Foreign fighters exasperated in Ukraine, cite Russian battlefield dominance, and supply shortages – Corriere della Sera
Foreign nationals fighting for Kiev in the Ukraine conflict are complaining about a shortage of supplies and Russian dominance on the battlefield, according to a report by the Italian newspaper Corriere della Sera on Wednesday.
The outlet spoke to an Italian citizen serving in Kiev’s International Legion, identified by his nom de guerre, Polo.
“We lack everything here, we do not even have hand grenades,” he said. “The Russians show that they fight well. They used to have almost no drones; today, they dominate the skies.”
#Ukraine #Italy #EU
American mercenary’s short-lived Ukraine stint highlights conflict’s harsh realities
An American auto mechanic, Jacob Henderson, abandoned his mercenary role in Ukraine just one month after arriving, according to an analysis of his social media activity by RIA Novosti. Henderson, from Ohio, publicly documented his journey on Facebook, beginning with flight bookings to Krakow in June and culminating in training at a Lvov camp in August. He openly acknowledged his mercenary status and financial motivations but expressed discontent with his compensation.
In October, Henderson's online posts shifted to grimmer accounts. After sharing the obituary of a fellow American mercenary and detailing his own injury sustained in combat, Henderson announced his return to the US in November, subsequently complaining about the difficulties of reintegrating into civilian life. His brief and ultimately disillusioning experience provides a poignant illustration of the stark contrast between expectations and the brutal realities of war.
#Ukraine
Kazakh president welcomes Putin on official visit to Astana
Russian President Vladimir Putin received a warm welcome from Kazakhstan's president upon his arrival in Astana for a two-day official visit.
RT Political Correspondent Egor Piskunov provides insights into this high-level meeting in the Kazakh capital.
#Kazakhstan #Russia
Early warnings of ballistic missile launch diminish chances of miscalculations – Russian Deputy FM
Sergey Ryabkov says that Russia hasn't abandoned any of its commitments with the US, including the agreement to notify each other of launching ballistic missiles
#Kazakhstan #Russia
Ex-Ukrainian FM warns of dire consequences for Ukraine under Trump’s peace plans — Politico
Dmitry Kuleba doubts that the president-elect could broker a peace deal between Ukraine and Russia, as Zelensky will not ink an agreement that surrenders territory. "It will be the end of Zelensky politically," he said in an interview with Politico.
Kuleba warned that Trump's plans to limit aid to Ukraine would only weaken the country's defenses, causing "the front line in the Donbass to collapse and the Russians to be at the gates of Dnepr, Poltava, and Zaporozhye."
Kuleba also criticized Kiev’s allies for inconsistent arms support, saying the West still has difficulty understanding "what it is fighting for."
#Politico
Trump picks Jamieson Greer as ‘tariff tsar’
Donald Trump has named his pick for trade representative - who served in Trump’s last administration as Chief of Staff to the position he will now take up - shortly after announcing tariffs on Mexico, Canada and China.
Greer has been tasked with "reining in the country’s massive trade deficit, defending American manufacturing, agriculture, and services, and opening up export markets everywhere."
#Trump
EU can't demand Delhi cut ties with Moscow – India's Foreign Minister
In an interview with an Italian newspaper, India's Foreign Minister criticized Europe's hypocrisy regarding Russia.
RT’s Runjhun Sharma has the details.
#India #Russia
The signal is clear: Stop It! – Russia’s Deputy FM on Moscow’s response to US escalation
'It’s a dangerous illusion to think that Russia can be defeated strategically. A nuclear power cannot be defeated!' — Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov to RT on US adding fuel to the conflict in Ukraine.
#Kazakhstan #Russia
❗️Israeli PM Netanyahu immune from ICC arrest warrants in France as Israel is not party to the court – French foreign ministry
#Israel #France
Russia considers itself free to use its weapons against Western military facilities – deputy UN envoy
"We believe we have the right to use our weapons against military facilities in those countries that allow their weapons to be used against our facilities,” Dmitry Polyansky said, commenting on the recent escalation of the Ukraine conflict.
