Summary of the Day:
Ukraine has ended Russian gas transit through its territory, dealing a significant economic blow to Russia with Gazprom facing an estimated $6 billion annual revenue loss. In response, Russia appears to be weaponizing gas supplies, cutting off Transnistria and attempting to create an artificial energy crisis in Moldova.
Russian forces have made territorial advances near several key locations including Siversk, Toretsk, Pokrovsk, Kurakhove, Vuhledar, and in western Zaporizhia Oblast. However, their military effectiveness continues to be hampered by inadequate supplies of basic equipment and ammunition, with soldiers forced to provide their own materials.
Ukraine has demonstrated growing offensive capabilities with successful strikes both in Russian territory and the Black Sea. A missile strike hit a Russian military command post in Kursk Oblast, while naval drones destroyed multiple Mi-8 helicopters in the Black Sea, significantly disrupting Russian operations in occupied Crimea. President Zelensky announced increased domestic production of drones and missiles for 2025, having manufactured over one million drones in 2024 alone.
Russia is attempting to consolidate its control over the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant, announcing plans to fully license and operate all six reactors by 2028. This move, along with plans to replace foreign equipment with Russian components, signals Moscow’s intention to permanently control this critical infrastructure.
Picture of the Day:
Relatives and friends gather next to the coffin of late Ukrainian serviceman Danylo Bobrykov, callsign “Harvey,” during funeral ceremony in Kyiv on Jan. 2, 2025 (Tetiana Dzhafarova/AFP via Getty Images)
Beyond Ukraine – The March Towards World War
On January 1, Russia’s Gazprom suspended gas supplies to Moldova, citing disputed debts of $709 million, though independent audits show only $8.6 million is owed, creating an artificial energy crisis affecting both Moldova and its Russian-controlled Transnistria region. The cutoff has severely impacted the Cuciurgan power station in Transnistria, leaving 75,000 households without heating, 116,000 with reduced supply, and only 50 days of coal reserves remaining. In response, Moldova’s state energy company Energocom has secured alternative electricity sources, with Romania providing 62% of needed power and the remainder coming from local sources and Ukraine, while the government has offered to help Transnistria access European gas markets. Prime Minister Dorin Recean has accused Russia of using energy as a “political weapon,” suggesting a deliberate attempt to destabilize the region, which Russia has occupied since the 1990s, potentially creating another flashpoint of tension in Eastern Europe amid the context of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
A significant strategic partnership agreement between Russia and Iran is expected to be signed in Moscow on January 17, 2025. The deal reportedly includes Russia providing Iran with Su-35 fighter jets and advanced missile technology, while Iran is expected to supply Russia with upgraded strike drones and possibly ballistic missiles. This military cooperation between two nations under international sanctions could potentially escalate tensions in multiple regions and impact global security, particularly given both countries’ involvement in ongoing conflicts. While some details of the weapons transfers remain disputed, this deepening military alliance between Russia and Iran represents a notable shift in international military relationships that could affect regional stability and world peace.
Poland assumed the six-month rotating presidency of the EU Council from Hungary on January 1, with the motto “Security, Europe!”, marking a significant shift as Hungary under Viktor Orban had blocked EU aid to Ukraine and faced boycotts over its pro-Russian stance. During its presidency, Poland will host over 300 official meetings and nearly 200 cultural events, focusing on strengthening European security across multiple dimensions including external, internal, economic, and energy security, while aiming to set the tone for the EU’s five-year plans by emphasizing enhanced security and economic competitiveness without overregulation. Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk emphasized security as a top priority, while President Andrzej Duda, whose term ends in August 2025, stressed in his New Year’s address that Russia must not win in Ukraine as it could trigger a larger future conflict, outlining two crucial pillars for Polish security: a strong military and international alliances, especially with the United States.
Ukraine’s leadership, including President Zelensky and Foreign Minister Sybiha, expressed optimism about Poland’s presidency, particularly regarding Ukraine’s EU accession process and military assistance, as Poland is expected to open two EU accession clusters for Ukraine in early 2025, potentially leading to Ukraine’s EU membership by 2029. Duda emphasized that Poland’s security must be the next president’s top priority given Ukraine’s ongoing war, and as Poland assumes the EU Council presidency, he stressed that European security depends on continued U.S. involvement, both militarily and economically, with Ukraine’s Foreign Minister welcoming Poland’s leadership as important for European stability during the ongoing conflict with Russia.
