Ukraine Invasion: Part 53

[MagicFox]

Welcome to 53 and, as always, Slava Ukraini 🇺🇦

Agreed thread guidance:

A. The agreed purpose of the thread is for the sharing of information and commentary on current events

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C. Discussion and debate is welcome, but please keep it respectful

.... Is Trump remotely serious about invading Greenland?!

Watching the BBC earlier, I rather got the impression that he plans to go to war/ destabilise governments in:

Britain
Denmark (Greenland)
Canada
Panama
The EU
China

7 days in and 2025 is proving to be a right corker, isn’t it 😐

The eyes are open, the mouth moves, but Mr. Brain has long-since departed, hasn't he Donald?

Yep, Trump, together with Musk, are playing right into Putin’s hands of spreading division and discord. Utterly bizarre comments from future world leaders, I’d laugh but it’s all quite unnerving.

Re Panama I did wonder if there was a bit of Trump just being a twat and sucking up the attention because it was the day Jimmy Carter’s body was returned to Washington to lie in state and it was Carter who signed the treaty returning control to Panama.

Trump can say all this but he needs the support / authorisation of congress to take military action. Surely they've not all drunk the Kool aid? I agree the rhetoric makes me feel sick though. Putin will be rubbing his hands in glee

He also said this before didnt he? It was really aimed at pressuring Denmark into upping their defence spending.

Kyiv Independent Telegram Highlights

Russian troops overrun Kurakhove, approach Pokrovsk east, south, and southwest (kyivindependent.com/russian-troops-overrun-kurakhove-approach-pokrovsk-from-east-south-and-southwest/)
Russia keeps on advancing in eastern Donetsk Oblast, taking hold of Kurakhove, which would become the first major town to fall into Russian hands in 2025.
Russian troops are continuing to push on the Lyman, Siversk, Kramatorsk, Toretsk, Pokrovsk and Kurakhove axes, Ukraine's General Staff said in its latest update. Pokrovsk and Kurakhove remain the focal points of the Russian eastern offensive, now in its fifth month.

⚡️Biden administration prepares final massive Ukraine aid package (kyivindependent.com/biden-administration-prepares-final-massive-ukraine-aid-package-ahead-of-trump-inauguration-ap-reports/) ahead of Trump inauguration, AP reports.
Defense officials speaking to the Associated Press said the upcoming aid package, scheduled to be announced on Jan. 9, will draw from existing stockpiles with the intent of delivering most of the pledged weapons to Ukraine before Trump takes office.

⚡️Upcoming Ramstein summit (kyivindependent.com/upcoming-ramstein-summit-to-focus-on-supporting-ukraines-defense-capabilities-through-2027-pentagon-says-as-trump-inauguration-looms/) to focus on supporting Ukraine's defense capabilities through 2027, Pentagon says, as Trump inauguration looms.

⚡️ Ukraine's military refutes claims of Russia taking Kharkiv Oblast village. (https://kyivindependent.com/ukraines-military-refutes-claims-of-russia-taking-kharkiv-oblast-village/)

Ukrainian soldiers struck on Jan. 7 the command post of Russia's 810th Guards Naval Infantry Brigade near the village of Belaya in Russia's Kursk Oblast, Ukraine's General Staff claimed.
The Kyiv Independent could not verify these claims. kyivindependent.com/ukraine-hits-russias-infantry-brigade-command-post-in-kursk-oblast-military-claims/

⚡️ Northern European coalition steps up (kyivindependent.com/uk-led-coalition-steps-up-undersea-monitoring/) undersea monitoring amid sabotage, Russian shadow fleet concerns.
The U.K-led Joint Expeditionary Force (JEF) has set up a tracking system to alert allies if a ship poses a threat to undersea cable infrastructure and to monitor Russia's shadow fleet of tankers, London said on Jan. 7.

⚡️Chinese port ban on US-sanctioned tankers (https://kyivindependent.com/chinese-port-ban-on-us-sanctioned-tankers-tightens-oil-supply-reuters-reports/) tightens oil supply, Reuters reports.
Shandong Port Group has prohibited U.S.-sanctioned tankers from accessing its ports in the eastern Chinese province, three traders familiar with the issue told Reuters. This region, home to many independent refiners, is a significant importer of oil from countries under U.S. embargoes.

