Attacks Ukraine again and praises Trump

Last night, Russia again attacked Ukraine from the air. Mayor Vitali Klitschko announced that anti-aircraft fire could be heard over Kiev shortly before midnight on Thursday night as combat drones threatened the capital. Falling debris damaged a polyclinic and surrounding buildings.

The Ukrainian Air Force said swarms of drones were also spotted over the Sumy, Chernihiv, Poltava and Kirovorad regions. More drones struck the coast near Odessa from the Black Sea. Explosions were also reported in the southern city of Kherson.

The governor said at least 30 Ukrainian drones were repelled in Russia's Rostov region, Russia's state agency TASS reported. No one was injured. However, a fire broke out at an industrial park and more than 100 emergency crews were working to put it out. Two Ukrainian drones were also shot down over Russia's Bryansk region, according to authorities.

The attack on Ukraine was still initially weaker than the night before. On Thursday morning, Russia launched one of its worst attacks in more than 1,000 days of war, using about 90 missiles and nearly 100 drones. US President Joe Biden spoke of a “heinous attack” that once again showed how desperately Ukrainians need help.

The attack targeted the already compromised energy system of the country being attacked. Hundreds of thousands of homes were temporarily without power. Ukrainian energy suppliers also announced power outages for Friday in an effort to stabilize the system.

Putin threatens further missile strikes

Russian President Vladimir Putin has ordered an aggressive war against Ukraine and threatened to use new medium-range missiles to strike targets in neighboring countries, including Kiev. Moscow is currently selecting targets for further strikes. “These can be military installations, defense companies or decision-making centers in Kiev,” Putin told a meeting of the Russian-led military alliance Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) in the Kazakh capital Astana. Last week, Russia made its first move in Ukraine. The city of Dnipro launched a new missile called “Oreshnik”.

Zelensky: Putin undermines Trump's peace efforts

Volodymyr Zelensky assessed Putin's missile threat as a disruption to possible peace efforts by future U.S. President Donald Trump.Image: trapezoid

Ukrainian head of state Volodymyr Zelensky described Putin's missile threats as a disruption to possible peace efforts by future U.S. President Donald Trump. “Putin now wants to escalate the situation and make President Trump fail so that he cannot end the war,” Zelensky said. “Putin is the only person responsible for this war and the only person who believes in this war.” Republican Man Trump announced that he would be able to end the war quickly. It's unclear how. He will enter the White House for the second time on January 20, 2025.

This is what Putin said to Trump

Many experts believe that Putin is unlikely to experience further escalation after Donald Trump takes office in the United States. More likely to take advantage of favorable opportunities to win Trump's favor. Putin on Thursday praised Trump as “smart.” His remarks were clearly intended to leave a positive impression on the president-elect. He said he was shocked by the assassination attempts against Trump during the campaign. Regarding Trump, Putin said: “Joe Biden's decision to allow the use of long-range weapons could be a ploy to help Trump, providing him with future bargaining chips, or it could be an attempt to complicate Trump's relations with Russia “No matter what, Trump will find a solution to the Ukraine war. “Putin said Moscow is ready for dialogue.

Donald Trump: Putin praised Trump on Thursday as “smart.”Image: trapezoid

Questions about the age of enlistment in the Ukrainian army

Meanwhile, Ukraine's mobilization strategy faces skepticism from its allies. Kyiv Foreign Ministry spokesman Heorhij Tychyj confirmed the US media reports. But he denied this was a point of contention with Western partners. Ukraine lowered the enlistment age from 27 to 25 this year to attract more soldiers to join the army.

Other armies recruit young people when they come of age, that is, from the age of 18. However, the numbers in Ukraine are smaller in these years. Tychyj said recruiting is not about age. The country lacks equipment and weapons to equip its already mobilized soldiers. At the same time, Zelensky signed a controversial law under which soldiers who voluntarily return to military service remain unpunished if they desert.

Defense spending accounts for almost two-thirds of Ukraine’s budget

The president also signed Ukraine’s 2025 budget into effect. Expected expenditure is 3.6 trillion hryvnia (approximately 82 billion euros). Nearly two-thirds of this amount, or 2.23 trillion hryvnia, is earmarked for defense and armaments. Ukraine projects its revenue at 2.05 trillion hryvnia. From November, taxes on citizens and companies will increase significantly. The country relies on foreign financial aid to fill the gap. Nonetheless, Ukrainian Prime Minister Denis Shmyhal said Ukraine was entering the new fiscal year with confidence.

Norway provides more funding

The governments of Russia's neighboring countries announced after a parliamentary meeting in Oslo that parties in the Norwegian parliament hope to provide at least NOK 35 billion in support to Ukraine next year. This is equivalent to nearly three billion euros. Nearly two-thirds of this amount will be used for military support, with the remainder earmarked for humanitarian and civilian support. Ukrainian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre said this was an important signal for Ukraine and those who attack the country, the NTB news agency reported. (Sudanese Development Authority/Department of Political Affairs/kek)

Romania's Constitutional Court has ordered a recount of all votes cast in the first round of last Sunday's presidential election. Meanwhile, the court rejected one of two requests to cancel the election.