Updated Analysis of the Military Situation in Ukraine - January 3, 2025, 18:47 UTC
Strategic Overview
The military situation in Ukraine is marked by a significant escalation in the Chernihiv and Sumy Oblasts, with Russian forces intensifying attacks through missile strikes, drone attacks, and ground assaults. The Donetsk region remains a focal point, with Russian forces making incremental gains around Pokrovsk and Kurakhove. Drone warfare is a dominant feature, with both sides utilizing drones for reconnaissance, targeting, and attacks. Ukrainian air defenses are actively engaging Russian drones and missiles across multiple oblasts. The Ukrainian Air Force has warned of enemy attack UAVs heading towards Chernihiv and Nizhyn from the northeast. There is currently a threat of missile attacks on Synelnykove and Dnipro/Samar. There is also an alert regarding activity of enemy tactical aviation in the north. The threat of the use of aerial weapons for front-line areas.
Key Updates
Escalation in Northern Ukraine
Chernihiv and Sumy Oblasts are experiencing a significant escalation in military activity.
Multiple explosions have been reported in Chernihiv, with at least four strikes confirmed. A triple missile strike on the outskirts of Chernihiv targeted residential areas, resulting in significant damage and one confirmed civilian death. An update confirms four people were injured, and one was killed. Two residential buildings were destroyed. The State Emergency Service of Ukraine (DSNS) showed the aftermath of the Russian attack on Chernihiv, confirming one death and several injuries.
The Ukrainian Air Force reports high-speed targets in Sumy Oblast, indicating potential missile attacks and enemy attack UAVs heading towards Chernihiv and Nizhyn.
The Ukrainian Air Force reported a "Shahed" drone moving towards Kyiv and Vyshhorod.
The town of Lgov in the Kursk region of Russia has been shelled, resulting in one death in the village of Obesta.
Russian air defense forces claim to have destroyed an aircraft-type UAV over the Bryansk region and another drone.
Two drones are approaching Chernihiv, with the possibility of more noise in the area. Two drones from the Chernihiv Oblast are flying towards the north of the Kyiv Oblast. One drone is approaching Vyshhorod.
The Ukrainian Air Force has issued a warning for Kyiv and Vyshhorod regarding an approaching enemy drone from the northeast. The Ukrainian Air Force reports that an enemy drone is continuing to move towards Bucha/Irpin.
Ukrainian forces report a 19-fold increase in the supply of drones to their units in 2024, compared to the previous year.
The Ukrainian Air Force reports new groups of drones in the north of Chernihiv Oblast, moving south-west.
Continued Russian Advances in Donetsk Region
Russian forces are consolidating their positions in Kurakhove and pushing towards Pokrovsk. The potential fall of Kurakhove could significantly alter the balance of power in the Donetsk region.
Ukrainian forces are attempting to resist the Russian advance.
Russian forces carried out an airstrike on Sloviansk, resulting in four injuries, including a two-year-old boy. His mother is currently in critical condition. 15 houses were damaged.
Russian forces report they have taken new positions in the northern part of Chasiv Yar, advancing up to 1.5 km.
Russian forces report successful advances by the 7th Brigade in Belogorovka.
Positional fighting continues in the Krasnoarmiisk-Novoaleksandrivka direction.
Ukrainian forces, specifically the "RAROG" unit of the 24th Mechanized Brigade, report destroying four T-62 tanks and three BMP-2 infantry fighting vehicles near Chasiv Yar.
Russian assault units surrounded and captured Ukrainka.
Russian forces liberated Novyi Trud.
Russian forces have taken Ivan-Daryevka and are advancing west of the settlement.
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.
Russian forces report that operators of drones from the 110th Brigade spotted moving Ukrainian soldiers and dropped a munition, killing one.
Operators of drones from the 20th Motorized Rifle Division of the 8th Guards Army detected and destroyed a camouflaged communications repeater of the Ukrainian Armed Forces.
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 in a forest plantation, ensuring the security of Russian positions from enemy drone strikes.
Operators of drones from the BARS-3 "Rodina" unit destroyed a Polish self-propelled gun "Krab" on the Kupyansk front.
Attack FPV drone teams of the Yug Group of Forces eliminated a stronghold and a mortar position of the AFU in Kurakhove direction.
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.
Video evidence shows a Russian soldier filming the aftermath of a Ukrainian FPV drone strike on a Russian vehicle in the Donetsk region, indicating casualties among the Russian assault group. This provides further evidence of the effectiveness of Ukrainian drone warfare.
