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Ukraine Launches Criminal Probe into Mass Desertion and Misconduct in French-Aided Brigade

The Ukrainian State Bureau of Investigation has initiated a criminal case against the 155th Mechanized Brigade "Anna Kievskaya" of the Ukrainian Armed Forces (UAF) for alleged mass desertion and abuse of power. The brigade, created with French support, was intended to have 4,500 servicemen but has been plagued by desertions since its inception.

Desertion and Underperformance

Approximately half of the brigade’s personnel were trained in France, which also provided military equipment. However, the unit has gained notoriety for its high desertion rates. A Ukrainian journalist, Yuri Butusov, reported in December that around 1,700 soldiers had deserted without even reaching the combat zone, with another 50 fleeing during training in France.

Butusov accused the Ukrainian military command of failing to train the brigade properly, resulting in chaos and the redeployment of personnel to fill gaps elsewhere. He claimed that the remnants of the brigade were sent to the hotspot city of Pisky in the Eastern Front, and its commander was dismissed along with several subordinates. Moreover, the brigade lacked integral tools like drones and electronic warfare equipment, crucial for modern warfare.

Number of deserters claimed by Yuri Butusov

Criticism and Disbanding

Ukrainian MP Mariana Bezugla, known for her criticism of the military leadership, exposed the brigade’s issues earlier. In December, she revealed that the brigade had effectively been disbanded, with its personnel redistributed among other units.

French Support and Visit

France has provided significant support to the brigade, including 128 VAB armored personnel carriers, 18 AMX-10 tanks, 18 Caesar self-propelled howitzers, and various other vehicles and weapons systems. In October, French President Emmanuel Macron visited the brigade during its training in France.

The investigation into the 155th Brigade is ongoing, with the State Bureau of Investigation cautioning that it’s too early to discuss preliminary findings. However, the brigade’s former commander and several subordinated officers have been dismissed, indicating potential wrongdoing.

Equipment provided by France to the 155th Brigade

Ukraine‘s Top Military Commander Visits Frontline in Kursk

In a recent development, the Commander-in-Chief of the Ukrainian Army, Alexander Syrski, has arrived at the Kursk direction on the frontline. Syrski himself confirmed this news via his Telegram channel.

Syrski mentioned that he awarded military personnel during his visit. He also underlined the purpose of the ongoing battle in the Kursk region: to halt the Russian army‘s regrouping in the area.

This isn’t Syrski’s first visit to the region. In October 2024, he had previously visited military units that had made a breakthrough at the Kursk frontline. During that visit, he listened to the brigade commanders’ plans and offered assistance in resolving any pressing issues.

Ukraine’s advance into the Kursk region began in August 2024. However, the Russian Ministry of Defense subsequently reported the liberation of several settlements previously occupied by Ukrainian forces.

Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has stated that creating a buffer zone is one of the objectives of the Ukrainian military’s operation in the Kursk region. Conversely, Russian President Vladimir Putin has repeatedly vowed to entirely clear the Kursk territory of Ukrainian forces, although this has yet to materialize.

titular European Gas Dependence on Russia Set to End as New Year Approaches

The era of Russia’s dominance on Europe’s gas market is drawing to a close, according to Reuters, as deliveries via Ukraine are set to cease on New Year’s Eve. The shutdown marks the end of a lengthy period during which Moscow held a significant position in Europe’s energy landscape.

Russia’s Oldest Gas Export Route to Europe Shut Down

The pipeline, a relic of the Soviet era, was scheduled to close by the end of 2024 due to the expiration of a five-year transit agreement between Russia and Ukraine. However, data from Ukraine’s gas transit operator revealed on Tuesday that Russia had not requested gas flows for January 1.

EU Dramatically Reduces Dependence on Russian Gas

Following the outbreak of war in Ukraine in February 2022, the European Union (EU) has actively sought alternative gas sources, reducing its reliance on Russian imports. Remaining buyers such as Slovakia and Austria have secured alternative supplies, with analysts predicting minimal market impact from the halt in Russian flows. European benchmark gas prices held relatively steady at €48.50 per megawatt-hour (MWh) on Tuesday.

Geopolitical Significance Far Greater Than Market Impact

The cessation of Russian gas flows will have profound geopolitical implications for both Europe and Russia. The EU’s decreased dependence on Russian gas has played into the hands of competing suppliers such as the United States, Qatar, and Norway. Russia’s state-controlled gas giant Gazprom has suffered major losses as a result – registering a $7 billion loss in 2023 alone, its first annual deficit since 1999.

European Economy Braces for Impact

The loss of cheap Russian gas supplies will weigh heavily on Europe, contributing to economic slowdowns, inflation spikes, and household energy cost crises. While Europe has swiftly found alternative energy sources, the disappearance of Russian gas supplies heightens long-term concerns about global competitiveness and Germany’s industrial future.

