Updated Analysis of the Military Situation in Ukraine - January 4, 2025, 11:47 UTC
Strategic Overview
The military situation in Ukraine remains highly volatile, with intense fighting concentrated in the Donetsk and Kharkiv regions. Russian forces are making significant advances, particularly around Kurakhove, Pokrovsk, and Velyka Novosilka, while Ukrainian forces are conducting defensive operations and launching localized counterattacks. Drone warfare remains a dominant feature of the conflict, with both sides employing extensive drone reconnaissance, targeting, and attack capabilities. The reported use of ATACMS missiles and the ongoing threat of Russian missile and drone strikes across multiple regions highlight the persistent danger to both military forces and civilian infrastructure. The new information regarding a potential missile threat in Rostov and Krasnodar regions further intensifies the situation.
Key Developments
Donetsk Region:
Kurakhove: Russian forces have made significant progress, reportedly controlling approximately 80% of the city and continuing efforts to encircle it. The capture of the Kurakhovskaya Thermal Power Plant and confirmed advances near Pokrovsk (including Novovasylivka, Solone, and Vovkove) indicate a concerted push to sever the Pokrovsk-Konstantinovka highway and isolate Ukrainian forces.
Pokrovsk: The situation in Pokrovsk is increasingly precarious. Video evidence of drone operators targeting Russian forces in the area indicates ongoing fighting. Russian forces are also targeting the area with FPV drones, as evidenced by reports from the "Center" group. There are unconfirmed reports of the imminent fall of Pokrovsk to Russian forces, with claims that they are within 2 km of the city.
Velyka Novosilka: In the Vremivka direction, Russian forces have captured Storozheve, Uspenovka, and Novyi Komar, forming a new "pocket" near Velyka Novosilka and advancing towards the town. Ukrainian forces report that a Russian drone control center near Velyka Novosilka was destroyed by drone operators.
Chasiv Yar: Russian forces report they have taken new positions in the northern part of Chasiv Yar, advancing up to 1.5 km. They also control over half of the city, with Ukrainian units regrouping. Russian forces retook positions at the fire-resistant compound, and clashes are reported near Stupochky and Predtechyne.
Other Areas: Fighting continues in Toretsk, with Russian forces reportedly using civilian disguises to infiltrate Ukrainian positions. Advances are reported near New York. Russian forces report advances in Novyi Trud, Ivan-Daryevka, and Slavyanka. Ukrainian forces report they have successfully pushed Russian forces out of the southern part of Novoielizavetivka. Ukrainian forces report repelling a Russian assault using drones in the Siversk direction. Russian forces report successful advances by the 7th Brigade in Belogorovka. Russian assault units surrounded and captured Ukrainka. Russian forces have taken Ivan-Daryevka and are advancing west of the settlement.
Kursk Region:
Russian forces report advances in the forests of the Sudzhansky district and near Leonidovo, Kurilovka, and Cherkasskoye Porechnoye.
Ka-52M helicopters reportedly disrupted a rotation of Ukrainian units in the border area.
The "Sever" group of forces is engaged in fierce battles along the entire front line.
Russian forces report a drone strike near Maryevka, targeting a Ukrainian vehicle and building with personnel.
Ukrainian forces report that Syrsky arrived to award Ukrainian soldiers. Russian forces report that this is disinformation, and that Ukrainian forces are suffering heavy losses in the region.
Video shows the aftermath of a missile strike on a cultural center in Ivanovsky, Kursk region, which allegedly housed a command post of the 810th Marine Brigade.
Sumy Oblast:
Ukrainian Air Force reports the use of guided aerial bombs (KABs) in the direction of Sumy.
A high-speed target was reported in the direction of Shostka, Sumy Oblast.
Russian forces launched multiple missile attacks on Shostka, Sumy Oblast.
Reports that 12 apartment buildings, 2 educational institutions, and several infrastructure facilities were damaged in Shostka.
Ukrainian drone units reported successful strikes on a Russian armored vehicle in the Sumy region, near the Kursk border.
Belgorod Region:
Two civilians were injured in a drone attack on a vehicle.
Partial power outages were reported in Shebekino due to shelling.
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.
Krasnolimansky Direction:
Russian forces are attempting to capture heights beyond Ivanovka near Terny.
A buildup of Russian forces is noted on the newly formed bridgehead in Ivanovka.
Russian forces report storming Ukrainian positions near Terny.
Russian forces are storming Zahryzove, pushing through defenses near Lozova and Zelenyi Hai, and moving towards Borova.
