Russian invaders attempt to storm Soledar but suffer losses and retreat

"The enemy has once again made a desperate attempt to storm the city of Soledar from
different directions and has cast the most professional detachments of the Wagner Group into battle.

At the same time, thanks to the courage of our defenders and the skillful and competent use of their weapons, the enemy has suffered significant losses and has once again retreated, despite the enemy’s propaganda claims about the alleged capture of Soledar." Pravada

Ex-Soviet state refuses to return weapons to Ukraine

"Georgia is refusing to hand back Kiev-supplied weaponry amid the conflict with Russia, the
Ukrainian chargé d’affaires has claimed. Ukraine also asked Georgia to provide US-made Javelin anti-tank launchers. The potential transfer was not only “approved by the US,” but Tbilisi has also received an offer from Washington to replace its Javelin stock “with newer systems,” the diplomat claimed." RT

Explosions rock Russian-captured Hydromash plant in Melitopol for several hours

"Melitopol, Zaporizhzhia Oblast, has reported that explosions have occurred overnight at the
Hydromash industrial machinery manufacturing plant which had been captured by Russian forces.

The rumbling lasted for several hours, an incendiary wave broke the windows of neighbouring houses, and smoke was still billowing over the plant in the morning." Pravada

 

Russians use prohibited incendiary ammunition to attack Kherson city

 "Russian invaders shelled the city of Kherson with prohibited incendiary ammunition...."
Pravada

Ukrainian powerlifting star killed in Donetsk fighting

"The Ukrainian Strongman Federation has announced the death of former champion Andrey Dmitriev, who was reportedly killed in fighting near Bakhmut/Artyomovsk." RT

Russia Blames Ukraine For Shelling Frontlines, Hours Into Christmas Ceasefire

"There are already signs that the Russia-declared unilateral ceasefire is crumbling, as Moscow
is accusing Ukrainian front-lines of unleashing fresh shelling on Russian forces, hours into the ceasefire: 

Russia says Ukraine is shelling Russian military positions during a 36-hour ceasefire, which Kyiv and its allies have dismissed as a sham.

The Russian defence ministry said its positions had come under attack in the Luhansk, Donetsk and Zaporizhia regions but that its troops were observing the ceasefire.

"Four mortar shells were fired at Russian positions by the Armed Forces of Ukraine in the direction of Lyman," it said.

Ukraine's leadership had already essentially said it doesn't plan to respect the ceasefire, calling it a "cynical ploy". ZeroHedge

Russians attack Kramatorsk

"Russian forces carried out a missile strike on the city of Kramatorsk in Donetsk Oblast." Pravada

Zelensky finds excuse to reject Orthodox Christmas ceasefire

"Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky said on Thursday that the Christmas cessation of
hostilities offered by Russia was merely a ruse to improve Moscow’s standing on the battlefield, calling on Russians to overthrow their government instead.

In a video message to Ukrainians, Zelensky said he had offered a “peace plan” to Moscow in December, starting with the withdrawal of all Russian troops from territories claimed by Kiev.  “Now they want to use Christmas as cover, to stop the advance of our boys in Donbass for a bit and bring up their equipment, ammunition and mobilized [troops] to the front,” Zelensky said, claiming this will only result in more Russian casualties. " RT

Putin announces Orthodox Christmas truce

"President Vladimir Putin has ordered the Russian military to impose a cessation in hostilities in Ukraine. Hours earlier, Primate of the Russian Orthodox Church, Patriarch Kirill, had called on both sides of the conflict to cease hostilities in the run-up to, and during, the Orthodox Christmas holiday.

According to the Kremlin, the truce is to last from noon local time on Friday January 6 until midnight on Saturday January 7." RT

Ukrainian forces strike five Russian military personnel concentration areas

"Ukrainian rocket and artillery forces struck two Russian command posts, five military
personnel and equipment concentration areas, an ammunition depot and a UAV control point." Ukrin

Huge Death Toll After US-Supplied Himars Leveled Russian Barracks In Donetsk, Possibly Hundreds Killed

"Russian forces have just suffered what may be their single biggest loss of the war in an
attack, after a Ukrainian strike killed multiple dozens, or possibly hundreds, of newly mobilized troops in the east of the country. Moscow is now pointing to a US role in the devastating attack.

"Russia’s Defense Ministry said Monday that Ukrainian forces used a U.S.-supplied Himars rocket system to destroy a facility used as a base for mobilized troops in the city of Makiivka," The Wall Street Journal reports of the attack in Russian-occupied Donbas." ZH

Ukrainian drone hits energy facility inside Russia

"A Ukrainian drone struck an energy facility in Russia’s Bryansk Region early on Monday,
leaving a nearby village without power, Governor Aleksandr Bogomaz has said." RT

Situation in energy system under control despite Russian attack at night

"The situation in Ukraine’s energy system is completely under control despite the damage
caused by the Russian attack on energy infrastructure on the night of 1-2 January." Pravada

Putin suffers from chronic pain and was being treated for cancer at time of invasion – Danish intelligence

"Danish Military Intelligence Service (FE) believes that Russian President Vladimir Putin is not suffering from a terminal illness, but is experiencing severe chronic pain after several falls and accidents, and this may over time affect his stay in power. FE believes that Putin had previously suffered from a form of cancer and was being treated for it when he started the war, which may have influenced his decision.

FE does not expect Putin to die from the disease he is suffering from. But over time, it may lead to the fact that the Russian elite will want to see a stronger person at the helm." Pravada

Air-raid siren sounds in Ukraine, Russian missile launche

"The head of the Mykolaiv OMA, Vitalii Kim reported that the Russians launched missiles at
Ukraine." Pravada