Explosion in Kabul

1 Afghanistan

The Tolo News TV reported with a reference to the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Afghanistan that an explosion took place in Kabul, near a passport issuing office. The deputy spokesman for the Afghan Interior Ministry, Akil Jan Azzam, told to the Tolo News that the security staff of the building had shot and killed a man who was trying to enter the building and carry out an attack. According to Azzam — there were no casualties as a result of the attack.

2 Russia

Vladimir Putin stated that Russia positively reacted on the decision to hold the negotiations on a security guarantee system with the USA in early January. Russia hopes for the progress in this matter. «Joe Biden suggested — and we answered. In my opinion it was very constructive and quick. During the conversation, I told him the following: «I will send you my own proposals as soon as possible». The proposals were then sent to both the USA and the NATO. We are ready to discuss this matter in the OSCE. I hope that it will be the first positive reaction. The possible start of the work was planned for the early January. It will allow us to move forward» — Putin stated during his annual press conference.

3 Donbass

The People’s Militia Department of the DPR reported that early in the morning, a resident of the village of Aleksandrovka, west of Donetsk, was injured by a shot from the Ukrainian troops. It happened a few hours after the declaration of a complete ceasefire by the 3-way contact group, which was reported by Ukraine. “As a result of the violation of the ceasefire by the Ukrainian troops in the morning, a man born in 1969 was wounded. He was taken to the central city hospital №14 of Donetsk» — the DPR Ministry of Defense reported.

4 Russia

On 23rd of December military training has started at the ’Opuk’ Crimean military training ground. The Russian Ministry of Defense reported that training firing of airborne troops, artillery forces, and chemical troops will take place. There also will be a demining of a section of the terrain, and cover actions during training attacks of aircraft and UAVs. The exercises will begin on 24th of December, near the city of Novorossiysk, at the «Raevsky» training ground. The paratroopers will practice the combat operations at short distances, as well as scouting, and shock operations together with an artillery battalion armed with ’2S9 Nona’ guns. «More than 1,200 servicemen and over 250 units of military and special equipment are involved in the training» — the Russian Defense Ministry stated.

5 Ethiopia

The Ethiopian Foreign Ministry spokesman Dina Mufti stated that the national dialogue planned by the Ethiopian federal government isn’t a negotiation between the authorities and the «People’s Liberation Front of Tigray’’. «The dialogue should be conducted between citizens, it is not a negotiation. The «People’s Liberation Front of Tygray» is a terrorist organization — it was recognized so by the Ethiopian parliament» — the ’Addis Standard’ news agency quoted his words. «The government of the country won’t participate in the negotiations with such an organization» — the TASS reported.

6 Iraq — Iran

On Thursday, the Iraqi Foreign Minister, Fuad Hussein, stated during a press conference, after his meeting in Tehran with the Iranian Foreign Minister, Hossein Amir Abdollahiyan, that the US forces won’t be present in Iraq. Only the American advisers and instructors will remain. On December 22, a representative of the Iraqi General Staff, Major-General Tahsin al-Khafaji, stated that the international coalition, led by the USA, has pulled all their troops from Iraq. Constantine Reztsov, specially for the ANNA NEWS.