Updated Analysis of the Military Situation in Ukraine - December 28, 2024, 15:05 UTC
Key Developments
Drone Warfare
Mykolaiv Region:
A multi-story building in Mykolaiv caught fire due to a drone attack.
Ukrainian forces report a Russian drone strike on the central market in Nikopol, injuring 8 civilians. Six were wounded in Nikopol due to a Russian drone attack.
Ukrainian air defenses shot down 7 drones over Dnipropetrovsk Oblast.
Ukrainian air defenses may be operating in Mykolaiv Oblast against a suspected reconnaissance drone.
A Lancet and a Zala drone were reported moving from the direction of Velyka Korenivka towards the Zavodskyi district of Mykolaiv.
Three drones are confirmed to be moving through Kutsurub in a northerly direction.
One drone is reported near the Korabelnyi district of Mykolaiv, with potential for loud noise.
One drone is reported in the Halytsynove area.
Two drones are circling near the Kosa area.
One drone is flying from Velyka Korenykha towards the Zavodskyi/Centralnyi district of Mykolaiv, with active engagement reported.
An enemy drone is confirmed to be heading towards Mykolaiv from the south.
Air raid alerts are in effect for Mykolaiv due to the drone threat.
Explosions have been reported in Mykolaiv amidst the drone attack.
Chernihiv Region:
Drone movement has been detected in the Khmelnytskyi, Poltava, and Chernihiv regions, specifically near Nizhyn.
Ukrainian Air Force reports drone movements in Chernihiv Oblast to the west. Residents of Nizhyn (Chernihiv region) are advised to take shelter due to the threat of an enemy drone.
City of Pryluky (Chernihiv Oblast) is under threat from enemy drones approaching from the northeast.
Voronezh Region:
Over 10 drones were reportedly detected and destroyed in the suburbs of Voronezh.
Belgorod Region:
Two civilians were injured in the Krasnogvardeisky district due to a Ukrainian drone attack.
Several villages in the Grayvoron district were left without electricity after a Ukrainian drone attack.
Ukrainian forces report shooting down two more Russian drones over the Belgorod region.
Rostov Oblast:
17 Ukrainian drones were destroyed and suppressed overnight above Rostov Oblast.
During the night, 4 more UAVs were destroyed and suppressed by electronic warfare in the Millerovsky and Tarasovsky districts.
Volchansk, Kharkiv Oblast:
Ukrainian forces are reportedly using around 100 drones per day in this area.
Donetsk Oblast:
An attack by a Ukrainian drone on the Makeevsky Machine-Building Plant in the Donetsk People's Republic was prevented.
In Horlivka, a man was killed and two others were injured in a Ukrainian drone attack.
Russian forces report that operators of drones from the 110th Brigade, operating in the Kurakhove direction, spotted moving Ukrainian soldiers and dropped a munition, killing one.
A Ukrainian drone "Vampir" of the "Hydra" unit of the 137th Separate Marine Battalion remotely mined Russian logistics routes near Zoria.
Drone operators of the 46th brigade targeted Russian soldiers in Kurakhove.
Russian forces destroyed a Ukrainian drone control center near Velyka Novosilka.
Russian forces destroyed a Ukrainian communications repeater in Kurakhove direction.
Kursk Region:
Ukrainian forces conducted a successful drone operation in the Kursk region, targeting a Russian T-90 tank and an ammunition depot.
Ukrainian forces, specifically the "Birds of Madyar" unit, used drones to record the bodies of North Korean and Russian troops in Kursk Oblast.
Operators of drones from the 95th Air Assault Brigade repelled an attack by North Koreans in the Kursk region. Video shows drone footage from the 80th Separate Airborne Assault Brigade of the Ukrainian Armed Forces engaging Russian infantry in the Kursk region. Operators of the 80th Airborne Assault Brigade destroyed an enemy along with equipment in the Kursk region. Code 9.2 unit drops "goodies" on communists and Jucheists in the Kursk region.
Kharkiv Region:
Increased drone activity was reported in the Kharkiv region.
Russian operators destroyed a Ukrainian "Baba Yaga" drone near Kupyansk. A Leopard tank was destroyed in the Kupyansk Direction.
A Russian attack drone unit successfully eliminated Ukrainian troops in a forested area in the Kharkiv region.
Ukrainian forces were reportedly killed by Russian drones near Kharkiv.
