Category: World

The United Kingdom has secretly delivered dozens of Storm Shadow cruise missiles to Ukraine before restrictions on their use are lifted. This is the first delivery of missiles under the premiership of Keir Starmer.

The British government has recently secretly supplied Ukraine with dozens of Storm Shadow cruise missiles. This was reported by Bloomberg, according to UNN.

Details

According to Bloomberg, the delivery took place before the British government's decision to lift restrictions on the use of these weapons for the Ukrainian Armed Forces, as well as a similar decision by the United States regarding its long-range missiles.

According to the newspaper's sources, it is “dozens of Storm Shadow cruise missiles”. At the same time, the interlocutors refused to specify when the missiles arrived or name the exact number, citing security concerns.

It is known that the missiles were sent before the recent decision by the United States and the United Kingdom to allow Ukraine to launch long-range missiles at targets in the terrorist country. It is also noted that this was the first delivery under Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who promised to continue to support Ukraine in the war against Russia.

Recall

Earlier, UNN reported that as a result of the Storm Shadow missile strike in the Kursk region, 18 Russian soldiers, including Lieutenant General Solodchuk, were killed, 33 Russian soldiers were wounded and 500 North Korean soldiers were killed.

Storm Shadow strikes Kursk region: Russian lieutenant general and hundreds of North Korean soldiers killedNov 23 2024, 01:47 PM • 35363 views

DTEK, the largest private energy company in Ukraine, will receive €62.8 million from the European Commission and US$46.1 million from the US government to rebuild the facilities destroyed by Russian attacks and prepare power plants for the upcoming winter.

Source: press service for DTEK

Details: "The US Government and the European Commission are donating €106.6 million (US$112 million) in equipment and building materials to DTEK, providing vital support to an energy system shattered by ongoing Russian missile and drone attacks – the latest on 17 November," the press service said.

The European Commission is providing €62.8 million for equipment and supplies to restore 1.8 GW of energy capacity and safeguard power plant equipment against snow, rain, and freezing temperatures. This initiative is expected to ensure a stable and reliable energy supply for over 2 million Ukrainians.

The US government is allocating US$46.1 million to acquire control systems and dozens of new transformers, which are essential for maintaining the power supply to millions of people.

Through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), the US has provided DTEK with essential equipment for power grid repair teams, particularly aerial work platforms, pick-up trucks, transformers and electrical cables, DTEK said.

Background:

• On 17 November, Russian missile strikes hit three of the five operating thermal power plants owned by Ukrainian energy giant DTEK, and one of them is still out of commission. Distribution stations were also targeted.
• The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) categorically stated that it would not provide financing to Ukrainian companies controlled by oligarchs, including Ukrainian energy company DTEK.

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The Israeli military launched a series of air strikes in various parts of Lebanon, killing 31 people. The attacks took place on the eve of a possible 60-day truce between Israel and Hezbollah.

On Monday, November 25, the Israeli military conducted air strikes in Lebanon. The explosions killed at least 31 people. This is reported by the Associated Press, according to UNN.

Details

According to the newspaper, the Israeli military struck commercial and residential buildings in Beirut, as well as the port city of Tyre. Military officials said they targeted areas known to be Hezbollah strongholds. They ordered the evacuation of Beirut's southern suburbs, and the shelling took place throughout the city, including within meters of a Lebanese police base and the city's largest public park.

The Israeli military attacked as officials made it clear that they were close to a ceasefire agreement and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was preparing to discuss the proposal.

Some of the strikes were carried out near central Beirut and Christian neighborhoods and other targets where Israel has announced evacuations, including in the Tyre and Nabatiyeh governorates. Israeli airstrikes also struck the northeastern Baalbek Hermel region without warning.

Lebanon's Ministry of Health reported that 26 people were killed in southern Lebanon, four in the eastern province of Baalbek Hermel and one in Shueifat, a district in the southern suburbs of Beirut, which was not evacuated on Monday.

U.S. President Joe Biden and French President Emmanuel Macron are expected to announce a 60-day truce between Israel and Hezbollah today, November 26. This was previously reported by UNN.

Biden and Macron are going to announce a truce between Israel and HezbollahNov 26 2024, 12:42 AM • 3686 views

Ukraine will receive two IRIS-T short- and medium-range air defence systems from Germany by the end of 2024.

