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A Russian nuclear icebreaker has been damaged in a collision with a cargo ship in the Arctic Circle, according to Russian media. The 50 Let Pobedy (50 Years of Victory) icebreaker was attempting to free the freighter Yamal Krechet from ice which was preventing it from reaching the port of Sabetta, in the Kara Sea, according to an expert. Newsweek reached out to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation for comment via email. Why It Matters The 50 Let Pobedy nuclear icebreaker is one of only two remaining vessels in the first-generation Arktika-class still in service, according...

Syria has demanded reparations from Russia in order to "rebuild trust" after a meeting between Damascus' new administration and a Moscow delegation, according to local news sources. Russia and Syria's meeting to discuss future relations comes as Moscow looks to retain its two military bases in the Middle Eastern country. -snip- In the meeting on January 28, Russia expressed its support for the changes taking place in Syria and Damascus' new administration pushed for reparations through "compensation, reconstruction, and recovery," according to the Syrian Arab News Agency. The two countries also spoke about finding "mechanisms for transitional justice aimed at...

A top ally of Russian president Vladimir Putin has advised him to remove Vladimir Lenin's body from a mausoleum in Moscow in order to seal his legacy as Moscow's leader. Alexander Dugin, a far-right political philosopher, has advised the president to remove Lenin's body from the burial site in order to "make room there for the real Emperor" and make other changes to the mausoleum, according to the Telegram post by the account Kremlin Snuffbox. -snip- The Russian philosopher also reportedly advised Putin to make improvements to the mausoleum by rebuilding the structure, decorating it with military trophies accumulated during...

Russian President Vladimir Putin refused to provide a specific timeline for when Ukrainian forces might be expelled from Russia's Kursk region during a news conference on Thursday, in response to a question from a resident who asked for clarity on the situation in the border area. Putin responded by saying: "I cannot and do not even want to name a specific date when they will be knocked out. There is a battle going on now, such serious battles. We will definitely knock them out. Sorry, I cannot name a specific date. I imagine there are plans, and they will be...

An ally of Russian President Vladimir Putin has implied that Moscow cannot push Ukraine out of Kursk by the end of the year, despite Putin previously setting a deadline to kick them out by October. Russia's Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces, Valery Gerasimov, said that all the tasks set by the country's leadership for the military in 2024 have been completed, according to the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation. He was speaking during a briefing for the military. As Ukrainian forces remain in Kursk, it is possible that driving them out was not a...

North Korean troops have seized their first village from Ukrainian soldiers in Russia's Kursk region, according to reports.Between December 6 and 7, North Korean soldiers captured the village of Plekhovo, which had a prewar population of 627. More than 300 Ukrainian soldiers were reportedly killed in the attack."Plekhovo was taken exclusively by special operations forces of North Korea. In two hours, they passed through like a hurricane, did not take prisoners. The enemy lost more than 300 servicemen," the Telegram channel "Romanov Light" reported."Now two brigades are trying to share the laurels - who was the first to enter the...

The lack of manpower has developed into an even greater problem for the Ukrainian troops than the lack of missiles, drones, artillery, or any other weapons systems.Not only death and the wounded leave Kiev’s troops lacking strength, but the deserters have become a major issue.Desertion is ‘starving’ the army and crippling its battle plans.Associated Press reported:“Facing every imaginable shortage, tens of thousands of Ukrainian troops, tired and bereft, have walked away from combat and front-line positions to slide into anonymity, according to soldiers, lawyers and Ukrainian officials. Entire units have abandoned their posts, leaving defensive lines vulnerable and accelerating territorial...