Archived operational intelligence briefing
The operational tempo remains high with continued intense ground combat and widespread aerial activity. Russia claims further localized gains on multiple fronts, including significant advances on the Pokrovsk and Sumy directions, and new claims of advances on the Lyman direction towards Ridkodub, Kolodyazi, and Zelyonaya Dolina, as well as claiming to have repelled counterattacks and consolidated positions near Stupochky on the Chasiv Yar direction, suggesting Russian forces have entered the immediate vicinity of Stupochky. DeepState reports that Russian forces have captured the village of Nadiyivka in Donetsk Oblast. Russia continues to make unconfirmed claims on the Kherson direction and is claiming significant Ukrainian personnel losses on the LPR front lines over the past week and claims to have disrupted almost 260 aerial attacks over major cities in the DNR over the past week. Rybar reports claimed Russian advances near Vodyane Druhe and Berezivka on the Konstantinovka direction. The Ukrainian General Staff reports 168 combat engagements over the past day, with the Pokrovsk direction experiencing the highest intensity (64 assaults repelled). Other areas with significant combat activity include Lyman (20 Russian attacks), Kramatorsk (16 engagements), Novopavlivsk (13 attacks), Toretsk (9 attacks), and Kursk (23 Russian assaults repelled). There were also 6 Russian attacks on the Kharkiv direction and 3 on the Kupyansk direction, which were stopped. Ukrainian forces stopped 2 offensive actions on the Siversk direction. No combat clashes were reported on the Huliaipole direction. There were single Russian attempts to advance on the Orikhiv and Prydniprovskyi directions. No signs of enemy offensive groups forming on the Volyn and Polissia directions. A major new development is the official confirmation and extensive reporting by Russia and North Korea of the deployment and participation of North Korean troops in combat operations in Kursk Oblast, framed as allied support under their defense treaty and a response to Ukrainian actions. Russian sources are now further elevating the significance of this operation, suggesting its inclusion in historical textbooks and standardized exams (ЕГЭ), and highlighting it as proof of the unbreakable military alliance between the two nations. Adding to this, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has reportedly called the participation of North Korean soldiers in fighting in Kursk Oblast a "sacred mission" and announced the construction of a monument in Pyongyang to honor the soldiers who fought in Russia. The US State Department has reportedly expressed concern over North Korea's assistance to Russia and called for it to cease. North Korea has for the first time officially confirmed that it sent its military personnel to participate in the war in Ukraine. Crucially, Putin has reportedly personally thanked North Korean units for their participation in defeating Ukrainian formations in Kursk Oblast, highlighting their heroism and high level of training and stating that the Russian people will never forget their feat and will honor the Korean heroes who gave their lives for Russia. Putin also stated that the North Korean soldiers acted in full accordance with international law and expressed confidence that the friendship between Russia and North Korea, "tempered on the battlefield," will successfully develop in all directions. Aerial bombardment persists with significant drone activity, particularly near Kharkiv and in western/southern directions, with new waves of drones detected and tracked in Kharkiv, Sumy, Poltava, Dnipropetrovsk, Donetsk, Zaporizhzhia, and Chernihiv Oblasts, including specific areas like Шостка and Zaporizhzhia Oblast/City, and now moving towards key urban centers in Donetsk Oblast and towards Poltava Oblast (Mirgorod and Hadiach), and towards Chernihiv Oblast and Cherkasy Oblast (Zolotonosha, Smila, Cherkasy), and the threat has now extended to Kyiv Oblast. Air raid alerts were activated and confirmed air defense activity in Zaporizhzhia Oblast, although air raid alerts in Zaporizhzhia Oblast have now been cancelled. Ukrainian sources also report tactical aviation launching guided aerial bombs (КАБів) on Donetsk Oblast and the Kursk direction. A significant Ukrainian UAV attack has targeted Bryansk Oblast, reportedly a military microelectronics factory, resulting in civilian casualties and claimed destruction of numerous drones by Russian air defense. Russia's Ministry of Defense claims a total of 102 Ukrainian UAVs were intercepted and destroyed over Bryansk Oblast overnight and a total of 115 across various regions overnight, including 2 over Leningrad Oblast. A new video from Russian sources claims the destruction of a Western-made armored vehicle by a drone operated by the "South" Group of Forces reconnaissance units, and showcases mobile groups fighting FPV drones on the Pokrovsk direction. The Ukrainian Navy reports the presence of a Russian missile carrier in the Black Sea with a salvo capacity of up to 6 Kalibr missiles and a Russian missile carrier in the Mediterranean Sea with a salvo capacity of up to 8 Kalibr missiles. The Zaporizhzhia Oblast Military Administration reports a high volume of Russian strikes on 12 settlements in the oblast over the past day, including 21 aerial strikes, 210 drone attacks, 6 MLRS shellings, and 117 artillery shellings, resulting in damage to one house and partial