By Jan Strupczewski BRUSSELS, Dec 12 (Reuters) - The European Union looked set on Friday to indefinitely freeze Russian central bank assets held in Europe, removing a big obstacle to using the cash to help Ukraine defend itself against Moscow's invasion.

Belgium blocks EU plan to seize Russian assets for Ukraine aid, citing serious fears of Putin retaliation and potential war escalation against Europe.

Japan has scrambled jets to monitor Russian and Chinese air forces conducting joint patrols around the country, the Japanese defense ministry said late Tuesday, amid rising tensions between Tokyo and Beijing.

MOSCOW, Dec 12 (Reuters) - Russia's central bank said on Friday that plans by the European Union to use its assets were illegal and that it reserved the right to employ all available means to protect its interests.

The UK says it tracked the Krasnodar as it sailed from the North Sea through the Strait of Dover.

Victoria Eduardovna Dubranova faces up to 32 years for allegedly helping Russian-backed cyber groups in attacks on critical infrastructure.

By Conor Humphries and Inti Landauro DUBLIN, Dec 9 (Reuters) - The European Union is very close to a solution to finance Ukraine in 2026 and 2027 that would have the support of at least a qualified majority of EU countries,

Russia is pushing to take over all of eastern Ukraine's Donbas region, where one resident tells NPR that she feels her "life depends on how our guys at the front hold on."

Seoul says it will "actively respond" to neighbouring countries' activities in its air defence zone.

India remained the second-largest buyer of Russian fossil fuels in November behind China, according to the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air (CREA).

Three skiers from Russia and six from Belarus have been approved to compete in qualifying events for the 2026 Milan Cortina Winter Games in February.

Since the accident Russia’s main space corporation, Roscosmos, has been assessing plans to repair the Site 31 launch site and begun to schedule the delivery of spare parts. Roscosmos officials have told NASA it will take at least four months to repair the site and recover the capability to launch from there.