Ukraine Invasion: Part 46

[MagicFox]

With thanks to all keeping these threads going 🇺🇦

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KyivPost
AT KyivPost

#Hungary has signalled to the European Union that it is ready to withdraw its opposition to new long-term funding for #Ukraine, Politico reported.

I am a very intermittent poster on these threads, but I value them immensely and the collective wisdom, knowledge and wealth of information and compassion they contain.
This morning, hearing about the Iranian strike on Pakistani soil, my heart flipped over. I don't think I've ever felt more pessimistic about the state of the world. For all the efforts at constructive change, for all the efforts directed towards dealing with the climate crisis, there are these men all over the place seemingly less and less able to contain their murderous inter-state rages.

And Trump could win the US election. I understand the reasons he might not, but also fear that he might.
That's it. That's all I've got right now.
I'm just horrified at everything.
But I'm very grateful for all of you.
Constructive perspectives wiser and more knowledgeable than mine on the global situation would be very welcome. (I know, I'm not asking for much am I?)

@heldinadream hear hear.

The World is complicated, messy and quite often scary but that’s nothing new. Peace and instability come in cycles and they always have done. Yes things aren’t great at the moment in a lot of ways but unfortunately there isn’t a lot that can be done about it. And there are good things happening too.

• yes Trump might get back in, but he might not and we survived 4 years of him before.
• China’s threats to Taiwan are scary but on a positive note Taiwan is a thriving vibrant country that has chosen democracy and that’s wonderful.
• Iran is a troublemaker and always has been and their world view is very different to that in the West but again this isn’t new, the Middle East has been a hotbed of conflict for generations.
• Russia’s invasion of Ukraine was a shock and scary but again look how far Ukraine have come. I there is lots of uncertainty but who would have thought on 24th Feb 22 that they would still be a (mostly) free country?
• Serbia and Kosovo recently agreed peacefully to address issues related to number plates that had the potential to lead to further conflict. But it didn’t.
• we’re about to chuck out the goddamned Tories!

Things aren’t all roses but we’re not going to hell in a handcart just yet.

Would highly recommend the Disorder podcast, a really good level headed podcast about lots of the world’s hot topics! Also This is not a Drill (previously Doomsday Watch).

I think also vital to remember the old mantra about the press/news. If it bleeds it leads.

Good stories don’t sell (or get clicks in 2024!)

Fantastic post

Thank you @Igotjelly for that. I knew someone here would be able to make better sense and give me a bigger picture. I know you're right, I know in a way things are as they ever were. The stakes seem bigger due to the very global nature of everything. Armageddon.

And yes I did notice the Serbia and Kosovo number plates spat getting peacefully resolved which was extremely heartening.
I'm reading a book about the history of the Balkans at the mo which is illuminating a lot of current issues.
I'll have a look for those podcasts.

Yeah, I'm not a big fan of unisex toilets but I think on balance they're better than living in a murderous dictatorship 🤷‍♀️

Excellent post igotjelly sometimes we need to put things in perspective a bit, when the news cycle is constant doom and gloom.

Also really hope the Tories get kicked out. I'm able to vote again now, just registered yesterday (hopefully I won't be asked for further information though because I have no way to prove an address from over 16 years ago) and will do my part to help.

I swear when Lavrov speaks I find myself deep sighing and getting out the old bingo card 😂

• Ukrainian Nazis check
• evil UK check
• the West violating international law check

He really is an absolute clown.

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-12977603/Bradley-destroys-Russian-BMP2-T90-tank-Ukraine.html

Kyiv Independent Telegram Highlights

⚡️European Commission to define https://kyivindependent.com/european-commission-to-define-negotiation-framework-of-ukraines-eu-accession-talks/ negotiation framework of Ukraine's EU accession talks.

⚡️House Speaker Johnson says https://kyivindependent.com/before-meeting-on-border-ukraine-aid-johnson-says-no-deal-possible-currently/ no deal on border, Ukraine aid currently possible ahead of meeting in White House.