On the Liman axis, 26 attacks were reported.
An attack by a Russian infantry unit was reported in Terny.
Russian forces advanced in the central part of Terny.
Ukrainian forces report that the most successful area of Ukrainian defense is near Lyman-Yampil-Kreminna, where they have not lost positions and have even conducted several successful local operations.
Kharkiv Oblast:
Volchansk: Russian forces launched a new offensive, crossing the Volchya River and establishing a bridgehead.
Drone movements are reported in Kharkiv Oblast, moving southeast.
Russian operators destroyed a Ukrainian "Baba Yaga" drone near Kupyansk and an armored vehicle in the Kharkiv region.
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.
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 a drone to attack a Russian position near a road, resulting in a fire.
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.
One Ukrainian soldier was killed, and another injured in Kupiansk due to shelling by Russian forces.
A Ukrainian drone hit a civilian man walking down the street in Kupyansk.
Zaporizhzhia Direction:
A large number of enemy vehicles and personnel were reported in Stepnohirsk.
Ukrainian forces are reportedly amassing reserves for an offensive.
Ukrainian forces are preparing for an attack.
Russian forces continue to launch airstrikes on concentrations of Ukrainian forces.
The air raid alert in Zaporizhzhia Oblast has been lifted.
In Zaporizhzhia Oblast, operators of the 375th OPTADN used drones to destroy an enemy communication tower and a supply depot.
Drone Warfare and Air Activity:
Extensive Drone Activity: Reports indicate widespread drone activity across multiple regions, including new drone threats in Kyiv, Mykolaiv, Cherkasy, Kirovohrad, Dnipropetrovsk, Vinnitsa, Zaporizhzhia, Khmelnytskyi, Zhytomyr, Vasylkiv, Brovary, Sumy, Kharkiv, Lubny, Kremenchuk, Kryvyi Rih, Chuhuiv, Pavlohrad, Zlatopil, and Merefa.
New reports of drone movements in Poltava, Cherkasy, Kyiv, Mykolaiv, and Zhytomyr Oblasts.
Ukrainian Air Force reports updates on the movement of Russian drones.
Reports of drone movements in various regions, including Chernihiv, Poltava, Cherkasy, Kyiv, Mykolaiv, Zhytomyr, and Kirovohrad.
Reports of drone movements in Kharkiv, Dnipropetrovsk, and Chernihiv Oblasts.
Reports indicate drones approaching from Tendra towards Odesa/Pivdenne.
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.
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 Update: New Shahed drones from the Black Sea are heading towards the south of Odesa Oblast.
New Update: Shahed drones are present in the south of Sumy Oblast, the east of Poltava Oblast, and the west of Kharkiv Oblast, moving northwards.
New Update: A new group of Shahed drones is heading from the Black Sea towards the south of the Odesa region.
New Update: New Shahed drones are heading towards Odesa Oblast, specifically towards the Bilhorod-Dnistrovskyi district.
New Update: 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.
New Update: 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.
New Update: 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.
New Update: 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.
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.
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.
Ukrainian drone units reported successful strikes on a Russian armored vehicle in the Sumy region, near the Kursk border.
Video allegedly shows a Ukrainian drone strike on a command post of the 810th Marine Brigade at the Lgov sugar factory.
Video shows a drone strike on a US-made M2 Bradley infantry fighting vehicle near Sudzha.
Video from Sudoplatov shows Russian forces towing a captured American M113 armored personnel carrier 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.
A Russian soldier detonated a grenade near his head after being attacked by a Ukrainian FPV drone in Kursk Oblast.
A Ukrainian drone hit a civilian man walking down the street in Kupyansk.
Ukrainian forces report that a Russian "Baba Yaga" drone was destroyed by a night hunting group.
In Zaporizhzhia Oblast, operators of the 375th OPTADN used drones to destroy an enemy communication tower and a supply depot.
A Russian drone operator claims to have destroyed a Ukrainian Baba Yaga drone.
Ukrainian Ambassador to the EU, Vsevolod Chentsov, reported that Russia is integrating AI into Shahed drones to enhance their target recognition capabilities, even when offline.
Ukrainian forces report a threat of enemy drones approaching Zhytomyr and Ozerne from the northeast.
Increased drone activity in Kharkiv and Poltava regions, with drones moving west/southwest.
Ukrainian air defenses reportedly shot down 7 drones over Dnipropetrovsk Oblast.
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.
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 and equipment.
Russian forces used approximately 100 Geran drones to deplete Ukrainian air defenses overnight.
