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Sanctions grind Russia's railways to a halt: freight speeds and volumes plummet to record lows
Russia's rail system finds itself in a crisis not seen since the Soviet Union’s collapse. The nation’s railways are struggling with a record-low average train speed of just 35 km/h, a key issue underscored by The Moscow Times. For a consecutive third year, there's been a marked decline in freight traffic, a situation largely attributed to the harsh economic sanctions imposed by Western countries in response to Russia's aggressive actions in Ukraine.
The railway sector has hit such a dire state …
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Ukraine anticipates Russian offensive in Zaporizhzhia region
Russian armed forces are reportedly planning offensive actions in certain areas of the Zaporizhzhia region, but there is no immediate threat to Zaporizhzhia city, according to Andriy Kovalenko, head of Ukraine's Center for Counteracting Disinformation under the NSDC.
Kovalenko emphasized the importance of distinguishing between the Zaporizhzhia region and the city itself. He stated that while Russian forces are indeed stepping up activity in certain regional directions, Ukraine's defense …
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Ukrainian Intelligence: Syrian and Russian forces under severe strain amid rebel offensive
According to Ukraine's intelligence agency, government forces and Russian military units in Syria are under significant pressure from rebels. They are suffering heavy losses and withdrawing from their positions.
Panic and chaos have engulfed the ranks of the Syrian dictator Assad's government troops and the Russian contingent, spiraling into depression and confusion, reports the Ukrainian Main Intelligence Directorate.
Military intelligence further noted that opposition forces, after …
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Ukrainian Defense Minister summoned to Parliament over procurement scandal involving faulty mines
Ukrainian Defense Minister Rustem Umerov has been summoned to the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine amid a scandal involving defense procurement, specifically related to substandard mines for the Armed Forces of Ukraine. A total of 153 members of parliament voted in favor of the motion, according to Yaroslav Zheleznyak, a Ukrainian MP from the "Holos" party, on Telegram.
"This is a procedural decision! Umerov must come to Parliament and report. What's going on with the mines? What's happening with the …
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Kremlin condemns new $725 million U.S. military aid package for Ukraine, accuses Washington of escalating conflict
The Kremlin has expressed outrage over the new U.S. defense package for Ukraine, which will include Stinger missiles, HIMARS ammunition, drones, and anti-personnel mines, according to reports.
The decision by the U.S. to send an additional $725 million in military aid to Ukraine signifies the Biden administration’s intent to "fuel the flames" of the conflict, the Kremlin stated.
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced on Monday that the aid package would feature Stinger missiles, …
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Ukrainian Forces reclaim Novomlynsk in Kharkiv region
Ukrainian defense forces have successfully liberated one of the settlements in the Kharkiv region, as reported by monitoring project DeepState.
According to the report, Ukrainian defenders managed to free Novomlynsk in the Kupyansk district of the Kharkiv region. In this area, near the village of Novomlynsk, the Russians had attempted to secure and hold a foothold on the right bank of the Oskil River, even crossing the water obstacle thanks to their manpower advantage. However, with backing …
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Ukraine insists on NATO membership, dismisses alternative security proposals
Ukraine has pre-emptively rejected any alternative security guarantees that might be proposed instead of the country's full NATO membership.
This announcement coincides with the 30th anniversary of the signing of the Budapest Memorandum. Ukraine's Foreign Minister, Andriy Sybiha, is set to present this declaration during the upcoming NATO ministerial meeting that begins on December 3 in Brussels.
The Ukrainian Foreign Ministry said in a statement that Kyiv perceives the Budapest Memorandum as …
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Kremlin directs Russian officials to frame war's conclusion as a 'victory'
According to sources from Russian media, the Kremlin has instructed regional officials to brace for the conclusion of the Russia-Ukraine war and to promote a specific "image of victory" among the populace.
In preparation for the war's end, Russian regional officials are reportedly being briefed by the presidential administration. During a seminar for deputy governors hosted by Vladimir Putin's administration in the Senezh Management Workshop near Moscow from November 27 to 30, discussions …
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Escalating conflict: Russian forces under pressure amid Syrian rebel advances
The situation in Syria is taking a turn for the worse for Russian forces. Syrian opposition groups contesting the Russian-backed Assad regime are advancing in the southern part of the country. Early urban clashes have begun in the cities of Hama, Homs, and Suwayda, according to reports from Ukraine's Main Intelligence Directorate (GUR).
"Syria in Peril - Russians are Fleeing Damascus," read the intelligence update. It noted that military contingents from the "aggressor state" retreated from …
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Strategic shift: China's new trade restrictions on Russia signal U.S. influence
China continues to ship goods to Russia under previously paid contracts but refuses new deliveries. Under the new regulations, Chinese companies will be subject to a 25% tax on dual-use goods exported to Russia. This list includes essential IT equipment like servers and components and has already created tension in Russia.
Furthermore, the sale of argon gas for welding is restricted, with contracts continuing but no new agreements being made. Critical sectors like technology, defense, …