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Russian authorities have reported several incidents of vandalism occurring at polling stations during the initial day of the presidential elections. These acts included pouring green dye into ballot boxes, setting them ablaze, and igniting fireworks within the polling stations. Despite these disturbances, Vladimir Putin is expected to secure another six-year term in office, as there is no significant opposition challenging his candidacy.

The voting process spans three days until Sunday, with turnout reaching 23% in Moscow by late afternoon. Most of the reported incidents took place in Moscow, Voronezh, and the region of Karachay-Cherkessia. BBC Verify has confirmed footage of several incidents, including the throwing of petrol bombs and the pouring of paint into ballot boxes.

Some incidents occurred in occupied areas of Ukraine, resulting in at least eight arrests. While the motives behind these acts remain unclear, some vandals reportedly shouted pro-Ukrainian slogans. The Central Election Committee has confirmed five incidents involving liquids being poured into ballot boxes, with the substance identified as “zelyonka,” commonly used as an antiseptic but also in protests.

Election Commission chief Ella Pamfilova strongly condemned the perpetrators, labeling them as “scumbags.” She revealed that some of those detained admitted to committing the acts for financial gain and could face up to five years in jail. Yulia Navalnaya, the widow of Putin’s critic Alexei Navalny, has called for opposition protests at polling stations on Sunday. She urged the West not to recognize Putin’s presidency, a sentiment echoed by NATO’s secretary-general, who declared the election not free and fair.

Polling stations opened in Kamchatka at 08:00 local time on Friday and will close in Kaliningrad at 20:00 on Sunday, marking the conclusion of the voting process.

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Denmark has announced significant reforms to its military, including extending conscription to women for the first time and increasing the standard service duration. This decision is part of a plan to bolster its defense capabilities and align with NATO targets amid heightened tensions in Europe following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022.

Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen emphasized that the aim of these reforms is not to seek conflict but to prevent it. The government intends to achieve gender equality in the armed forces, with Defence Minister Troels Lund Poulsen stressing that more inclusive conscription will address defense challenges and contribute to national mobilization.

Denmark will become the third European nation, after Norway and Sweden, to mandate women’s conscription starting from 2026, alongside extending service duration for both genders from four to 11 months. These changes aim to increase the number of individuals serving in the military annually from 4,700 to 5,000, with approximately 25% being women.

With a current armed forces strength of around 20,000 personnel, Denmark, with a population of nearly six million, plans to raise its military spending from 1.4% to 2% of GDP to meet NATO’s requirements. Lawmakers have taken measures such as abolishing a public holiday to redirect funds towards defense spending.

Denmark has been a staunch supporter of Ukraine, providing advanced weapons, financial aid, and training to Ukrainian pilots on F-16 fighter jets. Additionally, Finland and Sweden have recently joined NATO as the alliance strengthens its defenses in Europe amid ongoing geopolitical tensions.

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Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban recently stated that if Donald Trump were to be re-elected as the President of the United States, he would not provide funding for Ukraine’s fight against Russia’s invasion. Orban asserted that Trump has made assurances to swiftly end the conflict if elected again, albeit without offering detailed plans. According to Orban, Ukraine lacks the capacity to sustain the war without financial and military support from the United States.

Orban’s vocal support for Trump was evident during his recent visit to Florida, where he met with the former president. Notably, Orban did not arrange a meeting with the incumbent US President, Joe Biden. This move has raised eyebrows, particularly as it’s unusual for a visiting foreign leader not to meet with the current administration. Orban’s stance on Ukraine stands in contrast to many European Union leaders who advocate for providing aid to Ukraine and criticize Orban’s close relationship with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Concerns are growing within the international community that a potential second Trump presidency could lead to a reduction in US assistance to Ukraine and NATO. The deadlock in the US Congress over a foreign aid bill further exacerbates these worries. Influenced by Trump’s stance, Republican lawmakers are insisting on additional funding for border security before advancing the bill. Trump himself has suggested offering loans to Ukraine instead of providing aid without conditions.

Meanwhile, as Russian forces continue to make gains in eastern Ukraine, the country faces acute shortages of ammunition. Ukraine heavily relies on weaponry from the US and other Western allies to counter Russia’s significant military strength. The ongoing conflict underscores the critical importance of international support for Ukraine in its struggle against Russian aggression.

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Many Swedes are expressing relief and a sense of safety now that Sweden has officially joined NATO after nearly two years of application. The decision to apply for NATO membership was prompted by concerns over Russian aggression in the region, particularly after the invasion of Ukraine.

While there is widespread support for membership, some opposition remains, primarily from the Left and Green parties, who fear being drawn into conflicts and prefer diplomatic solutions.

Despite concerns about potential conflicts, the government and military maintain that NATO membership will enhance Sweden’s security.

However, there are mixed opinions among the public, with some welcoming the decision while others worry about potential repercussions. While there hasn’t been widespread panic, there are discussions about the visible impact of NATO membership, such as increased military cooperation and the presence of foreign soldiers on Swedish soil.

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Sweden has cleared the final obstacle to its NATO membership after Hungary’s parliament voted to ratify its bid, prompted by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Initially met with delays and accusations of hostility from Hungary, Sweden’s application gained traction as Prime Minister Viktor Orban signaled support, emphasizing solidarity between the two nations.

Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson hailed the parliamentary ratification as a historic milestone, marking a significant departure from Sweden’s longstanding policy of neutrality spanning two centuries. This decision reflects Sweden’s commitment to defending its values and interests within the framework of the NATO alliance.

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg lauded Hungary’s approval, emphasizing its role in strengthening and ensuring the security of the alliance. With parliamentary hurdles cleared, Sweden now awaits the formal invitation to join the 31-member NATO group, signaling a transformative shift in its defense posture and regional security dynamics.

