**Netherlands Intercepts Russian Planes Over Baltic Sea**
On December 6, two Dutch F-35 fighter jets intercepted Russian aircraft over the Baltic Sea. The Netherlands Defense Ministry announced this on December 9.
The F-35s were part of NATO’s eastern airspace monitoring mission. They intercepted a Russian An-72 transport plane and an SU-24 reconnaissance plane. Later, they were scrambled again to intercept a Russian IL-20 reconnaissance plane.
The Dutch F-35s escorted the Russian planes over international waters to the boundary of NATO’s airspace. This shows that the Netherlands is committed to protecting its common airspace from Russian threats, said Defense Minister Ruben Brekelmans on social media.
This incident highlights how Russian aircraft often operate over the Baltic Sea without transponders or flight plans. These actions are seen as testing NATO’s response capabilities.
**Russia’s Military Activities**
On September 11, the Latvian Air Force reported that NATO jets intercepted six Russian planes over the Baltic Sea. That same month, Latvia confirmed that a Russian drone equipped with explosives had crashed on its territory.
According to reports, Russia has proposed relocating its forces to Turkish-controlled areas of Syria before transporting them back to Russia by air.
**Ukraine and NATO**
President Volodymyr Zelensky announced his intention to call U.S. President Joe Biden to discuss Ukraine’s invitation to NATO. Speaking with the German politician Friedrich Merz, Zelensky voiced his support for a united vision that should be presented to the U.S. leadership.
**Pope Francis and Russia**
Pope Francis called for peace in various parts of the world, including Ukraine, on December 8. He prayed for an end to violence in these regions.
**Russia-Ukraine Conflict**
Ukrainian prisoners of war who died in a plane crash over Russia’s Belgorod Oblast have had their bodies transferred by Russia, claimed Russian Ombudsman Tatyana Moskalkova.
President Volodymyr Zelensky said that Ukraine may consider French President Emmanuel Macron’s proposal to deploy European peacekeepers on its territory but only after getting a clear understanding of the NATO membership timeline.
U.S. President-elect Donald Trump commented on the Russia-Ukraine conflict, saying that Russian President Vladimir Putin should seek an end to the war as he has lost 700,000 people to hostilities.
**Syrian Conflict**
Syrian opposition fighters took control of the Latakia province, where Russian military facilities are based, reported the Russian state news agency TASS on December 9.
**Overnight Attack in Ukraine**
On December 9, Russia launched an overnight attack on Ukraine with two Kh-59/69 cruise missiles from the Black Sea. The Ukrainian Air Force also reported that 37 Shaheds and other unidentified drones were launched by Russia during this attack.
The purpose of these attacks is to undermine Ukraine’s military capabilities and stability.
**Russia’s Military Spending**
U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin said at a conference in California on December 7 that Russia has spent at least $200 billion on its war with Ukraine since the start of its full-scale invasion in 2022.
This number includes over 1,220 casualties Russian forces suffered just over the past day.