⚡️Senate will consider https://kyivindependent.com/senate-will-consider-new-ukraine-aid-package-next-week/ new Ukraine aid package next week.

⚡️Biden convenes https://kyivindependent.com/biden-convenes-congress-leaders-to-push-case-for-passing-ukraine-funding/Congress leaders to push case for passing Ukraine funding.

⚡️Reuters: BlackRock, JPMorgan Chase helping Kyiv raise funds https://kyivindependent.com/reuters-blackrock-jpmorgan-chase/ for reconstruction bank and have already gathered $500 million in committed capital

⚡️Cameron compares kyivindependent.com/cameron-europe-1930s/ situation in Europe to 1930s, warns against appeasement.

The Kyiv Independent spoke with protesters calling on the government to demobilize their relatives who have been on the front lines since the first days of the invasion.
“It's been almost two years, and the same people are in the trenches,” 29-year-old Alina, who declined to tell her last name, fearing backlash for her soldier husband, told the Kyiv Independent. “Many of them are already dead.” https://kyivindependent.com/its-their-turn-now-ukrainians-call-on-government-to-demobilize-exhausted-soldiers-fighting-for-nearly-two-years/

⚡️Media: Sanctions forcing https://kyivindependent.com/media-sanctions-forcing-russian-companies-out-of-cyprus/ Russian companies out of Cyprus.
Russian companies have been increasingly leaving Cyprus as Western sanctions impact their ability to operate, the Russian state-controlled media outlet Kommersant wrote on Jan. 16.

⚡️Reuters: No risk of default https://kyivindependent.com/reuters-no-risk-of-default-for-holders-of-russian-bonds-in-case-of-confiscation/ for holders of Russian bonds in case of confiscation.
Countries holding Russian sovereign bonds will not be at risk of default if the proposed plan to confiscate Russian assets comes to fruition, Reuters reported on Jan. 17, citing sources from the credit agencies Moody's and S&P Global.

⚡️Minister: Ukraine uses https://kyivindependent.com/minister-ukraine-uses-frankensam-hybrid-system-for-first-time-downs-russian-kamikaze-drone/ FrankenSAM hybrid system for first time, downs Russian kamikaze drone.

⚡️German parliament rejects https://kyivindependent.com/german-parliament-rejects-motion-to-deliver-taurus-missiles-to-ukraine/ motion to deliver Taurus missiles to Ukraine.

⚡️Bulgaria has yet https://kyivindependent.com/bulgaria-has-yet-to-send-ukraine-pledged-armored-vehicles/ to send Ukraine 100 pledged armored vehicles.

⚡️Protests break out https://kyivindependent.com/protests-break-out-in-russias-bashkortostan-republic/ in Russia's Bashkortostan republic.
Large protests erupted in the Russian Republic of Bashkortostan on Jan. 17 after authorities sentenced a popular local rights activist to four years in prison.

Ragnar Gudmundsson
WAR IN #UKRAINE - JAN 18, 2024
■ Strikes above 7-day average; most air strikes this year so far (include drone attacks)
■ More settlements under artillery fire but fewer combat engagements
■ Casualties up between days (but below average), triple-digit equipment losses
■ Warmer weather compared to previous days

Reposting this in its entirety from UNITED24 Media Telegram

Russia has significantly depleted its reserves during two years of war, particularly in the National Welfare Fund—an accumulation of oil and gas budget windfalls. Over the 2022-2023 period, the available funds in the National Welfare Fund were halved, with the Ministry of Finance utilizing $57.6 billion out of the initial $113.5 billion to address the budget deficit, which stood at 3.2 trillion rubles last year and 3.3 trillion the previous year.

As of January 1, the fund, initially intended for co-financing pensions but repurposed to fill budgetary gaps, held only $55.9 billion in liquid assets. Although the Ministry of Finance estimates the total volume of the National Welfare Fund at $133.4 billion, nearly two-thirds of this amount has already been allocated to save state banks, invest in shares of state-owned companies, and fund megaprojects. According to Oxford Economics economist Tatyana Orlova, this effectively means that a significant portion of this money ‘no longer exists,’ with only liquid assets like yuan and gold considered actual reserves for unforeseen circumstances.

