Ukraine Invasion: Part 36

[MagicFox]

Slava Ukraini 🇺🇦 Thanks as usual to all contributors and lurkers

ISW Key Takeaways
www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/ukraine-conflict-updates

Russian forces conducted another massive series of missile strikes against Ukrainian critical infrastructure.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov reiterated Russia’s unwillingness to commit to genuine negotiations with Ukraine.

Ukraine's Main Military Intelligence Directorate (GUR) Chief Kyrylo Budanov stated that fighting in Ukraine is in a deadlock.

The Kremlin continues to manipulate Russian law to grant the state increasingly broad powers under ambiguous conditions in order to eliminate dissent.

Repeated Ukrainian strikes on legitimate military targets in rear areas in the Russian Federation demonstrate the ineffectiveness of Russian air defenses against drones and exacerbate critiques that Russia cannot defend its own territory.

Ukrainian forces continued counteroffensive operations near Kreminna while Russian forces conducted limited counterattacks along the Svatove-Kreminna line.

Russian forces continued offensive operations in the Avdiivka area as well as around Bakhmut, where the potential culmination of the Russian offensive is likely being expedited.

Russian forces continued to conduct defensive operations in Kherson Oblast.

The Kremlin’s mobilization working group met for the first time on December 29. The forum for criticism of mobilization implementation will likely create friction with the Russian Ministry of Defense.

Russian occupation authorities continue to intensify law enforcement crackdowns in unsuccessful attempts to stamp out partisan pressure in occupied territories.

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Kyiv Indep Telegram

⚡️Wallace: U.K. to support Ukraine with $2.8 billion (https://kyivindependent.com/news-feed/wallace-u-k-to-support-ukraine-with-2-8-billion-in-2023) in 2023.
The U.K. will commit $2.77 billion in aid to Ukraine in 2023, the UK’s Defense Secretary Ben Wallace said.
“Another £2.3 billion worth of support next year, and in that we make sure they have the weapon systems they need, and at the moment, the United Kingdom will go and help them buy it from elsewhere around the world,” Wallace said.

⚡️State Investigation Bureau charges 2 collaborators in Kherson oblast (kyivindependent.com/news-feed/state-investigation-bureau-charges-2-collaborators-with-treason-in-absentia) with treason in absentia for helping Kremlin to extort money from locals and businesses, the State Investigation Bureau said.

⚡️Retired US commander: ‘ATACMS are exactly what Ukraine needs (kyivindependent.com/news-feed/retired-us-commander-atacms-are-exactly-what-ukraine-needs)’.
Ben Hodges, a former commander of the U.S. Army Europe, told Politico that Ukraine needs U.S.-made MGM-140 Army Tactical Missile System (ATACMS) surface-to-surface missiles.

⚡️Media: French court arrests (kyivindependent.com/news-feed/media-french-court-arrests-ukrainian-billionaire-zhevago-considers-extradition) Ukrainian billionaire Zhevago, considers extradition.
A French court on Dec. 28 placed Ukrainian businessman and former lawmaker Kostiantyn Zhevago under arrest until it decides on Ukraine’s request to extradite the billionaire, Ukrainian online newspaper Ukrainska Pravda reported on Dec. 29, citing Ukraine's State Investigation Bureau.

⚡️Defense Ministry: Ukraine ready (kyivindependent.com/news-feed/defense-ministry-ukraine-ready-to-investigate-missile-entering-belarusian-airspace) to investigate missile entering Belarusian airspace.
The Belarusian authorities called it a Ukrainian missile and summoned Ukraine’s ambassador to the Foreign Ministry in Minsk to file a formal protest. [seems to have been an air defense missile]

⚡️Zelensky signs (kyivindependent.com/news-feed/zelensky-signs-law-to-exempt-power-generator-starlink-imports-from-taxes) law to exempt power generator, Starlink imports from taxes until May 2023

⚡️Zelensky signs (kyivindependent.com/news-feed/zelensky-signs-media-law-criticized-by-journalist-groups-as-authoritarian) media law criticized by journalist groups as authoritarian.
The bill has been criticized by journalist organizations as an attempt to introduce censorship. “The coercive regulation envisaged by the bill and in the hands of a regulator totally controlled by the government is worthy of the worst authoritarian regimes. It must be withdrawn. A state that would apply such provisions simply has no place in the European Union,” Ricardo Gutierrez, general secretary of the European Federation of Journalists, said in July.