Source: Major General Christian Freuding, Head of the Planning Staff and the Special Task Force for Ukraine at Germany's Federal Ministry of Defence, in a conversation with journalists in Kyiv, as reported by European Pravda

Details: Freuding stated that in recent days, Germany had supplied Ukraine with artillery howitzers, tanks and Marder infantry fighting vehicles and launched an attack drone programme.

"The next IRIS-T SLM (medium-range) and SLS (short-range) systems should arrive in Ukraine in the coming days and weeks, before Christmas," the German major general announced.

"But our support will continue after Christmas, and after 1 January, and after 21 January, and after 23 February, the date of the federal elections proposed in Germany," he vowed.

Background:

• In early September, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz announced that Germany had ordered a total of 17 IRIS-T air defence systems for Ukraine. These are eight medium-range systems (SLM) and nine short-range systems (SLS).
• By early October, Ukraine had received four IRIS-T SLM and three SLS systems. Subsequently, the German Ministry of Defence announced the delivery of two more SLM and SLS systems. Additionally, Chancellor Olaf Scholz, in a conversation with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, promised that Berlin would ship another IRIS-T system by the end of the year.

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Special Counsel Jack has closed the charges against Trump for election interference and handling classified documents. The decision is related to the Supreme Court's ruling on presidential immunity.

Special Prosecutor Jack, who led the cases against Trump for election interference and mishandling of classified documents, announced the dismissal of charges in court filings. This was reported by CNN, according to UNN.

Details

According to the information, the relevant materials were filed with the US District Court in Washington on Monday.

Judge Tani Chutkan officially closed the election case without the possibility of reopening it.

The decision follows a Supreme Court ruling this summer that found that Trump enjoys some immunity from prosecution for actions related to his presidential powers. Smith noted that the dismissal does not reflect the merits or strength of the charges, but the Constitution requires such a result.

Trump, who recently returned to the presidency, had previously called the investigations politically motivated and announced his intention to fire Smith. His spokesman, Steven Cheng, called the dismissal of the cases a “victory for the rule of law” and called for an end to the “politicization of the justice system.

Despite the closure of key cases, the controversy over Trump's actions continues to spark political and public debate.

Sabrina Singh, spokesperson for the Pentagon, has stated at a briefing that the US Department of Defense has seen no signs suggesting that North Korean troops are present in Russian-occupied territories of Ukraine or are heading in that direction.

Source: Ukrinform news agency; the website of the Pentagon

Quote from Singh: "Don't have any indications that there are DPRK soldiers in Ukraine."

Details: The spokesperson noted that the Pentagon could confirm the presence of North Korean troops in Russia's Kursk Oblast, which borders Ukraine. However, Singh stated that no movements of units with North Korean troops into Ukrainian territory have been recorded.

Background:

• On 7 November, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced that North Korean soldiers fighting on Russia's side in Kursk Oblast had suffered losses.
• In the third quarter of 2024, a record number of North Korean citizens came to Russia, citing training as the purpose of their trip amid reports of North Korean soldiers being deployed to participate in the war against Ukraine.
• The US State Department stated that Russia's success on the battlefield using North Korean troops would depend on the level of their integration into the Russian military.
• Last week, the US confirmed that North Korean troops had participated in combat operations in Kursk Oblast for the first time.
• In addition, according to The New York Times, a 50,000-strong group of Russian and North Korean troops is preparing to launch a large-scale counteroffensive in Kursk Oblast.

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US President Joe Biden held a traditional pardoning ceremony for two Minnesota turkeys before Thanksgiving. The birds, named Peach and Blossom, weighing more than 18 kg each, spent the night in a luxury hotel in Washington, DC.

On Monday, US President Joe Biden held a traditional turkey pardoning ceremony before Thanksgiving. This is reported by the Voice of America, according to UNN.

Details

Both turkeys were delivered from Minnesota. They weigh more than 18 kg each. Prior to the ceremony, the turkeys traditionally spent the night at the luxurious Willard Intercontinental Hotel in Washington.

Based on your temperament and desire to be productive members of society, I will pardon Peach and Blossom

– Joe Biden said.

The current US President expressed a desire to end his speech on a more serious note. He said that this event marks the official start of the holiday season in Washington.