Intensified Drone Warfare
Drone activity remains high across multiple oblasts, including Zhytomyr, Kyiv, Kharkiv, Poltava, Sumy, Cherkasy, Mykolaiv, and Kirovohrad.
Ukrainian air defenses are actively engaging Russian drones. A drone was reported approaching Starokostiantyniv from the northeast.
New groups of drones were reported in Dnipro and Kharkiv Oblast.
Russian forces reportedly destroyed a Ukrainian stronghold in the Vremivka direction using drone-dropped munitions, and the Russian Ministry of Defense claims to have destroyed 11 Ukrainian naval drones.
Ukrainian drone operators conducted a mass drone attack on Russian positions in the Pokrovsk direction.
Russian forces successfully used FPV drones to stop a Ukrainian tank and BMP, preventing a rotation.
A Ukrainian ZIL vehicle with a ZU-23-2 anti-aircraft gun was destroyed by Russian drone operators near Krasnoe.
Ukrainian drone operators from the 47th brigade "Magura" report that Russian forces are attempting to storm Ukrainian troops in Kurakhove. Ukrainian forces are working 24/7 to destroy the enemy on the approaches to their positions. A video shows the work of an operator from the 47th brigade. The video shows multiple drone attacks using thermal imaging.
Ukrainian drone operators from the 66th Mechanized Brigade report successful targeting of Russian soldiers, as evidenced by thermal imaging footage.
Ukrainian forces report the destruction of two "Shahed" drones by the 35th Sumy Regiment of the National Guard.
Ukrainian forces released a compilation video highlighting their successful drone operations, destroying Russian equipment and personnel, specifically targeting an antenna complex and a "Bukhmobile".
A Russian drone attack on Ukrainian positions using FPV drones resulted in five casualties.
Russian forces report destroying a Ukrainian radar station AN/TPQ-36 in the Kherson direction.
The "Spartan" unit of the Southern Defense Forces is actively hunting for Russian Starlink terminals using drones.
Drone operators of the "Achilles" unit of the 92nd Separate Assault Brigade have reportedly hit over 2,000 targets per month.
Drone operators of the 20th Motorized Rifle Division discovered and destroyed a camouflaged communications repeater of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, ensuring the security of Russian positions from enemy drone strikes.
Ukrainian forces used drones to destroy a Russian command post near the Toretsk mine.
Russian forces are using FPV drones to destroy Ukrainian defenses, as shown by a video of the destruction of a Ukrainian command post and a 120-mm mortar position.
A Ukrainian soldier recounts a combat incident, saying he placed a grenade on a captured Ukrainian soldier to hasten his death, and then shot the soldier three more times and then one more time "for good measure".
A Russian soldier recounts planting a flag near a Ukrainian headquarters and engaging in hand-to-hand combat, resulting in the destruction of enemy supplies.
Russian forces claim to have thwarted a Ukrainian rotation using an FPV drone near a settlement in the Kharkiv region. A new video from the Russian Ministry of Defense shows how paratroopers from Stavropol used a UAV to locate and destroy a Ukrainian "Baba Yaga"-type heavy drone in the Orekhov direction of the Zaporizhzhia region. The video shows how one UAV operator flew up to the Ukrainian drone and damaged its propellers with a special device, causing it to fall and explode. A second UAV operator then finished off the drone by dropping munitions on it.
Operators of drones from the "Center" group reportedly eliminated a Ukrainian observation post in the Pokrovsk direction.
Operators of drones from the "Center" group continue to hunt for Ukrainian forces in the Pokrovsk direction.
Drone operators from the "Center" group reportedly eliminated a Ukrainian observation post in the Pokrovsk direction.
Drone operators from the "Center" group continue to hunt for Ukrainian forces in the Pokrovsk direction.
Drone operators from the 20th Motorized Rifle Division destroyed a camouflaged communications repeater.
Operators of drones from the 95th Air Assault Brigade repelled an attack by North Koreans in the Kursk region.
Operators of the 80th Airborne Assault Brigade destroyed an enemy along with equipment in the Kursk region.
Operators of FPV drones from the 20th Motorized Rifle Division destroyed a camouflaged communications repeater.
Video footage shows the destruction of a Starlink station by the "Southern Front" group.
Video footage shows the destruction of an enemy UAV control point by drone operators of the 36th Army.
Video footage shows the destruction of a German Leopard 1 tank by Russian FPV drones "VT-40".
