Summary of the Day:
Ukrainian forces launched precision airstrikes targeting Russian military command posts in Novohrodivka, Donetsk Oblast. The strikes specifically hit the command post of Russia’s 2nd Combined Arms Army, continuing Ukraine’s recent campaign against Russian command and control centers in the region.
Russian forces have made advances along multiple fronts, gaining ground in the Kupyansk, Toretsk, Pokrovsk, and Kurakhove directions. These advances represent significant movement along the eastern front.
In a notable development, Ukrainian forces captured two North Korean soldiers during combat operations in Kursk Oblast. One of the captured soldiers revealed he had been misled about his deployment, believing he was being sent to Russia for training rather than combat. The North Korean troops reported experiencing severe supply shortages and significant casualties among their forces prior to capture.
Picture of the Day:
Firefighters walk around the site of a Russian missile strike in a residential area outside of Pokrovsk, Donetsk Oblast. (Wolfgang Schwan/Anadolu via Getty Images)
Beyond Ukraine – The March Towards World War
Slovak far-right lawmakers, led by Deputy Parliament Speaker Andrej Danko and Tibor Gaspar, traveled to Moscow to negotiate Russian gas supplies after Ukraine halted Russian gas transit through its territory on January 1, with Poland denying airspace access and forcing a route change through Czechia and Germany; this diplomatic tension has intensified as Prime Minister Robert Fico rejected Ukraine’s offers to help with gas supply issues, met with Putin in Moscow, and threatened to cut humanitarian aid and electricity supplies to Ukraine, while President Zelensky criticized Fico for aligning with Moscow rather than seeking European solutions and warned that this creates a “second energy front” against Ukraine – a situation that highlights both the ongoing challenges of European energy dependency on Russia, particularly for Slovakia and Hungary, despite EU efforts to reduce Russian fossil fuel reliance following the invasion of Ukraine, and threatens European unity in supporting Ukraine against Russian aggression.
Sweden is deploying three warships and a radar aircraft to the Baltic Sea following suspected Russian sabotage of underwater cables in December 2023. This joins a NATO fleet from Finland and Estonia guarding undersea infrastructure until April. The response comes after five cables were damaged on December 25, with authorities suspecting the Russian vessel Eagle S. NATO has warned of increased Russian sabotage operations in Europe since 2022. A NATO summit in Finland on January 14 will address these regional security threats. This escalation of protective measures in the Baltic Sea reflects growing concerns about Russia’s use of “shadow fleet” vessels for both sanctions evasion and espionage, threatening critical infrastructure and regional stability.
Croatia’s President Zoran Milanovic won re-election with 74.7% of the vote, defeating Prime Minister Plenkovic’s party candidate. As a vocal critic of Western aid to Ukraine, Milanovic has opposed Croatia’s participation in NATO support missions and questioned Ukraine’s 2014 Euromaidan revolution. This victory creates tension with Prime Minister Plenkovic’s pro-Ukraine government, which has provided military aid including helicopters to Kyiv. The result signals growing division within Croatia over support for Ukraine and could impact NATO’s unified stance on Ukrainian assistance, potentially weakening Western alliance solidarity.
The Path to Peace
Switzerland, Slovakia, and Serbia have offered to host potential peace talks between U.S. President-elect Trump and Russian President Putin to discuss ending the Ukraine war, with Swiss Foreign Ministry official Nicolas Bidault citing their previous Burgenstock summit experience and Serbian President Vucic emphasizing Belgrade’s suitability due to its non-NATO status and strong support for both leaders while maintaining that Crimea and Donbas are Ukrainian territories; notably, Switzerland’s Federal Council can make exceptions to its arrest obligations related to Putin’s ICC warrant for alleged Ukrainian child deportations to enable peace negotiations.
Trump’s incoming National Security Adviser Mike Waltz announced that Trump and Putin will first have a phone call in the coming weeks before any face-to-face meeting, which the Kremlin says would occur after Trump’s January 20 inauguration without preconditions but awaits a formal request; Russia has already rejected Trump’s initial peace proposal, which included freezing front lines and delaying Ukraine’s NATO membership – a key discussion point for Putin who seeks guarantees against Ukraine joining NATO – while both sides face significant challenges: Ukraine struggles with manpower shortages in the east (with Waltz suggesting lowering the draft age from 26 to 18), and Russia deals with high military casualties and inflation from war spending, with Waltz indicating that a complete Russian withdrawal from occupied regions, including Crimea, was unlikely.
Situation On The Land, Sea, and Air in Ukraine
Russian forces have crossed the Ukraine-Russia border into northern Sumy Oblast, advancing west of Zhuravka, north of Sumy City. This move appears to be part of Russian attempts to bypass the Ukrainian position at Nikolayevo-Darino. While there are claims of Russian advances near Prokhody, these reports remain unconfirmed.
