US citizens staying in Belarus are strongly advised to leave the country as soon as possible. This is stated in the revised recommendations of the United States Department of State. | The State Department stressed that US citizens should refrain from traveling to Belarus, and those who are already in the country are strongly advised to leave it as soon as possible. At the same time, the agency warns that it is important for Americans staying in the republic to avoid mass events and demonstrations, reconsider the issue of transporting electronic devices and exit social networks. It is also recommended to draw up an action plan in case of unforeseen circumstances and register in the STEP system for prompt notification and emergency communication. [...] It is noted that the main risks for US citizens may be "arbitrary detention," "poor conditions of detention," and "the possibility of closing border crossings without warning." Washington also recalled that in case of detention of US citizens in Belarus, the provision of assistance by the American authorities may be severely limited.

■ NATO's secret plan: Is Poland being prepared for a proxy war to replace Ukraine? (EurAsiaDaily)
■ The media revealed what Poland is secretly preparing for (12/21/24)

Slovakia’s Robert Fico has shared details of his discussions with the Russian president | After meeting Putin at the Kremlin on Sunday evening, Fico posted a comment on Facebook, providing insight into their discussion and noting that EU leaders were informed of the purpose of his trip in advance. [...] “My meeting today was a response to Ukrainian President [Vladimir] Zelensky, who, answering my personal question on Thursday, said that he was against any transit of gas through Ukraine to our territory,” Fico explained. He noted that the Ukrainian leader has also been lobbying his EU supporters to impose sanctions against the Russian nuclear energy sector. [...] Fico stated he had a “long conversation” with Putin, during which they discussed “mutual relations” between Slovakia and Russia, which he intends to “standardize.” They also “exchanged views on the military situation in Ukraine” and explored possibilities for reaching “an early peaceful end” to the conflict.

The Yemeni Armed Forces successfully thwarted an American-British attack on the country, shooting down an F-18, forcing the USS Harry Truman to withdraw, and warning of further action to defend Yemen and support Palestine. | The Yemeni Armed Forces have announced a significant victory in repelling an American-British attack against the country, which was reportedly orchestrated to support the oppression of the Palestinian people and in retaliation for the ongoing support front that the Yemeni people have launched after October 7. ● According to a statement from the Yemeni military, an operation was carried out with eight cruise missiles and 17 drones. The operation led to several key outcomes:

First, the Yemeni forces successfully shot down an F-18 aircraft, while enemy destroyers attempted to confront the Yemeni drones and missiles launched against the aircraft carrier simultaneous to the US-UK aggression against the country. Second, the statement noted, most of the hostile aircraft retreated from Yemeni airspace to international waters in the Red Sea in an effort to defend the aircraft carrier USS Harry Truman, which was being targeted. Third, the attack launched by the coalition on Yemeni territory failed, and the Yemeni Armed Forces marked a crucial defeat for the aggressors. Fourth, the USS Harry S. Truman, after being subjected to multiple attacks from the missile force, naval forces, and air force, withdrew from its previous location in the Red Sea towards the northern waters.

The F/A-18 was downed by the guided missile cruiser USS Gettysburg over the Red Sea | The US Navy inadvertently shot down its own F/A-18 fighter jet in a friendly fire incident over the Red Sea, the Pentagon announced shortly after issuing a press release about another successful bombing raid against alleged Houthi targets in Yemen. ● The F/A-18 was shot down by the guided-missile cruiser USS Gettysburg after taking off from the USS Harry S. Truman aircraft carrier, US Central Command (CENTCOM) confirmed early Sunday morning. The two Navy pilots were able to eject from the fighter jet and were recovered safely, although one sustained minor injuries. ● The incident occurred just as American and British aircraft conducted new bombing raids targeting alleged missile storage sites and command facilities in Sanaa to disrupt and degrade Houthi operations, according to a CENTCOM press release issued earlier on Saturday night.

