Summary of the Day:
Ukrainian forces launched renewed offensives in three areas within the Kursk Oblast salient, successfully advancing into several settlements including Berdin, while Russian forces pushed back near Sudzha and Makhnovka. Russian military observers expressed serious concern about Ukraine’s effective integration of electronic warfare and long-range strikes, which has significantly hampered Russian drone operations and defensive capabilities.
In the Pokrovsk region, Russian forces made notable advances, capturing Vozdvyzhenka, Svyrydonivka, and Timofiivka, as part of a larger strategy to potentially envelop Pokrovsk from the northeast. Russian forces appear to be pursuing a dual strategy, exploiting weaker Ukrainian defensive positions while working toward their larger goal of capturing territory up to the Donetsk-Dnipropetrovsk Oblast border.
Picture of the Day:
Ukrainian soldiers fire with a machine gun during shooting training at outdoor firing range in Donetsk Oblast. (Roman Chop/Global Images Ukraine via Getty Images)
Beyond Ukraine – The March Towards World War
An Uzbek court sentenced a 39-year-old man to just over four years of restricted freedom for fighting as a mercenary in Russia’s war against Ukraine. The man, who fought in Donetsk and Luhansk regions and admitted to killing ten Ukrainian soldiers, joined Russian forces in 2023 due to financial hardship. While Uzbekistan officially supports Ukraine’s territorial integrity and criminalizes mercenary activities, it maintains close economic and political ties with Russia. This case highlights the complex dynamics between former Soviet states and their responses to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, potentially impacting regional stability and international peace efforts.
The Path to Peace
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky expressed strong optimism about president-elect Donald Trump’s ability to end the war with Russia, praising his strength and “all these possibilities” to pressure Putin into peace talks. The Ukrainian leader emphasized the need for security guarantees within NATO and continued Western support to prevent future Russian aggression, warning that a US exit from NATO would mean “the death of NATO.” Zelensky revealed he had proposed that Ukraine could purchase American weapons using $300 billion in frozen Russian assets, supporting both Ukraine’s defense needs and the U.S. defense industry without relying on U.S. aid. Zelensky noted Trump’s unprecedented influence with European leaders, who always inquire about their interactions, and said he would attend Trump’s January 20th inauguration if personally invited. Despite past tensions, Zelensky has been working to build a positive relationship with Trump, meeting him twice in recent months and speaking favorably of him following his election victory, and while Trump’s team has been critical of unrestricted aid to Ukraine, Zelensky expressed optimism that the war could end faster under a Trump administration and emphasized the importance of diplomatic solutions in 2025.
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz strongly denied claims that he plans to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin before February 23. The denial came after Roderich Kiesewetter, a defense spokesperson for Germany’s opposition Christian Democratic Union, suggested such a meeting would take place. The German government is preparing legal action over these claims. Scholz’s last contact with Putin was a phone call in November 2023, during which he condemned Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and called for Russian troops to withdraw.
Situation On The Land, Sea, and Air in Ukraine
In December 2024, Ukrainian forces targeted over 54,000 Russian positions using drones, with kamikaze drones accounting for 49% of strikes, according to Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi. Both sides have heavily invested in drone technology, with Russia increasing its use of fiber-optic controlled drones. Ukraine has responded by developing its own fiber-optic FPV drones and delivered more than 200,000 domestically-produced drones to front-line units. Syrskyi announced plans to increase drone-capable brigades and finalize a concept for a dedicated unmanned systems brigade.
The pro-Ukrainian guerilla movement ATESH reports that one of their field agents has gathered intelligence on Russia’s secret 28th Aerospace Force Arsenal near Znamenka-1 in Tambov region. The facility stores missiles, space equipment, and launch systems. The agent collected information about the base’s routine operations, equipment, and personal data of service members stationed there. ATESH has previously conducted similar reconnaissance in occupied Crimea, where they located a hidden Russian ammunition depot.
