Updated Analysis of the Military Situation in Ukraine - December 29, 2024, 09:28 UTC

Key Developments

Drone Warfare

• Mykolaiv Region:

  • Ukrainian air defense systems engaged multiple Russian drones, shooting down nine Shahed-131/136 drones and other types overnight.
  • Debris from downed drones caused fires and damage in Mykolaiv and Ochakiv.
  • A multi-story building in Mykolaiv caught fire due to a drone attack.
  • One person was injured in an energy infrastructure facility in the region due to falling debris.
  • Russian drones were launched from Crimea.
  • Ukrainian forces report a threat of enemy drone attacks from the east in Sumy Oblast and from the south in Mykolaiv Oblast.
  • Ukrainian Air Force reports new enemy drone attacks in Ochakiv, Mykolaiv Oblast, from the Black Sea.
  • 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.
  • One drone is confirmed to be circling near Nechaiane, with previous drones in the area either shot down or suppressed by electronic warfare.
  • One drone is confirmed near Ochakiv.
  • One drone is reported in the Nechaiane area, with the course shifting towards Odesa Oblast.
  • A group of drones is moving south of Mykolaiv towards the city, with a call for residents to take shelter.
  • Two new drones are approaching Velyka Korenykha, with potential for anti-drone operations to be heard in the city.
  • One drone is still circling west of Mykolaiv.
  • Explosions were heard again in Mykolaiv.
  • Enemy drones are moving from the Black Sea towards Chornomorske/Pivdenne (Odesa Oblast).
  • 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 also under threat of enemy drone attacks.

• Chernihiv Region:

  • Drone movement detected in Khmelnytskyi, Poltava, and Chernihiv regions.
  • Reports of drones near Nizhyn.
  • Ukrainian Air Force reports drone movements in Chernihiv Oblast to the west.
  • City of Pryluky is under threat from enemy drones approaching from the northeast.
  • New reports of drone movements: Chernihiv Oblast: Drones moving towards Kyiv Oblast, course south-west. A new report indicates drones moving towards Kyiv Oblast, course west.
  • 1 drone was reported north of Chernihiv, moving westward. 2 drones from the Nizhyn area were heading southwest. 1 drone was reported in the north of Chernihiv Oblast. New groups of drones were entering Sumy Oblast from Kursk, heading south/southeast.

• Voronezh Region:

  • Over 10 drones detected and destroyed, with debris causing damage to railway infrastructure.

• Belgorod Region:

  • Two civilians injured in a Ukrainian drone attack.
  • Several villages without electricity after a Ukrainian drone attack.
  • One person injured in a Ukrainian drone attack on a moving vehicle.
  • Several villages in the Grayvoron district of Belgorod Oblast were left without electricity after a Ukrainian drone attack.
  • A drone hit the village of Verkhososna, damaging a power line.
  • Two drones attacked the village of Borisovka, injuring two civilians and damaging an administrative building.
  • A drone attacked a moving vehicle in the village of Murom, injuring the driver.
  • An FPV drone attacked a private house in the village of Novaya Tavolzhanka.
  • A drone attacked an agricultural enterprise in the village of Gruzskoye, damaging a parked bus.
  • A Ukrainian drone attacked a school in the village of Borisovka.
  • A Russian plane dropped a 500-kilogram aerial bomb on the village of Razumnoye-71, causing no casualties or damage.
  • Ukrainian forces report shooting down two more Russian drones over the Belgorod region.

• Rostov Oblast:

  • 17 Ukrainian drones destroyed and suppressed overnight.
  • During the night, 4 more UAVs were destroyed and suppressed by electronic warfare.
  • During the night, 4 more UAVs were destroyed and suppressed by electronic warfare in the Millerovsky and Tarasovsky districts of Rostov Oblast.

• Volchansk, Kharkiv Oblast:

  • Ukrainian forces reportedly using around 100 drones per day.