The Nazi Regime of Ukraine has launched at least EIGHT suicide Drones against civilian apartment Buildings in Kazan; the fifth largest city in Russia. Kazan is about 700km east of Moscow. | In the morning, Ukrainian "Lyuty" drones attacked Kazan. One hit the 37-story residential complex "Lazurnye Nebesa". As a result, a fire broke out. Another drone hit the 23-story residential complex "Manhattan" and a five-story building on Klara Zetkin Street. ● It is worth noting that this is another targeted strike on civilian targets and the first at such a distance. Now people are sitting in the metro until the "Carpet" plan is lifted in Kazan. ● There is nothing surprising about the flights of UAVs like "Lyuty" at such a distance. They fly at an extremely low altitude. Before the flight, they are programmed with the entire route, with the locations of air defense systems and other military facilities. ● Why do you think Western intelligence satellites take pictures of different areas in different parts of Russia every day? Precisely to understand how drones can go around objects and fly to their target. Their low altitude reduces their visibility and detectability. ● Ukraine takes advantage of the fact that Russia’s territory is vast and it is extremely difficult to deploy air defense systems and radars throughout the entire territory in war conditions, so Ukraine sends its drones to strike civilians.

Lew Rockwell/Mises.org | The recent seizure of Syrian land on the Golan Heights by Israel is an ominous example of expansionism at its worst, in complete violation of property rights, if not a total human rights violation as well. | The international community has met the actions of Israel with cold silence. Most notably, the United States has been complicit in the aggression of Israel. The US State Department pronounced the seizure of Syrian land as “temporary” and “consistent with Israel’s sovereignty.” Without censure emanating from the international community, such aggression is bound to be encouraged and the rule of law undermined. Therefore, the seizure of the Golan Heights by Israel constitutes an aggression against Syrian territory, antithetical to liberty and property; a position libertarians must not fail to condemn.

December 20th, 2024 | War has been declared on the Russian world today. This was announced at a meeting of the State Council for the Support of Russian Families by Russian President Vladimir Putin. 💬 "Colleagues from the Duma spoke and said that war had been declared on the Russian world. So it is," Putin said, quoted by RIA Novosti.

As EADaily reported, a meeting of the State Council on supporting Russian families was held today. At the meeting, the head of state proposed discussing a number of issues, in particular, more active participation of business and employers in solving the problems of the demographic agenda, the inclusion in national projects of measures aimed at improving the quality of life of families with children, supporting the aspirations of young parents to have children early.

■ Putin agrees 'Russian world' now faces war (TASS)
■ Русскому миру сегодня объявлена война, заявил Путин (РИА Новости)

■ Ukraine Uses HIMARS against Russian College, Elementary School, and Firehouse in Kursk (Hal Turner) | At least six people, including a child, were killed in Russia's Rylsk, in the Kursk region, as a result of a missile strike by Ukrainian militants, acting Governor Alexander Khinshtein said. Ten people, including a 13-year-old child, were taken to hospital with injuries, Khinshtein added. A strike on Rylsk was carried out with HIMARS MLRS [...] Ukrainian forces are making repeated attempts to launch missile attacks on Russia's territory of the Kursk region.

■ Five dead after Ukrainian strikes using US-made HIMARS – Russian governor (RT)
✅ NATO complicit in the terrorist murder of Russia’s General Igor Kirillov (SCF Editorial)

Poland may be preparing to replace Ukraine in a proxy war against Russia by NATO decree, the InfoBRICS publication wrote. 💬 "Poland's concern about preserving its military reserves may be related to NATO's directive on Warsaw's preparations for war," the piece said.