Russian forces reportedly used drones to eliminate a Ukrainian special forces group near Kupyansk.
Russian forces have used drones to destroy a Ukrainian armored vehicle in a wooded area.
Russian forces have used FPV drones to destroy a Ukrainian armored vehicle in a forest.
Pilots of the "ACHILLES" battalion of the 92nd brigade are reported to have destroyed enemy personnel and a truck in the Kharkiv region.
Ukrainian forces used an FPV drone to destroy a Ukrainian T-64BV tank near Kupyansk.
In the Kupyansk area, fighters of the 16th Special Forces Brigade destroyed an enemy T-64BV tank with two FPV drones.
FPV of the Third Assault Brigade destroys enemy weapons, shelters, and warehouses in the Kharkiv direction.
Ukrainian forces repelled a powerful Russian assault in the Kupyansk direction, destroying 5 armored vehicles.
Operators of FPV drones from the 20th Motorized Rifle Division of the 8th Guards Army detected and destroyed a camouflaged communications repeater of the Ukrainian Armed Forces.
Increased drone activity in Kharkiv and Poltava regions, with drones moving west/southwest. New drones entering Sumy Oblast from Kursk.
The Ukrainian Air Force reports the movement of drones in Kharkiv Oblast towards Poltava Oblast, in Dnipropetrovsk Oblast to the south-west and west, in Chernihiv Oblast to the west, and new groups in the east of Kharkiv Oblast to the west. Explosions were heard in the suburbs of Kharkiv.
Other Regions:
Ukrainian forces report shooting down 20 out of 31 drones launched by Russia overnight.
Ukrainian drone units reported successful strikes on a Russian armored vehicle in the Sumy region.
Air raid alerts issued for multiple regions.
Ukrainian forces report that their drones can strike targets up to 2000 km away.
Ukrainian Ambassador to the EU reported that Russia is integrating AI into Shahed drones.
Reports of widespread drone activity across multiple regions.
Ukrainian forces report destroying 3 Russian BTRs near Kursk.
Russian forces used approximately 100 Geran drones to deplete Ukrainian air defenses overnight.
Ukrainian forces equipped with two shotguns shot down Russian Mavik drones.
Marines used UAVs to locate and eliminate a Baba Yaga-type heavy drone in the Kakhovka direction.
"Phoenix" unit of the "Revenge" brigade repelled an assault by occupiers near Kurdyumivka in the Bakhmut area.
Ukrainian drone operators conducted a mass drone attack on Russian positions in the Pokrovsk direction. "Birds of Magyar" attacked Ukrainian positions in the Pokrovsk area.
Video evidence of Ukrainian forces using drones equipped with shotguns to effectively shoot down Russian drones.
A new FPV-drone "Hortenzia" with support of management for optical fiber started to be used in the zone of special military operation.
Ukrainian forces report a 19-fold increase in the supply of drones to their units in 2024, compared to the previous year.
The "ACHILLES" drone unit, originally a company-sized element of the 92nd Separate Assault Brigade, has expanded to a battalion and is reportedly hitting over 2000 targets per month.
Russian forces are reportedly using "Upyr" kamikaze drones to target Ukrainian equipment, strongholds, and personnel.
Russian forces are reportedly using "Tatsinsky Raider" drones in their operations. Russian forces report needing more Mavic drones to break through enemy defenses on all fronts, from Kursk to Kurakhove. In Zaporizhzhia Oblast, operators of the 375th OPTADN used drones to destroy an enemy communication tower and a supply depot. A video shows a Russian attack drone stopping its advance to allow an elderly woman to dispose of garbage, highlighting the human element amidst the conflict. A video features a Russian electronic warfare (EW) unit commander discussing the challenges posed by Ukrainian drones and the importance of EW in countering them. The Southern Defense Forces of Ukraine, with the help of donations, shot down a Russian Zala reconnaissance UAV wrapped in reinforced tape.
Operators of drones from the BARS-3 "Rodina" unit destroyed a Polish self-propelled gun "Krab" on the Kupyansk front.
13 Ukrainian drones were destroyed overnight by air defense systems over Russian territory. 5 were shot down over Bryansk Oblast, 3 over Kursk Oblast, 2 each over Belgorod and Tula Oblasts, and 1 over Astrakhan Oblast.
Russian forces report that 10 Ukrainian drones were destroyed during a morning attack.
