"As Ukrainian forces fight in the western Russian region of Kursk, they are encountering a new enemy – elite North Korean servicemen.
On Sunday, Ukrainian infantry and armoued vehicles resumed an offensive in three directions in Kursk, trying to fence their toehold in the district centre of Sudzha that they had seized in August.
By Tuesday, they occupied at least three villages northeast of Sudzha – and inflicted losses on the North Koreans that fight in separate units under Russian command.
“We thinned their ranks – they have losses, although Kim didn’t just send ordinary servicemen,” a Ukrainian soldier told Al Jazeera, referring to North Korean leader Kim Jong Un.Russians keep advancing despite a reported lack of tanks and armored vehicles.
“They keep pushing. The only problem they have is their equipment, they can’t throw it around the way they did three or four months ago,” he said.
But the biggest problem his unit – as well as all of Ukraine’s armed forces – faces is a dire shortage of manpower.
Last week, Ukrainian troops retreated from the eastern town of Kurakhove, which Russian troops claimed control of on Monday.
Russians keep advancing despite a reported lack of tanks and armored vehicles.
“They keep pushing. The only problem they have is their equipment, they can’t throw it around the way they did three or four months ago,” he said.
But the biggest problem his unit – as well as all of Ukraine’s armed forces – faces is a dire shortage of manpower.
Last week, Ukrainian troops retreated from the eastern town of Kurakhove, which Russian troops claimed control of on Monday." AJ
"Roughly 30,000 Los Angeles residents — including celebrities — have been ordered to evacuate their homes as a wildfire engulfs the ritzy Pacific Palisades while another destructive blaze erupted hours later in nearby Altadena on Tuesday night.California Gov. Gavin Newsom declared a state of emergency after touching down in the Pacific Palisades area and meeting with first responders fighting the blaze that has so far torched more than 2,900 acres, according to CalFire.
“By no stretch of the imagination are we out of the woods,” Newsom warned as winds up to 100 mph are expected to increase overnight across the tony enclave — including regions that are “abnormally dry,” according to the US Drought Monitor.
Some residents even fled on foot after ditching their cars in the street — inadvertently creating obstacles for firefighters trying to battle the blaze.
“We looked across and the fire had jumped from one side of the road to the other side of the road,” Kelsey Trainor said.
While the Bravest brainstormed to find a way through the streets that had quickly turned into parking lots, a bulldozer was brought in to help push cars aside while “Police Academy” star Steve Guttenberg came in out of the blue to help drive abandoned vehicles off the road." NYP
"Air defenses destroyed 32 Ukrainian drones over Russian territory overnight, the Defense Ministry in Moscow said on Wednesday.
Saratov Region appeared to be the prime target, with 11 UAVs shot down, the ministry statement said.
Four drones were destroyed in the Kursk and Rostov Regions, three in the Belgorod and Bryansk Regions, two in Krasnodar Region, one in Volgograd Region and four more over the Sea of Azov." RT
"The Russians attacked Ukraine with 64 Shahed attack UAVs and various types of decoy
drones on the night of 7-8 January. Air defence forces shot down 41 Russian drones." Pravada
"Venezuela has broken off diplomatic relations with Paraguay after its president, Santiago Pena, publicly backed the opposition in Caracas and recognized exiled opposition figure Edmundo Gonzalez as the winner of last year’s presidential elections.
According to Venezuelan electoral authorities, President Nicolas Maduro defeated Gonzalez in the presidential ballot last July. However, the opposition – along with most Western countries – claimed the vote was rigged and has put pressure on Maduro to step down." RT
"Venezuela’s leader Nicolás Maduro announced on state television on 7 January the arrest of seven foreigners whom he accused of being "mercenaries", allegedly trying to prevent him from taking the presidential oath.
Maduro claimed that among those detained are two Americans, two Colombian "hitmen", and three "mercenaries from the war in Ukraine" who, according to him, were involved in planning "terrorist acts" ahead of his inauguration scheduled for 10 January." Pravada
"176 combat clashes occurred between Ukraine's Defense Forces and the Russian troops on the frontline, with the most intense fighting taking place in the Pokrovsk and Kursk sectors of the front.