power, communication, and internet outages in one community but no civilian casualties. Temporary flight restrictions have been imposed at Pulkovo Airport in St. Petersburg, leading to 17 flights being diverted. Russian military bloggers report that explosions in Zaporizhzhia, Sumy (Shostka), and Kharkiv overnight were a result of "Geranium" drone activity. Russian airborne forces reportedly used Grad MLRS for strikes near Chasiv Yar and destroyed temporary deployment points in Kherson Oblast. Russian sources claim a "Lancet" drone strike destroyed a Ukrainian self-propelled artillery system in Orikhiv on the Zaporizhzhia front. Two Mayors reports that the enemy used remote mining on the Basivka direction in Sumy Oblast and attempted an assault with up to 6 AFVs and two platoons of motorized infantry. Two Mayors reports that Russian forces are advancing towards Yunakivka, a logistics hub, through Basivka and Loknya. Oleh Syniehubov, Head of the Kharkiv Oblast State Administration, reports a civilian fatality and injury in Kupiansk due to an FPV drone attack and significant damage to civilian infrastructure and livestock losses (including deaths and injuries) in Izium and Kharkiv districts due to Russian drone and artillery attacks over the past day. ЦАПЛІЄНКО_UKRAINE FIGHTS reports that the Kremniy El military microelectronics factory in Bryansk was attacked by unknown drones. РБК-Україна also reports on the drone attack on the Kremniy El factory in Bryansk. Reports indicate a crash in Synelnykivskyi district, Dnipropetrovsk Oblast, where a drone hit a residential building, injuring a man who later died while being transported to the hospital. Information operations are intense, with Russia emphasizing claimed successes and allied support (particularly from North Korea, including promoting the historical and educational significance of their military cooperation and the announcement of a monument, and highlighting the unbreakable alliance, and Putin's personal thanks to North Korean units and claims of their actions being in accordance with international law), circulating videos portraying alleged forced conscription, and discussions regarding potential peace settlements are ongoing with conflicting narratives. Russia is also claiming successes in countering Ukrainian aerial attacks in the DNR. Significantly, Donald Trump has now explicitly called on Putin to "stop shooting, sit down and sign a deal," stating his belief that conditions for a deal exist, and stating he will decide whether he trusts Putin in two weeks or less, and believes Zelenskyy understands Crimea will remain Russian and attributes the conflict to Ukraine's NATO aspirations. Ukraine is focused on defense, inflicting losses, securing reparations, and highlighting national resilience and claimed successes in border operations, and reporting daily Russian personnel and equipment losses. The confirmed presence of North Korean troops is a significant shift in the external support dynamic for Russia, underscoring a strengthened military alliance with stated commitments under a defense treaty. Russian military bloggers are also contributing to information operations through visual content, promoting recruitment for internal security forces in occupied territories, reporting on potential cyber threats targeting military map applications, and highlighting the financial impact of measures targeting "foreign agents," and showcasing efforts to counter Ukrainian FPV drones. New propaganda claims from Russian sources allege the presence of French fighters fighting for Russia and the death of the son of a US Deputy Director of Intelligence fighting for Russia in Ukraine. Domestic Russian news includes reports on scam attempts in Telegram and new regulations on electric scooter usage. A new video from Russian sources claims the destruction of a Western-made armored vehicle by drone fire. Russia is also actively using information channels to recruit Ukrainian citizens for a "people's resistance" with financial incentives. The Russian Ministry of Defense has released video claiming the destruction of a Ukrainian temporary deployment point by a Mi-28NM helicopter strike. A civilian transportation accident involving an overturned bus in Vladimir Oblast has resulted in injuries and required medical assistance for approximately 35 people. An international development shows Israeli PM Netanyahu advocating for complete dismantlement of Iranian nuclear infrastructure in any US-Iran deal. A Russian military blogger shares a video of a sniper destroying a mine or IED remotely. An explosion in Balashikha, Russia, has been officially attributed to an explosive device and is being investigated as a murder, with several Russian military bloggers claiming the deceased was Major General Yaroslav Moskalik, Deputy Head of the Main Operations Directorate of the General Staff. Saudi Arabia and Qatar have reportedly pledged to pay Syria's $15 million debt to the World Bank. Pakistan has reportedly offered India a plan to prevent a new regional war, including a "neutral" investigation into tourist killings in Kashmir. The world's military spending in 2024 reportedly broke Cold War records, reaching $2.718 trillion, a 9.4% increase from 2023, according to SIPRI. The 46th Separate Airmobile Brigade of the Ukrainian Airborne Assault Forces is reportedly seeking a doctor for their medical post through recruitment. Rybar provides a detailed analysis of the fighting in the Dzerzhinsk (Toretsk) area, claiming Russian