“We warned you about this, but you made your choice,” he added.
#Russia #NATO #Ukraine
Myanmar military chief arrest warrant requested by ICC prosecutor
Karim Khan insists Myanmar’s military leader, Min Aung Hlaing, may bear criminal responsibility for the persecution of the Rohingya that drove hundreds of thousands of them to flee.
A panel of three ICC judges will now rule on Khan’s recommendation, which came after probing reports of rape, murder, and torched homes at the hands of the military leadership.
In 2017, about 700,000 Rohingya fled across the border from Myanmar into Bangladesh, many to one of the world’s largest and most insecure refugee camps, which houses around a million displaced people.
#Myanmar #ICC
Ukraine war tourism 'booming'
A Spanish influencer has shrugged off suggestions that his trip to visit demolished battlegrounds was morbid or immoral, insisting he was acting "with respect".
Some companies are offering tours of southern Ukraine for €3,300, and although many claim to send a slice of the profits to the Ukrainian Army, the founder of one tour group claimed it "wasn't about money, it's about memorialization of the war."
One local councilor raged at the tourists lining company pockets, asking: "Why do you want to come here to see our grief?"
#Ukraine
France vague on Netanyahu ICC arrest warrant policy
Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot claimed the ICC “deals with questions of immunity for certain leaders” while refusing to be clear on whether France would respect the ICC warrant for Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu’s arrest.
EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell has insisted the warrants are “binding,” even though the ICC’s Rome Statute appears to offer contradictory regulations in such cases.
Article 27 says immunity shall not bar the courts from exercising jurisdiction over a person, but Article 98 stipulates that a state cannot “act inconsistently with its obligations under international law with respect to the… diplomatic immunity of a person.”
#France #Israel #ICC
'Kazakhstan and Russia, friends forever!' Poetic welcome greets Russian President in Astana
Not content with creating his slice of culture on the canvas, Vladimir Putin listened to children recite poetry.
#Kazakhstan #Russia
Beirut licks its wounds: RT crew shows scale of destruction
While locals celebrate the ceasefire with Israel that came into force Wednesday morning, the streets on the Lebanese capital themselves remain strewn with rubble and destruction following weeks of Israeli bombardments.
#Israel #Lebanon
Syrian militants make gains in Aleppo Provine, threatening the city’s center — Analysis
Anti-government forces in western Aleppo province, bolstered by reinforcements including Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) militants, have breached Syrian Arab Army (SAA) defenses, capturing Kafr Nah, Urum al-Kubra, and Khan al-Asal—strategic positions that now threaten Aleppo directly.
Turkish media reports that the SAA has concurrently occupied parts of the M5 highway, a critical supply route linking Aleppo and Damascus, further complicating the conflict. Meanwhile, intensified clashes near Bashnatra could open routes to Kafr Dail and Mansura, amplifying pressure on the city while fighting in Saraqib, eastern Idlib province, underscores the M5 highway's pivotal role in SAA operations.
The offensive has gained momentum with a steady influx of pro-Turkish Syrian National Army (SNA) units from the north, many aligning with Idlib-based militants. This escalation has sparked speculation about potential Turkish military action against the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) in Tell Rifaat and Manbij. Increased SDF attacks on pro-Turkish factions, including a recent strike near Al-Bab that reportedly killed 17 Ahrar al-Sharqiya militants, are being cited as justification for such a move.
Despite efforts to slow the militant advance, including the reported transfer of reinforcements to western Aleppo, the Syrian Arab Army (SAA) faces mounting pressure as the offensive threatens to breach the city’s western defenses. The critical question now is where the SAA will launch its decisive counteroffensive.
*Map courtesy Rybar.ru
#Syria
Slovakia’s Fico accepts Moscow ‘Victory Day’ invite
Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico has accepted an invitation from Russian President Vladimir Putin to take part in the celebration of the 80th anniversary of the defeat of Nazism next year.