In the Kharkiv sector, the enemy attempted to advance four times near Vovchansk and Tykhe but failed.In the Kupiansk sector, there were three Russian attacks during the day. The Ukrainian forces repelled enemy assaults near Topoli, Holubivka, and Petropavlivka.
In the Lyman sector, the Russian troops launched 14 attacks, attempting to advance near Novoserhiivka, Nadiya, Pershotravneve, Cherneshchyna, Makiivka, Zarichne, Terny, and Ivanivka.
In the Siversk sector, the Ukrainian troops repelled seven enemy attacks near Bilohorivka.
In the Kramatorsk sector, the Russian forces attacked the positions of Ukraine’s Defense Forces seven times in the areas of Vasiukivka, Bondarne, Chasiv Yar, Stupochky, and Bila Hora.
In the Toretsk sector, nine attacks were launched on Toretsk, some with air support.
In the Pokrovsk sector, the Ukrainian defenders stopped 41 Russian assaults in the areas of Tarasivka, Vodiane Druhe, Yelyzavetivka, Promin, Lysivka, Sukhyi Yar, Zelene, Novyi Trud, Pokrovsk, Kotlyne, Novovasylivka, and Nadiivka.
In the Kurakhove sector, Ukraine’s Defense Forces repelled 25 enemy attacks near Sribne, Slovianka, Petropavlivka, Andriivka, Kurakhove, and Dachne.
In the Vremivka sector, the enemy launched 21 assaults on th Ukrainian positions near Yantarne, Kostiantynopolske, Uspenivka, Kostiantynopil, Novosilka, and Pryvilne. Additionally, the Russian forces actively used attack and bomber aviation against settlements and Ukrainian positions.
In the Prydniprovske sector, the Ukrainian forces successfully repelled two enemy assaults.
In the Orikhiv and Huliaipole sectors, the Russian army did not conduct active operations.
In the Volyn and Polissia sectors, no signs of enemy offensive group formations were spotted.
"The operation in Russia’s Kursk region continues, with 32 clashes recorded as well as 146 artillery strikes on settlements and positions of our troops, including six from MLRS," added the General Staff." Ukrin
"Russian forces have seized three Ukrainian villages in Kharkiv and Donetsk oblasts. According to the updated maps of the frontlines, the villages of Ivanivka and Shevchenko in Donetsk Oblast were occupied. The enemy also advanced in the city of Toretsk.
In Kharkiv Oblast, the Russian flag was raised in the village of Lozova." NV
"With each passing day, lame-duck President Joe Biden seems to debase himself and his "legacy" even further as he takes juvenile measures to kneecap the incoming Trump administration and flip off the American public.
True to form, he pulled another fast one on Monday and engineered the transfer of 11 Yemeni detainees—some of them former Bin Laden bodyguards and committed terrorists—to Oman to “re-settle” them.
Are you kidding? There are some people who simply cannot be "re-settled." If you worked for Osama bin Laden, you are one of them." RS
"Resolving the Russia-Ukraine conflict will not be quick or easy and will require Kiev to face the issue of territory, French President Emmanuel Macron has warned.
Speaking to an annual conference of ambassadors at the Elysee Palace on Monday, Macron addressed a number of global issues, including the conflict between Moscow and Kiev.
“The Ukrainians need to hold a realistic discussion on the territorial questions and only they can do that,” the French president said." RT
"Around 1,000 homes have been damaged in the 6.8 magnitude quake that hit a remote
mountainous area. The China Earthquake Networks Center (CENC) said the epicenter was located at a depth of 10km (6.2 miles) in Tibet’s Dingri County, not far from the border with Nepal." RT
"A total of 218 combat engagements have occurred on the frontlines over the past 24 hours.
According to the General Staff, in the Kharkiv direction, Ukrainian troops repelled three attacks in the Vovchansk area.
