'We want the end of the war — not the end of Ukraine,' Zelensky says in New Year address

"President Volodymyr Zelensky said Ukraine is doing everything possible to achieve peace but will not accept a deal that compromises the country’s survival, in a New Year address delivered from Kyiv.

"We want the end of the war — not the end of Ukraine," Zelensky said, adding that Ukrainians are exhausted but not prepared to surrender.
"Does that mean we are ready to surrender? Those who think so are deeply mistaken," he added. "And clearly, over all these years, they still have not understood who Ukrainians are. A people who have held on through 1,407 days of a full-scale war. Just take in that number. That is longer than the Nazi occupation of many of our cities during World War II."
Zelensky said a peace agreement is "90 percent ready," but warned that the remaining issues are decisive. "Those 10% contain, in fact, everything," he said, calling them "the ten percent that will determine the fate of peace, the fate of Ukraine and Europe." KI

Strong M6.0 earthquake hits near the east coast of Honshu, Japan

"The epicenter was located 91 km (56 miles) east of Noda (population 4 201), 95 km (59
miles) east of Kuji (population 34 418), and 155.2 km (96.4 miles) east-northeast of Morioka (population 290 700), Iwate Prefecture, Japan.
According to USGS PAGER, about 381 000 people are estimated to have felt light shaking (MMI IV), and around 3,202,000 people weak shaking (MMI II–III)." W

149 clashes on frontline

"As many as 149 combat clashes between the Ukrainian Defense Forces and Russian invaders were recorded along the frontline.
Russian aircraft struck Velykomykhailivka in the Dnipropetrovsk region, as well as Zaliznychne, Boikove, Rizdvianka, Vozdvyzhivka, Sviatopetrivka, Zaporizhzhia, and Orikhiv in the Zaporizhzhia region.

Ukraine's aviation and artillery forces hit four areas of concentration of enemy personnel, weapons, and military equipment, two command posts, one artillery system, one warehouse, and one UAV control point.
In the Northern Slobozhanshchyna and Kursk sectors, the enemy carried out three airstrikes, dropping eight guided aerial bombs, and conducted 68 shelling attacks, including two using MLRS.
In the Southern Slobozhanshchyna sector, Russian forces launched eight attacks near Vovchansk, Vovchanski Khutory, Starytsia, and toward Izbytske and Lyman.
In the Kupiansk sector, four combat clashes took place. Ukrainian defenders repelled Russian assaults outside Bohuslavka, Pishchane, and Shyikivka.
In the Lyman sector, the enemy attacked Ukrainian positions ten times, attempting to break through defenses near Zarichne, Novoselivka, Yampil, and toward Novoserhiivka, Drobysheve, Stavky, and Druzheliubivka.
In the Sloviansk sector, Ukrainian forces stopped three enemy assaults near Dronivka and toward Platonivka.
No offensive actions by Russian troops were recorded in the Kramatorsk sector.
In the Kostiantynivka sector, the enemy carried out 18 attacks near Oleksandro-Shultyne, Shcherbynivka, Pleshchiivka, Kleban-Byk, and toward Kostiantynivka, Stepanivka, Novopavlivka, and Sofiivka.
In the Pokrovsk sector, Ukrainian defenders repelled 35 Russian assault actions near Rodynske, Chervonyi Lyman, Rivne, Pokrovsk, Myrnohrad, Kotlyne, Udachne, Molodetske, Filiia, and toward Sukhetske, Hryshyne, and Novopavlivka.
In the Oleksandrivka sector, Russian forces launched 12 attacks near Yalta, Sichneve, Vyshneve, Pryvillia, Zlahoda, Rybne, and toward Dobropillia, Oleksandrohrad, and Danylivka.
In the Huliaipole sector, Ukrainian forces stopped 24 attempts by the enemy to advance near Solodke, Huliaipole, Bilohiria, and toward Varvarivka.
In the Orikhiv sector, the enemy did not conduct any offensive actions.
In the Dnipro River sector, Russian troops made two unsuccessful attempts to approach Ukrainian positions." Ukrin

Inside Obukhiv’s high-stress draft patrols: An NV report from Ukraine’s mobilization front

"As Ukraine ramps up its wartime mobilization, NV spent several hours with a Territorial Recruitment Center (TCC) patrol team in Obukhiv — a town just south of Kyiv — to witness how conscripts are identified, how draft summonses are delivered, and why many of the officers carrying out these controversial orders are combat veterans who would rather be back at the front.