It is noted that Poland has recently started to receive more assistance from the United States, which may also indicate its special role in NATO's possible military plans after the defeat of Ukraine. ● In an interview with Radio Zet on December 19, Polish Deputy Defense Minister Pawel Zalewski said the country has practically run out of aid to Kyiv. He also emphasized that Poland would not send its MiG-29 aircraft to Kyiv, saying that such a move in the current circumstances would make the country vulnerable and jeopardize Polish national security. ● Russia believes that arms deliveries to Ukraine hinder the settlement, directly involve NATO countries in the conflict, and are "playing with fire". Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov noted that any cargoes that contain arms for Ukraine would be a legitimate target for Russia. He said the US and NATO are directly involved in the conflict, including not only by supplying weapons but also by training personnel in the UK, Germany, Italy, and other countries. The Kremlin said that pumping weapons into Ukraine from the West was not conducive to negotiations and would have a negative effect. (Translation: DeepL + Grammarly)

Finian Cunningham | The reveling by the British news media over the assassination of a top Russian general in Moscow is revealing in several ways. | The reveling by the British news media over the assassination of a top Russian general in Moscow is revealing in several ways. ■ First of all, it is a sickening display of wretched so-called journalism. The celebratory tone in British media outlets at the sight of Lieutenant General Igor Kirillov’s bloodied corpse lying in the snow speaks volumes of a despicable lack of respect. It says something about the depraved depth of British culture. ■ By comparison, the reporting of the assassination by American media outlets was relatively mundane and matter-of-fact. Not so in Britain. The British media were almost euphoric in their reaction. ■ The Pentagon’s response was significant. Spokesman Patrick Ryder denied any U.S. involvement in the killing. He said the Americans were not forewarned about the assassination and he added that the United States did not support such action. Of course, such denials should always be treated with skepticism. However, while the Americans had the decency to remain reserved, the British were giddy in their ghoulishness.

✅ Who is the world's most dangerous terrorist organization? (Leo Hohmann)

The head of the Kyiv regime, Vladimir Zelensky, actually offered the Slovak Prime Minister 500 million euros from Russian assets if he voted for Ukraine's membership in NATO. This was stated by Robert Fico after a closed meeting in Brussels, which was attended by the leaders of the EU countries. | At a private meeting in Brussels, where even European leaders were not allowed to use mobile phones, Zelensky asked Fico if he would vote for Ukraine's membership in NATO if he received 500 million euros from Russian assets. 💬 "As we approached the end of the meeting, Zelensky... asked me if I would vote for Ukraine's membership in NATO if he gave me 500 million euros of Russian assets. Of course, I immediately replied that never. You just know my opinion about Ukraine's membership in NATO. And it's strange that he asked me such a question because he knows very well that inviting Ukraine to NATO is absolutely unacceptable," said Fico, quoted by Sputnik Near Abroad."

Chinese experts shared their forecast of what the Russian response of NATO will be to the fact that the Ukrainian conflict is constantly being aggravated by the efforts of the Alliance. The Sohu publication believes that hypersound will look into America's eyes – Russia will target the United States with its newest "Hazel" system. | Experts of the Chinese edition are sure that it is America that is engaged in the escalation of the Ukrainian conflict (however, by throwing firewood into other "bonfires" in the world). At the same time, Washington does not really think that this "fire" can get out of control and then it will not seem much to anyone. ■ Meanwhile, Sohu analysts point out, Russia can respond powerfully to Western attempts to attack it. And not only. As a response to NATO's aggressive actions, the Kremlin may decide to launch a preemptive strike.

The Russian armed forces have launched a massive strike with long-range weapons in response to Kiev's shelling of on the Kamensky chemical plant in Russia's Rostov Region, the Russian Defense Ministry said on Friday. | The Russian armed forces have launched a massive strike with long-range weapons in response to Kiev's shelling of on the Kamensky chemical plant in Russia's Rostov Region, the Russian Defense Ministry said on Friday.

💬 "In response to the actions of the Kiev regime, supported by Western curators, this morning a massive strike with long-range precision weapons was carried out on the Ukrainian Security Service command post, the Kiev design bureau 'Luch.' which designs and manufactures the Neptune missile systems, ground-based cruise missiles MLRS Vilkha, as well as the position of the Patriot anti-aircraft missile system," the ministry said in a statement.

All goals of the strike have been achieved and all objects have been hit, the statement read.