In the Kupiansk direction, four attacks were reported in the past day. Defense forces repelled assaults near the settlements of Synkivka, Petropavlivka, Topoli, and Zahryzove.
In the Lyman direction, the enemy attacked 13 times, trying to advance near Nadiia, Pershotravneve, Terny, Yampolivka, Zarichne, and Makiivka.In the Siversk direction, the Russians twice attacked the positions of the Ukrainian defenders in the area of Bilohorivka.
In the Kramatorsk direction, five clashes were recorded in the areas of Chasiv Yar, Bila Hora, and in the direction of Stupochky.
In the Toretsk direction, Russia went for eight attacks near Shcherbynivka and Toretsk.
In the Pokrovsk direction, Ukrainian forces held back 41 assaults and offensive attempts by the Russians in the areas of Myroliubivka, Promin, Sukhyi Yar, Pishchane, Kotlyne, Ukrainka, Yasenove, Novoelyzavetivka, Tarasivka, Yelyzavetivka, Lysivka, Zelene, Novyi Trud, and Pokrovsk.
In the Kurakhove direction, the Defense Forces repelled 26 attacks on their positions near Slovianka, Sribne, Andriivka, Petropavlivka, Kurakhove, and Dachne.
In the Vremivka direction, the enemy carried out 13 offensive actions in the areas of Konstantinopol, Yantarne, Dachne, and Kostiantynopolske.
In the Orikhiv direction, Ukrainian defenders repelled an enemy attack near Novodanylivka.
In the Prydniprovia direction, Russian troops twice unsuccessfully stormed Ukraine’s positions.
In the operational zone across Kursk region, the Ukrainian units repelled 94 Russian attacks over the past day. In addition, the enemy launched nine airstrikes involving glide bombs, and also shelled Ukraine’s positions and local settlements 372 times." Ukrin
"Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced his resignation on Monday, saying he intends to step down from the top job and as the leader of Canada’s ruling Liberal Party once a new party leader is chosen
“I intend to resign as party leader, as prime minister, after the party selects its new leader,” the 53-year-old leader told reporters at a news conference in Ottawa on Monday.
Canada’s parliament will be suspended until March 24 while a new Liberal Party leader is chosen, he also said." CNN
"Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has personally taken charge of addressing issues surrounding the 155th Separate Mechanized Brigade 'Anna Kyivska,' journalist Yuriy Butusov reported on Jan. 5, citing sources.According to Butusov, the president received a detailed report on the situation in the brigade. His primary concern involved reports of desertion by several dozen soldiers in France and the unauthorized departure of 1,700 troops during the brigade’s formation in Ukraine.
Ukraine’s top commander, Oleksandr Syrskyy, reportedly blamed the brigade’s leadership for the desertions, saying they “failed to communicate with the troops.” Syrskyy has already dismissed or is in the process of removing the brigade commander, chief of staff, all deputies, and several battalion commanders, Butusov added.
Butusov noted that some of the brigade’s equipment, including modern 155mm Caesar howitzers, VAB armored vehicles, and Leopard tanks, has been reassigned to other units operating along the Pokrovsk front." NV
"A total of 106 combat engagements have occurred along the frontlines in seven directions, as well as in Russia’s Kursk region, where fighting is currently ongoing.
A total of 106 combat engagements have occurred along the frontlines in seven directions, as well as in Russia’s Kursk region, where fighting is currently ongoing.
In the Kharkiv direction, the Russian army hit Okhrymivka with unguided air missiles.
In the Kupiansk direction, the Defense Forces are repelling the invaders' attack near Zahryzove, one attack has already been repelled.In the Lyman direction, Russian troops, with air support, carried out six assault and offensive actions near Nadiia, Tverdokhlibove, Zarichne, Novoserhiivka, and Pershotravneve, and four clashes are ongoing.
In the Siversk direction, the Russian army stormed once today, achieving no gains.
In the Kramatorsk direction, Ukrainian defenders are repelling an enemy assault near Chasiv Yar after having held two back.