Ukrainian Air Force reports updates on the movement of Russian drones:
Drones in eastern and western Poltava Oblast, moving west.
Drones in northeastern Cherkasy Oblast, moving west/northwest.
Drones are reported in the center of Poltava Oblast, moving northwest, and on the west of Sumy Oblast, moving southwest. A drone is reported on the northeast of Cherkasy Oblast, moving west/northwest.
One drone north of Cherkasy, moving towards Kyiv Oblast. Two drones west of Poltava, moving northwest. Five drones near Konotop, moving southwest.
The Air Force reports the movement of enemy drones:
Drones in the west of Poltava region, course - west / southwest;
Drones in the north of Sumy region, course - south-west;
Drones in the center of Chernihiv region, course - south / south-west;
Drones in the east of Kyiv region, course - west / north-west;
Drones on the border of Kirovohrad and Odesa regions, course - west.
Enemy drone is moving in the direction of Cherkasy from the southeast.
1 drone is approaching Boryspil. 2 drones are flying from Poltava region to Cherkasy. 1 drone is flying from Kirovohrad region to Vinnytsia. 3 drones are in Pryluky area, heading southwest. 3 new drones are flying through Shostka area, heading southwest.
An attempt by the Kyiv regime to carry out a terrorist attack using a UAV on the territory of the Bryansk region was thwarted.
Ukrainian UAVs neutralized in the Suvorovsky district of Tula Oblast.
Ukrainian forces report a threat of enemy drones approaching Zhytomyr and Ozerne from the northeast.
Reports indicate drones approaching from Tendra towards Odesa/Pivdenne, with an estimated arrival time of 10-15 minutes. The number of drones is being clarified.
Mykolaiv Oblast is under threat of enemy drone attacks.
Air raid alerts have been issued in Mykolaiv Oblast due to the threat of "Shahed" drones.
Enemy drones are moving from the Black Sea towards Chornomorske/Pivdenne (Odesa Oblast).
Drones are reported in Mykolaiv Oblast, approaching from the south.
Two drones are reported near Kobleve, and two more are moving from the Tendra Spit towards Ochakiv.
Enemy drones are reportedly heading towards Mykolaiv Oblast from the south, with a call for residents of Ochakiv to take shelter.
Odesa Oblast is under threat of enemy drone attacks.
During a reconnaissance flight, a Russian drone operator noticed an unidentified enemy aircraft-type UAV. A decision was made to ram the aircraft, with the Russian drone remaining undamaged.
Ukrainian drone operators conducted a mass drone attack on Russian positions in the Pokrovsk direction.
Ukrainian forces report that their drones can strike targets up to 2000 km away.
Video evidence of Ukrainian forces using drones equipped with shotguns to effectively shoot down Russian drones.
A new FPV-drone "Hortenzia" with support of management for optical fiber started to be used in the zone of special military operation.
Ukrainian forces report a 19-fold increase in the supply of drones to their units in 2024, compared to the previous year.
The "ACHILLES" drone unit, originally a company-sized element of the 92nd Separate Assault Brigade, has expanded to a battalion and is reportedly hitting over 2000 targets per month.
Russian forces are reportedly using "Upyr" kamikaze drones to target Ukrainian equipment, strongholds, and personnel.
Russian forces are reportedly using "Tatsinsky Raider" drones in their operations.
Ukrainian drone operators conducted a mass drone attack on Russian positions in the Pokrovsk direction.
Video from the 96th battalion of the 60th separate mechanized brigade shows drones being used to target Russian infantry.
Ukrainian forces used drones to attack a Russian position near a road, resulting in a fire.
Operators of drones from the BARS-3 "Rodina" unit destroyed a Polish self-propelled gun "Krab" on the Kupyansk front. The drone identified the target, and artillery subsequently destroyed it.
Ukrainian forces report that 13 enemy UAVs were shot down, and 11 drones did not reach their targets. The Air Force, along with air defense units, repelled an attack by two "Iskander-M" ballistic missiles and 24 "Shahed" drones.
A Ukrainian drone with a corner reflector traveled from Chernihiv to Uzhhorod and entered Hungarian airspace.