Ukrainian Operations in the Russian Federation – Initiative Russia
Ukrainian forces launched renewed offensive operations in Kursk Oblast, making tactical advances in several areas, with the main action centered around Berdin-Novosotnitsky, where Ukrainian forces entered southern Berdin and now occupy Cherkasskoye Porechnoye, Martynovka, and Mikhailovka, while additional operations took place near Leonidovo, Pushkarnoye, and around Nikolskiy and Alexandriya. Russian military observers suggest these moves could be diversionary tactics rather than a major offensive push, and Russian sources reported Ukrainian assaults near the village of Bolshoye Soldatskoye, northeast of Sudzha. The Russian Defense Ministry claims to have repelled two Ukrainian offensives, though these claims cannot be independently verified, and Russian Deputy Defense Minister Yunus-bek Yevkurov has arrived in Kursk, though the purpose of his visit remains unclear.
Russian forces made advances near Sudzha pushing into western and southern Makhnovka. They also claimed control of Dmitryukov, though Ukrainian President Zelensky reported significant Russian and North Korean losses in the area. Russian forces attempted counterattacks near Leonidovo and Malaya Loknya, with mixed results.
President Zelensky reported that 3,800 North Korean soldiers have been killed or wounded in Ukraine’s Kursk Oblast operations. North Korea deployed approximately 12,000 troops to the region in fall 2024 to counter Ukraine’s August incursion. According to White House spokesperson John Kirby, North Korean units have been conducting ineffective “human wave” attacks, with some soldiers reportedly taking their own lives rather than surrender.
Russian military observers expressed significant concern about Ukraine’s effective combination of electronic warfare (EW) and long-range strikes with ground operations in Kursk Oblast. Ukrainian EW systems have largely prevented Russian drone operations in the area, with only fiber optic-equipped drones showing consistent resistance to the interference. Ukraine appears to be successfully coordinating HIMARS strikes and missile attacks with their ground advances, targeting Russian reinforcement and artillery positions near Bolshoye Soldatskoye and elsewhere. This integration of tactics suggests improved Ukrainian combined arms capabilities, while Russian forces are struggling to adapt to these innovations.
Ukrainian forces launched drone attacks on the Russian cities of Taganrog and Millerovo in Rostov Oblast. Russian officials claim they intercepted 37 drones, though some falling debris reportedly damaged residential areas. The attacks appeared to target nearby airfields.
A Ukrainian missile strike near Lgov, Kursk Oblast on December 30 reportedly killed Russian Lt. Colonel Valery Tereshchenko, Communications Head of the 76th Airborne Division. Ukrainian sources claim Storm Shadow missiles hit a command post, killing eight senior commanders and wounding 20 personnel.
Kharkiv Front – Initiative Russia
Russian forces conducted limited attacks near the cities of Starytsya and Vovchansk, northeast of Kharkiv City. Ukrainian military spokesperson Major Viktor Trehubov reported that Russian troops are operating in small groups near Vovchansk to attack and secure positions.
Luhansk Front – Initiative Russia
Kupyansk
Russian forces attacked near Kupyansk but made no confirmed advances, though Russian sources claim progress near Zapadne. Fighting continued near Petropavlivka, northeast of Kupyansk. Local official Andriy Besedin reported Russian forces are using glide bombs, rocket systems, and drones to strike Kupyansk, with the front line just two kilometers from the city center.
Borova
Russian forces advanced northwest of Lozova near Borova, using a company-sized mechanized assault. Additional Russian attacks occurred near multiple settlements including Zahryzove, Nadiya, Pershotravneve, Novoserhiivka, Novoyehorivka, Tverdokhlibove, and Makiivka. Ukrainian forces reported damaging two Russian armored vehicles during an assault near Zahryzove.
Lyman
Russian forces attacked multiple locations in the Lyman direction targeting areas near Yampolivka, Terny, Zarichne, and the Serebryanske forest area near Kreminna, but made no confirmed advances.