Ukrainian forces conducted precision airstrikes targeting Russian military command posts in occupied Donetsk Oblast. The strikes hit the command post of Russia’s 2nd Combined Arms Army in Novohrodivka, following earlier strikes on January 8 and 10 against Russian command posts in Khartsyzk and Svitlodarsk. These attacks aim to disrupt Russian military operations and command capabilities in the region, particularly affecting Russian activities near Pokrovsk, Chasiv Yar, and Kurakhove.
Ukrainian Operations in the Russian Federation – Initiative Russia
Russian forces continued attacks in the Ukrainian salient, though no confirmed advances were made. Ukrainian forces still hold Pogrebki, northwest of Sudzha, contradicting earlier Russian claims of its capture. While Russian sources claim advances near several settlements including Nikolskiy, Novaya Sorochina, Kruglenkoye, Malaya Loknya, Kositsa, Russkoye Porechnoye, Cherkasskoye Porechnoye, and Kurilovka, these claims remain unverified.
South Korea’s National Intelligence Service confirmed that Ukrainian forces captured two North Korean soldiers during combat in Kursk Oblast on January 9, with one soldier revealing he was misled about his deployment, believing he was being sent to Russia for training rather than combat – while one captured soldier expressed desire to return home, the other wishes to stay in Ukraine; Ukrainian President Zelensky has offered to exchange them for Ukrainian prisoners held in Russia, and the soldiers are currently receiving medical care in Ukrainian custody.
According to South Korean lawmakers citing intelligence sources and U.S. officials, North Korea has sent over 10,000-12,000 troops to support Russian forces in Ukraine, with approximately 300 soldiers killed and 2,700 wounded while fighting in regions including Kursk; the captured soldiers reported experiencing food and water shortages, with some North Korean soldiers reportedly taking their own lives rather than surrender due to fears of family retaliation, while U.S. Secretary of State Blinken suggested Russia is expanding space cooperation with North Korea in exchange for these troops and technical assistance with weapons and satellite programs, though neither Moscow nor Pyongyang has acknowledged the deployment.
A fire continues to burn at Russia’s Kombinat Kristal oil storage facility near Engels, Saratov Oblast, following a Ukrainian drone strike on January 7-8. According to Russian sources, the blaze has destroyed three fuel tanks containing 120,000 cubic meters of fuel and damaged six others.
Kharkiv Front – Initiative Russia
Russian forces continued attacks north and northeast of Kharkiv City, targeting Kozacha Lopan and Vovchansk areas but made no confirmed advances. Russian sources claim they repelled a Ukrainian counterattack near Lyptsi, north of Kharkiv City. Ukrainian military officials report that Russian forces are steadily resupplying and replacing losses in this region.
Luhansk Front – Initiative Russia
Kupyansk
Russian forces made a small advance near Kupyansk, pushing into northwestern Petropavlivka. Russian officials claim to have captured Kalynove, north of Kupyansk – a settlement that reportedly had fewer than 10 residents before the 2022 invasion. Russian forces continue attacks around multiple settlements in the area, including Holubivka, Dvorichna, Synkivka, Petropavlivka, Pishchane, and Stepova Novoselivka.
Borova
Russian forces launched two significant mechanized assaults near Borova, but failed to advance after Ukrainian forces repelled them west of Vyshneve. The attacks lost 20 tanks and armored vehicles to Ukrainian artillery, mines, and drones. Despite Russian attempts to protect their vehicles with electronic warfare systems, Ukrainian forces successfully countered with anti-tank missiles. Russian forces continue attacking multiple settlements in the area, including Zahryzove, Zelenyi Hai, Pershotravneve, Kopanky, Novoyehorivka, and Makiivka.
Lyman
Russian forces continued attacks in the Lyman area but made no confirmed advances. While Russian sources claim advances near Ivanivka and Novosadove, these remain unverified. Russian forces continue offensive operations near Terny, Zarichne, and the Serebryanske forest area.
Donetsk Front – Initiative Russia
In Donetsk Oblast, 132 people, including 12 children, were evacuated from front-line areas.
Siversk
Russian forces continued attacks near Hryhorivka and Bilohorivka, northeast of Siversk, but failed to make any confirmed advances.
Chasiv Yar
Russian forces attacked Chasiv Yar, focusing on the city itself and nearby settlements of Bila Hora and Stupochky. While Russian sources claimed to control 20% of the central refractory plant and parts of eastern Chasiv Yar’s Pivnichnyi Microraion, these advances remain unconfirmed. Ukrainian forces reported destroying one Russian armored vehicle during the attacks.