⚡️Large fire reported at oil depot (kyivindependent.com/large-fire-reported-in-russias-saratov-oblast-following-drone-attack/) in Russia's Saratov Oblast following drone attack. ....
The operation, carried out jointly by Ukraine's military intelligence, the Unmanned Systems Forces, and other units, targeted the Kristal Plant used to supply fuel to the nearby Engels-2 airbase, the military said.

⚡️Zelensky signs law strengthening (kyivindependent.com/zelensky-signs-law-strengthening-process-for-creating-designating-list-of-terror-organizations/) process for creating, designating list of terrorist organizations.

⚡️US sanctions Orban ally Antal Rogan (kyivindependent.com/us-sanctions-orban-ally-antal-rogan-for-corruption-abuse-of-power/)for corruption, abuse of power.

⚡️Ukraine denies Slovakia's accusation of refusing gas transit talks. (https://kyivindependent.com/ukraine-denies-refusing-gas-transit-talks-blames-slovakia-for-misinformation-ambassador-says/)

⚡️ Pentagon official coordinating Ukraine aid resigns (kyivindependent.com/pentagon-official-coordinating-ukraine-aid-reportedly-resigns/) ahead of Trump inauguration.
Laura Cooper, senior Pentagon official leading the Russia and Ukraine office, stepped down as Donald Trump's inauguration looms, Politico reported on Jan. 6, citing one former and three current officials.
Politico linked her resignation to the growing uncertainty about upcoming changes in the Pentagon under Trump's administration, namely regarding the future Ukraine policy.

⚡️ Ukrainians' trust in Zelensky moderately dropped to 52% during 2024, poll shows. (https://kyivindependent.com/ukrainians-trust-in-zelensky-mildly-drops-to-52-poll-shows/) [This is a] drop of seven percentage points from October 2024 and 12 points from February, according to a survey by the Kyiv International Institute of Sociology (KIIS) published on Jan. 7.
In turn, 39% of respondents said they trust the president.

⚡️Trump blames Biden for provoking Russia's war (https://kyivindependent.com/i-could-understand-their-feelings-trump-blames-bidens-ukraine-nato-stance-for-provoking-russias-invasion/) by supporting Ukraine's NATO aspirations.

⚡️ Hackers claim to have breached (kyivindependent.com/hackers-claimed-to-have-hacked-russias-real-estate-database-moscow-denies/) Russia’s real estate database, Moscow denies.
A hacker group named Silent Crow has claimed to have hacked and obtained data from Russia's state cadastre and cartography agency, the independent Russian news outlet Agentstvo reported on Jan. 7.
Russia’s state register denied the news, issuing a statement that said: "Additional checks of the information published in a number of Telegram channels are currently underway.

⚡️ Venezuela detains 3 Ukrainians (kyivindependent.com/venezuela-detains-ukrainians/), accuses them of 'terror' plot.
Venezuelan authorities also detained two U.S. and two Colombian citizens, raising the same accusations against them.

⚡️Ukraine secures return of 3 children (kyivindependent.com/ukraine-secures-return-of-3-children-from-russian-occupied-territories-ombudsman-says/) from Russian-occupied territories, ombudsman says.
One of the children, a 17-year-old boy, faced persecution by Russian occupation authorities for his pro-Ukrainian stance and assistance to the Ukrainian army, according to Ukraine’s Ombudsman Dmytro Lubinets.

⚡️'Believed he was making a difference' — Scottish combat medic killed in Ukraine (kyivindependent.com/believed-he-was-making-a-difference-scottish-combat-medic-killed-in-ukraine-family-says/), family says.

⚡️ Russian attacks against Ukraine kill 2, injure 13 (kyivindependent.com/attacks-116/) over past day.

Ragnar Bjartur Gudmundsson 🇺🇦‬ - JAN 8, 2025
■ Engagements & casualties stay above 7-day average
■ Equipment losses down between days
■ Fewer strikes on both sides, strike ratio could be better

UNITED24 Media Telegram Highlights

The upcoming Ramstein meeting will outline a defense support plan for Ukraine through 2027, according to the Pentagon.
The session will focus on developing a long-term roadmap to bolster Ukraine’s defense capabilities, aiming to create a strong deterrent force by 2027.
The meeting will address critical needs such as air defense systems, artillery ammunition, and armored vehicles, while also exploring ways to strengthen the defense industrial base, the Pentagon stated.
Regarding the potential impact of reduced U.S. support after the January 20 administration change, officials highlighted the multilateral structure of the group, ensuring its continuity. While this will be Austin’s final meeting, the U.S. Department of Defense affirmed its commitment to the group’s ongoing efforts.