In the Toretsk direction, Ukrainian defenders have repelled three attacks near Toretsk, Shcherbynivka, and Krymske while two clashes are still underway.
In the Pokrovsk direction, Russian troops made 36 attempts to push Ukraine’s troops from their positions in the areas of Yelyzavetivka, Vozdvyzhenka, Myroliubivka, Promin, Lysivka, Novyi Trud, Pishchane, Solone, Novovasylivka, Novoyelyzavetivka, and Yasenyve. Ukrainian defenders are holding back the onslaught: 15 attacks have already been repelled. Sixteeen clashes are still in progress.
In the Kurakhove direction, the invaders attacked 18 times near Slovianka, Petropavlivka, Kurakhove, and Dachne, where fighting is ongoing.
In the Vremivka direction, Ukrainian defenders repelled enemy attacks six times near Yantarne, Novyi Komar, and toward Kostiantynopil, two of which are still ongoing.
The Russians dropped guided air bombs on Andriivka, Ulakli, Temyrivka, and Kostiantynopil.
In Kursk region, 42 combat clashes have occurred so far, 12 of which are still ongoing.
In the Kharkiv, Hulyaipole, Orikhiv, and Prydniprovia directions, the Russian army has not conducted any active operations, but is shelling positions of the Defense Forces and civil infrastructure." Ukrin
"Russian forces launched strikes on the city of Kharkiv using Molniya UAVs, damaging an administrative building at an indu
strial site and a house." Pravada
"Russian forces struck a residential high-rise in the Svesa community, Shostka district, Sumy Oblast, with a guided bomb (KAB), destroying an entire section." NV
"President Volodymyr Zelensky has said he would like to attend the inauguration of US President Donald Trump on 20 January, but only if he receives an invitation from Trump." Pravada
"More than 2,600 UK troops and 730 vehicles will take part in exercises on NATO's eastern flank, the country's Defense Ministry said in a statement.
"Leading from the front, the UK is providing the largest contribution of forces with over 2600personnel, and 730 vehicles deploying to NATO’s eastern flank," the ministry said.
According to the statement, the UK’s 1st Division will command all of NATO’s land forces during Exercise Steadfast Dart 25 in Bulgaria and Romania to practice the deployment of the new Allied Reaction Force, which can "rapidly reinforce" NATO’s eastern flank.
Russia has pointed to NATO's unprecedented activity near its western borders. The alliance is expanding its initiatives and says this is being done to contain "Russian aggression." The Kremlin has noted that Moscow is not threatening anyone, but will not ignore actions that are potentially dangerous to its interests." Sputnik
"Chilean President Gabriel Boric has made history as the first Latin American leader to visit the South Pole, reaffirming Chile’s sovereignty claim over part of Antarctica.
Accompanied by Defense Minister Maya Fernandez, Environment Minister Maisa Rojas, and senior military officials, President Boric embarked on the trip on January 2, 2025, departing from Punta Arenas in southern Chile on board a Hercules C-130 military transport plane. His first stop was Chile’s research station on Union Glacier before proceeding to the South Pole.
Later that day, the delegation visited the United States’ Amundsen-Scott South Pole Station, where they spent approximately two hours meeting researchers and observing scientific projects. The presidential office described the visit as occurring “at an important moment for Chile’s scientific endeavors in the region.” RT
"Kiev’s forces targeted a civilian car on Saturday, killing Izvestia reporter AlexanderMartemyanov. Kosarev and the Izvestia reporter were both recording “yet another atrocity” at the scene of a Ukrainian cluster munition strike on a residential area in the Donbass town of Gorlovka on Saturday, Kosarev told RT's Eunan O’Neill on Saturday.
