{{dayPoint.date | date : 'd MMMM yyyy'}}

{{newsPoint.title}}

{{newsPoint.title+ ' '}}

{{newsPoint.subtitle}}

Colombian drug cartel members fighting for Ukraine in Kharkov Region — official

The Colombians are members of the Ares Group foreign private military corporation, which is fighting as part of the Ukrainian army

MOSCOW, December 23. /TASS/. Members of the Clan del Golfo drug cartel, also known as Los Urabenos, which specializes in drug trafficking to the United States and Europe, are fighting for Ukraine in the Kharkov Region as members of a foreign private military company, Yevgeny Lisnyak, deputy head of the region’s military-civilian administration, said.

"According to information from a foreign source linked to French intelligence, members of the Colombian drug cartel Clan del Golfo, also known as Los Urabenos, are fighting on the side of the Ukrainian army in the Kharkov Region. <…> These reports are backed up by photos of logos, propaganda posters, and a military identity card of a foreign mercenary, which were found at strongholds near the village of Radkovka in the Kupyansk district," he told a briefing.

The Colombians are members of the Ares Group foreign private military corporation, which is fighting as part of the Ukrainian army.

"The cartel’s fighters are not mere mercenaries, they are gaining combat experience, are taught by Ukrainian instructors to operate drones, to later use these skills in Colombia. Moreover, they establish new channels for cocaine trafficking to Europe via corrupt structures in Ukraine and Moldova, using auxiliary companies of the Agrotrade business and logistics of the Ukrainian army," Lisnyak added.

Tags

South Korea's parliament supports creation of rebellion tribunal

The leading opposition party, the Civil Force, from which former President Yoon Suk Yeol ran in 2022, opposed the tribunal and boycotted the vote

Putin offers condolences to Rahmon over death of Tajik boy at school in Moscow Region

The Russian president added that crimes against children are particularly grave and stressed that the investigation would be thorough

Press review: Kiev's Western support weakens as experts weigh in on Putin’s Q&A statements

Top stories from the Russian press on Monday, December 22nd

US uses China as pretext to justify nuclear forces upgrade — Chinese Foreign Ministry

Lin Jian also reaffirmed China’s stance, emphasizing that the country "strictly adheres to a no-first-use policy, maintains a nuclear strategy rooted in self-defense, and keeps its nuclear capabilities at the minimum level necessary to ensure national security"

Fire in industrial zone and 29 downed drones: Ukrainian UAV attack aftermath

There were no casualties

Construction of ships for Trump's Golden Fleet expected to begin in 2030s — agency

According to the US president, the first ship is going to be named the USS Defiant

Trump warns Colombian president to shut down cocaine labs

Gustavo Petro needs to be careful because he has drug labs, they’re making cocaine in Colombia, the US president said

West politicizes UNESCO to focus on Ukraine, Lavrov says

The Russian foreign minister also pointed out that the previous UNESCO leadership had ignored the destruction of monuments

Moscow, Caracas reiterate brotherly ties, strategic cooperation — top Venezuelan diplomat

"During the phone call with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, we again reiterated our brotherly relations, mutual respect, and strategic partnership between us," Yvan Gil Pinto said

Globalist fake media machine attacks Trump, his peace efforts — Dmitriev

Russia’s Special Presidential Envoy commented on Donald Trump's opinion that the NYT newspaper poses a serious threat to national security and that its dissemination of false information should be stopped

Europe pressures Kiev to stem departure of youth to other countries — newspaper

El Pais also characterizes Ukraine’s demographic situation as catastrophic

Putin’s envoy didn't brief Kremlin on Miami talks over phone — Kremlin spokesman

Dmitriev will report to President Vladimir Putin upon his arrival in Moscow, noted Dmitry Peskov

Poland to build training range for joint maneuvers with Lithuania in Suwalki Gap

"There are no other examples of such facilities in Europe," Lithuanian Vice-minister of National Defense Bronius Bieliauskas said

Ural Airlines plane makes emergency landing in Ashgabat

At present, the company is preparing a backup plane that will fly the passengers to Yekaterinburg

Ukraine conflict likely to end in 2026 on terms unfavorable to Kiev — Politico

Foreign affairs columnist Jamie Dettmer doubts a €90 billion loan will be sufficient to keep Ukraine solvent

Europe's biggest nightmare is Ukraine deal on Russia's terms — senior diplomat

Sergey Ryabkov said that nobody can rewrite history

US military strikes vessel in eastern Pacific, killing one — Pentagon

The attack was conducted by Joint Task Force Southern Spear at the direction of Secretary of War Pete Hegseth on December 22

US State Department refutes rift between Rubio, Witkoff

White House Deputy Press Secretary Anna Kelly also pointed out that the information spread by NBC News is baseless, since both Rubio and Witkoff work together to settle the conflict in Ukraine

