Category: World

Rebels have driven government forces out of the city of Hama, paving the way for an offensive in southern Syria. This weakens the position of Assad and his allies from Russia and Iran in the region.

Syrian rebels have driven pro-regime forces out of Hama, winning an important victory after a successful offensive in northern Syria. This dealt a new blow to President Bashar al-Assad and his allies from Russia and Iran, adding to tensions in the region.

The capture of Hama, which has remained under government control since the beginning of the war, paves the way for further attacks on strategically important cities that could change the balance of power in Syria.

About tse povidomly UNN z posilannam on Reuters.

Details

The Syrian army announced the transfer of its forces outside Hama "to save civilian lives and prevent urban fighting" after intense clashes that took place in the city. The rebels, in turn, reported that they seized areas in the north-east of the city and the Central Prison, freeing prisoners.

Al Jazeera TV showed footage of rebels in Hama — some of them meeting civilians near the ring, others driving military vehicles and mopeds.

Last week, the rebels captured the important northern city of Aleppo and have since moved south from their enclave in northwestern Syria.

The capture of Hama, which remained under government control throughout the civil conflict, could lead to new upheavals in Damascus and increase fears of a further rebel offensive in the south of the country.

Assad relied on the strong support of Russia and Iran during the most intense stages of the conflict, which helped him regain control of most of the territory and major cities. However, recent developments in northern Syria point to problems in its alliance, as Russia has been focused on the war in Ukraine since 2022, and Hezbollah, which was one of the main Iranian forces in Syria, has suffered heavy losses in the war with Israel.

During the offensive on Hama, rebel commander-in — chief Abu Muhammad al-Golani issued a video statement warning of the possible involvement of another powerful regional force supported by Iran-Iraqi militia Hashd al-Shaabi.

We call on the Iraqi Prime Minister to keep Iraq from being drawn into the flames of a new war related to the events in Syria

– declared the main ones.

The key city of Hama is located halfway between Aleppo and Damascus, and its capture paves the way for a rebel offensive on Homs, an important city that is a transport hub for Syria's largest and most densely populated regions.

In addition, Hama is of strategic importance due to its control of two cities with numerous religious minorities — Mukhrad, where many Christians live, and salamis, where there is a large community of Ismaili Muslims.Although the rebels had not previously captured Hama, the city has historically been a hotbed of resistance to the rule of the Assad dynasty.

In 1982, an uprising of Muslim Brotherhood activists took place here, after which the army carried out a brutal three-week attack that killed more than 10,000 people. This operation became a model for Assad's campaign against the rebels.

Rebels in Aleppo demolish statues of Assad's family after seizing the cityNov 30 2024, 04:20 PM • 22406 views

Andrii Sybiha, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine, stressed in his speech at the OSCE meeting that Russia is only imitating its readiness for peace, in reality seeking to impose its aggressive goals. He called on the international community not to fall for the Kremlin's disinformation.

Source: European Pravda

Details: Sybiha began his speech by saying that the meeting was taking place on the 30th anniversary of the signing of the Budapest Memorandum, one of the guarantors of which is now waging a war of aggression against Ukraine, the largest in Europe since World War II.

Quote from Sybiha: "Moscow is trying to justify all this with so-called 'legitimate security interests'. But my people's right to exist is not a legitimate security interest of Russia. My nation's choice of future is not Russia's legitimate security interest. In fact, Russia itself is the greatest security threat to the world…

When Russians say they want peace, they are lying. They talk about negotiations only to divert attention from what they are doing. Look at their actions, not their words. In reality, Russia continues to expand the war."

Details: Ukraineʼs foreign minister mentioned constant air attacks, systematic attacks on energy infrastructure, which now threaten nuclear power, increasing military aid to Iran and North Korea, the involvement of the North Korean troops, and the demonstrative use of a medium-range ballistic missile.

Quote from Sybiha: "These actions require a decisive response. Peace through strength. Not through appeasement."

