**Russia’s War in Ukraine: Key Developments and International Reaction**
The year 2024 has been marked by significant developments in the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine. Latvian Foreign Minister Baiba Braze spoke with Francis Farrell of The Kyiv Independent about her country’s support for Ukraine, despite uncertainty in the lead-up to the inauguration of Donald Trump as US President.
**Russia’s Human Toll**
Russia’s military losses have been staggering, with over 785,000 troops killed or wounded since February 2022. This figure includes both dead and wounded soldiers. The Latvian Foreign Minister noted that Russia will likely reach one million casualties by 2025 if the war continues at its current pace.
**China Expands Economic Influence**
In a separate development, China has opened a new route to expand its commercial influence in Central Asia and Europe while bypassing Russian territory. This move is part of Beijing’s economic expansion efforts.
**Ukraine Scores Military Wins**
Ukrainian forces have made significant gains against Russian troops, with the General Staff reporting that a combat operation “significantly reduced the enemy’s ability to carry out airstrikes using kamikaze drones against Ukraine’s civilian infrastructure.”
**Russian Territory Under Attack**
Operations at a Russian airport were suspended after a Ukrainian drone attack allegedly targeted the regions of Voronezh, Rostov, and Belgorod. Debris from an intercepted drone damaged a railway contact network in Russia’s Voronezh Oblast overnight.
**US Aid Package**
The US is set to deliver a substantial aid package to Ukraine, including air defense munitions, Stinger missiles, and artillery rounds. This move comes as the US believes that Ukraine may only have a few months left in its incursion into Kursk Oblast until it is forced to retreat or risk being encircled by Russian forces.
**International Concerns**
The war has sparked concerns among international leaders, with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte announcing that the alliance will enhance its military presence in the Baltic Sea following recent damage to an Estlink 2 power cable. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has also urged China to use its influence over North Korea to prevent the deployment of North Korean soldiers to the frontline.
**Dark Reality Behind Luxury Diamonds**
Despite sanctions and growing scrutiny, Russian diamonds continue to enter the global market, funding Moscow’s war against Ukraine. The complex web of global trade hides a dark reality behind the luxury diamond industry.
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