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

B. If you post a link please tell us where it leads/give a precis of the content

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

All they could do was send as much of the authorized military aid as quickly as possible. There was really nothing they could do to shape future policy.

‪(((Tendar)))‬ ‪@tendar.bsky.social‬
·
10m
The new Syrian government has terminated the lease contract of the Tartus port to the Russian state, effective immediately. Originally, it was scheduled to run until the year 2068. The Russian chapter in Syria is now formally over.

Yes they are coming from a very different place and mindset. Worth monitoring.

Kyiv Independent Telegram Highlights

⚡️ US seeks 'sustainable' peace in Ukraine to avert new war in '2-4 years,' Rubio says. (kyivindependent.com/us-seeks-stable-peace-in-ukraine-rubio-says/)

⚡️US 'likely' to sanction (kyivindependent.com/us-likely-to-sanction-russia-if-moscow-refuses-peace-negotiations/) Russia if Moscow refuses peace negotiations, Trump says.

⚡️Ukraine's energy grid may suffer from Trump aid freeze (kyivindependent.com/ukraines-energy-grid-may-suffer-from-trump-aid-freeze-politico-reports/), Politico reports.
A freeze on USAID funds could affect Ukraine's ability to rebuild damaged energy infrastructure, conduct demining operations, and fund civil society programs, officials said.
Trump's freeze does not apply to weapons deliveris or the $20 million in loans backed by frozen Russian asset revenues that the U.S. allocated for Ukraine last fall.

⚡️ Chinese imports of Russian coal reportedly dropping (https://kyivindependent.com/russian-coal-imports-to-china/) due to sanctions, price.
China has been decreasing coal imports from Russia despite a steady growth in domestic demand, turning instead to Australian and Mongolian suppliers, The Moscow Times reported on Jan. 21, citing Chinese customs data.

⚡️ EU has reduced Russian gas imports by 75%, von der Leyen says. (https://kyivindependent.com/eu-has-reduced-russian-gas-imports-by-75-von-der-leyen-says/)
The EU has reduced Russian gas imports by 75%, while only 3% of its oil is imported from Russia, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said at the World Economic Forum in Davos on Jan. 21.
The share of Russian coal in Europe’s imports also went from 50% before Russia’s full-scale invasion to zero by 2025, she said.

⚡️Indian banks block Russian oil (kyivindependent.com/indian-banks-block-russian-oil-payments-after-new-us-sanctions/)payments after new US sanctions.
Following the new restrictions, financial institutions in India began blocking payments for Russian crude, Energy Intelligence reported. India is currently the leading importer of Russian oil.

⚡️Trump claims he urged China's Xi (kyivindependent.com/trump-claims-he-urged-chinas-xi-to-help-end-russias-war-in-ukraine/) to help end Russia's war in Ukraine.

⚡️Ukraine-Russia peace deal would require (kyivindependent.com/ukraine-russia-peace-deal-would-require-at-least-200-000-peacekeepers-zelensky-says/) at least 200,000 peacekeepers, Zelensky says during a panel at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland on Jan. 21.

⚡️Albania signs (https://kyivindependent.com/albania-signs-10-year-security-cooperation-agreement-with-ukraine/) 10-year security cooperation agreement with Ukraine.

⚡️Syria reportedly cancels (kyivindependent.com/syria-reportedly-cancels-russian-investment-agreement-for-tartus-port-modernization/) deal with Russian construction firm following Assad's downfall.
Syria's port of Tartus has terminated a 49-year investment agreement with Russian construction company Stroytransgaz, the independent Russian outlet Important Stories reported on Jan. 21, citing Riad Joudeh, head of customs in the city of Tartus.
The decision follows the collapse of Russian-backed dictator Bashar al-Assad's regime on Dec. 8.

⚡️Trump team may meet Ukrainian delegation in early February (kyivindependent.com/trump-admin-expected-to-meet-ukrainian-delegation-during-february-ukraine-week-arakhamia-says/), MP says.
Members of U.S. President Donald Trump's team may meet a Ukrainian delegation during Ukraine Week in Washington in early February, David Arakhamia, head of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky's faction in parliament, said on Jan. 21.

