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Author: dmitriy.vasyura@gmail.com

  • Two women rescued from under rubble after Russian strike on Zaporizhzhia – photos

    Two women rescued from under rubble after Russian strike on Zaporizhzhia – photos

    Rescue workers have freed two women who were trapped under rubble in Zaporizhzhia. The civilians were able to call the rescue service hotline themselves and provide their location.

    Source: State Emergency Service of Ukraine (SES)

    Quote: "During search and rescue operations, the 101 Rescue Service received a call from two women who reported being trapped under the rubble of a destroyed building.

    Using the vital information provided, emergency workers released the women, using specialised equipment."

      Photo: State Emergency Service of Ukraine  Photo: State Emergency Service of Ukraine   Photo: State Emergency Service of Ukraine

    Details: The SES reported that the women had been trapped under the rubble for over seven hours. They have been taken to hospital.

    Background:

    • On 10 December, Russian forces attacked Zaporizhzhia, destroying a private clinic and damaging nearby buildings.
    • Medics managed to resuscitate one person who had been presumed dead during the rescue operation in Zaporizhzhia.
    • As of Tuesday evening four people have been reported dead and 21 injured, including one child, as a result of the strike on the private clinic. One victim died in hospital. SES units rescued four people.

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  • Putin incognito rewarded Russian spies from Slovenia: declassified materials

    Putin incognito rewarded Russian spies from Slovenia: declassified materials

    Putin incognito rewarded Russian spies from Slovenia: declassified materials

    Artem and Anna Dultsev, who worked under the guise of Argentinians, received the Order of Courage from Putin. The information about the award was disclosed through the magazine “Rozvidnik”, the official publication of the Russian Foreign Intelligence Service.

    The couple Artem and Anna Dultsev, who worked for the Russian Federation under the guise of Argentines, received the Order of Courage. Information about their award was not openly published anywhere. This was reported by DW, according to UNN.

    Details

    Vladimir Putin secretly awarded the Order of courage to spouses Artem and Anna Dultsev, who returned to Russia on August 1 as part of a prisoner exchange. The dultsevs conducted espionage activities in favor of Russia, posing as citizens of Argentina.

    Information about the awarding of Dultsev was not openly published anywhere. However, the publication" Agency "drew attention to the publication of the magazine"Scout". This is the official print organ of the Russian Foreign Intelligence Service. Its circulation is 2500 copies, and it is also available on the Internet.

    Journalists of the publication quoted information about Putin's secret awarding of Russian spies-the Dultsev couple, published in the magazine of the Foreign Intelligence Service of the Russian Federation.

    Russian spies Artem and Anna Dultseva, who returned to Russia during the last prisoner exchange, were awarded the order of courage by presidential decree. This became known from the publication in the magazine "Scout". The award ceremony was not officially announced. According to Western intelligence, Dultsev was a "sleeping" agent for a long time and was exposed less than a year after being "awakened"

    – Agency writes.

    The December issue published a long interview with the Dultsevs and said that they were "awarded the order of courage by decree of the president of Russia." There is no date or exact reason for the award. However, there is a published photo of August 30, 2024 at the headquarters of the Foreign Intelligence Service, in which Sergey Naryshkin (director of the Foreign Intelligence Service of the Russian Federation) presents medals to the couple in Yasenevo.

    The Slovenian special services believe that the Dulcevs were "sleeping agents" for a long time, while they began active espionage activities in 2022. And already in December of the same year, they were detained: in an interview with "Scout" Anna Dultseva called the exposure and detention a "failure".

    According to available information, Dultsev's cooperation with Russian intelligence began in 2009. They were trained to work abroad for three years: they have been there under "special conditions" since 2012. According to legend, they had other names – Ludwig Guiche and Maria Rosa Mayer-Munoz, allegedly met in Argentina.

    In July 2024, a court in Ljubljana sentenced Artem and Anna Dultsev to 1 year and 7 months in prison on charges of espionage.

    Dultsev's children Sofia and Daniil also became part of the exchange on August 1. As the family walked down the ramp to Vnukovo, Putin addressed the children in Spanish, telling them: "Buenas noches!"

    recall

    Russian spies have been monitoring the Georgian government and large companies for many years as part of a comprehensive campaign. Thus, Russian agents collected information that, among other things, was necessary for potential sabotage of critical infrastructure.

