing and said they would appeal the verdict." RT

U.S. Commandos Raided Cargo Ship Travelling From China To Iran, Seized 'Dual Use' Tech

"U.S. special forces raided a cargo ship travelling from China to Iran that was allegedly

transporting "dual-use military technology," according to a report published by the Wall Street Journal (WSJ).
Citing unnamed U.S. officials, the WSJ revealed that a special operations team boarded the ship several hundred miles from Sri Lanka and seized the cargo, which was described as “dual-use components that could be used either for civilian applications or to make conventional weapons." 

ZeroHeddge

Two US Soldiers & A Civilian Killed, Several More Wounded, In Central Syria Ambush

"Two U.S. Army soldiers and an American civilian who was serving as an interpreter were

killed after shots were fired at U.S. and allied Syrian forces during a security meeting near the ancient central Syrian town of Palmyra.
An additional three other American servicemembers were wounded in the attack.
A CENTCOM statement said it was the result of an an "ambush by a lone ISIS gunman in Syria," and that the "gunman was engaged and killed." ZeroHedge

5.5 Earthquake - 164 km southeast of Iquique, Provincia de Iquique, Tarapacá, Chile

"A strong magnitude 5.5 earthquake hit 164 km (102 mi) away from Iquique, Tarapacá, Chile, in the morning at 9.18 am local time (America/Santiago GMT -3). The quake had a moderate depth of 97 km (60 mi) and was felt by many near the epicenter." VD

M5.5 earthquake strikes Rat Islands, Aleutian Islands, Alaska

"An earthquake with a magnitude of M5.5 was recorded at 10:50 UTC in the Rat Islands, Aleutian Islands, Alaska. The quake originated at a depth of 109.6 km (68.1 miles), based on data provided by USGS.

The coordinates place the epicenter within the Rat Islands segment of the western Aleutian Island chain, an isolated region of Alaska that lies along the northern edge of the Pacific Ocean. There are no major population centers nearby, as the area is primarily composed of uninhabited islands and rugged terrain.
Given its location, the region is characterized by limited infrastructure, with sparse airstrips and occasional maritime facilities serving scientific, military, and logistical purposes. There are no major highways or urban centers in proximity to the epicenter." W

146 clashes on frontline

"146 combat clashes along the frontline.
In the Northern Slobozhanshchyna and Kursk sectors, two combat clashes occurred. The enemy carried out two airstrikes, dropped four guided aerial bombs, and conducted 126 shelling attacks, including two from multiple launch rocket systems
In the Southern Slobozhanshchyna sector, there were nine clashes near Prylipka, Vovchansk, Synelnykove, Vilcha.

In the Kupiansk sector, the enemy carried out two attacks on Ukrainian positions near Pishchane and Monachynivka.
In the Lyman sector, Russian forces conducted 12 assaults near Serednie and towards Novyi Myr, Novoselivka, Drobysheve, Zarichne.
In the Sloviansk sector, Ukrainian defenders repelled seven enemy attacks near Yampil, Serebrianka, and towards Platonivka.
In the Kostiantynivka sector, Russian invaders launched 17 assaults near Pleshchiivka, Kleban-Byk, Rusyn Yar, and towards Kostiantynivka, Oleksandro-Shultyne, Novopavlivka.
In the Pokrovsk sector, there were 42 Russian attempts to push Ukrainian troops; hotspots include Udachne, Kotlyne, Novomykolaivka, Dachne, Sofiivka, Kucherov Yar, Nove Shakhove, Sukhetske, Bilytske, Rodynske, Myrnohrad, Pokrovsk, Hryshyne, Molodetske, Novopavlivka. Ukrainian forces reportedly eliminated 31 and injured 27 enemy combatants, destroyed five vehicles, two special equipment units, one electronic warfare station, four motorcycles, 10 drones, plus damaged four vehicles, two drone control points, and eight enemy shelters.
In the Oleksandrohrad sector, Russian forces conducted seven attacks near Verbove, Krasnohirsk, Pryvilne, and towards Oleksandrohrad, Rybne.
In the Huliaipole sector, eight attacks were repelled towards Rybne, Dobropillia, Huliaipole.
In the Orikhiv sector, there was one failed Russian attack near Stepnohirsk." Ukrin

Ukrainian drone strike injures seven in Russia's Tver, causes fire, evacuation

"The city of Tver lies northwest of Moscow and local officials report that the lower floors
caught fire, prompting an evacuation to temporary shelters. Videos shared online show broken windows and smoke coming from the building. The strike was part of what Russia’s Defense Ministry describes as a large overnight wave of about 90 drones across several regions. Many were intercepted, but some reached targets far from the border, including sites in Yaroslavl Oblast. Flights at major Moscow airports were briefly disrupted. Responsibility for the Tver incident has not been confirmed by Ukraine, and some details remain unclear as emergency crews continue their work." AfricaNews