A Finnish court has been asked to seize the oil tanker Eagle S, suspected of damaging the critical Estlink 2 undersea electricity cable between Finland and Estonia on December 25. The vessel is allegedly part of Russia’s “shadow fleet” used to evade sanctions. Grid operator Fingrid expects repairs to be completed by August. This incident, among several in the Baltic Sea region, has prompted NATO to increase its military presence and enhance protection of undersea infrastructure. These developments raise concerns about the security of critical infrastructure in the Baltic region and potential escalation of tensions between NATO and Russia.
The U.S. Commerce Department is exploring measures to secure drone technology and supply chains from potential threats from China and Russia. The initiative aims to protect against remote manipulation of devices and data exposure, particularly significant as China produces most of the world’s drones. Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo emphasized this as critical for national security, potentially leading to restrictions or bans on drones from adversary nations. This development follows broader U.S. actions against Chinese technology, including company blacklisting and TikTok legislation, and parallels Ukraine’s ban on Russian software. These tensions over technology security could further strain international relations and impact global trade relationships, particularly between the U.S. and China.
Belarus has taken over the presidency of the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) as of January 1, 2025, for a one-year term.
The Path to Peace
German Social Democratic Party leader Saskia Esken has called for renewed phone conversations between Chancellor Olaf Scholz and Russian President Vladimir Putin to help end the war in Ukraine. This comes after a controversial November 2024 call between Scholz and Putin, which drew criticism from Western allies and Ukrainian President Zelensky. While Esken supports phone diplomacy, she opposes in-person meetings.
Situation On The Land, Sea, and Air in Ukraine
Russian forces are experiencing significant equipment shortages on the frontlines, according to reports from January 1-2, 2024. Military bloggers claim troops lack basic 12-gauge shotguns needed to defend against drones, and evacuation teams often operate with few or no weapons. Despite previous attempts to address the shortage by transferring confiscated civilian weapons to military units, coordination problems between the Russian Ministry of Defense and Rosgvardia (National Guard) have reportedly hampered distribution. Soldiers are reportedly buying their own food, equipment, and ammunition to compensate for these shortages, though some sources dispute the extent of the problem.
Ukrainian intelligence reported that their naval drone strike on December 31 in the Black Sea successfully destroyed two Russian Mi-8 helicopters and damaged another, using Magura V5 drones equipped with anti-aircraft missiles, which cost approximately $240,000 each, can travel up to 500 miles, and have been crucial in Ukraine’s efforts against Russia’s Black Sea Fleet since summer 2023. Ukrainian Navy Spokesperson Pletenchuk emphasized that ongoing strikes against Crimean targets have significantly disrupted Russian logistics by damaging key infrastructure like the Kerch Strait Bridge’s railway and transport ferries, while a Russian military blogger revealed that Russian vessels are now hiding in bays and ports to avoid Ukrainian naval drones, suggesting that only aircraft could effectively counter these threats, indicating Ukraine’s growing ability to challenge Russian control over Crimea and the Black Sea region.
Ukrainian Operations in the Russian Federation – Initiative Russia
Combat continues in Ukraine’s Kursk Oblast with fighting reported near Makhnovka, Leonidovo, and Kurilovka. While Russian sources claim advances near Makhnovka, these remain unconfirmed. Russia has reportedly recaptured about 39% of the Ukrainian salient, with Ukrainian forces controlling approximately 585 square kilometers of territory in the region. North Korean forces have taken casualties and have been repositioned near Ulanok, Fantasiyevka, and Cherkasskaya Konopelka.
Ukraine’s Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi reported that since Ukraine’s August 2024 incursion into Russia’s Kursk Oblast, Russian forces have suffered significant losses: over 38,000 troops, more than 1,000 pieces of equipment, and 700 captured servicemen. While Ukraine initially captured 1,300 square kilometers of territory, they have since lost about half to Russian counteroffensives. Russia deployed approximately 12,000 North Korean soldiers to the region, with over 3,000 reportedly killed or injured, largely due to their unfamiliarity with the terrain and modern drone warfare. Ukraine plans to use the occupied Russian territory as leverage in future peace negotiations.
