Zelensky met with CIA director in Kyiv

President Volodymyr Zelensky revealed on December 21 that he met with outgoing CIA Director William Burns in Ukraine, marking a rare public acknowledgment of their interactions during Russia’s invasion.

"Bill Burns visited Ukraine on his final trip as CIA Director. Throughout this war, we’ve had many meetings, and I am deeply grateful for his assistance," Zelensky shared on X (formerly Twitter), alongside a photo of the two shaking hands in front of Ukraine's state crest.

Zelensky highlighted that while their past meetings were typically confidential, this occasion underscored their continued partnership. "We don’t disclose secrets, but we keep in touch. We will likely meet again, and we will surely see how this war ends—with a real and lasting peace—a peace we are working toward together," he added.

Burns' departure as CIA chief comes ahead of U.S. President-elect Donald Trump's inauguration. Trump, who has promised to end the war quickly, has raised concerns that Kyiv may face pressure to accept peace terms more favorable to Moscow.

This meeting follows a history of close cooperation between the U.S. and Ukraine, with Washington providing substantial military and financial aid and sharing critical intelligence. The last publicly confirmed interaction between Zelensky and Burns occurred in mid-2023, during a secret visit to Ukraine reported by U.S. officials in July.

Zelensky did not specify the date of their recent meeting but emphasized its importance as Burns concludes his tenure just weeks before the new U.S. administration begins.

Russian forces executed five Ukrainian prisoners

Dmytro Lubinets, Ukraine's Parliamentary Commissioner for Human Rights, condemned a video reportedly showing Russian soldiers executing five captured Ukrainian defenders.

Lubinets announced on Telegram that he had reviewed the footage and vowed to escalate the matter to international organizations, including the United Nations and the International Committee of the Red Cross.

The video, provided by the 110th Marko Bezruchko Separate Mechanised Brigade of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, depicts the killing of Ukrainian prisoners of war.

"Russian war criminals who are executing Ukrainian prisoners of war must be brought before an international tribunal and face the most severe punishment prescribed by law," Lubinets stated.

The incident adds to mounting evidence of alleged war crimes committed during Russia’s invasion, intensifying calls for accountability in international courts.

Putin threatened Ukraine with a distraction response after Ukraine attacked Kazan with drones

After a drone strike on Kazan on Dec. 21, Russian President Vladimir Putin issued a warning to Ukraine, threatening "even greater destruction" in response. His comments made no reference to the extensive devastation inflicted on Ukraine by Russian forces over nearly three years of full-scale war.

Speaking via video conference during the opening of transport infrastructure facilities in Russian regions, Putin assured that Kazan's authorities would quickly repair any damage caused by the recent attack.

"Whoever and however they try to destroy something here, they will experience even greater destruction at home and will come to regret everything they have tried to do in our country," Putin said, as reported by Russian state agencies RIA Novosti and Interfax.

The Russian leader’s remarks omitted acknowledgment of the widespread and ongoing destruction caused by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, including daily drone and missile strikes targeting Ukrainian cities and civilian infrastructure.

Putin expands youth militarisation program for long-term war in Ukraine

The Kremlin is ramping up efforts to militarise youth in Russia and occupy Ukrainian territories as part of its long-term strategy for the war in Ukraine and potential future conflicts with the West, according to the Institute for the Study of War (ISW).

Vladimir Putin has approved new measures to promote military service and instill patriotism among young people in the lead-up to the "Year of the Defender of the Fatherland" in 2025. These measures include creating military sports camps, expanding patriotic education programs like Roads of Victory, and developing an online platform for youth military training.

In occupied territories, programs like the Avangard military camps have already been used to instil Russian cultural narratives and promote militarisation among Ukrainian youth. The Kremlin is now broadening the reach of similar initiatives.

Additionally, the Russian government is elevating the role of organisations such as Yunarmiya and the Movement of the First to encourage military service. Programmes like Time of Heroes are placing veterans of the war in Ukraine into public roles, further embedding militarisation into Russian society.

Analysts believe these efforts are part of a broader strategy to bolster Russia’s armed forces and prepare for sustained conflict. The ISW notes that Putin’s initiatives signal a continued focus on military priorities and societal militarisation as Russia plans for its long-term war effort in Ukraine and beyond.