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Russian President Vladimir Putin issued a warning to Europe on Tuesday, saying that if European nations "want a war," Russia is prepared to fight.

Ukraine's military has dismissed Russia's claim that it captured the frontline village of Klynove as "fake" propaganda, insisting there's been no confirmed breakthrough and that its forces still control the area. The denial comes as Moscow touts the alleged fall of Pokrovsk and wider gains in the Donbas, while independent mapping projects estimate Russia seized about 505 square kilometers of Ukrainian territory in November 2025--around 90% more than in previous months.

Putin also threatened to sever Ukraine's access to the sea in response to drone attacks on tankers of Russia's "shadow fleet" in the Black Sea.

Russia is declaring a major battlefield win -- but is it real? Moscow says its forces have captured Pokrovsk in Donetsk and raised Russian flags across the town. However, Ukrainians in Kyiv are pushing back, calling it 'propaganda timed ahead of peace talks.' President Vladimir Putin visited a military command post and received reports from top commanders, while residents insist there's no confirmation from Ukraine's General Staff. With rumors, flags, and contradictory statements flooding both sides, the truth on the ground remains murky -- and tensions are rising.

Ukraine's government has faced intense scrutiny and new scandals over allegations of large-scale misuse of foreign aid, most recently with former Prime Minister Nikolay Azarov claiming up to $100 billion may have been stolen since 2022. Western institutions estimate that between 15% and 30% of aid money could be lost to corruption, with anti-graft agencies frequently uncovering kickback schemes and inflated military contracts, especially in the energy and defense sectors. The European Union recently suspended parts of its aid package to Ukraine over weakened anti-corruption measures, and several high-level officials close to President Zelensky have resigned or been sacked following raids and investigations into alleged embezzlement and procurement fraud in 2025.

Kairos and Virat, both sanctioned by Ukraine and some of its Western allies, were hit by Ukraine's Security Service Sea Baby naval drones on November 29.

Russia, which invaded Ukraine in 2022, controls about 116,000 sq km -- about 19% of the country

Peskov called for a new system of global trade where the payment system (Dollar-denominated trade) is not used as a "political tool".

UKRAINE-CRISIS/EUROPE-SECURITY (ANALYSIS, PIX):ANALYSIS-Trump's push to end Ukraine war raises fears of 'ugly deal' for Europe

The U.S.'s latest efforts to end the conflict between Ukraine and Russia have jolted the trans-Atlantic alliance.