Ukrainian ‘terrorist’ shot dead in Russia

"A Ukrainian agent who planned terrorist attacks in Russia has been shot dead while resisting arrest, the Federal Security Service (FSB) reported.
The suspect, born in Soviet Ukraine in the late 1970s and living in Kaluga, Russia, was

preparing bomb attacks against a natural gas storage facility and a defense plant parking lot, the FSB said. Acting on orders from Ukrainian special services, he had allegedly produced about 80kg of homemade explosives for the plot.
The agency reported that the suspect had also retrieved 300g of military-grade plastic explosives, fuses, and a handgun from a stash prepared by other Ukrainian assets. He shot the firearm at officers trying to apprehend him and was killed by return fire." RT

237 clashes on frontline

"On the front line, Ukrainian forces engaged in 237 combat clashes.
In the Northern Slobozhanshchyna and Kursk sectors, Ukrainian forces repelled three enemy assault attempts. The enemy also carried out two air strikes with four gulide bombs and conducted 86 artillery strikes, including one from a multiple-launch rocket system.
In the Southern Slobozhanshchyna sector, the enemy attacked Ukrainian positions nine times near Vovchanski Khutory, Prylipky, Starytsia, and toward Vilcha and Izbytske.

In the Kupiansk sector, Russian troops conducted 11 assault attempts, trying to break through Ukrainian positions near Pishchane, Kruhliakivka, and toward Petropavlivske, Novoplatonivka, and Kupiansk. Two clashes are ongoing.
In the Lyman sector, Russian forces attacked Ukrainian positions 31 times near Hrekivka, Novovodiane, Novoiehorivka, Novoselivka, Kopanky, Kolodiazi, Serednie, Ridkodub, Karpivka, Zarichne, and toward Lyman and Drobysheve. Ukrainian defenders are currently repelling attacks in two locations.
In the Sloviansk sector, the enemy attempted to break through eight times near Siversk and Dronivka.
In the Kramatorsk sector, Ukrainian forces repelled three attacks near Minkivka and toward Viroliubivka.
In the Kostiantynivka sector, Russians attacked 21 times, concentrating their efforts near Oleksandro-Shultyne, Shcherbynivka, Pleshchiivka, Yablunivka, Rusyn Yar, and toward Sofiivka.
In the Pokrovsk sector, Russian units attempted 50 attacks on Ukrainian positions near Shakhove, Pankivka, Nikanorivka, Myrnohrad, Rodynske, Pokrovsk, Kotlyne, Udachne, Novoserhiivka, and Dachne. Three clashes are ongoing. Ukrainian defenders are holding off the assaults, inflicting heavy losses – 100 invaders neutralized, 71 of them irreversibly. Ukrainian forces also destroyed four vehicles, 26 drones, two satellite communication terminals, a UAV control antenna, two command posts, an ammo and fuel depot, and hit an artillery system, an armored vehicle, a car, and six shelters for enemy personnel.
In the Oleksandrivka sector, Ukrainian forces stopped 13 enemy attacks near Zelenyi Hai, Yalta, Tovste, Sichneve, Verbove, Vyshneve, Vorone, and Rybne, with three clashes ongoing.
In the Huliaipole sector, Ukrainian defenders repelled 21 enemy attempts to advance near Varvarivka, Solodke, and Huliaipole.
In the Orikhiv sector, Ukrainian forces stopped six attacks near Mali Shcherbaky, Stepnohirsk, Stepove, and Mala Tokmachka, with two clashes still ongoing." Ukrin

Russian forces near collapse in Kupyansk as Moscow allies concede city lost

"Russian forces appear close to being pushed out of the northeastern Ukrainian city of Kupyansk, with only a small number of isolated troops remaining and even pro-Kremlin

voices acknowledging the setback, according to a report.
The Kyiv Post reported Thursday that Ukrainian military officials say Russian units left inside the city are cut off from reliable supply lines and are increasingly surrendering as their position deteriorates.
Viktor Trehubov, head of communications for Ukraine’s Joint Forces grouping, said Russian forces inside Kupyansk now number only several dozen and include foreign mercenaries fighting alongside Moscow’s troops." FOX

