52 shadow fleet vessels and 84 individuals and organizations under sanctions: EU adopts 15th package of sanctions against Russia
The European Union has adopted the 15th package of sanctions in response to Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. This is stated on the website of the EU Council.
The sanctions include 84 individuals and legal entities – 54 people and 30 organizations.
In particular, the sanctions include the military unit responsible for the shelling of the Okhmatdyt children’s hospital in Kyiv, top managers of leading companies in the Russian energy sector, people responsible for deporting children, propaganda and circumventing sanctions, and two high-ranking officials of the DPRK.
In terms of legal entities, the EU has primarily targeted Russian defense companies and shipping companies responsible for the transportation of crude oil and petroleum products by sea, which provide significant revenues to the Russian government.
Another 52 shadow fleet vessels originating from third countries are also now under sanctions. This brings the total number of sanctioned vessels to 79.
$240 million from Norway: Ukraine to strengthen its navy
The Norwegian government has announced that it will provide 2.7 billion kroner (approximately $242.38 million) to strengthen the Ukrainian navy and help it deter Russian naval forces in the Black Sea.
This was stated by Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre, Reuters reports.
It is important to protect the Ukrainian population and Ukrainian infrastructure from attacks by the Russian Black Sea Fleet, – the Norwegian prime minister emphasized.
According to him, it is also essential to protect maritime exports of grain and other products that generate crucial revenue for Ukraine.
Two tons of dollars in cash delivered to Russia by Assad regime in two years – FT
Bashar al-Assad’s central bank transferred about $250 million in cash to Moscow during 2018-2019. This is reported by the Financial Times.
FT journalists found records showing that the Assad regime, experiencing an acute shortage of foreign currency, brought almost two tons of cash in $100 and €500 bills to Moscow’s Vnukovo airport in 2018-2019.
The exported assets were subsequently placed in Russian banks, Russian Financial Corporation and TsMRbank. Both are now under US sanctions.
During this time, 21 flights were made, and more than $250 million was transported on board. In Syria itself, according to the source, there was an acute shortage of foreign currency during this period – the reserves were “almost zero.”
The FT’s interlocutors note that due to sanctions, the Syrian bank was forced to make payments in cash. Thus, Syria bought wheat from Russia, paid for money printing services and “defense” expenses.
$106,000: bitcoin jumps to a historic high after Trump’s announcement of a crypto reserve
Bitcoin has jumped to a record high of over $106,000 after US President-elect Donald Trump said he plans to create a strategic bitcoin reserve in the US, similar to the strategic oil reserve, Reuters reports.
Bitcoin, the largest and most famous cryptocurrency in the world, reached a high of $106,533, and as of 8 a.m., it dropped to $105,000.
We are now in blue sky territory. The next figure the market will strive for is $110,000. The pullback that many people were expecting just didn’t happen because now we have this news, – says Tony Sycamore, lead financial analyst at IG Australia Pty.
Bitcoin and cryptocurrencies have been in the spotlight as investors bet that the new Trump administration will create a more favorable regulatory environment, which will improve sentiment around the alternative currency. Over the year, bitcoin grew by 192%.
The 10th package of military aid to Ukraine was approved by the Italian government
On December 16, the Italian government approved the allocation of the 10th military aid package to Ukraine amid its fight against Russian aggression. This was reported by ANSA.
According to the source, Italy’s military aid package for Ukraine will be presented by Defense Minister Guido Crosetto at the COPASIR parliamentary oversight body of the Italian intelligence service on December 18.
The list of weapons to be sent to Kyiv is confidential, as was the case with previous military aid packages to Ukraine.
700 kilometers: the speed of the new Ukrainian cruise missile “Peklo”
Ukraine’s new Peklo cruise missile has entered mass production. Over the past three months, the developer has produced about 100 missiles and is now increasing its production capacity, Epravda writes.
The publication does not disclose the exact price of one serial missile, but it will be less than the cost of the Ukrainian kamikaze drone “Lutyi”.
The missile is capable of flying at speeds up to 700 km/h, while conventional drones can fly at 150-200 km/h. The method of launching the Peklo missile is currently not disclosed for security reasons. But in the course of further development, the company plans to make it possible to launch from different platforms.
