Russian Defence Minister Andrei Belousov has claimed that nearly 410,000 people have voluntarily joined the ranks of the Russian Armed Forces in 2025. Source: Russian media outlets, citing the Kremlin on social media Quote: "We've overfulfilled this year's recruitment plan.

In nine hours, nine unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) were intercepted and destroyed over the regions of Russia The Armed Forces of Ukraine (AFU). This was announced on December 17 by the Russian Defense Ministry.

The President took part in an expanded meeting of the Defence Ministry Board at the National Defence Control Centre of the Russian Federation.

The Russian Defence Ministry said on Monday that its air defence units had shot down 130 Ukrainian drones overnight, 15 of which were headed for Moscow.

On December 16, the Russian Ministry of Defense showed on video a submarine, the alleged destruction of which was previously announced by the special services of Ukraine.The footage published by the agency shows a submarine of the Russian Black Sea Fleet without visible damage.

Russia is now arming its drones with Soviet-era air-to-air missiles to hunt Ukrainian aircraft, Kyiv said.

Ukraine controls nearly 90% of the strategic northeastern town of Kupiansk, its military chief said on Wednesday, but Russia's defence minister said a Ukrainian counter-attack on the town had been unsuccessful.

Ukraine extended aerial attacks targeting Russia's energy infrastructure for a fifth day with a drone strike on an oil refinery in Krasnodar Krai.

Japan has scrambled jets to monitor Russian and Chinese air forces conducting joint patrols around the country, the Japanese defense ministry said late Tuesday, amid rising tensions between Tokyo and Beijing.

The Defence Ministry on Tuesday called reports of private firms meeting Russian officials "baseless," clarifying the delegation included only ministry officials.

Germany is stepping up military recruiting and investing in everything from drones to spy cockroaches to build up its defense.

Russian President Vladimir Putin declares Russia's Ukraine war goals will be achieved through negotiations or military force as diplomatic efforts.