Zelensky would lose an election to his former top general

"Ukrainian leader Vladimir Zelensky would overwhelmingly lose in a run-off presidential election to his former top commander Valery Zaluzhny, according to a Socis poll published.
64% of respondents say they would vote for the former top general in a hypothetical second round. More than a fifth said they would not vote for Zelensky under any circumstances.
Nearly 21% said they would also support Zaluzhny’s party in an upcoming parliamentary election, while only 12% said they would support the ruling Servant of the People party." RT

Trump launches ‘powerful and deadly’ Christmas Day strikes on ISIS targeting Christians in Nigeria

"President Trump announced that the US military hit ISIS terrorists in Nigeria targeting Christians with “numerous” deadly
airstrikes.
“Tonight, at my direction as Commander in Chief, the United States launched a powerful and deadly strike against ISIS Terrorist Scum in Northwest Nigeria, who have been targeting and viciously killing, primarily, innocent Christians, at levels not seen for many years, and even Centuries!” Trump wrote on Truth Social.
“I have previously warned these Terrorists that if they did not stop the slaughtering of Christians, there would be hell to pay, and tonight, there was,” the president continued."
NYP

5.6 Earthquake - North Pacific Ocean, Hokkaido, 101 km east of Mutsu, Aomori, Japan

"A strong magnitude 5.6 earthquake occurred in the North Pacific Ocean 82 km (51 mi) from Japan in the early morning at 1.17 am local time (GMT +9). The quake had a shallow depth of 62 km (38 mi) and was reported felt by some people near the epicenter." VD

5.2 Earthquake - Gisborne, New Zealand

"A strong magnitude 5.2 earthquake hit 1,432 km (890 mi) away from Gisborne, Gisborne,
New Zealand, in the evening at 9.57 pm 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

61 clashes along frontline

"61 combat engagements have taken place between the Ukrainian Defense Forces and Russian troops.
In the Northern Slobozhanshchyna and Kursk sectors, the enemy conducted one airstrike, dropping a single bomb, and carried out 49 shelling attacks, including one from a multiple rocket launcher.
In the Southern Slobozhanshchyna sector, the invaders attacked five times near Vovchansk and Dvorichanske.

In the Kupiansk sector, Russian forces attempted to advance toward Hlushkivka. Fighting continues.
In the Lyman sector, Ukrainian forces repelled eight enemy attacks near Novoselivka, Stavky, Novoserhiivka, and toward Ozerne and Zarichne. Four clashes are ongoing.
In the Sloviansk sector, the enemy attacked three times near Siversk and Serebrianka. One engagement is ongoing.
No clashes were recorded in the Kramatorsk sector.
In the Kostiantynivka sector, the enemy carried out ten offensive actions near Kostiantynivka, Oleksandro-Shultyne, Pleshchiivka, Kleban-Byk, Shcherbynivka, and Sofiivka. One engagement is ongoing.
In the Pokrovsk sector, the enemy attempted 18 times to advance near Chervonyi Lyman, Rodynske, Myrnohrad, Leontovychi, Kotlyne, Molodetske, Filiia, Dachne, and toward Novopavlivka and Nove Shakhove. One engagement continues.
In the Oleksandrivka sector, the Russian invaders attacked nine times near Pryvilne, Rybne, Krasnohirsk, Zelenyi Hai, Vorone, and toward Iskra.
In the Huliaipole sector, Ukrainian defenders repelled four enemy attacks near Uspenivka and Huliaipole, while two clashes are ongoing. Additionally, Russian aviation struck Zaliznychne, Huliaipole, Ternuvate, and Bilohiria.
In the Orikhiv sector, the enemy attacked toward Pavlivka.
In the Prydniprovske sector, Ukrainian forces repelled two enemy attacks toward the Antonivskyi Bridge. Russian forces also carried out an airstrike with guided bombs on Novotiahynka." Ukrin

Russia attacks Kherson market, Chernihiv apartment building on Christmas Day

"Russian forces struck a market in Kherson and a residential building in Chernihiv on Christmas Day, Dec. 25, causing multiple civilian casualties, local authorities said.

