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Russia Turns to Indian Workers to Tackle Labour Shortage

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Russia is increasingly recruiting workers from India to address a severe labour shortage worsened by the war in Ukraine. Officials estimate the country needs at least 2.3 million additional workers, particularly in manufacturing, construction and services. With fewer migrants arriving from Central Asia — traditionally Russia’s main source of foreign labour — Moscow has sharply increased work permits for Indians, approving nearly 72,000 last year compared with about 5,000 in 2021.

The shift reflects both economic necessity and strengthening ties between Moscow and New Delhi. President Vladimir Putin and Prime Minister Narendra Modi signed an agreement in December to simplify employment procedures for Indians in Russia. Russian officials say the country could accept an “unlimited number” of Indian workers, with hundreds of thousands needed across key sectors. A weaker rouble, stricter migration rules and rising anti-immigrant rhetoric have also reduced inflows from Central Asia, prompting the pivot toward South Asia.

Indian migrants are now working in textile factories, farms and service industries around Moscow and beyond. Employers say the workers are motivated and quickly adapt to new skills, while migrants cite higher wages compared to opportunities back home. Though U.S. pressure on India over its purchases of discounted Russian oil could affect broader ties, Moscow has downplayed tensions, and the inflow of Indian labour continues for now.

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Russian Comedian Jailed for Nearly Six Years Over Joke About War Veteran

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A Russian court has sentenced stand-up comedian Artemy Ostanin to nearly six years in prison for inciting hatred after a joke he made about a war veteran sparked public outrage. Ostanin was handed a jail term of five years and nine months along with a fine of 300,000 roubles, a Reuters reporter said, in one of the latest cases targeting speech deemed offensive to the military during Russia’s war in Ukraine.

The conviction stemmed from a March 2025 performance in which Ostanin joked about a war veteran who had lost his legs to a mine and was using a skateboard to get around, as well as referring to a wheelchair in derogatory terms. A video of the performance later went viral on Telegram after being shared by nationalist groups and military bloggers, who accused the comedian of mocking veterans fighting for the country.

Ostanin was also found guilty of offending the feelings of Christians over a separate joke about Jesus, drawing criticism from Orthodox nationalist organisations. After facing mounting backlash, he attempted to flee Russia but was arrested in Belarus and returned to Moscow to stand trial. Speaking in court after the verdict, Ostanin said he did not accept the ruling, calling the punishment excessive.

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Musk Says Starlink Curbs on Russian Use Are Showing Results

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Elon Musk said on Sunday that steps taken by SpaceX to prevent Russia from using its Starlink satellite internet system without authorization appear to have been effective. His comments came after Ukraine reported finding Starlink terminals on long-range drones used in recent Russian attacks, raising concerns over misuse of the technology in the conflict.

Ukraine’s military relies heavily on Starlink for battlefield communications and for operating certain drone missions. Kyiv said it is working closely with SpaceX to stop any Russian access to the system. Posting on X, Musk said the measures introduced by the company had worked so far and added that SpaceX would take further action if needed.

Ukrainian Defence Minister Mykhailo Fedorov said authorities are now developing a system that would allow only authorised Starlink terminals to function within Ukraine. He said initial steps had already delivered quick results in countering Russian drone operations. SpaceX has previously said it does not sell or ship Starlink to Russia and does not conduct any business with the Russian government or military.

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Donetsk Remains Major Hurdle in Ukraine Peace Talks, Rubio Says

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U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said active efforts are under way to resolve the territorial dispute over Donetsk, calling it the most difficult remaining obstacle in U.S.-mediated talks aimed at ending Russia’s war in Ukraine. Speaking at a Senate Foreign Relations Committee hearing on Wednesday, Rubio said negotiators have narrowed the talks to this single core issue, but warned it would be “very difficult” to bridge the gap.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has demanded that Ukraine surrender all of the Donbas region, including the remaining 20% of Donetsk still under Kyiv’s control, threatening to seize it by force if it is not handed over in a peace deal. Ukraine has firmly rejected territorial concessions, saying it will not cede land Russia has failed to capture militarily, a stance widely supported by Ukrainian public opinion and most of the international community.