forces have largely restored control over the city after regrouping and repelling counterattacks, and are conducting raids north of Dzerzhinsk, advancing towards Dyliivka, and fighting on the western flank near Shcherbynivka and Petrovka, and also reports claims of an impending Ukrainian offensive in this area. Alautdinov reports that Russian forces are showing very good progress in Sumy Oblast. ASTRA reports one person died and one was injured in the attack on Bryansk Oblast, with the injured person hospitalized and damage inflicted on civilian objects and infrastructure. The Prosecutor General's Office of Ukraine is reportedly investigating the attack on Pavlohrad as a war crime. TASS reports that all individuals involved in the mercenary case in Kyrgyzstan, including a blogger and Russian House employee, have been released under house arrest. NgP raZVedka reports that Ukrainian forces are preparing for an offensive north of Dzerzhinsk to regain lost positions, potentially simultaneously with intensified combat near Basivka in Sumy Oblast to constrain Russian forces. Fighterbomber discusses the "liberation" of Kursk Oblast, the participation of North Korean troops, the role of other military allies, Ukrainian terrorism, London's importance, a "battle for chairs" at a funeral, Ukrainians "biting the hand that feeds," and aspects of the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant in a weekly summary. Anatolii Shtefan "Shtirlits" reports the death of Umkhanov Buvaisar "Tarzan," a platoon commander of the "Akhmat" 4th brigade's "Okhotnik" battalion, on the Kursk direction, alleging his participation in atrocities in Kyiv and Chernihiv Oblasts in 2022. ASTRA reports on the ongoing protests and demands of residents in occupied Mariupol regarding the destruction of their homes and the construction of unaffordable mortgage housing, framing it as a "raider seizure" of the city and its residents' property. TASS reports on a system for accepting payments directly from state institutions without bank involvement, planned for 2025. Ukrainian military units are sharing photos and information about training activities and meetings with recently released POWs undergoing rehabilitation. Reports indicate a widespread technical failure impacting the "Epicenter" retail chain in Ukraine, with speculation of a cyberattack, which the company has officially attributed to "technical problems". Russian military bloggers report the use of artillery on the Pokrovsk and Chasiv Yar directions to support advances, including the destruction of a mortar crew and a UAV control point. The Russian Ministry of Defense has confirmed the death of the son of the CIA Deputy Director, Michael Gloss, stating he died in December from artillery shelling in Eastern Europe while aiding a wounded comrade. The Office of the Prosecutor General of Ukraine reports a second verdict against a former President of Ukraine for desertion and illegal border crossing, sentencing him to 15 years in prison. The Russian government has reportedly developed a plan to counter illegal employment by analyzing the non-working population and involving them in the labor market. Russian authorities have reportedly issued a directive to create an award for individuals who contributed to the "liberation" of Kursk Oblast from the Ukrainian Armed Forces. A phone conversation reportedly took place between Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov and US Senator Rubio regarding the "Ukrainian crisis," with both sides emphasizing the importance of prerequisites for negotiations towards a stable peace, and Lavrov noting that some elements of an agreement require further work. TASS reports successful test launches of Kalibr cruise missiles by a Russian nuclear submarine in the Pacific Ocean. Reports indicate increased demand for learning the Chinese language in Moscow. The Russian Ministry of Emergency Situations is reportedly working with Iranian authorities to extinguish the fire in the port of Shahid Rajaee. Rosaviatsia reports that 17 flights were diverted due to restrictions at Pulkovo Airport. The Russian consumer protection agency reports a stable cholera situation in Russia. Военкор Котенок reports that 119 Ukrainian drones were shot down overnight, including 102 over Bryansk, 9 over Crimea, 2 over Kursk, 2 over Nizhny Novgorod, 2 over Leningrad, 1 over Belgorod, and 1 over the Black Sea, citing the Russian MoD. Дневник Десантника shares videos claiming successful strikes by Russian aviation with FAB-500 bombs on Ukrainian troop and equipment concentrations in Kharkiv Oblast and promoting the narrative of corruption within the Ukrainian mobilization process. Оперативний ЗСУ shares a video claiming the destruction of a Russian "Ural" vehicle using an FPV drone with guidance. БУТУСОВ ПЛЮС shares a video showing a "Military Audio" acoustic system made from an ammunition box being sent to soldiers, highlighting ongoing volunteer support. The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine shares images of what appears to be Ukrainian marines or special forces operating in a water environment, with a caption emphasizing defense and a call to join. The Zaporizhzhia Oblast Military Administration is highlighting the scaling up of social taxi services for veterans and military personnel undergoing rehabilitation.
Latest Updates:
We only use optional analytics cookies if you allow them. Necessary cookies stay on for sign-in and site security.
Learn more in our Privacy Policy.
