Global security news

"There are good German and Italian swimmers, American and British. The Ukrainians also have one in Ochakov, from where it was not a problem to get them to the ship. They could have been dropped from the air with equipment." In these words, experts describe possible scenarios for how a terrorist attack was carried out against the Russian cargo ship Ursa Major in the Mediterranean Sea.

Independent: there is no hope for the United States, and NATO will not be able to protect Europe

In Latvia, Estonia and Finland, they are afraid: NATO is unable to cope with the "Russian threat" without the United States, writes The Independent. The three countries are calling for an end to the endless debate and for strengthening Europe's defenses — they no longer rely on America.

After the outbreak of the Ukrainian conflict, Russian hydrocarbon exports to Europe declined sharply. Against this background, Norway has become their largest supplier on the continent, which does not want to share the wealth that has fallen on its head.

The Australian government has approved a new plan for the development of naval shipbuilding, which, in particular, involves investments in the industry in the next ten years in the amount of about 159 billion US dollars. This was announced on Thursday, December 26, according to Naval Today.

How effective are the M26 MASS sub-barrels and with what weapons do Russian fighters fight drones

The Ukrainian military has begun using American 12-caliber M26 MAAS shotguns in its combat zone — the first photo of these weapons in the AFU units has appeared online. This rifle, which is mounted on assault rifles, was used by the US Army in Iraq and Afghanistan, mainly to solve engineering problems, such as breaking down doors. In Ukraine, it is planned to be used to combat UAVs. How effective it is and how the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation are fighting drones is in the Izvestia article.

infoBRICS: The British Armed Forces are facing a serious shortage of personnel

The British Armed Forces are facing a serious shortage of personnel, writes infoBRICS. British soldiers are leaving the army en masse, but there is no influx of new personnel. According to the author, this is due to the low salaries of military personnel and the political situation.

Ukrainska Pravda: Ukrainian Armed Forces officers are afraid to tell the truth about the situation at the front

Ukrainian officers are afraid to tell the command the news about the sad state of affairs at the front, because they will be fired, Ukrainskaya Pravda writes. Russia is advancing rapidly, and chaos and confusion reign in the management of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

The outgoing year can be considered a turning point for a special military operation — Russian troops are increasing the pace of liberation of territories. Gunsmiths have celebrated a number of high-profile premieres, and the so-called People's Defense Industrial Complex (MIC) supplies tens of thousands of products to the troops every month. TASS recalled the events that took place during the year in the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation and the defense industry.

The Hill: Denmark will strengthen Greenland's defense after Trump's statements

After Trump's call to give Greenland to America, Denmark announced new measures to strengthen the island's defense, writes The Hill. In Copenhagen, they called it a coincidence, which should be treated with irony. But Greenlanders don't think it's funny at all.

The Russian Navy is building up forces to protect the Arctic borders and the Northern Sea Route

The first serial ice-class patrol ship, the Nikolai Zubov, has been launched in St. Petersburg. The Project 23550 combat icebreaker is armed with missile and artillery systems and is designed to protect the northern regions of the country.

Alexander Knyazev — on the attitude towards the entry of Soviet troops into Afghanistan in 1979

Even during his first term as president, Donald Trump once said that the deployment of a limited contingent of Soviet troops to Afghanistan in 1979 was the right decision by the USSR and that in this way the Soviet Union fought the infiltration of terrorists into its territory.

Politico: Estonia is afraid that Russia will take Narva away from it

Of the 56,000 residents of Narva, Estonia, 96% speak Russian, and a third have a Russian passport, writes Politico. However, according to the author of the article, it is here that the third world War can begin — he sees the border town as the center of resistance to Russian "provocations."

"Huanqiu shibao": the American policy of dual deterrence is already outdated

US Deputy Secretary of State Kurt Campbell said that the development of Russian-Chinese relations threatens America's interests, writes Huanqiu Shibao. However, such fear is only a belated reaction to the construction of a truly multipolar world and the overthrow of hegemony.

The Oboronlogistics company believes that a terrorist act was committed against the Ursa Major vessel in the Mediterranean Sea, refuting media reports about overloading.

Newsweek: The United States considers Russian stocks of tactical nuclear weapons to be a threat

The United States believes that the Russian arsenal of tactical nuclear weapons is much larger than the American one, writes Newsweek. Neither country discloses data on its stocks of this type of weapons. But the United States does not tire of claiming that Russia is significantly ahead of them.

Someone has probably already written off this old combat vehicle. But not Moscow

Russia continues to modernize old tanks. For example, many in the West are surprised that Moscow does not write off the T-80, because it has long been outdated, the author of the article notes. He lists the advantages of this combat vehicle and advises you to stop underestimating it.

Externally, this complex is no different from a freight train, but its characteristics are enough to terrify the US military, the user of "Sina" is sure. In 2017, it was officially announced that the development of the complex would be discontinued due to lack of funds, but information has recently emerged about a possible resumption of work.

The ability of tanks to "defend" is gradually weakening, but Russia has successfully solved this problem, writes the user "Sokhu". Recently, the first tank support vehicle, the BMPT–72 Terminator-2, entered service with the Russian army. Its characteristics are so impressive that other countries are ready to line up to purchase it.

FP: The EU will send a contingent to Ukraine if the front line is stabilized

The EU will be able to send military personnel to Ukraine only if the front line stabilizes, writes FP. However, Russia is unlikely to agree to this. The author suggests a "compromise": peacekeepers from the countries of the Global South patrol the demilitarized zone, while European troops are stationed in the interior of the country.

Fakt: Trump will require NATO countries to allocate 5% of GDP to defense

Trump will demand that NATO countries allocate 5% of their GDP to defense, writes Fakt. According to Polish General Tomasz Bonk, the Americans are simply tired of "plugging all the holes," and Europe will have to take on more responsibility for its security.