“They attacked the city of Gorlovka with cluster shells and ten people were wounded. Alexander and I and other reporters were on the scene recording everything that happened,” Kosarev said. “Mind you, there was not a single military site in vision,” he added. Moscow has condemned the drone strike that murdered Martemyanov as an act of terrorism. This “deliberate murder of a Russian journalist is yet another brutal crime in the list of [Kiev’s] bloody atrocities,” Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said on Saturday. She slammed Western watchdog organizations for turning a blind eye to Ukrainian war crimes." RT
"On the frontlines in the past 24 hours a total of 179 combat engagements were recorded, with the most intense fighting taking place in the Pokrovsk axis.
In the Kupiansk direction, Russians attacks four times as the defense forces repelled the enemy’s assault attempts toward Zahryzove and Petropavlivka.
In the Lyman direction, the Russian army attacked 16 times. The enemy tried to advance near Pershotravneve, Nadiia, Novoserhiivka, Makiivka, Novoiehorivka, Yampolivka, Terny, Hryhorivka, and Serebryanka Forest.
In the Kramatorsk direction, the Ukrainian military repelled nine enemy attacks in the areas of Chasiv Yar, Bila Hora, Klishchiivka, and Stupochky.
In the Toretsk direction, the Russians performed 11 attacks in the areas of Toretsk, Diliivka, Krymske, and Shcherbynivka.
In the Pokrovsk direction, the Ukrainian military held back 45 offensive attempts toward Myrne, Timofiivka, Baranivka, Myroliubivka, Promen, Lysivka, Zeleny, Novyi Trud, Pokrovsk, Pishchane, Shevchenko, Novo-oleksandrivka, Solone, Novo-olenivka, Kotlyne, and Novovasylivka.In the Kurakhove direction, the Defense Forces repelled 28 assaults. The enemy launched a number of airstrikes on settlements, focusing their main offensive efforts in the areas of Srebne, Petropavlivka, Kostiantynopil, Kurakhivka and Kostiantynopilske.
In the Vremivka direction, the Russians carried out 17 assaults on the positions of the Ukrainian troops near Dachne and Yantarne.
In the Orikhiv direction, Ukrainian troops successfully repelled an enemy attempt to advance in the area of Novodanylivka.
In the Prydniprovia direction, Russian invaders attacked the positions of Ukrainian troops three times. They received a fierce rebuff and suffered losses in the areas of the Zabych and Kozatsky islands.
In the Kursk direction, the Russians stormed the positions of Ukrainian troops 33 times, launched 336 artillery attacks, 17 airstrikes, and 25 KAB glide bombs.
In the Siversk and Huliaipole directions, the enemy ran no active operations.
In the Volyn and Polissia directions, the situation saw no significant changes.
In the areas of Chernihiv and Sumy regions close to the border with Russia, invaders have been actively using artillery and aviation against Ukrainian settlements." Ukrin
"Ukraine’s Defense Forces shot down 61 Russian Shahed one-way attack UAVs and drones of other types. As of 09:00, it was confirmed that 61 Shahed attack UAVs and other types of drones have been shot down over Poltava, Sumy, Kharkiv, Kyiv, Chernihiv, Cherkasy, Dnipropetrovsk, Zhytomyr, and Khmelnytskyi regions." Ukrin
"This is the incredible moment a wounded Ukrainian soldier and his Russian foe emotionally paid their respects to each other as the fighter took his final breaths after being slashed by Putin's serviceman in a knife fight.Bodycam footage filmed by a Ukrainian fighter shows the two men opening fire at each other near the ruins of a blitzed building.
The Ukrainian manages to reach his opponent and grabs the Russian's automatic rifle, leading to a struggle which results in the Putin fighter pulling his knife and viciously slashing his rival in the thigh.
The two fighters can be heard hurling insults at each other, with the Ukrainian warrior angrily telling his enemy: 'You came to [invade] my homeland'.
The Russian soldier wins the bloody blade combat and the Ukrainian fighter falls to the ground after being slashed.
The unidentified defeated fighter, losing blood, sends a message to his mother as he takes his final breaths.
'That's it, Mum. Goodbye'.
The Russian soldier then comes to the wounded fighter and kneels beside him.
'You cut my whole body open', the Ukrainian fighter cries out.