Video evidence shows the destruction of a Ukrainian UAV control point by the 1194th Motorized Rifle Regiment.
Video evidence shows a mobile, vehicle-mounted "Repellent-Patrul" anti-drone system.
Video evidence shows Ukrainian forces targeting Russian positions with drones, resulting in multiple explosions and fires.
Video shows a drone recording of a military engagement near a road.
Video footage shows the destruction of an enemy UAV control point by drone operators of the 36th Army.
Video allegedly shows a Ukrainian drone strike on a command post of the 810th Marine Brigade at the Lgov sugar factory.
Ukrainian forces conducted a drone operation in the Kursk region, targeting a Russian T-90 tank and an ammunition depot.
Ukrainian forces used drones to destroy a Russian communication tower and a supply depot in Zaporizhzhia Oblast.
Ukrainian forces used FPV drones to destroy a Ukrainian T-64BV tank near Kupyansk.
Ukrainian forces used FPV drones to destroy a German Leopard 1 tank.
Ukrainian forces used FPV drones to shoot down an enemy UAV.
Ukrainian forces report a Russian drone strike on the central market in Nikopol, causing damage to the market and injuring 8 civilians, 7 of them being hospitalized.
Marines used UAVs to locate and eliminate a Baba Yaga-type heavy drone in the Kakhovka direction.
Video evidence of Ukrainian forces using drones equipped with shotguns to effectively shoot down Russian drones.
"Phoenix" unit of the "Revenge" brigade repelled an assault by occupiers near Kurdyumivka in the Bakhmut area.
Latvia plans to transfer 1000 drones to Ukraine by the end of 2024 and allocate 20 million euros for drone procurement in 2025.
Video evidence of drone attacks on Ukrainian forces personnel.
In the Kursk border area, reconnaissance of the Anvar special forces is operating, which has a lot of different FPV drones. These are fiber-optic drones, radio-controlled drones, and drones with AI, said the commander of the reconnaissance detachment with the call sign Beret to RT military commander Alexander Yaremchuk. At 01:00 and 01:26 - this is the current situation in the border area and this is how the enemy behaves. At 02:01 - the scouts send a "bird" with fiber optics to the positions of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. It is useless to influence it with electronic warfare. At 02:47, 02:51, 02:56 - successful operation of drones.
New Update: Three drones are moving from Kharkiv Oblast to Poltava Oblast.
New Update: Four drones are approaching Chuhuiv/Kharkiv. Anti-aircraft operations may be active.
New Update: Two drones are moving from the east of Dnipropetrovsk Oblast to Kharkiv Oblast.
New Update: One drone is in the Zlatopil area and has turned towards Lozova in Kharkiv Oblast.
New Shahed drones from the Black Sea are heading towards the south of Odesa Oblast.
Shahed drones are present in the south of Sumy Oblast, the east of Poltava Oblast, and the west of Kharkiv Oblast, moving northwards.
A new group of Shahed drones is heading from the Black Sea towards the south of the Odesa region.
New Shahed drones are heading towards Odesa Oblast, specifically towards the Bilhorod-Dnistrovskyi district.
Three Shahed drones are approaching Bilyaivka either through or near the town. Three new Shahed drones are moving from the Black Sea towards the Bilhorod-Dnistrovskyi district, with one potentially heading towards Ovidiopol.
The Air Force reported:
A new group of Shahed drones from the Black Sea heading towards the south of the Odesa region.
Shahed drones in the south of the Odesa region heading north.
Shahed drones in the south of the Kharkiv region heading northwest.
Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) from the north of the Kharkiv region heading towards the Poltava region.
Drones in the east of the Poltava region heading towards Myrhorod.
Shahed drones in the east of the Sumy region heading towards the Chernihiv region.
Three Shahed drones are heading towards Kurortne through Bilyaivka. One Shahed drone is circling at the intersection of the Sumy and Poltava regions. Two Shahed drones are moving from the Kharkiv region to the Poltava region. Three Shahed drones are in the Lozova area of the Kharkiv region, heading north.
3 drones are moving through Bilyaivka towards Kurortne. 1 drone is circling around the border of Sumy and Poltava oblasts. 2 drones are moving from Kharkiv to Poltava. 3 drones are in Lozova area, heading north.
Operators of the FPV group "Sever" hit three Ukrainian Armed Forces dugouts with three kamikaze drones in the Kharkiv direction.