Orlov Region:
3 Storm Shadow missiles attacked a military facility in the Orlov region on Thursday, killing 2 soldiers and injuring 7.
Satellite images show a Russian military facility in the Orlov region that was hit by SS missiles on December 26th. Ukrainian forces struck a fortified military facility of the Russian Armed Forces in the Oryol region. As a result of the strike, a storage, maintenance, and repair facility for "Shahed" kamikaze drones, consisting of several reinforced concrete shelters, was destroyed. The Armed Forces of Ukraine possess detailed intelligence on Russian military objects. Efforts to identify and neutralize targets on the aggressor's territory will continue. Satellite images show a Russian military facility in the Orlov region that was hit by SS missiles on December 26th. The facility appears to have 14 square bunkers/underground warehouses connected by tunnels. Each bunker is estimated to be approximately 70x70 meters. A road to the facility, marked in blue, was additionally protected by earthen embankments.
Volgograd Oblast:
Ukrainian forces reportedly struck the Korobkovsky Gas Processing Plant with drones, damaging power lines.
Moscow Oblast:
An explosion at a railway station in Voskresensk destroyed Russian freight cars used for military logistics.
Crimea:
A state of emergency was declared due to an oil spill in the Black Sea.
A drone struck a ship in Crimea that was seized by Russia in 2014.
Kyiv Oblast: Several groups of attack drones detected south of Kyiv, suggesting a potential imminent drone attack on the capital or surrounding areas. Ukrainian air defense systems are likely on high alert. Air raid alerts issued for Kyiv and several other Oblasts due to the threat of attack drones.
Ground Operations
Donetsk Oblast
Two civilians were injured in Horlivka due to a Ukrainian attack.
Fighting continues in the Dzerzhinsk area. Russian forces evacuated civilians from Toretsk (Dzerzhinsk). Russian forces are advancing near Dzerzhinsk, with fighting ongoing in the center of the town.
Ukrainian forces conducted four attacks on populated areas of the Donetsk region.
Russian forces destroyed a Ukrainian stronghold and a mortar position in the Kurakhove direction. Attack FPV drone teams of the Yug Group of Forces eliminated a stronghold and a mortar position of the AFU in Kurakhove direction. Fighters of the 16th Special Forces Brigade destroyed an enemy mortar with an FPV drone.
Russian electronic warfare systems in the DPR have reportedly disrupted nearly 140 Ukrainian air attacks in the past week.
Kurakhove:
Russian forces maintain control of approximately 80% of the city.
Ukrainian withdrawal was reported. Ukrainian forces continue to withdraw from the Kurakhove direction, with units of the 119th Territorial Defense Brigade being withdrawn to the rear due to heavy losses.
A bridge over the Volchya River was destroyed. Reports of Russian forces liberating Konstantinopolskoe (Ostrovskoe), Zelenovka, and advancing on Yantarnoye, destroying a bridge over the Volchya River in the Kurakhove direction.
Clashes near multiple settlements.
Airstrikes at multiple settlements.
Forest belt occupation south of Zelenivka.
High-intensity battles near multiple settlements.
Drone and sniper activity.
Positional fighting in the Kurakhove-Dalnee area.
Communications repeater destruction.
Advance towards Shevchenko.
Loss of positions was reported by Ukrainian forces.
Intense clashes are ongoing near several settlements, with Russian forces making gains, including the liberation of Elizavetovka.
Ongoing battles near multiple settlements.
Russian forces advanced more than 1km from Dalnee.
Russian forces are advancing up to 3km west of the Kurakhovskoe reservoir towards Shevchenko.
Russian assault units advanced up to 1.5 km west of the city.
Ukrainian forces, specifically the "Spear Group" of the 118th Territorial Defense Brigade, reportedly repelled a Russian assault using drones to target and destroy Russian armored vehicles in the Siversk direction.
Heavy fighting continues in the Kurakhove area.
Russian forces report fierce battles near Peschanoe and Volchye, with attempts to advance towards Chunishino and Myrolyubivka.
Ukrainian forces report heavy fighting in Lysovka, with Russian forces advancing to the center of the settlement.
Ukrainian forces report destroying a reserve of the so-called "Caucasian Legion" that was advancing on armored vehicles to reinforce Ukrainian units in Lysovka. Video footage shows the destruction of a group of the so-called "Caucasus Legion" near Lysivka.
Ukrainian forces are attempting to prevent Russian advances near Peschanoe, Volchye, and Solyonoe at any cost, using all available means of destruction and reserves.
The situation is similar south of Kurakhove, near Novovasylivka and Novoelizavetivka, where a breakthrough by Russian forces threatens to reach the Dnipropetrovsk region and encircle Kurakhove from the west.
