General Igor Kirillov and His Assistant Killed in Moscow Blast

"As a result of the explosion in Moscow, Lieutenant General Igor Kirillov, the head of the

Troops of Radiological, Chemical and Biological Defense of the Russian armed forces and his assistant were killed, according to the Russian Investigative Committee.
"According to the investigation, on the morning of December 17, an explosive device, planted in a scooter parked next to the entrance of a residential building, was detonated on Ryazansky Prospekt in Moscow. As a result of the incident, the head of the radiation, chemical and biological defense troops of the armed forces of Russia, Igor Kirillov, and his assistant were killed," the committee wrote on Telegram." Sputnik

245 combat clashes on frontlines over past day, most in Pokrovsk sector

"In the past 24 hours, there were 245 combat engagements between the Ukrainian forces and the Russian invaders along the frontline, with the most intense fighting occurring in the Pokrovsk sector.

In the Kharkiv sector, the Russian forces conducted three offensive operations near Hlyboke and Kozacha Lopan.
In the Kupiansk sector, the Ukrainian forces repelled four attacks near Kucherivka, Zahryzove, Lozova, and Petropavlivka.
In the Lyman sector, the Ukrainian troops stopped 16 attacks focused near Kopanky, Vyshneve, Novoyehorivka, Terny, Hryhorivka, Novoplatonivka, Novoserhiivka, Makiivka, the Serebrianskyi Forest, and towards Cherneshchyna.
In the Siversk sector, the Russian forces attacked 16 times near Bilohorivka, Verkhniokamianske, Ivano-Darivka, Spirne, and Siversk. Four engagements are still ongoing.
In the Kramatorsk sector, the Ukrainian defenders repelled eight Russian assaults near Orikhovo-Vasylivka, Chasiv Yar, and Stupochky.
In the Toretsk sector, the Russian forces conducted 12 attacks near Toretsk and Shcherbynivka.
In the Pokrovsk sector, the Ukrainian forces repelled 52 attacks, with Russian forces showing high activity near Lysivka, Dachenske, Novyi Trud, Zelene, Novoolenivka, Pishchane, and Ukrainka.
In the Kurakhove sector, the Ukrainian defenders repelled 30 enemy attempts to breach defenses near Sontsivka, Stari Terny, Kurakhove, and Yantarne.
In the Vremivka sector, the Ukrainian forces stopped 22 Russian attacks near Kostiantynopil, Rozdolne, Novyi Komar, Neskuchne, Uspenivka, Sukhi Yaly, Blahodatne, Makarivka, and Novodarivka.
In the Orikhiv sector, the Russian forces conducted five attacks near Novoandriivka.
In the Prydniprovske sector, the Russian troops made four unsuccessful attempts to capture the Ukrainian positions.
In the Volyn and Polissia sectors, there were no significant changes; no signs of enemy offensive group formation spotted.
On the border with Chernihiv and Sumy regions, the Russian forces maintain their presence, conduct reconnaissance, and artillery shelling.
In Russia’s Kursk region, the Ukrainian Defense Forces operations are ongoing. Over the past day, the Russian forces conducted 68 assaults at the Ukrainian positions, conducted six airstrikes (dropping 12 guided aerial bombs) and 341 shelling attacks targeting Ukrainian positions and settlements." Ukrin

228 clashes at front in past day

"228 combat engagements were recorded along the frontlines, with the fiercest battles taking place at the Pokrovsk, Vremivka, Kurakhove, Siversk sectors, and in Russia’s Kursk region.
The aggressor launched a series of air strikes in multiple locations, including Shopyne, Baranykivka, Siversk, Krymske, Druzhba, Katerynivka, Toretsk, Mykolaivka, Oleksandropil, Zelene Pole, Preobrazhenka, Mala Tokmachka, and Velyka Novosilka.
In the Kharkiv sector, the enemy launched 10 assaults on Ukrainian troops' positions near Vysoka Yaruha, Tykhove, and Vovchansk.

