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WATCH: Astronauts aboard the International Space Station (ISS) captured footage of a large-scale Russian missile strike on Kyiv on December 26–27, 2025. The footage showed ballistic and cruise missiles, including Kh-101 and Iskander types, as well as Ukrainian air defense interceptions. Source: RikyUnreal

Four years ago today, on February 24, 2022, Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine. What Moscow described as a “special military operation” developed into a prolonged and costly war of attrition. Since then, Ukraine has been defending its territory, population, and sovereignty.

It is entirely possible that Trump would be satisfied with strikes of a limited nature.

Satellite images indicate that the United States has deployed dozens of fighter jets to bases in Jordan and Saudi Arabia, establishing one of its largest Middle East deployments since 2003 amidst threats of strikes on Iran by Trump. This buildup comprises F-35s, F-15s, A-10s, support aircraft, two carrier strike groups, 16 warships, and approximately 40,000 troops. Source: FT

EU’s von der Leyen in Ukraine: We will soon get our 20th sanctions package on Russia over the line. Our sanctions will keep draining Russia's revenues and weakening its war machine.

Former German Chancellor Olaf Scholz stated: "We should have done more with stricter sanctions in response to Russia's invasion of Crimea. Many thought gas would never be used as a weapon—because it hadn't been before."

Trump is reportedly frustrated by the limited military options available against Iran. Advisers have warned that even targeted strikes would likely not be decisive and could escalate into a broader, prolonged conflict in the Middle East.

John Bolton on Iran: Trump, I think, just hopes that this show of American force will intimidate the Ayatollahs. If I were still his advisor, I’d be happy to tell him that isn’t going to work. They’re not going to be intimidated. But Trump really thinks minute to minute; he doesn’t think strategically.

WATCH: Russian Ka-52 attack helicopter being hit by a man-portable air-defense system (MANPADS) near Hostomel in March 2022. The video captures the moment of impact, the rotor blades detaching, the cockpit canopy blowing off, and the ejection seats firing.

UN Officials: Human Rights Under Full Scale Attack Worldwide UN Chief Antonio Guterres & Rights High Commissioner Volker Türk warned that human rights are “under assault” worldwide, citing Sudan, Gaza and Ukraine. READ MORE

Democrats According to a confidential review by the Democratic National Committee for the 2024 elections, the Biden administration's approach to the Gaza conflict has negatively impacted Kamala Harris's support. Senior officials within the DNC concluded that the issue was a "net negative," particularly affecting young voters and progressives who have voiced criticism regarding the United States' support for Israel.

Zelensky on Oreshnik missile deployment in Belarus: NATO should consider it a legitimate target. Lukashenko is making a serious mistake. He is playing with something far bigger than himself. They are trying to scare Europe. We have no choice if our civilians are being attacked.

Zelensky: Both the Americans and the Russians say that if you want the war to end tomorrow, get out of Donbas. It is true, that is what they say. And if you want the war to end tomorrow, forget about the station. The station is not just about money and energy, it is about territorial integrity.

The U.S. is considering a targeted strike on Iran if the final nuclear negotiations in Geneva are unsuccessful. If the initial attack does not compel Iran to halt its nuclear program, a wider military operation targeting the country's leadership may be pursued later this year. Potential targets include the headquarters of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (Iran), nuclear facilities, and missile sites.

Trump agreed to a roughly 50% increase in defense spending — about $500 billion more — pushing the proposed military budget toward $1.5 trillion. Since then, White House and Pentagon officials have "struggled" to figure out how to allocate such a massive increase without waste, delaying the administration’s budget submission past the legal deadline.

A Russian missile struck an Oreo factory in eastern Ukraine on Saturday, damaging a production building but causing no casualties, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha said.

Netanyahu on Iran: I’ve told Iran that if it attacks us, we will respond with unimaginable force.

The U.S. has significantly expanded its naval presence near Iran, with the destroyer USS John Finn recently entering the CENTCOM region, bringing the total to 12 American warships in and around Middle Eastern waters. The buildup — including two carrier strike groups led by USS Abraham Lincoln and USS Gerald R. Ford — is one of the largest in decades.

Türkiye is updating contingency plans in case of a US-Iran conflict, preparing for a potential refugee surge from Iran. Measures reportedly include setting up border camps or, in an extreme scenario, moving into Iranian territory to block crossings if chaos erupts.

President Zelensky stated regarding Ukraine's EU membership: "The year 2027 is very important for us, and I hope it is achievable. So that Putin cannot block our membership for decades."

Ukraine denies Russian claims that it is trying to obtain nuclear weapons.

Warning has been issued by Israel to Lebanon that it would launch major strikes, including on civilian infrastructure such as Beirut's airport, if Hezbollah becomes involved in any U.S.-Iran conflict.

White House on Iran: Operation Midnight Hammer was an overwhelmingly successful mission that did in fact obliterate Iran's nuclear facilities. That does not mean that Iran may never try again to establish a nuclear program.

Russia will have to use nuclear weapons against Ukraine, as well as the United Kingdom and France, if their nuclear technologies are transferred to Kyiv.