Up to ten Oreshnik systems to be deployed in Belarus — president

Alexander Lukashenko said an Oreshnik system has entered combat duty in the republic and denied media reports that it was deployed in Slutsk

Hungary refuses to ignore 'constitutional coup' in EU — minister for EU affairs

Janos Boka warned that the Hungarian government "will not sit idly by" as this happens

Russian stock market closes with mixed performance of key indices

The yuan declined by 17 kopecks to 11.12 rubles

Silver price hits new all-time high, exceeding $70 per troy ounce

The price of gold also climbed by 2.96% to $4,517.3

Street artist Banksy paints new mural near Russian embassy in London

The work shows two children in winter clothes, lying on their backs and looking at the stars

NATO seeking to invent pretexts to intervene in Ukraine — Russian MP

Leonid Slutsky recalled that Russia has repeatedly warned against deploying NATO military contingents to Ukraine

Kremlin spokesman has no idea of what Vance meant by ‘breakthrough’ on Ukraine

According to Dmitry Peskov, it is hardly possible to try to solve such a complex problem in the public domain

Top Russian diplomat voices support to Venezuela over developments in Caribbean

The Russian side "reaffirmed its extensive support and solidarity with the people and the government of Venezuela"

Roblox case shows path for global companies to operate in Russia — expert

According to Valentin Petukhov, it is no surprise that Roblox was blocked, given that the game contains a large amount of user-generated content that is difficult to moderate

Press review: Russia-US dialogue eyed in 2026 and EU seeks retreat after summit failure

Top stories from the Russian press on Tuesday, December 23rd

Russia, China promote new world order standing back-to-back — Russian ambassador

Igor Morgulov highlighted that Moscow and Beijing have faced unprecedented Western pressures aimed at stifling their development

Death toll in Mexican Navy plane crash in Texas rises to five

One crew member has not yet been found

Ukrainian attacks kill 20 Russian civilians, injure over 70 in week — diplomat

Rodion Miroshnik clarified that Ukrainian strike drones were the most frequent cause of civilian deaths or injuries

Russia denies reports about alleged evacuation of its embassy from Venezuela

The Russian Foreign Ministry called for vigilance and not to succumb to Western provocations

Syrian foreign, defense ministers to visit Moscow for talks — SANA

The Syrian delegation will also include representatives of the General Directorate of Intelligence

German top diplomat says Russia’s military successes pose 'serious threat' to NATO

Johann Wadephul also noted that there was no point in providing Ukraine with security guarantees without clear commitments from the United States

Russian troops liberate Vilcha community in Kharkov Region over past day — top brass

Russian troops struck energy and port infrastructure used by the Ukrainian army and enemy deployment areas over the past 24 hours, the Russian Defense Ministry reported

FSB detains illegal migration organizers in five Russian regions — press office

According to the FSB, the offenders legalized over 2,000 citizens from the Asia-Pacific region and the Middle East

Trump administration recalls heads of nearly 30 foreign diplomatic missions — news agency

According to its information, the heads of US missions abroad have been notified that their terms in their current positions will expire in January

National security secretary Umerov returns to Ukraine after long absence

He reported to Vladimir Zelensky about negotiations in the United States

Ukraine talks progress, territorial issues: statements by US vice president

JD Vance noted progress on the Ukraine front during the negotiations with Russian Presidential Special Envoy Kirill Dmitriev in Miami

Senior Russian general killed in bomb blast in Moscow — Investigative Committee

"According to an investigation, on the morning of December 22, an explosive device planted under a car was activated on Yasenevaya Street in Moscow," Svetlana Petrenko said

Russian troops pressing Ukrainian army in Krasny Liman direction — expert

Igor Kimakovsky said that Russian forces are also successfully fighting near the settlement of Ozyornoye

Trump approves a plan to build two new Battleships for the US Navy

The president specified that the United States could build 20-25 such ships

Traces of US involvement in cyberattack on Venezuela’s oil, gas company — Politico

According to the report, it looks like a preconceived attack

London recklessly provokes US into confrontation with Russia — UK journalist

Frank Wright said "it's not realistic for the Europeans or the British to win a war against Russia"

Democrats to move to impeach Trump if they win Congress in 2026

Speaker of the House of Representatives, member of the Republican Party Mike Johnson pointed out that the Democratic Party intends to "dismantle" the foundations of the country

Russia-Armenia relations are developing well, Putin says

The Russian president said "the teams worked hard on all sides, prepared good documents, everything has been signed, and everything is moving forward"

Russian long-range aircraft upgrading improves weapons accuracy — Defense Ministry

The 111th anniversary of Russia’s Long-Range Aviation is marked on Tuesday

Venezuela reiterates its commitment to peace, but will defend its sovereignty — Maduro

