Category: World

There are 7 enemy ships in the Mediterranean, 4 of which are equipped with Kalibr cruise missiles. The total potential volley is up to 41 missiles, and there are no enemy ships in the Black and Azov Seas.

There are 7 enemy vessels in the Mediterranean Sea, 4 of which are equipped with Kalibr cruise missiles with a total potential volley of up to 41 missiles. This was reported by the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, according to UNN.

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However, there are currently no enemy warships in the Black and Azov Seas.

Over the past day, 7 vessels sailed through the Kerch Strait to the Sea of Azov in the interests of the terrorist country, 3 of which came from the Bosporus. No vessels were observed heading towards the Black Sea.

The russian federation continues to violate the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea, 1974, by disabling automatic ship identification systems, which poses a threat to maritime safety.

There are no enemy ships in the Black and Azov SeasDec 12 2024, 05:02 AM • 20608 views

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced a visit to Brussels for talks with European leaders in his evening address on Friday, 13 December.

Source: Zelenskyy’s evening video address; European Pravda reports

Details: Speaking about the talks with foreign leaders, Zelenskyy noted that preparations for meetings in Brussels next week with European leaders are already underway.

He did not specify when the visit will take place or what meetings will be held.

Background:

• Following a telephone conversation with Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, Zelenskyy announced a face-to-face meeting with him next week in Brussels.
• Reuters reported that Zelenskyy will be visiting Brussels next Wednesday, on 19 December, where he is scheduled to meet with EU and NATO state leaders at the invitation of NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte.
• A EU summit will be held in Brussels at the same time, during which French President Emmanuel Macron may raise the issue of deploying a peacekeeping mission to Ukraine in the event of a ceasefire.

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An ancient Christian relic believed to be the crown of thorns of Jesus has been returned to Notre Dame Cathedral. The relic will be available for public veneration every Friday until April 18, and then on the first Friday of every month.

An ancient relic, which many Christians revere as the crown of thorns of Jesus Christ, has been returned to Notre Dame, five years after it was saved from the flames of a devastating fire in 2019. This is reported by the Associated Press, according to UNN.

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The crown, a round ribbon of branches enclosed in a gilded gold tube, was returned to its historic home during a ceremony led by the Archbishop of Paris in the presence of the knights and ladies of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulcher, a key moment in the cathedral's restoration.

The relic was first mentioned by Jerusalem pilgrims in the fifth century, and in the twentieth century it was transferred to Constantinople. In 1239, it was acquired by King Louis IX of France, who brought it to Paris and placed it in the Notre Dame Cathedral, and then ordered the Saint-Chapelle Chapel to store it. It was later returned to Notre Dame.

During the fire that engulfed most of Notre Dame on April 15, 2019, the crown of thorns was kept in a sealed case along with other relics. The quick actions of firefighters ensured the survival of these treasures.

Starting on January 10, the crown of thorns will be on display for public veneration every Friday until April 18, culminating on Good Friday. After that, the relic will be displayed on the first Friday of every month.

Recall

On December 8, for the first time in 5 years after the fire , Notre Dame Cathedral held a mass with the consecration of a new altar. The ceremony was attended by President Macron and other high-ranking officials.

Satellite images show that Russia has begun to withdraw its troops from Syria.

Source: CNN; Russian news outlet Vazhnye Istorii (Important Stories)

Details: Maxar Technologies and Planet Labs’ satellite imagery of military bases in Syria show that An-124 cargo planes (the world's largest cargo planes, capable of carrying up to 150 tonnes of cargo), three Il-76 transport planes, as well as smaller cargo planes – three An-32 and one An-72 – have arrived at the Khmeimim airbase. The aircraft prepare to load cargo, as indicated by their lifted nose cones.

In addition, the images show the Russian military disassembling a Ka-52 attack helicopter. Maxar analysts assume that it is being prepared for loading. Experts also identified parts of an S-400 air defence system, which is apparently also being prepared for shipment to Russia.

Maxar Technologies also published photographs of Russian ships sailing in the Mediterranean Sea from the coast of Syria.

A photo of a possibly Russian ship sailing in the Mediterranean Sea from the coast of Syria Photo: MAXAR Photo: MAXAR

Russian propaganda agency TASS reported that Russia was still negotiating with the new Syrian government to maintain its military bases in the country.

At the same time, Russian propagandists published videos of Russian military convoys moving towards the Khmeimim airbase.

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Turkey has announced the reopening of its embassy in Damascus, which has been closed since 2012. Burhan Keroglu, who was previously the ambassador to Mauritania, was appointed as the charge d'affaires.

Turkey has announced the reopening of its embassy in the Syrian capital Damascus. This was announced by Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fida, reports UNN.

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This mission was closed in March 2012, immediately after the start of the Syrian civil war. Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fida confirmed that the work of the diplomatic mission will begin on Saturday.

According to the Ministry, the staff and the interim administrator have already left for Damascus. Burhan Keroglu, who was previously Turkey's ambassador to Mauritania, has been appointed as Turkey's charge d'affaires in Syria.

