Wiretapping in Zaluzhnyi's office and Putin's threat to Finland NATO membership - Monday brief

Russia-Ukraine war

News for December 16:

• Russians launch over 30 Shahed drones over Ukraine: General Staff reports downed UAVs;
• Night attack on Kyiv: Drones came from different directions, air defense hit all targets;
• Zaluzhnyi plans new counteroffensive next year.

News for December 17:

• Russia reports massive drone attack: Allegedly 33 drones shot down;
• Russia's losses in Ukraine as of December 17: 1250 troops and almost 20 tanks;
• Situation near Kupiansk: Special Operations Forces snipers eliminated 2 sapper groups of RF.

Covert listening device discovered in Zaluzhnyi's office

A "bug" was found today in the office of the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Valerii Zaluzhnyi, according to a source familiar with the situation in military circles.

The discovered information reading devices are made from components of an unidentified model, making it impossible to identify the installer.

According to preliminary data, the equipment was found not directly in Valerii Zaluzhnyi's office but in one of the rooms that he could use for work in the future.

Why 'Friends' star Matthew Perry passed away: Details

The Los Angeles Medical Examiner's Office has determined the cause of actor Matthew Perry's death, reveals CNN.

At the high levels of ketamine found in his postmortem blood specimens, the main lethal effects would be from both cardiovascular overstimulation and respiratory depression. This led to unconsciousness and drowning.

Lithuania hints Hungary EU exit

Hungary should leave the European Union if it is not willing to support solidarity and mutual trust with other bloc members, states Lithuania's permanent representative to the European Union, Arnoldas Pranckevičius on his Facebook page.

As noted by Lithuania's representative to the EU, all leaders of the bloc welcomed the results of the latest summit, except for Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, who praised his "achievements" regarding the "veto on additional funds for Ukraine and the MFF review."

Austria unblocks new package of sanctions against Russia

Austria has approved the 12th package of EU sanctions against the Russian Federation after Ukraine removed Raiffeisen Bank International from the blacklist, reports Reuters.

It is noted that Austria insisted on excluding the bank from the Ukrainian list of "international sponsors of war." This was to motivate companies doing business in Russia and supporting the aggressor's army by paying taxes.

Putin threatens Finland over NATO membership

Russian dictator Vladimir Putin has issued threats against Finland over the country's NATO membership. On the Moscow. Kremlin. Putin program, he claimed that Russia will deploy troops to the Finnish border.

"They dragged Finland into NATO. Did we have any disputes? All disputes, including territorial ones, were resolved long ago in the mid-20th century. The relations were the kindest and most serious," said the dictator.

However, Putin did not refrain from threatening Finland with military action.

U.S. tests new missiles for HIMARS systems

The United States has successfully conducted qualification tests of new missiles for the M142 HIMARS and M270 MLRS systems, which are capable of hitting targets at a distance of up to 150 kilometers, reports the Lockheed Martin company.

The test was conducted at the White Sands Missile Range (WSMR) in New Mexico. Missiles with alternative and unitary warheads were used.