Footage showing the destruction of an enemy UAV control point by drone operators of the 36th Army.
Ukrainian forces report that the Russian military is executing North Korean soldiers.
Reports indicate significant losses among North Korean soldiers in the Russian army.
Video evidence of Ukrainian forces dropping a flag on Russian positions near Robotyne.
Photo message shows a severely wounded individual on a makeshift stretcher.
Video evidence shows the destruction of a Ukrainian UAV control point by the 1194th Motorized Rifle Regiment.
Ukrainian Air Force reports a threat of enemy drone attacks from the east in Sumy Oblast and from the south in Mykolaiv Oblast.
Photo message depicts a map of Ukraine with several regions highlighted in red, indicating active air raid alerts.
Video evidence shows a mobile, vehicle-mounted "Repellent-Patrul" anti-drone system.
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 drone footage from the 9th Brigade of the 51st Guards Combined Arms Army of the Russian Armed Forces engaging an American-made M-113 armored personnel carrier (APC) near Dzerzhinsk. The APC was previously damaged by the 1st Slavic Brigade, and the drone strike allowed for continued advances in the area.
Operators of drones from the BARS-3 "Rodina" unit destroyed a Polish self-propelled gun "Krab" on the Kupyansk front.
Operators of drones from the 95th Air Assault Brigade repelled an attack by North Koreans.
Ukrainian forces, specifically the "Birds of Madyar" unit, used drones to record the bodies of North Korean and Russian troops in Kursk Oblast.
Reports indicate significant losses among North Korean soldiers in the Russian army, with 1,000 casualties in the past week alone.
Ukrainian forces report that North Korean soldiers have been rotated out of the region and replaced with Russian soldiers.
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.
Russian operators destroyed a Ukrainian "Baba Yaga" drone near Kupyansk and an armored vehicle 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.
Pilots of the "ACHILLES" battalion of the 92nd brigade are reported to have destroyed enemy personnel and a truck in the Kharkiv region.
Attack FPV drone teams of the Yug Group of Forces eliminated a stronghold and a mortar position of the AFU in Kurakhove direction.
Operators of drones from the 110th Brigade, operating in the Kurakhove direction, spotted moving Ukrainian soldiers and dropped a munition, killing one.
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.
Fighters of the 16th Special Forces Brigade destroyed an enemy mortar with an FPV drone.
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.
City of Pryluky (Chernihiv Oblast) is under threat from enemy drones approaching from the northeast.
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.
New reports indicate a group of Russian Shahed drones are on the border of Dnipropetrovsk and Zaporizhzhia oblasts, moving west. Another group of drones is in the north of Donetsk oblast, heading north. A new group of drones is in Dnipro, heading north. A group of drones is in the north of Dnipropetrovsk oblast, heading toward Poltava oblast. A group of drones is in Kharkiv oblast, heading toward Kharkiv.
Ukrainian Air Force reports drone movements in Chernihiv Oblast to the west and towards Kyiv Oblast.
New groups of drones were entering Sumy Oblast from Kursk.
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.
Ukrainian Air Force reports increased drone activity in Poltava and Myrhorod, as well as in Kyivska and Chernihivska regions.
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 conducted a successful drone operation, targeting a Russian T-90 tank and an ammunition depot.
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.
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.
The Sever Group of Forces’ FPV drone team destroyed a camouflaged position of an AFU mortar in Sumy region.
3 drones via Bilyaivka are heading 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.
Video shows a Russian soldier winning a hand-to-hand fight against a Ukrainian soldier, who subsequently detonated a grenade, killing himself.
An operational video from the 14th Guards Special Forces Brigade of the Vostok group showcases their drones destroying enemy observation and communication equipment near Velyka Novosilka.
A video from the "Два майора" Telegram channel shows an FPV drone attacking a Ukrainian mortar position in the Sumy direction.
A video from the "Colonelcassad" Telegram channel shows a 120-mm mortar "2B11" of the Ukrainian Armed Forces being destroyed by a drone strike in the area of Petrovskoe/Grekovka, Lugansk region.
Operators of the FPV group "Sever" hit three Ukrainian Armed Forces dugouts with three kamikaze drones in the Kharkiv direction.
One drone north of Cherkasy, moving towards Kyiv Oblast. Two drones west of Poltava, moving northwest. Five drones near Konotop, moving southwest.
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.
Missile Activity:
Russian forces launched six Tu-22M3 strategic bombers from Olenya and Engels air bases, deploying X-22 missiles. High-speed targets, including probable ballistic missiles (possibly S-300), were detected.