This is my last opportunity this season to stand here as your president and express my gratitude. Let me tell you that it has been the honor of my life

,” Joe Biden said.

The tradition of pardoning turkeys is over 77 years old. President George H.W. Bush launched the ceremony at the White House in 1989.

Turkey is the main dish of Thanksgiving in the United States, which this year is celebrated on Thursday, November 28.

Recall

Earlier, UNN reported that the Verkhovna Rada registered bill No. 9574, which proposes to introduce a new public holiday in Ukraine – Thanksgiving Day. It is proposed to celebrate it annually on October 22

Ukraine wants to establish a new holiday – Thanksgiving DayDec 25 2023, 02:19 PM • 28988 views

An additional meeting of the Ukraine Defence Contact Group, also known as the Ramstein format, may take place in December, with one of the options being talks at the highest level.

Source: Major General Christian Freuding, Head of the Planning Staff and the Special Task Force for Ukraine at Germany's Federal Ministry of Defence, in a conversation with journalists in Kyiv, as reported by European Pravda

Details: The German general said that negotiations are currently underway on the format of the meeting, and the possibility of holding a meeting at the level of state leaders, with the participation of US President Joe Biden, is also being considered.

"I hope that in December, before Christmas, a Ramstein-format meeting will take place with the participation of the outgoing Biden administration. There is ongoing discussion about whether the meeting will be held at the level of leaders or defence ministers," Freuding said.

The general does not consider the fact that the US president and executive branch are due to change in January to be a problem for the negotiations. On the contrary, he believes it will help reaffirm the commitment to continue supporting the Ukrainian Armed Forces. Germany is known to have handed over a package of aid and is preparing to deliver new air defence systems.

Freuding also stressed the need for a face-to-face meeting, not just a video call.

"We support this Ramstein-format meeting taking place offline, regardless of the level of representation agreed upon. We are convinced that a meeting before the change of the US government would be very useful and would give a clear signal to our partner countries that we will continue our support for Ukraine regardless of what happens in the US," he explained.

Previously: Germany announced the transfer of two more IRIS-T air defence missile systems to Ukraine by the end of the year.

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An application for registration of the Oreshnik trademark for alcoholic beverages has been filed with Rospatent. The name coincides with the new Russian ballistic missile that struck the Dnipro River.

Rospatent has received an application for registration of the trademark "Oreshnik", under which it is planned to sell alcoholic beverages. This is reported by the Russian media, UNN reports.

Details

According to the Russian media, a corresponding application for registration of the Oreshnik trademark has been filed with Rospatent. The list of goods and services indicates that it is planned to produce alcoholic beverages under this name: wine, whiskey, vodka and other drinks.

Recall

Russian dictator Vladimir Putin has said that Russia has struck the Dnipro River with a "ballistic missile with a non-nuclear hypersonic warhead" of medium range. This refers to the strike carried out in the early morning hours of November 21, which was previously believed to have involved an intercontinental ballistic missile. However, as it turned out, the strike was carried out with a different weapon, namely a new ballistic missile "Oreshnik".

The Associated Press spoke with Ukrainian Security Service officials who showed the publication the wreckage of the Oreshnik missile that Russia fired at Ukraine on November 21.

Admiral Rob Bauer said that NATO countries should increase defense spending to 3% of GDP. He also noted that Russia's ground forces have increased in number but decreased in quality compared to 2022.

The head of the NATO Military Committee, Admiral Rob Bauer, said that NATO countries need to spend about 3% of their GDP on defense. Meanwhile, businesses should prepare to work in wartime conditions. Bauer said this during an event at the European Policy Center, UNN reports with reference to Voice of America.

The total percentage needed to make the new plans feasible is much closer to 3% of GDP than to 2%

– Bauer said.

Earlier, NATO estimated that 24 out of 32 member states will spend at least the recommended 2% of their GDP on defense in 2024, amid the growing threat from Russia, which has led to a sharp increase in allied defense spending.

"I expect that under the new administration of (President Donald) Trump (in the United States), there will be a much more intense discussion about how much more Europe and Canada should spend, and that's a healthy and reasonable discussion," the admiral added.

Addendum

Also , the chairman of NATO's Military Committee said that Russia's ground forces are now larger than during Moscow's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, but their quality has declined since then.