Russian Defense Minister Andrei Belousov has claimed that nearly 500,000 Ukrainian soldiers have been killed since the beginning of 2025. Speaking at a Defense Ministry meeting attended by President Vladimir Putin, Belousov asserted that Ukraine’s military capability has fallen by about one-third compared to last year. He added that the scale of losses has made it difficult for Kyiv to reorganize its forces.

Belousov further stated that Ukraine has lost more than 103,000 pieces of military equipment this year, including 5,500 tanks and armored vehicles supplied by Western allies. He argued that the heavy casualties have discouraged civilians from joining the army, complicating Ukraine’s mobilization efforts.

The remarks come amid the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict that began in 2022 after tensions over Crimea and Ukraine’s NATO aspirations. Western sources have not independently verified the Russian figures, and analysts caution that both sides often release conflicting casualty data for strategic reasons.

Russian President Vladimir Putin stated that Moscow will achieve its objectives in Ukraine through either diplomatic or military means, reiterating plans to establish and expand a 'security buffer zone' along contested regions. Speaking on Wednesday, Putin said the goals of the 'special military operation' would be fulfilled and that Russia preferred diplomacy to address the root causes of the conflict. However, he warned that if Ukraine and its Western backers refuse genuine talks, Russia will proceed militarily.

Putin claimed that Russia continues to advance on all fronts, even as U.S. President Donald Trump presses for a rapid peace agreement. Russian Defense Minister Andrei Belousov acknowledged Ukraine’s attempts to retake the northeastern city of Kupiansk but said they were unsuccessful, while Kyiv asserted control over 90% of the city. Putin also accused European leaders of spreading fear about war with Russia, insisting Moscow does not seek conflict but is prepared if Europe chooses confrontation.

The remarks come as the war reaches a critical juncture, with territorial control contested and diplomatic efforts intensifying.

Russia’s central bank has filed a lawsuit against Belgium-based financial clearing house Euroclear, seeking $230 billion in compensation for frozen sovereign assets. The case, accepted by a Moscow commercial court on December 12, follows the European Union’s plan to use part of the seized Russian reserves to fund loans for Ukraine’s military and civilian needs in 2026 and 2027. The Kremlin described the move as the beginning of a “legal nightmare” for Europe.

After Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine, EU states froze roughly €210 billion of Russian central bank assets. EU leaders recently agreed to keep these assets frozen indefinitely, arguing that supporting Ukraine is essential to deter future Russian aggression. Moscow, however, calls the EU’s plan “theft” and warns it will erode global trust in the euro and European financial institutions. Legal experts suggest Russian courts may rule quickly in Moscow’s favor.

If successful, Russia could seek to seize Euroclear’s assets in friendly jurisdictions such as China, the UAE, and Kazakhstan. The dispute underscores deep divisions within Europe and raises concerns about the precedent of confiscating sovereign assets during wartime.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has expressed firm support for Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro despite mounting pressure from the United States. According to the Kremlin, Putin conveyed his backing for Maduro’s government policies during a phone call on Thursday, signaling Moscow’s continued alliance with Caracas at a time of heightened geopolitical tension.

On the same day, Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko met with Venezuela’s ambassador to Minsk, Jesús Rafael Salazar Velásquez, for the second time in 17 days. Belarus’ state news agency reported Lukashenko’s assurance that Maduro would always be welcome in Belarus. Reuters sought clarification on whether Minsk might offer asylum to Maduro if he stepped down, but received no response.

The Trump administration has refused to recognize Maduro’s presidency since his disputed 2018 re-election, labeling it fraudulent. Washington has tightened sanctions and increased military presence in the Caribbean. Analysts say Putin’s gesture underscores Russia’s intent to counter U.S. influence in Latin America and maintain strategic partnerships with allied regimes.

Russia has accused Ukraine of deliberately sabotaging ongoing peace talks by presenting conditions that Moscow deems unacceptable. Rodion Miroshnik, Russia’s special envoy to the Foreign Ministry, told Izvestia that Kyiv is intentionally setting terms designed to collapse the dialogue and then blame Russia for the failure. He described Ukraine’s approach as a waste of time and a political bluff aimed at reshaping proposals linked to former U.S. President Donald Trump’s peace framework.