Russian forces are advancing in Kurakhove, taking control of several streets.
Russian forces liberated an additional 5 sq km, advancing south of Ukrainian positions in the industrial zone in the Kurakhove direction.
Russian forces successfully targeted a Ukrainian YPR-765 armored personnel carrier near the Kurakhovskaya TPP.
Russian forces have reportedly begun storming the territory of the Kurakhovskaya TPP, with reports of Russian troops firmly entrenched in the eastern part of the thermal power plant.
Continued fighting in Kurakhovo.
The 68th regiment is burning enemy armored vehicles near Kurakhovo.
Vremivka Direction:
Russian forces captured Storozheve, forming a new "pocket" near Velyka Novosilka. The Russian Ministry of Defense confirmed the liberation of Storozheve.
Ukrainian forces are reportedly encircled in Makarivka. Reports of Ukrainian forces being encircled in Makarivka are officially denied by the Ukrainian Armed Forces.
Clashes are ongoing near multiple settlements.
Russian forces are advancing towards Velyka Novosilka.
A bridge over the Mokri Yaly river was destroyed.
Russian forces reportedly liberated Makarivka.
Russian forces are reportedly attacking Velyka Novosilka from both sides.
Occupation authorities in Huliaipole are concerned about the situation.
The situation in Velyka Novosilka remains extremely difficult.
Russian forces have successfully severed the last paved road supplying the Ukrainian garrison in Velyka Novosilka.
Russian forces captured Novyi Komar and Novopustynka in the Vremivka direction.
Russian forces liberated around 10 sq km along the Huliaipole - Velyka Novosilka road and dislodged Ukrainian forces from Rozdolne in the Vremivka direction.
Over 800 meters gained by Russian forces towards Velyka Novosilka.
Reports of the liberation of Makarivka on December 16th and control gained over the road between Huliaipole and Velyka Novosilka.
Reports of the liberation of Uspenovka being completed and Ukrainian forces withdrawing from the "Uspenivka pocket."
Reports of the beginning of battles for the liberation of Neskuchne in DPR.
Reports of an advance of the Russian Armed Forces "from Storozheve towards the road leading to Huliaipole".
Reports of Russian troops liberating more than 5 square kilometers of the territory of the DPR and advancing from the settlement of Zarya towards Yasenev in the Vremivka direction.
Reports of drones of the 14th Special Forces Brigade of the "Vostok" group targeting a temporary deployment point of a hostile unit in Velyka Novosilka.
Toretsk:
Russian forces advanced near the Toretska mine.
Russian forces are advancing behind New York, having taken the center of Shcherbinovka. Reports of street fighting continuing in Toretsk, with Russian forces consolidating control and advancing near Dzerzhinsk. Reports of heavy fighting ongoing in Shcherbynivka, with Russian forces advancing near the Toretska mine. Reports of a Ukrainian command post being destroyed near the Toretska mine. Reports of Ukrainian forces destroying some of an enemy assault group near Toretsk, capturing an Egyptian mercenary.
Pokrovsk: Russian forces have effectively cut off the Pokrovsk-Dnipro highway. Russian DRGs are operating in Pokrovsk itself. Ukrainian forces are continuing to transfer reinforcements to Krasnoarmiisk (Pokrovsk) from the 155th Brigade of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, which was trained and equipped by France. These forces were intended for the anticipated winter offensive by the Ukrainian Armed Forces. However, due to the rapidly evolving situation south of Krasnoarmiisk, the Ukrainian command has been forced to deploy these reserves, which had been accumulated for offensive operations. Pokrovsk is completely without power. Fighters of the 155th Brigade are being transferred from the reserves of the Ukrainian Armed Forces to Krasnoarmiisk (Pokrovsk). The unit was trained and equipped by France and was intended for the expected winter offensive of the Ukrainian Armed Forces. The Ukrainian command was forced to use these reserves, which had been accumulated for offensive operations, due to the rapidly developing situation south of Krasnoarmiisk. Aerial reconnaissance from the "Mad Dogs" brigade detected a night raid by Ukrainian forces from the 32nd Brigade. A Russian FPV drone operator reportedly destroyed four Ukrainian soldiers and wounded two. The "Baltic Group" of the 59th Motorized Brigade used drones to target and destroy a Russian BMP, 5 soldiers, a motorcycle, and a pickup truck. Russian assault units surrounded and captured Ukrainka during the assault on Yaseneve from the north and east. Fighting for Novovasylivka continues. "Otvazhnye" forces are making a powerful push near Pokrovsk, initiating assaults on Solone, Novovasylivka, and Novoelizavetivka.