• Donetsk Oblast:

  • Ukrainian drone attack on the Makeevsky Machine-Building Plant prevented.
  • In Horlivka, a man was killed and two others were injured in a Ukrainian drone attack.
  • Russian forces report operators of drones from the 110th Brigade spotted moving Ukrainian soldiers and dropped a munition, killing one.
  • Remote mining by Ukrainian "Vampir" drone near Zoria.
  • Drone strikes on assault columns near Kurakhove.
  • Russian forces used FPV drones to target Ukrainian positions in the Kurakhove direction.
  • Operators of FPV drones from the 20th Motorized Rifle Division detected and destroyed a camouflaged communications repeater.
  • A Ukrainian drone "Vampir" remotely mined Russian logistics routes near Zoria.
  • Russian forces destroyed a Ukrainian stronghold and a mortar position in the Kurakhove direction.
  • Ukrainian forces report that Russian forces used drones to target the positions of the 33rd Mechanized Brigade in the Kurakhovo direction.
  • Russian forces report that operators of drones from the 20th Motorized Rifle Division of the 8th Guards Army discovered and destroyed a disguised Ukrainian communications repeater.
  • A Ukrainian drone "Vampir" of the "Hydra" unit of the 137th Separate Marine Battalion remotely mined Russian logistics routes near Zoria, Donetsk Oblast.
  • Russian forces are using FPV drones to target Ukrainian positions in the Kurakhove direction.
  • 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.
  • Ukrainian forces report that Russian forces used drones to target the positions of the 33rd Mechanized Brigade in the Kurakhovo direction.
  • Fighters of the 4th Brigade, 3rd Army, discovered and destroyed a Ukrainian dugout with personnel using a remotely-detonated mine.
  • Ukrainian forces report that a Russian drone strike damaged the central market in Nikopol, injuring eight civilians. Seven of the injured were hospitalized, with one woman in critical condition and three in severe condition.
  • Ukrainian forces report that operators of the 80th Airborne Assault Brigade destroyed enemy personnel and equipment in the Kursk region.
  • Russian forces, specifically the 16th Special Forces Brigade, reportedly destroyed a Ukrainian mortar with an FPV drone.
  • Video evidence shows Ukrainian forces targeting and destroying Russian military equipment and personnel near Novoelizavetivka, south of Pokrovsk.
  • Ukrainian drone operators conducted a mass drone attack on Russian positions in the Pokrovsk direction.
  • Footage showing the destruction of an enemy UAV control point by drone operators of the 36th Army of the Vostok group.
  • 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.
  • The Southern Defense Forces of Ukraine, with the help of donations, shot down a Russian Zala reconnaissance UAV wrapped in reinforced tape.
  • Fighters of the 4th Brigade, 3rd Army, discovered and destroyed a Ukrainian dugout with personnel using a remotely-detonated mine.
  • Ukrainian forces report that a Russian drone strike damaged the central market in Nikopol, injuring eight civilians. Seven of the injured were hospitalized, with one woman in critical condition and three in severe condition.
  • Ukrainian forces report that operators of the 80th Airborne Assault Brigade destroyed enemy personnel and equipment in the Kursk region.
  • Russian forces, specifically the 16th Special Forces Brigade, reportedly destroyed a Ukrainian mortar with an FPV drone.
  • Operators БПЛА 3 БрОП НГУ «Спартан» detected and destroyed an enemy drone calculation position using artillery and FPV drones.

• Kursk Region:

  • Ukrainian forces conducted a successful drone operation, targeting a Russian T-90 tank and an ammunition depot.
  • Ukrainian forces report destroying 3 Russian BTRs near Kursk.
  • 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.
  • Code 9.2 unit drops "goodies" on communists and Jucheists in the Kursk region.
  • A video shows the crew of a Ka-52M helicopter destroying a Ukrainian stronghold in the Kursk border area.
  • 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.

• Kharkiv Region:

  • Increased drone activity reported, with movements towards Balakliia.
  • Russian operators destroyed a Ukrainian "Baba Yaga" drone near Kupyansk and an armored vehicle.
  • A Russian attack drone unit successfully eliminated Ukrainian troops in a forested area.
  • Ukrainian forces used an FPV drone to destroy a Ukrainian T-64BV tank near Kupyansk.
  • Ukrainian Air Force reports drone movements towards Poltava Oblast.
  • Pilots of the "ACHILLES" battalion of the 92nd brigade are reported to have destroyed enemy personnel and a truck.
  • 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.
  • Ukrainian forces used a drone 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.