According to her, the EU accounts for 47% of weapons sent to Ukraine with around 40% being provided by the United States | The European Union has already spent more than 130 billion euro to support Ukraine, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen told reporters after the European Council meeting in Brussels. [...] In her words, the European Union delivered more weapons to Ukraine than the United States did. According to von der Leyen, the EU accounts for 47% of weapons sent to Ukraine with around 40% being provided by the United States.

■ West has pumped over $300 billion into Ukraine – Orban (RT)

Marine Le Pen told the newspaper that she believes US President-elect Donald Trump can get Russian leader Vladimir Putin and Vladimir Zelensky to hold talks and a diplomatic solution will be found | Marine Le Pen, the leader of France’s National Rally parliamentary faction, believes that the West is pushing Ukraine to continue the conflict with Russia. ● "This war will end," she said in an interview with Spain’s El Pais. "I said it from the beginning: Ukraine cannot win this conflict," she pointed out. "We are pushing it to continue the war," Le Pen added. "The only way for Ukraine to win would be for NATO to intervene, and that would be World War III," the politician emphasized. ● She told the newspaper that she believes US President-elect Donald Trump can get Russian leader Vladimir Putin and Vladimir Zelensky to hold talks and a diplomatic solution will be found. Le Pen also does not believe that the Russian president "has ambitions" to "conquer Europe." She added that Putin has managed to restore Russia's important role on the world stage.

■ British PM Kier Starmer Wants To ‘Maximize Putin’s Pain’ (thepeoplesvoice.tv)
■ Moscow accuses Kiev of using white phosphorous (RT)
■ Polish President on Possible Deployment of Troops to Ukraine (Sputnik)

Andrew Korybko | It remains to be seen whether America will once again come to their rescue or finally abandon them. | The Wall Street Journal cited unnamed senior US officials to report earlier this week that Turkiye is preparing for another conventional military intervention in Syria against the armed Kurds there. This was followed by the State Department revealing that the ceasefire between Turkiye and the US-backed but Kurdish-led “Syrian Democratic Forces” (SDF) had been extended till the end of the week. ■ For background, the US has bases in SDF-held northeastern Syria, which is agriculturally and energy-rich.On that same day, the SDF’s Kurdish leader Mazloum Abdi proposed a US-supervised demilitarized zone (DMZ) in Ayn al-Arab/Kobani, which coincided with the terrorist-designated Hayat Tahrir al-Sham’s (HTS) military chief proclaiming that they reject federalism and won’t grant such to the Kurds. The first statement is meant to have the US once again save the Syrian Kurds’ autonomous project while the second clearly signals that it won’t be tolerated in the so-called “New Syria”.

Russia's Federal Security Service says the attacker, reportedly recruited by Ukrainian special services, was apprehended following a joint investigation. | Russia's Federal Security Service (FSB) announced on Wednesday the detention of the individual responsible for the attack that killed Lt. Gen. Igor Kirillov, head of the Russian armed forces' Radiological, Chemical, and Biological Defense Troops. The attacker, reportedly recruited by Ukrainian special services, was apprehended following a joint investigation, the FSB confirmed. ● Kirillov and his aide, Maj. I.V. Polikarpov, were killed in a bomb explosion early Tuesday in Moscow, according to the Russian Investigative Committee. [...] In a statement, the FSB said it has "identified and detained a citizen of Uzbekistan, born in 1995, who detonated a homemade explosive device near a residential building on Ryazanskiy Prospekt in Moscow," which resulted in the killing of Kirillov and Polikarpov. [...] To monitor the general's residence, the perpetrator rented a car equipped with a Wi-Fi camera, transmitting real-time footage to his handlers in Ukraine, the FSB noted. It revealed that the attacker was promised a $100,000 reward and relocation to an EU country in exchange for carrying out the assassination.