Ukraine Receives First Batch of Lynx Infantry Fighting Vehicles
Ukraine has taken delivery of its first batch of Lynx infantry fighting vehicles (IFVs) from German manufacturer Rheinmetall.

Macron: Iran Nearing “Point of No Return” in Nuclear Program
French President Emmanuel Macron, as quoted by Bloomberg, has warned that Iran continues to expand its nuclear program and is approaching the “point of no return.” He emphasized that addressing Iran’s nuclear activities will be a top priority in France’s renewed dialogue with the incoming Trump administration.
Bloomberg reports that Iran already possesses sufficient material to produce multiple nuclear warheads, should it decide to do so. In response to accusations by the UN International Atomic Energy Agency regarding uranium particles found at undeclared sites, Iran recently announced plans to boost its nuclear fuel production capacity.

Iceland Contributes Over €2 Million to Ukrainian Weapons Production

Ukraine, together with Switzerland, will help Syria with food, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said.

📡 The Joint Expeditionary Force (JEF)—comprising Northern Europe, Britain, and the Netherlands—has launched Operation Nordic Warden to enhance the monitoring of underwater infrastructure.
This new system integrates data from various sources, including artificial intelligence, to detect potential threats and quickly identify suspicious vessel activities.
The operation was initiated following the December 25 damage to the Estlink-2 underwater power line and multiple communication cables in the Gulf of Finland.
Special attention is being directed toward tankers in Russia’s “shadow fleet,” which are considered high-risk.

Will the French Mirage 2000-5F Fighter Jet Give Ukraine the Edge Against Russia’s Air Assaults? (united24media.com/war-in-ukraine/will-the-french-mirage-2000-5f-fighter-jet-give-ukraine-the-edge-against-russias-air-assaults-4921)
The Ukrainian skies are about to get a serious upgrade. The French Mirage 2000-5F, a combat-proven jet with a track record of successful missions, is set to enter the fight against Russian aggression. What can it do and will it help Ukraine against escalating Russian attacks?

Toretsk burns under relentless enemy attacks
https://t.me/United24media/28123

⚖️ Trial in Germany: Couple Confesses to Killing Ukrainian Woman and Her Mother to Claim Child
A trial has begun in Germany against a couple accused of murdering a 27-year-old Ukrainian woman and her mother to pass the younger woman’s infant daughter off as their own. At the trial’s start, the defendants confessed to the crime and expressed remorse.
According to prosecutors, the couple’s motive was their desire for a child together. Their citizenship has not been officially disclosed, though earlier reports indicated the suspects are a Russian woman and a German man.
The female defendant reportedly joined a Telegram group for Ukrainian refugees, seeking contact with those in need. There, she met the victim, who sought help with translation ahead of her baby’s birth.
The child, now about 11 months old, is living with her aunt in Ukraine. [JFC ]

Kyiv Post Telegram Highlights

In their ongoing attempt to destroy Ukraine’s economy, Russia is prioritizing locations that have mineral resources Kyiv could use as incentive for more Western aid.
www.kyivpost.com/post/45044

More statements from Trump during his second press conference at the Mar-a-Lago estate:
▪️Expressed hope to end the war in Ukraine within six months.
▪️Stated that the West understands Ukraine cannot join NATO and added that he shares this position.
▪️Claimed Russia attacked Ukraine because it views Biden’s administration as incompetent: “They don’t know what they’re doing. But we do, and it will all come to an end.”
▪️Revealed Putin’s willingness to engage in talks with him but called such discussions unacceptable until his official return to the White House.
▪️Declared that Denmark must cede Greenland to the United States to protect the “free world,” including from Chinese and Russian naval activity.
▪️Announced ongoing negotiations with Panama regarding returning the Panama Canal to U.S. control.
▪️Refused to promise not to use military force to secure control over Greenland and the Panama Canal.
▪️Announced plans to impose “significant” tariffs on imports from Canada and Mexico.
▪️Proposed renaming the Gulf of Mexico to the “Gulf of America.”

After years of Russia’s daily crimes against Ukraine, America is finally recognizing the horrifying reality Ukrainians face.
A resolution has been introduced in the US Congress to recognize Russia’s actions against Ukraine as genocide.