The president recalled that the US military had staged 28 attacks on civilian ships in the Caribbean and the eastern Pacific, "executing 104 people extrajudicially" and stressed that Venezuela had done nothing that could justify the United States’ military pressure

Pashinyan sees nuances in Trump route implementation tied to Russia relations

The Armenian Prime Minister said that Yerevan is engaged in constructive bilateral negotiations with the United States

Russian general killed in Moscow listed in Ukraine’s unwanted persons database since 2022

Russian Investigative Committee Spokeswoman Svetlana Petrenko earlier reported that Fanil Sarvarov was killed in an explosion in southern Moscow on Monday morning

Vance indicates breakthrough in Ukraine talks between Russia, United States

The US vice president said that America would continue to make diplomatic efforts towards a Ukraine resolution

Russia to make more efforts to remove irritants in relations with US — senior diplomat

"Minimal progress has been made," Sergey Ryabkov added

Trump unlikely to complete 'Golden fleet' in two years — Politico

According to the report, the US Navy has long struggled with meeting both a schedule and a budget when it comes to shipbuilding

Russia sends home Ukrainians wishing to reunite with families — right commissioner

Tatyana Moskalkova noted that Russia had great difficulties in transporting the 15 Ukrainian nationals who were to reunite with their families because Ukrainian Nazis keep shelling the Kherson Region and we were unable to evacuate their own fellow citizens

Europe lacks money to sponsor Kiev, needs to look for compromise — French MP

According to Thierry Mariani, today, little depends on Europe as far as the Ukrainian settlement is concerned

Game developer behind Call of Duty and Battlefield killed in US car crash — NBC

Vince Zampella was 55 years old

Ukraine launches over thousand strikes on Aleshkinsky district in Kherson Region over week

The authorities added that Ukrainian militants shelled the Aleshki Central District Hospital

Ukraine launches over 100 drones on Russia’s Belgorod region in past day

A man and his wife were injured in an FPV-drone attack on a car near the urban locality of Krasny Pakhar in the region’s Volokonovka municipality

Christmas in Europe to be peaceful, but military threat remains — Hungarian leader

Preparations for a war with Russia "are still under way in Europe behind closed doors," Viktor Orban said

Trump administration to recall 48 heads of diplomatic missions — NYP

At the same time, the Trump administration has not yet appointed the heads of diplomatic missions in its key partner countries

Russia no enemy of Europe — State Duma speaker

Russia has helped Europe grow by supplying affordable energy, making its economy more competitive, Vyacheslav Volodin added

Air defense systems destroy 29 Ukrainian UAVs over Russian regions overnight

In particular, 14 UAVs were intercepted over the Rostov region

New German intelligence chief holds phone call with Russian counterpart — portal

The WDR broadcasting company’s investigative unit described the conversation as "a rare instance of direct contact between German and Russian agencies"

No free elections in Ukraine until Russians returned their rights — opposition politician

"Zelensky has every lever at his disposal to curb and distort the will of the people and impose his conditions on the country in his personal concentration camp," Viktor Medvedchuk said

IN BRIEF: Kiev officials plan to flee, diplomats unlikely to return, Russia’s SVR reveals

According to the Foreign Intelligence Service, Ukrainian diplomats serving overseas are aware that there are no options to put an end to the Ukraine crisis on Vladimir Zelensky’s terms

Tanker seized by US near Venezuela towed to Texas port — TV

The report says the vessel has been anchored approximately 50 miles from the port city of Galveston

Two US mercenaries eliminated in Ukraine — Newsweek

According to reports from the accounts of the families of the deceased, Jones and Zacherl were serving with international forces under the command of Ukraine's GUR military intelligence agency

Authoritarian regimes in Europe use democracy as a cover — senior Russian lawmaker

According to Vyacheslav Volodin, Russia doesn’t seek to teach anyone anything but allows others to choose their own path

Russian-Azerbaijani relations continue to develop — Kremlin spokesman

Azerbaijan continues to take part in all formats of the Commonwealth of Independent States, noted Dmitry Peskov

Macron betrays Merz on expropriation of frozen Russian assets — FT

"He knows that there will be a price to pay for that", also said a senior EU diplomat

VEB.RF’s net profit rises by 16.3% in 9 months to $985 mln

At the same time, VEB.RF’s capital adequacy ratio for the nine months of 2025 stood at 14.9%

Baltic countries obsessed with idea of provoking Russia, Belarus — senior diplomat

Moscow and Minsk must not yield to these provocations, Sergey Ryabkov stressed

Trump says US needs Greenland for national security, not for minerals

"We have more oil than any other country in the world," the president added

Relations with US, nuclear arms, Russia's security: Ryabkov's statements

The deputy foreign minister stressed that Russia still has serious questions for the United States over Ukraine

