Russia downed a passenger plane?

Hi Global Recap readers,

I hope you had a fantastic Christmas and are enjoying these last few days of 2024.

Looking back, this year really zipped by, filled with both unforgettable personal moments and major geopolitical happenings. I’m hoping for a more peaceful 2025, though it seems like that might be a long shot…

Today’s headlines:

• Finland confronts a Russian “shadow fleet”

• Israeli forces attack a Yemeni airport

• Russia leans into Bitcoin adoption

• Possible Russian involvement in the downing of an Azerbaijani plane

🇫🇮 FINLAND
Finland Seizes Russian Tanker

Finland's authorities have seized an oil tanker suspected of cutting undersea cables, possibly linked to Russia's "shadow fleet."

Cable Cut

Finland's authorities seized the Eagle S tanker on Thursday, suspecting it of cutting undersea cables.

• The Eagle S, registered in the Cook Islands, was sailing from St. Petersburg to Port Said in Egypt when detained.

• The ship is suspected of cutting the Estlink 2 submarine cable, which carries electricity between Finland and Estonia.

• Four other data cables were also damaged.

Shadow Fleet (Suspicions)

The Eagle S might be part of Russia's "shadow fleet," used to evade Western sanctions.

• The shadow fleet emerged to circumvent price caps on Russian oil.

• Nearly 70 percent of Russia's oil is transported by these tankers.

• These tankers often sail under flags of other nations, like Gabon.

Minimal Disruption

Despite the cable cuts, the impact on Finland and Estonia has been minimal.

• Communication services between Helsinki and Rostock were affected.

• Repairs to the cable could take several weeks.

🇮🇱 ISRAEL
Israeli Airstrikes Yemen

Israel's military launched a significant air assault on Yemen, targeting the Iranian-backed Houthi militia.

The strikes targeted Houthi rebels and military infrastructure, but there was one high-profile person at the airport at the time: the World Health Organization chief.

Houthi Targets

Israel's strikes focused on Houthi military infrastructure.

• The Israeli military struck parts of Yemen controlled by the Houthis on December 26, 2024.

• Targets included Sanaa International Airport and power stations, damaging the airport’s air traffic control tower, departure lounge, and runway.

• This action followed a week of near-nightly ballistic missile and drone launches by the Houthis against Israel.

• Houthi media confirmed three people killed and 14 injured.

WHO Chief

Guess who was at the airport at the time? The Director-General of the World Health Organization, Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.

• He was about to board a flight to negotiate the release of UN staffers who were detained by the Houthi terrorists.

🇷🇺 RUSSIA
Russia Embraces
Bitcoin for Trade

Crypto-cynics often push the taboo idea that cryptocurrency is mostly tied to illegal activities.

Well, Russia isn’t helping to dispel this taboo, as it is also using digital currencies to sidestep Western sanctions.

Bitcoin

Russia's Finance Minister Anton Siluanov remarked that:

• Russian companies are now using Bitcoin and other digital currencies for international payments.

• This move follows legislative changes aimed at countering Western sanctions.

Sanctions and Solutions

Sanctions undoubtedly made trade very tricky for Russian companies.

• It even complicated trade with major partners like China and Turkey.

• Local banks are also wary of Russia-related transactions due to Western scrutiny.

Mining

Russia isn't just using bitcoin; it's mining it too.

• Russia is one of the global leaders in bitcoin mining.

• The country has taken steps to make cryptocurrency mining legal.

• Siluanov believes international payments in digital currencies are the future.

Presidential Endorsement

Digital currencies even have Putin's back.

• President Vladimir Putin criticized the US for using the dollar for political purposes.

• He specifically highlighted Bitcoin as an alternative asset that no one can regulate.

Looking Ahead

But this seems to be just the beginning of Russia’s relationship with Crypto.

• Siluanov is confident that the use of digital currencies in trade will expand even further next year.

🇷🇺 RUSSIA
Did a Russian Missile Down
the Passenger Jet?

Remember Azerbaijan Airlines flight that crashed in Kazakhstan, killing 38 people? Azerbaijani sources claim a Russian missile caused the crash, not a bird strike.

Here’s a video of it, in case you missed it:

Crash Details

The crash occurred on Wednesday, killing 38 of the 67 people on board.

• The plane was en route to Grozny, Russia.

• Both pilots were among the casualties.

• The crash site showed holes in the fuselage and tail section.

Missile Strike

Azerbaijani sources confirmed the plane was hit by a Russian missile.

• The missile was fired by a Russian Pantsir-S air defense system.

• Shrapnel from the missile supposedly caused severe damage.

• Ukrainian officials were quick to blame Russia for the incident soon after the crash.

Investigation Findings

A preliminary investigation pointed to Russian air defenses as the cause.

• Aviation experts doubt the “bird strike” explanation.

• Osprey Flight Solutions raised its risk rating for the airspace.

• Also, the plane was supposedly exposed to GPS jamming near Grozny, raising the possibility that the plane was downed by Russia.

Eyewitness Account

• Subkhonkul Rakhimov, a surviving passenger, heard an explosion in the tail.

• He saw the plane attempt to land three times.

• The crash was preceded by drone activity in the area.

Official Responses

Both Russia and Azerbaijan are conducting investigations.

• Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov urged caution in drawing conclusions.

• Azerbaijan Airlines' president confirmed the black box recovery.

• The investigation is ongoing, with international aviation standards followed.

🇷🇺 RUSSIA
Moscow Airports Temporarily Closed

All of Moscow's four major airports were temporarily closed for unspecified “security reasons.”

What could be the reason? Could this be related to the plane that was supposedly shot down in Kazakstan?

Airport Shutdown

Moscow's airports faced unexpected closures on Thursday.

• Sheremetyevo, Domodedovo, Vnukovo, and Zhukovsky airports were affected.

• Kaluga airport, 100 miles southwest of Moscow, was also closed.

• All airports reopened later in the day.

Security Concerns

The closures were due to unspecified safety concerns.

• Russia's aviation authority, Rosaviatsia, announced the temporary restrictions.

• The official statement emphasized the priority of flight safety.

• No immediate or precise reasons were given for the closures.

Recent Incidents

The ongoing conflict with Ukraine has escalated tensions.

• Air raid sirens sounded in multiple regions, including Oryol and Sevastopol.

• Two Ukrainian missiles were shot down in the Kursk region.

• A third missile was intercepted shortly after the airports reopened.

• Also, Ukraine launched its largest drone attack on Moscow a month ago.

• There are also reports that speculate that the crash of an Azerbaijan Airlines flight was possibly caused by Russian air defenses.