INTERNACIONAL
Russian forces near collapse in Kupyansk as Moscow allies concede city lost: report
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Russian forces appear close to being pushed out of the northeastern Ukrainian city of Kupyansk, with only a small number of isolated troops remaining and even pro-Kremlin voices acknowledging the setback, according to a report.
The Kyiv Post reported Thursday that Ukrainian military officials say Russian units left inside the city are cut off from reliable supply lines and are increasingly surrendering as their position deteriorates.
Viktor Trehubov, head of communications for Ukraine’s Joint Forces grouping, said Russian forces inside Kupyansk now number only several dozen and include foreign mercenaries fighting alongside Moscow’s troops.
«They are surrendering,» Trehubov said during a televised briefing carried by Ukrainian state media. «There have even been cases of foreigners — foreign mercenaries for the Russians — giving themselves up.»
ZELENSKYY VISITS FRONTLINE UKRAINIAN CITY WEEKS AFTER RUSSIA CLAIMED IT TOOK CONTROL
An evacuation van travels through the largely destroyed frontline city of Kupiansk, Ukraine, Jan. 6, 2025. (Wolfgang Schwan/Anadolu via Getty Images)
According to Ukrainian officials, the remaining Russian units are surviving largely on limited air resupply, a tactic that cannot sustain long-term operations inside the city.
«Supply by air bridge alone is not something that allows them to hold out for long,» Trehubov said.
While Russian forces continue to launch multiple assaults along the Kupyansk axis each day, Ukrainian officials say those attacks lack the manpower and reserves needed to change the balance on the ground.
UKRAINE, US NEAR 20-POINT PEACE DEAL AS PUTIN SPURNS ZELENSKYY CHRISTMAS CEASEFIRE OFFER
A Ukrainian army chaplain talks to Ukrainian soldiers in a shelter in the direction of Kupiansk, Kharkiv Oblast, Ukraine, March 13, 2024. (Diego Herrera Carcedo/Anadolu via Getty Images)
«At this stage, they simply do not have additional capabilities to somehow restore the situation,» Trehubov said.
The Kyiv Post also reported that Russian military bloggers and war correspondents have begun openly conceding that Kupyansk is no longer under Russian control, marking a notable shift in Kremlin-aligned messaging.
«An entire wave of messages appeared saying that Kupyansk is gone,» Trehubov said. «Even Russian propagandists have switched to a line acknowledging that the city is no longer under their control.»
Ukrainian officials stressed that Russia never fully reestablished control over Kupyansk after its liberation in September 2022, aside from a brief occupation during the early phase of the invasion.
US OFFICIALS TOUT PROGRESS IN TALKS TO REACH ‘LASTING AND DURABLE PEACE’ BETWEEN UKRAINE, RUSSIA
Ukrainian service members of the 44th artillery brigade fire a 2s22 Bohdana self-propelled howitzer toward Russian positions at the frontline in the Zaporizhzhia region, Ukraine, Aug. 20, 2025. (Danylo Antoniuk/AP Photo)
«In reality, it was never fully taken by them in order to be ‘lost,’ aside from a short period in 2022,» Trehubov said.
Efforts by Russian units to dig in within the city’s northern districts have failed, leaving those forces unable to withdraw or receive reinforcements, Ukrainian officials said.
«They themselves now admit that the defense of the city by the same units that entered and tried to secure positions in the northern districts has failed,» Trehubov said.
MOMENTUM BUILDS IN UKRAINE PEACE PUSH, BUT EXPERTS FEAR PUTIN WON’T BUDGE
Ukrainian soldiers from the 115th Brigade Mortar Unit conduct mortar training as members of the Anti-UAV unit test an FPV drone inhibitor in Lyman, Ukraine. (Jose Colon/Anadolu via Getty Images)
Combat continues outside the city, particularly from positions across the Oskil River, though Ukrainian forces maintain control of Kupyansk itself.
Ukraine’s General Staff said Russian troops carried out five attacks in the Kupyansk sector Dec. 24, all of which were repelled near Petropavlivka, Pishchane, Zahryzove and Kupyansk.
Trehubov said a recent Ukrainian counteroffensive further disrupted Russian efforts to stabilize the front.
«The counteroffensive came as a surprise for the enemy,» he said. «Right now, they simply lack the resources to regain control.»
