International
Russia reports the first Ukrainian drone attack against the North Ossetia region
For the first time in the last two years, Ukrainian forces attacked the North Ossetia region, in southern Russia, local authorities reported on Saturday.
According to the local governor, Sergey Maniaylo, three fixed-wing drones were destroyed that intended to attack a military airfield.
The incident left no casualties or damages, the official said.
The Russian Ministry of Defense in turn reported the shooting down of 25 Ukrainian drones throughout the night.
The attacks were aborted in six regions and the annexed Crimean peninsula.
In addition, Russian forces destroyed two naval drones that were heading for the peninsula, according to the military note.
This attack was a special operation of the Chief Intelligence Directorate of the Ukrainian Ministry of Defense, “Ukrainska Pravda” reported on Saturday.
“It is a planned work of Ukrainian intelligence and the successful application of improved national media,” a Ukrainian intelligence source told this media.
He confirmed that this is the first attack against the Mozdok air base, added that the target area in the territory of the aggressor state is expanding, and pointed out that the aforementioned means are Ukrainian.
“The military facilities of the enemy participating in Russia’s genocidal war against the Ukrainians should not be safe,” he stressed.
Ukrainian air defense forces shot down a Kh-59 guided missile and nine of the thirteen Shahed attack drones launched by Russia during the night, the commander of the Ukrainian Air Force, Lieutenant General Mikola Oleshchuk, reported on Saturday.
In a message on Telegram he specified that the Russians attacked with a Kh-59 guided missile from the Russian region of Kursk and launched thirteen Shahed-131/136 attack drones from Kursk and Cape Chauda, in the occupied region of Crimea.
He specified that mobile fire groups of the Ukrainian Defense Forces and electronic warfare units of the Ukrainian Air Force shot down nine Shahed drones and the Kh-59 missile over the regions of Kharkov, Zaporiyia, Poltava and Dnipropetrovsk.
Russian investigators have opened a criminal case for terrorism after the Ukrainian attack on a town in the region of Jerson controlled by Russian forces, which left 22 dead and 15 injured last night, the Russian Investigation Committee reported on Saturday.
“According to the information available now, as a result of the inhuman and selective attack on a civilian infrastructure facility, 22 civilians died and 15 people were injured,” an official note says.
International
U.S. Senate Rejects Budget, Bringing Government Closer to Shutdown Amid DHS Dispute
The U.S. Senate voted on Thursday against a budget proposal in a move aimed at pressuring changes at the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), following the killing of two civilians during a deployment of immigration agents in Minneapolis.
All Senate Democrats and seven Republican lawmakers voted against the bill, which requires 60 votes to advance, pushing the country closer to a partial government shutdown that would cut funding for several agencies, including the Pentagon and the Department of Health.
The rejection came as Senate leaders and the White House continue negotiations on a separate funding package for DHS that would allow reforms to the agency. Proposed measures include banning Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents from wearing face coverings and requiring them to use body-worn cameras during operations.
The vote took place just hours after President Donald Trump said he was “close” to reaching an agreement with Democrats and did not believe the federal government would face another shutdown, following last year’s record stoppage.
“I don’t think the Democrats want a shutdown either, so we’ll work in a bipartisan way to avoid it. Hopefully, there will be no government shutdown. We’re working on that right now,” Trump said during a Cabinet meeting at the White House.
International
Trump Says Putin Agreed to One-Week Halt in Attacks on Ukraine Amid Extreme Cold
U.S. President Donald Trump said on Thursday that he secured a commitment from Russian President Vladimir Putinto halt attacks against Ukraine for one week, citing extreme weather conditions affecting the region.
“Because of the extreme cold (…) I personally asked Putin not to attack Kyiv or other cities and towns for a week. And he agreed. He was very pleasant,” Trump said during a Cabinet meeting broadcast by the White House.
Trump acknowledged that several advisers had questioned the decision to make the call.
“A lot of people told me not to waste the call because they wouldn’t agree. And he accepted. And we’re very happy they did, because they don’t need missiles hitting their towns and cities,” the president said.
According to Trump, Ukrainian authorities reacted with surprise to the announcement but welcomed the possibility of a temporary ceasefire.
“It’s extraordinarily cold, record cold (…) They say they’ve never experienced cold like this,” he added.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky later commented on the announcement, expressing hope that the agreement would be honored.
International
Storm Kristin Kills Five in Portugal, Leaves Nearly 500,000 Without Power
Storm Kristin, which battered Portugal with heavy rain and strong winds early Wednesday, has left at least five people dead, while nearly half a million residents remained without electricity as of Thursday, according to updated figures from authorities.
The revised death toll was confirmed to AFP by a spokesperson for the National Emergency and Civil Protection Authority (ANPEC). On Wednesday, the agency had reported four fatalities.
Meanwhile, E-Redes, the country’s electricity distribution network operator, said that around 450,000 customers were still without power, particularly in central Portugal.
Emergency services responded to approximately 1,500 incidents between midnight and 8:00 a.m. local time on Wednesday, as the storm caused widespread disruptions.
The Portuguese government described Kristin as an “extreme weather event” that inflicted significant damage across several regions of the country. At the height of the storm, as many as 850,000 households and institutions lost electricity during the early hours of Wednesday.
Several municipalities ordered the closure of schools, many of which remained shut on Thursday due to ongoing adverse conditions.
Ricardo Costa, regional deputy commander of the Leiria Fire Brigade, said residents continue to seek assistance as rainfall persists.
“Even though the rain is not extremely intense, it is causing extensive damage to homes,” he noted.
In Figueira da Foz, a coastal city in central Portugal, strong winds toppled a giant Ferris wheel, underscoring the severity of the storm.
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