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Russia Increases Hybrid Threats Against Netherlands, Warns Dutch Intelligence

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Russia is escalating its hybrid attacks aimed at undermining the Netherlands and its European allies, according to the latest annual report from the Dutch military intelligence agency (MIVD). MIVD Director Peter Reesink revealed that Russian hackers recently attempted cyber sabotage on a Dutch public service—marking the first known incident of its kind. Although the attempt was thwarted, the agency noted this as a significant escalation in Russia’s cyber activities targeting Europe.

The MIVD report further highlighted a Russian cyber operation against critical infrastructure in the Netherlands, potentially as groundwork for future sabotage. The intelligence agency also reiterated concerns about Russian espionage efforts in the North Sea, where infrastructure such as internet cables and energy supplies are being mapped for possible disruption. Western nations, including Britain, have recently echoed similar concerns, accusing Moscow of reckless acts of sabotage, though Russia has denied any involvement.

In addition to Russian threats, the report also flagged China’s continued espionage activities, particularly in the Dutch semiconductor sector. The MIVD warned of China’s increasing alignment with Russia’s war efforts and its pursuit of Western technological knowledge. Reesink called on European nations to accelerate military preparedness, noting that Russia’s rapid military buildup poses a growing risk that Europe must be ready to deter.

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Russian Strikes Hit Sumy Again After Deadly Attack, Ukraine Demands Global Response

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Russia launched fresh missile and guided bomb attacks on the northeastern Ukrainian city of Sumy Monday evening, a day after a deadly missile strike killed 35 and wounded over 100. According to Ukraine’s Air Force, Russian aircraft dropped guided bombs shortly after another missile targeted the city outskirts, where no casualties were initially reported. The attack followed Sunday’s devastating strike, which President Volodymyr Zelenskiy condemned as a war crime, urging the international community to respond firmly.

Russia’s Defence Ministry claimed responsibility for the Sunday strike, saying two Iskander-M missiles hit a meeting of Ukrainian military officers, allegedly killing over 60 soldiers. Moscow also accused Ukraine of using civilians as human shields by placing military personnel in densely populated areas—an accusation Kyiv has not yet addressed. Ukrainian officials, however, maintained that the strike deliberately targeted civilians, occurring on Palm Sunday, a day when many people were gathered in churches.

Global leaders swiftly reacted to the violence. Zelenskiy confirmed that nearly 50 nations and organizations had expressed support. Britain, Germany, Italy, and France condemned the attacks, while U.S. President Donald Trump called it “a terrible mistake” without elaborating. Meanwhile, Russian officials reiterated that their military only targets strategic objectives. The UN has reported over 12,600 civilian deaths in Ukraine since the war began, underscoring the escalating humanitarian toll.

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Zelenskiy Confirms Ukrainian Military Presence in Russia’s Belgorod and Kursk Regions

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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy confirmed for the first time that Ukrainian troops have been active in Russia’s Belgorod region, aiming to protect towns near the border in Ukraine’s Sumy and Kharkiv regions. In his nightly video address on Monday, Zelenskiy also acknowledged Ukrainian presence in parts of the neighbouring Kursk region, where troops have remained active eight months after a cross-border incursion, despite Russia’s partial recapture of territory.

The Ukrainian leader praised the 225th Assault Regiment for its role in the ongoing operations and reiterated that these cross-border missions are aimed at reducing pressure on other key frontlines, particularly in the Donetsk region. Zelenskiy emphasized that the strategy of taking the war back to Russian territory is “absolutely justified” and is helping divert Russian troops from areas where the fighting is most intense.

Meanwhile, Moscow claimed over the weekend that its forces had captured Basivka in Ukraine’s northeastern Sumy region, opposite Russia’s Kursk. However, Ukrainian military officials have denied losing the village. Russian President Vladimir Putin has long advocated for the creation of a buffer zone along the border, as battles in the Belgorod region continue to be reported by Russian military bloggers.

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Moldova Urges Clergy to Speak Out Against Russia’s War in Ukraine

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Moldova’s government has called on the country’s Orthodox clergy to “tell the truth” about Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, emphasizing the destruction of around 500 places of worship since the war began. Government spokesperson Daniel Voda made the appeal on Sunday, highlighting that the conflict is not just about territorial control but also the devastation of religious sites. His remarks come amid a growing rift between Moldova’s Orthodox churches, with many parishes shifting allegiance from the Moscow-linked Moldova Metropolis to the Romania-linked Metropolis of Bessarabia.