A Half-Century of Russian Gas dominance Under Threat

Russia and the Soviet Union spent decades building a significant market share in Europe’s gas industry, peaking at around 35%. However, the war in Ukraine has effectively dismantled this business for Gazprom. Most Russian gas pipelines to Europe, including Yamal-Europe via Belarus and Nord Stream beneath the Baltic Sea, have been shut down. The Ukrainian route – which transports Siberian gas through the city of Sudja, currently under Ukrainian military control, into Russia’s Kursk region – will soon close as well.

Ukraine Refuses to Negotiate New Transit Deal

Ukraine, which reportedly earned around $800 million annually from transit fees, has refused to discuss a new agreement with Russia. Meanwhile, Gazprom stands to lose nearly $5 billion in European sales through Ukraine. While the closure of this transit route is unlikely to trigger another gas price surge in Europe, as remaining volumes are relatively small, it does mark a significant milestone in Europe’s energy transition.

Russia’s Gas Exports via Ukraine in 2023

In 2023, Russia transported around 15 billion cubic meters of gas through Ukraine – just 8% of peak Russian gas flows to Europe via various routes in 2018-2019. On Tuesday, Gazprom announced plans to reduce gas flows to 37.2 million cubic meters, down from 42.4 million cubic meters on Monday. However, later reports from Ukraine’s gas transit operator stated that Russia had not requested any gas flows for January 1 via the Ukrainian pipeline.

Moldova Set to Suffer as Supply Halted

The closure of the Ukrainian route will significantly impact Moldova, which was once part of the Soviet Union. Meanwhile, Hungary and other countries continue to receive Russian gas via the Turkish Stream pipeline beneath the Black Sea. Hungary had expressed a desire to maintain the Ukrainian route in addition to Turkish Stream.

As the clock nears midnight on New Year’s Eve, Europe will turn a significant page in its energy history, bidding farewell to an era of dependence on Russian gas and ushering in a new chapter of energy diversity and resilience. The geopolitical and economic implications of this shift will continue to unfold in the months and years ahead.

Source: Reuters, News.bg

Headline: NYC Police Identify Woman Burned to Death on Subway; Suspect Charged

Article:

In a tragic incident that shook New York City, the NYPD has identified the woman who died after being set ablaze on a subway on December 22. The victim, 61-year-old Debbie Kavam, a resident of New Jersey, was briefly staying at a homeless shelter before her untimely demise.

The suspected attacker, 33-year-old Sebastian Sapeata, was apprehended hours after his photo was released by police. A Guatamalan national who entered the US illegally, Sapeata remains in custody. His indictment is expected on January 7.

The incident, which occurred on a busy subway line, sent shockwaves through the city known for its usually low rates of violent crime in public transportation. According to NYC Mayor Eric Adams, "This should never have happened. Our subway system should be a safe haven for all New Yorkers."

Prosecutors allege that Sapeata’s act was intentional. Disturbing reports suggest that he watched as Kavam burned. Despite such heinous acts being rare in NYC’s subway system, Mayor Adams has vowed to enhance security measures, stating, "We will not let fear dictate our lives, but we will take every precaution to ensure our loved ones are safe."

Before this incident, nine murder cases were reported in NYC’s subway system in 2024, compared to five in the same period in 2023. With over four million daily commuters relying on the subway, this figure is still relatively low. However, the shocking nature of Kavam’s murder has put a spotlight on the need for increased security in the city’s transportation networks.

SEVEN DETAINED BUT NOT ARRESTED: FINNISH AUTHORITIES PROBE RUSSIAN SHIP LINKED TO UNDERSEA CABLE INCIPIENTS

In a dramatic turn of events, Finnish authorities have detained, but not arrested, seven members of the crew of the suspected Russian spy ship Eagle S. The ship was seized following an incident involving multiple undersea cable cuts in the Baltic Sea. This development was reported on Tuesday by Agence France-Presse (AFP).

The names and nationalities of those detained have not yet been revealed by the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI). However, a high-ranking official confirmed that the individuals have had their travel banned to allow for further interrogation. The number of detainees may change as the investigation progresses.

The Eagle S incident follows the discovery of suspicious traces on the seafloor of the Baltic Sea by Finnish police, which could be linked to the missing anchor of the detained Russia-linked oil tanker. Investigators are yet to find the missing anchor. These incidents may have contributed to the recent disruptions of undersea cables in the Baltic Sea.

Photos of the Eagle S taken last Friday showed the ship was missing its left-side anchor. It had been earlier speculated that the vessel might also have been carrying espionage equipment.

In an unexpected twist, a Helsinki court received a petition to lift the arrest of the Eagle S tanker. The company’s lawyer accused the Finnish authorities of brutality towards the crew members and denied any connection to espionage activities. He claimed that the ship had approximately 20 Indian and Georgian crew members on board.