Live: Ukraine Telegram Highlights

📹New Kursk Offensive Explained: How Ukraine Is Breaking Russia’s Frontline
Ukraine has launched a bold offensive in the Kursk oblast, advancing up to 7 km and striking deep into Russian defenses. Propagandists are clashing, reporting heart attacks among Russian viewers, while North Korean troops are seizing homes from locals in the Kursk oblast.

🔥 Drones attacked Russia’s Engels in the Saratov oblast, causing a fire at an oil depot
Local residents reported at least 25 explosions. The governor confirmed the attack, stating that drone debris fell on an industrial facility. According to media reports, the fire broke out at the oil depot.
Near Engels is the Russian airbase of the same name, where Tu-160 and Tu-95MS strategic bombers are stationed, often used by Russia to attack Ukraine.

🇪🇺🇲🇩The European Commission urges Transnistria to accept Moldova’s aid
The Moldovan government offered Transnistria energy and humanitarian assistance, but the local authorities refused it after Russia’s Gazprom halted gas supplies.
Moldova believes that Moscow deliberately refused to export natural gas to Transnistria through available alternative routes to escalate tensions ahead of the country’s parliamentary elections.

⚓️ Anchor of Eagle S Tanker Recovered—Suspected in Damage to Undersea Cables Between Finland and Estonia
The anchor, believed to have damaged undersea cables in the Gulf of Finland, was retrieved from a depth of approximately 80 meters and handed over to Finland for further investigation. It remains unclear where the anchor was found and whether it is intact.

[more info from the UNITED24 report]
🇩🇪 In Germany, a couple has confessed to the murder of two Ukrainian women and the abduction of a baby.
In the spring of 2024, the suspects killed 51-year-old Ukrainian refugee Maryna Stetsenko and her 27-year-old daughter Margarita to kidnap her infant. Investigators believe the couple wanted to have a child of their own.
The suspects specifically targeted Margarita through a Telegram chat for Ukrainian refugees. During a dinner at a restaurant on March 6, 2024, they drugged both women with sedatives. When the victims became unwell, they were struck on the head and killed. Maryna’s body was dumped in a lake, while Margarita’s body was burned. The infant was abducted.
The baby was found unharmed on March 15.

Trump Claimed Russia attacked Ukraine because it views Biden’s administration as incompetent: “They don’t know what they’re doing. But we do, and it will all come to an end.”

I didn't realise Biden was in power in 2014.

You haven't been revising your reality enough, @AskingQuestionsAllTheTime

D'oh! Silly me.

https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-january-7-2025

Key Takeaways:

• Russian forces recently advanced in northwestern Toretsk following several weeks of higher tempo Russian offensive operations and gains in the area.
• Russian forces likely intend to exploit their advances in northwestern Toretsk to push further west of Toretsk and Shcherbynivka and along the T-05-16 Toretsk-Kostyantnivka highway towards the southernmost point of Ukraine's fortress belt in Kostyantynivka.
• Russian forces may attempt to leverage tactical gains within and near Toretsk and east of Pokrovsk to eliminate the Ukrainian salient southwest of Toretsk.
• Russian forces are likely attempting to break out of Toretsk's urban environment and advance into more open and rural areas that are similar to the areas where Russian forces have made significant gains in other sectors of the front in recent months.
• Russian forces are unlikely to pose a significant threat to Kostyantynivka unless the Russian military command reinforced the existing force grouping in the area with troops from other frontline areas.
• The Ukrainian General Staff stated that Ukrainian forces struck a command post of the Russian 810th Naval Infantry Brigade (Black Sea Fleet [BSF], Southern Military District [SMD]) in Belaya, Kursk Oblast on January 7.
• Ukrainian forces recently advanced in Kursk Oblast, and Russian forces recently advanced near Kupyansk, Toretsk, and Pokrovsk and in Kursk Oblast.
• The Kremlin continues to promote the "Time of Heroes" program, which aims to place veterans of the Russian full-scale invasion of Ukraine in positions in local, regional, and federal governments.

I'm beginning to get the feeling that Musk is the American equivalent of Ivanishvili in Georgia.