Update: 3 drones via Rozdilna are heading towards Odesa Oblast.
Update: 2 drones via Bilyaivka are heading towards Odesa.
Update: 1 new drone from the Black Sea is heading towards Ovidiopol.
Update: 1 drone north of Nizhyn, moving towards Chernihiv.
Update: 1 drone is heading via Konotop towards Sumy.
Update: 1 drone near Pryluky, moving northwest.
Update: 1 drone turned towards Odesa, expect loud activity.
One drone from the Odesa region is flying towards the Vinnytsia region. One drone is approaching Rozdilna. One drone is flying towards Odesa. The northern direction is being clarified.
One drone is flying from the Mykolaiv region towards the Odesa region, to the north of the region.
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 in a forest plantation, ensuring the security of Russian positions from enemy drone strikes.
Video shows a drone observation of Russian forces ambushing and engaging enemy personnel in a wooded area.
Several Shahed drones detected moving from the Black Sea towards Chornomorske and Pivdenne.
A group of Shahed drones is moving north in Dnipropetrovsk Oblast. Several Shahed drones are in the center, north, south, and east of Kharkiv Oblast, moving northwest.
A new group of drones from Sumy Oblast is moving towards Poltava Oblast.
A high-speed target is reported on the border of Odesa and Mykolaiv oblasts.
The missile is flying west of Voznesensk towards Pervomaisk.
Ukrainian Air Force reports updates on the movement of Russian drones:
New drones entering Sumy Oblast from Kursk, moving southwest.
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.
City of Pryluky (Chernihiv Oblast) is under threat from enemy drones approaching from the northeast.
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.
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.
Drone movement has been detected in the Khmelnytskyi, Poltava, and Chernihiv regions, specifically near Nizhyn.
Ukrainian forces conducted a successful drone operation in the Kursk region, targeting a Russian T-90 tank and an ammunition depot. The operation involved a group of attack drones, including "Baba Yaga" heavy bombers and FPV drones. The T-90 tank was destroyed by a direct hit from an FPV drone, while the ammunition depot was destroyed by a "Baba Yaga" drone.
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.
Several Shahed drones detected moving from the Black Sea towards Chornomorske and Pivdenne.
A group of Shahed drones is moving north in Dnipropetrovsk Oblast. Several Shahed drones are in the center, north, south, and east of Kharkiv Oblast, moving northwest.
Up to 10 drones and several FPV drones were involved in the recent attack.
Ukrainian air defense systems engaged multiple Russian drones near Nechaiane, Ochakiv, and Velyka Korenykha.
Russian drones were launched from Crimea.
Up to 10 drones were reported over Ochakiv, with some shot down. One drone was reported near Parutino.
New enemy drone attacks reported in Ochakiv from the Black Sea.
FPV drones of the "Center" group continue to hunt for the Ukrainian Armed Forces in the Pokrovsk direction.
Ukrainian forces report that one Russian warship is present in the Black Sea, but it is not equipped with "Kalibr" missiles. No Russian warships were detected in the Azov Sea.
Ukrainian air defenses reportedly shot down a Ukrainian missile over Kursk Oblast.
Ukrainian air defense systems are actively engaging Russian drones, with reports of "first drones shot down" in the Mykolaiv region.
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.
Ukrainian forces report that their drones can strike targets up to 2000 km away.
Ukrainian forces report shooting down 15 out of 16 drones, with one drone "lost."
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.
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.
Drone operators from the BARS-3 "Rodina" unit destroyed a Polish self-propelled gun "Krab" on the Kupyansk front.
Video allegedly shows a Ukrainian drone strike on a command post of the 810th Marine Brigade at the Lgov sugar factory.
Russian forces tracked the route of a Ukrainian "Baba Yaga" drone and destroyed a supply drop.
Ukrainian forces repelled a Russian assault near Velyka Novosilka, destroying Russian equipment and capturing Russian soldiers.
Ukrainian forces repelled a Russian assault near Klishchiivka, destroying Russian equipment and personnel.
Ukrainian forces report a 19-fold increase in the supply of drones to their units in 2024, compared to the previous year.
Ukrainian forces report destroying a Russian "Baba Yaga" drone near Kupyansk.
Ukrainian air defense forces successfully detected and neutralized about ten hostile drones near Kyiv.
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.
Video evidence shows Ukrainian forces targeting Russian positions with drones, resulting in multiple explosions and fires.