Andrii Sybiha noted that, after the Budapest Memorandum's experience, Ukraine cannot agree to any agreements at the expense of its interests and that today's Russia is the greatest threat to security in the region.

Quote from Sybiha: "Russia wants a second Yalta [Conference] or at least a third Minsk [agreement]. It wants a world of zones of influence where the use of force dictates new rules and new borders. There will be no Yalta-2 or Minsk-3. Instead, Ukraine wants a just peace. And respect for principles for all.

These are two approaches to the future that are being decided right now in Ukraine. We must act now to make this future happen. We need to eliminate grey zones because Russia is turning them into zones of influence. Instead, we need geopolitical certainty about Ukraine as part of the Euro-Atlantic community."

Ukraineʼs foreign minister also expressed hope that the OSCE as an institution would join in documenting Russian war crimes and help bring Russia to justice. In his closing remarks, Sybiha also called Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov a war criminal.

Before Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov's speech at the OSCE meeting, Sybiha left the room. The foreign ministers of Poland, Czechia and representatives of the Baltic States, Georgia, and Romania did the same.

Background:

• The day before, Sybiha had brought the original Budapest Memorandum to the NATO ministerial meeting to remind them how nuclear disarmament in exchange for a promise from the world's most powerful nations has turned out for Ukraine.
• On the day of the NATO ministerial meeting, the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry said that Ukraine would not accept security guarantees as a substitute to NATO membership.

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Irakli Kobakhidze called the opposition "liberal-fascist" and promised to destroy it. Thousands of protesters take to the streets of Tbilisi for the seventh day in a row, demanding a European course.

Irakli Kobakhidze announces tough measures against the pro-European opposition, using Russian narratives. Reports UNN with reference to AFP.

Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze, in the midst of a wave of pro-European demonstrations, vowed to destroy the opposition, which he calls "liberal-fascist".

We will do everything necessary to completely eradicate Liberal Fascism

Kobakhidze said.

On the eve of for the seventh consecutive evening, thousands of people demonstrated in the Georgian capital Tbilisi against the National Conservative government. They blocked the main street of the city – Rustaveli Avenue – and demanded the continuation of the European course in the country.

Employees of the Tbilisi City Hall expressed their disagreement with the suspension of Georgia's accession to the EUNov 30 2024, 05:21 PM • 23187 views

Help

After the October 26 parliamentary elections, in which, according to official results, The Russian-friendly Georgian Dream Party won a majority, the opposition accused the ruling party of rigging the elections. mass protests began on Thursday last week.

recall

Last night, during the dispersal of protests in Georgia, 22 people were detained, and 15 victims were taken to hospitals. Among them — 11 protesters, 3 journalists and one employee of the Ministry of internal affairs.

US prepares new sanctions against Georgia over suppression of protests – BlinkenDec 5 2024, 08:15 AM • 12163 views

Ramzan Kadyrov has publicly criticized the heads of the Interior Ministry and the Investigative Committee of the Russian Federation, claiming their incompetence. He also spoke out in defense of Muslim migrants, demonstrating his independence from the federal government.

Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov has initiated a conflict with Putin's security forces, saying they are “out of place,” UNN reports, citing the Center for Countering Disinformation.

Details

The head of Russia's Chechnya region said that the head of the Investigative Committee of the Russian Federation, Alexander Bastrykin, and the head of the Interior Ministry, Vladimir Kolokoltsev, appointed by Putin, are “out of place” and “not fulfilling the president's tasks.”

In addition, Kadyrov spoke about Muslim migrants, calling them “brothers” and harshly criticizing the government's repression of them.

Kadyrov is increasingly demonstrating his de facto independence from the federal government of the Russian Federation. Having unleashed a war against Ukraine, Putin is increasingly losing control over his own Muslim republics, which increases the risk of new interethnic conflicts

– , the Office of Countering Disinformation wrote.

Recall

A Ukrainian drone fromstruck at the building of the Akhmat Kadyrov Special Police Regiment in Grozny. Ramzan Kadyrov confirmed the attack.