On Ukraine the Latest yesterday I thought it was really interesting that they were talking about the impact of warfare like what we're seeing in Ukraine on healthcare and pandemics. I hadn't considered before that with so many severe injuries there are high rates of infection and as a consequence high rates of antibiotic usage. In turn this is leading to an increase in antibiotic-resistant bacteria being found in Europe (I think they said there are currently 6 European countries including the UK showing signs of significant levels of antibiotic-resistant bacterial infections).

I was also speaking to a friend who is an epidemiologist and she was talking about why M-Pox (formerly Monkey Pox) is causing so much concern, apparently it's less to do with the disease itself and more to do with the fact that in early stage disease it looks like smallpox and as such could be used to mask an intentional small-pox outbreak in the case of biological warfare. Interestingly the US and Russia are the only countries to have never destroyed their small pox samples.

Kyiv Independent Telegram Highlights

⚡️ Trump calls on NATO to raise defense spending benchmark to 5% of GDP. (https://kyivindependent.com/trump-calls-on-nato-to-spend-5-of-gdp-on-defense/)

⚡️Trump wants to end war in 100 days, (https://kyivindependent.com/trump-wants-to-end-war-in-100-days-incoming-peace-envoy-tells-fox-news/) incoming peace envoy tells Fox News.
"People need to understand, he's not trying to give something to Putin or to the Russians, he's actually trying to save Ukraine and save their sovereignty," Trump's peace envoy Keith Kellogg said on Jan. 8. [why, so he can go to war with Denmark and Panama instead?]

⚡️North Korea gains combat experience (https://kyivindependent.com/north-korea-gains-combat-experience-fighting-in-ukraine-boosting-regional-threat-us-warns/) fighting in Ukraine, boosting regional threat, US warns.
North Korea "is significantly benefiting from receiving Russian military equipment, technology, and experience, rendering it more capable of waging war against its neighbors," deputy U.S. ambassador to the U.N. Dorothy Camille Shea said on Jan. 8.

⚡️Biden’s final $500 million (https://kyivindependent.com/bidens-final-500m-military-aid-package-to-ukraine-to-be-announced-on-jan-9-voa-reports/)* Ukraine military aid to be announced on Jan 9,* VOA reports.
Despite previous commitments to exhaust the remaining PDA funds, approximately $3.8 billion will remain unused, according to the Pentagon, leaving the funds at the disposal of the incoming administration.

⚡️Update: Number of injured in Russian attack on (https://kyivindependent.com/russian-strike-on-zaporizhzhia-industrial-site-kills-1-injures-at-least-30/) (https://kyivindependent.com/russian-drone-attack-on-central-nikopol-market-injures-6-officials-report/) Zaporizhzhia rises to 133.
Russian forces targeted an industrial facility in Zaporizhzhia on Jan. 8, killing 13 people and injuring 133, including a child, according to State Emergency Service. Search and rescue operations have now been completed.

⚡️Finland to host NATO Baltic summit, address Russia's 'shadow fleet (https://kyivindependent.com/finland-to-host-nato-baltic-summit-address-russias-shadow-fleet-sabotage-threats-presidential-office-says/)' sabotage threats.
The meeting, co-organized by Finland and Estonia, will focus on enhancing NATO's presence in the Baltic Sea and responding to risks posed by Russia's so-called shadow fleet, a group of tankers allegedly used for sanction evasion and espionage.

⚡️ Russian airstrike on Zaporizhzhia industrial site kills 13 (https://kyivindependent.com/russian-strike-on-zaporizhzhia-industrial-site-kills-1-injures-at-least-30/), injures at least 63.

⚡️Next Ramstein meeting (https://kyivindependent.com/greater-burden-poland-calls-for-natos-greater-role-as-ramstein-meeting-may-be-last-under-current-format-defmin-says/) may be its last, Polish defense minister says.

Ukraine war latest: Ukraine strikes Russian oil depot (https://kyivindependent.com/ukraine-war-latest-ukraine-strikes-russian-oil-depot-supplying-fuel-to-engels-2-airbase-command-post-in-donetsk-oblast/), command post; Moscow bombs civilians in Zaporizhzhia
Ukrainian forces attacked a Russian oil depot in Engels, Saratov Oblast, overnight on Jan. 8, the General Staff of Ukraine's Armed Forces said after reports of drone attacks.
Ukrainian forces carried out a precision strike against a command post of Russia's 8th Combined Arms Army in Russian-occupied Khartsyzk in Donetsk Oblast, the General Staff of Ukraine's Armed Forces reported on Jan. 8.