⚡️ Ukraine's NATO prospects depend on Trump, Zelensky says. (kyivindependent.com/ukraines-nato-prospects-depend-on-trump-zelensky-says/)

⚡️Early voting begins (kyivindependent.com/early-voting-in-presidential-election-begins-in-belarus/) in Belarusian presidential election scheduled for Jan. 26, Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty reported.
Human rights activists call the early election procedure one of the mechanisms of vote rigging. Up to 40% of voters usually take part in early voting, and the executive branch determines the number of people who are supposed to participate.

⚡️Germany's KNDS launches joint venture with Ukraine for military equipment repair (kyivindependent.com/germanys-knds-launches-joint-venture-with-ukraine-for-military-equipment-repair/), minister says.
The collaboration aims to expedite equipment repairs for Ukrainian armed forces and boost the local economy with investments and job creation, the minister said.

⚡️ Western intelligence agencies kept contact with Russia during full-scale war, Zelensky says. (https://kyivindependent.com/western-intelligence-agencies-kept-contact-with-russia-throughout-full-scale-war-zelensky-says/)
The U.S. and European countries remained in contact with Russia throughout the full-scale war, namely on the level of intelligence agencies, President Volodymyr Zelensky said on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, on Jan. 21.

⚡️Israel proposes (kyivindependent.com/israel-proposes-sending-seized-russian-weapons-in-lebanon-to-ukraine-deputy-fm-says/) sending seized Russian weapons in Lebanon to Ukraine, deputy FM says.
Israel's Deputy Foreign Minister Sharren Haskel proposed transferring Russian weapons seized by Israel in Lebanon to Ukraine during a Jan. 21 meeting with Ukrainian Ambassador Yevhen Korniychuk, Ukraine's embassy reported.

The 78th Air Assault Regiment on Jan. 21 announced an internal investigation after a soldier of the unit pointed to excessive demands on his comrades that supposedly lead to exhaustion and fatal accidents when handling explosives. https://kyivindependent.com/78-air-assault-regiment-deadly-accidents/

⚡️ Kyiv court arrests (kyivindependent.com/kyiv-court-arrests-generals-over-unsuccessful-defense-in-kharkiv-oblast/) 3 senior officers accused of failed defense of Kharkiv Oblast.

⚡️Vladimir Kiriyenko, a son of Russian President Vladimir Putin’s Deputy Chief of Staff Sergei Kiriyenko, has continued making investments in the West through offshore companies despite sanctions, The Moscow Times reported on Jan. 21. (https://kyivindependent.com/top-putin-aides-son-investing-in-the-west-despite-sanctions-media-reports/)

⚡️ Kyiv court arrests (kyivindependent.com/kyiv-court-arrests-former-host-of-pro-russian-channels-max-nazarov/) former host of pro-Russian channels Max Nazarov.
Nazarov has been sent to custody for 60 days pending trial, with an alternative of bail of Hr 12 million ($285,000).

⚡️ Russian attacks against Ukraine kill 2, injure 29 (kyivindependent.com/attacks-119/) over past day.

Ragnar Bjartur Gudmundsson 🇺🇦‬ - JAN 22, 2025
■ 6th highest casualties, fewer engagements
■ Equipment losses well above avg, notable artillery losses
■ Visually confirmed: 45 🇷🇺 41 🇺🇦 added (1.1x), last 30 days 1.5x
■ 🇺🇦 strikes continue, ratio stays in the single digits

UNITED24 Media Telegram Highlights

💶 In 2025, the European Union plans to provide 30.6 billion euros in budget support for Ukraine. This includes 18.1 billion euros under the G7 ERA initiative, sourced from frozen Russian assets, and 12.5 billion euros under the Ukraine Facility.

Russia ended 2024 with a record budget deficit of 3.5 trillion rubles, according to the Russian Finance Ministry. This marks the worst figure in recent years, as the deficit was 3.3 trillion rubles in 2022 and 3.2 trillion rubles in 2023.

Russia is developing a mechanism to confiscate assets of citizens from countries where Russian property has been “unreasonably seized,” Izvestia reports.
The proposed law would allow confiscated foreign assets to be transferred to Russian state ownership. The government commission on foreign investments will compile the list of assets subject to confiscation. Decisions will be made through arbitration courts, following standard confiscation procedures.
The draft law has already been agreed upon by the Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Energy, and the Central Bank. It will be reviewed by the government commission next week.
The bill is based on a decree by Vladimir Putin dated May 23, 2024, which allows for “compensation for damage caused to the country by unfriendly actions of the United States.” It could extend to any “unfriendly states and individuals” if they have “unreasonably deprived Russia or its citizens of property rights.”