⚡️Poltava mayor charged (kyivindependent.com/news-feed/poltava-mayor-charged-with-divulging-positions-of-ukrainian-troops) with divulging positions of Ukrainian troops.

⚡️Bloomberg: US considers sending Bradley (kyivindependent.com/news-feed/bloomberg-us-considers-sending-bradley-fighting-vehicles-to-ukraine) fighting vehicles to Ukraine.
The U.S. government is weighing sending Bradley Fighting Vehicles to Ukraine as part of a further package of military support, people familiar with the matter told Bloomberg. A final decision hasn’t yet been made. When the vehicles would be operational is also unclear, said the people, who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss the sensitive issue.

⚡️ Air defense downs (kyivindependent.com/news-feed/air-defense-downs-16-russian-kamikaze-drones-overnight-on-dec-30) 16 Russian kamikaze drones overnight on Dec. 30.
Russia attacked Ukraine with 16 Iranian-made Shahed drones overnight on Dec. 30, Ukraine’s Air Force reported. Ukraine’s air defense downed all of the drones.

⚡️ UK provides (kyivindependent.com/news-feed/uk-hands-ukraine-more-than-1-000-metal-detectors-100-bomb-de-arming-kits) Ukraine with de-mining equipment.
The U.K. has supplied Ukraine with over 1,000 VALLON metal detectors and 100 bomb de-arming kits to help clear the country’s minefields and make safe reclaimed territory, civilian homes, and infrastructure, the U.K. government said in a statement on Dec. 30.

UNITED24 Media Telegram

Italy is ready to become a guarantor of a peace agreement on Ukraine, — Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni
In this regard, the Prime Minister of the country is also preparing a visit to Kyiv in February 2023.

⚡️ The Netherlands will no longer automatically grant asylum to citizens of the Russian Federation who evade mobilization – Secretary of the Ministry of Justice of the Kingdom.

The Armed Forces of Ukraine can enter the territory of Russia and conduct military operations there if necessary
This was stated by the Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council Danilov in an interview with the Ukrainian media. “If it becomes necessary for the defense of our country to be where we see fit, we will be there. And we won't ask anyone. And all this talk about not needing to annoy someone there is nonsense,” he stressed.

Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project (OCCRP) announced PMC Wagner leader Prigozhin as "person of the year" in the nomination "organized crime and corruption"
"This year, Prigozhin became a living symbol of the most terrible phenomena in Russia. Dirty money, primal violence, cynicism, and impunity even before Russian law – all derivatives of state-sanctioned corruption are united in his figure," OCCRP said in a statement.
The Project paid special attention to Wagner's PMC, which is "known for the bloody trail it left in conflict zones around the world."
"Wherever Wagner's fighters go, human rights violations will follow them. From Syria to Cameroon, from Somalia to Mali, they are accused of rape, robbery, murder, and torture," OCCRP said

A detained Russian spy among German intelligence officers had access to a huge amount of top-secret information about the war in Ukraine, including snatches of intercepted conversations and satellite images, – The Wall Street Journal
Karsten L., a high-ranking German intelligence officer, was detained on December 21 on suspicion of spying for the Russian Federation.
He worked in the technical intelligence department and was able to transmit to the Russians data not only from German but also from British and American intelligence.

Kazakhstan wants to export its oil to Germany via the Druzhba pipeline, – Bloomberg

The Russians are using fresh X-101 cruise missiles for strikes, Defense Express writes, citing sources
At least one X-101 manufactured in the 4th quarter of 2022 was launched during today's strike on Ukraine. During the shelling on October 22, the Tu-95MS aircraft fired a missile manufactured in the second quarter of this year.

🤝 Zelenskyy has held 352 telephone conversations with heads of states or organizations since the beginning of the war – Office of the President

NPC "Ukrenergo" will receive a grant in the amount of 70 million euros from the Netherlands, an agreement has been signed with the EBRD Special Fund.