Ukrainian forces launched a missile strike on January 2 against a Russian military target in Ivanovskoye, Kursk Oblast, hitting a command post of Russia’s 810th Naval Infantry Brigade during an awards ceremony at a local House of Culture, with the Ukrainian General Staff stating the attack aimed to reduce Russia’s ability to conduct attacks against Ukrainian civilians while local reports indicated damage to civilian infrastructure in nearby Ivanovskoye, including a boarding school, post office, and residential buildings, demonstrating Ukraine’s continued ability to strike Russian military targets deep within Russian territory and potentially disrupting Russian military command and control capabilities.
Kharkiv Front – Initiative Russia
Russian forces attacked near Vovchansk, northeast of Kharkiv City, from December 31 to January 2, but made no confirmed advances. Ukrainian forces report they are successfully stopping Russian reconnaissance groups trying to infiltrate their positions in Vovchansk.
Luhansk Front – Initiative Russia
Russian forces reportedly crossed the Zherebets River and advanced near Ivanivka and Terny, northwest of Kreminna, though these claims are unconfirmed. Russian attacks continued across multiple locations including: north of Kupyansk (Zapadne, Dvorichna); southeast of Kupyansk (Zahryzove, Lozova, Nova Kruhlyakivka, Kolisnykivka); around Svatove; and near Kreminna (Makiivka, Ivanivka, Yampolivka, and others). Ukrainian forces report they are countering Russian drones that use fiber optic cables. Various Russian motorized rifle units are operating in the region, including elements equipped with thermobaric artillery systems.
Donetsk Front – Initiative Russia
Siversk
Russian forces have made a confirmed advance in central Bilohorivka, northeast of Siversk. Russian forces continued attacks near Bilohorivka and Serebryanka from December 31 to January 2.
Chasiv Yar
Russian forces launched attacks around Chasiv Yar on January 1-2 but made no confirmed advances. Fighting occurred in northern Chasiv Yar, near the Refractory Plant, and in surrounding areas including Hryhorivka, Stupochky, Predtechyne, and Bila Hora. Russian forces mainly used infantry assaults with limited mechanized attacks, taking advantage of fog and smoke grenades for cover.
Toretsk
Russian forces advanced in northwestern and western Toretsk on January 1-2, now controlling approximately 65% of the settlement. Combat occurred within Toretsk and nearby locations including Dyliivka, Shcherbynivka, and Leonidivka.
Pokrovsk
Russian forces advanced near Pokrovsk on January 1-2, capturing Vozdvyzhenka to the east and making gains near Zelene and Novotroitske to the south. They also seized Novovasylivka to the southwest. Rather than launching direct attacks on Pokrovsk, Russian forces appear to be attempting to encircle the town from the east and west. Fighting continues across multiple settlements in the area, including Promin, Barankivka, Myrolyubivka, Lysivka, Novyi Trud, Dachenske, Shevchenko, Vovkove, Pishchane, Uspenivka, Solone, Kotlyne, and Novoolenivka.
Kurakhove
Russian forces advanced near Kurakhove on January 1-2, capturing Sontsivka to the northwest. While Russian sources claim to have seized the Kurakhivske Thermal Power Plant and parts of Kurakhove’s industrial zone, with some suggesting control of up to 80% of the town, these claims remain unconfirmed. Fighting continues around Kurakhove, Petropavlivka, Shevchenko, and Dachne. Russian forces aim to reach the H-15 Kurakhove-Zaporizhzhia City highway but have reduced their use of armored vehicles due to previous losses.
Andriivka
Russian forces advanced near Vuhledar on January 1-2, gaining ground north of Kostiantynopolske. Combat operations continued around several settlements including Ulakly, Kostiantynopil, Yantarne, Kostiantynopolske, and Rozlyv. Russian forces are operating Uspenivka and Ulakly.
Velyka Novosilka
Russian forces conducted operations near Velyka Novosilka and surrounding areas including Novyi Komar, Rozdolne, Neskychne, and Novosilka on January 1-2, but made no confirmed advances. Ukrainian sources report that Russian forces are primarily using infantry rather than mechanized units in their attacks, while Ukrainian forces are reportedly conducting counterattacks in the area.
Zaporizhia Front – Initiative Russia
Russian and Ukrainian forces reported no combat activity near Hulyaipole in eastern Zaporizhia Oblast on January 1-2, 2025.