Toretsk
Russian forces advanced in northwestern Toretsk with confirmed geolocated footage showing their progress, doubling their assault groups with fresh reserves and focusing on western and northwestern areas using small infantry units while combat operations continued in nearby settlements of Dyliivka and Shcherbynivka; Ukrainian forces reported potential war crimes, claiming Russian soldiers were wearing civilian clothing to disguise their movements – a tactic that violates international law – though Ukrainian forces maintain strict protocols against firing on civilian targets.
Pokrovsk
Russian forces advanced west of Novovasylivka near Pokrovsk with confirmed geolocated footage of their progress. While Russian sources claimed captures of Zelene and advances near Udachne and Solone, these remain unconfirmed. Ukrainian forces reported destroying a Russian tank and two armored vehicles during a platoon-sized mechanized assault near Yasenove. Fighting continues across numerous settlements around Pokrovsk, with Russian forces reportedly attempting to bypass the city through smaller southern settlements to disrupt Ukrainian supply lines.
Kurakhove Region
Russian forces captured Yantarne southwest of Kurakhove with confirmed geolocated footage and Russian Ministry of Defense acknowledgment of the advance. Combat continues around Kurakhove, particularly near Shevchenko, Dachne, Kostiantynopolske, and Kostiantynopil.
Velyka Novosilka
Russian forces continued attacks near Velyka Novosilka and the nearby settlements of Neskuchne and Novosilka but made no confirmed advances. Russian sources reported a Ukrainian counterattack in Novyi Komar, north of Velyka Novosilka.
Zaporizhia Front – Initiative Russia
Russian and Ukrainian military sources reported no combat activity in western Zaporizhia Oblast. However, Russian forces were observed operating near the settlement of Mala Tokmachka, which is located northeast of Robotyne.
Kherson (Dnipro River) Front – Initiative Russia
Russian forces launched attacks in the Dnipro region without gaining new territory. According to Ukrainian spokesperson Serhiy Bratchuk, Russian forces have been targeting three islands near Kherson City – Kozatskyi, Velikiy Potemkin, and Zabych. Their apparent goal is to establish positions on these islands to support future attacks against Ukrainian-held territory on the western bank of the Dnipro River.
Ukraine News
Russia launched a major drone attack against Ukraine, sending 94 Shahed drones from multiple Russian regions. Ukrainian forces successfully intercepted 60 drones across eleven oblasts, while 34 were disabled by electronic warfare. One drone struck a residence in Vlasivka, Kharkiv Oblast. President Zelensky reported that during January 6-12, Russian forces used nearly 700 glide bombs and over 600 strike drones against Ukrainian targets.
Amid devastating wildfires in Los Angeles that have killed 16 people and damaged over 10,000 structures, Ukraine has offered to send 150 firefighters to help combat the blazes. President Volodymyr Zelensky has instructed Ukraine’s Interior Minister and diplomats to prepare for possible deployment of Ukrainian rescuers. The offer comes after Donald Trump Jr. criticized previous LA County Fire Department donations of surplus materials to Ukraine in 2022. The current crisis has been worsened by strong winds, personnel shortages, and water supply issues.
Innocent Victims Of War
The casualty count of civilians in the past 24 hours: (Russian War Crimes)
DEATHS: 0 INJURIES: 2
Russian drone attacks in Sumy Oblast struck a children’s health center in Sumy city, causing a large fire, and hit a civilian bus in Myropillia village, injuring two women aged 30 and 42. No casualties were reported at the health center.
Firefighters extinguish a fire at a children’s health and wellness center caused by Russian drone debris. (Sumy Oblast State Emergency Service/Telegram)
Ukraine’s Allies
German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius has denied reports that Chancellor Olaf Scholz blocked a proposed 3-billion-euro military aid package for Ukraine, stating the decision is still pending. The package, proposed by Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock and Pistorius, would include three Iris-T air defense batteries, 10 howitzers, and artillery ammunition. While Germany remains Ukraine’s second-largest military donor after the U.S., Scholz has faced criticism for his cautious approach, particularly regarding Taurus long-range cruise missiles. Meanwhile, Germany has announced the delivery of nearly 50 guided missiles for Ukraine’s Iris-T air defense system.
Life in Ukrainian Occupied Russia
A Russian airstrike hit a nursing home in Sudzha, Kursk Oblast, killing one woman and causing severe damage to the facility. The nursing home, located in Ukrainian-controlled territory within Russia, houses over 70 elderly and disabled residents who now need relocation.
A nursing home in Sudzha, Kursk Oblast, Russia, damaged by a Russian airstrike. (TRO Media/Courtesy)
Russian War Losses (Today/Total)
Troops +1510
809760 |
Tanks +8
9764 |
Artillery +37
21876 |
Arm. Veh. +26
20315 |
Aircraft 
369 |
Heli
331 |
Ships
28 |
Source Material
Institute for the Study of War – understandingwar.org
The Kyiv Independent – kyivindependent.com
Kyiv Post – kyivpost.com