The Russian ruble fell to an eight-month low in December due to sanctions and lower oil prices — CNN

Providing Ukraine with the necessary weapons is the fastest way to peace, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said in an interview with the Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung

Russian oligarchs lost more than 93 billion dollars due to the war against Ukraine – Bloomberg

"Racing" drones have become a deadly weapon in the hands of the Armed Forces, – Forbes
Analysts note the cases of effective use of small maneuverable helicopters with an attached warhead, which easily hit the occupants' armored vehicles.
We are talking about the so-called racing FPV drones (FPV – short for First Person View), designed to be piloted by operators wearing glasses, to which the drone transmits images from the high-resolution front camera via Wi-Fi.
Soldiers of the Armed Forces of Ukraine turned them into real kamikaze drones.

Live: Ukraine Telegram

Head of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen said that due to the Russian invasion in Ukraine 2,800 educational institutions were damaged or destroyed, almost six million children witnessed the war.
he European Commission has allocated €100 million to restore destroyed Ukrainian schools.

In the de-occupied territories of Donetsk, Mykolaiv, Kherson and Kharkiv regions, law enforcement officers have already found 1,116 bodies of dead civilians, including 31 children.

❗️90% of residents evacuated from Bakhmut
"Despite the difficult security situation, the evacuation of residents from Bakhmut continues. Almost 90% of residents of the Bakhmut community, which is more than 70 thousand people, have already moved to safer regions or temporarily left the territory of Ukraine. There are 8700 residents who remain in the community and live under constant shelling," said Bakhmut Mayor Oleksiy Reva.

The head of the British agency GCHQ (Government Communications Centre) Jeremy Fleming and the head of the U.S. intelligence Avril Gaines believe that the war in Ukraine has radically changed the principles by which intelligence agencies publish intelligence data

Representative of Ukrainian intelligence Yusov said that Russia and Iran have preliminary agreements on the supply of missiles, but Iran is refraining because of the potential consequences

Zelensky warned that Russian occupants may once again resort to massive shelling this year to make Ukrainians celebrate the New Year in the dark

Washington Post Telegram

5 key takeaways on how Ukraine’s counteroffensives reshaped the war

(www.washingtonpost.com/world/2022/12/29/ukraine-counteroffensives-kharkiv-kherson-takeaways/?utm_campaign=wp_main&utm_medium=social&utm_source=telegram)1. Ukrainian Col. Gen. Oleksandr Syrsky suggested the Kharkiv counteroffensive when the General Staff asked for diversionary operations.

1. U.S. officials were not particularly involved in the planning for the Kharkiv counteroffensive. They were as surprised as the Ukrainians when the Russian lines collapsed.

1. In response to the Kharkiv rout, Russian President Vladimir Putin appointed Gen. Sergei Surovikin as his first overall commander for the Russian war effort.

1. The Americans were deeply involved in helping Ukraine plan for a counteroffensive in the south.

1. Frustration in Kyiv with a lack of progress prompted the Ukrainian government to replace the commander of the Kherson operation in late September. The decision was kept under wraps at the time so as not to provide Russia with any kind of propaganda victory.

• Russian President Vladimir Putin is expected to speak to Chinese President Xi Jinping virtually on Friday to discuss “the most pressing regional affairs,” said Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov.

• Ukraine said that Russia fired 69 missiles and 23 attack drones on Thursday, most of which were intercepted by the country’s air defenses.

• Russia launched air- and sea-based cruise missiles at energy and civil infrastructure facilities across Ukraine on Thursday, the country’s Armed Forces said in a statement.

• Ukraine conducted counteroffensive operations in Kreminna, advancing 1.5 miles the past week, according to Brig. Gen. Oleksiy Hromov, the deputy chief of the Main Operational Directorate of the Ukrainian General Staff.

Very high personnel losses again and slightly more hardware.

That's a great link, thank you

Depressing if not unsurprising reading. At the start, so many people (including me) thought that if only they would hear about what their country was doing they would rise up or do SOMETHING. I mean it's 2022, not the 18th century

How wrong though. They don't care unless it affects them. Even the men running away from draft are only doing it to save their necks, not out of any decent, moral value.

Sanctions have unfortunately just reinforced their victim mentality

And all the while, the genocide of Ukrainians continues

@Ranevskaya Thank you for your answer. It must have been a very hard decision for the Ukrainian woman and her son.