The accusation follows the conclusion of three days of U.S.-mediated discussions in Florida between Ukrainian and American officials, which ended without tangible results. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said he held a constructive phone conversation with U.S. envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, emphasizing that real progress toward peace depends on Moscow’s willingness to engage sincerely. Analysts note that both sides continue to trade blame, underscoring the deep mistrust that has stalled diplomatic efforts since the start of the conflict.

Observers suggest that without renewed commitment from both Kyiv and Moscow, future negotiations may remain symbolic, prolonging uncertainty in the region.

A Russian military cargo aircraft crashed near Moscow on Tuesday, killing all seven people on board, including the pilot. The incident occurred in the Ivanovo region, about 200 kilometers from the capital, according to Russia’s Defense Ministry. The aircraft, identified as an AN-22 military transport plane, went down shortly after takeoff during a test flight following engine repairs.

The Defense Ministry stated that the plane crashed in an uninhabited area, preventing further casualties or damage on the ground. Preliminary reports suggest the aircraft experienced technical difficulties before the crash. A special commission has been formed to investigate the cause of the accident, and recovery operations are underway at the crash site.

The AN-22 model, one of the largest turboprop transport aircraft in the Russian military fleet, has been in service for decades. The incident raises renewed concerns about the aging condition of Russia’s military transport fleet and the safety of its maintenance procedures.

Russia’s special envoy Rodion Miroshnik stated that more than 41,000 civilians have been killed or injured in Ukrainian attacks since the conflict began in 2014. According to his remarks to the state news agency RIA Novosti, over 13,000 civilians, including 237 children, have died, and about 28,000 have been wounded. The casualties reportedly occurred across Russian territory and the Donbas region, where shelling has persisted for years.

The statement comes amid renewed diplomatic efforts to explore a potential settlement to the ongoing Ukraine conflict. Multiple US sources confirmed that discussions between American and Ukrainian delegations are underway in Miami, focusing on former US President Donald Trump’s 28-point draft peace plan. Ukrainian National Security Adviser Rustem Umerov and Chief of Staff General Andrii Hnatov are leading Kyiv’s team, while the US side includes special envoy Steven Witkoff and Trump’s adviser Jared Kushner.

The talks are expected to continue through the weekend, with territorial and border issues reportedly still under consideration as part of a possible framework for de-escalation.

Chechen President Ramzan Kadyrov has vowed a retaliatory response after a Ukrainian drone strike targeted a high-rise building in Grozny, the capital of Chechnya. The incident, which occurred on November 5, caused damage to the building’s facade but resulted in no casualties. Kadyrov announced that Chechen forces would launch counterstrikes on Ukrainian military installations within the next week.

In a Telegram post cited by Russian news agency TASS, Kadyrov condemned the attack as a cowardly act, calling it militarily meaningless. He emphasized that Chechen forces would not target civilians but would instead focus on what he described as the “neo-Nazi” military and terrorist infrastructure of Ukraine. The statement underscores Chechnya’s continued alignment with Moscow’s military campaign against Kyiv.

The threat of retaliation adds a new dimension to the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict, highlighting the involvement of regional actors like Chechnya. Analysts warn that such escalations could further complicate peace efforts and expand the scope of hostilities beyond the main frontlines.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has warned that Moscow will not compromise over Ukraine’s Donbas region, vowing to use force if necessary to secure full control. In an interview with India Today on December 4, Putin said that either Russian forces will liberate the remaining areas or Ukrainian troops must withdraw. Currently, Russia controls about 85 percent of Donbas. The warning comes as U.S. President Donald Trump’s administration continues mediation efforts, with Trump’s envoy Steve Witkoff meeting both Russian and Ukrainian representatives. The United States recently proposed a 28-point peace plan, including a clause suggesting that remaining Ukrainian-held parts of Donbas be ceded to Russia—a proposal strongly opposed by Kyiv and European nations. Putin acknowledged that Russia agrees with some U.S. proposals but rejects others, without specifying which. The statement underscores Moscow’s hardened stance following recent battlefield gains and complicates international efforts to end the ongoing war.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has warned European nations that any war with Russia would result in their certain defeat. Speaking after Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto suggested that Europe was preparing for conflict with Russia, Putin said Moscow does not seek war but is fully prepared if Europe initiates one. He claimed that such a war would end swiftly, leaving no one in Europe to negotiate peace. Putin also threatened to cut off Ukraine’s access to the sea, describing it as the best way to stop what he called Ukrainian piracy. His remarks came in response to a recent Ukrainian drone attack on a Russian tanker in the Black Sea. The comments underscore rising tensions between Russia and Europe amid the ongoing conflict in Ukraine and growing fears of escalation across the region.