Rubio said the United States may participate in follow-up talks expected in Abu Dhabi, though senior envoys involved in earlier discussions will not attend. Previous talks between Russian and Ukrainian officials ended without an agreement, but both sides signaled willingness to continue dialogue. Rubio also indicated that U.S. security guarantees for Ukraine could come into effect only after the conflict ends, amid reports that Washington is pressing Kyiv to accept a peace deal as a condition for long-term security support.

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Kyiv Residents Battle Freezing Cold After Russian Drone Strike Tears Through Homes

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Kyiv residents are struggling to cope with freezing temperatures after a Russian drone strike ripped open a high-rise apartment building, shattering windows and cutting off basic services. Nataliya Revutska, a 58-year-old resident, said her flat remains partly habitable despite severe damage, but there is no water or electricity. The strike exposed families to harsh January winds as temperatures dropped to around minus 10 degrees Celsius.

The attack was part of a wider overnight assault in which Russia launched 242 drones and 36 missiles across Ukraine, killing four people and further straining the country’s energy system. Ukrainian officials said they were working urgently to restore power to about 500,000 consumers and heating to thousands of buildings in Kyiv. In western Ukraine, a hypersonic missile strike near the EU border added to concerns over escalating pressure on civilian infrastructure.

At the damaged Kyiv building, residents cleared debris amid falling snow and the hum of generators. Twelfth-floor resident Oleg Marasin described chaos and casualties after a second strike hit medics nearby. Despite the destruction and ongoing outages, residents told Reuters they remain determined to endure. “We’ve already survived,” Revutska said. “We’ll continue living somehow.”

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Merz Urges Europe to Assert Its Interests to Protect Peace and Prosperity

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German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has called on Europe to assert its interests more forcefully to safeguard peace and prosperity in 2026, warning of mounting threats from Russian aggression, global protectionism and shifting relations with the United States. Speaking in his New Year’s address, Merz said the war in Ukraine posed a direct threat to Europe’s freedom and security, adding that Russia’s actions were part of a broader strategy targeting the entire continent.

Since taking office in May, Merz has played a key role in pushing European support for Ukraine and strengthening Germany’s defence posture. He said Germany now faces daily challenges including sabotage, espionage and cyberattacks, underscoring the need for greater resilience. Merz also highlighted economic risks from rising protectionism and Europe’s dependence on imported raw materials, which he said were increasingly being used as tools of political pressure.

Merz pointed to Germany’s struggle to revive its export-driven economy after two years of contraction, as Berlin seeks to reduce reliance on China while navigating global trade tensions and the impact of U.S. President Donald Trump’s tariff policies. Acknowledging a more difficult partnership with Washington since Trump’s return to office in 2025, Merz said Europe must rely more on itself, stressing that confidence, not fear, should guide the continent’s response as it works to renew long-standing peace, freedom and prosperity.

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Kyiv Targeted by Russian Strikes Ahead of Zelensky’s Peace Meeting with Trump

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Russia launched missile and drone attacks on Kyiv and other regions of Ukraine on Saturday, coinciding with heightened security measures ahead of President Volodymyr Zelensky’s key meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump in Florida. Ukraine’s air force issued a nationwide alert as explosions were heard in the capital, prompting air defense units to intercept incoming missiles and drones. No immediate reports of damage or power outages were recorded.

The attacks come amid ongoing diplomatic efforts to finalize a U.S.-backed 20-point peace plan aimed at halting the war that began with Russia’s invasion in February 2022. Zelensky emphasized that his discussions with Trump would focus on territorial control, including the contested Donetsk and Luhansk regions, as well as security guarantees. Kyiv seeks legally binding provisions to prevent future Russian aggression, while a free economic zone is proposed for certain areas under U.S. compromise.

