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France allocates €2 billion to boost missile production and replenishment for Ukraine support
France is set to allocate €2 billion as part of an expanded €16 billion budget for 2025 to replenish and expand its missile stockpiles from 2024 to 2030. General Staff of the French Armed Forces announced that supplies of SCALP-EG cruise missiles will be replenished in 2024, while 2025 will be a pivotal year for additional stockpiling.
Since July 2023, France has been supplying SCALP missiles to Ukraine, which have been utilized in several operations, including an attack on the headquarters of …
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Putin quietly honors Russian espionage agents with Order of Courage
Russian President Vladimir Putin has quietly awarded Artem and Anna Dulzev the Order of Courage. The Dulzevs, who returned to Russia on August 1 as part of a prisoner exchange, previously engaged in espionage activities for Russia by posing as Argentine citizens.
The awards bestowed upon the Dulzevs have not been publicly disclosed. However, the media outlet Agenstvo noticed a publication in the "Rassvet" journal. This is the official print edition of Russia's Foreign Intelligence Service (SVR) …
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Zelensky rejects U.S. proposal to lower military draft age
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has turned down a U.S. proposal to lower the military draft age from 25 to 18 years. "Our focus should be on equipping existing brigades with the necessary technology and training personnel to use that technology. We must not compensate for a lack of equipment and training by enlisting younger soldiers," Zelensky stated on social media on the evening of Monday, December 9.
Zelensky emphasized that the priority in supporting Kyiv should be "the delivery of …
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German opposition leader Friedrich Merz calls for transatlantic strategy amid Taurus missiles debate for Ukraine
Friedrich Merz, leader of Germany's Christian Democratic Union and a candidate for chancellor, carefully commented on the potential delivery of long-range Taurus missiles to Ukraine following his visit to Kyiv. Merz once again called for cooperation between Europe and the US regarding Ukrainian strikes on Russian territory, reports Welt.
"Perhaps, there is no Wunderwaffe, perhaps there will not be a game-changing weapon," Merz stated in an interview with journalist Paul Ronzheimer.
Merkel's …
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Russia considers declaring Santa Claus ‘a foreign agent’ to protect traditional values
In a move that could see Santa Claus banned in Russia, the beloved Christmas figure is being criticized for allegedly undermining "traditional Russian values." Vitaly Borodin, head of the Federal Project on Security and Anti-Corruption, has filed a request with the Russian Prosecutor General's Office to classify the Santa Claus brand as a foreign agent, according to a report by Shot.
Borodin argues that the image of Santa Claus is being used by several foreign companies, including Father …