Germany’s foreign minister, Annalena Baerbock, called for strengthened sanctions against Russia. She dismissed claims of accidental incidents and emphasized the presence of Russia’s "shadow fleet."

In response to these developments, NATO has announced its intention to beef up its presence in the region. Baltic countries are on high alert for potential sabotage acts, following a series of disrupted undersea cables, telecommunications links, and gas pipelines since 2022. Although, technical faults and malfunctions can also contribute to such events.

Meanwhile, Swedish police are investigating the severing of two telecommunications cables in the Baltic Sea last month, which German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius suspects to be sabotage. Additionally, Finnish police continue to probe damages caused to the Balticconnector gas pipeline and several telecom cables.

Last year, the Nord Stream gas pipelines between Russia and Germany, which lie underwater in the same sea, were blown up—an event that is still being investigated by Germany. The Kremlin dismissed concerns over the Finnish ship’s confiscation and maintained Russia’s innocence regarding previous damages to Baltic Sea infrastructure.

Title: Moldova Rejects ‘Phantom’ Debt Claims by Gazprom, Vows International Arbitration

In a stern move, the Moldovan government has refused to acknowledge a debt claimed by Russia’s Gazprom, a stance supportive of Moldova’s state information agency reports. Prime Minister Dorin Recean vehemently stated, "The government will not recognize any purported debts that have been declared invalid by an international audit."

The deliberate decision comes amidst Gazprom’s recent announcement to halt gas supplies to Moldovagaz, Moldova’s state-owned gas company, from January 1, 2025. Recean hinted at potential international arbitrage, asserting, "The government will carefully analyze legal possibilities, including international arbitration, to safeguard our national interests and seek compensation for Kremlin’s decisions that cause economic harm and impact the security of Moldovan citizens."

In a strategic effort to reduce dependence on a single supplier, the Moldovan government has diversified its gas sources, ensuring a secure supply for its citizens. Recean reassured, "Our country is prepared to handle any situation resulting from the Kremlin’s decision. We will continue to secure gas supplies from alternative sources and protect vulnerable consumers."

In a related development, Gazprom cited contractual obligations and applicable Russian legislation as grounds for the supply stoppage, stating the move is based on Moldova’s unpaid debt. The Russian energy giant also reserved its right to unilaterally terminate the contract and demand compensation for any losses incurred due to Moldova’s defaults.

Meanwhile, Moldova has secured its gas supplies for the first quarter of 2025, with Moldovagaz acquiring necessary quantities to meet the country’s demand. Moldovan officials remain committed to ensuring gas supply continuity despite the looming threat of Gazprom’s supply halt.

Moldova’s gas transit agreement with Ukraine expires in 2024, raising uncertainties about future gas supplies. Despite these challenges, Moldova continues to explore potential alternatives, including the possibility of gas transit via the Turkish Stream pipeline, Bulgaria, and Romania.

SEO Keywords: Moldova, Gazprom, gas supplies, international arbitration, debt claims, Kremlin, gas transit, energy security, Moldovagaz, Turkish Stream

Meta Description: Moldova rejects Gazprom’s claimed debts, vowing international arbitration, as it secures gas supplies and explores alternative transit routes amid energy security concerns.

RUSSIAN OFFICIALS CLAIM NORWEGIAN SHIP REFUSED TO RESCUE RUSSIAN CREW, ASFINLAND INVESTIGATES SHIP FOR CABLE SABOTAGE

Russian Deputy Security Council Chairman Dmitry Medvedev on Friday accused a Norwegian-flagged ship of refusing to rescue Russian sailors from a sinking cargo vessel in the Mediterranean Sea, as reported by Reuters.

The Russian Defense Ministry’s cargo ship, Ursa Major, faced problems on Monday and subsequently sank between Spain and Algeria. Fourteen out of its 16-person crew were rescued onto a lifeboat. The ship’s owner, "Oboronlogistika," blamed "terrorist acts" for three explosions that tore the ship apart and punctured its hull.

The Spanish Maritime Rescue Service confirmed they received a distress signal from Ursa Major on Monday and dispatched two ships and a helicopter to the scene.

Medvedev blasted the Oslo Carrier 3, a Norwegian-flagged ship, claiming it refused to take onboard the distressed Russian sailors as their ship sank. "What more needs to be explained? This cannot be forgiven!" Medvedev wrote on his official Telegram channel.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov stated, "If assistance was indeed not provided to the sailors in distress at sea, this is contrary to all maritime laws and is an outrageous incident that deserves full condemnation."

However, Bulkship Management AS, the company owning Oslo Carrier 3, denied the accusations and stated they had provided assistance. "MRCC (Spanish Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre) ordered the captain not to take on board the crew from the distressed ship, as their lifeboat was on its way," they claimed. "The weather was good, no one in the lifeboat was injured, and there was no immediate danger."