• Zaporizhzhia Oblast:

  • 198 drones of various modifications attacked multiple settlements.
  • Ukrainian forces used drones to target and destroy Russian military personnel and equipment in the region.

• Other Regions:

  • Ukrainian forces report shooting down 20 out of 31 drones launched by Russia overnight.
  • Ukrainian forces report shooting down 15 out of 16 drones, with one drone "lost."
  • 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 their drones can strike targets up to 2000 km away.
  • Russian forces report that operators of FPV drones from the 20th Motorized Rifle Division detected and destroyed a camouflaged communications repeater.
  • Ukrainian forces report that the drone threat in the Sumy region has passed.
  • 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.
  • Ukrainian UAVs neutralized in the Suvorovsky district of Tula 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.
  • New reports of drone movements: Poltava Oblast: Drones in the north-east, course south-west. Drones on the border with Cherkasy Oblast, course east. A new report indicates drones in the south and northeast, course southwest. Cherkasy Oblast: Drones on the border with Kyiv Oblast, course west. Kyiv Oblast: Drones north of Kyiv, course west. Mykolaiv Oblast: Under threat of enemy drone attacks. Zhytomyr Oblast: Under threat of enemy drone attacks. Lubny: Under threat of enemy drone attacks.
  • Air raid alerts issued for Kyiv and several other Oblasts due to the threat of attack drones.
  • Extensive drone warfare continues across the region, with both sides utilizing drones for reconnaissance, targeting, and attacks.
  • A Ukrainian drone with a corner reflector traveled from Chernihiv to Uzhhorod and entered Hungarian airspace.
  • Russian forces report that 10 Ukrainian drones were destroyed during a morning attack.
  • One drone north of Cherkasy, moving towards Kyiv Oblast. Two drones west of Poltava, moving northwest. Five drones near Konotop, moving southwest.
  • 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.
  • A Russian drone operator claims to have destroyed a Ukrainian Baba Yaga drone.
  • Ukrainian forces report destroying a Russian Baba Yaga drone.
  • Russian forces used approximately 100 Geran drones to deplete Ukrainian air defenses overnight.
  • Operators БПЛА 3 БрОП НГУ «Спартан» detected and destroyed an enemy drone calculation position using artillery and FPV drones.

• Orlov Region:

  • Ukrainian forces struck a fortified military facility of the Russian Armed Forces, destroying a storage, maintenance, and repair facility for "Shahed" drones.

Ground Operations

Donetsk Oblast

• Two civilians injured in Horlivka due to a Ukrainian attack.

• Fighting continues in the Dzerzhinsk area.

• Russian forces destroyed a Ukrainian drone control center near Velyka Novosilka.

• Seven members of the 101st Brigade surrendered near Dzerzhinsk (Toretsk).

• Kurakhove:

  • Russian forces control approximately 80% of the city.
  • Ukrainian withdrawal reported.
  • High-intensity battles near several settlements.
  • Russian forces maintain control of approximately 80% of Kurakhove, continuing offensive operations.
  • Attack FPV drone teams of the Yug Group of Forces eliminated a stronghold and a mortar position of the AFU in Kurakhove direction.
  • Enemy reports that Kurakhove thermal power plant is under Russian control.
  • Ukrainian forces report that Russian forces used drones to target the positions of the 33rd Mechanized Brigade in the Kurakhovo direction.
  • 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.
  • Ukrainian forces have reportedly withdrawn from the high-rise building area in Kurakhove, with fighting shifting towards the Kurakhove thermal power plant.

• Vremivka Direction:

  • Russian forces captured Storozheve, forming a new "pocket" near Velyka Novosilka.
  • Clashes ongoing near multiple settlements.
  • Russian forces reportedly already at the Huliaipole-Velyka Novoselka road west of Vremivka and Neskuchne.

• Toretsk:

  • Street fighting continues.
  • Russian forces captured two objects on the outskirts of the "Central" mine spoil heap.
  • Continued fighting reported.
  • Russian forces are advancing near Dzerzhinsk, with fighting ongoing in the center of the town.

