Russian ruble crashes.

Ruble has plunged to its lowest value against the dollar since March 2022, driven by geopolitical tensions, new sanctions, and trade payment issues.

The dollar hit 112 rubles, the euro 117, while Gazprom shares reached a historic low.

NEW: Syrian opposition forces have now closed in to within 10 km of Aleppo city center.

Recent polls show widespread opposition in South Korea to directly supplying weapons to Ukraine, with 82% of respondents disapproving.

Opposition stems from concerns about domestic backlash, geopolitical consequences, and limited perceived benefits.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov:

The rise in the dollar exchange rate will not affect Russians because they receive their salaries in rubles.

President Joe Biden has provisionally approved a $680 million weapons sale to Israel.

Netanyahu cited the new weapons deliveries as a reason to agree to the ceasefire with Hezbollah.

Source: Financial Times

Reuters: A partnership involving Italy, Britain and Japan to build an advanced front-line fighter jet currently named GCAP will likely be extended to Saudi Arabia.

Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov about the recent ATACMS strikes:

If you test our patience for too long, it will definitely run out.

The latest situation in the Syrian opposition's operation in West Aleppo.

Syrian rebels with an Assad Regime tank they captured.

The Al-Shaheen Brigades, the drone units of the Syrian opposition, are also taking part in the operation.

The Biden administration is urging Ukraine to quickly increase the size of its army by lowering the age limit for conscription from 25 to 18.

Ukraine had lowered the age of conscription to 25 back in April 2024.

Source: Associated Press

Hezbollah heavy rocket launcher moving freely in southern Lebanon today after ceasefire agreement with Israel.

President-elect Donald Trump will reportedly appoint Keith Kellogg to serve as a special envoy to Ukraine.

Kellogg's plan for ending the war involves freezing the battle lines at their current locations and forcing both Kyiv and Moscow to the negotiating table.

Syrian opposition forces are now 7 km away from central Aleppo with the capture of Urum al-Kubra.

NEW: The Al-Shaheen Brigades, the drone units of the Syrian opposition, are reportedly using a previously unseen model of a turbojet-powered kamikaze drone against Assad Regime forces.

BIG: Syrian opposition forces are now only 2.7 km away from Aleppo city center outskirts, Syria.