Briefly

EUROPE

Russia, Ukraine launch record drone attacks

Russia fired 145 drones at Ukraine overnight, the most in any single nighttime attack in the conflict so far, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Sunday. "Last night, Russia launched a record 145 Shaheds and other strike drones against Ukraine," Zelensky said, calling for more supplies from Kyiv's Western partners. Also on Sunday, Russia downed 34 Ukrainian drones targeting Moscow, the Defense Ministry said, in the largest attack on the capital since 2022. The attack forced the temporary closure of three Moscow airports, injured a 52-year-old woman and set two homes on fire, officials said. Meanwhile, the Russian Defense Ministry said on Sunday its forces had "liberated the town of Voltchenka" in the eastern Donetsk region, where the army has been making advances in recent weeks.

FRANCE

Rail unions to go on indefinite strike

Trade unions at France's railway operator SNCF called on Saturday for an indefinite strike from next month that could disrupt train services during the Christmas holidays. The unions are demanding a moratorium on the dismantling of Fret SNCF, the freight division of the national rail operator, and are opposing the terms and conditions for opening up regional passenger lines to competition. In a joint statement to AFP, the CGT-Cheminots, UNSA-Ferroviaire, Sud-Rail and CFDT-Cheminots unions said the action would begin on Dec 11. They also reiterated their call for shorter strike action from Nov 20 to 22.

Agencies Via Xinhua