Russian forces advanced in western Zaporizhia Oblast on January 1-2, 2025, particularly near Bilohirya, northeast of Robotyne. While Russian troops briefly entered central Bilohirya, they later withdrew, leaving the area contested. Russian forces also conducted operations near Novoandriivka, while Ukrainian forces reportedly attempted unsuccessful counterattacks near Orikhiv and Kamyanske.
Kherson (Dnipro River) Front – Initiative Russia
Russian forces continued their offensive operations in the Dnipro River area and its delta islands from December 31 to January 2, 2025.
Ukraine News
On New Year’s Eve, Russia launched a major drone assault against Ukraine, deploying 111 Shahed drones from multiple locations including Bryansk, Oryol, Primorsko-Akhtarsk, and occupied Crimea. Ukrainian forces intercepted 63 drones across ten regions, while 46 decoy drones were neutralized by electronic warfare. In Kyiv, drone debris damaged residential areas and transportation infrastructure, with Russian sources claiming hits near Ukraine’s National Bank and Presidential Office. Additionally, Russia struck Odesa Oblast with a cruise missile, damaging an administrative building. In Zaporizhia Oblast, Ukraine shot down five of ten incoming drones, while Khmelnytskyi Oblast reported downing two Shahed drones.
On the night of January 1-2, 2025, Russia launched another large-scale drone attack, sending 72 Shahed drones from Bryansk, Oryol, Kursk, and Primorsko-Akhtarsk. Ukrainian forces intercepted 47 drones across eleven regions, while 24 decoy drones were disabled by electronic warfare. In southern Ukraine, forces shot down seven Shaheds. Russia also launched ballistic missiles at Mykolaiv Oblast and reportedly struck Dnipro City. In Zaporizhia Oblast, Russian forces hit Stepnohirsk with 11 KAB glide bombs, destroying a residential building.
In his New Year’s address, Ukrainian President Zelensky announced that in 2024, Ukraine’s forces intercepted 1,310 cruise and ballistic missiles and 7,800 Iranian Shahed drones, while Ukrainian naval forces reported destroying over 37,000 Russian drones, including 35,670 FPV drones, 1,140 strike drones, and 164 Shahed-136/131 drones, as well as eliminating five Russian ships and 458 watercraft, with the year ending in a notable success when a Ukrainian Magura V5 naval drone destroyed a Russian Mi-8 helicopter. Kharkiv City Mayor Terekhov reported 318 Russian strikes on his city in 2024, noting decreased intensity in December, while Russian state media TASS claimed their forces conducted over 1,500 precision strikes against Ukrainian targets, and according to Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi, Russian forces suffered approximately 427,000 casualties in 2024, with Russian drone attacks intensifying in late 2024, targeting Ukrainian residential areas and energy infrastructure as Moscow plans to increase drone production in the coming year.
On January 1, 2024, Ukraine ended its Russian gas transit contract dating back to 1991, halting flow at the Sudzha entry point in Russia’s Kursk Oblast, a move that Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha says will reduce Russia’s ability to pressure European nations. President Zelensky declared this a major defeat for Moscow, noting that annual gas flow has dropped from 130 billion cubic meters when Putin took power to zero today, emphasizing that Russia’s use of energy as a weapon ultimately cost them their most accessible market. Bloomberg estimates Gazprom will lose approximately $6 billion annually from this decision, with Russia’s share of the European gas market dropping dramatically from 45% in 2021 to just 5%, leaving only one remaining route to Europe through the TurkStream pipeline via Turkey.
The halt particularly affects Slovakia, Hungary, and Austria, which remain dependent on Russian supplies, while Hungary remains largely unaffected due to its alternative Black Sea pipeline route. Slovakia’s Prime Minister Robert Fico has been particularly vocal, warning of serious consequences for the EU and announcing on January 2 that Slovakia may reduce aid for Ukrainian refugees and cut electricity supplies in response, as the transit termination could cost Slovakia €500 million annually, with an additional €220 million needed for alternative supply routes. Representatives from Slovakia, Ukraine, and the European Commission will meet in Brussels on January 7 to discuss the situation, though Poland has offered to help if Slovakia follows through with its threats.
European gas prices jumped 4.3% to 51 euros per megawatt-hour, the highest since October 2023, following the transit halt. While experts suggest stored reserves will help Europe through this winter and many European nations had already reduced their reliance on Russian gas due to the war, the lack of infrastructure for liquified natural gas (LNG) poses challenges for fully replacing Russian supplies. Separately, Gazprom announced it would stop gas supplies to Moldova, affecting the breakaway region of Transnistria, which relies on Russian gas for power generation and has already reported a major gas outage.