  • US announces $20 billion loan for Ukraine as part of G7 initiative

    US announces $20 billion loan for Ukraine as part of G7 initiative

    US announces $20 billion loan for Ukraine as part of G7 initiative

    The U.S. Treasury Department announced on Dec. 10 that it will provide $20 billion in loan assistance to Ukraine, marking its contribution to a broader $50 billion initiative supported by G7 countries.

    The loan will be repaid using proceeds from frozen Russian assets.

    U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen emphasized the significance of the funding, stating, “The $50 billion collectively being provided by the G7 through this initiative will help ensure Ukraine has the resources it needs to sustain emergency services, hospitals, and other foundations of its brave resistance.”

    The funds will be channeled to Ukraine through the World Bank’s Facilitation of Resources to Invest in Strengthening Ukraine Financial Intermediary Fund (F.O.R.T.I.S. Ukraine FIF), ensuring immediate availability for critical needs.

    The U.S. contributed $20 billion of the total loan, matched by European Union countries, including France, Germany, and Italy, which will provide $19.4 billion together.

    Additional contributions include $3.7 billion from Canada, $3.07 billion from Japan, and $2.9 billion from the United Kingdom.

    While Western countries have frozen $300 billion in Russian assets, only the annual income generated — approximately $3.2 billion — is accessible.

    These proceeds will back the $50-billion loan, with the majority of the frozen assets located in Europe.

    Speaking at the G7 summit in June, President Volodymyr Zelensky called for a mechanism to fully confiscate the frozen Russian funds, highlighting their potential to bolster Ukraine’s long-term recovery.

    According to October reports, the G7 plans to keep these Russian assets immobilized even after the war ends.

    70% of Ukrainians support ‘West German’ model for NATO accession, survey showsA key difference is that the invitation would encompass the entire Ukraine, but the alliance’s defensive “umbrella” would extend to the occupied territories only after their future liberation.US announces $20 billion loan for Ukraine as part of G7 initiativeThe Kyiv IndependentMartin FornusekUS announces $20 billion loan for Ukraine as part of G7 initiative
  • In Zaporizhzhia, rescuers pulled two women from the rubble who had called 101

    In Zaporizhzhia, rescuers pulled two women from the rubble who had called 101

    In Zaporizhzhia, rescuers pulled two women from the rubble who had called 101

    In Zaporizhzhia, rescuers rescued two women from the rubble of a destroyed building after they called 101. The strike on the private clinic killed 5 people and injured 19, and rescue operations are ongoing.

    In Zaporizhzhia, rescuers pulled two women from the rubble of a destroyed building who had called the 101 line. This was reported by the State Emergency Service of Zaporizhzhia, according to UNN.

    Details

    During the search and rescue operations, two women called the 101 Rescue Service Line, who reported that they were under the rubble of the destroyed building.

    During the conversation, rescuers professionally found out the details in order to determine their exact location.

    Having received important information, emergency workers with the help of special equipment released the victims. For more than seven hours, the women were under the rubble, waiting for help. Thanks to the well-coordinated work of rescuers, they were removed from the trap and handed over to doctors. After being examined by ambulance doctors, both women were hospitalized in a medical facility,

    – the statement said.

    addition

    As of 22: 30, as a result of the impact on a private clinic , 4 people were killed, 19 people were injured, including 1 child. Unfortunately, one victim died in hospital. Units of the State Emergency Service rescued 4 people.

    Emergency rescue operations continue.

    75 rescuers and 18 pieces of equipment were involved from the State Emergency Service.

    Zelensky on the strike on Zaporizhzhia: we reiterate that air defense should save lives, not gather dust in storage basesDec 10 2024, 08:17 PM • 8442 views

  • Alisson puts Kelleher in his place with Nunez also facing an exit after Liverpool’s uneasy win

    Alisson puts Kelleher in his place with Nunez also facing an exit after Liverpool’s uneasy win

    Liverpool Alisson Girona

    Alisson Becker put Caoimhin Kelleher in his box and Darwin Nunez may follow him out of the door after Liverpool sealed another win in the Champions League.

    Arne Slot‘s unwavering insistence on playing his best available players with Liverpool sitting pretty at the top of the Champions League group stages haunted the Dutchman last month as Ibrahima Konate and Conor Bradley suffered injuries in the 2-0 win at Real Madrid.