In ruble terms, these reserves have contracted by 40% over two years, amounting to 5 trillion rubles. Bloomberg Economics economist Alexander Isakov warns that if oil prices drop to $50 a barrel, this reserve will only last for one or two years, rendering Russia highly vulnerable to economic shocks.”

UNITED24 Media Telegram Highlights

On January 15, the Russian Federation granted IAEA experts access to the reactor hall of the sixth power unit of the ZNPP, as confirmed by the IAEA press service.

Hungarian Prime Minister Orbán is reportedly prepared to lift the blockade on €50 billion for Ukraine, potentially reaching a deal in the coming weeks, according to Politico. Sources suggest that ongoing negotiations aim to find a solution allowing the Hungarian government to save face while ensuring that Ukraine receives the allocated funds.
The discussions also revolve around the concessions the EU might offer Hungary in return and what terms the Hungarian government would find acceptable.

🇹🇷 Turkish banks are severing relations with Russian banks against the background of Biden's decree on secondary sanctions, — Kommersant.
According to the interlocutors of the newspaper, it is about both the break of correspondent relations and the termination of payment processing without formal closing of contracts

Alongside the KN-23 ballistic missiles, North Korea is reportedly considering supplying Russia with the KN-25 600-mm ultra-long-range Multiple Launch Rocket System (MLRS), as stated by the head of the South Korean Ministry of Defense, Shin Won-sik, in an interview with Yonhap agency.
Shin Won-sik noted the possibility of North Korea providing ‘dozens’ of such systems to Russia.
These systems, capable of firing 400 km with guided 500-mm projectiles, represent a hybrid of a tactical missile system and an MLRS. Reports surfaced in September last year about Moscow expressing interest in acquiring such systems.

France has committed to providing AASM Hammer guided air bombs, also known as A2SM, to Ukraine, with Defense Minister Sebastien Lecornu confirming the delivery of approximately 50 of these hybrid bombs each month. These bombs will be compatible with existing Soviet aircraft in the Ukrainian Armed Forces.
▪️ The AASM is akin to the previously supplied JDAM, featuring a tail, solid-fuel jet engine, and a nose guidance system (thermal imaging/laser). This configuration significantly enhances the bomb's range and accuracy. The AASM warhead is available in 125, 250, 500, and 1,000-kilogram options and includes an air blast function.

🇩🇪🇺🇦 Germany announced a new package of military aid to Ukraine.
It includes 8 armored personnel carriers (brand not named), 25 RQ-35 Heidrun reconnaissance drones, 16 Zetros trucks, 5 border patrol vehicles, several vehicles, ammunition for Leopard 1 tanks, 50 SatCom communication terminals, demining materials, 500 LED lamps and almost 2 thousand combat helmets.

France will produce 78 Caesar self-propelled guns for Ukraine.

🇸🇪 "Sweden does not rule out the provision of JAS39 Gripen aircraft to Ukraine, but the adoption of such a decision is connected with Sweden's accession to NATO," said Swedish Foreign Minister Tobias Billström in Davos.

The deputy head of the Russian Security Council Dmitry Medvedev stated that Russia will always fight against Ukraine and that they will find a reason to attack either in 10 or 50 years.
“Ukraine's existence is mortally dangerous for Ukrainians. I am referring not only to the current state, the Bandera political regime. I'm talking about absolutely any type of Ukraine.
Why? The existence of an independent country on the historical Russian territories will now be a constant reason for the resumption of hostilities,” he said.

The administration of the US president announced the renewal of global terrorist status for the Houthis.

