The USA postponed sanctions against Lukoil gas stations

The United States has postponed until April 29 the implementation of sanctions targeting gas stations owned by Russian oil giant Lukoil that operate outside Russia’s borders, according to information published by the U.S. Treasury Department. Reuters reported that the delay affects roughly 2,000 Lukoil stations across Europe, Central Asia, the Middle East, and the Americas.

President Donald Trump signed the sanctions package on October 23, targeting Russia’s two largest energy companies, Lukoil and Rosneft. The measure included more than 30 subsidiaries of both firms, covering oil fields and major gas and oil refineries across the Russian Federation.

Shares in both companies dropped sharply in the two days following the announcement. Russia’s largest oil corporations together lost an estimated $5.2 billion in market value. Lukoil’s stock fell by 7.2%, wiping out roughly $3.66 billion, while Rosneft’s shares dropped 3%, losing about $1.56 billion.

The sanctions were originally scheduled to take effect on November 23. However, on November 15, the U.S. postponed restrictions on Lukoil until December 13, and has now further extended the delay to April 29.

In addition, Lukoil’s operations in Bulgaria were temporarily exempted from sanctions until the same date. Hungary also received an exemption from U.S. sanctions on Russian oil and gas for up to one year. According to Reuters, Hungary agreed to purchase nearly $600 million worth of liquefied natural gas from the United States as part of the arrangement.

Russian troops executed yet another Ukrainian POW

Russian troops allegedly shot and killed a Ukrainian soldier who had surrendered in the Siversk direction, Ukraine’s Armed Forces and the Prosecutor General’s Office reported on December 5.

The 10th Mountain Assault Brigade stated that Russian forces had conducted a covert infiltration into Ukrainian defensive positions near the village of Svyato-Pokrovske. Shortly afterward, video circulated on Russian information channels showing Russian servicemembers inside a Ukrainian position in the area.

According to the brigade, the footage showed a Ukrainian soldier raising his hands to surrender, indicating he was no longer participating in hostilities. The unit said the Russian troops continued to hold him at gunpoint and likely opened fire, actions the brigade said appeared to have resulted in the soldier’s death.

The Prosecutor General’s Office reported that the wounded soldier attempted to take cover but was then killed when a Russian servicemember allegedly fired an additional shot from an assault rifle.

A pre-trial investigation has been launched under Part 2 of Article 438 of Ukraine’s Criminal Code, which concerns war crimes resulting in death. The Donetsk Regional Prosecutor’s Office is providing procedural oversight. Authorities said they are taking urgent steps to determine the full circumstances of the incident and to identify the Russian soldier involved.

The execution of prisoners of war is prohibited under the Geneva Conventions and constitutes a war crime.

Putin finished up his first visit to India in 4 years, where he discussed partnership on oil and defense

Russian President Vladimir Putin and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi emphasized the expansion of bilateral ties during talks in New Delhi on Dec. 5, as Putin concluded his first visit to India in four years.

Putin’s two-day trip reflected Moscow’s push to strengthen relationships with stable partners amid ongoing Western sanctions, as well as India’s increasing dependence on heavily discounted Russian crude. India — the world’s third-largest oil importer — emerged as Russia’s top oil customer after the full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, solidifying a partnership Washington has sought to limit.

During their meeting, Putin said Russia planned to continue supplying fuel to what he described as India’s rapidly growing economy, asserting that Moscow remained a reliable energy partner. He characterized his discussions with Modi as useful and constructive and said they demonstrated what the Kremlin views as a “particularly privileged partnership” between the two nations. According to Putin, cooperation now extends beyond oil purchases to broader energy and industrial initiatives.

The two leaders also agreed to work on increasing bilateral trade, including through higher levels of Indian exports to the Russian market.

Russia’s oil trade with India — minimal before the 2022 invasion — has surged to roughly $140 billion, marking one of the most significant shifts in global energy flows since the onset of the war.

Denmark will significantly reduce military support for Ukraine in 2026

Denmark plans to allocate 9.4 billion Danish kroner (€1.26 billion) in military aid to Ukraine in 2026 — a decrease from 16.5 billion kroner in 2025 and nearly 19 billion in 2024, Danish broadcaster DR reports.

Defence Minister Troels Lund Poulsen confirmed the reduction in a note to the Defence Committee. DR, citing the Kiel Institute, noted that Denmark has contributed more relative to GDP than any other country.

Committee member Simon Kollerup called the lower funding a natural stabilization after several years of exceptionally high support, saying Denmark intentionally led early and contributed beyond what is typical for a country of its size.

But another member, Stinus Lindgreen, urged a return to previous levels, arguing that Ukraine’s situation remains critical and now is not the time to scale back.

Kollerup countered that other nations should increase their support, saying Denmark — a small but agile country with strong finances — acted early, and now others can take on a greater share.

Russians have advanced near three villages in Donetsk Oblast

The military analysis group DeepState reports that Russian forces have made new advances in several areas of Donetsk Oblast, including near the towns of Yampil, Siversk, and Vyimka.

According to DeepState’s updated battlefield map, Russian troops have pushed forward near Yampil in the Kramatorsk district, around Siversk in the Bakhmut district, and near Vyimka, a village within the Soledar community. These areas have seen intensified fighting as Russia continues efforts to expand its foothold in eastern Ukraine.