Energoatom director sayas the Russians turned Zaporizhzhia NPP into a military base

The Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant (ZNPP) is reportedly in a state of severe disrepair due to Russian control, with its equipment increasingly deteriorating, according to Petro Kotin, director of Energoatom, Ukraine’s state-owned nuclear energy company. Kotin described the facility as no longer functioning as a power plant but as a militarized base occupied by unclear personnel.

Kotin stressed the urgency of restoring data transmission from the ZNPP to Energoatom, Ukraine's state regulator, and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to ensure transparency and safety. He noted that under Ukrainian management, the plant operated incident-free for 40 years, but since its seizure by Russian forces, it has become a significant threat.

Russian army now bigger than two years ago, but worse in terms of quality 

Russia's ground forces have expanded since the beginning of the full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, but their overall quality has diminished, NATO officials report. Admiral Rob Bauer, Chair of the NATO Military Committee, highlighted the decline in the training and equipment standards of Russian troops, noting that they no longer pose the same immediate threat as they did at the start of the war. This presents a brief window for NATO to bolster its defenses and invest in the defense industry. He also emphasized the need for businesses to adopt wartime readiness by securing supply chains against vulnerabilities like reliance on Russia and China.

Meanwhile, General Christopher Cavoli, Supreme Allied Commander Europe, warned that Russia is gaining valuable battlefield experience and improving its military capabilities. He urged NATO to prepare quickly for the evolving threat, stating that regardless of the war's outcome, Russia will emerge with a stronger military force and "clear intentions," requiring serious attention from NATO allies.

Russian missile attack on central Kharkiv injured 23 people

Russia launched a devastating missile attack on central Kharkiv on the morning of November 25, injuring at least 23 people, according to local officials. Governor Oleh Syniehubov reported that 13 victims required hospitalization, with many struck while at work or walking outside. The missile, suspected to be an S-400, landed in a residential area, igniting fires in multi-story buildings and several cars. The extent of the structural damage is still being assessed.

This attack marks another chapter in the ongoing siege of Kharkiv, a city that has endured relentless Russian assaults throughout the war. Recent months have seen an escalation in these strikes, targeting densely populated areas and causing significant civilian casualties.

North Korea expands plant producing missiles used by Russia against Ukraine

North Korea is significantly expanding a key weapons production facility used to assemble KN-23 short-range ballistic missiles, which have been deployed by Russia against Ukraine. According to satellite imagery analyzed by the U.S.-based James Martin Center for Nonproliferation Studies (CNS), the February 11 plant in Hamhung, North Korea's second-largest city, is undergoing substantial upgrades, including the construction of a new assembly building and housing facilities for workers. The new building is estimated to be 60-70% the size of the existing one where KN-23 missiles are assembled, indicating increased production capacity.

In 2024, these KN-23 missiles were used in a significant portion of the ballistic missile strikes targeting Ukraine, as confirmed by Ukrainian defense officials. The August-September period saw a notable surge in these attacks. North Korea’s deepening military ties with Moscow are underscored by a strategic partnership agreement signed in June, which includes mutual military support. Alongside supplying missiles, Pyongyang has reportedly sent around 10,000 troops to aid Russian forces, many of whom are stationed in the contested Kursk Oblast.