Live: Ukraine Telegram Highlights

🇺🇦🇨🇳Zelensky in Switzerland during the Davos Forum failed to meet with Chinese Prime Minister Li Keqiang, which may indicate China's reluctance to seek an end to Russia's full-scale war against Ukraine, Politico writes https://www.politico.eu/article/china-ukraine-volodymyr-zelenskyy-war-world-economic-forum-davos-switzerland/?fbclid=IwAR3mKagAcUazrzhYRBvYNPsmugTVV0msWdlQkmdDisk6G2S1WKYwFWFtB78

Zelensky responded to Trump's words that he would quickly end the war in Ukraine by asking a counter question: what would Trump do if Putin did not stop after Ukraine

The first meeting of the NATO-Ukraine Council at the level of defense ministers took place, but the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Valeriy Zaluzhnyi, did not attend.

Russian media report that a Russian Mi-8 helicopter has crashed in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan
Local media report eight injured and one dead soldier

❗The Russian Kh-101 cruise missiles are now different from those that were launched at Ukraine in 2022.
Vadym Skibitskyi, a representative of the Defence Intelligence of Ukraine, said that the occupiers learn quickly enough and adapt their weapons to new challenges. Thus, Kh-101 has an active electronic warfare system, active protection, heat traps, etc.

Russian aircraft dropped guided bombs on Kupyansk and the village of Malyi Burluk
A woman was killed and two children were wounded in the village. A 10-year-old boy's leg was blown off. In Kupyansk, private houses were damaged. There were no casualties there.

@MissConductUS there are quite a few impressive clips of the Bradleys in action.

In 2023, Ukraine received $42 billion in budget aid from foreign partners
This money was spent on salaries, pensions, education, healthcare, etc. because Ukraine spends its own money on the war plus the weapons supplied by its allies, and we receive money from abroad for other needs.

The Brad's 25mm autocannon is a beast in combat. The gunner can switch between APDS (Armor-Piercing Discarding Sabot) and HEI (High Explosive Incendiary) rounds. As you see in this clip, these rounds are mixed with tracer rounds. These were the AP rounds, which, after penetrating the armor on the Russian vehicles, set off the ammunition that the Russians cleverly stored inside without any shielding or protection.

What struck me in particular about this video is the close range of the battle. The outstanding crew protection and survivability of the Brad lets the Ukrainians close to the point where they can't miss.

Seeing these combat vehicles doing such good work in Ukraine warms my heart. I wish we'd send more of them. The Russians must find them absolutely terrifying.

The Brads have been busy. In this clip, two of them disable a Russian T90 tank, which comrade Putin has called "the best tank in the world". 😂

The Bradley carries an outboard antitank guided missile launcher, which you can see in the left panel of the preview below. They must not have had any missiles loaded when they encountered the T90, as that would have been a sure kill vs using the autocannon.

Incredibly accurate too.

Just related to what we were talking about yesterday, I thought that Admiral Rob Bauer's comments and the reporting around them are a really good example of why people should be wary of scaremongering headlines.

If you read the Daily Mail or Sun you'd read something along the lines of "NATO official tells us to prepare for WW3 which is imminent" or "NATO prepares for all out conflict with Russia". What he actually said was that we live in a time where peace cannot be guaranteed and that NATO are prepared for the eventuality that one day it might find itself in direct confrontation with Russia or another actor. He points out that countries have a responsibility to make sure that their civilian populations and industrial bases are also aware that peace cannot be taken for granted and to are prepared/understand the impact of a possible future conflict.

OF COURSE NATO are prepared for a conflict with Russia, it's literally the entire premise behind the alliance in the first place.

I thought that Sir Simon Fraser's (former diplomat and Undersecretary of State for the Foreign Office between 2010 and 2015) was interesting on Newscast yesterday. He was asked if he feels like the World is a more dangerous place, with more and worse crisis's than when he was in office. He said no, when he was in office he constantly felt like they were lurching from one conflict to another (talked about Libya, Syria etc.) what he said he felt had changed was our capacity to deal with conflict and belief in the international systems.