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Kupyansk, a key rail and road hub in the Kharkiv region with a prewar population of about 27,000, has long been a focal point of Russian territorial claims.
The city was briefly occupied during the opening months of Russia’s full-scale invasion in 2022 before being liberated by Ukrainian forces later that year, a history Ukrainian officials say Moscow has repeatedly tried to obscure through disinformation.
russia,ukraine,military,wars,conflicts
INTERNACIONAL
Duffy gives Illinois 30-day ultimatum after audit finds 1 in 5 noncitizen truck licenses issued illegally
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FIRST ON FOX: Illinois could lose millions in federal funding if it does not clean up its driver’s licensing system after the U.S. Department of Transportation warned Democratic Gov. JB Pritzker and the state’s top licensing official that one in five commercial licenses issued to noncitizens were issued illegally.
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy issued a written ultimatum to both the Hyatt Hotels heir and Kevin Duesterhaus, the state director of driver services under Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias, and listed several cases of drivers from El Salvador to Ukraine who were in violation of the law.
«I need our state partners to understand that they work for the American people, not illegal immigrants who broke the law illegally entering our country and continue to break it by operating massive big rigs without the proper qualifications,» Duffy said in a statement obtained by Fox News Digital.
DUFFY SAYS ‘TIME’S UP’ FOR NEWSOM AS FEDS WITHHOLD $160M OVER ILLEGAL TRUCKING LICENSES
Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker, center, speaks in Chicago. (Scott Olson/Getty Images)
«[Joe] Biden and [Pete] Buttigieg forced Americans to share their roads with unqualified and unvetted foreign drivers, but the Trump administration is putting the needs of American families first where they belong.»
Duffy warned Duesterhaus and Pritzker that $128 million in federal highway funding, including Illinois’ share of the National Highway Performance Program and Surface Transportation Block Grants for FY-2027, would be held up if fixes are not made within 30 days and noncompliance continues.
«In addition, if the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) issues a final determination of substantial noncompliance, the agency may decertify Illinois’ CDL program,» Duffy wrote.
SOME STATES HAVE LET UNQUALIFIED FOREIGN DRIVERS ON THE ROAD AND AMERICANS PAY THE PRICE
Non-domiciled CDLs are commercial licenses issued to noncitizens who are not green card holders. The only exceptions to the non-domicile rule are truckers from Mexico and Canada, whose licensing systems the U.S. Department of Transportation has determined are in compliance with American standards, in deference to the reciprocal relationship between the two countries.
Duffy took issue with two main categories of illegally held licenses: drivers whose license validity dates exceeded their lawful presence in the U.S., and drivers who were given licenses without Illinois verifying their lawful presence.
The audit was also conducted as part of President Donald Trump’s executive order declaring English the official language of the U.S.
Pritzker and Duesterhaus must immediately pause issuances of all non-domiciled CDLs, identify noncompliant ones in circulation, revoke and reissue all compliant ones, and conduct their own internal audit.
Audited examples of CDL scofflaws include two Kyrgyz nationals who presented expired employment authorizations (EAD) and USCIS applications for new EADs, which Illinois should not have accepted.
A Nigerian national and a Moldovan national were found in similar situations.
TRUMP THREATENS TO CUT $75M FROM PENNSYLVANIA OVER ILLEGAL IMMIGRANT CDL SCANDAL
A Singaporean national was provided a license after presenting only partial documentation, and several drivers «whose citizenship is unknown» were among those scrutinized.
Fox News Digital reached out to Pritzker for comment, as well as Duesterhaus via Giannoulias’ office.
Giannoulias condemned what he called a «threat» to Springfield’s funding in a statement provided to Fox News Digital.
«A strong economy depends on strong logistics,» Giannoulias said. «If trucks don’t move, supply chains fail, prices rise, and families feel it in their pocketbooks. We can see the actions by the Trump administration taking their toll on our truckers and our farmers, both of whom are essential to Illinois’ economy.»
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Newly elected Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias addresses the crowd after taking the oath of office during a ceremony Jan. 9, 2023, in Springfield, Ill. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast, File)
Giannoulias’ office said it believes its CDL issuance policies are «substantially compliant» with U.S. Department of Transportation and Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration requirements and that it will conduct its own review of Duffy’s findings.