Widespread flooding triggers multiple road closures and water rescues in Snohomish County, Washington

"Multiple atmospheric rivers brought widespread flooding to Snohomish County, Washington, this week, forcing water rescues and road closures as the Snohomish River approached its fourth-highest crest on record." W

Russian forces liberate key Donbass city

"Ukrainian

troops have been completely pushed out of Seversk." RT

5.1 Earthquake - South Pacific Ocean, 64 km east of Lakeba Island, Eastern, Fiji

"A strong magnitude 5.1 earthquake occurred in the South Pacific Ocean near Lakeba Island
island, Fiji, in the morning at 10.08 am local time (GMT +12). The quake had a great depth of 576 km (358 mi) and was not felt (or at least not reported so)." VD

5.5 Earthquake - North Pacific Ocean, 132 km northeast of Hachinohe, Aomori, Japan

"A strong magnitude 5.5 earthquake occurred in the North Pacific Ocean 104 km (65 mi) from
Japan around noon at 12.21 pm local time (GMT +9). The quake had a shallow depth of 46 km (28 mi) and was reported felt by some people near the epicenter." VD

6.7 Earthquake - North Pacific Ocean, Hokkaido, 115 km northeast of Hachinohe, Aomori, Japan

"A very strong magnitude 6.7 earthquake occurred in the North Pacific Ocean 104 km (65 mi)

from Japan around noon at 12.44 pm local time (GMT +10). The quake had a very shallow depth of 10.7 km (7 mi) and was felt widely in the area. The shallow depth of the quake caused it to be felt more strongly near the epicenter than a deeper quake of similar magnitude would.

According to preliminary estimates from the US Geological Survey (USGS), the quake might have been felt by over 3.2 million people across Japan. " VD

174 clashes on front line

"There were 174 combat engagements between Ukraine’s Defense Forces and Russian invaders over the past day.
The aggressor carried out airstrikes in particular on the areas of Spirne, Chervona Hirka, and Reutyntsi in the Sumy region; Kostiantynivka in the Donetsk region; and Prydorozhnie in the Zaporizhzhia region.
Over the past day, Rocket Forces and Artillery of the Defence Forces struck an enemy concentration area of personnel and equipment, a command post, and a ground control station for Russian UAVs.

In the Northern Slobozhanshchyna and Kursk sectors, six engagements occurred over the past day. The enemy carried out 145 attacks, including nine from multiple launch rocket systems.
In the Southern Slobozhanshcyna sector, five engagements took place — the enemy attempted to advance near the settlements of Prylipka, Izbytske, and Okhrimivka.
In the Kupiansk sector, Ukraine’s Defence Forces repelled an enemy assault near Stepova Novoselivka.
In the Lyman sector, the invaders attacked 11 times, attempting to advance near Novoyehorivka, Hrekivka, Derylove, Kolodiazi, Zarichne, and towards Karmazynivka.
In the Sloviansk sector, the enemy launched six attacks on Ukrainian positions near Dronivka, Serebrianka, and Pereizne.
In the Kramatorsk sector, no combat engagements were recorded over the past day.
In the Kostiantynivka sector, enemy units launched 18 attacks near Shcherbynivka, Pleshchiivka, Oleksandro-Shultynе, Ivanopillia, Kostiantynivka, Yablunivka, Rusyn Yar, and towards Sofiivka.
In the Pokrovsk sector, Ukrainian defenders halted 49 offensive actions by the aggressor near Shakhove, Rodynske, Myrnohrad, Pokrovsk, Kotlyne, Udachne, Molodetske, and towards Novopavlivka.
In the Oleksandrohrad sector, the Defence Forces repelled 26 attacks on Ukrainian positions near Zelenyi Hai, Sosnivka, Sichneve, Verbove, Pryvillia, Vyshneve, Krasnohirske, Rybne, and Pryvilne.
In the Huliaipole sector, Ukrainian troops repelled 13 attacks near Huliaipole, towards Dobropillia, and Varvarivka.
In the Orikhiv sector, the invading forces attacked Ukrainian positions 16 times near Mala Tokmachka, Stepove, Stepnohirsk, and towards Prymorske and Novoandriivka.
In the Prydniprovske sector, one enemy assault attempt failed." Ukrin

