NATO Chief Says Putin Is Planning for a 'Long War'

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said Russia should not be underestimated in its ongoing war with Ukraine, as Russian President Vladimir Putin seems prepared to continue investing time in the conflict.

Putin still appears committed to bringing Ukraine under Russian control, Stoltenberg told Agence France-Presse (AFP) on Friday.

"We should not underestimate Russia," Stoltenberg said during the AFP interview. "Russia is planning for a long war."

Stoltenberg said there is evidence that Russia is continuing to mobilize additional forces, seeking to increase its weapon and ammunition stockpiles and is "willing to suffer also a lot of casualties."

"We have to understand that President Putin is ready to be in this war for a long time and to launch new offensives," Stoltenberg said.

The NATO chief urged continued military support of Ukraine to prevent Russia from making major progress on the battlefield, but predicted that the war will ultimately reach a conclusion "at the negotiating table."

A Friday intelligence update from the U.K. Ministry of Defense said Russian forces have been working on bolstering their defense along the war's front line over the last few weeks. These efforts were demonstrative of how Russia is reverting to war strategies that UK defense officials said were "largely abandoned by most modern Western militaries in recent decades."

Warfare experts have predicted a difficult winter for Russian troops due to a lack of equipment needed for the season. Meanwhile, continued Russian missile strikes have impacted key civilian infrastructure in Ukraine, leaving many without a dependable way to keep their homes warm.

Winter conditions aside, Stoltenberg described the war as "the most dangerous security crisis" NATO has faced since World War II, due largely to nuclear threats made recently by Putin.

Putin's goal in voicing these threats is "to deter us from supporting Ukraine," Stoltenberg said, "but he will not succeed in doing that."

At Least 6k Civilian Deaths Since War Began

More than 17,000 civilian casualties have been reported in Ukraine since Russia began its invasion in February, according to the United Nations.

Among the 17,362 casualties, there have been 6,755 deaths and 10,067 injuries, to the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) said in its latest report.

In the first 11 days of December alone, at least 67 people have died and 182 others have been injured, the report said.

The OHCHR believes the actual figures are "considerably higher" due to delayed receipt of information in areas with ongoing hostilities.

In the Donetsk and Luhansk regions, 7,454 casualties have been reported in Ukrainian government-controlled territories and 2,071 casualties have been reported in territories under Russian control.

These two regions, however, are among those where the OHCHR suspects there are more casualties than officially reported.

Most of the civilian casualties reported were caused by explosive weapons "with wide area effects," including shelling from heavy artillery, multiple launch rocket systems, missiles and air strikes, according to the OHCHR.

According to the Prosecutor General's Office of Ukraine, more than 1,308 children were injured in Ukraine as a result of the Russian invasion as of December 16.

Among those, 449 children died and more than 859 were injured.

Children in the Donetsk, Kharkiv, Kyiv and Mykolaiv regions were most affected, the Prosecutor General's Office said.

Since the invasion began, 3,126 educational institutions were damaged due to bombing and shelling by the armed forces of the Russian Federation. Of those, 337 are destroyed.

Russia Accuses US of Involvement in 'Terror Attacks'

Russia accused the U.S. and Poland of having "direct involvement" in providing support to Ukraine related to recent Ukrainian drone strikes on Russia, TASS reported Friday.

A Russian security official referred to the strikes as "joint terror attacks" in a statement provided to Russian state-owned media outlet TASS.

Officials assessed drones that Russian military officials intercepted and found data they said "confirm the direct involvement of the US and Poland in the massive military-logistical support of the Kiev regime, in preparation and implementation of joint terror attacks on the Russian Federation territory."

The drones in question were intercepted in the Sevastopol, Crimea, Kursk, Belgorod and Voronezh regions, the outlet reported.

The Scottsdale, Arizona-based company SpektreWorks made "the avionics and drone control stations" and also "performed the initial tuning and check of the drones" in the U.S., the unnamed Russian official told TASS. The "final assembly and flight trials" of the drones were conducted in Poland, the official said. The drones were eventually launched from inside Ukraine.