A high-speed target is reported on the border of Odesa and Mykolaiv oblasts.
The missile is flying west of Voznesensk towards Pervomaisk.
New: A missile threat is reported for Rostov and Krasnodar regions, with reports of over 10 enemy aircraft airborne. This indicates a potential major escalation in missile attacks.
Other Significant Developments:
Ukrainian forces report that their drones can strike targets up to 2000 km away.
Reports of a drone being rammed by a Russian drone over Pokrovsk.
Reports that a Ukrainian Magura V5 naval drone shot down a Russian Mi-8 helicopter near Cape Tarkhankut in Crimea, using an R-73 "SeeDragon" missile. Another Mi-8 was reportedly damaged but able to reach its base.
Reports that a Ukrainian Magura V5 naval drone shot down a Russian Mi-8 helicopter near Cape Tarkhankut in Crimea, using an R-73 "SeeDragon" missile. Another Mi-8 was reportedly damaged but able to reach its base.
Reports that a Ukrainian Magura V5 naval drone shot down a Russian Mi-8 helicopter near Cape Tarkhankut in Crimea, using an R-73 "SeeDragon" missile. Another Mi-8 was reportedly damaged but able to reach its base.
Reports that a Ukrainian Magura V5 naval drone shot down a Russian Mi-8 helicopter near Cape Tarkhankut in Crimea, using an R-73 "SeeDragon" missile. Another Mi-8 was reportedly damaged but able to reach its base.
Reports that a Ukrainian Magura V5 naval drone shot down a Russian Mi-8 helicopter near Cape Tarkhankut in Crimea, using an R-73 "SeeDragon" missile. Another Mi-8 was reportedly damaged but able to reach its base.
Reports that a Ukrainian Magura V5 naval drone shot down a Russian Mi-8 helicopter near Cape Tarkhankut in Crimea, using an R-73 "SeeDragon" missile. Another Mi-8 was reportedly damaged but able to reach its base.
Reports that a Ukrainian Magura V5 naval drone shot down a Russian Mi-8 helicopter near Cape Tarkhankut in Crimea, using an R-73 "SeeDragon" missile. Another Mi-8 was reportedly damaged but able to reach its base.
Reports that a Ukrainian Magura V5 naval drone shot down a Russian Mi-8 helicopter near Cape Tarkhankut in Crimea, using an R-73 "SeeDragon" missile. Another Mi-8 was reportedly damaged but able to reach its base.
Reports that a Ukrainian Magura V5 naval drone shot down a Russian Mi-8 helicopter near Cape Tarkhankut in Crimea, using an R-73 "SeeDragon" missile. Another Mi-8 was reportedly damaged but able to reach its base.
Reports that a Ukrainian Magura V5 naval drone shot down a Russian Mi-8 helicopter near Cape Tarkhankut in Crimea, using an R-73 "SeeDragon" missile. Another Mi-8 was reportedly damaged but able to reach its base.
Reports that a Ukrainian Magura V5 naval drone shot down a Russian Mi-8 helicopter near Cape Tarkhankut in Crimea, using an R-73 "SeeDragon" missile. Another Mi-8 was reportedly damaged but able to reach its base.
Reports that a Ukrainian Magura V5 naval drone shot down a Russian Mi-8 helicopter near Cape Tarkhankut in Crimea, using an R-73 "SeeDragon" missile. Another Mi-8 was reportedly damaged but able to reach its base.
Reports that a Ukrainian Magura V5 naval drone shot down a Russian Mi-8 helicopter near Cape Tarkhankut in Crimea, using an R-73 "SeeDragon" missile. Another Mi-8 was reportedly damaged but able to reach its base.
Reports that a Ukrainian Magura V5 naval drone shot down a Russian Mi-8 helicopter near Cape Tarkhankut in Crimea, using an R-73 "SeeDragon" missile. Another Mi-8 was reportedly damaged but able to reach its base.
Reports that a Ukrainian Magura V5 naval drone shot down a Russian Mi-8 helicopter near Cape Tarkhankut in Crimea, using an R-73 "SeeDragon" missile. Another Mi-8 was reportedly damaged but able to reach its base.
Reports that a Ukrainian Magura V5 naval drone shot down a Russian Mi-8 helicopter near Cape Tarkhankut in Crimea, using an R-73 "SeeDragon" missile. Another Mi-8 was reportedly damaged but able to reach its base.