Defence Intelligence of the United Kingdom reports that the daily average losses of the Russians in Ukraine, both killed and wounded, hit a new record high in November.

Source: UK Defence Intelligence review dated 5 December, as reported by European Pravda

A report citing data from Ukraine's General Staff revealed that in November, Russian occupation forces suffered an average daily loss of 1,523 personnel, both killed and wounded.

Quote: "This is the third straight month that Russian Forces have sustained new war high average daily losses," the report stated.

Russia recorded its highest single-day losses since the invasion began, with 2,030 casualties – surpassing the 2,000 mark for the first time – on 28 November.

November also became the fifth consecutive month of increasing overall monthly losses, with a total of 45,680 Russian troops lost, according to UK intelligence.

The report attributes the high casualty rate to the relentless pace of Russian offensives and operations.

Russian forces are intensifying pressure along several critical fronts, aiming to push Ukrainian troops back in the vicinities of Kursk, Kupiansk, Toretsk, Pokrovsk, and Velyka Novosilka.

Quote: "Russia's casualty rate will likely continue to average above 1,000 a day in December 2024 despite the onset of winter, with continued dismounted infantry attacks on multiple axes," the report concluded.

Background:

• On 21 October, UK Defence Secretary John Healey described the situation on the battlefield in Ukraine as difficult, noting that the front line is currently "less stable than at any time since the early days of the full-scale Russian invasion" in February 2022.
• Recently, UK intelligence highlighted the extensive use of unmanned aerial vehicles as a key factor that has changed the nature of Russia's war against Ukraine.

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Ukrainian biomethane could become an alternative to Russian gas on the European market. Ukraine is actively developing biomethane production with the support of the EU and adapting its legislation for its export.

Ukrainian biomethane could become a key alternative to Russian gas in the European market.

This was stated by Deputy Energy Minister Mykola Kolisnyk during a speech at the annual Ukrainian Energy Security Dialogue conference, UNN reports.

Ukraine adapts to EU requirements

Kolisnyk emphasized that Ukraine, as a country integrating into the European Union, is actively developing alternative energy sources.

We are in a paradigm of renewable energy development, which is one of the key requirements of the EU

– said the Deputy Minister during the panel discussion “Energy Security and Climate Goals: Synergy or Counteraction”.

Potential of Ukrainian biomethane The European Union supports Ukraine in developing biomethane production. Yolanda García Mesquita, representative of the European Commission's Directorate-General for Energy, said that Ukrainian biogas could significantly reduce Europe's dependence on traditional natural gas.

Kolisnyk also noted that Ukrainian biomethane has the potential to replace Russian gas in the EU. He also thanked the European Commission for helping to harmonize Ukrainian legislation to export this type of fuel.

Key areas of energy development

During the conference, experts discussed a number of important issues, including:

• ways to achieve energy decarbonization;
• implementation of distributed generation;
• development of renewable energy sources;
• creation of energy storage systems.

Mr. Kolisnyk added that Ukraine has a unique potential in implementing wind, solar and geothermal energy. In addition, the Ministry of Energy is working on developing “energy independence passports” for each region, taking into account their natural features.

What is biomethane and how does it work?

Biomethane is an environmentally friendly gas derived from organic waste, such as agricultural residues, food waste, or biomass. It is produced through the biological decomposition of materials in special facilities. After purification, biomethane becomes identical to natural gas in terms of its properties, so it can be used in existing gas networks for heating, electricity generation, or transportation.

For Europe, biomethane is not only about the environment, but also about independence. After the start of Russia's full-scale war against Ukraine, EU countries are trying to refuse Russian gas in order not to finance the aggressor. Biomethane is becoming a great alternative because it can be produced locally using local resources. This reduces dependence on energy imports and makes it possible to switch to renewable energy.

Ukraine has a huge potential for biomethane production. Thanks to its agricultural resources, our country can supply this type of energy to Europe, helping to replace Russian gas and contributing to the region's energy security. In addition, biomethane can reduce greenhouse gas emissions, making it an important step in the fight against climate change.

Recall

New US sanctions could block the only way for Europe to pay for Russian gas.