In earlier comments this week, Russia said that if the U.S. follows through on its plan to provide Ukraine with U.S. Patriot missiles, the action would "lead to unpredictable consequences."

U.S. officials responded to Russia's comments about "unpredictable consequences" during a State Department briefing on Friday.

"The only provocative measures that have been taken over the course of this entire conflict are being made by Russia," State Department deputy spokesperson Vedant Patel told reporters. He added that the U.S. "is not now, nor has it ever, been at war with Russia."

Putin to Visit Belarus Next Week

Russian President Vladimir Putin will visit Belarus early next week, according to the Kremlin.

Putin's office announced the Dec. 19 trip Friday, saying the president was invited by his Belarusian counterpart Alexander Lukashenko.

The two leaders will discuss "key aspects of the further development of Russian-Belarusian strategic partnership and alliance." They will specifically focus on "the integration within the Union State" as well as current issues on the international and regional agenda.

Russia Building Defensive Trenches in Ukraine, UK Reports

Russia was building an anti-vehicle trench system in Ukraine's Luhansk Oblast earlier this month, according to U.K. intelligence.

The United Kingdom's Ministry of Defense said Russian forces have continued to expend "considerable" efforts to construct "extensive" positions along the frontline.

These constructions follow traditional military plans for entrenchments that have been "largely unchanged since the Second World War."

"Such constructions are likely to be vulnerable to modern, precision indirect strikes," the U.K. report said. "The construction of major defensive lines is further illustration of Russia's reversion to positional warfare that has been largely abandoned by most modern Western militaries in recent decades."

The United Kingdom's Ministry of Defense shared aerial footage of the trenches showing a defensive position with vehicle reventments and infantry firing positions.

Aerial footage also showed two evacuators were build from the trenches extending to a large wooded area that the U.K. said provides a "natural obstacle to Ukrainian freedom of movement" and would "anchor the southern portion of the defensive line."

U.S. to Provide More Air Defense

The next U.S. military aid package for Ukraine will include assistance to help Ukraine bolster its air defense systems as the country continues to face targeted missile attacks from Russia.

U.S. National Security Council Coordinator for Strategic Communications John Kirby said Friday that people "can expect to see additional air defense capabilities" in the aid package, according to Reuters.

President Joe Biden first issued a memorandum to U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken about the forthcoming aid package last week. Biden ordered a drawdown of defense support valued at "up to" $275 million in support for Ukraine.

The U.S. Department of Defense announced the authorization of the drawdown on December 9.

"This security assistance package will provide Ukraine with new capabilities to boost its air defenses in addition to providing critical equipment that Ukraine is using so effectively to defend itself on the battlefield," the Department of Defense said in a press release announcing the drawdown. The package is expected to include ammunition for HIMARS, artillery rounds, medical equipment, field equipment and generators in addition to other air defense support capabilities, U.S. officials said.

Defense officials said the U.S. has provided more than $19.3 billion in security aid to Ukraine since Russia's invasion began nearly 10 months ago.

At Least 12 Injured, 2 Killed in Attacks on Kryvyi Rih

The number of casualties in the Kryvyi Rih region increased to at least 12 injured and two killed following Russian missile attacks on Friday.

Oleksandr Vilkul, the leader of the Kryvyi Rih City Military Administration, provided a video update on the number of casualties that was later reported by Ukrinform, Ukraine's state news agency.

In the update posted on Telegram, Vilkul said at least 12 residents were injured in the attacks. Among those who were injured were two 3-year-old children and two 7-year-old children, he said. One of the children who was injured was in serious condition, as were two other people.

Two people died in the attacks, Vilkul said. Others remain missing as Ukrainians sift through the rubble caused by Russia's missile strikes.

In addition to the casualties reported in the wake of the latest attacks, Vilkul said one of the city's energy facilities was "completely destroyed." Some hospitals were operating with help from generators on Friday, as were water and gas supply systems, he said.

Disruptions to the region's energy supply caused a blackout that temporarily left nearly 600 miners stuck underground, Vilkul said. Rescue personnel were working Friday on bringing those trapped individuals to safety, he said.

Newest EU Sanctions Package Targets Nearly 200 Russians

The European Union announced its nineth sanctions package against Russia.