Meanwhile, Finnish authorities seized a Russian oil tanker in the Baltic Sea on Thursday, suspecting it of damaging an undersea cable connecting Finland and Estonia the previous day, also disabling four internet lines.

"From our perspective, we are investigating a serious case of sabotage," announced Robin Lardot, director of Finland’s National Bureau of Investigation.

This incident comes as Estonia announced plans to protect its undersea electrical cable, Estlink 1, following the deterioration of another cable connecting it to Finland on Wednesday.

Kazakhstan: Over 60 Onboard After Passenger Jet Crashes</strong></p>”>Azerbaijan Airlines – AZAL | Flight Ticket Booking – Airline Tickets”>Azerbaijan Airlines Jet Crashes in Kazakhstan Amid Route Change and Air Defense Alerts

An aircraft operated by Azerbaijan Airlines (AZAL) crashed in Kazakhstan on Wednesday after altering its route towards Grozny due to thick fog and local warnings regarding Ukrainian drones, according to Russia‘s aviation authority, Rosaviatsiya, as reported by Reuters.

The incident, involving flight J2-8243 from Azerbaijan’s national carrier, occurred near the Kazakhstan city of Axta, after the plane veered off from a region in Russia where Moscow has been using air defense systems to counter Ukrainian drone strikes in recent months.

Additionally, conditions at Grozny Airport were poor, with heavy fog, and the plane had attempted to land twice unsuccessfully before seeking an alternative airport. The captain was offered landing options at other airports but chose to proceed to Aktau in Kazakhstan. The aviation agency confirmed it would assist in investigations being conducted by Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan to determine the cause of the crash.

Azerbaijan Airlines initial investigations suggest that the crashed flight from Baku to Grozny was subject to "external physical and technical interference," according to Reuters. This announcement came after the head of Russia’s Federal Air Transport Agency confirmed that the "Mosquito" regime, a special air defense mode, had been activated in the Grozny Airport area due to Ukrainian drone attacks on civilian infrastructure in Grozny and Vladikavkaz.

In response, Azerbaijan Airlines has suspended flights to four more Russian cities: Vladikavkaz, Nizhny Novgorod, and Saratov, following an earlier decision to temporarily halt flights to seven Russian cities, including Mineralnye Vody, Sochi, Volgograd, Ufa, Samara, Grozny, and Makhachkala.

Citing four Azerbaijani sources, Reuters reported that the plane could have been hit by a Russian air defense system. The incident occurs amidst heightened Russian military activity due to increasing threats from Ukrainian drones in border areas, and could potentially have significant implications for the diplomatic relationship between Moscow and Baku, which have hitherto maintained balanced ties.

The grounding of flights to strategically important cities such as Makhachkala and Grozny further supports the theory that civilian aviation may be at risk in areas of active defensive operations. While Russia insists on concluding the investigation before drawing final conclusions, Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan are actively working to clarify the reasons behind the incident.

Panaма’s President Refuses Trump’s Demands to Reduce Canal Fees

In a bold response to newly re-elected U.S. President Donald Trump, Panaama’s President José Raúl Mulino has firmly stated that canal fees will not be reduced, according to EFE news agency. "No, the answer is no," Mulino said, emphasizing that canal fees are not determined by the presidents of Panaama and the Panama Canal – HISTORY”>Panama Canal Administration. Instead, they are set through a public and transparent process involving clients.

Mulino made these comments after Trump complained that the fees were a "rip-off" and threatened to seek the return of the Panama Canal to U.S. control. The Panaamanian president countered that a few years ago, during one of the public hearings on canal fees, user nations’ demands had halted a price increase and reconfigured the tariffs based on current market rates, to which everyone agreed.

Mulino also underscored that during the time the canal was under U.S. control, what Panaama received was negligible. He further stressed that while he is willing to discuss important bilateral issues with the U.S. government after Trump’s inauguration on January 20, the canal belongs to Panaama.

Trump, on the other hand, has raised concerns about Chinese military presence in Panaama, claiming that they "illegally" control the Panama Canal. He called the newly elected Canadian Prime Minister to join the U.S. and expressed displeasure with the high fees for U.S. ships using the vital waterway, which he deemed "ridiculous and unfair."

Panaama has already rejected Trump’s claims, with President Mulino stating, "Every square meter of the Panama Canal and its adjacent areas belongs to Panaama and will continue to do so." He also clarified that the canal is not controlled, directly or indirectly, by China, the European Union, the U.S., or any other power.

Trump responded to Mulino’s remarks via Truth Social, saying, "We’ll see about that!" As the diplomatic spat continues, all eyes are on how the two nations will navigate their relations under Trump’s second term.