Russian Ministry of Defence: Russian armed forces occupied seven settlements in one week.Ukrainian energy facilities were attacked by large-scale air strikes. Ukrainian President Zelensky said on the 13th that Ukrainian energy facilities were attacked by Russian missiles and drones again that morning. The Russian Defense Ministry announced on the 13th that the Russian army launched a large-scale attack on the energy infrastructure to ensure the operation of the Ukrainian military-industrial complex by using long-range space-based and sea-based high-precision weapons and attack drones, which was a response to Ukraine's attack on the Russian Taganrog military airport on the 11th using the US Army tactical missile system. Zelensky said on social media that 93 missiles were fired by Russian troops and 81 were intercepted by Ukrainian air defense fire. In addition, the Russian army also launched nearly 200 attack drones into Uzbekistan. DTEK, Ukraine's largest private power company, issued a statement on the morning of the 13th, saying that many thermal power plants under the company were seriously damaged by large-scale air strikes, and no casualties have been found. It is reported that this is the 12th round of large-scale air strikes launched by the Russian army against Ukrainian energy facilities this year. (Xinhua News Agency)Bitcoin fell below $100,000/piece, down 1.15% in the day.
It is reported that the European Central Bank is considering cutting interest rates by 25 basis points in the next two meetings. According to informed sources, as the inflation rate stabilizes at the target of 2% and economic growth is sluggish, ECB officials plan to cut interest rates by another 25 basis points in January, and there may be another one in March. People familiar with the matter said that as long as the economic development meets current expectations, gradually reducing the borrowing cost is the most appropriate path. They believe that cutting interest rates by 50 basis points at a time in an emergency is still an option, but this move may convey an unexpected sense of urgency. According to people familiar with the matter, officials have not yet made any decision, and every meeting will be evaluated based on all available information, even after March. They stressed that once the situation becomes clearer after Trump takes office in January, the policy inclination of the central bank may change.US Secretary of State Blinken visited Baghdad to discuss the Syrian issue with Iraqi Prime Minister. On December 13th, local time, US Secretary of State Blinken visited the Iraqi capital Baghdad and held talks with Iraqi Prime Minister Al-Sudani on the Syrian issue. The State Council has not announced the itinerary of Blinken's visit before. (CCTV News)South Korean prosecutors arrested Li Zhenyu, commander of the Capital Defense Command. On December 13, local time, South Korean prosecutors urgently arrested Li Zhenyu, commander of the Capital Defense Command. (CCTV News)
Market news: Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva entered the semi-intensive care unit for recovery after surgery.Venezuela: This week, 103 people arrested after the July elections were released.Market News: Russian President Vladimir Putin will extend the ban on the sale of petroleum and petroleum products against the crude oil price ceiling until June 30, 2025.