⚡️Lithuania tightens security ahead of decoupling from Russian energy grid (https://kyivindependent.com/lithuania-tightens-security-ahead-of-decoupling-from-russian-energy-grid-euronews-reports/), Euronews reports.

⚡️White House calls halt of Russian gas transit via Ukraine one of Moscow's 'most costly defeats (https://kyivindependent.com/kirby-calls-termination-of-russian-gas-transit-via-ukraine-one-of-moscows-most-costly-defeats/) '.
Ukraine's move will deprive Russia of about $6.5 billion in annual revenue from gas sales to Europe, according to U.S. National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby.

⚡️Hungary's FM condemns Ukraine's bill to suspend Russian energy transit (https://kyivindependent.com/hungary-condemns-ukraines-bill-on-halting-russian-energy-transit-emphasizes-veto-over-eu-membership-decisions/), says his country will block Kyiv's EU accession. [why the fuck is this country in the EU still, again?]

⚡️ Ground Forces chief reports (https://kyivindependent.com/ground-forces-chief-reports-to-zelensky-on-155th-brigade-names-those-responsible-for-systematic-shortcomings/) to Zelensky on 155th Brigade, names those responsible for 'systematic shortcomings.'
General Mykhailo Drapatyi, Ukraine's Ground Forces chief, reported to President Volodymyr Zelensky on the roots of the problems facing the French-trained 155th "Anne of Kyiv" Brigade and presented solutions, Drapatyi said on Jan. 8.
"Most of the systemic shortcomings were committed by the Ground Forces Command, the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, and the Operational Command," the commander wrote on social media. Drapatyi was appointed to lead the Ground Forces last November, months after the brigade was formed.

⚡️Ukraine to help Moldova (https://kyivindependent.com/ukraine-to-help-moldova-amid-worsening-energy-crisis/) amid worsening energy crisis.

⚡️ Polish consulate (https://kyivindependent.com/polish-consulate-in-st-petersburg-closes-after-50-years/) in St. Petersburg closes after over 50 years.

Kasparov: 'You never hear Russian opposition actually say Ukraine must win'

⚡️ Photos of jailed Belarusian opposition leader (https://kyivindependent.com/babaryka-photo-published/) appear after almost 2 years of no news. Photos and a video of Viktar Babaryka were published by blogger Raman Pratasevich on Jan. 8 after the jailed Belarusian opposition leader was held incommunicado since February 2023.

⚡️ Ex-FBI informant accused of lying about Biden family's ties to Ukrainian business jailed (kyivindependent.com/ex-fbi-informant-sentenced/) for 6 years.
A Californian court sentenced former FBI informant Alexander Smirnov, who falsely accused the Biden family of taking a bribe from a Ukrainian business, to six years in prison, CNN reported on Jan. 8.

⚡️ Russian tanker fuel spill (kyivindependent.com/russian-tanker-oil-spill-could-reach-ukraines-coast-navy-warns/) could reach Ukraine's coast, Navy warns.

As Russian losses in Ukraine mount, Putin faces ‘devastating’ demographic timebomb (https://kyivindependent.com/russian-losses-in-ukraine-fuelling-devastating-demographic-timebomb-experts-say/)
Russian losses in Ukraine are helping fuel a demographic timebomb that could see the country’s population reduced by half by the end of the century, experts have told the Kyiv Independent.
“The Russian Federation was trapped long before its invasion of Ukraine in what I described as a demographic straitjacket,” said one. [Ukraine faces an even more devastating one due to the war, but Russia is in trouble]

⚡️ Russian attacks against Ukraine kill 19, injure 132 (kyivindependent.com/attacks-118/) over past day.

Ragnar Bjartur Gudmundsson 🇺🇦‬ - JAN 9, 2025
■ Engagements stay above 7-day average while casualties dip below it
■ Notable tank, artillery & special equipment losses
■ 🇷🇺 strikes below average while 🇺🇦 ones are well above it, single-digit ratio

UNITED24 Media Telegram Highlights

❗️The Armenian government has approved a draft law initiating the process of Armenia’s accession to the European Union. Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan emphasized that the final decision on EU membership would be determined through a national referendum.