Donetsk Front – Initiative Russia
Siversk
Russian forces attacked in the Siversk direction but made no advances.
Chasiv Yar
Ukrainian forces recaptured positions along the Siverskyi Donets Donbas Canal near Chasiv Yar on January 2, while Russian forces continued offensive operations in and around Chasiv Yar, Klishchiivka, Bila Hora, and Stupochky today. Russian forces may increase efforts to capture the Chasiv Yar Refractory Plant in central Chasiv Yar.
Toretsk
Russian forces made small advances along several streets in Toretsk (Kutuzova, Saratovksa, and Kosmonavtiv) while conducting operations near Dyliivka, Krymske, and Shcherbynivka. Russian forces have increased their attack group size from 5 to 20 soldiers, using fog for cover, though poor weather is hampering their logistics in the area.
Pokrovsk
Russian forces continued offensive operations around Pokrovsk with reported advances near Kotlyne and attempts to cut off the T-04-06 Pokrovsk-Mezhove highway, capturing several settlements including Vozdvyzhenka, Svyrydonivka, and Timofiivka, while also pushing into southeastern Yelyzavetivka. Fighting occurred in numerous surrounding areas including Baranivka, Myrne, Yelyzavetivka, Timofiivka, Promin, Novooleksandrivka, and several other settlements, with Russian forces reportedly suffering up to 400 casualties daily but maintaining their assault tempo despite using minimally trained troops. They are conducting heavy artillery and air strikes on Pokrovsk and Myrnohrad infrastructure, though their drone operations are being hampered by winter weather conditions. This offensive appears aimed at encircling Pokrovsk from the northeast, with recent advances suggesting Russian forces are creating a salient for this purpose, choosing to advance through less defended settlements along the Vozdvyzhenka-Yelyzavetivka-Myrne-Razine line rather than attacking the heavily defended urban areas of Novoeconomichne and Myrnohrad.
Russian forces appear to be pursuing a dual strategy around Pokrovsk, targeting weaker Ukrainian defensive positions to the east and south while working toward their larger goal of capturing territory up to the Donetsk-Dnipropetrovsk Oblast border. This approach aligns with Putin’s apparent directive to seize additional territory even if tactically insignificant, rather than focusing solely on capturing Pokrovsk itself. Russian forces are likely to continue this opportunistic advance in areas where Ukrainian defenses are weaker, while maintaining pressure on their long-term objective of reaching the administrative boundaries of Luhansk and Donetsk oblasts.
Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi announced plans to strengthen Ukraine’s 155th “Anne of Kyiv” Mechanized Brigade with drones following reports of problems within the unit. The brigade, a NATO-backed project with about 5,800 troops, has faced challenges including alleged desertions and organizational issues. According to media reports, over 1,700 soldiers went AWOL between March and November, including about 50 in France where some troops were training. The unit, deployed near Pokrovsk in November, reportedly suffered losses due to insufficient equipment and training. President Zelensky is said to be overseeing an investigation into these issues. Of note, less than 2,000 of the brigade’s troops received training in France, and most had minimal prior military experience.
Kurakhove
Russian forces advanced in the Kurakhove area capturing Petropavlivka and making gains southeast of Dachne. Fighting continued around Kurakhove, Slovyanka, Kostiantynopil, Yantarne, Kostiantynopolske, and Zelenivka. Russian forces are using armored vehicles only for troop transport in this area, not for assault or fire support, while employing fiber-optic drones.
Velyka Novosilka
Russian forces continued attacks near Velyka Novosilka attacking along the Velyka Novosilka-Hulyaipole road. While a claimed Russian advance near Neskuchne remains unconfirmed, Russian forces continued assaults near Novyi Komar, north of Velyka Novosilka.
Zaporizhia Front – Initiative Russia
Russian forces attacked in western Zaporizhia Oblast near the settlements of Novodanylivka, Bilohirya, and Mala Tokmachka, but made no confirmed advances. A Ukrainian drone strike killed Sergey Melnikov, Chief of Staff of the North Ossetian “Storm Ossetia” battalion, on the Vasylivka-Tokmak highway on December 29.