Giannoulias said the Illinois Agricultural Association raised concerns over the pause in issuing non-domiciled CDLs and that «Illinois agriculture depends on timely, practical, and legally sound regulatory decisions. Continued uncertainty places employers, workers, and food production systems at unnecessary risk.»
infrastructure across america,trucks,illinois,illegal immigrants,jb pritzker
INTERNACIONAL
Ukraine makes fastest gains in years as Russia talks stall, exploiting cracks in Kremlin command
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As U.S.-backed negotiations between Russia and Ukraine in Geneva ended without a breakthrough, Kyiv made gains on the battlefield, recapturing territory at its fastest pace in years through localized counterattacks along the southeastern front.
The advances come as analysts point to disruptions in Russian battlefield communications and shifting operational dynamics, developments that could strengthen Ukraine’s leverage even as talks remain stalled.
Ukrainian forces retook about 78 square miles over five days, according to a report by Agence France-Presse based on an analysis of the Institute for the Study of War battlefield mapping. The gains represent Kyiv’s most rapid territorial advances since its 2023 counteroffensive in the Donetsk and Zaporizhzhia regions.
Retired Air Force Lt. Gen. Richard Newton said Ukraine’s battlefield performance should not be underestimated. «As this war grinds on, the world too often forgets that Ukraine’s determination, innovation and moral clarity are force multipliers. Its ability to defend against a larger, better-resourced enemy should never be counted out,» Newton told Fox News Digital. «There are growing signs that Russia’s supposed invincibility is no longer a safe assumption, particularly as pressure increases on the Kremlin and its partners.»
UKRAINE SAYS IT CARRIED OUT FIRST-EVER UNDERWATER DRONE STRIKE ON RUSSIAN SUBMARINE IN NOVOROSSIYSK
Ukrainian soldiers from the 115th Brigade Mortar Unit conduct mortar training in Lyman, Ukraine. (Jose Colon/Anadolu via Getty Images)
The fighting has centered east of Zaporizhzhia, where Russian forces have steadily advanced since mid-2025. Open-source battlefield monitoring and mapping indicate Ukrainian troops pushed forward around Huliaipole and nearby settlements, though analysts caution the front remains fluid, and some areas are not fully secured, The Telegraph reported.
The Institute for the Study of War assessed in mid-February that the counterattacks appear to be exploiting disruptions in Russian command-and-control. ISW said Ukrainian forces are likely leveraging limits affecting Russian battlefield communications, including reported restrictions tied to the use of Starlink satellite terminals and messaging platforms cited in open-source reporting.
Members of the 93rd Kholodnyi Yar Separate Mechanized Brigade of the Ukrainian Armed Forces control an FPV drone with optical fiber guidance in the frontline town of Kostiantynivka on Feb. 17, 2026. (Iryna Rybakova/Press Service of the 93rd Kholodnyi Yar Separate Mechanized Brigade of the Ukrainian Armed Forces/Reuters)
Analysts say reduced connectivity can create short windows for Ukrainian units to move through contested zones that are typically dominated by drone surveillance and electronic warfare. ISW and other observers emphasize that such opportunities are temporary and do not signal a broader collapse in Russian defenses.
The evolving fight is also shaped by the growing role of drones. In a Feb. 10 special report, ISW said Russia’s expanding use of first-person-view drones reflects a campaign to «weaponize and institutionalize intentional civilian harm as a purposeful tool of war,» warning the tactic is becoming embedded in operational doctrine and could influence future conflicts.
UKRAINE STRIKES MAJOR RUSSIAN AMMO DEPOT WITH ‘FLAMINGO’ MISSILE AS TRUMP URGES ZELENSKYY TO MOVE ON DEAL
Ukraine fires six FP-5 Flamingo missiles in a night strike on Russia’s 117th GRAU arsenal in Kotluban, Volgograd Region. (East2west)
Despite the recent gains, analysts caution against viewing the developments as a decisive shift in the war. Newton argued that sustained Western military support remains essential. «Putin responds to force,» he said. «The United States and Europe should continue providing Ukraine with both defensive and offensive capabilities, including long-range systems capable of striking deep inside Russia.»
Retired Vice Adm. Robert S. Harward said battlefield gains are increasingly tied to diplomacy. «Both sides are trying to use battlefield advances to strengthen their position at the negotiating table,» Harward said. «It’s a sign neither side is ready to strike a deal yet.»