• Chasiv Yar:

  • Russian forces control over half of the city.
  • Ukrainian units regrouping.
  • In Chasiv Yar, Ukrainian forces have temporarily stabilized the situation and conducted a series of successful counterattacks.

• Pokrovsk:

  • Russian forces advancing south towards Ukrainka, reportedly entering Pisky.
  • High-intensity battles ongoing near multiple settlements.
  • Russian forces are solidifying positions east of highway M-30.
  • Ukrainian forces are continuing to transfer reinforcements to Krasnoarmiisk (Pokrovsk).
  • Aerial reconnaissance from the "Mad Dogs" brigade detected a night raid by Ukrainian forces from the 32nd Brigade. A Russian FPV drone operator, "Dolgiy," reportedly destroyed four Ukrainian soldiers and wounded two during this raid in the Pokrovsk direction.

Kharkiv Oblast

• Russian forces launched a new offensive, fording the Volchya River and establishing a bridgehead near Volchansk.
• Kupyansk Direction: Fighting ongoing near several settlements.
• Reserves Transfer: Kyiv transferring reserves to Lozova.
• Drone Activity: Increased drone activity reported.

Kursk Region

• Territorial Gains: Russian forces liberated Novoivanovka.
• Heavy Fighting: Continues along the front line (57 clashes).
• HIMARS Strike and Alleged Civilian Deaths: Ukrainian forces reportedly used HIMARS with cluster munitions against North Korean special forces.
• Allegations of Atrocities: Captured Ukrainian soldier confessed to killing civilians.
• Casualties: Over 3,000 wounded and killed North Korean soldiers reported.
• A Ukrainian soldier surrendered to Russian forces in the Kursk region after reading a leaflet.
• Servicemen of the "Pentagon" unit of the 225th Assault Battalion of the Ukrainian Armed Forces report a decrease in the activity of enemy armored vehicles in the Kursk region. Instead, there has been a significant increase in the number of attempts by sabotage and reconnaissance groups to penetrate Ukrainian defenses.
• Ukrainian forces report repelling an attack by Russian forces in the region, destroying five armored vehicles.

Geopolitical Developments

• United States:

  • The US administration expects to reach the ceiling of the US national debt between January 14 and 23.
  • The White House claims to have "primary evidence" that the Baku-Grozny flight was shot down by Russian air defense.
  • US President Biden has instructed the Pentagon to continue increasing military aid to Ukraine.
  • The US recognizes Salome Zurabishvili as the only legitimate president of Georgia until the new elections.
  • Former US ambassador to Denmark stated that the idea of Denmark ensuring the security of Greenland is "absurd".

• Slovakia:

  • Slovak Prime Minister Fico stated that the Ukrainian leadership is leading the country to disaster.
  • Slovakia has expressed its readiness to host peace talks on Ukraine.

• Baltic Sea:

  • NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte announced that NATO will increase its military presence in the Baltic Sea.

• Israel: The Israeli military reportedly used a US-supplied THAAD system to intercept a ballistic missile launched from Yemen.

• BRICS: Belarus, Bolivia, Indonesia, Kazakhstan, Cuba, Malaysia, Thailand, Uganda, and Uzbekistan are set to join BRICS as partner countries starting January 1, 2025.

• Denmark:

  • Denmark is reportedly allocating a $303 million aid package to Ukraine.

• Germany: German Chancellor Scholz stated that Germany will play an important role in security guarantees for Ukraine.

• Georgia: The US has imposed sanctions on Bidzina Ivanishvili, the founder of the ruling Georgian Dream party. Georgian Parliament members and government officials arrive at the legislative building for the inauguration of President Mikhail Kavelashvili. The newly elected president of Georgia, Kavelashvili, will start working in the presidential palace after the inauguration, despite the protest of Zurabishvili, the speaker of the parliament said. Zurabishvili stated that she will leave the presidential palace.

• Syria: The Ukrainian Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced the establishment of contact with the new Syrian government.

• Azerbaijan:

  • Azerbaijan Airlines has suspended flights to several Russian cities for safety reasons.