@Ranevskaya Appreciate your unique perspective to this thread. Your contributions will help to build understanding of the Russian perspective.:

I am interested in your thoughts on MissConductUS's link below

"Russians have little sympathy for Ukrainians". Lev Gudkov uses his independent polling institute to investigate what makes Russians tick. Here he talks about the lack of morals in his homeland, the victim mentality and the fear of nuclear war."

It does not paint a sympathetic picture of the Russian mindset and wonder how true you think that is. I get the sense of powerlessness ingrained over generations.

On the news the other day they were reporting how ordinary Russians can't get hold of cash. That ATMs were being turned off and cards suspended as the banks had run out. Is this a result of sanctions? Because having goods in the shops is no comfort if you can't access your money to pay for them.

Also, at the risk of sounding very dim, what's the significance of Ukraine making weapons that can fire 1000km?

Also, at the risk of sounding very dim, what's the significance of Ukraine making weapons that can fire 1000km?

It puts more Russian military targets in the range of their weapons. If you recall, when HIMARS was first introduced, the Ukrainians had a field day because so many high-value targets could be attacked that the Russians had moved out of range for tube artillery. Eventually, the Russians adapted by moving what they could more than 50 miles from the front lines, taking those targets out of HIMARS range.

Now that the Ukrainians have longer range weapons, the Russians will have to react again, keeping them on the back foot. As you move assets further from the battlefield, they become less effective.

Thanks, Obvious really. But too much cheese has turned my brain to cheese.

It's fine, really. If you were unclear about it, I'm sure others are too.

Being able to strike targets within Russia is very bad for Putin and Russian public opinion about the war, so there's that too.

@blueshoes I read the article and have mixed feeling. The figures seem correct, but his interpretations are his own, and he seems to have his own vision and agenda compatible with the western. I would interpret the data differently but it is difficult to explain in a couple of sentences. And I might be wrong.

@Fladdermus No problems with cash withdrawals within the country. Russian issued banking cards stopped working abroad. There have been cases back in February when people got stuck with no money in other countries, or people living abroad unable to recieve the rent. In the same way Western issued cards don't work in Russia, visitors have to bring cash. Russians cannot pay online with Russian issued cards for foreign services like Netflix or Zoom. Those who have relatives in Ukraine cannot transfer money from Russia to Ukraine.

Otherwise banks work fine, Russian issued cards work in Russia. Those who frequently need cross-border money transfers or travel a lot found some ways around those issues.

As for military issues I cannot comment, I am not an expert. My guess is that it would play towards further supporting the narrative about the West being evil and blind about everything

@ReleaseTheDucksOfWar

We are talking about the so-called racing FPV drones (FPV – short for First Person View), designed to be piloted by operators wearing glasses, to which the drone transmits images from the high-resolution front camera via Wi-Fi.

There's at least one bit video doing the rounds appearing to show the "shooters" POV from a drone being driven into the rear of a Russian armoured personnel carrier.

I saw that too. A soldier on top of the APC shot at the drone about four seconds before impact, to no effect. It's almost impossible to hit a moving target while on a moving target. It could have been a Switchblade 300. I think over 1000 of those have been sent so far.

I saw that! I assume they have a payload of explosives attached?

I remember seeing that video. The drone was flying horizontally into the back of the truck at speed which I thought was strange because most drone views are aerial (from top down, not using correct lingo here). So that is an improvised racing drone. Makes sense.

A handful of Russians in the truck where desperately and unsuccessfully trying to shoot it down. The footage cut out at the point of impact but not before you could see a soldier topple back and his legs lift up

Must be terrifying. Not sure what the payload is and whether it is enough to destroy the vehicle and occupants.

and the crop of oligarchs continues to be reaped (unconfirmed)

Observer
@44Observer4
·
10h
The Chief Designer of the #Angara Launch System, Nesterov, has died in Russia. His death continues the death marathon of Russian officials and top managers.

Yes. If it was a Switchblade 300, it's a small warhead, but big enough to kill the men riding on top of the APC.

Here's a video of the Switchblade in use in Ukraine. They are surprisingly small and can be carried in a backpack.