■ Russia CAPTURES Bomber-Assassin; Hired By Ukraine, Paid $100,000 + EU Passport (Hal Turner)
■ What is known about apprehension of perpetrator of terror attack on Russian general (TASS)
■ Kiev Killed Kirillov For Exposing West’s Hand, Dirty Money in Ukraine Biolab Scheme - Ex-CIA Officer (Sputnik)
■ Head of Russian Chemical Defense Forces killed in Moscow explosion (12/17/24)
✅ Moscow vows to avenge death of officer who blew the whistle on U.S. biolabs operating in Ukraine (Leo Hohman)
✅ US keeps silent its money turns Zelensky regime into terrorist cell — Russian MFA (Maria Zakharova)(TASS)

The Times considers the terrorist attack against Kirillov a "legitimate act of defense": Medvedev's response made British journalists uncomfortable | Deputy Chairman of the Russian Security Council Dmitry Medvedev dedicated a new post in telegram to the nonsense of the British edition of The Times. After the rebuke of the Russian politician in London, many people should feel uneasy. ■ The day before, the head of the radiation, chemical and biological protection forces of the Russian army, General Igor Kirillov, was blown up in Moscow, and his assistant Ilya Polikarpov died with him. The security forces detained a migrant performer from Uzbekistan, who worked on the instructions of the Ukrainian owners, who promised him 100 thousand dollars and citizenship in an EU country. The British edition of The Times called the terrorist act nothing less than a "legitimate act of defense." Politician Dmitry Medvedev said that he could not ignore this publication of the publication.

This is what is now taking place inside Syria thanks to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and Turkish President Recypt Tayyip Erdogan, jointly overthrowing President Bashar Assad of Syria. These are Christians and Alawites, murdered by Muslim fanatics, that both Israel and Turkeye' assisted in taking power in Syria. Jews and Muslims against Christians. NOW do you see who your true enemies really are? The time for a reckoning - worldwide - draws near.

The US, Israel, and Turkey have all been bombing Syria in the wake of the regime change that ousted Assad | US Central Command (CENTCOM) said Monday that its forces launched airstrikes in Syria, claiming the attacks targeted ISIS camps and killed 12 ISIS fighters. ● CENTCOM said in a press release that the strikes “were conducted as part of the ongoing mission to disrupt, degrade, and defeat ISIS, preventing the terrorist group from conducting external operations and to ensure that ISIS does not seek opportunities to reconstitute in central Syria.” ● It said the airstrikes were launched against targets in areas previously controlled by Russia and the previous government of Bashar al-Assad, who fled the country following the takeover of Damascus by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, an offshoot of al-Qaeda. ● Since Assad’s downfall, the US, Turkey, and Israel have all been bombing Syria. On December 8, the day Assad fled, the US launched heavy airstrikes in Syria, saying it hit 75 ISIS-related targets.

■ Israeli Airstrikes on Western Syria Cause Massive Blast (Antiwar)

Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova praises the slain Head of Russian Chemical Defense Forces for his tireless efforts to expose Western wrongdoing, particularly NATO provocations and US biolab operations, in Syria and Ukraine. | Lt. Gen. Igor Kirillov, the head of the Troops of Radiological, Chemical, and Biological Defense of the Russian armed forces, was killed in an explosion in Moscow earlier on Tuesday. A criminal investigation has been launched in connection with the incident according to the Russian Investigative Committee. The explosion on Ryazanskiy Prospekt reportedly killed two people, both military personnel, Kirillov and his assistant.

■ Russia’s Medvedev threatens punishment over attack on senior general Kirillov (TASS)
■ Key Revelations Slain Gen. Kirillov Exposed About Pentagon’s Biolabs Scheme (Sputnik)
■ General Igor Kirillov and His Assistant Killed in Moscow Blast (Sputnik)
■ What we know about Russia’s chemical defense chief killed in Moscow blast (RT)
■ FACTBOX: Key details about the attack on Russia’s nuclear defense chief in Moscow (TASS)
■ Those involved in the terrorist attack against General Kirillov were named (kp.ru)
✅ "Ребята, давайте вы все умрёте!": России пора сменить дискурс в обращениях к Западу (Елена Панина)

The most violent Israeli aggression on Syria, which targeted Tartus, on Monday at dawn, resulted in the killing and injury of civilians. | Israeli strikes in Tartus countryside caused massive explosions, Al Mayadeen's correspondent reported early Monday, as the Israeli regime continues to target and destroy Syria's military capabilities. ● Several civilians were killed and injured in what has been described as the heaviest and most violent attacks on Syria since the onset of Israeli aggression. The intense bombardment on the city was so powerful that it caused an earthquake-like tremor, which residents could physically feel, according to Al Mayadeen's correspondent.