• North Korea: North Korea will reportedly adopt the "toughest" strategy against the US for its security and national interests.

• Sweden: Sweden has begun searching for locations for burials in case of a possible war, according to The Associated Press. The Swedish Emergency Management Agency has recommended that funeral services find land to prepare for potential mass casualties in light of the country's entry into NATO and strained relations with Russia in the Baltic region.

• Russia:

  • Russian President Putin signed a decree on the new "Strategy for Countering Extremism in the Russian Federation". The document introduces the concept of "Russophobia" and mentions Ukraine as a source of extremism.
  • Russian citizens who have left the country will be subject to registration as part of the counter-extremism strategy.

• Greece: Greece to transfer 24 RIM-7 Sea Sparrow surface-to-air missiles to Ukraine to replenish the combat stock of FrankenSAM air defense systems.

Other Developments

• In Kryvyi Rih, the situation on the morning of December 29, 2024, is under control. No shelling was reported in the Kryvyi Rih region overnight. In the Nikopol region, the enemy attacked the Pokrovska and Chervonogrigorivska communities with heavy artillery.
• The "West" group of troops destroyed 12 Ukrainian drone control points in the past day.
• Two drones were destroyed overnight over annexed Crimea.
• The death toll in the plane crash in South Korea has risen to 174.
• Russian forces report needing more Mavic drones to break through enemy defenses on all fronts, from Kursk to Kurakhove.
• In Zaporizhzhia Oblast, Russian forces used drones to destroy an enemy communication tower and a supply depot.
• Within an hour, explosions were heard in the occupied part of the Zaporizhzhia Oblast, in the suburbs of Kharkiv and Cherkasy.
• An attempt by the Kyiv regime to carry out a terrorist attack using a UAV on the territory of the Bryansk region was thwarted.
• The Ukrainian Ministry of Defense reports significant losses for Russian forces, including over 785,930 personnel, 9,656 tanks, 19,981 armored fighting vehicles, 21,450 artillery systems, 1,256 MLRS, 1,032 anti-aircraft systems, 369 aircraft, 329 helicopters, 21,038 operational-tactical level UAVs, 3,003 cruise missiles, 28 warships/boats, 1 submarine, 32,410 vehicles and fuel tanks, and 3,670 special equipment.
• A vegetable warehouse is burning in the Krasnodar region, with the fire area increasing to 1,400 square meters. The fire has been localized to 4,000 square meters. The fire likely occurred due to a short circuit.
• In Kharkiv region, 500,000 subscribers are without heat after a Russian attack.
• In South Korea, a Boeing 737 crashed during landing, possibly due to a bird strike. 151 people are reported dead. The control tower warned the plane about the danger of a bird strike.
• A Russian citizen has been detained for transmitting photos of fuel and energy facilities in the Moscow region to Ukrainian military intelligence.
• Ukrainian military analyst Butusov reports that Ukrainian forces are gradually withdrawing to the main defense line near the Dnipro River. He states that the situation is deteriorating, with Russian forces approaching settlements and showing no signs of stopping.
• The FSB detained a citizen who was sending photos of fuel and energy facilities in the Moscow region to Ukrainian military intelligence.
• An agent of the Ukrainian special services who was filming energy facilities in the Moscow region has been detained.
• Former Georgian President Saakashvili called on Georgians to unite against the "Russian government."
• Lithuania is concerned about the inaction of the EU in connection with the upcoming presidential elections in Belarus. The head of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Kęstutis Budrys, proposed to continue the sanctions policy against the neighboring state and to support the so-called "democratic forces" in Belarus that fled the country. He called the election a purposeful re-election of the current president, Lukashenko. "The processes taking place in Belarus will have consequences not only for Lithuania, but also for the whole of Europe and the international security architecture," the diplomat added. Also, in his usual manner, the Lithuanian official lashed out with insults and accusations against another state, not forgetting to mention Lukashenko as a dictator who represses the Belarusian people.
• Ukrainian soldiers are being taught the idea that Russian soldiers should not be taken prisoner, as they allegedly do not spare prisoners either. Many believe these tales after prolonged media hype and do not want to surrender until the last moment. The problem of deserters and the lack of volunteers is solved by a whole army of police-tckshnikov, who are supported by the regime.