    Despite this, the Liverpool head coach revealed he would “start with a very good team” against Girona as there is “no reason to rotate” with “everyone ready”.

    This proved the case as his four changes saw Luis Diaz, Dominik Szoboszlai, Trent Alexander-Arnold and an injury-free Alisson replace Cody Gakpo, Alexis Mac Allister (suspended), Jarell Quansah and Kelleher after the latter four players started the 3-3 draw at Newcastle United.

    The weekend postponement of the Merseyside derby – that forced us to rely on AI for 16 Conclusions – provided Liverpool’s players extra recovery time after their intense thriller at St James’ Park, but it meant they were somewhat undercooked against Girona as the Spanish outfit provided a stern test for the visitors.

    Liverpool dominated the opening ten minutes without causing the hosts too many problems, though the run of play was much different for the remainder of the half as Girona grew in confidence. They had more shots on goal in the opening half than any of the English side’s previous opponents mustered across the full 90 minutes of their other Champions League games.

    READ: No Salah in Premier League team of the season so far in 2024/25

    Relative minnows Girona are not as strong as last season after having one or two of their best players plucked away in the summer and their first XI was littered with Premier League has-beens. Former Watford attacker Yaser Asprilla sparkled, at least.

    The best of Girona’s chances, unfortunately for them, fell to former Everton, Tottenham Hotspur and AFC Bournemouth winger Arnaut Danjuma, who remains just as rash in front of goal as he often was in the Premier League.

    Liverpool were given a boost pre-match as Alisson returned to full fitness after being out since September with a hamstring injury.

    Slot’s side managed just fine without one of the world’s best goalkeepers as they also have one of the world’s best backup keepers.

    Barring a rare mistake in the draw at Newcastle, Kelleher did not put a foot wrong as he deputised for Alisson and kept five clean sheets to help Liverpool further establish their dominance in the Premier League and Champions League.

    Kelleher has made it abundantly clear that he wants to be a No.1 and his stunning form for Liverpool in recent weeks increased the clamour from some quarters for him to remain between the sticks when Alisson returns.

    Yet, to the frustration of the Republic of Ireland international, Slot restored Alisson to his starting XI at the first opportunity and the 32-year-old justified this decision against Girona.

    A spirited performance from the Spanish side – plus Liverpool being slightly off their best – meant Alisson was busier than he perhaps would have expected in his first game back.

    None of Alisson’s saves were breath-taking and he would have been criticised had he failed to stop any of the shots he faced, but he oozed calmness and did everything asked of him on an uncomfortable evening for him and his side. It was like he never went away.

    Kelleher must have been watching on glumly from the bench knowing that another injury for the Brazil international is required for him to get another run in the team this season.

    Harsh as it sounds, Kelleher will never consistently be Liverpool’s No.1 while Alisson – or his eventual successor Giorgi Mamardashvili – is around and the 26-year-old’s exit in 2025 remains inevitable.

    The proposed Chelsea was initially scoffed at and deemed unfeasible, though this potential £35m deal could suit all parties and tick a box required for Enzo Maresca’s side to continue their charge to Premier League and European glory.

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    Tuesday’s match in Girona was also concerning for striker Darwin Nunez.

    The constant comparisons to Manchester City star Erling Haaland are as consistent as they are needless with the two forwards clearly very different types of strikers.

    Nunez’s work rate is at a much higher level than Haaland’s, while the Man City player – even amid his and his side’s ongoing woes – is far more clinical in front of goal.

    There was more evidence of Nunez’s wastefulness against Girona as he could and perhaps should have come away with a couple of goals.

    His best chance came as a deflected looped cross from Szoboszlai gave the Uruguay forward a free header inside the penalty area, but he failed to get clean contact on the ball. Moments later, he was fed in on goal but former Spurs goalkeeper Paulo Gazzaniga – who had a good evening – stood firm to keep out the striker’s effort.

    Nunez was withdrawn with 20 minutes remaining and this change could have easily come sooner as the forward – who is clearly devoid of confidence – failed to make the most of his opportunity from the start.

    With Diogo Jota joining Alisson in returning from injury, Nunez looks certain to be Slot’s fifth-choice attacker during the festive period and it’s currently difficult to see him proving Jurgen Klopp right after Liverpool’s former boss defied a ‘data warning’ to sanction his £64m arrival en route to expected sanctioning of a cut-price sale for a sure-fire upgrade.