Additional issues include control of the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant and the eastern Donbas region, both key points of contention in the negotiations. Russia’s foreign policy aide, Yuri Ushakov, engaged with U.S. officials after Moscow received American proposals for a possible peace deal, although Russia has not publicly disclosed its stance on the documents. Both sides continue dialogue as efforts to resolve the nearly four-year conflict move forward.

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Pope Leo Highlights Gaza and Global Conflicts in First Christmas Sermon

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In his first Christmas sermon, Pope Leo made an unusually direct appeal regarding the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, asking how people could ignore Palestinians living in tents exposed to rain, wind, and cold. The U.S.-born pope, known for his quieter and diplomatic style, usually avoids political commentary in sermons, but he emphasized the plight of vulnerable populations worldwide, linking their suffering to the message of Jesus’ birth in a humble stable.

During the “Urbi et Orbi” blessing, Leo also addressed broader global issues, calling for an end to wars and lamenting the destruction caused by conflicts in Ukraine, Sudan, Mali, Myanmar, Thailand, and Cambodia. He highlighted the struggles of young people forced into combat and the ongoing humanitarian challenges, stressing the importance of dialogue, reconciliation, and international support.

The pope’s remarks also extended to the homeless and migrants, reflecting his early papacy’s focus on caring for vulnerable communities. He reiterated that resolving long-standing conflicts, including the decades-long Israeli-Palestinian dispute, requires practical solutions such as the establishment of a Palestinian state, while urging all parties to work toward peace and humanitarian relief.

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Russia Intensifies Drone and Missile Strikes on Ukraine’s Odesa Region

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Russia has stepped up attacks on Ukraine’s southern Odesa region, targeting port infrastructure and causing widespread power outages, Ukrainian officials said. Deputy Prime Minister Oleksiy Kuleba described the strikes as “systematic,” warning that Moscow’s military focus may be shifting towards Odesa, a vital hub for Ukraine’s maritime trade. President Volodymyr Zelensky said the assaults aim to block Ukraine’s access to sea-based logistics.

In recent days, Russian drone and missile strikes have damaged civilian vessels, warehouses, and port facilities, disrupting electricity supplies for tens of thousands of residents. Regional authorities reported casualties, including deaths from a ballistic missile strike on the Pivdenniy port, while another attack temporarily cut the only bridge linking Odesa with Moldova. Fires at port facilities also destroyed large quantities of grain-related cargo, adding to economic losses.

Odesa has become strategically critical for Ukraine as other southern ports remain inaccessible due to Russian occupation. Despite the ongoing war, the city serves as a key launch point for a maritime corridor that allows Ukrainian grain exports via the Black Sea. Zelensky said continued Russian attacks show Moscow has no intention of ending its aggression, as diplomatic efforts led by the United States failed to make significant progress toward peace.

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EU Approves €90 Billion Loan for Ukraine, Sidesteps Use of Frozen Russian Assets

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European Union leaders have agreed to provide Ukraine with a €90 billion loan to support its military and economic needs over the next two years, following intense negotiations at a summit in Brussels. The funding will be backed by the EU’s common budget after member states failed to reach consensus on using frozen Russian assets. European Council President Antonio Costa said the deal demonstrated unity and commitment, calling it a delivery on promises made to Kyiv.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky had pushed for the use of around €200 billion in frozen Russian assets, most of which are held in Belgium. However, concerns over legal risks and liability-sharing prevented agreement, with Belgium seeking guarantees that other EU countries were unwilling to provide. While expressing gratitude for the loan, Zelensky stressed that Russian assets should remain immobilised and said the support would significantly strengthen Ukraine’s resilience at a critical time.

The loan offers a vital lifeline as Ukraine faces a looming cash crunch, with EU estimates suggesting the country needs €135 billion over the next two years and could begin running short of funds by April. European leaders said the agreement avoided division within the bloc, while Germany’s Chancellor said it sent a strong signal to Moscow. The decision comes amid renewed diplomatic efforts, including upcoming US-Russia talks and continued discussions between Ukrainian and US officials on security guarantees.

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