As he lies wounded, the Ukrainian pleads for the Russian to let him die alone and salutes his foe, saying: 'I want to die myself. Thank you. You were the best fighter in the world.
'Goodbye, you were better.'
The Russian fighter - also wounded in the fight - backs off and tells him: 'Goodbye.'
The Russian's knife is clearly visible as he backs off, with blood seen on his face.
The defeated Ukrainian then pulls the pin on his grenade in an attempt to take his own life.
Russian accounts of the incident claim the grenade explosion left the Ukrainian even more wounded, with his hand blown off, but still alive.
He then told the Russian to 'finish me off'.
There have been calls from Russian war channels for the soldier - named Tuta - to be decorated for his bravery." DailyMail
"Russia’s flurry of attacks on Kyiv and elsewhere comes as Ukraine says it shot down an Mi-8 helicopter for the first time with a naval drone.Russia launched a heavy aerial attack on Ukraine hitting the capital, Kyiv, and other regions with a volley of missiles and drones.
Ukraine’s air force said on Tuesday it downed six out of 21 Russia-launched missiles overnight. Russia used 40 drones to attack the country, the air force said on Telegram. Air defense units shot down 16 and 24 more failed to reach targets." AJ
"The Italian government summoned the Iranian ambassador to demand the release of journalist Cecilia Sala, who was arrested without due process or clear charges in Tehran on December 19. Iran responded that Sala will only be freed if Italy releases Mohammad Abedini Najafabadi, an Iranian national arrested by Italy on behalf of the United States on December 16.
Abedini, 38, is a drone expert accused of supplying advanced technology to the Iranian military in defiance of U.S. sanctions. Components provided by Abedini were allegedly used in a January 2024 drone attack by Iran-backed militants that killed three U.S. service members in northern Jordan. Abedini’s company, San’at Danesh Rahpooyan Aflak (SDRA), specializes in creating navigation modules for unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). The company provides these modules to Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), which was designated as a foreign terrorist organization by the U.S. government." Breitbart
"Flight restrictions were twice implemented at Pulkovo Airport in St. Petersburg, Russia, likely due to the threat of drone attacks.
As of 10:30 a.m., the restrictions were lifted. Alexander Drozdenko, governor of Leningrad Oblast, reported a record drone attack on the region, claiming that Russian air defense systems “shot down” four drones.
Departures and arrivals were temporarily halted “to ensure flight safety,” according to the statement. Russian media suggested the disruptions were linked to the drone attack." NV
"The global community is on edge as unverified reports emerge of a mysterious illness sweeping through China, leading to hospitals being overcrowded, which is very similar to an outbreak in China last winter and the hospitals not being ready for such an influx of people.
China has been pinpointed as the origin of the COVID-19 (SARS-CoV-2) virus, whichtriggered a worldwide pandemic after the initial human cases were identified in Wuhan in November 2019.
Presently, unofficial reports from Chinese local media are hinting at a novel ailment, a new strain of the disease, possibly linked to the human metapneumovirus (HMPV), causing severe and sometimes fatal outcomes.
Typically, HMPV results in symptoms akin to a mild cold, but reports suggest that lines of ill children and adults are currently overwhelming China's medical facilities, with fatalities being reported.
The Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention has proposed that influenza might be responsible for the spike in hospital admissions and cases, echoing a similar surge in the UK.
Aboluowang News, a US-based outlet reporting on China, published a statement from a farmer in Hunan Province who claimed that the epidemic was proving lethal." MS
"Over 1,700 soldiers from Ukraine’s newly formed 155th Mechanized Brigade, trained and outfitted with great fanfare in France, deserted before reaching the battlefront, according to Ukrainian journalist Yuriy Butusov.
French President Emmanuel Macron proudly announced the “elite” project alongside Volodymyr Zelensky last June. The brigade was meant to have more than 5,800 troops and be equipped with Leopard tanks and French CAESAR 155 mm howitzers. However members of the unit, also known as “Anne of Kiev,” went AWOL already during drills in France." Sputnik
"Slovak power grid operator SEPS assured that, despite the threats voiced by Prime Minister Roberto Fico, electricity exports to Ukraine will not be interrupted.