    Nunez’s blushes were somewhat spared by Liverpool’s star man – Mohamed Salah – as his 63rd-minute penalty earned Slot’s side a narrow 1-0 win at Girona, who lacked the quality to break their superior opponents down while passing up several openings.

    While certain performances in this match did not bode well for two Liverpool stars, Slot will be satisfied that his side – once again – managed to win ugly, did not pick up any injuries and built some momentum before an even tougher test at the weekend at home to Fulham.

  • Zelensky announces successful test of new Ruta missile

    Zelensky announces successful test of new Ruta missile

    Zelensky announces successful test of new Ruta missile

    The President of Ukraine reported on the successful testing of the new Ruta missile and the mass production of the Palianytsia missile. He also spoke about the delivery of the first batch of the Peklo drone missile and other Ukrainian developments.

    At the presentation of the Borys Paton National Prize, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced the successful testing of a new Ruta missile, UNN reports.

    Joint work, when an idea is born in a bright head, is developed in a scientific team, implemented at a defense enterprise and then directly beats the enemy on the front line and on its territories. We are talking, in particular, about Ukrainian missiles and drones. Phrases that until recently were from science fiction. And today it is a reality. The Palyanitsa rocket has entered mass production. The first combat applications were successfully completed by the ad drone missile. The other day we handed over the first batch to our defense forces. Successful tests of the New Ruta Rocket are underway. Long-range "Neptune" will soon become a terrible reality for the invaders

    Zelensky said.

    The president also noted other Ukrainian developments, in particular drones. "Gore", night bombers" Vampire "and Heavy Shot, FPV drones" Hummingbird "and" Kamik", FPV aircraft Darts.

    "All this is Ukrainian production. All this is already actively used. Both at the front and in the enemy's rear, too. What gives Ukraine strength. What gives us, Ukrainians, protection. Something that will bring us, I am sure, a just peace," Zelensky added.

    Recall

    President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky on the day of the Armed Forces of Ukraine showed the Ukrainian missile-drone "hell", noting that the first batch has already been handed over to the Defense Forces.

  • Hungarian Foreign Minister announces two “peacekeeping events” on Ukraine this week

    Hungarian Foreign Minister announces two “peacekeeping events” on Ukraine this week

    Hungary will continue its self-proclaimed "peacekeeping mission" on Ukraine this week, Hungarian Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó promised the following day after Prime Minister Viktor Orbán met with US President-elect Donald Trump in Florida.

    Source: Szijjártó's statement at a briefing in Budapest, reported by AFP and cited by European Pravda

    Details: Orbán held talks with US President-elect Donald Trump, his ally billionaire Elon Musk, and incoming National Security Advisor Mike Waltz on 9 December. Szijjártó also joined Orbán's trip to Florida.

    Szijjártó stated that the discussions in the US demonstrated that "it is no coincidence… those who support peace in Ukraine were delighted that President Donald Trump won these elections".

    Quote: "This week, there will be at least two more events that will be part of Hungary’s peacekeeping mission, either tomorrow or the day after."

    Background:

    • Earlier this year, Orbán visited Donald Trump twice at his residence in Mar-a-Lago, with both meetings also focusing on Ukraine.
    • On 7 December, French President Emmanuel Macron held trilateral talks with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Trump at the Élysée Palace amid growing concerns over the level of support Ukraine will receive under the new US administration.
    • On 8 December, Trump called for an "immediate ceasefire", stating that Zelenskyy is ready "to make a deal and stop the madness".
    • In an interview aired on 8 December, Trump also said he would "likely" reduce the aid Ukraine receives from the United States.

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  • Taylor Swift sets a new record: her tour brought in more than $2 billion

    Taylor Swift sets a new record: her tour brought in more than $2 billion

    Taylor Swift sets a new record: her tour brought in more than $2 billion

    Taylor Swift's Eras tour has become the most profitable in history, earning $2.07 billion for 149 concerts. This is twice the previous record set by Elton John with his Farewell Yellow Brick Road tour.

    Taylor Swift's tour, which consisted of 149 concerts, more than doubled the previous record held by Elton John's tour, with tickets sold for more than $2 billion, UNN reports citing The Guardian.

    Details

    The Taylor Swift Eras tour has been confirmed as the most commercially successful tour of all time, as it generated more than twice as much revenue as the previous record holder.

