Thousands protest in Tbilisi as Georgia suspends EU membership talks
Police clashed with protesters in the Georgian capital of Tbilisi on Thursday, Nov. 28, after the country’s ruling party announced it paused talks on joining the European Union (EU) until the end of 2028. Nearly 50 protesters were reportedly arrested, and three police officers were injured in the protests.
Police in riot gear reportedly fired a water cannon and launched teargas as protesters tried to force their way into parliament.
As thousands of pro-EU activists blocked the streets, the country’s outgoing pro-EU president accused the government of declaring “war” on its own people and questioned whether the police were loyal to Georgia or Russia.
The government’s decision came after the European Parliament rejected the results of Georgia’s parliamentary elections in October 2024 and passed a resolution calling for new elections under international supervision.
Many Georgians called the results of the elections fraudulent, and a global research and data firm declared the results “statistically impossible.”
Official results gave Georgia’s ruling party nearly 54% of the vote. The opposition party has refused to take their seats due to concerns over election integrity.
Georgia’s relationship with the EU has become tense recently. Brussels accused the Georgian government of taking pro-Russian stances, which Georgia’s ruling party denies.
Ruling party officials accused the EU of using accession talks to spur a “revolution in the country,” citing this as the reason Georgia has decided to end talks about EU membership until 2028. Polls show around 80% of Georgians want the country to join the EU.
Meanwhile, domestic and foreign critics accuse Georgia’s ruling Georgian Dream party of steering the country back towards Moscow with recently passed laws, including one requiring any non-commercial person or organization receiving more than 20% funding from a “foreign power” register as a foreign agent or face significant fines.
Russian President Vladimir Putin praised the so-called foreign agent’s law. The EU gave Georgia candidate status in 2023 but noted that a number of the country’s “Russian-inspired” laws passed, including the foreign agent’s legislation, were obstacles to membership.
Georgia gained independence from Russia in 1991 and has no formal diplomatic relationship with Moscow since a war with the country in 2008.
Kyiv says Russia suffered more than 2,000 casualties in 24 hours
Ukraine’s military announced on Friday, Nov. 29, that Russia suffered 2,030 casualties in a 24-hour period, which would be the first time since Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine that the casualty count among Russian troops reached a number that high. Ukraine did not reveal whether those numbers included Russian soldiers killed, captured or missing.
The casualty total reportedly breaks the previous 24-hour record of 1,950, which Kyiv said happened on Nov. 12. Ukraine said that it calculated the Russian losses through leaked data and published Russian intelligence reports.
Despite the losses for Moscow, Russian troops, along with the help of thousands of North Korean troops, have reportedly continued to advance, sparking fears that Ukrainian forces do not have sufficient manpower to hold them off. U.S. researchers reportedly found that Moscow has captured territory at a rate of nearly nine square miles per day over the past month.
Ukrainian officials warn that its 600-mile frontline is now at its highest risk of collapse since February 2022.
Earlier this week, the Biden administration reportedly pushed Ukraine to lower the age of draft eligibility to counter Russian gains. Ukraine estimates that it will need around 160,000 more troops. However, according to the report, the United States believes that number is higher than Ukrainian estimates.
The Biden administration is also rushing aid to Ukraine amid concerns the incoming Trump administration could limit U.S. aid. President Joe Biden recently announced that he is forgiving $4.7 billion in Ukrainian debt.
China debuts H-6N nuclear bomber in joint patrol with Russia
China and Russia conducted a joint patrol of nuclear-capable bombers over the Sea of Japan on Friday, Nov. 29, their ninth such operation since 2019. The patrol featured China’s H-6N bomber, its first deployment in such an exercise, and Russia’s Tu-95MS strategic bomber, according to Chinese state media.
South Korea’s military reported that 11 Chinese and Russian aircraft entered its air defense identification zone (ADIZ), prompting it to scramble fighter jets. The planes remained in the zone for about four hours but did not breach South Korean airspace. Officials said they lodged formal protests with both Beijing and Moscow over the unannounced flights.
The South Korean military stated that Russian aircraft approached from the northeast over the East Sea, while Chinese planes entered from the south and moved northward. The two groups of bombers met south of Dokdo, a group of islands claimed by both South Korea and Japan, before leaving the ADIZ.
China’s state broadcaster described the patrol as part of an annual plan aimed at strengthening joint training and operational capabilities. Russia has not commented on the exercise.
The joint patrol follows similar missions earlier this year, including a July operation near Alaska that prompted the United States and Canada to dispatch fighter jets. It also comes amid escalating military tensions, including Russia’s recent deployment of a hypersonic missile in Ukraine.
Air defense identification zones, such as South Korea’s ADIZ, require foreign aircraft to identify themselves for security purposes but do not constitute sovereign airspace. These zones often overlap, leading to disputes between nations.