Harward pointed to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s stated willingness to hold elections following a ceasefire as evidence Kyiv is signaling flexibility, while Moscow continues to press its demands. «If a lasting and fair diplomatic agreement is achievable, the current U.S. team is well-positioned to help deliver it,» he said. «But negotiations must be paired with sustained pressure on Russia and its partners.»
Russia releases drone footage of an alleged Ukraine attack on Putin residence. (Russian Defence Ministry/Handout via Reuters)
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Nearly two years after Ukraine’s last major offensive stalled, the war remains defined by incremental territorial changes rather than sweeping breakthroughs. Both sides continue to rely heavily on drones, artillery and electronic warfare, with front lines shifting village by village.
«As U.S.-led talks continue, it is critical to increase pressure on Putin to end the war on terms that restore deterrence and prevent further aggression,» Newton said.
ukraine,russia,wars,world,politics
Menos de mil familias permanecen en el campamento al-Hol, en el noreste de Siria, tras la toma de control por parte de fuerzas del gobierno de Ahmed al-Sharaa, según informó Jihan Hanna, exdirectora del recinto y actual coordinadora con agencias internacionales. Miles de personas huyeron el mes pasado, en medio de la retirada de las kurdas Fuerzas Democráticas Sirias (SDF) y el avance gubernamental sobre la zona, que incluyó la ocupación de varias cárceles de combatientes del Estado Islámico.
El campamento, ubicado cerca de la frontera con Irak, fue uno de los principales centros de detención para familiares de presuntos militantes del Estado Islámico tras la campaña respaldada por Estados Unidos contra el grupo yihadista en Siria. El ejército estadounidense confirmó recientemente la transferencia de 5.700 detenidos adultos a Irak, en una operación coordinada tras el cambio de control en la región.
Según datos obtenidos por Reuters el 19 de enero, un día antes de la entrada de las fuerzas gubernamentales, al-Hol albergaba a 6.639 familias, equivalentes a 23.407 personas, en su mayoría sirios e iraquíes, además de 6.280 extranjeros de más de cuarenta nacionalidades. La Agencia de la ONU para los Refugiados (ACNUR/UNHCR) observó en las últimas semanas una “disminución significativa” en el número de residentes, aunque el acceso al campamento fue restringido por motivos de seguridad y no dispone de cifras exactas de la población actual.
Las autoridades sirias han comenzado a trasladar a los últimos residentes nacionales a un campamento próximo a Alepo, mientras la mayoría de extranjeros habría huido o abandonado el lugar durante el vacío de seguridad generado por la retirada de la SDF. Fuentes de seguridad indicaron que un sector del campamento, conocido como “el anexo” y considerado el más peligroso, quedó completamente vacío tras los incidentes. Se reportó que algunas personas escaparon con ayuda de familiares o grupos armados, dispersándose dentro y fuera de Siria.
El Observatorio Sirio de Derechos Humanos confirmó que “miles huyeron de al-Hol”, algunos por su cuenta durante la retirada kurda y otros con la ayuda de fuerzas progubernamentales. Unidades de seguridad, en coordinación con socios internacionales, han iniciado operaciones de seguimiento y búsqueda de los fugitivos, especialmente de aquellos considerados de alto riesgo.
En el Líbano, fuentes de seguridad informaron que más de una docena de ciudadanos libaneses que cruzaron ilegalmente desde Siria tras huir de al-Hol fueron interrogados por el ejército local. Paralelamente, el gobierno sirio anunció el traslado de cientos de personas, principalmente mujeres y niños, a un nuevo campamento cercano a Akhtarin, en el norte de Alepo, con apoyo de grupos civiles como la Unidad de Apoyo a la Estabilización (SSU).
La reubicación, que según Mounzir Salal, líder de la SSU, podría completarse en una semana, forma parte del plan para cerrar definitivamente al-Hol y comenzar la reintegración de los antiguos residentes. La ACNUR subrayó la importancia de identificar a los extranjeros que abandonan el campamento para facilitar su repatriación o procesamiento legal según corresponda.
Desde 2019, tras la derrota territorial del Estado Islámico, al-Hol se consolidó como un entorno de alta peligrosidad, donde la influencia ideológica del grupo persistió y la vida cotidiana se caracterizó por la ausencia de legalidad, según testimonios de residentes y observadores internacionales.
(Con información de Reuters y DPA)
Civil Conflict,Demonstrations,Riots,Middle East,Civil Unrest
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