WATCH: Zelensky and Trump say 90% of peace plan agreed on
WATCH: Trump says it’s ‘not the right time’ for alleged Ukraine attack on Putin
WATCH: EU reinforces Ukraine support with $105 financial package—12/19
Ukraine says Russian drones hit civilian grain ships in Black Sea
The Ukrainian Navy reported Tuesday that Russian attack drones struck two civilian vessels as they entered a Black Sea port to load wheat. The ships were identified as the Emmakris III and Captain Karam.
In a statement on Telegram, the navy said the strikes “threaten the lives of civilians and undermine global food security.” The claims have not yet been independently verified.
Belarus deepens military ties with Moscow as Oreshnik missiles arrive
Belarus has reinforced its role as a key ally to Russia, with President Alexander Lukashenko confirming the arrival of the Oreshnik missile system earlier this month. He said as many as 10 of the nuclear‑capable systems would be stationed in the country.
Belarus previously served as a launchpad for Russia’s full‑scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 and has supplied Moscow’s forces with equipment and gear, though not troops.
Lukashenko, who has ruled Belarus for more than three decades, has at times had a strained relationship with Russian President Vladimir Putin. But since the invasion, Minsk and Moscow have signed a sweeping security pact and significantly expanded their defense cooperation.
Russia deploys nuclear-capable Oreshnik missiles in Belarus
Russia’s Defense Ministry announced Tuesday that its nuclear-capable Oreshnik missile system has officially entered active service following deployment in Belarus.
Officials did not disclose how many missiles were stationed.
President Vladimir Putin has previously lauded the Oreshnik system, highlighting its multiple warheads and reported ability to reach speeds of up to Mach 10. He has claimed the missiles are designed to evade interception, presenting them as a cornerstone of Russia’s advanced deterrence capabilities.
Ukraine shows aerial images of devastated Kupiansk
Ukraine’s Ground Forces have released new aerial photos showing the destruction of Kupiansk in the Kharkiv region, describing the city as “ruins and total devastation” after months of Russian strikes and fighting. The images, published by the 116th Separate Mechanized Brigade, depict shattered apartment blocks and widespread damage.
“This was once a cozy and peaceful Kupiansk, which Russia has turned into ruins,” the brigade said, adding that its units continue to defend the city. “Russia destroys, while we defend what is ours — our land, our people, and our future.”
The situation in Kupiansk remains fluid. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy visited the area on December 12 during an active phase of combat. Defense officials later reported a counterattack that blocked Russian units inside the city, with Ukrainian forces claiming control of nearly 90 percent of Kupiansk.
Russian state media has continued to assert control over the city, but Ukraine’s Joint Forces Group formally denied those claims on December 29. Commander‑in‑Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi has outlined plans for securing Kupiansk once the bridgehead is fully cleared.
Analysis suggests Russian death toll in Ukraine far higher than confirmed
A new analysis has highlighted the scale of Russia’s battlefield losses since its invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, with figures suggesting the death toll could be far greater than official counts.
According to the BBC, obituaries for Russian soldiers rose by 40 percent over the past year. The outlet has confirmed the names of 160,000 troops killed, but researchers estimate that represents only 45 to 65 percent of the actual total.
Based on that range, the actual number of Russian military deaths could fall between 243,000 and 352,000. The findings underscore the high human cost of the nearly four‑year conflict, which continues to grind on with no clear resolution.
WATCH: Trump and Zelensky say ‘90%’ of peace deal is agreed upon
Ukraine mocks Russia’s foreign minister after drone strike allegations
Ukraine has published an image mocking Russia’s foreign minister, Sergey Lavrov. On Monday, Lavrov accused Ukraine of launching more than 90 long-range drones at Putin’s residence northwest of Moscow into the early hours of Monday morning.
The official account for Ukraine superimposed Lavrov’s face onto a poster for the 1997 American movie, Liar Liar, starring Jim Carrey.
Ukraine: ‘No such attack happened’
Andrii Sybiha, the Ukrainian minister of foreign affairs, has issued a statement on X stating