Russian president Vladimir Putin has lashed out at European leaders calling them “little pigs” amid ongoing US-brokered peace talks on Wednesday, December 17. | The Independent

Vladimir Putin was muted for 34 seconds as he gave a major speech to world leaders on Friday (12 December). The Russian president, 73, was due to speak in front of 16 heads of state and government at the International Forum on Peace and Trust session in Turkmenistan capital Ashgabat when he experienced issues with his microphone. | The Independent

At least one person has been killed and 15 others injured, including a child, amid a mass Russian missile and drone attack on Kyiv overnight on Nov. 29, local authorities reported. Air raid alerts were activated across the entire country early in the overnight hours as Russia launched dozens of missiles and hundreds of drones towards the capital. Video: Olena Zashko/Kyiv Independent | The Kyiv Independent