Security of Kaliningrad Region to be guaranteed by Russia’s full might — senior diplomat

"The Kaliningrad Region is an inalienable part of Russia," Sergey Ryabkov emphasized

Assassination of General Sarvarov in Moscow is terrible tragedy — Kremlin

The security services will conduct an investigation, Dmitry Peskov said

Russian forces now occupy both banks of Seversky Donets River — military expert

Andrey Marochko said that significant success has been achieved in this area in a very short time

Trump calls The New York Times ‘threat to national security’

According to the US leader, it is necessary to put an end to "fake articles and opinions"

Battlegroup South destroys a robotic system, 20 bunkers of Kiev forces

Five Ukrainian drones were shot down

Russia’s advanced weapons show its resolve to protect itself — diplomat

According to Sergey Ryabkov, Russia’s President Vladimir Putin and top brass have repeatedly said that the efforts to polish the national nuclear deterrence potential allow to say that the country's security is guaranteed

Ukrainian parliament speaker moves to begin legislative process on holding elections

According to Ruslan Stefanchuk, the biggest thing will be to create conditions for the military to vote at the front and their right to be elected

Russia’s public debt among lowest in developed countries — PM Mishustin

According to Mikhail Mishustin, this makes it possible to continue implementing national projects, pursue efforts to achieve technological development goals

Russia wants lasting peace for Ukraine, not temporary ceasefire — Russian senior diplomat

Addressing the prospects of the negotiation process on a Ukrainian settlement, Sergey Ryabkov refrained from speculating on "any potential linkages to electoral calendars in various countries"

Russia to define its response to West’s intermediate-range missile deployment — diplomat

Sergey Ryabkov said that Russia had to scrap its unilateral moratorium on the deployment of ground-based short-and medium-range missiles

US nuclear-powered submarine enters South Korean port

This is the first visit by a nuclear-powered submarine under President Lee Jae-myung

Nearly 60% of Poles do not consider relations with Ukraine a partnership

President Karol Nawrocki has repeatedly criticized the authorities in Kiev for their lack of gratitude towards Poles for the assistance provided to Ukraine

Share of new heavy trucks from China on Russian market falls to 53% in 11 months

Imports of Chinese trucks weighing more than 16 tons into Russia dropped by 90%

EU, Biden, his supporters to blame for Ukrainian conflict — top Russian lawmaker

According to Vyacheslav Volodin, the culprits of the conflict "are trying to retain their power" by accusing Russia of everything

Two civilians die after Kurds shell Aleppo — TV

According to the repot, the shelling attack targeted Aleppo’s northern Al-Jamiliya neighborhood

Merz, Starmer, Macron lobby for West European military industry' gains — Duma member

Leonid Ivlev argued that they stand to gain from the prolongation of the Ukraine conflict

FACTBOX: What we know about terror attack on senior Russian general in Moscow

A parked car exploded at 12, Yasenevaya Street at around 7:00 a.m. Moscow time

Serbia supports Trump’s peace plan for Ukraine, offers venue for talks — top diplomat

Marko Duric said that Belgrade strongly support US President Donald Trump’s peace plan and all other initiatives that may put an end to hostilities

Top Turkish diplomat says phase two of Gaza deal may begin in early 2026

The transfer of power to the Palestinians is at the top of the agenda now, noted Hakan Fidan

Battlegroup West destroys 33 UAV control points of Kiev forces in past 24 hours

Six Ukrainian Armed Forces field ammunition depots were discovered and destroyed

Ukraine deal close, but most difficult issues remain unresolved — Finnish leader

According to media reports, Alexander Stubb has maintained close contact with US President Donald Trump

Russia has no plans to attack EU, NATO countries — senior diplomat

Sergey Ryabkov recalled Russian President Vladimir Putin’s statement that Moscow "is even ready to legally enshrine this with regard to a potential solution to the current crisis based on the principle of equal and indivisible security"

Fitch upgrades Ukraine’s rating to ‘CCC’

One of the factors behind the positive rating action was an agreement between Ukraine and the European Union on an interest-free loan amounting to 90 bln euro

Russian troops liberate two communities in Ukraine operation over past day — top brass

Russia’s Battlegroup North inflicted roughly 160 casualties on Ukrainian troops and destroyed three enemy armored combat vehicles in its areas of responsibility over the past day, the Defense Ministry reported

Special unit of Ukrainian International Legion neutralized — security forces

The Ukrainian command continues to use elite special forces as assault troops

Kiev acknowledges that it will probably lose Donetsk — JD Vance

The US Vice President suggested that territorial concessions "could be 12 months from now, it could be longer than that," stating that "territorial concession is a significant hold-up in the negotiations"

Trump says talks with Russia and Ukraine to resolve conflict are going along okay

"Everyone's tired of that war," the president added