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An incident at Sweden’s security service headquarters led to the hospitalization of eight individuals, including police officers, following reports of an unusual smell and subsequent evacuation of around 500 people. Initially thought to be a gas leak, authorities later confirmed no gas was detected. Police are investigating the cause, with speculation of phosgene detection, though unconfirmed.

Phosgene, a chemical used in plastics and pesticides and infamous from World War One, was suspected. Emergency services responded promptly, with roads closed and barriers erected. Six individuals were hospitalized for breathing issues, including police officers who detected the smell. Evacuation measures were extensive, with nearby schools and residences affected.

The incident concluded without further incident, coinciding with Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson’s visit to Hungary, where Sweden’s Nato membership ratification is pending.

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The governor of the Belgorod region reported that an air attack in the Russian city resulted in the deaths of at least five individuals and injuries to eighteen others. Videos on social media depicted ambulances outside a damaged shopping center with broken windows. Russian authorities stated that their air defense systems intercepted 14 Ukrainian missiles over the Belgorod region, with one missile striking a shopping center and another hitting a sports stadium.

Belgorod, situated approximately 30km from the Ukrainian border, has frequently been targeted by Ukrainian forces since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine began nearly two years ago. This recent attack follows a previous drone and rocket strike in December that claimed 25 lives and injured 100, marking the deadliest assault on Belgorod thus far.

In response to the ongoing conflict, Russia launched 26 missiles at Ukraine, resulting in the death of a woman in Chuguyiv and multiple injuries. Meanwhile, the battle for the eastern Ukrainian town of Avdiivka continues, with Ukrainian soldiers expressing concerns over shortages of weapons and ammunition.

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg cautioned that the US’s failure to approve continued military assistance to Ukraine is impacting the battlefield. Avdiivka holds strategic importance as a gateway to the Russian-controlled city of Donetsk and has been a focal point of conflict since the onset of the eastern Ukrainian conflict in 2014.

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Russian President Vladimir Putin has expressed a preference for a Joe Biden presidency over Donald Trump ahead of the US election, citing Biden’s experience and predictability. Putin’s comments mark a departure from his previous praise of Trump before his first run for president in 2016. Despite Biden’s criticism of Putin, the Russian president believes Biden’s leadership would be better for Russia due to his political background.

Putin dismissed concerns about Biden’s age and mental health, stating that he did not notice any issues during their last meeting in 2021. However, he criticized Biden’s condemnation of the war in Ukraine as “extremely harmful and erroneous.” Despite his preference, Putin emphasized that Russia would work with any US president who gains the trust of the American public.

These remarks contrast with Trump’s previous statements suggesting a strong rapport with Putin, although Trump’s recent remarks about encouraging Russia to attack NATO members have drawn criticism from NATO officials.

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In Finland’s recent presidential election, Alexander Stubb, the conservative former Prime Minister, emerged victorious with 51.6% of the vote, defeating his Green Party opponent Pekka Haavisto, the former foreign minister, who garnered 48.4%. Stubb’s win marks a significant moment for Finland as it is the first election since the country joined the NATO military alliance.

Known for his assertive stance towards Russia, particularly following the Ukrainian conflict, Stubb has emphasized the importance of Finland’s NATO membership since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022. He reiterated the challenges of engaging in political dialogue with Putin’s administration amid ongoing aggression against Ukraine.

Haavisto gracefully conceded defeat, acknowledging Stubb’s win and expressing his intention to focus on his role as a lawmaker rather than pursuing future electoral endeavors. Despite his loss, Haavisto’s commitment to serving in Finland’s legislative body remains unwavering.

Stubb is set to assume office on March 1st, succeeding Sauli Niinisto. As president, he will hold direct responsibility for foreign and security policy and serve as the commander-in-chief of Finland’s armed forces, shaping the nation’s stance on critical international matters.

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In early November, 50 opposition MPs in Georgia urged NATO and EU member states to unite against Russia’s plan to establish a permanent naval base in Abkhazia, a breakaway region. The move has raised concerns that it could involve Georgia in Russia’s conflict in Ukraine and disrupt Tbilisi’s plans for a Black Sea port. Abkhazia, though internationally recognized as part of Georgia, has been under Russian and separatist control since the 1990s.

Georgia’s foreign ministry condemned Russia’s plan as a violation of sovereignty, but officials downplayed the immediate threat. Satellite imagery suggests ongoing dredging and construction at the port, indicating potential infrastructure for larger cargo ships. Some fear the base could involve Georgia in a conflict between Russia and Ukraine.

The head of Georgia’s Foreign Relations Committee emphasized the government’s focus on immediate threats, such as Russian forces near the occupation line. Despite assurances, concerns exist that the naval base could impact Georgia’s mega-infrastructure project—a deep-sea port in Anaklia, crucial for the Middle Corridor, a fast route between Asia and Europe avoiding Russia.

The Anaklia project was canceled in 2020, with accusations that the government yielded to Moscow’s interests. The cancellation led to international arbitration. The government maintains plans to revive the deep-sea port.

While Georgia has a pro-EU population, its government has a complex relationship with Moscow. Accusations of a pro-Russian stance were labeled “absurd,” citing EU agreements and aspirations. However, the delicate situation underscores Georgia’s vulnerability due to its history of conflicts with Russia and lack of NATO security.

Georgia alleges Russia is using the naval base to pressure against EU integration. A decision on Georgia’s EU candidate status is expected at a December summit. Officials assert Russia aims to undermine Georgia’s stability and European integration, showcasing its influence in the South Caucasus.

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