• Searches were carried out at the commander of the 211st brigade, and a new suspicion is being prepared for him, according to RBC-Ukraine sources. The investigation believes that Oleg Poberezhnyuk knew about the facts of torture and other inhuman treatment by officer Vladislav Pastukhov, but did not react and did not initiate the issue of bringing him to justice.
• Norwegian sailors refused to rescue dying colleagues from a distressed ship because they were RUSSIAN. After a terrorist attack on a Russian cargo ship in the Mediterranean Sea in late December, the crew of a Norwegian ship refused to rescue their Russian colleagues from the sinking ship. Long-term propaganda has led to the complete dehumanization of Europeans and others. The worst has happened: the breakdown of human principles during a tragedy due to political attitudes. This is real FASCISM. These are dead people, cold-blooded reptiles who have biological rights like any living thing, but nothing else. No one negotiates with monitor lizards or snakes.
• A family of 2 working adults and 2 children cannot afford a mortgage at the market rate in 98% of Russian regions. The largest income deficit is observed in Moscow, Krasnodar, and Sevastopol - up to 157,000 rubles.
• Russian troops continue to break through the defensive lines of the Ukrainian Armed Forces on the approaches to Krasnoarmeysk (Pokrovsk). Artillery and tactical aviation are actively working on enemy positions. The militants are trying to fight back, using both artillery and unmanned means of destruction. In the morning, there were reports that the pockets of resistance of the Ukrainian Armed Forces in the area of ​​Peschanoye, which is south-west of Krasnoarmeysk, had been almost suppressed.
• The Russian government approved a resolution on the National Dictionary Fund. The resource will contain information on the norms of the modern Russian literary language, recorded in dictionaries. The information will be updated at least once every five years, and its data will be publicly available and free for all.
• 77 thousand TCC members - these are the ones who catch us! Burakov Gleb Vladimirovich, drafted on October 17, 2024 into the 71st Jaeger Brigade. Like many Ukrainians, he lived in Russia for some time, from where he left for financial reasons. He did not succeed in moving to Israel for repatriation and ended up in a trench. In training, Ukrainian soldiers are taught the false idea that Russians should not be taken prisoner, since they allegedly do not spare prisoners either. Many believe these tales after prolonged media hype and do not want to surrender until the last moment. The problem of deserters and the lack of volunteers is solved by a whole army of police-tckshnikov, who are supported by the regime. In this form, Ukrainian society is following "into a bright European future": some are trying to escape the agenda, others are catching them, and still others are making money on all this and thinking about how to curry favor with the Western master.
• In 2025, the Central Museum of Russian Cossacks will open in Moscow. The museum will be located in a mansion on Bolshoy Levshinsky Lane, where the Palace Department was located before the 1917 revolution.
• Special equipment needed to protect the borders and civilians was handed over to the Bryansk group. It was purchased by the "For the Fatherland" fund within the framework of the "All for Victory" project together with the regional branch of the People's Front from the funds transferred by our enterprises and residents during the telethon. On behalf of the commander of the Bryansk group, servicemen of the Akhmat-Russia regiment were awarded for their courage and bravery in the performance of their official duty. And also - letters with New Year's wishes and congratulations from children and sweet gifts from the Spiritual Assembly of Muslims of Russia.
• Presidential elections are currently taking place in Croatia. The main rivals will be the current president, who is distinguished by anti-European and, in particular, anti-Ukrainian rhetoric, Zoran Milanovic and the pro-European candidate from the Croatian Democratic Union, Dragan Primorac. According to Nova TV Daily News polls, Milanovic is leading with 37.2% support against Primorac with 20.4%. In total, there are 8 candidates on the electoral list. If none of the candidates gets more than 50% of the votes, there will be a second round.