Russia ’s Foreign Intelligence Service (SVR) claims that Britain and France are preparing to arm Ukraine with a nuclear bomb.

Israel stated that it would not fund Gaza's reconstruction through the "Board of Peace" initiative proposed by former U.S. President Donald Trump. Israeli official Ze’ev Elkin commented, "We will not fund the Board of Peace; there is no reason to. We were attacked and there is no reason for us to pay for the reconstruction."

The proposal for a U.S. dollar-backed stablecoin for Gaza, aimed at revitalizing its economy, is under consideration by what is referred to as Trump's "Board of Peace." This preliminary concept envisions a digital payment system, distinct from a new currency, designed to address the scarcity of physical cash. The information was sourced from the Financial Times.

Joint Chiefs Chairman Gen. Dan Caine has warned President Trump that striking Iran could risk a prolonged conflict and U.S. casualties. While he would carry out any order, he is urging careful consideration. Source: Axios

Netanyahu: No one knows what tomorrow will bring, but we are prepared for every scenario. I have conveyed to the Ayatollah regime that if they make what may be the gravest mistake in their history and attack the State of Israel, we will respond with a force they cannot even imagine.

French President Macron: We must work toward a total ban on maritime services for Russian oil exports. We need the highest level of coordination against Russia’s so-called shadow fleet.

U.S. Secret Service agents shot and killed a man in his 20s early Sunday after he attempted to breach a secure perimeter at former President Trump's Mar-a-Lago resort in West Palm Beach, Florida. The individual, observed near the north gate around 1:30 a.m. EST, was reportedly carrying a shotgun and a fuel can. The man's intentions remain unclear. Former President Trump was in Washington D.C. at the time of the incident.

Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko gave an awkward pause when asked whether he trusts President Trump: I try to trust him. Sometimes I do not clearly understand his messages regarding peace in Ukraine. Peace in Ukraine must not be capitulation.

Banner at Ethiopian military parade today in a message to Eritrea: “Whether they love us or hate us, we will not live landlocked.” Ethiopian PM Abiy Ahmed was present at the parade.

Somaliland has offered the United States exclusive access to its minerals and the possibility of establishing U.S. military bases on its territory.

Steve Witkoff on Iran: Trump is curious as to why they haven't — I don't want to use the word capitulated, but why they haven't capitulated? Why under this sort of pressure with the amount of sea power, naval power that we have over there, why they haven't come to us and said, “We profess that we don't want to be — we don't want a weapon. So, here's what we're prepared to do.”

Sen. Lindsey Graham stated that some of Trump's advisors are advocating against striking Iran, but he cautioned against a policy of inaction. Graham remarked, "The voices who counsel against getting entangled seem to ignore the consequences of letting evil go unchecked," adding that following his trip to the Middle East, he perceives an opportunity "to bring about historic change."

Former UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson stated that the UK and its allies should immediately deploy non-combat troops to Ukraine to "flip a switch" in Putin's thinking. He questioned, "If we can have boots on the ground after the war… then why not do it now?"

India is reportedly considering purchasing 36–40 Russian Su-57 stealth fighters in a deal valued at approximately $7 billion as an interim measure until its indigenous AMCA jet becomes operational in about a decade. Moscow has offered technology transfer and local production, and this decision is prompted by concerns regarding China's expanding fleet of fifth-generation aircraft. No final decision has been made yet.

German Chancellor Merz on China: China has risen to the ranks of the great powers. No one can bypass China anymore. Global political challenges cannot be managed today without Beijing. China's voice is heard—including in Moscow. China has the opportunity to use its influence. For peace and security in the Pacific, China is a decisive factor.

Oman’s Foreign Minister, Badr Albusaidi: Pleased to confirm US-Iran negotiations are now set for Geneva this Thursday, with a positive push to go the extra mile towards finalizing the deal.

Russian Foreign Ministry: Any steps to assist Kyiv in obtaining a nuclear weapon will be met with a harsh response.

Putin's aide: Russia will inform the U.S. about any potential appearance of a nuclear weapon in Ukraine.

Putin: The enemy is resorting to individual and mass terror, having failed to inflict a strategic defeat on Russia.

South African Officials Sold Visa & Residency South Africa’s Special Investigating Unit stated that an investigation ordered by President Cyril Ramaphosa revealed systemic visa and residency corruption, with officials allegedly selling permits via WhatsApp. READ MORE

John Bolton: Although you could potentially eliminate the Ayatollah, that would leave the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (Iran) in place, and the government in Iran is the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (Iran), while the Ayatollahs serve as a religious cover or an ideological cover for them.

Four Syrian Internal Security Forces members were killed in an attack by the terrorist organization ISIS (Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant) on a checkpoint west of Raqqa today. Gunmen targeted the Al-Sabahiya checkpoint with machine guns. The Syrian Internal Security Forces killed one attacker and seized an explosive belt, grenades, and a weapon. Two officers were also wounded. Authorities state that operations are ongoing to hunt down remaining ISIS cells.