Earlier, Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico said the government would discuss measures in response to Ukraine's suspension of Russian gas transit. According to the official, options for stopping electricity supplies to Ukraine and reducing assistance to displaced Ukrainians who found refuge in Slovakia are being considered." Ukrin
"A magnitude 4.5 earthquake has been recorded northeast of Broken Hill in NSW.
The quake was detected at a depth of 10km at 2.50pm local time on Saturday.
Broken Hill is an inland mining town near the border of NSW and South Australia with a population of roughly 17,000 people." MS
"A total of 148 combat engagements have been reported along the frontlines over the past day, with Russian assaults being most intense in the Pokrovsk direction and Kursk region.
In the Kharkiv direction, Ukraine repelled two attacks near Vovchansk.
In the Kupiansk direction, the Russians launched seven attacks. Ukraine’s forces repelled assaults near Kucherivka, Synkivka, and Zahryzove.In the Lyman direction, the invaders attacked 11 times, trying to advance near Nadiia, Makiivka, Hryhorivka, Tverdokhlibove, Yampolivka, towards Cherneshchyna and Zelena Dolyna.
In the Siversk direction, the Russian army twice attacked Ukraine’s positions near Bilohorivka.
In the Kramatorsk direction, 10 clashes were recorded in the areas of Chasiv Yar, Bila Hora, as well as towards Predtechyne and Stupochky.
n the Toretsk direction, Russian troops attacked seven times near Diliivka, Toretsk, and Shcherbynivka.
In the Pokrovsk direction, Ukrainian defenders held back 40 assault and offensive actions in the areas of Vodiane Druhe, Baranivka, Myroliubivka, Promin, Novo-olenivka, Novovasylivka, Ukrainka, Lysivka, Zelene, Novyi Trud, Pishchane, Zvirove, Solone, Kotlyne, and Pokrovsk.
In the Kurakhove direction, Ukrainian defenders repelled 11 attacks near Petropavlivka, Sribne, Kurakhivka, and Shevchenko.
In the Vremivka direction, the Russian army performed 11 offensive attempts against Ukrainian positions in the areas near Yantarne, toward Kostiantynopil, and Novosilka.
In the Orikhiv direction, Ukraine repelled an attack near Novoandriivka. In this section of the front, the invaders actively employed air support.
In the Pridniprovia direction, Russian troops twice unsuccessfully stormed Ukrainian positions.
In the Huliaypole direction, the Russians ran no assault operations.
In the Volyn and Polissia directions, the situation underwent no significant changes.
On the border with Russia in Chernihiv and Sumy regions, the invaders actively employed artillery and aviation, hitting Ukrainian settlements from across the border.
In the operational zone in Kursk region, Ukraine’s troops repelled 41 attacks. The enemy launched three missiles and 15 guided bombs, as well as 357 artillery rounds, on Ukraine’s positions in the area." Ukrin
"Austrian parliament failed to form a ruling coalition in negotiations that have been going on since November. In this regard, Austrian Chancellor Karl Nehammer will resign, as he announced on the X." RBCUkraine
"About 20 drones were spotted over the port of Køge in Denmark. Law enforcement officialshave launched an investigation, The Associated Press reports.
The Danish police are investigating reports of about 20 drones over the port of Køge, located southwest of Copenhagen.
Law enforcement officials said the incident occurred the night before.
The regional police said that when they arrived at the scene, officers could spot four large drones over the pier. According to a witness who called the police, there were about 20 drones in the air, which later disappeared into the Køge Bay at high speed." MS
"President Biden was presented with options for a potential US attack on Iran's nuclear facilities in the scenario that Tehran was deemed by the intelligence community as speeding toward a bomb.Per a Thursday Axios report citing several insider sources, the Biden admin discussions were based on "if the Iranians move towards a nuclear weapon before Jan. 20" and came in "a meeting several weeks ago that remained secret until now."