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has signed a decree imposing sanctions on Georgia's pro-Russian authorities, including billionaire and former Prime Minister Bidzina Ivanishvili and his associates.

Source: Zelenskyy’s address

Quote from Zelenskyy: "I have just signed a decree to enforce the National Security and Defence Council's decision on sanctions. These sanctions target the segment of Georgia’s current government that is handing the country over to Putin.

Ukraine has imposed sanctions on Ivanishvili and 18 of his associates – those who are betraying the interests of Georgia and its people.

We urge Europe, the United States, and the entire international community to take a similar stand – to act with resolve and principle."

Details: Zelenskyy warned that a delayed or weak response could result in lost decades and nations deprived of their freedom: "We cannot afford to lose any country in this region – neither Georgia, nor Moldova, nor Ukraine."

The Ukrainian leader called for a united effort to stand against Moscow.

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Romanian intelligence services have uncovered a large-scale Russian campaign to support candidate Kelin Georgescu through TikTok. More than a million euros were spent on promotion through a network of paid accounts.

Romania's Supreme Council of National Defense has declassified documents of the Romanian special services related to the election campaign of far-right presidential candidate Kelin Georgescu. This was reported on Wednesday by Radio Liberty, UNN reports.

Details

According to the documents, Romania was the target of "aggressive Russian hybrid actions," in particular against the Central Electoral Bureau and the Permanent Electoral Authority, on the day and night of the November 24 presidential election.

Also, according to intelligence, TikTok informed the Romanian authorities about the discovery of a network of accounts linked to the Russian state media outlet Sputnik, with users in Romania and Moldova as the target audience.

The investigation shows that Georgescu was supported by tens of thousands of TikTok accounts in his campaign for the first round of the presidential election. According to Romanian intelligence, Georgescu's aggressive campaign was conducted using social media algorithms, which allowed him to dramatically increase his popularity. The active phase of the campaign to manipulate public opinion began about two weeks before the election.

Romania and Bulgaria will get full access to Schengen: what will change in 2025Nov 20 2024, 02:58 AM • 17148 views

Candidate Georgescu officially declared "zero" expenses, but it turned out that one of the TikTok accounts, bogpr, owned by Romanian citizen Bogdan Pesir, financed the campaign for more than a million euros, the publication said. TikTok has confirmed payments of $381,000 for the period from October 24 to November 24, sent to users who participated in the promotion of Georgescu.

Users received rewards through the FameUp platform, as well as through the South African company FA Agency, which offered a thousand euros for sharing videos.

The day after the first round of the Romanian presidential election, Radio Liberty's Romanian service drew attention to the thousands of followers of Georgescu on TikTok. A few weeks before the election, these platform users had not mentioned the candidate.

Recall

Independent candidate Kelin Gheorgescu, known for his criticism of the EU and support for Ukraine, leads after the first round of elections in Romania. In the second round, he will compete with Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu.

The Ukrainian defence forces continue to inflict losses on Russia – over the past day alone, Russia lost 1,580 soldiers killed and wounded. Ukraine's forces also burned more than 180 pieces of Russian weapons and military equipment.

Source: General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine on Facebook

Details: The total combat losses of the Russian forces between 24 February 2022 and 5 December 2024 are estimated to be as follows [figures in parentheses represent the latest losses – ed.]:

• approximately 748,950 (+1,580) military personnel;
• 9,506 (+13) tanks;
• 19,472 (+22) armoured combat vehicles;
• 21,023 (+21) artillery systems;
• 1,253 (+0) multiple-launch rocket systems;
• 1,020 (+0) air defence systems;
• 369 (+0) fixed-wing aircraft;
• 329 (+0) helicopters;
• 19,977 (+31) tactical and strategic UAVs;
• 2,855 (+0) cruise missiles;
• 28 (+0) ships/boats;
• 1 (+0) submarine;
• 30,843 (+97) vehicles and fuel tankers;
• 3,630 (+2) special vehicles and other equipment.

The information is being confirmed.

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