First DPRK soldiers captured, Trump announces meeting with Putin - Weekend brief
Collage by RBC-Ukraine
Ukraine captured the first DPRK soldiers. Meanwhile, President-elect Donald Trump announced contact with Russian dictator Vladimir Putin.
Read more about what happened over the weekend.
Trump may talk to Putin soon
According to Mike Waltz, US President-elect Donald Trump's future national security adviser, Trump may soon speak with Russian leader Vladimir Putin. But preparations for their possible meeting are still underway, ABC News reports.
For example, in an interview with ABC News, the future adviser was asked when a meeting between Trump and Putin might take place. He replied: “Preparations are underway.”
Ukrainian forces capture two North Korean soldiers in Kursk region, Zelenskyy shares photos
Ukrainian fighters have successfully captured two North Korean military personnel in Russia's Kursk region, a challenging feat, according to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
The next day, South Korea's intelligence agency also confirmed that the Ukrainian military had captured two DPRK soldiers. It also quoted one of them as saying that there were “significant” losses among North Korean soldiers in Russia.
Meanwhile, Zelenskyy offered Kim Jong-un to take the captured DPRK soldiers, but he proposed a condition.
European Commissioner for Crisis Management arrives in Kyiv
European Commissioner for Equality, Preparedness and Crisis Management Hadja Lahbib arrived in Kyiv. She visited the city center and laid flowers at the Wall of Remembrance, as she informed in her X post.
She emphasized that there are values that the world should never take for granted, namely freedom, democracy, and the rule of law.
US wants to release Gaza hostages under Biden's presidency
US President Joe Biden has spoken with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The US government hopes to reach an agreement on hostages in Gaza and a ceasefire before Biden leaves office, Voice of America reports.
Meanwhile, US President-elect Donald Trump's special envoy for the Middle East, Steve Witkoff, insisted on a ceasefire in Gaza by January 20. It should be noted that this is when Biden's term ends.
Read more about his statement in the RBC-Ukraine article.
Fire erupts at Russia's Taneco oil refinery in Tatarstan, evacuation underway
A fire broke out at the Russian oil refinery Taneco in Tatarstan on, January 11. The incident took place in the city of Nizhnekamsk amid the threat of a UAV attack.
“Taneco is one of the largest and most modern refineries in Russia, with a refining capacity of over 16 million tons of oil per year,” explained the head of the Center for Countering Disinformation, Andrii Kovalenko.
He said that the refinery plays a key role in providing fuel to the Russian army.
Zelenskyy offers US help in fighting California fires
On Tuesday, January 7, six fires broke out in different parts of Los Angeles. In a few days, they covered more than 36,000 acres (14,500 hectares), or 56 square miles, which is 2-1/2 times the area of Manhattan.
On January 8, a state of emergency was declared in California. US President Joe Biden canceled his visit to Italy due to the disaster.
On Sunday, January 12, Zelenskiy offered the United States assistance in fighting the fires in California.
Russian oil depot in Engels burns for fifth day after Ukrainian strike
The oil depot in Engels, Saratov region, Russia, attacked by Ukrainian forces, continues to burn. The fire has been ongoing for the fifth day, according to the governor of the Saratov region, Roman Busargin.
The governor stated that the process of "controlled fuel combustion" is ongoing at the "industrial enterprise" in Engels. The fire was extinguished for five days, and earlier, a state of emergency was declared in Engels.