@blueshoes thankyou 🙏

With regards to choosing Russia over Europe...I heard a similar story from my Kherson friends. Two of their 'former' friends who were pro Ukraine at the outset also decided to defect to Russia. They took Russian passports, the money on offer and are now living in Russia with jobs and their kids in school. It is said they took the easy way out. I understand that the life of a citizen in a similar culture where family might also be is far preferable to the life of a refugee. But still, how can you choose the invader who has razed your cities, killed your men and raped your children?

Thanks @MissConductUS

An unsettling article (don't read if nuclear stuff gives you the worries!)

www.bbc.com/future/article/20220804-the-lost-nuclear-bombs-that-no-one-can-find

I remember reading about this sort of stuff before, batshit fucking crazy!

Putin announced Xi Jinping to visit Russia in the new year 🙄

ISW Key Takeaways
www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/ukraine-conflict-updates

Russian forces targeted Kyiv using Iranian-made drones on the night of December 29 to 30.

Russian President Vladimir Putin opened the door for further institutionalized corruption in the Russian Federation.

Russian forces continued to conduct counterattacks along the Svatove-Kreminna line.

Ukrainian forces struck Russian concentration areas in Luhansk Oblast.

Russian forces continued offensive operations in the Avdiivka area as well as in Bakhmut, where the pace of Russian offensive operations may have slowed compared to previous days.

A Russian source claimed that Russian forces conducted ground attacks in Zaporizhia Oblast.

Russian and Ukrainian sources continued to discuss whether and when an imminent second wave of mobilization in Russia will occur.

Russian officials continue to pursue the integration of occupied territories into the Russian Federation.

Putin approved a decree on December 29 that exempts all Russian officials, including members of the military and law enforcement services, from the requirement to make income declarations public.[8] The decree extends to military officials, employees of Russian internal affairs organs, those serving in Rosgvardia and law enforcement positions, employees of the Russian penitentiary system and Investigative System, and individuals seconded to positions in Luhansk, Donetsk, Kherson, and Zaporizhia oblasts.[9] The decree also notably lifts the ban on military officials receiving “charitable” gifts in connection with their participation in hostilities in Ukraine.[10] Russian independent newspaper The Insider noted that this decree could theoretically allow Russian officials involved in the war to seize the private property of Ukrainian residents of occupied areas because such property could be legally classed as “charitable gifts.”[11] ISW continues to report on Putin’s manipulations of domestic law to quash domestic opposition to the war and enable those who support it.[12]

+++

Kyiv Indep Telegram

⚡️ Xi says Beijing ready (kyivindependent.com/news-feed/xi-says-beijing-ready-to-increase-political-cooperation-with-moscow) to ‘increase political cooperation’ with Moscow.
“Against the background of a difficult international situation, China is ready to increase political cooperation with Russia and to be global partners,” Chinese President Xi Jinping said, as reported by Russian state media.

⚡️ Energy giant DTEK says (kyivindependent.com/news-feed/energy-giant-dtek-says-kyiv-to-return-to-only-planned-power-cuts) Kyiv to return to only planned power cuts. [these are considerable though; some people have only 6 hours electricity a day and no fresh water, since their apartments depend on water being pumped up.

⚡️ New program offers free bone (kyivindependent.com/news-feed/new-program-offers-free-bone-repair-implants-to-wounded-ukrainians) repair implants to wounded Ukrainians.

⚡️PM: Ukraine secures (kyivindependent.com/news-feed/pm-shmyhal-ukraine-secures-food-supplies-for-2023-receives-over-31-billion-financial-support) food supplies for 2023, receives over $31 billion financial support.
Despite “the most difficult sowing season in the history of Ukraine”, farmers managed to harvest 60 million tons of crops ensuring food stocks for the next year, Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal said at a cabinet meeting on Dec. 30.

⚡️Official: Russia demolishes (kyivindependent.com/news-feed/official-russia-demolishes-50-multi-story-buildings-in-occupied-mariupol) 50 multi-story buildings in occupied Mariupol.
As of December, 90% of the strategic port city in Donetsk Oblast was destroyed by Russia's brutal siege of the city from February to April 2022. Around 100,000 residents, less than a quarter of the city's pre-war population, still reside in occupied Mariupol, according to Ukrainian authorities.