The Kremlin’s confident stance appears to be a strategic move aimed at gaining concessions from Europe and potentially creating discord between the EU and US, though some European leaders, notably Hungary’s Viktor Orban and Slovakia’s Robert Fico, already oppose the transit halt. Despite these objections, Zelensky believes U.S. gas supplies and other partnerships will help stabilize energy market prices and reduce Europe’s dependence on Russian energy, which now represents less than 10% of EU gas imports, down from 40% before the war, though some eastern EU members still heavily depend on it.
On January 1, 2025, Ukraine officially became the 125th member of the International Criminal Court (ICC) after ratifying the Rome Statute in August 2024. This grants Ukraine voting rights on ICC matters, including budget approval and selection of judges and prosecutors. Ukraine joined with a seven-year exemption from the court’s jurisdiction over Ukrainian citizens in war crimes cases. The ICC has already issued arrest warrants for several Russian officials, including President Vladimir Putin, Maria Lvova-Belova, Sergei Shoigu, and Valery Gerasimov, for war crimes including the forced deportation of Ukrainian children. While Ukraine has now joined, both Russia and the U.S. have withdrawn their signatures from the treaty.
Ukraine’s electricity imports surged to 4.4 million megawatt-hours in 2024, a fivefold increase from the previous year, due to ongoing Russian attacks on energy infrastructure. Hungary led imports at 39%, followed by Slovakia, Romania, and Poland. The situation is particularly critical as Russia occupies the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant and has targeted substations connected to Ukraine’s three remaining nuclear facilities at Rivne, Khmelnytskyi, and South Ukraine. The International Monetary Fund estimates Russian attacks have caused $56.5 billion in damage to Ukraine’s power grid, threatening both civilian power supply and nuclear safety.
Innocent Victims Of War
The casualty count of civilians in the past 48 hours: (Russian War Crimes)
DEATHS: 3 INJURIES: 6
A Russian drone strike on Kyiv on New Year’s Day killed two people, identified as married scientists Ihor Zyma and Olesia Sokur who worked at the Institute for Biology and Medicine at Taras Shevchenko National University – Zyma as a senior researcher and associate professor, and Sokur as deputy director of scientific work – and injured six others, including two pregnant women, while damaging the National Bank of Ukraine building in the Pechersk District, though the bank reported its systems remained operational despite broken windows on upper floors.
A Russian aerial attack on the village of Stepnohirsk in Ukraine’s Zaporizhzhia region on January 2 killed one civilian when 11 guided bombs struck and destroyed a five-story building, with the victim’s body being discovered after a five-hour search and rescue operation.
Apartment in Kyiv damaged by a Russian drone attack on Jan. 1, 2025. (Ukraine’s State Emergency Service / Facebook)
The aftermath of a Russian attack on the town of Stepnohirsk in Zaporizhzhia Oblast overnight on Jan. 2, 2025. (Ivan Fedorov/Telegram)
Ukraine Mobilization and Defense Industrial Base
Defense Minister Rustem Umerov announced on January 2 that Ukraine will conduct a comprehensive review of its Ground Forces command, led by the Defense Ministry’s Main Inspectorate. The review will examine management structures and processes under newly appointed Ground Forces Commander General Mykhailo Drapatyi, who plans fundamental reforms including changes to recruitment, training, and technology integration. This initiative comes amid reported personnel shortages and aims to enhance battlefield effectiveness through improved combat capabilities and personnel policies.
Ukrainian President Zelensky announced in his New Year’s Eve address that Ukraine is ramping up its military production capabilities for 2025, having manufactured over one million drones and multiple types of missiles in 2024. He emphasized that Ukraine’s domestic defense industry now produces 30% of their military equipment. This military buildup, including new missiles like “Palianytsia,” “Peklo,” “Ruta,” “Neptune,” and “Sapsan,” is positioned as leverage to force Russia into accepting what Ukraine considers a “just peace.” This escalation in military capabilities suggests a potential intensification of the conflict in 2025.