Hungover Russians thwart Ukraine’s ‘Pearl Harbor’-style attack on Moscow: report

"An abundance of hungover Russian drivers forced Ukraine to delay its “Pearl Harbor”-style attack on Moscow’s bomber fleet, just one of the hiccups that nearly thwarted the secret operation, according to a new report.
After Kyiv successfully sneaked dozens of drones into Russia for the unprecedented attack this past spring, the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) hoped to launch the assault around Russian Victory Day on May 9 to humiliate the Kremlin.
Instead, the festivities around the holiday, as well as Russian Labor Day, and Orthodox Easter, created an unexpected issue — a lack of active drivers to carry out the mission, the Wall Street Journal reported.
For Operation Spider’s Web to be a success, Ukraine was relying on a group of unwitting Russian drivers to transport their drones to the desired locations, with the truckers believing they were only hauling mobile wooden cabins.
Unfortunately, there was a small pool of drivers to choose from during the holiday as hungover drivers took the day off, making it far too risky to carry out the mission, SBU officials told the WSJ.
It wasn’t until the end of May that Kyiv and its agents found the perfect set of drivers to hire for the days-long mission, which was carried out on July 1 and saw 41 Russian bombers damaged and destroyed.
The hungover drivers weren’t the only issue the SBU ran into when trying to pull off the clandestine mission.

During the drive to one of the destinations inside Russia, one of the local drivers noticed that the roof of one of the cabins fell off, with the trucker discovering the hidden drones inside.
The shocked driver immediately contacted his employer for an explanation, with the man on the other side of the phone being Artem Timofeev, a 37-year-old former Ukrainian DJ living in Russia who signed up with his wife, an erotic novelist, to put the drones and cabins together for the operation.
Timofeev feigned ignorance when the truck driver called him, with the SBU coaching him on how to lie to the Russian driver and convince him that the drones and wooden cabins were for hunting, according to the WSJ.
The Russian trucker bought the lie, put the roof of the cabin back on, and carried on with his trip.
The SBU saw additional hiccups when one of the trucks suffered a mechanical issue, with SBU officials and Timofeev able to load the cargo into another truck without anyone being the wiser.
Another issue occurred when Kyiv lost connection with two cabins housing the drones due to spotty connections, with officials trying to get a Russian truck driver to fix the issue without being alerted to what he was actually doing.
Eventually, the driver stopped taking Kyiv’s calls, triggering fears within the SBU that the operation may have been compromised, according to the WSJ.
It wasn’t until later that photos and reports online revealed that the cargo had caught on fire, triggering the drones to explode and killing the driver.
Despite all the setbacks and close calls, Operation Spider’s Web was dubbed a success, with 41 Russian heavy bombers and other warplanes hit at four separate airfields thousands of miles from Ukraine." NYP

Ukrainian Sea Baby drone strike reportedly cripples Russian 'shadow fleet' tanker in Black Sea

"Ukraine’s Security Service used Sea Baby naval drones to strike an oil tanker from Russia’s

“shadow fleet” in the Black Sea on Dec. 10, critically damaging ship as it sailed through Ukraine’s exclusive economic zone, a source in the agency told the Kyiv Independent.
The tanker, identified as he Comoros-flagged Dashan, was heading toward the Russian port terminal of Novorossiysk at high speed with its automatic identification system switched off when it was hit, resulting in “critical damage” as explosions ripped through the stern area, the source said." KI

Bright fireball streaks across the sky over Brazil’s Northeast region

"A bright meteor streaked across the sky over Brazil’s Northeast region at nightfall captured
by Clima ao Vivo monitoring cameras in Pernambuco, Paraíba, and Ceará. Preliminary analysis by the Brazilian Meteor Observation Network (BRAMON) indicates the object entered the atmosphere at a speed of around 180 000 km/h (112 000 mph). The event coincided with the active Geminid meteor shower period, one of the most intense annual meteor streams visible from Earth." W

U.S. seizes oil tanker off coast of Venezuela

"The U.S. has seized an oil tanker allegedly transporting oil from Venezuela and Iran, Attorney General Pam Bondi has said.

The action off the coast of Venezuela took place amid a buildup of U.S. military activity in the region and strikes against what Washington describes as cartel boats.
“Today, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Homeland Security Investigations, and the United States Coast Guard, with support from the Department of War, executed a seizure warrant for a crude oil tanker used to transport sanctioned oil from Venezuela and Iran,” Bondi wrote on X on Wednesday.
She said the vessel had been sanctioned “due to its involvement in an illicit oil shipping network supporting foreign terrorist organizations.”
The video posted by Bondi shows heavily armed law enforcement officials descending onto the ship from a helicopter." RT

5.3 Earthquake - Solomon Sea, 80 km west of Arawa, Bougainville, Papua New Guinea

"A strong magnitude 5.3 earthquake occurred in the Solomon Sea near the coast of Papua New Guinea late in the evening at 11.30 pm local time (GMT +10). The quake had a moderate depth of 107 km (67 mi) and was not felt (or at least not reported so)." VD

5.7 Earthquake - North Pacific Ocean, 109 km east of Hachinohe, Aomori, Japan

"A strong magnitude 5.7 earthquake occurred in the North Pacific Ocean 97 km (60 mi) from