⚡️Klitschko: Kyiv's population returns (kyivindependent.com/news-feed/klitschko-kyivs-population-returns-to-pre-war-level) to pre-war level.

⚡️IAEA: Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant loses (kyivindependent.com/news-feed/iaea-zaporizhzhia-nuclear-plant-loses-connection-to-back-up-power-line-due-to-shelling) connection to back-up power line due to shelling.

⚡️Reznikov: Russia could take (kyivindependent.com/news-feed/reznikov-russia-could-take-up-to-10-years-to-restore-its-military-after-losses-in-ukraine) up to 10 years to restore its military after losses in Ukraine.

Reznikov warns Russians of 'one week left' before Putin closes borders
(kyivindependent.com/national/reznikov-tells-russians-they-have-one-week-left-before-borders-close)
In a video address on Dec. 30, Ukrainian Defense Minister Oleksii Reznikov warned Russian citizens that Russia's leadership is preparing a new wave of mobilization and plans to close the border within a week.
"I know for a fact that you have about one week left before you still have any choice," Reznikov said, speaking in Russian.
"In early January, the Russian authorities will close the borders to men, declare martial law, and begin another wave of mobilization. Borders will also be closed in Belarus."

⚡️Russia forces (kyivindependent.com/news-feed/russia-forces-russian-passports-on-state-workers-in-occupied-territories) Russian passports on state workers in occupied territories.

⚡️Interior Ministry: 2,200 cases of collaboration with Russia under investigation (kyivindependent.com/news-feed/police-2-200-cases-of-collaboration-with-russia-under-investigation).
First Deputy Interior Minister Yevhen Yenin said on television that since the beginning of Russia's full-scale invasion, 108 sabotage and reconnaissance groups had been exposed in Ukraine.

⚡️ Media: Explosions reported in Dzhankoi airport (kyivindependent.com/news-feed/media-explosions-reported-in-dzhankoi-airport-in-russian-occupied-crimea) in Russian-occupied Crimea.
The Dzhankoi airport is a military airbase currently operated by Russian occupying forces.

Live:Ukraine Telegram

Moldovan President Maia Sandu said she sees no possibility to maintain constructive relations with Russia after everything the Kremlin has done in Ukraine

Judging by satellite images, there is no obvious damage at the Russian airbase "Engels" after the drone attacks on December 26 and 29, but the presence and activity of military aircraft there has been reduced by the Russian Federation

Ukrainian Armed Forces have already liberated 1,884 settlements from occupants
▪️ 15,199 infrastructure facilities have been restored, the same number is in the process;
▪️protection of 297 energy facilities was organized, specialists work 24/7;
▪️protective structures are being built on the border with Belarus - anti-vehicle and anti-personnel barriers, minefields, reinforced concrete sections.

Russia has started the procedure of withdrawal from the Council of Europe treaties, - Russian media

Russian presidential spokesman Dmitry Peskov told journalists that Putin will not communicate with them in the "pre-pandemic format".
He explained that there is "a process of coronavirus mutation, quite strong epidemiological waves of different strains of influenza". Putin's spokesman added that the health of the Russian president is a matter of state security
[Sounds like he isn't going to meet them or take open questions. I wonder if he's using his stand ins? They can regugitate scripted stuff but it'd be harder to handle open questions]

⚡️The main thing for today
▪️Ukraine has received the third batch of Starlink from Poland. They will be sent to "points of invincibility", as well as to support the medical and energy sectors.
▪️The deputy head of the control and investigation department of the Investigative Committee of the Russian Federation, Yevhen Rybakov, has disappeared in Donbas.
▪️Budanov said that from January 5, a new stage of mobilization is planned in Russia. The beginning of a new wave is associated with significant losses at the front and lack of manpower.
▪️Britain has handed over demining equipment to Ukraine. More than 1,000 VALLON metal detectors and 100 bomb disposal kits have been handed over to help clear minefields.
▪️Estonian rescuers sent demining equipment to Ukraine.
▪️Biden signed the US budget for 2023 with big aid for Ukraine.

‼️ Vitali Klitschko: A journalist from Japan was also wounded during the attack on Kyiv. He is being hospitalized by doctors. In total, there are already 8 victims.