From 5 a.m. until noon, we shadowed a standard notification unit: two soldiers and two police officers. They staffed a checkpoint, stopped men of military age, checked IDs, and issued draft notices — all while fielding daily confrontations, distrust, and the recurring insult: “You should be out fighting instead.”
Even with permission from the head of the Obukhiv TCC, gaining access wasn’t easy. Officials initially kept us at arm’s length, citing concerns about “disrupting mobilization.” Officers say nearly every encounter ends in conflict.
During one stop, Cherkaskyi was called to verify a case where the database flagged a driver for failing to update his records. A summons was issued on the spot.
There’s no official daily quota, but there is a general plan, Cherkaskyi said. “If someone comes up in our system as ‘of interest,’ they’re called in. If we find a violation, we bring them to the TCC to verify it. If confirmed, a case file is opened.”
If a person is eligible for mobilization and medically fit, he added, they may be called up for service. In the Obukhiv district alone, hundreds are mobilized each month." NV

Russia expands year-round conscription, moves to call up more reservists

"Russia is stepping up forced mobilization of reservists. Kremlin’s current mobilization drive — likely aimed at deploying these reservists against Ukraine — highlights growing difficulty in sustaining its recruitment needs." NV

Three killed in Sweden as Storm Johannes sweeps across Nordic countries

"A powerful winter storm named Johannes swept across the Nordic countries over the

weekend, killing three people in Sweden and leaving hundreds of thousands without electricity across Sweden, Norway, and Finland. 

Sweden’s Meteorological and Hydrological Institute (SMHI) issued widespread alerts for strong winds as the system moved north. The storm, known as Hannes in Finland, also caused major travel disruptions, grounding flights and halting rail and ferry traffic." W

Russians shell Kostiantynivka with tube artillery, civilian killed

"In Ukraine’s Donetsk region, Russian invaders shelled the town of Kostiantynivka with tube artillery, killing a civilian." Ukrin

Iranian protests expand beyond economy as students demand freedom, end to regime rule

"University students in different cities in Iran joined protests against the regime Tuesday by

chanting slogans that included “student, be the voice of your people,” and “death to Islamic Republic.”
The protests began Sunday in downtown Tehran as the Iranian currency hit a new low, but they have since expanded in size and scope, moving beyond the narrower cause of the economy to "freedom and equality" and an end to the regime, evident in the slogans protesters are chanting.
Many shop owners in two major malls in downtown Tehran and in other cities have closed their stores and joined the demonstrations, as severe uncertainty remains in the country’s currency trade market following a sharp decline in the value of the rial, the national currency.
Amid the widespread protests and the currency plunging to a new record low, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian accepted the resignation of the head of the country's Central Bank on Monday, IRNA reported." msn

5.5 Earthquake - southwest of Isen, Kagoshima-ken, Japan

"A strong magnitude 5.5 earthquake occurred in the East China Sea near Tokuno Shima island,

Japan, in the afternoon at 5.12 pm local time (GMT +9). The depth of the quake could not be determined, but is assumed to be shallow.
The quake was felt widely in the area. The shallow depth of the quake caused it to be felt more strongly near the epicenter than a deeper quake of similar magnitude would." VD

'Bribes For Votes' Scheme Uncovered In Ukraine Parliament Involves Members Of Zelensky's Party

"Ukraine’s anti-corruption authorities have announced charges against members of an

organized crime group that operated in the Verkhovna Rada.
Among the suspects are five members of parliament from Volodymyr Zelensky’s party.
According to investigators’ findings, MPs were paid to influence decisions made in the legislative chamber in a persistent and well-organized manner.
In an official statement posted on Telegram, NABU announced that, in cooperation with SAP, an undercover investigation had identified an organized criminal group that included serving members of Ukraine’s parliament.
The investigation’s findings indicate that members of this group accepted illegal benefits in exchange for votes in the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine." ZH

5.3 Earthquake - Departamento de Chuquisaca, 75 km northeast of Villamontes, Bolivia

"A strong magnitude 5.3 earthquake hit 75 km (47 mi) away from Villamontes, Departamento de Tarija, Bolivia, in the afternoon at 4.26 pm local time (America/La Paz GMT -4). The quake had a great depth of 547 km (340 mi) and was not felt (or at least not reported so)." VD

142 clashes along frontline

"In the Northern Slobozhanshchyna and Kursk sectors, the enemy conducted two air strikes, dropped five aerial bombs, and carried out 60 shelling attacks on Ukrainian positions and populated areas, including two attacks using multiple-launch rocket systems.
In the Southern Slobozhanshchyna sector, Ukrainian troops repelled eight enemy attacks near the settlements of Vovchansk, Vovchanski Khutory, Starytsia, and toward Izbytske and Lyman.