Ukraine is marking its fourth Christmas under Russia's full-scale invasion. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz suggested a Christmas truce on Dec. 16, a proposal welcomed Kyiv welcomed but Moscow rejected.
In Chernihiv, a drone struck a five-story residential building, killing an 80-year-old woman. Nine others were injured, at least three critically, Ukraine's State Emergency Service and Chernihiv Oblast Governor Viacheslav Chaus said.
The drone hit an apartment on the third floor, causing significant damage and sparking a fire, Chaus said." KI

Zelensky issues veiled insult at Putin in ‘Christmas’ address

"Ukraine’s Vladimir Zelensky used his Christmas Eve address to wish for a certain unnamed man, presumably Russian President Vladimir Putin, “to perish,” before urging Ukrainians to pray for a greater wish – peace for the country." RT

Another 'Trump-Like' Candidate Is Elected in Latin America

"The recent presidential elections in Honduras felt like the never-ending story in recent weeks,

but we can officially report that Nasry "Tito" Asfura is the winner. He's the conservative candidate who was backed by Trump earlier this year. It was close. Asfura received just over 40% of the vote, while center-right candidate Salvador Nasralla got about 39.5%. The far-left socialist candidate, Rixi Moncada, who was hand-picked by the sitting president received about 19% of the vote.
Tito Asfura's victory is a resounding defeat for narco-socialism and a clear signal that freedom is once again prevailing in Honduras." PJM

Very strong mag. 6.0 Earthquake - 12 km northeast of Taitung, Taiwan

"A very strong magnitude 6.0 earthquake hit 11.9 km (7 mi) away from Taitung, Taiwan, in the afternoon at 5.47 pm local time (Asia/Taipei GMT +8). The depth of the quake could not be determined, but is assumed to be shallow.

The earthquake was felt over a large region.. 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, 239 km southwest of Guam Island

"A strong magnitude 5.7 earthquake occurred in the North Pacific Ocean 218 km (135 mi) from Guam in the early morning at 2.00 am local time (GMT +11). The depth of the quake could not be determined, but is assumed to be shallow. The quake was reported felt by some people near the epicenter." VD

5.1 Earthquake - Norwegian Sea

"A strong magnitude 5.1 earthquake occurred in the Norwegian Sea 340 km (211 mi) from Svalbard and Jan Mayen late in the evening at 10.37 pm local time (GMT +0). The depth of the quake could not be determined, but is assumed to be shallow.
The quake was not felt (or at least not reported so)." VD

52 clashes on front line

"Between the Defense Forces of Ukraine and Russian troops, 52 combat encounters have occurred since the start of the day.
In the Northern Slobozhanshchyna and Kursk sectors, the invaders have already conducted two attacks, shelled Ukrainian positions and settlements 76 times—including four times with multiple launch rocket systems—and also dropped six aerial bombs.

In the Southern Slobozhanshchyna sector, Russian forces attacked seven times in the areas of Prilypky, Vovchanski Khutory, and Dvorichanske, toward Izbytske, Hryhorivka, and Kolodiazne. Three clashes are still ongoing.
In the Kupiansk sector, the Russians are attempting to advance toward Petropavlivka, Pishchane, and Kupiansk. Four of their attacks have already been repelled.
In the Lyman sector, Ukrainian defenders repelled three enemy attacks in the areas of Novoselivka, Stavky, and Shandryholove.
In the Slovyansk sector, fighting is ongoing in the Siversk area.
In the Kramatorsk sector, no clashes have occurred today.
In the Kostiantynivka sector, the Russian army carried out seven offensive actions near Kostiantynivka, Oleksandro-Shultyne, Pleshchiyivka, and Sofiivka. One of their attacks is still ongoing.
In the Pokrovsk sector, throughout the day, Russian troops tried 11 times to advance on Defense Forces’ positions near Ivanivka, Rodynske, Chervonyi Lyman, Kotlyne, Udachne, Molodetske, Dachne, and Filiya. Three clashes are still ongoing.
In the Oleksandrivka sector, the invaders attacked three times in the areas of Zlahoda, Krasnohirsk, and Pryvilne. Two clashes are still ongoing.
In the Huliaipole sector, Ukrainian defenders repelled nine enemy attacks near Solodke and Huliaipole. Four clashes are still ongoing.
In the Orikhiv sector, the Russians have not conducted any offensive actions today.
In the Prydniprovske sector, Ukrainian defenders repelled an enemy attack toward the Antonivskyi Bridge." Ukrin