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy shared details of his conversation with the Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani. He expressed gratitude for Qatar’s involvement in the Peace Summit and its significant role in the return of 53 Ukrainian children forcibly removed by Russia, ensuring they received essential medical and psychological care.
“We agreed to continue efforts to bring back other Ukrainian children who have been forcibly displaced by Russia,” Zelenskyy stated.
The discussion also touched on cooperation to support Syria. Ukraine has already delivered 500 tons of wheat flour to Syria as part of its commitment to global food security. Zelenskyy invited Qatar to join the Food from Ukraine humanitarian initiative to further aid Syria.

🕯️Emergency and rescue operations in Zaporizhzhia have concluded following a Russian strike.
According to the State Emergency Service, 13 people were killed and 63 were injured.
A fire in an administrative building covering an area of 800 square meters and involving three cars has been extinguished. Additionally, four administrative buildings, 27 cars, and a tram were damaged in the attack.

Gas reserves for the population in the self-proclaimed Transnistria will last only 24 days, according to Sergei Obolonik, the “Minister of Economic Development.”

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine has issued a strong statement on the fifth anniversary of the tragic downing of flight PS752 near Tehran, condemning Iran’s actions and its ongoing support for Russia’s aggression against Ukraine. [yesterday]

Live: Ukraine Telegram Highlights

A state of emergency has been declared in Engels due to a fire at the oil depot of the airbase, which was attacked by drones. Two firefighters have already died.
The decision was reportedly made amid the fire spreading further.

🇺🇦🇭🇺The Ukrainian Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that Ukraine would be ready to take Hungary’s place in the EU and the NATO if Hungary decided to leave and join the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) or the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO).

🇦🇹 The leader of the Austrian People’s Party, Christian Stocker, stated that during coalition negotiations with the far-right Freedom Party, he would seek assurances that they aim to keep Austria free from Russian influence
◾️The Freedom Party, an ally of Orban’s Fidesz party, opposes EU assistance to Ukraine and condemns sanctions against Moscow as counterproductive.

👀 Meanwhile, Russian propagandist Tigran Keosayan experienced clinical death and is currently in a coma.
His wife, fellow propagandist Margarita Simonyan, emphasized that he had long-standing heart problems.

“Budapest Memorandum is bulls**t” – Ukrposhta to release a new stamp featuring Zelensky’s powerful statement.
The design symbolizes Ukraine’s frustration over unfulfilled security guarantees and underscores the importance of safeguarding national sovereignty.

Claims that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky purchased a €17 million villa with an underground bunker on the “billionaire island” of St. Barthelemy are yet another fabrication by Russian propagandists.

Kyiv Post Telegram Highlights

France urges the EU Commission to impose sanctions on Elon Musk and others who interfere in the politics of European countries.
“Either the European Commission strictly enforces the laws we have developed to protect our public space, or it does not, and then it will have to agree to return this power to the EU member states,” said French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot

While Russia continues to kill innocent civilians in Ukraine, Ukrainian forces push deep into Russian territory, targeting the enemy’s critical supply chain logistics.
www.kyivpost.com/videos/45123

The fire in Russia’s Engels is only getting worse, nearly 24 hours after the Ukrainian drone strike. Oil tanks continue to explode.

The Russians attacked a bus filled with civilians near the Kherson region.
There are fatalities and wounded

Kyiv Post Morning News Roundup for January 9th, 2025
www.kyivpost.com/post/45133

In a recently intercepted call, Russian servicemembers are heard discussing the execution of Ukrainian POWs, exposing yet another war crime.
www.kyivpost.com/post/45005

Trump has once again suggested adding Canada as the 51st state, sharing maps that depict Canada as part of the United States.
This comes after he previously threatened to impose a 25% tariff on Canadian goods, accusing Ottawa of failing to resolve key trade and immigration issues.

https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-january-8-2025

Key Takeaways:

• Ukrainian forces struck Russia's state-owned Kombinat Kristal oil storage facility near Engels, Saratov Oblast on the night of January 7 to 8.
• Ukrainian forces struck a command post of the Russian 8th Combined Arms Army (CAA) (Southern Military District [SMD]) on January 8 in occupied Khartsyzk, Donetsk Oblast.
• Russian forces advanced in Kursk Oblast, in Toretsk, and near Kurakhove.
• Russian forces are increasingly using drones attached to fiber optic cables in Ukraine.

Trump really has gone full-on insane

Last nights newsnight interview with one of his lackeys was illuminating. They're not the sharpest tools in the box by any stretch of the imagination. They just seem to be egging each other on to see who can be the most ridiculous and get away with it.