[As of 15:21} ⚡️According to preliminary data, 20 cruise missiles were fired at Ukraine. 12 of them were shot down.
This was announced by the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Zaluzhnyi

UNITED24 Media Telegram

The occupiers purposefully turn schools in the temporarily occupied territories into their own military depots — National Resistance Centers
In particular, a similar situation is observed in Zaporizhzhia.
“Warehouses are being created in the basements of front-line schools in the Vasylivsky district. The enemy deliberately turns civilian facilities into military facilities for provocations and the creation of propaganda stories," the CSNB said in a statement.

Delivery of Patriot systems to Ukraine is a psychological break, the negotiations were difficult, – Kuleba
In an interview with RBC-Ukraine, the head of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs emphasized that the decision to supply this type of weapon was not a regular and simple one. According to him, the transfer negotiations were among the most difficult.
"From the first days when we started talking about Patriot with the Americans, we heard "no". And the fact that this happened is another evidence that another taboo has been lifted, another wall has fallen," the minister said.

❗️ Nearly 3,400 Ukrainian soldiers are held captive in Russia
Another 15 thousand people are considered missing. Such data was provided by Olena Verbitska, Commissioner of the President of Ukraine for Defense Affairs, writes DW.
“We don’t know what happened to them (missing in action – ed.). Either they are also Russian prisoners of war, or they were forcibly removed from the territories occupied by Russia, or, perhaps, they were killed long ago. It is especially difficult for relatives in uncertainty,”Verbitska said in an interview with Redaktionsnetzwerk Deutschland.

💡In December, Ukraine received about five thousand generators from partner countries and international organizations

Former Chief Rabbi of Moscow Pinchas Goldschmidt called on Russian Jews to leave the country because of the threat of a surge in anti-Semitism
“Jews must leave Russia before they are made scapegoats for the difficulties caused by the war in Ukraine,” Goldschmidt told The Guardian.
In early August, the Jewish agency "Sokhnut" stopped working in Russia due to a lawsuit for liquidation from the Ministry of Justice of the Russian Federation.
The Russian authorities accuse the agency of allegedly transferring the personal data of Russians to “third parties” and “brain drain” in connection with repatriation to Israel.

💰 Ukraine postponed payments of all foreign debts for 2 years
This is the result of negotiations with partners, said Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal.
He also added that this year it was possible to maintain stability in the financial, banking, and economic spheres. In particular, all major budget expenditures have been financed.

Japan intends to provide Ukraine with $500 million in aid, Japanese Ambassador to Ukraine Kuninori Matsuda said
"As for aid, we have already provided $1.1 billion and plan to provide another $500 million in aid. We are also considering other aid packages," the ambassador said in an interview with the Interfax-Ukraine agency.
Regarding military aid, he noted that by law Japan cannot directly provide weapons, but the Japanese government has for the first time decided to provide non-lethal equipment, including drones, helmets, bulletproof vests, winter clothing, as well as first aid kits. and rations.
"We continue to expand the list. And now we are negotiating with Ukrainian colleagues about the possibility of providing dual-use technologies," the ambassador added. [this is notable stuff]

In the event of a new invasion from Belarus, the evacuation will not be carried out, but people will be warned
According to Defense Minister Reznikov, if such an offensive starts, it will not be until February. The minister believes that by that time the Russian Federation will be able to prepare its contingent.

On New Year's Eve, Red Square in Moscow will be closed and 7,000 law enforcement officers of the Russian Federation will be taken to the streets, — Media

Former Pope Benedict XVI has died at the age of 95

Czech activists raised the necessary funds for the purchase of 15 Victor anti-aircraft systems for the Armed Forces of Ukraine, consisting of a coaxial machine gun of the same name and a Toyota pickup truck.

Zaluzhnyi said that earlier Russian terrorists launched more than 20 cruise missiles using Tu-95MS strategic bombers from the Caspian Sea and ground-based missile systems.

Very big losses and notably more hardware losses too. Plus a helicopter. Something happening?