Kherson (Dnipro River) Front – Initiative Russia
Russian forces attacked near Zabych and Kozatskyi islands near Kherson City but made no advances.
Ukraine News
Russia launched two major drone attacks against Ukraine: First, 30 Shahed drones on January 4, with Ukraine downing 14 and disabling 16 through electronic warfare. Later, overnight, Russia launched 103 drones from Bryansk, Oryol, and Rostov regions. Ukrainian forces shot down 61 drones across nine oblasts while 42 were disabled. The attacks damaged infrastructure in Zaporizhia Oblast and houses in Kharkiv Oblast from falling debris.
In the first week of 2025, Russia launched a massive aerial assault on Ukraine, deploying over 630 drones, 740 guided aerial bombs, and 50 missiles. President Zelensky reported that these weapons contained more than 50,000 foreign-made components, with a single overnight attack of 103 Shahed drones containing 8,755 foreign parts. While Ukraine’s Air Force intercepted 61 drones, with 42 others reported as “lost,” the attacks caused significant damage to residential buildings and infrastructure, resulting in civilian casualties. Zelensky called for stronger sanctions on Russia’s supply chains and increased military support for Ukraine’s air defense systems.
Innocent Victims Of War
The casualty count of civilians in the past 24 hours: (Russian War Crimes)
DEATHS: 1 INJURIES: 36
Russian forces struck Semenivka, a border town in Chernihiv Oblast, with guided aerial bombs targeting residential areas. The attack injured nine people, including two children ages 8 and 13, and damaged apartment buildings, houses, a hospital, and other infrastructure.
Russian forces struck the village of Svesa in Sumy Oblast with a guided aerial bomb, destroying part of a residential building and injuring 10 people, including two children.
Four people were injured in the town of Sloviansk and one person was injured in the village of Oleksiyevo-Druzhkivka, both in Donetsk Oblast.
A 74-year-old man was killed by Russian shelling near Kupiansk in Kharkiv Oblast.
Three people were injured in a Russian attack on the town of Nikopol in Dnipropetrovsk Oblast.
Russian forces attacked 34 settlements in Kherson Oblast, including the city of Kherson, injuring nine people.
The aftermath of a Russian guided bomb attack on the town of Semenivka in Chernihiv Oblast. (Viacheslav Chaus/Telegram)
Life in Russian Occupied Ukraine
Ukrainian intelligence reported that the Kraken unit killed Sergei Melnikov, chief of staff of Russia’s Storm Ossetia battalion, and his driver in occupied Zaporizhzhia Oblast on December 29. The attack occurred on the Vasylivka-Tokmak highway using FPV drones after intelligence gathered information about Melnikov’s travel patterns.
Russia News
Russia has vowed retaliation after accusing Ukraine of firing US-supplied ATACMS missiles at the Belgorod region, claiming all missiles were intercepted. President-elect Trump has expressed strong opposition to Ukraine’s use of these weapons, which have a range of 300 kilometers.
In a stark revelation about the human cost of Russia’s war in Ukraine, over 50,000 Russian families have contacted Ukraine’s “I Want to Find” project seeking information about missing relatives who were fighting in Ukraine. According to Bohdan Okhrimenko, who heads Ukraine’s Coordination Headquarters for the Treatment of Prisoners of War, the actual number of missing Russian soldiers likely exceeds 100,000. Russian deputy defense minister Anna Tsivileva confirmed that 48,000 families have submitted DNA samples to Russian authorities. Okhrimenko suggests Russia is deliberately avoiding identifying dead soldiers to evade paying compensation to families, while commanders continue receiving funding for missing troops.
Russian War Losses (Today/Total)
Troops +1550
798040 |
Tanks 14
9700 |
Artillery +62
21665 |
Arm. Veh. +45
20164 |
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