These sanctions come in response to Russia's "continued escalation targeting civilians and civilian infrastructure, seeking to paralyze Ukraine at the beginning of the winter," the European Commission said.

EC President Ursula von der Leyen said she welcomed the agreement on the latest package, saying it will "push the Russian economy and war machine further off the rails."

This new package targets nearly 200 additional individuals, freezing their assets. This includes the Russian armed forces, individual officers, defense industrial companies, members of the State Duma and Federation Council and Russian proxy authorities in occupied areas of Ukraine.

"This list covers key figures involved in in Russia's brutal and deliberate missile strikes against civilians, in the kidnapping of Ukrainian children to Russia and in the theft of Ukrainian agricultural products," the EU said in a statement.

New restrictions have been placed on sensitive dual-use and advanced technologies that "contribute to Russia's military capabilities and technological enhancement."

This includes drone engines, camouflage gear, additional chemical/biological equipment, riot control agents and additional electronic components found in Russian military systems on the battlefield.

They also extend to 168 additional Russian entities connected to the "Russian military-industrial complex."

Other sanctions target Russian banks and media outlets, cut off Russia's access to drone engines and prohibit EU investments in the Russian mining sector.

These new sanctions come on top of a recent EU import ban on Russian seaborne crude oil and of the global oil price cap agreed with G7 partners.

Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal said he was "grateful" to von der Leyen and the EU for "standing with Ukraine."

Bulgaria Approves First Military Aid Package for Ukraine

Bulgaria will send its first military aid package to Ukraine, as the war nears 10 months.

The Bulgarian Parliament approved the package in a final vote Friday, which includes weapons and ammunition.

The parliament initially voted to approve the aid package last week. Friday's final vote resulted in 166 members of parliament voting in favor of the package's approval and 48 voting against it, according to The Sofia Globe, an independent news outlet covering Bulgaria.

Members of the Bulgarian Socialist Party, which has avoided criticizing Russia throughout Russia's war with Ukraine, were among those who voted against the aid package and have asked Bulgaria's president to veto it, the Bulgarian media outlet reported.

Bulgaria's military aid package is expected to include military weapons and equipment, as well as ammunition. Bulgaria has thus far kept the full list of items to be included in the package classified, but Bulgarian Minister of Defense Dimitar Stoyanov said the package will mostly include small weapons and ammunition, according to The Sofia Globe.

Political leaders in Bulgaria have been split for several months on where their support lies regarding Russia's war with Ukraine. The new military aid package will serve as the first time Bulgaria sends weapons to Ukraine amid the ongoing war effort. Before Friday's vote, Bulgaria had offered to use its factories to fix damaged Ukrainian military equipment, according to the Associated Press.

Brittney Griner Returns Home, Promises to Return to Basketball

American WNBA player Brittney Griner is finally back home after being detained by Russia for several months.

Griner was freed in a prisoner exchange between the U.S. and Russia earlier this month.

When she arrived back in the states, she was immediately taken to a military medical facility in Texas for a health evaluation. Now, the 32-year-old said "it feels so good to be home."

"The last 10 months have been a battle at every turn," she said in an Instagram post. "I dug deep to keep my faith and it was the love from so many of you that helped keep me going. From the bottom of my heart, thank you to everyone for your help."

Griner shared her thanks for those who advocated for her release, including her wife, Charelle, her Phoenix Mercury team, NBA and WNBA officials and players and several other activists and grassroots organizations, including the Bring Our Families Home Campaign.

She also thanked U.S. officials, including President Joe Biden, Vice President Kamala Harris and Secretary of State Antony Blinken.

Griner added that she will use her platform to help the Biden administration bring former Marine Paul Whelan and all other Americans detained oversees home.

"I also encourage everyone that played a part in bringing me home to continue their efforts to bring all Americans home," she said. "Every family deserves to be whole."

As she continues to physically and mentally recover, Griner ensured fans that they will see her back on the basketball court.

"I also want to make one thing very clear: I intend to play basketball for the WNBA's Phoenix Mercury this season, and in doing so, I look forward to being able to say 'thank you' to those of you who advocated, wrote, and posted for me in person soon," she said.