Day 309, December 29th. Summary of Arestovych and Feygin daily broadcast
Posted on 30 December 2022

🔥 Missile attack:
🇷🇺 had carriers deployed, capable to launch 124 missiles from air and sea, but actually launched 69. Of those 78% (54) were intercepted. Two of those were anti-radar missiles, but those were intercepted too. All 16 missiles launched at Kyiv were intercepted. Odessa – 21 missiles intercepted. More hits in West Ukraine. 4 intercepted with short range air defense, including MANPADS, which was considered impossible before this war. Looks like 🇷🇺 is low on missiles, as they did not launch all 124, that they had capability. Pauses between missile attacks become larger, amount of missiles staying the same, even decreasing. There is a version, that less missiles loaded, due to longer flight. Smaller amounts are easier to intercept.
11 Shahed drones intercepted.

🔥 Battlefield update:

🔥 Kherson: shelling over Dnipro river

🔥 Bakhmut-Soledar: direction of 🇷🇺 main attack, most intense part of front, multiple suicidal attacks per day with support of tanks and aviation. At some areas this is successful, and 🇺🇦 Ukraine is taking significant losses, but 🇷🇺 losses are larger.

🔥 Kreminna: 🇺🇦 Ukraine forces advanced for 2km this week, 5km left until Kreminna. Situation is optimistic, but ground is mud and enemy has built a fortress, it’s not going to be fast victory, at least not for next 2-3 days.

🔥 Kharkiv: attacks with S-300 missiles

🔥 Belarus:
🇧🇾 Belarus claims that some missile has fallen in their territory, summoned 🇺🇦 ambassador for protest. 🇺🇦 Ukraine MoD responded with suggestion to create international commission to investigate. 🇺🇦 Ukraine used anti-aircraft missiles, as 🇷🇺 missile was launched in a way that this was only possible interception scenario.

🔥 Private military companies (PMC):
Rumors of new 🇷🇺 PMC besides Wagner, named Patriot controlled by 🇷🇺 MoD. There have been some 4-5 PMCs, but they are not significant factor, because they can’t recruit 50k prisoners, circumventing constitution. 🇷🇺 military is not yet allowed to break constitution, like Prigozhin does. Wagner is even allowed to record video, swearing at 🇷🇺 military command. Normally such attitude against supreme military command would cause bloody response.

🔥 Monuments:
Monuments of 🇷🇺 General Suvorov and 🇷🇺 Catherine II are removed in Odesa. In 🇷🇺 history Catherine II is considered founder of Odesa, but there is long history of settlement before her. Both monuments are part of 🇷🇺 Imperialistic narrative. After multiple missile attacks, nobody is fond of keeping statues of persons doing the same politics 200 years ago.

🔥 Weapons:
Politico reports of Zelensky asking for ATACMS, and being denied. 🇺🇦 Ukraine will manage without ATACMS, if they get enough of ground equipment, although ATACMS would be nice to have. 🇺🇦 Ukrainian military-industrial complex is active, Arestovych has feeling that there could be comparable long range weapons for 300+ km range.

🔥 Fires and sabotages:
Warehouse fire in St. Petersburg. Military commissariat building near Moscow burnt by couple of 70 and 76 year old pensioners.
Yesterday a court in 🇧🇾 Belarus, convicting several rail saboteurs to 20+ years in prison. When war is over, and they are released, Arestovych will personally go to Belarus to shake their hands, as they caused logistic delays for more than a week, during 5 week offensive on Kyiv in March.
Similar guerillas exist in 🇷🇺, for example in Krasnoyarsk district railways were delayed twice in last day. In last month, a total of 30 diversions recorded in far-east of 🇷🇺.
Recently a 19year old russian crossed closed border, and joined Freedom of Russia Legion, recorded a video, and refused to hide his face.

🔥 Demonstrations at Georgian embassies:
On 4th of January, 12:00 local time, everyone is asked to join demonstrations at local 🇬🇪 Georgian embassies, to bring attention of Mikhail Saakashvili being poisoned in 🇬🇪 Georgian prison, and denied proper medical care. This is not internal matter, with such actions 🇬🇪 Georgia is cutting off their chances of joining 🇪🇺 EU and NATO.

No broadcasts for next 3 days, next possible broadcast on 2nd of January.

mobile.twitter.com/bayraktar_1love/status/1609229968541728771 dog from Avostal returned to Ukraine along with his owner

Happy New Year when it comes folks. I usually feel so hopeful at this time of year but tonight just feel deflated. Praying that 2023 brings some justice for the people of Ukraine.