In the Kupiansk sector, there were four attacks over the past 24 hours. The defense forces successfully repelled the enemy's assault near Zahryzove and Lozova.
In the Lyman sector, the enemy initiated 20 attacks. The Russian army attempted to breach the Ukrainian defensive line near Novoyehorivka, Hrekivka, Terny, Tverdokhlibove, and Nadiya.
In the Siversk sector, there were 34 combat clashes in the vicinity of Bilohorivka, Verkhniokamianske, Ivan-Daryivka, and Vyimka.
In the Kramatorsk sector, the militants launched four attacks in the areas of Chasiv Yar and Stupochky.
In the Toretsk sector, the enemy, with the support of aviation, conducted 12 attacks in the vicinity of Toretsk and Shcherbynivka.
In the Pokrovsk sector, Ukrainian defenders successfully thwarted 32 aggressor assaults and offensive actions near the localities of Myroliubivka, Promin, Lysivka, Dachanske, Zelene, Pishchane, and Novooleynivka.
In the Kurakhove sector, the Defense Forces successfully repelled 32 attacks. The invaders attempted to advance in the areas of Stari Terny, Sontsivka, Zoria, Kurakhove, and Uspenivka.
In the Vremivka sector, the enemy launched 35 attacks on Ukrainian positions in the areas of Sukhi Yaly, Rozlyv, Zelenivka, Kostiantynopolske, Trudove, Novyi Komar, Novosilka, and Makarivka. They employed a variety of aircraft, including attack and bomber aircraft, to target the area.
In the Prydniprovskyi sector, the Russian invaders attempted to dislodge Ukrainian units from their positions five times. They were met with a strong and effective response, resulting in significant losses for the enemy.
There were no indications of enemy offensive groups in the Volyn and Polissia sectors.
On the border with the Chernihiv and Sumy regions, the enemy is using artillery and attack UAVs against Ukrainian settlements from the territory of the Russian Federation.
The operation in the Kursk region continues. Over the past 24 hours, Ukrainian defenders have successfully repelled 38 enemy attacks in this sector. The enemy continues to launch guided aerial bomb strikes against its territory. So far, five air strikes have been confirmed, involving five guided aerial bombs." Ukrin

Russian Troops Hoist Russian Flag in Villages South of Kurakhovo

"Russian soldiers have hoisted Russia's tricolor flag in the villages of Uspenovka and Annovka, south of Kurakhovo, in the Donetsk People's Republic (DPR).

Russian forces are currently conducting clearing operations of scattered Ukrainian army groups, according to Vladimir Rogov, Chairman of the Russian Civic Chamber's Commission on Sovereignty and Co-Chair of the Coordinating Council for the Integration of New Regions." Sputnik

Ukraine replaces commander amid Russian advance on key city

"Ukraine’s military leadership has changed the commander of the Donetsk tactical group amid

Russia’s continued advance toward the city of Pokrovsk in southwestern Donbass. The replacement of General Aleksandr Lutsenko was announced on Friday by Ukrainian MP Mariana Bezuglaya on Telegram.
Pokrovsk (also known as Krasnoarmeysk) is the largest population center under Ukrainian control in the west of the Donetsk People’s Republic (DPR). It has gone from a major supply hub for the frontline forts to being on the front line itself." RT

Magyar’s unit claims dozens of North Korean, Russian troops killed in Kursk Oblast

"Robert Brovdi, commander of the aerial reconnaissance unit known by the call sign “Magyar,” shared a video on his Telegram channel showing what he claims are the bodies of 22 North Korean and Russian soldiers killed during an assault in Kursk Oblast. 

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced that, according to preliminary intelligence, Russia has begun deploying North Korean soldiers in assault operations in Kursk Oblast. He confirmed that some of them have already been killed.
The same day, Andrii Kovalenko, head of Ukraine’s Center for Countering Disinformation, urged caution regarding conclusions about North Korean involvement.
“There are plenty of rumors about the ‘endless North Koreans.’ They are far from endless, and they meet their end, just like everyone else,” he said." NV

Ukrainian forces shoot down 27 Russian UAVs overnight

"The Defense Forces of Ukraine shot down 27 drones used by the Russian military in attacks against Ukraine. The anti-aircraft missile troops, electronic warfare units, and mobile fire groups of the Ukrainian Air Force and Defense Forces successfully repelled the air attack." Ukrin

Federal government set to deploy high-tech drone detection system to NY as experts remain baffled