Moscow argued that South Korea’s ADIZ was established unilaterally and does not legally bind other countries. South Korea maintains that all aircraft entering the zone should provide notice and routinely scrambles fighter jets in response to unauthorized entries.
US B-52 bombers join Finnish, Swedish in NATO training near Russian border
Two U.S. B-52 bombers conducted a training mission over Finland, simulating weapons drops alongside Finnish and Swedish fighter jets. The operation aligns with NATO’s collective defense initiatives as Finland bolsters its military capabilities following its recent NATO membership.
The bombers departed from Fairford Air Base in England, flying over the North Sea, Denmark and the Baltic Sea before entering Finnish airspace. According to the Finnish Air Force, the exercises included simulated air-to-ground drops and demonstrated coordination in fire-use missions. Finnish officials emphasized that such drills enhance defense readiness and contribute to NATO’s presence in the region.
The bilateral cooperation between Finland and the United States strengthens Finland's defence capability.
The mission follows Russia’s announcement of deploying a hypersonic missile in Ukraine, which reportedly has the capability to reach European capitals within minutes. During the training, Russian fighter jets reportedly intercepted the U.S. bombers near Kaliningrad. U.S. officials described the encounter as safe and professional, with the bombers continuing on their planned route.
The B-52H Stratofortress, a long-range bomber, was configured for conventional weapons during the mission. The aircraft can carry up to 70,000 pounds of armaments, including nuclear and precision-guided conventional weapons. Of the 76 bombers in the U.S. fleet, 46 are nuclear-capable.
This mission follows similar NATO exercises conducted earlier this year, highlighting Finland’s increasing role in alliance activities. Both the U.S. Air Force and the Russian Defense Ministry have declined to comment further.
Russia launches record 188 drones on Ukraine civilians, power grid: Kyiv
Russia launched 188 drones in a massive overnight assault across 17 Ukrainian regions, including Kyiv, marking the largest drone attack since the war began, Ukraine’s air force said Tuesday, Nov. 26. While most drones were intercepted, several hit apartment buildings and critical infrastructure, including the national power grid.
In Kharkiv, drone and missile strikes injured at least 23 people and damaged more than 40 buildings, local officials said. Odesa saw similar attacks, leaving 10 injured and causing significant damage to residential areas.
Drone strikes in the Mykolaiv and Zaporizhzhia regions targeted energy infrastructure, triggering power outages but no immediate casualties.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy condemned the attacks and called for stricter enforcement of sanctions. He highlighted that Russian drones rely on foreign components, with each device containing approximately 85 imported parts.
“Such attacks are possible because Russia circumvents sanctions through various schemes,” Zelenskyy said, urging global efforts to block these supplies as a critical step to ending the war.
The strikes appear part of Russia’s broader strategy to weaken Ukraine’s power grid ahead of the winter months. Temperatures have already dropped below freezing, and officials warn of potential blackouts, raising concerns about Ukraine’s ability to maintain essential services.
The escalation comes as Ukraine faces uncertainty about future U.S. aid with President-elect Donald Trump set to take office in January.
Ukrainian officials believe the intensified attacks are designed to erode resilience amid mounting geopolitical and economic pressures.
N Korea ballistic missile facility growing as revealed by new satellite images
U.S. defense experts revealed on Monday, Nov. 25, that they believe that Pyongyang may be ramping up its production of weapons for Moscow to use in its war in Ukraine. Researchers said new satellite images reveal North Korea is expanding a crucial weapons manufacturing complex that produces short-range missiles.
The California think-tank behind the findings noted that the plant is the only one known to produce a certain class of ballistic missiles used by Russia to strike Ukrainian forces.
Known as the KN23, the rockets are reportedly capable of evading missile defense systems by flying at low altitudes, which makes them useful for Russian forces trying to penetrate Ukrainian air defenses.
The satellite images show what reportedly appears to be an additional assembly building under construction and a housing structure for workers near North Korea’s east coast.
North Korean missiles allegedly account for only a fraction of Moscow’s strikes in Ukraine. However, the developments stoked fears among South Korea and the United States because both countries have long sought to prevent North Korea from expanding its production of ballistic missiles.
Both Moscow and Pyongyang denied that North Korea is supplying weapons to Russia for its war in Ukraine, despite the countries signing a mutual defense treaty in June 2024 and vowing to boost military ties.
Meanwhile, thousands of North Korean troops are reportedly being deployed to help Russia in its war efforts.
Biden to cancel $4.7B in Ukrainian debt as time in office nears end
With just weeks left in his presidency, President Joe Biden is working to secure support for Ukraine before President-elect Donald Trump takes office on Jan. 20. As he hits the lame-duck portion of his presidency, Biden announced on Wednesday, Nov. 20, the forgiveness of $4.7 billion in Ukrainian debt.
