💢Putin says Russia may consider formally increasing possibility of preventive nuclear first strike to disarm opponents of its military doctrine
💢Germany intend to transfer 18 RCH-155 self-propelled artillery systems, 80 pickups, 7 trucks and 90 anti-missile equipment to Ukraine
💢British Ministry of Defence: Iran has become one of Russia's top military backers since Russia invaded Ukraine. Iran's support to the Russian military is likely to grow in the coming months: Russia is attempting to obtain more weapons, including hundreds of ballistic missiles. In return Russia is highly likely offering Iran an unprecedented level of military and technical support that is transforming their defence relationship. Russia has highly likely expended a large proportion of its stock of its own SS-26 Iskander short range ballistic missiles, which carry a 500kg warhead up to 500km. If Russia succeeds in bringing a large number of Iranian ballistic missiles into service, it will likely use them to continue and expand its campaign of strikes against Ukraine's critical national infrastructure.
💢France armed forces and Kuwait held the seventh joint exercise Pearl of the West.
💢Ukrainian army says it has shot down 10 drones made by the Islamic regime of Iran in the southern oblasts
💢UK air and space force will be on secret high alert between now and December 25 to track unregistered cargo flights in the Arctic
💢In the north of Kosovo, in the area where the Serb population lives, shootings and explosions have been reported.
💢Serbian President said Serbia asked NATO peacekeeping operation in Kosovo to allow it to deploy Serbian troops and police forces at the north of Kosovo
💢According to local sources, two explosions were heard in the north of Kosovo
💢Serbian sources say that shock bombs were thrown by Serbs at Kosovar authorities
💢British Ministry of Defence: On 5 December 2022, President Putin signed the law on Russia's Federal Budget. Draft budgets have stated over 9 trillion rubles (US $143bn) will be allocated across defence, security and law enforcement in 2023. This is a significant increase compared to prior years and will represent over 30 per cent of Russia's entire budget. The budget approved by Putin is likely over-optimistic in its expectation of revenue and spending in 2023. Therefore, other parts of Russia's budget are likely to come under increasing pressure to support the costs of the war.