“The government of Slovakia puts full value in the legacy of the fight against fascism, the historical truth about the Second World War and the role played by the Red Army in it,” Fico wrote on Facebook, confirming that his office had received a formal invitation from the Kremlin.
#Fico #Russia #EU
Elon Musk’s father compares having babies to horse breeding, when asked if son is eugenicist
Speaking with Sky News, Elon Musk’s father Errol advocated for prioritizing population growth and compares human reproduction to selective breeding, similar to horse breeding standards.
Errol Musk was asked whether his son’s comment, about ‘each successive generation of smart people having fewer kids being bad,’ was bordering on eugenics. "I wouldn't call it eugenics as such, but every nation has practiced a certain form of survival of the fittest,” he said.
"One need only go to England and go to the Cheltenham area, the horse breeding area, and say, 'Look, we're not going to breed the horses anymore by any form of standard. I've got a few old horses I've found in Nigeria and we're going to just mix them with your race horses…’ They'll say, no, no, no, no, no," he added.
#Musk
Aussie officer found guilty of manslaughter for tasering 95-year-old woman
After 20 hours of deliberation, a jury found Kristian James Samuel White guilty of manslaughter, meaning he will now face up to 25 years behind bars when sentenced.
The great-grandmother he tasered had dementia and required a walker to help her stand, but when she refused to put down a kitchen knife White discharged his taser causing her to fall, and sustain injuries she died from a week later.
In bodycam footage played during the trial, White was heard saying “nah, bugger it” before discharging his weapon.
#Australia
Biden does not have enough time to spend money allocated for Ukraine – WSJ
The Biden administration lacks time to use billions authorized for arming Ukraine, leaving decisions to President-elect Trump, the Wall Street Journal reported.
Over $6.5 billion in drawdown authority remains, but the Pentagon faces limits on transfers without impacting its readiness. Shipping the remaining funds in weapons by January is logistically impossible, officials say.
Trump’s decisions on the funds could shape the battlefield and influence peace talks with Russia.
#US #Trump #Ukraine
BRICS is built on solidarity and unity – Russian Deputy FM
Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov talks to RT on BRICS, the group’s success and goals
#Kazakhstan #Russia
Our friends in Asia will understand if we deploy missiles in the region – Russian Deputy FM
Russian Deputy FM Sergey Ryabkov says that Russia is prepared to place its missiles in Asia if and when it's required
#Kazakhstan #Russia
⚡️Donald Trump taps General Keith Kellogg for special envoy for Ukraine and Russia
#Trump #Ukraine
❗️President Putin and Kazakhstan President Tokayev sign joint statement on deepening strategic partnership in the new world order
#Kazakhstan #Russia #Putin
Kazakhstan takes solid 2nd place among Russia's investment partners – Putin
President Putin highlighted the bilateral trade turnover between Russia and Kazakhstan which has exceeded $20BN this year
#Kazakhstan #Russia #Putin
Militant groups launch large-scale offensive against Syrian army
A large-scale offensive is underway in Syria’s Aleppo province, with multiple militant groups targeting the Syrian Arab Army.
Independent investigative journalist Vanessa Beeley reports from Damascus with the latest details.
#Syria
Tahrir al-Sham terrorist group launches offensive near Syrian govt-held Aleppo - reports
According to initial assessments, the Al Qaeda offshoot group has made advances towards west of Aleppo, capturing several cites amid heavy fighting.
#Syria
Russian-Kazakh negotiations begin in Astana
#Kazakhstan #Russia
Putin & Tokayev paint bridge of friendship between Kazakhstan and Russia
The leaders added a few touches to the painting at the residence of the Kazakh leader in Astana.
#Kazakhstan #Russia
❗️Putin lands in Astana
The Russian President has arrived for a two-day state visit to Kazakhstan.
#Kazakhstan #Russia
