The U.S. Space Command has submitted options for President Donald Trump's proposed "Golden Dome" missile defense system to Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth for review.
Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has proposed the removal of the U.S. Typhon missile system from the Philippines, contingent upon China halting its "aggressive and coercive behavior" in the disputed South China Sea.
The United Kingdom has announced the delivery of a newly developed air defense system to Ukraine, designed to bolster the country’s ability to protect its cities from aerial attacks. Dubbed the "Gravehawk," the system adapts existing air-to-air missiles for ground-launch use and will be operational this year, according to UK officials.
Azerbaijan’s President Ilham Aliyev accused Russia of shooting down Azerbaijan Airlines Flight J2-8243, which crash-landed in Aktau, Kazakhstan, on Christmas Day. The incident claimed the lives of 38 passengers and crew out of the 67 onboard. Aliyev alleged that evidence points to Russian surface-to-air missiles as the cause, though he clarified there is no indication the attack was intentional.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky condemned Russia's "conscious choice" to launch a major attack on Ukraine's energy infrastructure on Christmas Day, calling the strikes "inhumane." Russia fired 184 missiles and drones, many of which were intercepted by Ukraine's air force, but some still caused casualties, with damage reported in several regions. The attack resulted in widespread power cuts, including in Kyiv, where residents took shelter in metro stations as air raid alarms sounded.
North Korea has demonstrated the ability to manufacture ballistic missiles and supply them to Russia for use in Ukraine within a matter of months, according to Jonah Leff, head of Conflict Armament Research (CAR).