Ukrainian forces, specifically the "Вовки Да Вінчі" unit, are using drones to target Russian military equipment and personnel in the Pokrovsk direction.
Ukrainian drone operators targeted and killed a Russian soldier in the Pokrovsk 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.
Russian forces are reportedly using FPV drones to target Ukrainian positions in the Kurakhove direction.
Ukrainian forces conducted a successful drone operation, targeting a Russian T-90 tank and an ammunition depot.
Ukrainian forces report that North Korean soldiers have been rotated out of the region and replaced with Russian soldiers.
A Ukrainian drone hit a civilian man walking down the street in Kupyansk.
Ukrainian forces report the movement of hostile drones in Zhytomyr Oblast, heading towards them from Kyiv Oblast.
Ukrainian forces report the movement of hostile drones in Kyiv Oblast, air defense is active.
Movement of hostile drones has been detected in the Sumy region, moving in a southerly direction.
Movement of hostile drones has been detected in the Chernihiv region, moving in a westerly direction.
Movement of hostile drones has been detected in the Kyiv region, moving in a southwesterly direction.
Movement of hostile drones has been detected in the Zhytomyr region, moving in a westerly direction.
Russian forces tracked the route of a Ukrainian "Baba Yaga" drone and destroyed a supply drop.
Ukrainian forces repelled a Russian assault near Velyka Novosilka, destroying Russian equipment and capturing Russian soldiers.
Ukrainian forces repelled a Russian assault near Klishchiivka, destroying Russian equipment and personnel.
Ukrainian forces report a 19-fold increase in the supply of drones to their units in 2024, compared to the previous year.
Ukrainian forces report destroying a Russian "Baba Yaga" drone near Kupyansk.
Ukrainian air defense forces successfully detected and neutralized about ten hostile drones near Kyiv.
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.
Video evidence shows Ukrainian forces targeting Russian positions with drones, resulting in multiple explosions and fires.
Ukrainian forces, specifically the "Вовки Да Вінчі" unit, are using drones to target Russian military equipment and personnel in the Pokrovsk direction.
Ukrainian drone operators targeted and killed a Russian soldier in the Pokrovsk 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.
Russian forces are reportedly using FPV drones to target Ukrainian positions in the Kurakhove direction.
A Ukrainian drone "Vampir" of the "Hydra" unit of the 137th Separate Marine Battalion remotely mined Russian logistics routes near Zoria, Donetsk Oblast.
Fighters of the 1st separate battalion of the Marine Corps named after the Hero of Ukraine, awarded the Order "For Courage" III degree, Mikhailo Travkin, destroyed a Russian position using an FPV drone. The operation also resulted in the destruction of two Russian soldiers.
Missile Attacks
Reports indicate the use of high-speed missiles, potentially KN-23 type, targeting Chernihiv.
The Ukrainian Air Force reports a missile threat in areas with air raid alerts.
A guided aerial missile was reported heading towards Dnipro, changing course to Zaporizhzhia, then towards Samara. Another missile was reported heading towards Pavlohrad.
The air alert in Zaporizhzhia Oblast has been lifted.
The Russian Ministry of Defense claims to have carried out a massive strike and 12 group strikes with high-precision weapons and UAVs, targeting Ukrainian military-industrial complex facilities, airfields, arsenals, and other targets.
A guided aerial missile is heading towards Dnipro/Samar.
Ukrainian air defenses report shooting down 3 out of 5 S-300 missiles, 3 out of 3 Iskander-M missiles, and 3 out of 3 Kh-59/69 missiles.
The Ukrainian Air Force reports new launches of guided aerial bombs by tactical aviation in Zaporizhzhia Oblast.
Geopolitical Developments
Kazakh President Tokayev's statement that Russia is "invincible in a military sense" is a significant endorsement of Russian military power.
Reports of Elon Musk communicating with "Putin" and interfering in German elections add complexity to the geopolitical landscape.
The head of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, will not attend a gala concert in Warsaw due to a sudden illness, potentially linked to pressure from Polish farmers.
Russian Permanent Representative to the UN, Nebenzya, stated that Russia will veto any attempts to reform the UN Security Council that include Germany and Japan.
Warsaw and Kyiv have launched new joint arms enterprises on the territory of Poland, including drone production and tank repair.
The UN has equated Ukraine and Russia in human rights violations, a conclusion strongly rejected by the Ukrainian Ombudsman, Dmytro Lubinets.
The Polish presidential elections in 2025 are described as a "decisive moment" for the country's political future, with potential implications for its foreign policy and relations with NATO and the EU.