While the Moscow-affiliated church in Moldova insists it has condemned the war from the start and has provided aid to thousands of Ukrainian refugees, media reports suggest that some priests continue to support Russia’s actions. The church has acknowledged that groups of clergy have taken pilgrimages to Russian holy sites with financial backing from Moscow. Despite these divisions, Metropolitan Vladimir, head of the Moscow-linked church, maintains that he prays for peace and refrains from mentioning Russian President Vladimir Putin in his services.

Moldova’s religious schism mirrors the country’s complex history, as its territory has shifted between the Russian Empire, the Soviet Union, and Greater Romania. The Romania-linked Metropolis of Bessarabia has increasingly aligned with Moldova’s aspirations to join the European Union by 2030. With more than 90% of Moldovans adhering to Orthodox Christianity, the ongoing church split underscores deeper geopolitical and social shifts within the nation.

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European Leaders Push for Defense Boost Amid Divisions Over Ukraine Peacekeepers

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European leaders met in Paris on Monday for emergency talks on strengthening the continent’s defense capabilities, agreeing on the need for increased military spending but remaining divided over the possibility of deploying peacekeepers to Ukraine. The meeting, hosted by French President Emmanuel Macron, followed U.S. President Donald Trump’s surprise decision to hold direct peace talks with Russia, excluding European allies and Ukraine. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer supported the idea of a European peacekeeping mission but stressed the necessity of U.S. security commitments, while German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni expressed skepticism about the feasibility and effectiveness of such an initiative.

Leaders also emphasized that any ceasefire in Ukraine should be tied to a comprehensive peace agreement to prevent further Russian aggression. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, after a call with Macron, insisted that security guarantees must be “robust and reliable” to avoid another conflict. Meanwhile, European officials acknowledged the urgent need to bolster their defense budgets, with some advocating for loosening EU fiscal rules to accommodate higher military expenditures. Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen warned that Russia posed a broader threat to Europe, underscoring the necessity for a stronger European defense strategy.

As European leaders debated their approach, senior U.S. and Russian officials arrived in Saudi Arabia for high-level peace talks set to begin on Tuesday. The discussions, led by U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, are expected to focus on the future of U.S.-Russia relations and the potential for a settlement in Ukraine. Despite signs of differing objectives, both sides expressed a willingness to explore diplomatic solutions. Russia has ruled out territorial concessions, while Trump’s team has positioned itself as problem-solvers seeking economic and strategic cooperation between Washington and Moscow.

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Russia Intensifies Attacks in Eastern Ukraine as Peace Talks Loom

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Russian forces have sharply escalated their offensive in eastern Ukraine, with Kyiv’s military reporting 261 combat engagements in a single day, the highest recorded this year. The main attacks are concentrated near Pokrovsk, a vital logistics hub, as Moscow’s troops advance in the region. Ukrainian officials confirmed a temporary decline in engagements to 117 on Sunday but noted that heavy fighting continues, with Russian forces capturing the village of Berezivka while pushing toward key supply routes.

As NATO officials warn of intensified Russian assaults, Ukraine has stepped up its drone strikes deep into Russian territory, aiming to weaken Moscow’s position. President Volodymyr Zelenskiy highlighted a “good result” in recent battles, with Kyiv reclaiming the village of Pishchane, south of Pokrovsk. Meanwhile, U.S. and Russian officials are set to meet in Saudi Arabia, though Kyiv has not been invited, sparking concerns over President Donald Trump’s direct engagement with Moscow without consulting European allies.

In response to shifting dynamics, France will host a European summit on Monday to discuss security and counter Trump’s unilateral approach. Zelenskiy reported a surge in Russian strikes, with over 1,220 aerial bombs, 850 drones, and 40 missiles hitting Ukraine last week. Despite ongoing challenges, Kyiv remains committed to strengthening its defenses and coordinating with Western partners to strategize against Russian advances.

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Russian SU-24MR Jet Briefly Violates Polish Airspace Due to Navigation Failure

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A Russian SU-24MR military jet entered Polish airspace over the Gdańsk Bay area of the Baltic Sea on Tuesday, reportedly due to a navigation system failure, according to Poland’s Operational Command. The aircraft flew 6.5 kilometers (4 miles) into Polish territory and remained there for just over a minute before altering its course. Polish airspace monitoring services were in contact with their Russian counterparts, who acknowledged the violation and attributed it to a technical malfunction.