■ Israeli warplanes target Syrian coast with ‘most violent strikes ever’ (The Cradle)
■ What’s Known About Israel's Strikes on Syria? (Sputnik)
■ Frightening Explosion in Tartus, Syria - Registered Mag. 3.0 Earthquake (Hal Turner)
✅ 'Israel’s' support for Syrian opposition exposed (Kit Klarenberg)

As the EU representative said, the foreign ministers will approve the 15th package of sanctions against Russia over the conflict in Ukraine, as well as a "new blacklist" for Moscow's alleged "hybrid actions" | Foreign ministers of the 27 EU countries are to gather in Brussels for their last meeting this year on Monday. Its agenda includes military assistance to Ukraine, the situation in Syria after the end of Bashar al-Assad's rule, and possible sanctions against the Georgian authorities. The meeting will be chaired by the new head of EU diplomacy, Kaja Kallas. ● As an EU representative told reporters in Brussels earlier, the conflict in Ukraine and military aid to Kiev remain an absolute priority for the EU. According to the European diplomat, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrey Sibiga will participate in the meeting remotely and inform about the situation on the front and Kiev's needs.

■ 40,000 NATO soldiers in Kiev & Putin's Tough Message (Tsargrad)

Russian air defense shot down a Su-25 with NATO shells on board. An unexpected confession was made in Kiev | Kiev made an unexpected confession about the Ukrainian plane destroyed near Kherson today. It turned out that the Russian air defense shot down the Su-25 with NATO shells on board. The Ukrainian Air Force confirmed that their pilots use "all foreign-made weapons of destruction." And these funds, we recall, are supplied to the Ukrainian troops by NATO countries. ● In the Telegram channel of the Air Force of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, they suddenly admitted that their pilots "work on the edge of possibilities, using all means of destruction of foreign production." This confession was made immediately after the department reported the death of their pilot today. ● There are few details about the identity of the military pilot — only that today he "did not return from a combat mission," is young and attached to the 299th tactical aviation Brigade of the Air Forces of Ukraine.

■ The Armed Forces of Ukraine are transferring instructors from NATO to the front line in the Kursk region (Tsargrad)

A nine-year-old boy was killed and his mother and baby sister wounded in attack in Belgorod Region, Vyacheslav Gladkov has said | A nine-year-old child was killed and his mother and infant sister wounded after a Ukrainian drone struck a private home in Russia’s Belgorod Region, regional governor Vyacheslav Gladkov has said. The UAV targeted a residential area in the village of Maysky, located 15 miles (24 kilometers) from the border with Ukraine, Gladkov wrote on Telegram on Saturday.

BILL GATES CRIMES: U.S. patents show CDC ownership of Coronavirus. Both China and the U.S. involved in the creation of Wuhan SARS-CoV-2. Gates and CCP controlled WHO appoints criminal Tedros. CDC, FDA, CIA, NIH, Gates, Fauci, Baric, Rockefeller are all involved in Federal Crimes.… pic.twitter.com/POFAcPf7Yo