Ukraine’s Allies
Polish farmers plan to protest in Warsaw on January 3 against Ukrainian agricultural imports and European Union policies. The protest, organized by the Union of Agricultural Organizations, targets what farmers say are disruptive effects of cheaper Ukrainian imports on Poland’s domestic market. Led by Tomasz Obszanski of the Solidarnosc Individual Farmers’ Union, protesters also oppose EU’s Green Deal and potential trade agreements. This follows earlier protests, including a November border blockade at Shehyni. While Poland has banned some Ukrainian products like grain, its government balances supporting farmers with maintaining solidarity with Ukraine.
Life in Russian Occupied Ukraine
Russia announced plans to take full control of the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant’s operations by 2028, beginning with licensing the first reactor under Russian authority by late 2025. ZNPP occupation director Yuriy Chernichuk revealed plans to replace foreign equipment with Russian-made components and use the plant to power both occupied Ukrainian territories and western Russia. This move represents a significant escalation in Russia’s attempts to permanently control Ukraine’s critical energy infrastructure. The takeover of Europe’s largest nuclear power plant raises serious safety and security concerns, as it violates international nuclear safety protocols and could potentially destabilize regional nuclear security.
Russian War Losses (Today/Total)
As of January 1, 2024, open-source intelligence has confirmed at least 90,050 Russian military deaths in Ukraine since Russia’s February 2022 invasion. Independent Russian media sources previously reported 80,973 confirmed Russian military deaths in November. The actual death toll is likely much higher, with Ukrainian military officials reporting that Russian forces suffered an average of 1,585 casualties (killed and wounded) per day in December 2024.
Troops +1080
793250 |
Tanks +1
9677 |
Artillery +3
21555 |
Arm. Veh. +14
20070 |
Aircraft 
369 |
Heli
330 |
Ships
28 |
Russia Mobilization and Defense Industrial Base
The Russian government has raised insurance payments for military veterans by 4.5 percent, effective January 1, 2024, matching Russia’s projected inflation rate. This increase in benefits for wounded and disabled service members appears to be part of Russia’s ongoing strategy to encourage voluntary military service.
Russian forces are enhancing their drone capabilities with new technology and innovations. Recent examination of Russian Shahed drones revealed they now use cheaper Chinese-made satellite navigation antennas that better resist Ukrainian electronic warfare. Additionally, Russian sources claim successful testing of a new naval drone capable of carrying 150 kilograms of payload. These developments suggest Russia is actively adapting its drone technology while managing supply constraints through Chinese components.
Russia’s main tank manufacturer Uralvagonzavod announced on December 30 that its newest T-90M Proryv and T-72B3 tanks include over 100 improvements compared to pre-2022 models. The upgrades feature anti-drone nets, enhanced armor protection, electronic warfare systems, and better camouflage capabilities, indicating Russia is adapting its tank designs based on combat experience in Ukraine.
Russia’s Allies
Russian President Vladimir Putin has ordered his government and Sberbank to expand artificial intelligence cooperation with China and develop AI technology partnerships, according to a January 1 Kremlin announcement, as Russia struggles with Western tech sanctions following its invasion of Ukraine, particularly in accessing crucial microchips, graphics processors, and GPUs needed for AI development. Currently ranking 31st globally in AI, Russia plans to form an AI Alliance Network with BRICS nations to compete with U.S. dominance in the field, with Sberbank claiming that AI associations from Brazil, China, India, and South Africa have joined, while China and Russia have strengthened their relationship since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, with Chinese President Xi Jinping recently noting increased strategic coordination between the two nations, a partnership that could potentially shift the global technological balance of power.
Hungary has lost 1.04 billion euros in EU aid after failing to implement required reforms on corruption prevention and conflicts of interest by the end of 2024, marking the EU’s first such action against a member state, while Hungarian opposition leader Peter Magyar has called for early elections in a viral New Year’s video, accusing Prime Minister Viktor Orban of making Hungary the EU’s poorest nation through his controversial pro-Moscow stance and alleged corruption. The situation highlights growing tensions within the EU over democratic standards and support for Ukraine, as Hungary, considered the most pro-Russian EU member, has consistently blocked aid to Ukraine and, according to reports, plans to delay decisions on Russian sanctions until after potential changes in U.S. leadership, potentially impacting European unity in response to Russia’s aggression and broader regional stability.
Source Material
Institute for the Study of War – understandingwar.org
The Kyiv Independent – kyivindependent.com
Kyiv Post – kyivpost.com