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

Missile flies into house and does not explode in Ivano-Frankivsk Oblast

"A missile flew into a house and did not explode in a village in Ivano-Frankivsk Oblast during the massive attack by Russia." Pravada

Dozens of Missiles Blast Ukraine Again, Widespread Power Cuts

"Ukraine has been hit with a "massive" attack of over 120 missiles across the country and
cutting electricity in the west...The capital of Kyiv also saw limited strikes, and is still facing rolling blackouts and even bouts of water shortages. ." Breitbart

Belarus shoots down Ukrainian missile

"Belarusian forces intercepted and destroyed a Ukrainian S-300 anti-air missile the Defense
Ministry said.

According to the MOD, parts of the missile fell on agricultural land near the village of Gorbakha in the country’s southwestern Brest Region, which shares a border with Ukraine. There were no casualties." RT

Global shipping insurers to scrap coverage for Russia, Ukraine and Belarus

"A group of companies known as P&I (protection and indemnity) clubs that offer insurance for the majority of the world’s ocean-going ships will stop providing war risk coverage in Russia, Ukraine and Belarus from January 1, according to notices on the groups’ websites." RT

Russian ammunition storage points in Kadiivka detonate for more than 20 hours

"Ukrainian Armed Forces targeted Russian ammunition storage points in Kadiivka, Luhansk
Oblast, .....the ammunition has been detonating for almost a day." Pravada