"After weeks of saying publicly that they couldn’t explain the sudden surge of drones and

other unidentified flying objects over New Jersey, New York, California and several other states, federal officials are finally preparing to deploy a high-tech drone detection system to New York State.
The drones that comprise the detection system will ostensibly help both state and local law enforcement figure out what has been going on over the past month or so, said New York Governor Kathy Hochul on Sunday, according to the New York Post.
“We are grateful to the Biden Administration for their support, but ultimately we need further assistance from Congress. Passing the Counter-UAS Authority Security, Safety, and Reauthorization Act will give New York and our peers the authority and resources required to respond to circumstances like we face today,” she said." JustTheNews

Drones Shut Down NY Airport Runway, Even Hochul Says ‘This Has Gone Too Far’

"The Biden-Harris regime remains blasé about the strange drones that are appearing all over

the northeast, and in the face of the regime’s inaction, the fiendish thingies, whatever they are and whatever they’re doing, are growing more assertive. On Friday night, they even shut down the runways of a New York airport, leading even New York’s Gov. Kathy Hochul, who under ordinary circumstances would never do or say anything that might possibly portray the regime in a negative light, to declare that enough was enough. But will Old Joe’s handlers heed Hochul? Here’s hoping, but it’s hardly likely." PJM

Russian Forces Destroy More US Patriot Launchers & Advance Closer To Pokrovsk

"Amid the continued rapid advance of Russian forces in Ukraine's east, and with the Donetsk villages of Vesely Gai and Pushkino (15km south of Pokrovsk) having been captured, Russia is also going after US-made Patriot batteries.

"Russian forces have destroyed four Patriot anti-aircraft missile launchers provided to Ukraine by Western nations," the Defense Ministry announced.
The statement said that air force jets along with with drones and artillery groups, "destroyed a combat control vehicle, an AN/MPQ-65 radar station and four launchers of the Patriot anti-aircraft missile system made in the US."
Zelensky has pleaded with the West to hand Ukraine at least 25 Patriot batteries, and some European countries have recently donated theirs to Ukrainian forces.
This isn't the first time that Russia has taken out Patriots. Back in October the defense ministry said its forces struck "two Patriot launcher stations made in the US" along with a control station and radar set part of the Patriot defensive network." ZH

New Theory: NJ Drone Sightings May Be "Nuclear Sniffers" Following Elevated NYC Radiation Levels

"The founder of an aerospace company specializing in military-grade drones published a video on the Chinese social media platform TikTok, sharing his thoughts on the mystery drone sightings in New Jersey. His expert opinion is alarming, leaving many wishing that Paul Krugman's theory about an alien invasion was true instead.

"I spoke to a gentleman a few months ago, who was trying to raise the alarm to the highest levels of our government ... about this one particular nuclear warhead that he physically put his hands on ... that was left over from Ukraine ... and he knew this thing was headed towards the United States," Saxon Aerospace's John Ferguson stated in the video.
He continued: "Everyone knows that this administration is pushing to get into war with Russia."
"Let's back up a few years ... remember when those drones were mysteriously flying across I-70 from Colorado to Nebraska to Kansas and then to Missouri? Well, it was believed that those drones were looking for radioactive material that came up missing in the US," Ferguson noted.
Ferguson then explained the various payloads drones can support, such as laser sensors and optics, and he added, "Drones have no reason to fly at night... Because they don't see stuff. Unless you have thermal optics - drones really don't see stuff at night - mapping must be done during the day."
Ferguson then segued into the purported drone sightings in New Jersey, noting, "These drones are not nefarious in intent ... but if they're drones - the only reason they would be flying - and flying that low at night - is because they're trying to smell something on the ground."
"My belief is that these drones are trying to smell something on the ground - if that's gas leaks or radioactive material - or whatever."
Ferguson's theory was also shared with X user JerseyFutures (account now deleted), a self-proclaimed RF engineer, who speculated, "What you're seeing is American-made HPGe nuclear detector drones..."
The mass hysteria surrounding drone sightings appears to have been exaggerated by MSM (Covid-style propaganda) and some on social media for multiple reasons:
Perhaps as a cover for drones with nuclear sniffer sensors seeking to find a potential threat.
Or, could this be a deliberate attempt to scare the nation with a drone psyop in order to push through H.R.8610, the Counter-UAS Authority Security, Safety, and Reauthorization Act of 2024?
On Saturday, NJ State Senator Jon Bramnick told NewsNation, "There must be something going on that they can't tell us because they're so fearful of what the public is going to do when they hear what the drones are doing." ZH