JD Vance has raised concerns in internal discussions about the risks and complexity of striking Iran, particularly the possibility of U.S. entanglement. While not outright opposed to military action, he hopes diplomacy — including talks in Geneva — could produce a breakthrough, though he’s not optimistic.

The Kaleikino oil pumping station in Russia uevo 's Tatarstan — a key hub feeding the Druzhba pipeline — was hit and caught fire. Russian officials stated that drone debris caused the blaze, while Ukrainian-linked sources described it as a targeted drone strike. Damage appears significant. The incident could further complicate Druzhba oil flows to Hungary and Slovakia.

The Indian Embassy in Tehran has issued an urgent advisory, instructing all Indian nationals in Iran—including students, pilgrims, tourists, and businesspeople—to depart immediately via any available means of transport.

Ukrainian President rejected any blame toward Washington, while highlighting battlefield gains and mounting Russian losses. Zelensky: The U.S. continues to provide vital intelligence support to Ukraine. READ MORE

Polish Foreign Minister Sikorski: I would have expected a much greater feeling of solidarity from Hungary for Ukraine. And instead, with the help of state propaganda...the ruling party managed to create a climate of hostility towards the victim of aggression. And now it's trying to exploit that in the general election. It's quite shocking.

EU's Kaja Kallas on Iran: We don't need another war in this region. We already have a lot. It is true that Iran is at its weakest point that they have been. We should be really using this time to find a diplomatic solution.

Zelensky: Today the issue is air defense. This is the most difficult problem. Unfortunately, our partners still do not grant licenses for us to produce systems ourselves, for example, Patriot systems, or even missiles for the systems we already have.

Iran is operating on the basis that U.S. military strikes are "inevitable and imminent." Iran had placed all of its armed forces on the highest state of alert and preparing to resist fiercely.

It's a silly war. It really is a silly war. And they're fighting over — they're arguing this territory. You know, everyone throws the word dignity around, but what does dignity get you if you have that amount of killing there?

Regarding Taiwan, the German government adheres to its One-China policy. However, we determine the precise form this takes ourselves.

Hegseth gave Anthropic until Friday to grant the Pentagon unrestricted access to its Claude AI model or face penalties, including being cut off as a supplier or forced compliance under the Defense Production Act. Anthropic refuses to allow uses involving mass surveillance or fully autonomous weapons.

German Chancellor Merz on China: We must pursue a policy of de-risking — but decoupling from China would be a mistake. With decoupling, we would only harm ourselves. We would block our own economic opportunities instead of improving them. The world would not become safer — and we would lose the chance to tackle global challenges together.

According to diplomatic sources, the U.S. ambassador to France, Charles Kushner, has been formally barred from meeting members of the French government after he failed to appear at a scheduled summons at the Foreign Affairs Ministry.

Elon Musk’s xAI has signed a deal with the Pentagon to utilize its AI model, Grok, in classified military systems. This development occurs as the Department of Defense is exerting pressure on Anthropic regarding limitations on the usage of its Claude model. It remains uncertain whether Grok will entirely supersede Claude. Source: Axios

EU Demands U.S. Honor Trade Deal After Tariff Ruling The European Commission warned Washington that it will not accept any tariff increases beyond last year ’s agreed ceiling, insisting that “a deal is a deal.”

Iran and the United States will meet in Geneva on Thursday for a third round of nuclear negotiations, as tensions rise and military escalation looms over the region. READ MORE

Germany's defense spending is set to decisively surpass France's, potentially reaching nearly double by 2029.

Iranian Foreign Minister Araghchi: We have a historic opportunity to strike an unprecedented agreement that addresses mutual concerns and achieves mutual interests. A deal is within reach, but only if diplomacy is given priority.

Majid Takht-Ravanchi, Iran's Deputy Foreign Minister, stated: A U.S. attack on Iran would be a real gamble. Everyone should know that starting a war may be possible, but ending it is not easy.

Russian Army's brigade-level underground headquarters in a rear area, described as having “kilometers of tunnels.” Footage shows long reinforced corridors, command rooms, living quarters, and ventilation/communications systems, designed to protect from drones and airstrikes.

New footage shows a Russian-made Su-57E fighter jet flying over Algeria, with its distinctive engine sound clearly heard.

Iranian Foreign Minister Araghchi: Right now we are only negotiating the nuclear, and there is no other subject.

Indian Air Force HAL Tejas crashed during landing after a training sortie. The pilot ejected safely, but the jet was badly damaged. It’s the third major Tejas crash in recent years (after incidents in 2024 and 2025).

German AfD Leader Alice Weidel: Germany must return to affordable and secure energy. That includes returning to nuclear power. We must buy oil and gas where it is cheapest — and that is in Russia. Scrap the CO₂ tax. Get rid of it.

Iran's Deputy Foreign Minister Majid Takht-Ravanchi: You cannot contain a war once it is started. How can one end a war with just one strike? That is a real gamble. A war can be started — but ending it is not easy. The whole region will suffer as a result of an aggression against Iran. Source: NPR