The US will announce a new military aid package for Ukraine in the coming days.
The US considers it possible to conclude a ceasefire agreement in the Gaza Strip. The US welcomes Israel's decision to send another delegation to Doha.
Hamas has confirmed that a new round of indirect negotiations with Israel on a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip will take place in Doha.
Russia calls on Israel to immediately cease hostilities in the Gaza Strip, Nebenzya said at an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council. He noted that the blockade of the sector and the shelling led to a humanitarian catastrophe.
The US House of Representatives is choosing a new speaker. Johnson may not have enough votes. Several Republican congressmen missed the vote, and Johnson cannot afford to lose more than one vote. If these congressmen do not vote for Johnson, the Republicans will have to start the process over and convince the dissenters to support Johnson, or choose another candidate. Three Republicans voted for another candidate instead of Johnson, so the speaker of the last convocation of the House of Representatives, most likely, will not be re-elected during this vote.
Other Significant Developments
A physical altercation between a local resident and a military serviceman in the Sumy region resulted in the resident's death, highlighting potential internal tensions.
The cessation of Russian gas transit through Ukraine is expected to lead to significant financial losses for Kyiv.
Flydubai has suspended flights to Sochi and Mineralnye Vody until January 8 and 9, respectively, possibly due to security concerns.
The Zaporizhzhia Regional Military Administration reports that reconstruction of a residential building damaged by enemy action is 60% complete.
A Kharkiv woman has been sentenced to 10 years in prison for providing information to Russian forces.
The introduction of a digital reporting system for Ukrainian commanders to document enemy losses through the "Army+" application indicates efforts to improve data collection and analysis.
The US has intensified the delivery of military supplies to Ukraine through Polish seaports.
Computer systems of the German federal police have reportedly failed at airports across the country.
Ukraine has received requests from Russian contacts regarding 50,000 missing Russian soldiers.
A sergeant of the 24th Separate Assault Battalion "Aidar" suggested that the optimal age for mobilization could be lowered to 22 years old.
Reports of extortion, threats, and mistreatment of soldiers by commanders in Russian military unit 29593 highlight potential internal issues within the Russian military.
Ukrainian National Guard troops are conducting demining operations in Kharkiv Oblast.
Ukraine is developing a "Trembita" winged rocket, designed for asymmetrical warfare and to counter enemy air defenses. An aviation expert commented on the pros and cons of the "Trembita" rocket, noting that one of its main drawbacks is its high fuel consumption.
Germany has transferred a new type of weapon to Ukraine called the Kinetic Defence Vehicle (KDV), designed to counter UAVs.
The Ukrainian General Staff reports that Ukrainian defense forces struck another oil depot of the Russian occupiers, "Yartsevskaya" in the Smolensk region.
Powerful explosions and a fire were recorded at the facility, with heavy smoke observed. Reservoirs with oil products reportedly caught fire.
The base was known to be used for supplying the Russian occupying army.
In the Kursk region, Russian forces report they liberated Lozova.
Russian forces report taking most of Novovasylivka in the Mezheve (Krasnoarmiisk, left flank) direction, with ongoing cleanup operations in the western part of the village.
In Transnistria, gas supplies have been cut off, leading to the shutdown of heating in homes and the closure of schools, kindergartens, and administrative buildings. The Moldavskaya GRES has switched to coal reserves, but these will only last for 50 days.
The Russian Ministry of Defense reported on the progress of the special military operation, highlighting losses inflicted on Ukrainian forces in various directions, including the destruction of one Su-27 aircraft, six HIMARS MLRS projectiles, and 97 fixed-wing unmanned aerial vehicles.
The EU's decision to withhold funds from Hungary adds another layer of complexity to the geopolitical landscape.
President Zelensky appointed Olga Reshetilova as the new military ombudsman.
Tariffs for gas transportation may increase fourfold for domestic consumers in Ukraine due to the cessation of Russian gas transit.
Poland plans to build a road to the border with Russia's Kaliningrad region for rapid troop deployment.
Over 32,000 Ukrainians applied to recruitment centers in the first year of operation.
President Zelensky signed a law eliminating Medical and Social Expert Commissions (MSECs).
SpaceX has reportedly entered into a new agreement to provide satellite communication services to Ukraine through Kyivstar. SpaceX also has a contract with the US Department of Defense to provide 2,500 Starlink terminals to Ukraine with access to the Starshield system.