Reports of another Canadian "Roshel Senator" armored vehicle being destroyed in the Pokrovsk direction.
Chasiv Yar: Russian paratroopers reportedly discovered a concentration of enemy troops and destroyed them with drone strikes. Fighting continues in the urban areas of Chasiv Yar. Reports of Ukrainian forces retaking positions at the fire-resistant compound in Chasiv Yar, with about 150 soldiers present. Reports of Russian forces controlling over half of Chasiv Yar, with Ukrainian units regrouping. Reports of Ukrainian forces temporarily stabilizing the situation in Chasiv Yar and conducting a series of successful counterattacks. Reports of Ukrainian forces regaining positions in part of the fire-resistant compound and partially on the flank towards Konstiantynivka in Chasiv Yar. Reports of fighting in Chasov Yar, with Russian forces partially dislodging Ukrainian forces from the fire-resistant compound.
Krasnoarmiisk (Pokrovsk) Direction: Russian assault units surrounded and captured Ukrainka during the assault on Yaseneve from the north and east. Fighting for Novovasylivka continues. Russian forces liberated Novyi Trud. The Russian Ministry of Defense reported that as a result of decisive offensive actions, the Tsentr Group of Forces' units liberated Novy Trud (Donetsk People's Republic). Heavy fighting continues around several settlements, including Shevchenko, Pischane, and Novotroyitske, with Russian forces making incremental gains. Reports of Russian forces striking a power substation west of Kurakhove near Dachne.
Reports of Russian forces attacking from the southwest in Pokrovsk, liberating Novyi Trud and engaging in fighting in Dachenske.
Reports of Russian forces advancing west on a broad front south of Pokrovsk, making progress near Novooleenovka and Novoyelizavetivka.
Reports of the Russian advance on the southern approach to Krasnoarmeisk reaching the central part of Lysivka.
Reports of Russian forces advancing south towards Ukrainka, entering Pisky, and storming Novooleenovka while advancing towards Slavyanka.
Reports of Russian forces advancing near Pushkino, liberating Veselyi Gai, and actively attacking Krasnoarmiisk.
Reports of Russian forces solidifying positions east of highway M-30, pushing towards Novoukrainka, attacking towards Dachnoye and Zelenoye, and advancing near Novotroitskoye and south of Voznesenka.
Reports of a Russian drone striking a Ukrainian tank near Solone, south of Pokrovsk.
Russian troops are advancing between the Solona and Volchya rivers, approaching the last Ukrainian defense line before the Dnipropetrovsk region.
Ukrainian forces reportedly destroyed Russian military equipment during an attempted assault on Novoelizavetivka, south of Pokrovsk.
Other Key Developments from December 27-28, 2024
US Aid: President Biden has directed the Pentagon to continue increasing military aid to Ukraine, with another package expected to be announced soon, reportedly worth $1.25 billion.
F-16: The Pentagon has refused to comment on reports of a downed F-16 over Zaporizhzhia Oblast.
North Korean Soldiers: Reports indicate significant losses among North Korean soldiers in the Russian army, with 1,000 casualties in the past week alone. Some are reportedly committing suicide. Ukrainian forces report that North Korean soldiers have been rotated out of the Kursk region and replaced with Russian soldiers. Ukrainian President Zelensky, in a video message, stated that North Korean soldiers are involved in the fighting in the Kursk region and are suffering heavy losses. Reports of over 3,000 wounded and killed North Korean soldiers in the Kursk region.
New Russian Artillery: New Russian self-propelled artillery systems are reportedly being deployed, capable of striking targets at distances exceeding 50 kilometers.
Azerbaijan-Russia Conflict: Public conflict between Azerbaijan and Russia over the Baku-Grozny flight is escalating. Azerbaijan is reportedly changing rules for Russian citizens' stays, potentially in response to Russian restrictions on foreigners. Azerbaijan has suspended all flights to Grozny and Makhachkala. Despite the obviousness of the plane being hit by a surface-to-air missile, the Russians maintain that birds are to blame. President Aliyev did not comment on the disaster. Today he was in St. Petersburg at the "CIS summit" and immediately left it.
