Happy Monday! It’s December 23, and we’re back with your daily briefing on defense and global affairs. Here’s what’s making headlines as the week begins.
Ukrainian Drones Hit Kazan High-Rise in Escalating Conflict
In a dramatic escalation of the ongoing conflict, Ukrainian drones hit the Russian city of Kazan on Saturday, marking a rare attack deep into Russian territory.
A high-rise apartment building in the city of 1.3 million was damaged, but thankfully no injuries were reported.
Videos shared on Russian social media showed drones crashing into buildings, creating fiery explosions.
Kazan, located in Tatarstan, has been targeted before, but this latest strike shifts the focus from industrial sites to residential areas, according to local officials.
Authorities evacuated some residents and temporarily closed Kazan’s international airport, one of Russia’s busiest.
The Russian Foreign Ministry claimed Ukraine was venting its frustration from military setbacks on civilians, while Ukraine has remained silent on the incident. This comes on the heels of deadly Russian strikes on Kyiv and ongoing clashes in the border region of Kursk.
The drone attack is another embarrassing moment for Russia, nearly three years into its offensive in Ukraine, as air defense systems struggle to prevent strikes deep within its borders.
With tensions escalating on both sides, the conflict shows no signs of slowing down.
UK Diverts Frozen Russian Assets to Fund Ukraine
The Russian embassy in London isn’t happy with the United Kingdom’s latest decision to send over two billion pounds ($2.5 billion) to Ukraine using frozen Russian assets.
They’ve called it a “fraudulent scheme,” as reported by Reuters, and accused the UK of essentially stealing Russian state funds.
This plan is part of a larger effort by the G7 nations, including the UK, US, and EU countries, to back Ukraine’s military and help rebuild after the ongoing conflict with Russia.
The UK announced the loans in October, with the money specifically earmarked for military support, including developing advanced drones.
Russia’s embassy has been vocal in its criticism, claiming the move is illegitimate and accusing the West of expropriating Russian state assets. The tension over these funds is just the latest in a string of disputes between Russia and G7 countries over their financial and military support for Ukraine.
Israeli Strikes Kill 28 in Gaza Amid Ceasefire Hopes
The violence in Gaza shows no sign of slowing down as Israeli airstrikes killed at least 28 Palestinians overnight and early Sunday, according to Gaza’s civil defense agency.
The attacks included strikes on a family’s home and a school that the Israeli military claims was being used by Hamas.
Among the casualties, 13 people from the Abu Samra family were killed in Deir el-Balah, while a strike on a Gaza City school, repurposed as a shelter for displaced families, claimed the lives of eight people, including four children.
Israel stated that the school housed a Hamas command center used for planning attacks.
Other strikes targeted Rafah in southern Gaza, killing three, and a drone hit a car in Gaza City, leaving four more dead.
Despite the ongoing conflict, Palestinian groups, including Hamas, said a ceasefire agreement is “closer than ever” as indirect negotiations, mediated by Qatar, Egypt, and the US, continue in Doha.
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken expressed cautious optimism earlier this week, saying he was “hopeful” for a deal, though no timeline has been set.
The war, which began after Hamas’s surprise attack on October 7, 2023, has led to devastating losses on both sides, with over 45,000 Palestinians and 1,200 Israelis killed.
USS Gettysburg Shoots Down US Navy Jet in Red Sea Mishap
A tense moment unfolded early Sunday over the Red Sea when two US Navy pilots were shot down in what Central Command (CENTCOM) is calling a “friendly fire” incident.
Thankfully, both pilots were recovered alive, though one sustained minor injuries. The mishap happened when the guided missile cruiser USS Gettysburg (CG-64) mistakenly fired on their F/A-18 fighter jet, which had launched from the USS Harry S. Truman (CVN-75).
While no hostile fire was involved, the incident highlights the dangers of US operations in the region, where tensions are high.
The US has been involved in missions to counter Houthi rebel attacks on merchant ships in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden, as the Houthis have increased strikes in solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza.
On the same day, American forces struck Houthi targets in Yemen after a missile from the rebels injured people in Tel Aviv.
American forces also intercepted multiple Houthi drones and an anti-ship cruise missile in the Red Sea.
A full investigation into the friendly fire incident is now underway.
Trump Threatens to Reclaim Panama Canal from Panama
In a bold statement at a rally in Arizona, President-elect Donald Trump threatened to reassert US control over the Panama Canal on Sunday, accusing Panama of charging unfair rates for its use.
Trump raised concerns about potential Chinese influence over the waterway and posted an image of an American flag flying over a canal, dubbing it the “United States Canal.”
Panama’s President Jose Raul Mulino quickly fired back, defending the canal’s independence and denying any Chinese control, stating that canal operations remain strictly Panamanian.
Trump’s remarks sparked criticism, with many pointing out that the canal has been under Panamanian control since 1999 after a decades-long transition from the US.
The canal is a critical trade route, handling 2.5 percent of global seaborne trade and supporting key US imports and exports.
While Trump hasn’t outlined any specific plan for reclaiming the canal, his rhetoric echoes past interest in territorial expansion, such as his musings about buying Greenland or incorporating Canada into the US.
Panama remains firm in its stance, with Mulino emphasizing, “Every square meter of the Panama Canal belongs to Panama.”
Trump’s response? A simple but loaded, “We’ll see about that!”
Guam Arrests Chinese Nationals Near Military Base During Missile Test
Guam authorities recently arrested seven Chinese nationals on charges of illegally entering the island, with at least four found near a military installation.
The arrests happened around the same time the US Missile Defense Agency conducted a major missile interception test at Andersen Air Force Base on December 10.
The timing and location of the arrests have sparked concerns, with experts suggesting the possibility of espionage targeting US military facilities.
All seven individuals reportedly arrived on a boat from Saipan, and the investigation is ongoing.
China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has not commented on the situation.
This incident comes as the US ramps up plans to fortify Guam with a $10 billion air and missile defense network to deter potential attacks.
The recent missile test was successful, and up to two more interception tests are expected annually. The arrests have added to growing tensions as the US strengthens its strategic defenses in the Pacific.
Sources: News Agencies, Reuters, France 24
