Wednesday Briefing: The assassination of a Russian general

Plus, the search for a lost masterpiece

View in browser|nytimes.com December 18, 2024 By Natasha Frost Good morning. We're covering the killing of a Russian general and the latest from the Middle East. Plus: The hunt for a lost Van Gogh. Igor Kirillov, a general, and an aide were killed by a bomb on a Moscow street yesterday. Yuri Kochetkov/EPA, via Shutterstock Ukraine said it assassinated a Russian general in Moscow A Russian general was killed yesterday by a bomb on a Moscow street. Ukraine claimed responsibility for what appears to be one of the most brazen assassinations since Russia's full-scale invasion nearly three years ago. The general, Igor Kirillov, 54, died along with an aide after an explosive device planted in a scooter was detonated yesterday morning, Russian authorities said. Kirillov was the head of Russia's radioactive, chemical and biological defense forces. Earlier this week, Kyiv had blamed him for the "massive use of banned chemical weapons" in Ukraine. Ukraine has increasingly carried out deadly covert actions. Last month, Ukraine took credit for a car bombing that killed a senior Russian commander in Crimea. But while other Russian generals have died during the war, Kirillov is the highest-ranking military official to have been killed inside Russia. A senior American official said the U.S. was not informed about the assassination ahead of time and warned that the killing might be counterproductive by inciting a reaction from Vladimir Putin, the Russian president. North Korea: The U.S. has seen "indications" that the North Korean forces that have been sent to Russia to help in the war in Ukraine have suffered their first casualties. Related: With Donald Trump poised to take office, the era of U.S. military support for Ukraine is coming to an end. Israeli troops patrolling the border with Syria yesterday.  Atef Safadi/EPA, via Shutterstock Netanyahu vowed to keep Israeli troops in Syria Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel vowed yesterday that Israeli troops would remain in territory seized by the country in Syria for the foreseeable future, or "until another arrangement is found that guarantees Israel's security." The prime minister's trip to the area was likely to be viewed as provocative by Syria's new leadership, which has criticized Israel's expanded military presence across the de facto border. The military of Israel has pushed beyond areas that the country controls in the Golan Heights and has captured land that includes the summit of Mount Hermon, in what Israeli officials have described as a temporary security measure. Separately, the leader of the rebel coalition that seized power in Syria said that all armed groups in the country would be dissolved and their fighters brought under the authority of the Defense Ministry, according to the country's state news media. In Gaza: Hamas said that "serious and positive talks" were taking place to reach a deal with Israel to finally end the war and free the remaining hostages held there. Here's what we know. Alvin Bragg, the Manhattan district attorney, center, announcing the charges. Jefferson Siegel for The New York Times Luigi Mangione faces a first-degree murder charge Luigi Mangione, who is accused of assassinating UnitedHealthcare's chief executive, was formally charged yesterday with first-degree murder, a charge that branded him a terrorist. Mangione's actions, prosecutors said, were "intended to intimidate or coerce a civilian population" and to "affect the conduct of a unit of government by murder." The killing of the executive, Brian Thompson, on Dec. 4 in Manhattan set off a dayslong manhunt and captivated Americans, many of whom vented their frustrations with health insurance companies. Some voiced their support for Mangione and rooted for him to elude capture. Details: Mangione, 26, also faces two counts of second-degree murder and weapons charges in New York. If convicted on the highest charges, he faces a sentence of life in prison without parole. MORE TOP NEWS Eric Lee/The New York Times U.S. politics: With about a month left in office, President Biden is determined to shape his legacy as a consequential leader. Wisconsin: A 15-year-old girl was identified as the shooter who killed two people in an attack at a Christian school. Mayotte: The authorities in the French archipelago introduced a curfew and rushed to get aid after a tropical cyclone killed at least 22 people. Germany: The economy's weakness is the focal point for the candidates vying to lead the next government. Read our analysis. Greenland: Paul Watson, the antiwhaling activist who faces charges in Japan, was released from custody five months after being detained. Vanuatu: At least 14 people died after a magnitude 7.3 earthquake struck near the Pacific Island nation. Trump: The president-elect sued The Des Moines Register for running a pre-election poll that showed him trailing Kamala Harris. Space: U.S. agencies have opened at least three reviews into whether Elon Musk and SpaceX complied with protocols intended to protect state secrets. Music: Lawyers for Jay-Z plan to ask a judge to dismiss a lawsuit accusing the rapper of raping a 13-year-old in 2000. Archaeology: Researchers studying a Bronze Age gravesite in southwest England made a grisly discovery involving a massacre and possible cannibalism. Entertainment: BBC Studios and the Walt Disney Company will collaborate on an animated movie starring Bluey, the hit children's character. SPORTS NEWS Soccer: Chelsea's Mykhailo Mudryk tested positive for a banned substance. Skiing: Meet the Macugas, America's next first family of the Winter Olympics. Formula 1: The Athletic ranked the top 10 drivers for the 2024 season. MORNING READ Graham Dickie/The New York Times Hungry for in-person interaction and offline joy, Gen Z and millennial players are joining old-fashioned board game clubs to play chess, mahjong and other pastimes. CONVERSATION STARTERS Skin care: Lots of people are putting beef tallow on their faces. Doctors aren't thrilled. "Christmas tree syndrome": Sometimes mold or dust can cause an allergic reaction. Here's how to keep symptoms at bay. A year of eating: See a list of the 26 best dishes Times writers ate across the U.S. in 2024. Letter of recommendation: A writer praises the pure liberation of a personal urination device. ARTS AND IDEAS Fine Art Images/Heritage Images, via Getty Images The search for a lost masterpiece Vincent van Gogh's "Portrait of Dr. Gachet," painted just weeks before his suicide, is one of his most prized works. The painting sold at auction in 1990 for $82.5 million — a record at the time — and experts say the work may now be worth $300 million or more. But since selling to a private collector, it has all but disappeared, and the work's whereabouts have become one of the art world's greatest mysteries. A team of Times reporters went on a mission to find the masterpiece. Here's what they found. We hope you've enjoyed this newsletter, which is made possible through subscriber support. Subscribe to The New York Times. RECOMMENDATIONS Christopher Testani for The New York Times Cook: Make this warming Mexican pork stew. Listen: Paul Krugman delivers some parting words after 25 years as a Times Opinion columnist. Socialize: Here's how to relax at parties without drinking. Compete: Take our quiz to see how well you know the works of Charles Dickens. Play the Spelling Bee. And here are today's Mini Crossword and Wordle. You can find all our puzzles here. That's it for today's briefing. See you tomorrow. — Natasha Reach Natasha and the team at briefing@nytimes.com. Need help? Review our newsletter help page or contact us for assistance. You received this email because you signed up for Morning Briefing: Europe Edition from The New York Times. To stop receiving Morning Briefing: Europe Edition, unsubscribe. To opt out of other promotional emails from The Times, including those regarding The Athletic, manage your email settings. To opt out of updates and offers sent from The Athletic, submit a request. Subscribe to The TimesGet The New York Times app Connect with us on: Change Your EmailPrivacy PolicyContact UsCalifornia Notices The New York Times Company. 620 Eighth Avenue New York, NY 10018