The Polish military stated that the jet had taken off from Russia’s Kaliningrad exclave and that the flight route was immediately corrected after intervention from a Russian Armed Forces navigator. Polish Interior Minister Tomasz Siemoniak emphasized that such incidents have been occurring for years, with Russia consistently testing and probing in the Baltic region.

Siemoniak also reassured that Poland’s detection systems promptly identified the intrusion, ensuring the aircraft exited Polish airspace swiftly after being alerted. He added that the Polish foreign ministry would assess the situation and determine an appropriate response.

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Russia Awaits Concrete Proposals for Peace Talks on Ukraine, Says Deputy Foreign Minister

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Moscow has yet to receive a “good offer” to initiate peace talks on Ukraine, Russia’s Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Galuzin stated on Monday. His remarks came after U.S. President Donald Trump claimed Washington was making progress in negotiations aimed at ending the nearly three-year conflict. Galuzin emphasized the need for practical steps that recognize Russia’s legitimate interests and address the root causes of the crisis.

Despite Trump’s assertions of ongoing conversations with Russian President Vladimir Putin, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov remained cautious, neither confirming nor denying the claims. Trump has repeatedly expressed his desire to meet with Putin at an appropriate time to negotiate peace. He also revealed plans to meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy this week to further discussions on ending the war.

The conflict, set to mark its third anniversary on February 24, remains a pivotal issue. Moscow views it as critical to Russia’s survival, while Kyiv and Western allies see it as an unjust territorial invasion. Zelenskiy reiterated Ukraine’s refusal to cede any land and stressed NATO integration as a top priority while offering rare earth minerals in exchange for U.S. financial support.

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Ukrainian Strike Hits Russian Fuel Depot, Disrupting Strategic Operations

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The Ukrainian military announced a targeted strike on a fuel storage depot in Engels, a city in Russia’s Saratov region, approximately 600 kilometers from the Ukrainian border. The overnight attack ignited a blaze at the depot, which supplied a critical air base used by Russian planes to launch missiles into Ukraine. Ukraine’s General Staff stated that the strike significantly disrupted Russian strategic aviation, hampering their ability to target Ukrainian cities and civilian infrastructure.

Russian officials confirmed a major drone attack in the area, with Saratov Governor Roman Busargin reporting fire damage at an industrial site in Engels caused by falling debris. No injuries were reported, but authorities responded by restricting flights at airports in Saratov, Ulyanovsk, Kazan, and Nizhnekamsk. The incident reflects escalating tensions as Ukraine expands its reach into Russian territory using domestically developed long-range weapons.

Ukrainian presidential advisor Alexander Kamyshin attributed the attack to Ukraine’s indigenous arsenal, emphasizing the effectiveness of locally produced capabilities with the hashtag #MadeInUkraine. Last year, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy highlighted Kyiv’s development of weapons with a range of up to 700 kilometers, with recent strikes proving their ability to hit targets over 1,000 kilometers away. This marks a shift in Ukraine’s strategy amid restrictions on the use of Western-supplied long-range weapons.

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Ukraine Launches Surprise Offensive in Russia’s Kursk Region

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Ukraine has launched a surprise offensive in Russia’s Kursk region, aiming to reclaim ground after months of setbacks. Reports emerged early Sunday from Russian military bloggers, later confirmed by officials in Kyiv and Moscow. Ukrainian forces reportedly attacked multiple fronts near Sudzha, with the country’s Presidential Office head Andriy Yermak describing the situation as “good news” for Ukraine. Meanwhile, Russia’s Defense Ministry claimed to have repelled two assaults and inflicted heavy losses on Ukrainian troops, including North Korean soldiers aiding Moscow.

This escalation follows Ukraine’s initial incursion into Kursk last August, during which Kyiv seized significant territory before losing over 40% due to sustained Russian counterattacks. The latest offensive seeks to regain momentum amid concerns that U.S. President-elect Donald Trump may push for a peace deal, potentially pressuring Ukraine into unfavorable compromises. Analysts have cautioned against premature conclusions about the attack’s significance, as both sides have engaged in disinformation campaigns.

As Ukraine braces for potential changes in U.S. support, its leadership is focused on negotiating from a position of strength. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has maintained strong rhetoric, highlighting Russian losses, including North Korean troops, in the ongoing battles. Western analysts suggest that while the offensive’s outcome remains uncertain, it underscores Ukraine’s determination to challenge Moscow and resist territorial concessions.

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