EU leader denounces Russia’s ‘hybrid war’ aiming to destabilize Western Balkan democracies

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen on Saturday denounced Russia’s hybrid attacks against democracies, saying the European Union is fighting daily to debunk misinformation.

Satellite images show major expansion at Russian site with secret bioweapons past

Russian officials have publicly confirmed that the scientists will use the labs to study deadly microbes in an effort to strengthen defenses against bioterrorism as well as future pandemics. But the new construction is being closely watched by U.S. intelligence agencies and bioweapons experts concerned about Russia’s intentions.

Russian drone strike kills teen girl in Kyiv and 5 others dead in missile attack on central Ukraine

A Russian drone strike killed a teenager in Kyiv during a nighttime barrage on the Ukrainian capital that lasted for hours, officials said, while five people were reportedly killed in a missile attack on central Ukraine that also left at least 21 injured.

Ukrainian incursion in Kursk struggles as Russians retake territory

The Institute for the Study of War, which has been monitoring the conflict, cited visual evidence that Russian forces have recaptured 46 percent of the Ukrainian salient in the Kursk region.

EU leader praises Serbia for its advances in EU membership bid despite growing Russian influence

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen was in Bosnia and Serbia as part of a trip to aspiring E.U. member states in the Balkans, designed to assure them that E.U. enlargement remains a priority for the bloc. There are fears in the West that Putin is plotting trouble in the volatile Balkans.

Georgia prepares for a divisive election which could determine its future in Europe

Many Georgians fear the ruling party is dragging the country toward authoritarianism and away from a chance to join the E.U. And its shift toward adopting Russia-style laws has cost it support in the West, though the trend cannot be explained by influence from Moscow alone, one expert said.

Ukraine’s Zelenskyy says North Korean troops are poised to join the war, cancels UN chief’s visit

North Korean troops are poised to be deployed by Russia on the battlefield in Ukraine as early as this weekend, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy claimed Friday.

Two men sentenced for handling stolen US Army gear after training area theft in Bavaria

More than $465,000 in gear was stolen from the Grafenwoehr Training Area, but the two men were convicted only of handling a small portion of that equipment.

Putin ends BRICS summit that sought to expand Russia’s global clout but was shadowed by Ukraine

Russian President Vladimir Putin closed a summit of the BRICS bloc of developing economies on Thursday, praising its role as a counterbalance to what he called the West’s “perverse methods.”

Russian lawmakers ratify pact with North Korea as US confirms Pyongyang sent troops to Russia

Russian lawmakers on Thursday ratified a pact with North Korea envisioning mutual military assistance, a move that comes as the U.S. confirmed the deployment of 3,000 North Korean troops to Russia.

Inspector general slams Pentagon for lacking paperwork on $1.1 billion in Ukraine spending

A Defense Department audit has found that $1.1 billion in payments meant to support Ukraine in the months following Russia’s full-scale invasion of the country lacked proper documentation.

North Korean troops are ‘cannon fodder’ for Russian invasion, South’s defense chief says

The 12,000 North Korean troops sent to support Russia’s invasion of Ukraine are not a legitimate force, South Korea’s national defense minister said.

Paris conference for Lebanon raises $1 billion in pledges for humanitarian and military support

An international conference for Lebanon in Paris on Thursday raised $1 billion in pledges for humanitarian aid and military support to help the country where war between Hezbollah militants and Israel has displaced a million people, killed over 2,500, and deepened an economic crisis, French organizers said.

How a Russian oligarch’s $90 million megayacht landed in US custody

A step-by-step look at how U.S. economic sanctions work — and what happens to assets the government wants to freeze.

A Russian is charged over the fatal stabbing of 2 Ukrainian soldiers in Germany

Prosecutors in Munich said the suspect and the two victims had met previously. They said Wednesday that the three men were drinking together and argued about the situation in Ukraine, “as a result of which the accused felt that his national pride was hurt,” they said in a statement.

US and Cyprus launch a strategic dialogue to bolster security

Cyprus’ clear policy shift toward deepening U.S. relations after decades of walking a tightrope between Washington and Moscow gained added steam after Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine.

Belarus sets a Jan. 26 election that’s almost certain to extend its authoritarian leader’s rule

His last victory came in a 2020 election denounced at home and abroad as fraudulent. That prompted an unprecedented wave of mass protests. His government responded with a violent crackdown, arresting and beating thousands.

Britain and Germany sign defense pact to counter Russia’s growing threat

Under the deal, the allies will work closer together to protect vital underwater cables in the North Sea. The two countries say they will also cooperate to prioritize developing long-range strike weapon.

G7 allies are moving ahead with a $50 billion loan for Ukraine backed by frozen Russian funds

The U.S. plans to provide a loan of $20 billion. The additional $30 billion will come from the E.U., the U.K., Canada and Japan, among others. Interest earned on profits from Russia’s frozen central bank assets would be used as collateral.