I'm listening to that Newscast podcast right now @Igotjelly and just came on to post his comments too. The link is here if anybody wants to listen: podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/newscast/id1234185718?i=1000642143653

https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-january-18-2024

Key Takeaways:

• Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov reiterated that Russia’s maximalist objectives in Ukraine remain unchanged and that Russia is not interested in negotiations with Ukraine or the West.
• The battlespace in Ukraine continues to be the center of the technological offense-defense race between Russian and Ukrainian forces.
• Recent widespread GPS disruptions across Poland and the Baltic region are prompting speculation about the potential operation of Russian electronic warfare (EW) systems in the region.
• The French Ministry of Defense (MoD) announced on January 18 that it launched an “artillery coalition” to strengthen support for Ukraine amid continued Ukrainian statements that Russian forces in Ukraine have superior artillery capabilities.
• Ukrainian partisans and satellite imagery confirmed that Ukrainian strikes against occupied Crimea in late December 2023 sank a Russian Tarantul-class corvette near Sevastopol.
• The Ukrainian Main Military Intelligence Directorate (GUR) reportedly conducted a successful drone strike on Russian military facilities in Leningrad Oblast on January 18.
• The European Union (EU) Parliament voted to endorse another step in a rule of law procedure that could eventually suspend Hungary’s voting rights after Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban vetoed an EU vote for further military assistance to Ukraine.
• Russia and the Central African Republic (CAR) are in negotiations regarding Russian military basing in CAR.
• Russian forces made confirmed advances near Bakhmut, Avdiivka, and the Donetsk-Zaporizhia Oblast border area amid continued positional engagements along the front.
• Russian officials continue to target naturalized migrants as part of ongoing crypto-mobilization efforts.
• Russian occupation authorities continue efforts to restore logistics infrastructure in occupied Ukraine.

Kyiv Independent Telegram Highlights

⚡️Media: Ukrainian drone attack hits https://kyivindependent.com/drone-attack-oil-depot-st-petersburg/ oil depot near St Petersburg.

⚡️ NATO to conduct largest drills https://kyivindependent.com/nato-to-conduct-largest-drills-in-decades-with-90-000-troops/* in decades with 90,000 troops.*

⚡️ Kuleba seeks to organize talk https://kyivindependent.com/kuleba-seeks-to-organize-talk-between-zelensky-xi/ between Zelensky, Xi.

⚡️ European Parliament backs resolution calling for suspending https://kyivindependent.com/european-parliament-backs-resolution-calling-for-suspending-hungarys-eu-voting-rights/ Hungary's EU voting rights.
The European Parliament supported on Jan. 18 the resolution calling on the European Council and member states to suspend Hungary's voting rights, said Petri Sarvamaa, a senior member of the European Parliament (MEP).
The resolution, supported by 345 MEPs with 104 voting against and 29 abstaining, calls on the European Council to examine whether Hungary is committing a "serious and persistent breach" of the bloc's values under Article 7.2 of the EU treaty

Ambassador names alternatives https://kyivindependent.com/ambassdor-names-alternatives-to-funding-ukraine-if-hungary-blocks-aid/ to EU funding Ukraine if Hungary blocks aid. According to Chentsov, the backup options include an extrabudgetary fund to which all EU members can contribute or macro-financial assistance through period loans from the EU Commission.

U.S. President Joe Biden made concessions on immigration policy to Senate Republicans to deflect criticism and secure backing for Ukraine aid, the Wall Street Journal (WSJ) reported on Jan. 18. https://kyivindependent.com/wsj-biden-makes-concessions-to-republicans-on-immigration-to-secure-ukraine-aid/

⚡️House Republicans signal https://kyivindependent.com/house-republicans-signal-opposition-to-border-ukraine-deal-as-trump-steps-in/ opposition to border, Ukraine deal as Trump steps in.

⚡️Minister: Davos forum https://kyivindependent.com/davos-forum-to-open-govtech-centre-in-kyiv/ to open landmark government technology center in Kyiv.
The organizers of the World Economic Forum (WEF) will open a Government Technology Center in Kyiv, Digital Transformation Minister Mykhailo Fedorov said following a meeting in Davos on Jan. 17.