The president does have the authority to forgive the debt due to U.S. Congress granting him the power in an April funding bill that approved $9.4 billion in loan forgiveness.
The move by Biden is important to the White House because some within the administration are reportedly concerned Trump could limit U.S. funding for the war.
The White House and Ukraine said the loan forgiveness will give Ukraine the ability to maintain its defense while keeping government functions intact.
However, some Republicans have issues with the plan. They argue loan forgiveness before leaving office won’t have the proper oversight and sets a bad precedent for lame-duck presidential actions.
Other actions taken by the Biden administration recently include shipping anti-personnel land mines to Ukraine and authorizing Ukraine’s armed forces to strike targets in Russia with long-range ATACMS.
The White House says its decisions are in response to Moscow using around 10,000 North Korean troops to clear Ukrainian forces out of the Kursk region.
His proposal includes freezing the conflict along the current front lines, allowing Russia to retain significant territory, including Crimea and large portions of the Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia and Kherson regions.
These areas account for nearly 20% of Ukraine’s territory, an expanse roughly equivalent to the size of Virginia. The territory also includes critical land routes to Crimea.
Putin ruled out returning Crimea or making any major territorial concessions and insisted Ukraine abandon its ambitions to join NATO.
The Kremlin’s conditions reportedly include limits on Ukraine’s military size and assurances to protect the use of the Russian language. While Moscow is open to offering security guarantees for Ukraine, it insists on the complete absence of NATO forces or influence within the country.
The Kremlin’s stance reflects its broader objective of solidifying territorial gains while countering what it perceives as NATO’s encroachment. Putin has characterized the conflict as a pivotal moment in resisting Western influence in regions Moscow considers part of its sphere of control. However, NATO has emphasized that its members join voluntarily.
Potential negotiations could resemble a 2022 draft agreement discussed during the Istanbul talks. Those talks proposed Ukrainian neutrality in exchange for international security guarantees from U.N. Security Council members.
However, Kyiv remains steadfast in its demand for full territorial sovereignty, including the return of Crimea.
Reports from the front lines indicate that fighting has intensified. Russian forces have made their fastest advances since the early days of the war, further complicating the prospect of a cease-fire. The Kremlin has stated that if no agreement is reached, military operations will continue.
Putin retains decisive control over any potential negotiations, reflecting the centralized decision-making within the Kremlin. While a temporary truce may be achievable, analysts widely agree a comprehensive peace agreement addressing both sides’ security concerns remains unlikely.
This is why it would be ‘ludicrous’ for Russia to use nuclear weapons
Stop me if you’ve heard this before. The President of Russia, Vladimir Putin, is threatening to use nuclear weapons if Ukraine gets or uses certain other weapons in certain ways.
In the latest example of nuclear saber-rattling, Moscow changed its protocols for using nuclear weapons. If a non-nuclear country like Ukraine, is allied with a nuclear-armed country like the United States, and puts Russian sovereignty at risk, the Kremlin said it will use nukes.
Over the course of the war in Ukraine, Russia has issued dozens of threats concerning the use of its nuclear weapons, and each time the threat rang hollow. Straight Arrow News Reporter Ryan Robertson spoke with Matt Shoemaker, a former U.S. intelligence officer who spent time on the Russia desk, about whether to take Russia’s threats seriously.
The following conversation has been edited for length and clarity. You can watch the full interview in the video above.
Ryan Robertson: The last couple of days, the announcement came out that Russia was amending its protocols for nuclear responses to say that if Ukraine, or a nation, attacks Russia with long-range weapons that puts Russian sovereignty at risk, and that nation is being backed by a nuclear power, then Russia can use nuclear weapons.
The announcement was made in September, and went live at the same time Ukraine was using long-range ATACMS outside of Kursk. Is this all just more bluster from Putin?
Matthew Shoemaker: Short answer, yes. There’s been a lot of sensationalism, especially here in the United States, with regards to this usage of ATACMS. If you go on the Drudge Report, for example, the past three days, their main headlines have been essentially, “Nuclear war is about to start. All of these countries are updating their nuclear weapons programs and their nuclear responses.”
This was foreseen, Russia, let’s put it that way, had a good idea that this was going to happen, which is why they announced it back in September. They waited [to implement it] until President Biden announced [his plans]. And let’s be honest, President Putin knows President Biden. They’ve met multiple times. Biden’s got two months left on the clock. Putin knows that. Putin knows that, you know, Trump’s about to come in. Putin is going to have a much better time, from his perspective, negotiating with Trump.