FIFA Rejects Zelensky World Cup Address, Report

FIFA has reportedly rejected a request for Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to virtually address the World Cup Final audience before the game begins at the Qatar stadium on Sunday.

Zelensky has frequently delivered virtual remarks to audiences in other countries over the last several months. Zelensky expressed interest in doing so again before the World Cup audience to speak about world peace, but the international organization reportedly denied his office's initial request.

Someone familiar with the talks told CNN that the Ukrainian president's office was not expecting the rejection. The unnamed source told the outlet that discussions between Zelensky's office and FIFA were continuing in the days leading up to the World Cup Final weekend.

FIFA's alleged rejection of Zelensky's request was reported as Ukraine faced yet another series of missile attacks from Russia. Ukraine will mark 10 months since Russia's invasion began next week.

Missile Strikes Knock Out Power, Water Systems

Russia continues to target civilians and energy infrastructure across Ukraine with its latest missile attack Friday.

Ukraine's Energy Minister Herman Halushchenko said nine power generating facilities were damaged in today's attack, but did not specify their location.

Ukrenergo, Ukraine's state energy provider, declared a state of emergency as Russia targets "thermal power plants, hydroelectric power plants and substations of 330-750 kV main grids."

"Currently, there is an emergency shutdown mode throughout Ukraine," the company said on Facebook. Repairs on critical infrastructure facilities, including hospitals, water supply facilities, heat supply facilities and sewage treatment plants, will be prioritized.

Ukrenergo said it expects the country's energy deficit to worsen "significantly," adding that because of the repeated damage, "the restoration of power supply may take longer than before."

The missile attacks have cut off water and electricity in several cities, according to Ukrainian officials.

In Ukraine's capital, damage to energy infrastructure has interrupted the water supply and a lack of electricity has taken out the metro train system, according to the Kyiv City State Administration.

In Zaporizhzhia, the lights went out in some areas Friday morning, according to city council secretary Anatoly Kurtev. Electricity was soon restored.

"No matter how the Rashists try to intimidate us, no matter how much they want to leave us without light and heat, we still keep our lines and continue to live and work," Kurtev said on Telegram.

Ten Russian rockets hit the city of Kharkiv, damaging critical infrastructure, energy and emergency services.

"The city of Kharkiv is currently completely without electricity due to Russian missile strikes, with interruptions in the light in the region," Oleg Synegubov, head of Karkiv regional state administration, said on Telegram.

He said communication problems are ongoing but the International Committee of the Red Cross is sending eight additional generations to the region.

"After the shelling of the Russians, we need to restore the electricity supply, and this kind of equipment is very much needed today," Synegubov said.

U.S. State Department spokesperson Ned Price said the first shipment of emergency repair equipment has arrived in Ukraine and will help restore energy infrastructure after Russia's "vile, ongoing attacks intended to inflict suffering on civilians."

Russia Launches Over 70 Missiles on Ukrainian Cities

Russia launched another deadly attack across Ukraine Friday, hitting several cities with more than 70 missiles.

Ukrainian military officials said armed forces shot down 60 of the 76 missiles Russia launched. Most of those rockets were Kh-101, "Kalibr" and Kh-22 "cruise missiles."

Kyiv, Ukraine's capital, was the target of more than half of the missiles. City administrators said Kyiv withstood "one of the biggest rocket attacks" it has faced since since Russia's invasion began nearly 10 months ago, according to the Associated Press.

Dozens on Kyiv residents have once again taken shelter in underground metro stations as the Russian air raid continues.

At least two people have died and eight other were injured, including children, when a three-story building in the city of Kryvyi Rih was hit, according to the Ukraine Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The attacks have impacted key civilian and energy infrastructure in Kyiv, Kharkiv, Kryvyi Rih and Zaporhizhzhia.

U.S Ambassador to Ukraine Bridget Brink said she is "grateful" for work of Ukraine's air defense amid the "escalatory" Russian attacks Friday.

She said the first U.S. shipment of emergency repair equipment has arrived.

Pentagon officials told reporters they expect the White House to announce that the U.S. will provide Ukraine with Patriot missile defense system.