⚡️ Shmyhal to meet https://kyivindependent.com/shmyhal-to-meet-slovak-pm-to-discuss-eu-aid/ Slovak PM to discuss EU aid.

⚡️Media: European parliament party proposes https://kyivindependent.com/media-eu-parliament-party-proposes-plan-to-create-new-eu-defence-commissioner-position/ EU create Defense Commissioner position

⚡️Media: Parliament expecting https://kyivindependent.com/media-parliament-expecting-new-version-of-mobilization-bill-in-early-february/ new version of mobilization bill in early February.

⚡️ Norway allocates https://kyivindependent.com/norway-allocates-190-million-to-boost-munitions-production-for-own-needs-ukraine/ $190 million to boost defense production for own needs, Ukraine.

Australia on Jan. 18 formally rejected a request for access to a set of retired Taipan helicopters, ABC Australia reported. https://kyivindependent.com/australia-rejects-ukraines-request-for-helicopters/

⚡️ Russian media: Russia developing https://kyivindependent.com/russian-media-russia-developing-cheaper-version-of-shahed-drones/ cheaper version of Shahed drones. The drone will allegedly be cheaper than the Iranian-made Shahed drone, which is in frequent use by Russia in its war against Ukraine, and be made "entirely out of civilian components."

⚡️Border Guard: Romanian farmers, truckers block https://kyivindependent.com/border-guard-romanian-farmers-truckers-block-another-crossing-at-ukraine-border/ another crossing at Ukraine border.

⚡️ Poland extends protection https://kyivindependent.com/poland-extends-protection-for-ukrainian-refugees-until-2025/ for Ukrainian refugees until 2025.

⚡️Kyivstar cyberattack cost https://kyivindependent.com/kyivstar-cyberattack-cost-telecommunications-operator-nearly-100-million/ telecommunications operator nearly $100 million.

⚡️Media: Russians register https://kyivindependent.com/russians-register-companies-georgia/ nearly 30,000 companies in Georgia since start of full-scale invasion.
Georgia was the most popular country for Russian entrepreneurs to start their businesses abroad in 2022, with the country recording almost 30,000 new companies registered by Russians since February 2022, Forbes Russia reported on Jan. 18.

Bihus.info's lawyers had appealed to law enforcement agencies after private calls and recordings with hidden cameras appeared online, Bihus.info announced on Jan. 18.

Recent campaigns against journalists raise concerns about press freedom https://kyivindependent.com/recent-campaigns-against-journalists-raise-concerns-about-press-freedom-in-ukraine/ in Ukraine
Investigative journalists in Ukraine came under two attacks in just the past week, one involving a threatening home visit and another using covert surveillance.
The two incidents are the latest in a series of discrediting campaigns against independent Ukrainian media, often supported by anonymous pro-government Telegram channels, raising concerns about increasing pressure on press freedom in wartime Ukraine.

Ukraine's former Prime Minister Mykola Azarov has been indicted on charges of justifying Russia's invasion and advocating for the overthrow of the Ukrainian constitution, the Prosecutor General's Office announced on Jan. 18. https://kyivindependent.com/ukraine-indicts-pro-russian-former-prime-minister/

The son of a Lviv businessman implicated in a defense procurement corruption scandal has been declared wanted, said Tetiana Sapian, a communications advisor of the State Bureau of Investigation, on air on Jan. 18. https://kyivindependent.com/businessmen-implicated-in-defense-ministry-corruption-scandal-declared-wanted/

⚡️6/10 Ukrainian refugees hope https://kyivindependent.com/6-10-ukrainian-refugees-hope-to-return-study-says/ to return, study says.

Opinion: What happens if the West abandons Ukraine https://kyivindependent.com/opinion-what-happens-if-the-west-abandons-ukraine/

Ragnar Bjartur Gudmundsson 🇺🇦
ragnarbjartur.bsky.social

⚡️ WAR IN #UKRAINE - JAN 19, 2024

Most engagements since Mar 2023 but relatively few strikes & fewer settlements under fire

Casualties above 7-day average; 25k+ in the last 30 days
Triple-digit landbased equipment losses; include high tank & APV losses

UNITED24 Media Telegram Highlights

❗️NATO warns against excessive pessimism in 2024 after last year's optimism, emphasizing the importance of balance amid Russia's conflict with Ukraine, says Committee Chairman Rob Bauer.

