The oil tanker Bella 1 is fleeing U.S. forces after the U.S. Coast Guard tried to intercept it in the Caribbean.

During the pursuit, the crew painted a Russian flag on the ship and now claim Russian status.

The tanker is under U.S. sanctions for carrying Iranian oil and was heading toward Venezuela. Its tracking signal went dark on Dec. 17, and it has since changed course.

Source: NYT

A source close to French President Macron told Reuters there was no evidence to support Russia’s claim that Ukraine attacked a residence belonging to Putin.

The source said the allegation was unsubstantiated and accused Moscow of using false claims to justify continued military action and to avoid taking steps toward ending the war.

Qatar says it is closely monitoring developments in Yemen, fully supports Yemen’s legitimate government, and stresses Yemen’s unity and territorial integrity.

Doha also affirms that Saudi and GCC security is inseparable from its own, welcomes Saudi and UAE statements, and reiterates that dialogue and diplomacy are the best path to regional stability.

Ukraine has launched a new wave of drone attacks toward Russia and occupied territories.

Ukraine sharply increased strikes on Russian energy infrastructure in December, carrying out at least 24 attacks — the highest monthly total since the war began — targeting refineries, pipelines, tankers, ports and offshore fields.

Source: Bloomberg

NEW: Germany’s military now treats cyberattacks, sabotage and disinformation as possible early acts of war.

The Operational Plan for Germany (OPLAN) warns that hybrid attacks may be used to prepare a full military confrontation.

As NATO’s main logistics hub, Germany expects to be targeted early in any major conflict, including attacks on both military and civilian infrastructure.

Source: POLITICO

WATCH: Footage of a Saudi Arabian Air Force attack on targets at the port of Mukalla in southern Yemen.

NEW: Ukrainian drones reportedly struck an oil depot in Russia’s Tuapse, with video footage showing fires at the site.

Guinea Leader Mamady Doumbouya Wins Presidential Election

Guinea’s leader Mamady Doumbouya won the presidential election with 86.72% of the vote, according to provisional results, ending the post-transition period amid opposition concerns.

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Thailand released 18 Cambodian soldiers on Wednesday under a renewed ceasefire, easing tensions after nearly three weeks of deadly border clashes.

The soldiers, held for more than five months, were returned at a border checkpoint under Red Cross supervision.

The CIA reacted with frustration and concern after Trump publicly disclosed a covert strike in Venezuela.

Current and former intelligence officials said the revelation broke long-standing norms meant to preserve secrecy and plausible deniability.

Source: WSJ

Colombian President Petro said the U.S. bombed a suspected cocaine-processing facility in Maracaibo, Venezuela, on orders from President Trump.

Netanyahu:

I didn’t have to bring Trump anywhere.

We saw eye to eye. He cut right to the chase.

Mohajer-6, an Iranian armed drone, is now visually confirmed in Venezuela for the first time at El Libertador Air Base.

Netanyahu on the “settler” violence in the West Bank:

First of all, I think it’s much bloated.

When people talk about it, they’re talking about a handful of kids — about 70 teenagers, not from the West Bank, who come from broken homes.

They do things like chopping olive trees and sometimes try to burn a home. I can’t accept that. That’s vigilantism.

Netanyahu on the West Bank:

Israel has to have the military control over this area. Because it’s so tiny.

Mali and Burkina Faso said they banned U.S. citizens in retaliation for Donald Trump’s decision to bar Malian and Burkinabe nationals from entering the U.S.

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Netanyahu:

No one is going to come into Gaza if Hamas stays armed — they’ll put a bullet through the back of their head.