Biden planning last-minute Ukraine arms surge

"The outgoing administration of US President Joe Biden is preparing a significant surge in weapons deliveries to Ukraine in the final weeks of his tenure.
The US Department of Defense “is undertaking a historic effort to move massive quantities of weapons into Ukraine in the next five weeks,” the unnamed official told CNN." RT

Russian oil tankers sinking in Black Sea

"Two tankers carrying oil products are sinking in the Kerch Strait, the passage that connects the Black Sea to the Sea of Azov, according to the Russian Emergency Ministry.
The Volganeft 212 and the Volganeft 239 sent out distress signals and requested assistance amid high winds and powerful waves. The Russian water transport agency has said a total of 29 crew members were on board the two vessels.
According to Russian media reports, powerful waves struck the tankers several kilometers off the Black Sea coast. The Volganeft 212, carrying more than 4,000 tons of fuel oil, has run aground, and the Volgoneft 239 is drifting after sustaining damage." RT

292 clashes on frontlines in Ukraine

"292 combat clashes were recorded on the frontlines, with the hottest areas being the Siversk, Pokrovsk, Kurakhove, and Kursk directions.
In the Kharkiv sector, using bomber and assault aviation, the Russian forces attacked near Vovchansk.
In the Kupiansk sector, the Russian troops attempted three attacks, all of which were repelled near Lozova.

In the Lyman sector, the Ukrainian Defense Forces repelled 15 enemy attacks near Pershotravneve, Zelenyi Hai, Kopanky, Novoserhiivka, Nadiia, Makiivka, Druzheliubivka, and Terny.
In the Siversk sector, the Russian troops used bomber aviation. The Ukrainian defenders repelled 55 assaults near Verkhniokamianske, Bilohorivka, Spirne, Vyimka, and Berestove.
In the Kramatorsk sector, the Russian forces attempted one breakthrough near Chasiv Yar.
In the Toretsk sector, the invaders made five unsuccessful attempts to dislodge the Ukrainian Defense Forces, actively using bomber aviation.
In the Pokrovsk sector, the Ukrainian forces repelled 52 enemy attacks near Myroliubivka, Promin, Lysivka, Dachenske, Novyi Trud, Sukhyi Yar, Zelene, Pishchane, Petrivka, Shevchenko, Novotroitske, Ukrainka, and Novoolenivka. The Russian forces also bombed Stara Mykolaivka, Nova Poltavka, and Hrodivka.
In the Kurakhove sector, the Ukrainian defenders repelled 50 enemy attacks near Sontsivka, Stari Terny, Zoria, Kurakhove, Lysivka, Yelyzavetivka, Hannivka, and Uspenivka, with heavy Russian aviation support.
In the Vremivka sector, the Ukrainian forces stopped 37 Russian assaults near Trudove, Veselyi Hai, Kostiantynopilske, Rozdolne, Novyi Komar, Velyka Novosilka, Storozheve, Makarivka, and Novoandriivka, where Russian aviation was also active.
In the Huliaipole sector, Russians launched unguided rockets near Huliaipole.
In the Orikhiv sector, the Russian forces used 15 guided aerial bombs on Mala Tokmachka, Novopavlivka, and Robotyne.
In the Prydniprovske sector, the Russian troops launched unguided rockets near Mykolaivka and attempted three assaults, all of which were unsuccessful." Ukrin

We Are Not Looking For A Fight With Israel: HTS Leader Jolani

"Throughout this past week, HTS leader Abu Mohammad al-Jolani (who is now reverting to

his birth name of Ahmad al-Sharaa) remained noticeably silent on the non-stop Israeli attacks which have kept all of Damascus awake at night and involved low flying Israeli warplanes.
Jolani is seeking to give Israel 'assurances' - also as IDF tanks and troops have crossed into Syria and have expanded occupation of more parts of the south. He said his new government has "no intention of confronting Israel."
"We are not looking to engage in a conflict with Israel and cannot bear such a battle," Jolani continued, and further pointed out he's not looking for war with Iran either.
He signaled intent for "no hostilities with the Iranian people" but also called Assad's ouster "a victory over the dangerous Iranian project in the region." ZeroHedge