    After the last tour date in Vancouver, singer Taylor Swift's company Touring confirmed to the New York Times the final amount of revenue: 2 2,077,618,725. This is the first official release of tour revenue figures.

    This is twice as much as the previous record of the completed tour — Farewell Yellow Brick Road Elton John, the profit of which was 9 939 million. In addition, Taylor Swift managed to break the record with fewer concerts, because she had 149 of them, and Elton John — 330.

    The Eras tour is not only a commercial success. It also received at least four five-star Guardian reviews.

    Tickets to the tour's concerts cost an average of.204, a relatively high price that shows just how loyal – in every sense – Swift's fan base is.

    Demand for tickets was so high that when they went on sale in November 2022, the Ticketmaster system failed, as 3.5 billion ticket requests were submitted.

    London's Wembley Stadium was the venue that received the most fans overall: 753,112 visitors in eight days. The highest number of visitors to a single concert was 96,006 at one of her three performances at Melbourne Cricket Ground.

    The figure of more than 2 2 billion does not take into account the significant profit generated from the sale of goods, with huge stores being built off-site to sell merchandise.

    Recall

    Taylor Swift received 7 in the Garden at the 2024 MTV Video Music Awards, setting a record for the most solo wins. The ceremony included performances by stars including Eminem, Katy Perry and Sabrina Carpenter.

  • Russia reduces barge barriers protecting Crimean Bridge by half in a month

    Russia reduces barge barriers protecting Crimean Bridge by half in a month

    Russia reduces barge barriers protecting Crimean Bridge by half in a month

    The number of barges Russia has deployed in the Kerch Strait to protect the illegal Crimean Bridge against Ukrainian maritime drones has halved in a month, the Center of Journalistic Investigations reported on Dec. 10.

    Satellite images from Nov. 8 showed 34 barges arranged in two rows near the shipping channel in the Kerch Strait, installed between July 27 and Aug. 8.

    Recent Sentinel-2 satellite images from Dec. 8 reveal only 18 barges remaining between Tuzla Island and the Kerch Peninsula. The fate of the other 16 vessels is unclear.

    On Sept. 30, it was reported that barriers intended to protect the bridge from attacks were washed ashore after a storm, with plastic and metal barrels connected by frames scattered on Kerch beaches.

    The 19-kilometer-long Crimean Bridge, constructed following Russia’s illegal occupation of Crimea in 2014 and completed in 2018, serves as a vital supply route for Russian forces.

    The bridge has been targeted by Ukraine multiple times, suffering heavy damage in strikes in October 2022 and July 2023.

    The Crimean bridge remains a focal point of the conflict and is also the subject of a legal dispute between Ukraine and Russia at the Permanent Court of Arbitration.

    Confusion over Russian advances in Sumy Oblast, authorities deny border breachThe map changes showed Russian forces occupying 2 square kilometers (0,8 square miles) in Sumy and advancing in the Kursk Oblast. These developments are reflected as of December 10.Russia reduces barge barriers protecting Crimean Bridge by half in a monthThe Kyiv IndependentTim ZadorozhnyyRussia reduces barge barriers protecting Crimean Bridge by half in a month
  • Death toll from enemy attack on Zaporizhzhia rises to four – RMA

    Death toll from enemy attack on Zaporizhzhia rises to four – RMA

    Death toll from enemy attack on Zaporizhzhia rises to four - RMA

    As a result of an enemy attack on Zaporizhzhya, 4 people were killed and 20 others were wounded. 13 victims were hospitalized, among the wounded is a 5-year-old girl.

    As a result of the strike on Zaporizhzhia, the death toll has risen to 4 people, and 20 people are currently known to be wounded. This was reported by the head of the Zaporizhzhya RMA Ivan Fedorov, UNN reports.

    "Unfortunately, the number of deaths as a result of the enemy strike has increased. the Russians killed 4 people, " Fedorov said.

    He also noted that the number of Russians wounded due to the strike on Zaporozhye has increased to 20.

    "13 people are in the hospital, seven refused to be hospitalized, including a 5-year-old girl. The child was treated by doctors on the spot," the head of RMA added.

    Recall

    Earlier it was reportedthat the death toll as a result of the strike on Zaporozhye increased to 3 people , rescuers pulled the body out from under the rubble.

    Doctors were able to resuscitateone of the victims, who was found dead during the search operation as a result of the strike on Zaporozhye.