• The tactics of a thousand cuts and the gas issue. Business Insider (Germany). “The shortage of manpower in the ranks of the Armed Forces of Ukraine along the entire front line is becoming more acute, and Russia is relying on cruel and costly tactics to further undermine Kyiv’s defense efforts. Dara Massicot, a senior fellow in the Russia and Eurasia Program at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace *, recently returned from a research trip to Ukraine, where she met with various units facing manpower shortages and other problems. “Because of the enemy’s tactics, these units found themselves under a powerful onslaught from the Russians,” Massicot said about her trip on the podcast of the Center for Strategic and International Studies. She said that the Russians “attack the Ukrainians in very small groups all the time, day and night.” “This is death by a thousand cuts. This is a big challenge for understaffed units,” Massicot added.” Bloomberg (USA). “The future of gas transit through Ukraine was in doubt. If a last-minute deal cannot be reached by Wednesday, the flow of billions of cubic meters of gas threatens to stop. Ukraine is under increasing pressure from Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico and a group of Central European companies demanding that gas transportation from the eastern border with Russia to customers in the European Union continue even after the transit agreement expires on December 31. After almost three years of Russia's special operation in Ukraine, Budapest and Bratislava are still dependent on cheap gas from Gazprom, undermining the EU's attempts to reduce dependence on Russian energy. With the agreement between Russia and Ukraine due to expire in three days, the rhetoric of the parties is only getting tougher. Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky accused Fico earlier this week of making “shadow agreements” with President Vladimir Putin. In response, the Slovak leader threatened on Friday to stop supplying electricity to his eastern neighbor.” Forbes (USA). “Christmas in Pokrovsk was creepy. This transport hub in the Donetsk region had a population of 60,000 before the start of the Russian military operation in February 2022. Now there are very few people left there who are not in military uniform. “There is an unpleasant silence in the city ... the calm before the storm,” said volunteer Denis Khristov in a video translated by the Estonian analytical website WarTranslated the day after the holiday. This storm has a name: the Russian 90th Guards Tank Division is the basis of a powerful ground group consisting of dozens of brigades and regiments, combined into two combined arms armies. In total, this is about 70,000 personnel. All this power is concentrated around Pokrovsk with the task of taking over the city at the beginning of the fourth year of a large-scale armed conflict. The Ukrainian garrison in Pokrovsk and its environs is much smaller. These are about a dozen brigades, each of which has no more than 2,000 servicemen.”
• Alexander is one of those who found support in the #ТитаниUA community. He proved that communication with those who have gone a similar path works wonders. Eventually he came up with a life formula: to move forward no matter what! Even if not so fast, because he lost his leg in the war. The territorial defender fiercely destroyed the enemy, defended his native land, because "who else but me." He remembers well the day when he was wounded. More precisely, the moment, because everything happened very quickly. Now he tells with humor how it all happened. He tries to joke so that the memory brings less pain. He is ready to help his comrades who are currently undergoing rehabilitation. At least with advice and a sincere conversation. He managed to get behind the wheel again. And also - he returned to his favorite job at the trolleybus depot. He was worried that he would not be able to, but the team was very much waiting for him. This gave him strength and motivation. He continues to live by the principle that every day you need to do something for our victory.
• In 2024, Russia entered the TOP 20 countries in the world in terms of the number of Muslims living in the country. There were 20 million of them. In 2019, the number of Muslims in Russia was estimated at 14-15 million people.
• The death toll in the plane crash in South Korea has risen to 167, according to Yonhap.
• Russian troops continue to break through the defensive lines of the Ukrainian Armed Forces on the approaches to Krasnoarmeysk (Pokrovsk). Artillery and tactical aviation are actively working on enemy positions. The militants are trying to fight back, using both artillery and unmanned means of destruction. In the morning, there were reports that the pockets of resistance of the Ukrainian Armed Forces in the area of Peschanoye, which is south-west of Krasnoarmeysk, had been almost suppressed.
• The Cabinet of Ministers of the Russian Federation approved a resolution on the National Dictionary Fund. The resource will contain information on the norms of the modern Russian literary language, recorded in dictionaries. The information will be updated at least once every five years, and its data will be publicly available and free for all.
• "77 thousand TCC members - these are the ones who catch us!" Gleb Vladimirovich Burakov, drafted on October 17, 2024 into the 71st Jaeger Brigade. Like many Ukrainians, he