- Europe is at war with Russia – Currently, Europe is not in a „pre-war” situation, but in a „real war” against Russia, former MI6 chief Richard Dearlove stated for Sky News. „We have to accept that the Russians believe they are at war with us,” Dearlove said on Thursday, after Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk warned that Russia’s large-scale war in Ukraine risks turning into a global conflict. „Donald Tusk referred to it as a pre-war situation. I think he is wrong. I think it is a real war,” Dearlove said. According to him, Russia is waging a hybrid war against Europe in multiple sectors, involving acts of sabotage and „some very aggressive moves,” and intelligence chiefs from Europe, the US, and the UK have concluded that Russia is becoming „ferocious.” Dearlove also said that it would be preferable for the West to engage in discussions with the Kremlin, but warned that Vladimir Putin is not willing to cooperate.
- Russia’s hybrid war could trigger Article 5 – Russia’s sabotage activities against Western targets could lead NATO to consider invoking the collective defense clause of Article 5 of the Alliance, warned the head of Germany’s foreign intelligence service. Details HERE.
- The Netherlands sent Patriot – Dutch Defense Minister Ruben Brekelmans stated today that the Netherlands will provide Ukraine with three Patriot missile launchers, noting that Ukraine is facing a harsh winter with relentless Russian airstrikes. „That’s why we have transferred three Patriot launchers (to Ukraine). They save lives and protect critical infrastructure. It has been and remains in our common interest to stop Russian aggression,” Brekelmans said.
- Biden prepares aid package – The Biden administration is preparing a $725 million arms package for Ukraine, two American officials said on Wednesday, as the outgoing president seeks to support the government in Kiev before leaving office in January. According to a Reuters source, Washington intends to provide a variety of anti-tank weapons from US stocks to halt the Russian troop advance, including landmines, drones, Stinger missiles, and ammunition for High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) missile systems. The package is also expected to include cluster munitions, typically found in Guided Multiple Launch Rocket System (GMLRS) rockets fired by HIMARS launchers. The content and size of the package may change in the coming days before being approved by Biden.
- Washington makes a request to Kiev – President Joe Biden’s administration asked Ukraine on Wednesday to lower the minimum age for military mobilization from 25 to 18 to address the shortage of soldiers in the face of Russian forces’ advances on the ground. Details HERE.
- Thousands of weapon containers from North Korea – The Pyongyang regime has already sent over 20,000 containers of weapons to Russia, including missiles, artillery weapons, and other military equipment, to support Russian war efforts, said Ukraine’s ambassador to the UN, Sergii Kyslytsia, during a Security Council meeting, according to Ukrinform. He specified that since August 2023, North Korea has supplied Russia with 100 KN-23 and KN-24 ballistic missiles, and these weapons have been used by Russia in attacks on Ukraine, including residential areas and civilian infrastructure. Additionally, the ambassador referred to recent satellite images suggesting the expansion of a manufacturing complex in the city of Hamhung, North Korea, where KN-23 ballistic missiles used by Russia in attacks on Ukraine are assembled.