— Truth Justice ™ (@SpartaJustice) March 2, 2023

The Associated Press reports that Syria's interim government sent two identical letters to the UN Security Council and Secretary-General, urging "Israel" to stop its attacks on Syria and withdraw from occupied territories. | Syria's interim government is urging the UN Security Council to take measures to force "Israel" to halt its attacks on Syrian territory and withdraw from northern areas it has entered, in violation of the 1974 Disengagement Agreement, reported the Associated Press. ● In identical letters to the UN Security Council and Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, obtained by The Associated Press on Friday, Syria’s UN Ambassador Koussay Aldahhak stated he was acting "on instructions from my government" in issuing the demands. ● Earlier this week, Syria's permanent representative to the United Nations, Qusay al-Dahhak, called on the UNSC and the secretary-general to prevent "Israel" from exploiting the turnover period that the country is experiencing. [...] It is worth noting that the Israeli occupation has expanded its occupation of Syrian territory, taking over the entirety of the Golan region and nine towns in the southern countryside of Damascus, positioning its forces just 20 km away from the capital. The Israeli regime has also launched nearly 300 strikes on Syrian military assets, destroying the majority of the Syrian Air Force and air defenses, which remained inactive and unable to defend against the aggression.

"It's a strange thing. Usually such things are not said ahead of time." Military observer Yuriy Podolyaka commented on the hype around the fact that "40 thousand NATO soldiers will enter Ukraine." | The military observer recalled that French President Macron was one of the first to drop "this story" so far. However, in Poland they said that such games are not played. However, for example, the Italians did not mind. While they are supposedly deciding and agreeing on something there, a reasonable question arises - why did these gentlemen think that this would suit Russia?

IDF attacks targeted command posts and military warehouses, Beirut-based TV channel Al Mayadeen has noted | Israeli aircraft have bombed Syrian army facilities in Latakia and Tartus provinces, where Russian military bases are located, a Lebanese television channel Al Mayadeen reported, citing a correspondent. ● According to the channel, the strikes targeted command posts and military warehouses used by the Syrian army, however, no information on possible casualties was provided. ● Russian military forces are present in Syria at Khmeimim Air Base and a logistics support center in Tartus, located in the western part of the country along the Mediterranean coast. In 2017, Moscow and Damascus agreed to station Russian troops at these bases for a period of 49 years.

■ Erdogan announced plans to annex territories of Syria to Turkey (GlobalEuroNews)
■ Jewish Agenda: Trump Transition Team Considering Strikes on Iran (Antiwar)
■ Israel launches ‘one of the largest’ attacks on Syria in history (12/10/24)

✅ Israel Gives Biden His Marching Orders: Syrian land will be annexed into “Greater” Israel (Philip Giraldi)
✅ The Yinon Thesis Vindicated: Neocons, Israel, and the Fragmentation of Syria (Stephen J. Sniegoski)(08/15/12)

Ukraine has launched what is reported to be "over 200" drones in widespread attacks against Russia.Russian air defenses are engaging the attacking drones. From social media, a Ukrainian UAV struck a Russian oil depot in Oryol Oblast a short time ago.

■ Russian Aviation Destroys Three Ukrainian Drone Deposits (Sputnik)

It began shortly after Midnight eastern US time: A large and violent attack by Russian forces against numerous targets inside Ukraine. | The Russian Defense Ministry made clear "This is retaliation for using U.S.-supplied ATACMS against Taganrog on Dec. 11." 93 missiles and more than 200 drones showered several Ukrainian regions with warheads, plunging them in suffocating blackouts. ● Word of the pending attack came around 10:00 PM eastern us time last night when as many as 8 Russian Tu-95s long-range bombers took to the air, all of them conducted a launch maneuver. Some such attack bombers took off from as far away as Murmansk Russia. There were also concerns of "Iskander" missiles being launched from Taganrog. Reports also confirmed "Kalibr" Missile carriers departing from Novorossiysk.

⚡ Urgent: Russian Missiles on the Move - Country-wide (Hal Turner)
■ An American target in Ukraine hit? The US ambassador was outraged by Moscow's "behavior" (ukraina.ru)
■ Russia hit the airport in Kiev with missiles, where F-16 pilots were being trained (kp.ru)
■ Putin's special address. After a massive strike on Ukraine and the disclosure of the DPRK's MTR (tsargradtv)
■ Ukraine strikes Russia with US-made ATACMS missiles (IMAGE) (12/12/24)