In the Kupiansk sector, the enemy made four attempts to dislodge Ukrainian units from their positions in the directions of the settlements of Bohuslavka, Pishchane, and Shyikivka. One battle is still ongoing.
In the Lyman sector, Russian forces carried out 10 attacks, attempting to advance near the settlements of Zarichne, Novoselivka, Yampil, and toward Novoserhiivka, Drobyshcheve, Stavky, and Druzheliubivka.
In the Sloviansk sector, Ukrainian defenders repelled three enemy attacks near Dronivka and toward Platonivka.
No enemy offensive actions were recorded in the Kramatorsk sector.
In the Kostiantynivka sector, the enemy attempted to break through Ukrainian defenses 17 times near Oleksandro-Shultyne, Shcherbynivka, Pleshchiivka, Kleban-Byk, and toward Kostiantynivka, Stepanivka, Novopavlivka, and Sofiivka.
Throughout the day in the Pokrovsk sector, Russian forces carried out 28 assault and offensive actions near the settlements of Rodynske, Chervonyi Lyman, Rivne, Pokrovsk, Myrnohrad, Udachne, Molodetske, Filiia, and toward Sukhetske, Hryshyne, and Novopavlivka. Fighting is currently ongoing in three locations.
In the Oleksandrivka sector, Ukrainian defenders stopped 11 enemy attacks near the settlements of Yalta, Sichneve, Vyshneve, Pryvillia, Zlahoda, Rybne, and toward Oleksandrohrad and Danylivka. Velyka Mykhailivka was hit by an air strike.
In the Huliaipole sector, 22 combat engagements were recorded near the settlements of Solodke, Huliaipole, Bilohiria, and toward Varvarivka. Two engagements are still ongoing. Enemy air strikes targeted Zaliznychne, Boikove, and Sviatopetrivka.
In the Orikhiv sector, the enemy conducted no offensive actions throughout the day but carried out guided aerial bomb strikes on the settlements of Orikhiv and Zaporizhzhia.
In the Prydniprovske sector, Russian troops made two attempts to advance near the Antonivskyi Bridge but failed." Ukrin

Ukrainian drone attack on Putin residence

"Russian officials have denounced a Ukrainian drone attack on President Vladimir Putin’s

state residence as an act of “state terrorism,” saying it sought to sabotage ongoing peace efforts between Moscow and Washington.
Moscow revealed late on Monday that the Ukrainian military had fired a barrage of 91 long-range kamikaze drones overnight at Putin’s residence in Novgorod Region. All of the UAVs were downed by air defenses. The Kremlin said the “reckless terrorist actions” by Ukrainian forces “will, naturally, not be without consequences, [without] the most serious response.” US President Donald Trump said he was “very angry” about the attack. Ukrainian leader Vladimir Zelensky has strongly denied the attack." RT

5.1 Earthquake - Solomon Sea, 116 km south of Kokopo, East New Britain Province, Papua New Guinea

"A strong magnitude 5.1 earthquake occurred in the Solomon Sea near the coast of Papua New
Guinea in the evening at 9.40 pm local time (GMT +10). 

The depth of the quake could not be determined, but is assumed to be shallow.

The quake was reported felt by some people near the epicenter." VD

136 clashes on front lines

"136 combat engagements were recorded between Ukraine's Defense Forces and Russian invaders along the front line.
In the Northern Slobozhanshchyna and Kursk sectors, Ukrainian troops repelled two enemy assaults. In addition, the enemy carried out 68 shelling attacks on the positions of Ukrainian forces and populated areas.
In the Southern Slobozhanshchyna sector, Ukrainian defenders repelled nine attacks near Vovchansk, Starytsia, Prylipky, and toward the settlement of Izbytske.
In the Kupiansk sector, the enemy made five attempts to dislodge Ukrainian units from their positions near the settlement of Pishchane and toward Petropavlivka.
In the Lyman sector, the enemy carried out nine attacks, trying to advance in the areas of Kolodiazi, Zarichne, and toward Yampil. Three combat engagements are still ongoing.
In the Sloviansk sector, Ukrainian troops repelled two enemy attacks near Dronivka, with one more battle still underway.
No offensive actions by the enemy were recorded in the Kramatorsk sector.
In the Kostiantynivka sector, the enemy attempted 16 times to break through Ukrainian defenses in the areas of Oleksandro-Shultyne, Shcherbynivka, Pleshchiivka, Yablunivka, Rusyn Yar, and toward Kostiantynivka and Sofiivka.
Throughout the day in the Pokrovsk sector, the aggressor carried out 40 assault and

offensive actions in the areas of the settlements of Pankivka, Chervonyi Lyman, Rodynske, Myrnohrad, Novoekonomichne, Pokrovsk, Kotlyne, Udachne, Molodetske, Novoserhiivka, and toward Filiia. Fighting is currently ongoing at four locations.
According to preliminary estimates, Ukrainian forces neutralized 130 occupiers in this sector, including 70 killed. Eleven enemy motor vehicles and four UAV control antennas were destroyed. In addition, a tank, three more vehicles, four UAV control points, and 14 personnel shelters were damaged.
In the Oleksandrivka sector, Ukrainian defenders stopped 12 enemy attacks in the areas of the settlements of Tovste, Oleksandrohrad, Verbove, and Rybne.
In the Huliaipole sector, 22 combat engagements were recorded near the settlements of Solodke, Huliaipole, and Bilohiria. Three engagements are still ongoing.
In the Orikhiv sector, the enemy have launched two attacks near Stepove and Shcherbaky since the beginning of the day." Ukrin