The internal Biden White House 'scenario planning' discussions were said to have taken place about a month ago. One source tried to caution that "there are currently no active discussions inside the White House about possible military action against Iran's nuclear facilities," Axios noted.
There is an international consensus that Iran has increased its Uranium enrichment to 60%, putting it within easy striking distance of being able to develop a bomb if it wanted to." ZeroHedge
"Renowned Ukrainian neuroscientist Ihor Zyma and his wife, biologist Olesya Sokur, werekilled when debris from a Russian drone struck their home in Kyiv’s Pechersk district during an overnight attack." NV
"The attack resulted in damage recorded in three districts, State Emergency Service (SES)reported. In Bila Tserkva district, four private residential buildings and one utility structure were damaged. A fire broke out in one of the houses, swiftly extinguished by rescuers. In Brovary district, a truck was damaged, resulting in the death of a 25-year-old driver. In Fastiv district, a 22-year-old woman was injured." NV
"On January 2, 2025, three local fishermen discovered a mysterious underwater drone off the coast of the Philippines, sparking serious concerns about national security. They found the drone, believed to be of Chinese origin, on Monday, December 30, in the waters near San Pascual, a town located in Masbate province, which lies in the central part of the Philippines.
The drone, marked with the code “HY-119,” was initially found floating in the water. The fishermen reported the finding to local authorities, who took the drone for further investigation. Experts believe that the drone serves reconnaissance and surveillance purposes, which could have serious implications for the national security of the Philippines.
The drone featured an antenna that could send or receive signals, and a camera, often referred to as an “eye” in this context. Experts believe the camera’s function is for monitoring and reconnaissance, enabling it to capture detailed underwater footage that could help gather intelligence or monitor the movements of vessels in the region." MS
"Despite nearly three years of war, Russian energy has continued to transit unimpeded through Ukrainian territory every day until now, with the taps being firmly closed on New Year’s Day.
Zero Russian gas is flowing to European customers through Ukrainian pipelines for the first time in decades today, confirmation there was to be no last-minute deal to keep the route open, sending energy prices spiking on Tuesday." Breitbart
"140 combat engagements took place at the front, 38 of which were in the Pokrovsk sector.
Kupiansk sector, the Ukrainian Defense Forces repelled seven enemy attacks near Kolisnykivka, Zahryzove, Lozova, and Nova Kruhliakivka.In the Lyman sector, 16 enemy attacks occurred near Novoserhiivka, Tverdokhlibove, Kopanky, Makiivka, Ivanivka, Zelenyi Hai, Torske, Terny, and the Serebrianskyi Forest.
In the Siversk sector, the Russian forces attacked the Ukrainian positions near Serebrianka.
In the Kramatorsk sector, 14 engagements were recorded near Chasiv Yar, Stupochky, and Predtechyne.
In the Toretsk sector, supported by aviation, the enemy carried out seven attacks near Toretsk, Dyliivka, and towards Shcherbynivka.
In the Pokrovsk sector, the Ukrainian defenders repelled 38 assaults in areas near Vozdvyzhenka, Myroliubivka, Lysivka, Novyi Trud, Solone, Kotlyne, Pishchane, Pokrovsk, Novoielyzavetivka, Promin, Zelene, Novoolenivka, Shevchenko, Dachenske, and Novovasylivka.
In the Kurakhove sector, the Ukrainian forces pushed back 26 enemy attacks near Ukrainka, Petropavlivka, and Kurakhove.
In the Vremivka sector, 19 enemy offensives targeted the Ukrainian positions near Dachne, Kostiantynopil, Yantarne, Novosilka, Rozlyv, and Novyi Komar.
In the Orikhiv sector, despite heavy use of Russian bombing aviation, the Ukrainian forces repelled an attack near Novoandriivka.
In the Prydniprovske sector, the Russian invaders launched two unsuccessful assaults near Zabych Island.
In Russia’s Kursk region, the Ukrainian Defense Forces repelled five Russian attacks." Ukrin
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