Reports that a Ukrainian Magura V5 naval drone shot down a Russian Mi-8 helicopter near Cape Tarkhankut in Crimea, using an R-73 "SeeDragon" missile. Another Mi-8 was reportedly damaged but able to reach its base.
Reports that a Ukrainian Magura V5 naval drone shot down a Russian Mi-8 helicopter near Cape Tarkhankut in Crimea, using an R-73 "SeeDragon" missile. Another Mi-8 was reportedly damaged but able to reach its base.
Reports that a Ukrainian Magura V5 naval drone shot down a Russian Mi-8 helicopter near Cape Tarkhankut in Crimea, using an R-73 "SeeDragon" missile. Another Mi-8 was reportedly damaged but able to reach its base.
Reports that a Ukrainian Magura V5 naval drone shot down a Russian Mi-8 helicopter near Cape Tarkhankut in Crimea, using an R-73 "SeeDragon" missile. Another Mi-8 was reportedly damaged but able to reach its base.
Reports that a Ukrainian Magura V5 naval drone shot down a Russian Mi-8 helicopter near Cape Tarkhankut in Crimea, using an R-73 "SeeDragon" missile. Another Mi-8 was reportedly damaged but able to reach its base.
A Ukrainian drone reportedly struck a Russian helicopter using an R-73 missile.
Drone Attack on Russian Helicopter.
More than 715 square kilometers of the Kerch Strait water area have been surveyed by the Ministry of Emergency Situations after the incident with tankers. This indicates a potential environmental or security incident in the area.
Over 86,000 tons of contaminated soil have been collected on the coastline by the Ministry of Emergency Situations, municipal representatives, and volunteers.
The Russian Ministry of Defense claims that all 8 ATACMS missiles used for strikes on Russia were shot down by S-400 and "Pantsir-SM" air defense systems.
Russian State Secretary Blinken reported that US intelligence had data that Putin was considering a nuclear strike scenario, but China likely restrained him.
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.
Reports of a drone being rammed by a Russian drone over Pokrovsk.
Reports that during storms, Russia lost almost half of the barriers made of barges near the Crimean Bridge and is not trying to restore them.
According to local channels, 18 barges remain near the bridge, while on November 8, 2024, 34 interconnected vessels were recorded on both sides of the navigable channel in the Kerch Strait.
Video evidence of a Russian soldier winning a hand-to-hand fight against a Ukrainian soldier, who subsequently detonated a grenade, killing himself.
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.
Reports of extortion, threats, and mistreatment of soldiers by commanders in Russian military unit 29593 highlight potential internal issues within the Russian military.
Reports of a drone being rammed by a Russian drone over Pokrovsk.
Changes to the Situation:
The new information about the missile threat in Rostov and Krasnodar regions significantly escalates the situation, indicating a potential widening of the conflict zone and an increased risk of large-scale missile attacks on these areas.
The continued intensity of fighting in the Donetsk region, particularly around Pokrovsk and Velyka Novosilka, highlights the strategic importance of these areas and the determination of both sides to control them.
The widespread drone activity and reports of new drone threats across multiple regions demonstrate the evolving nature of the conflict and the increasing reliance on unmanned aerial systems.
Predictions:
Russian forces are likely to continue their offensive operations in the Donetsk region, with Pokrovsk and Velyka Novosilka as key objectives.
Ukrainian forces will likely continue to employ drone warfare extensively to counter Russian advances and target critical infrastructure.
The threat of missile attacks on Rostov and Krasnodar regions could lead to retaliatory strikes by Ukrainian forces, potentially expanding the conflict geographically.
The situation around the Kerch Bridge remains tense, with potential for further attacks and disruptions to Russian logistics.
Recommendations:
Prioritize Air Defense: Given the increasing threat of missile and drone attacks, Ukrainian forces should prioritize strengthening air defense capabilities across the country, particularly in vulnerable regions like Rostov and Krasnodar.
Enhance Drone Warfare Capabilities: Continued investment in drone technology, training, and production is crucial for Ukraine to maintain its advantage in this domain.
Secure Critical Infrastructure: Efforts should be made to protect critical infrastructure, such as the Kurakhovskaya Thermal Power Plant and the Kerch Bridge, from further attacks.
Maintain Situational Awareness: Continuous monitoring of Russian troop movements, particularly in the Donetsk and Kharkiv regions, is essential for anticipating and countering enemy offensives.
International Support: Continued international military and financial aid is vital for Ukraine to sustain its defense efforts and counter the evolving threats.
Diplomatic Efforts: Engage with international partners to address the escalating situation and seek diplomatic solutions to de-escalate