You know, this is all just bluster at this point. No one anticipates, no one expects that President Putin is going to start nuclear war over this with President Biden and two months left. There’s nothing whatsoever in it for President Putin to do this. So this is all just bluster, unfortunately. And, you know, people with their own political axes to grind are using it for their advantage, whether it be bludgeoning the other side over the head with their political comments or just to try and stir up support for themselves. So, you know, there’s a lot of sensationalism going on.
Ryan Robertson: Sure, sure. I mean, it’s 2024, right? You can’t get by without some sensationalism, right? You mentioned something about the ATACMS. You know, President Biden has approved ATACMS. Ukraine probably doesn’t have that many long-range ATACMS at this point, but President Biden has a few billion dollars left of congressionally approved money to spend. If Ukraine suddenly got an influx of ATACMS, you know, long-range missiles, would that be enough to change the course of the war over the next couple of months before President Trump takes office?
Matthew Shoemaker: A short answer, in my professional assessment as a former intelligence officer, is no. None of that is in President Biden’s wheelhouse. Over the past three years of this conflict, effectively, he has slow-walked, at every single opportunity, any chance that the Ukrainians had to get an upper hand with regards to the Russians. President Biden has denied them that. The only thing President Biden has actually done is given the Ukrainians enough to stay in the fight.
And that’s essentially what this is more than anything, because—and not to get too far into the weeds and become too much of a tactician with regards to this—as you mentioned, the Ukrainians don’t have enough of these ATACMS. The ATACMS themselves come in multiple variants. No one really knows which variants the Ukrainians have or how many of those variants they have. The two main variants are–one is a main large warhead itself. And that’s used against, usually, clusters of personnel, for example. That tends to have a shorter range because it’s heavier. You need a bigger warhead for it.
The other variant has a lot of smaller munitions in it and kind of just sprays them out over a wide area. That one, from my understanding, has a little bit of a longer range. We don’t know how many the Ukrainians have. We don’t know how many of the variants they have either. That sort of thing.
On top of it, the Americans have been helping the Ukrainians pay for the development of a Ukrainian-made, essentially ATACMS-style weapon that the Ukrainians have been fielding, and they can produce those themselves. So, you know, the Ukrainians have been lobbing these into Russia, and this doesn’t really change any of the tactics on the field. It is all just bluster. It creates a headline. Because in reality, yes, for the Americans to say you can use these weapons against Russian soil is a new development, if you will.
I would say that, unlike most of the reporting, from my understanding, there actually are quite a lot of restrictions still on the use of ATACMS.
Ryan Robertson: Right. The Ukrainians can only use them around Kursk.
Matthew Shoemaker: Exactly. It’s meant to give the Ukrainians some bargaining chip when Trump does come into office, that the Ukrainians own, essentially, Russian territory that they can negotiate to give back to the Russians under a Trump administration. There’s a lot of gamesmanship, a lot of different tactics going on, a lot of chess being played. But for people to just fly off the handle and assume that nuclear war is coming is irresponsible at best and just ludicrous at worst.
Ryan Robertson: Matt Shoemaker, always a pleasure talking to you.
Biden greenlights anti-personnel mines for Ukraine as Russia gains ground
President Joe Biden has approved the use of U.S.-supplied long-range missiles on Russian territory and authorized the distribution of anti-personnel mines to Ukraine. According to U.S. officials, the mines are designed to deactivate after a set period and will only be deployed within Ukrainian territory.
Russia has made significant battlefield gains this year, seizing nearly six times more territory in 2024 than in 2023. Key areas like Kupiansk and Kurakhove in eastern Ukraine remain under heavy assault. Reports show Russian forces are also closing in on critical logistical hubs.
Analysts warn Ukraine’s defenses are increasingly stretched thin. They’re concerned this will impact Ukraine’s ability to maintain control along the front lines.
Ukraine’s recent incursion into Russia’s Kursk region has also faced challenges.
Experts initially viewed the incursion as a bold strategic move. However, the operation has tied down experienced Ukrainian units, allowing Russian forces to reclaim approximately 230 square miles of territory since October.
Despite advances, Russia’s strategy has come at a high cost. Independent reports estimate that over 200,000 Russian troops have been killed since the invasion began. Troops near Kursk have faced significant losses.
This week, Ukraine used U.S.-supplied long-range missiles to target Russian positions for the first time. Officials hope the strikes and the newly approved landmines, will slow Russian advances and bolster Ukraine’s position in potential peace negotiations.
Ukraine’s use of the ATACMS system has so far been limited to regions near Kursk.
Russia now warns that any conventional attack by a non-nuclear-armed nation allied with a nuclear power could justify a nuclear response. While the policy was announced in September, it took effect following Biden’s approval of these new measures.