The IOC decided to re-check Russian and Belarusian athletes for compliance with the admission criteria for the 2024 Olympics.
It is reported that independent analysts, who are currently being identified, will deal with this issue.

In Latvia, the deportation process has commenced for 985 Russian citizens who failed to meet immigration law requirements, such as not passing the state language exam or applying for an alternative residence permit, — LSM

Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas suggests that allies can support Ukraine in defeating Russian troops by dedicating a portion of their economic output to military needs. According to her, each member of the Contact Group on Defense of Ukraine (in the "Ramstein" format) should annually contribute 0.25% of their gross domestic product to Kyiv. This would amount to at least 120 billion euros, potentially shifting the course of the war in favor of Ukraine.

The Canadian Armed Forces have trained nearly 200 Ukrainian tank operators to operate Leopard 2A4 tanks. According to the department, the training covered maintenance skills for drivers and practical experience in handling the sixty-tonne tanks. The three crew members also transitioned from tank gunnery theory to hands-on exercises and simulator training, showcasing their skills on the firing range.

🔥 Four tanks with oil are on fire at the Klintsi oil depot (Bryansk region of the Russian Federation). The governor of the Bogomaz region says that the fire has been assigned an "increased degree of complexity."

Live: Ukraine Telegram Highlights

GPS signal disruptions were reported https://epoznan.pl/news-news-147001-zaklocenia_sygnalu_gps_nad_polska_klopoty_rowniez_w_naszym_regionie over Poland, with significant disruptions in Piła and Konin, and moderate in Poznań. Similar incidents occured in Finland and Estonia.
According to John Wiseman from gpsjam, it could be a deliberate Russian jamming attempt or a military exercise. Russia has jamming systems within range in the Königsberg (Kaliningrad) region.

Ukrainian hackers steal technical documentation for 500 Russian Defense Ministry facilities
Hackers from the Blackjack group, who are likely to be affiliated with the SBU, have hacked into a Russian state-owned enterprise that builds military facilities throughout Russia.
Ukrainian cyber warriors downloaded more than 1.2 TB of data from the Main Military Construction Directorate for Special Objects. This includes more than 500 technical passports of military facilities of the Russian Ministry of Defense: weapons arsenals, sites of anti-aircraft missile systems, headquarters, barracks, including those located in the enemy-held territories of Ukraine, and other technical and design documentation.
The hackers also demolished 7 servers and encrypted more than 150 computers of the institution's employees. In fact, the Russian special builders were left without the entire array of data and backup copies of information. Now they will have to build new facilities from memory.

Russia developing cheaper version of Shahed drones
According to the Russian bureau, the Hawk has a range of 350 kilometers and can be equipped with high-explosive warheads with a payload of 16 kilograms. TASS claimed the drone will be used as a "pseudo-cruise missile," or a "decoy target" against Ukrainian air defense systems.
The bureau is allegedly completing a series of flight tests and the drones will be completed in the first half of 2024.

An emergency outage occurred in the networks of the Crimean energy system in the temporarily occupied peninsula

🇦🇺Australian Minister of Defense Industry Pat Conroy explained https://breakingdefense.com/2024/01/australia-reveals-why-it-isnt-sending-its-grounded-taipan-helicopters-to-ukraine/ that Ukraine requested the Taipan helicopters too late, after the decision to dispose of them had been made in September 2023.
According to him, other countries were not interested in buying the helicopters at the time, so Australia decided to dispose of them. When Kyiv sent a request in December 2023, the disposal process lasted three months, and the helicopters had not been maintained for the same amount of time. (is this feasible @notimagain? )

@Igotjelly and @MagicFox thanks both of you, I'll listen to this and once again I'm grateful for people's capacity to speak from a non-hysterical, measured perspective.