Syria claims Israeli strikes on Damascus and military base near Homs: says one soldier killed and 7 woundedOct 24 2024, 11:32 AM • 20253 views

Mark Rutte, NATO Secretary General, has warned against public discussion of the details of a possible peace agreement between Ukraine and Russia to end the war.

Source: Mark Rutte in a comment to the Voice of America; European Pravda reports

Details: Rutte noted that he prefers not to disclose the details regarding a possible "strong agreement" for Ukraine in order not to reveal all the cards to the Kremlin head.

Rutte was reluctant to answer the question, stating that such conversations should occur behind closed doors rather than on television. He argued that openly discussing their plans could allow Vladimir Putin to anticipate their actions when negotiating.

Meanwhile, the sSecretary general emphasised that the support for Ukraine from many European countries is "unwavering".

Rutte made the comment after delivering his first major policy speech in office on 12 December in Brussels.

He warned against negotiating a peace deal without involving the Russian leader in the process. He also doubts the appropriateness of publicly discussing the details of security and peace guarantees for Ukraine.

Rutte responded to a question about peace guarantees for Ukraine by stressing the significant risk involved in reaching an agreement on a peace deal without Vladimir Putin being part of the discussions.

He also warned that NATO is not prepared for the threats that it will face from Russia in the coming years and called for a shift to a wartime mindset with much more defence spending.

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Norway has allocated funds to continue training Ukrainian F-16 pilots and technicians in Portugal. The program will start after the completion of training in Denmark and will include the provision of instructors and technical support.

Norway plans to continue training Ukrainian pilots and technicians on F-16 fighters in Portugal. This was reported by Regjeringen, according to UNN.

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The government has already allocated funding for this training process, which will continue in 2025.

Training activities will begin after the completion of the training programs in Denmark at the end of this year. Starting in the new year, Norway will provide instructors and the necessary support to train Ukrainian pilots and ground staff in Portugal.

Norway is actively cooperating with the International Air Defense Coalition and assisting the Ukrainian military through the transfer of aircraft, instructors, and technical support. Among the key participants is also Kongsberg Aviation Maintenance Services, which provides technical training.

Norway to increase support for Ukraine to 3 3.2 billion in 2025Nov 28 2024, 06:50 PM • 32324 views

The Financial Times has written that the commander of the Donetsk Joint Task Force, Oleksandr Lutsenko, was dismissed after the rapid advance of the Russians towards Pokrovsk. Brigadier General Oleksandr Tarnavskyi was appointed to his position.

Source: Financial Times citing sources

Details: An unnamed Ukrainian official told the newspaper that Lutsenko was offered another position in the Army after his dismissal.

The source said that Ukrainian troops under Lutsenko's command failed to stop a large-scale Russian offensive.

For reference: General Tarnavsky headed the newly formed Kherson Operational and Strategic Group of Forces in October 2022 and led the liberation of the city and oblast. The name Tavriia was given to the group in December. The Tavriia group launched a counteroffensive in Zaporizhzhia Oblast in 2023.

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A mass rally in favor of Georgia's European integration continues in the center of Batumi, despite strong winds and heavy rain. The protesters were joined by sailors and psychologists, and a delegation of the European Parliament arrived in Tbilisi to support the rally.

Despite strong winds and heavy rains, a large-scale pro-European protest continues in the center of Batumi. This is reported by Echo of the Caucasus, UNN reports.

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Its participants insist on continuing Georgia's European course, stating the need for the country's integration into the European Union.

Today's action was also attended by local sailors and psychologists.

Recall

The European Parliament delegation arrives in Tbilisi and supports a pro-European rally on Rustaveli Avenue. The protesters demand sanctions against the Georgian Dream, and MEPs recognize only the institution of the president as legitimate.

Protests in Georgia: MEPs attend pro-European rally in TbilisiDec 12 2024, 07:57 PM • 30304 views

US President-elect Donald Trump's national security team held discussions with the White House and representatives of Ukraine to find ways to "end the war" with Russia.

Source: Several sources told NBC News; European Pravda reports

Details: NBC News reports that Joe Biden's national security adviser, Jake Sullivan, has had several conversations with his likely successor, Republican Mike Waltz.

One source said that Sullivan and Waltz focused on exchanging relevant information but did not explore ways to end the war in Ukraine or secure a ceasefire.

The most recent talks with Ukraine took place during the last visit of the head of the President's Office, Andrii Yermak, to the United States, where he met with Trump’s Vice President J.D. Vance, NBC News said. There were also talks between Ukrainian President Zelenskyy and US President-elect Trump.

The NBC News source says that the latest meetings and conversations between Zelenskyy, Trump and their advisers have been constructive: "The atmosphere thus far in terms of the engagement between the Ukrainians and the incoming Trump team, including Zelenskyy and Trump himself, has been positive."

Another source claims that Trump "understands that the Ukrainians are not the obstacle to peace".

At the same time, the article says Donald Trump's team has not yet informed Ukraine of any potential peace plans.

Background:

• The head of the Office of the President of Ukraine, Andrii Yermak, said earlier that there is no specific "Trump peace plan" yet and that the team of the US president-elect has only certain ideas on this issue.
• President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that he did not take Donald Trump's election promise to end the war in Ukraine "in 24 hours" literally.

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