Russia’s lower house of parliament, the State Duma, has approved a significant military agreement with India just days before President Vladimir Putin’s scheduled visit to New Delhi on December 4–5. The Reciprocal Exchange of Logistic Support (RELOS) pact, signed on February 18 this year, was recently submitted for approval by Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin. The agreement outlines procedures for mutual logistical support between the two nations’ armed forces, including access to each other’s bases, airspace, and ports for military aircraft and warships. It will apply to joint exercises, training, humanitarian missions, and disaster relief operations. Duma Speaker Vyacheslav Volodin described the move as a major step toward strengthening the strategic partnership between Russia and India. According to the Russian cabinet, the pact will simplify airspace use and enhance naval cooperation, further consolidating bilateral defense ties.

Russia and the United States have failed to reach any agreement to end the war in Ukraine following a lengthy meeting in Moscow between Russian President Vladimir Putin, US special envoy Steve Witkoff, and Jared Kushner, son-in-law of former President Donald Trump. Kremlin adviser Yuri Ushakov described the five-hour discussion as constructive but said no concrete solution had been achieved, though several US proposals were discussed. Putin earlier accused European nations of withdrawing from peace efforts and claimed they were obstructing Washington’s role. He warned that if Europe seeks war, Russia is ready to respond. Reports suggest that a draft peace deal would require Ukraine to cede the Donbas region, including Donetsk and Luhansk, to Russia—something Kyiv refuses to accept. Putin reiterated that Russia would seize the territory by force if Ukraine does not agree to territorial concessions.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has issued a sharp warning to European nations, declaring that Russia is ready for war if Europe chooses confrontation. Speaking at an investment forum in Moscow, Putin criticized Europe for abandoning peaceful solutions and obstructing US-led initiatives to end the Ukraine war. Despite the presence of US envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner in Moscow to discuss a potential peace deal, Putin did not meet them as scheduled. His remarks are seen as a direct message to Europe ahead of possible US-Russia negotiations. Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, speaking in Dublin, said there is now a better opportunity to end the war and expressed hope for a clear message from Washington following any Putin-Witkoff meeting. Zelensky also reiterated his willingness to meet former US President Donald Trump, depending on the outcome of the Moscow talks.

Russian President Vladimir Putin visited a frontline command center to assess the progress of Russia’s ongoing military operations in Ukraine. According to Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov, the visit took place on Sunday night, November 30, where Putin received detailed reports on the liberation efforts in Krasnoparmeisk in the Donetsk People’s Republic and Volchansk in the Kharkiv region. During the visit, Putin held a meeting with senior military officials, including Chief of the General Staff Valery Gerasimov, Battle Group Center Commander Valery Solodchuk, and Battle Group East Commander Andrei Ivanayev. Gerasimov briefed the president on recent territorial gains and current offensive operations, while Solodchuk reported that Russian forces had gained control of the southern part of Dimitrov city. The high-level briefing is being viewed as a significant strategic assessment amid the continuing Russia-Ukraine conflict.

U.S. President Donald Trump’s special envoy Steve Witkoff and his son-in-law Jared Kushner are set to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow on Tuesday to discuss a potential framework for ending the war in Ukraine. The meeting follows leaked reports of a 28-point U.S. peace proposal that drew criticism from Ukraine and European allies for allegedly favoring Moscow’s demands, including territorial concessions and military restrictions on Kyiv. In response, European nations presented a counterproposal, while Washington and Kyiv jointly drafted a revised peace framework. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov confirmed the meeting but declined to disclose Russia’s negotiation ‘red lines.’ Putin has reiterated his willingness to negotiate but warned that if Ukraine rejects compromise, Russian forces will continue advancing. Russian troops currently control over 19 percent of Ukrainian territory, with recent gains in Pokrovsk and Vovchansk. The war has caused more than 1.2 million casualties, according to U.S. estimates.