Ukrainian forces, with the help of neighboring units, repelled one of the largest recent assaults in the Bakhmut direction near Klishchiivka, destroying 6 T-72 tanks and 6 BMP-2s, and damaging one tank.
Ukrainian Ambassador to the EU reported that Russia is integrating AI into Shahed drones to enhance their target recognition capabilities, even when offline.
Reports of Ukrainian citizens attempting to flee the country by posing as part of a funeral procession.
Ukrainian forces equipped with two shotguns shot down Russian Mavik drones.
Marines used UAVs to locate and eliminate a Baba Yaga-type heavy drone in the Kakhovka direction. During reconnaissance, a UAV operator of the Northern Fleet Marines detected the drone, directed his drone on a suitable trajectory, and rammed into it.
3 Storm Shadow missiles attacked a military facility in the Orlov region on Thursday, killing 2 soldiers and injuring 7.
Ukrainian forces struck a fortified military facility of the Russian Armed Forces in the Oryol region. As a result of the strike, a storage, maintenance, and repair facility for "Shahed" kamikaze drones, consisting of several reinforced concrete shelters, was destroyed. This combat operation significantly reduced the enemy's capability to conduct air raids using kamikaze drones against Ukraine's civilian infrastructure. The Armed Forces of Ukraine possess detailed intelligence on Russian military objects. Efforts to identify and neutralize targets on the aggressor's territory will continue.
Satellite images show a Russian military facility in the Orlov region that was hit by SS missiles on December 26th. The facility appears to have 14 square bunkers/underground warehouses connected by tunnels. Each bunker is estimated to be approximately 70x70 meters. A road to the facility, marked in blue, was additionally protected by earthen embankments.
Russian forces are advancing south towards Ukrainka, reportedly entering Pisky.
Russian forces are storming Novooleenovka and advancing towards Slavyanka.
High-intensity battles are ongoing near Myrolubivka, Promin, Lysivka, Dachenske, Zelene, Novovasylivka, Chumatske, Novyy Trud, Novotroyitske, Novoyelyzavetivka, Novoolenivka, Novopustynka, and Vozdvyzhenka.
Russian forces advanced approximately 2 kilometers near Pushkino, reaching its outskirts and liberating Veselyi Gai.
Russian military expert Andrey Marochko claims that Russian forces repelled nearly 2,000 Ukrainian counterattacks in the LPR in 2024, with Ukrainian losses nearing 400,000.
The Russian Ministry of Defense claims that conscripts from the autumn draft were not sent to the special operation zone or to units in the DPR, LPR, Kherson, and Zaporizhzhia regions.
The Russian Ministry of Defense has released a summary of operations to counter a Ukrainian attempt to invade the Kursk region, claiming significant Ukrainian losses.
Reports suggest that the US is gaining access to military facilities in Papua New Guinea in exchange for financial aid, similar to arrangements with the Philippines.
Reports of a potential Turkish offensive against Kurdish forces in Rojava, with the US allegedly not providing guarantees to the Kurds.
US Senator Mike Lee calls for an end to US aid to Ukraine, alleging widespread money laundering.
The Taliban is reportedly no longer considered a terrorist organization in Russia.
Reports of a priest accused of attacking women being sent to the front lines in Ukraine.
Reports of a "deadly game" involving self-strangulation gaining popularity among teenagers on social media.
A Russian government official announced the completion of the first kilometer of a new metro tunnel in Nizhny Novgorod.
The head of the WHO reportedly narrowly escaped an Israeli airstrike on an airport in Sana'a, Yemen.
Russian sources claim that Ukrainian forces are using the operation in the Kursk region to justify the "sale" of Donbas, suggesting that the operation is weakening Ukrainian defenses elsewhere.
Reports of a discussion between a Russian military blogger and a commander about ongoing operations near the Kursk region, with the commander claiming that Russian forces are advancing and pushing the front line closer to the border.
Reports of the detention of the head of the Development Corporation of the Kursk region for embezzling over 173 million rubles.
Reports of paratroopers of the 76th division storming Ukrainian positions near Mykolaivka.
Reports of Ukrainian defenders repelling 46 enemy attacks in the Kursk region, with 374 artillery strikes.
Reports of a captured Russian soldier discussing his interactions with North Korean troops in the Kursk region.
Reports of a drone strike on a command post of the 810th Marine Brigade at the Lgov sugar