Aomori, Japan, late in the evening at 11.52 pm local time (GMT +9). The quake had a shallow depth of 36 km (22 mi) and was felt by many near the epicenter. The shallow depth of the quake caused it to be felt more strongly near the epicenter than a deeper quake of similar magnitude would." VD

234 frontline clashes

"234 combat engagements between Ukraine's Defense Forces and Russian invaders were recorded on the frontline.
The Russian army launched airstrikes on the areas of Zlahoda in Dnipropetrovsk region; Novу Pole, Solodke, Zelene, and Huliaipole in Zaporizhzhia region.
In the Northern Slobozhanshchyna and Kursk sectors, Ukrainian defenders repelled eight Russian attacks. The enemy carried out 98 shellings, including three with MLRS.
In the Southern Slobozhanshchyna sector, Ukrainian forces stopped 11 attacks in the areas of Starytsia, Vovchanski Khutory, Vovchansk, Dvorichanske, and toward Synelnykove, Obukhivka, and Kutkivka.

In the Kupiansk sector, nine Russian attacks occurred. The Defense Forces repelled the occupiers' assault actions toward Petropavlivka and Kurylivka.
In the Lyman sector, the enemy attacked 27 times, trying to break through the defense in the areas of Novoyehorivka, Hrekivka, Novoselivka, Zarichne, Torske, and toward Cherneshchyna, Oleksandrivka, Drobysheve, Stavky, and Lyman.
In the Sloviansk sector, the Defense Forces repelled 13 Russian attacks near Yampil and toward Sviato-Pokrovske.
In the Kramatorsk sector, there were two combat engagements toward Minkivka.
In the Kostiantynivka sector, the enemy carried out 23 attacks near Oleksandro-Shultyne, Pleshchiivka, Rusyn Yar, Yablunivka, and toward Kostiantynivka, Illinivka, and Sofiivka.
In the Pokrovsk sector, Ukraine's defenders stopped 49 Russian assault actions in the areas of Nykanorivka, Razine, Novoekonomichne, Zvirove, Kotlyne, Udachne, Novomykolaivka, and toward Sofiivka, Kucheriv Yar, Nove Shakhove, Novyi Donbas, Ivanivka, Rodynske, Sukhetske, Chervonyi Lyman, Myrnohrad, Pokrovsk, Hryshyne, Molodetske, Novopavlivka, and Filiia.
In the Oleksandrohrad sector, Russian forces conducted 22 attacks in the areas of Vorone, Stepove, Uspenivka, and toward Ivanivka, Novoselivka, Sosnivka, Zelenyi Hai, Verbove, Vyshneve, Yehorivka, Krasnohirske, and Rybne.
In the Huliaipole sector, the Defense Forces repelled 22 Russian attacks in the area of Solodke and toward Zelene and Huliaipole.
In the Orikhiv sector, the enemy unsuccessfully attempted nine times to break through the defense in the areas of Shcherbaky, Stepove, and toward Mala Tokmachka, Novoandrivka, Stepnohirske, and Prymorske.
In the Prydniprovske sector, the invaders twice unsuccessfully conducted offensive actions near the Antonivskyi Bridge." Ukrin

Trump gives Zelensky ‘days’ to respond to peace plan

"U.S.

negotiators have given Ukrainian leader Vladimir Zelensky days to respond to a peace
proposal requiring Kiev to accept territorial losses to Russia in exchange for unspecified security guarantees, the Financial Times reported on Tuesday, citing officials familiar with the matter.
One person told the FT that U.S. President Donald Trump was hoping to reach a deal by Christmas. Zelensky reportedly told U.S. envoys that he needed time to consult with Kiev’s European backers." RT

5.1 Earthquake - North Pacific Ocean, Hokkaido, 144 km east of Aomori, Aomori, Japan

"A strong magnitude 5.1 earthquake occurred in the North Pacific Ocean 73 km (45 mi) from
Japan in the late afternoon at 6.09 pm local time (GMT +9). The quake had a shallow depth of 61 km (38 mi) and was reported felt by some people near the epicenter." VD

JMA issues advisory of elevated megathrust earthquake risk along Japan Trench after December 8 M7.6 Sanriku quake

"Following the M7.6 Sanriku offshore earthquake on December 8, 2025, the Japan
Meteorological Agency (JMA) warned that the likelihood of a new large-scale earthquake of Mw8 or higher occurring along the Japan Trench–Kuril Trench has increased relative to normal. While the probability remains low, JMA urged residents of Hokkaido and Tohoku’s Pacific coast to review disaster preparedness and evacuation plans." W

5.2 Earthquake - Bay of Plenty, New Zealand

"A strong magnitude 5.2 earthquake hit 1,359 km (844 mi) away from Whakatane, Bay of Plenty, New Zealand, in the morning at 9.00 am local time (GMT -12). The quake had a very shallow depth of 33 km (21 mi) and was not felt (or at least not reported so)." VD