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy met with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz in Davos to discuss continued support for Ukraine and coordination with partners to achieve a just peace.

"There are about 30 military factories in the Russian Federation, while Europe has 45. However, Europe is failing to keep up with Russia's pace of military production," Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said at the World Economic Forum in Davos.
Other key statements by Zelenskyy:
▫️ "We must be honest: allies in Europe are concerned about whether the United States will remain with them during times of war. But is anyone in the United States worried that Europe might stop being an ally?"
▫️ Europe cannot afford to be a secondary priority for the United States, both in terms of collective defense and economic cooperation.
▫️ Despite its larger economy, Europe is lagging behind Russia in shell production.
▫️ Europe should not depend on energy supplies from Russia.
▫️ Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico opposes buying European gas instead of Russian, while still hoping to benefit from Europe’s "security umbrella."

The United States does not believe Europe can offer anything significant, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said at the World Economic Forum in Davos.
“Europe cannot be second or third to its allies. Europe must compete for a significant place in priorities and alliances,” Zelenskyy emphasized.

Fighting involving North Korean soldiers is now happening closer to Davos than to Pyongyang, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said at the World Economic Forum in Davos.
“Russia is becoming a version of North Korea — a country where human life means nothing, but they possess nuclear weapons and an intense desire to bring misery to their neighbors,” Zelenskyy stated.

Kyiv Post Telegram Highlights

All Pentagon officials responsible for Ukraine and aid have been dismissed or removed from their positions.
The US Department of Defense is undergoing a complete reset, signaling a new format of relations with Ukraine, Ukrainian journalists reported.

Russian forces persist with the tactic of sending a “camel” runner on foot to deliver combat resupplies to its front line but a Ukrainian drone video shows it can be little more than a suicide mission.
https://www.kyivpost.com/post/45783

Putin’s closest ally in the EU, Hungary’s PM Orban, slammed Kyiv for suspending Russian gas transit to Central Europe, calling it “hostile and aggressive.”
The nationalist leader threatened unspecified consequences if Ukraine doesn’t “change course.”

Trump’s Russia Strategy: will it work? — Kyiv Post explains.
www.kyivpost.com/videos/45816

Europe must boost its technological development as it lags behind the US and China, — Zelensky at the World Economic Forum

Live: Ukraine Telegram Highlights

⚡️🇺🇸🇺🇦 Trump tasks special envoy Keith Kellogg with ending the war in Ukraine within 100 days — WSJ.
The U.S. President aimed to bring the war to an end before taking office, but this has not materialized. According to the outlet, Putin has signaled no urgency to resolve the situation. Kellogg is set to advise Trump on negotiations, though it remains unclear whether the President will rely on his counsel.
Kellogg’s appointment appears unconventional, given his lack of diplomatic expertise. While his military background might be significant for Trump as he shapes his stance on aid to Ukraine, former colleagues point out that Kellogg has no prior experience in diplomacy and is unlikely to participate in any direct negotiations with Russia.

🇨🇿 The majority of Czech citizens show (www.eurointegration.com.ua/news/2025/01/21/7203062/) little interest in the situation in Ukraine, and nearly 60% of them disapprove of the Czech government’s actions in supporting Ukraine in its defense against full-scale Russian aggression, according to a survey by the Czech Public Opinion Research Center (CVVM)

🤡Deputy Denis Bulanov from the Saratov regional parliament has proposed renaming the Black Sea to the “Russian Sea,” referencing its historical name from the 14th–16th centuries
The proposal has been officially submitted to the Federal Registration and Cartography Service.

Live: Ukraine Telegram Highlights

⚡️🇺🇸🇺🇦 Trump tasks special envoy Keith Kellogg with ending the war in Ukraine within 100 days — WSJ.
The U.S. President aimed to bring the war to an end before taking office, but this has not materialized. According to the outlet, Putin has signaled no urgency to resolve the situation. Kellogg is set to advise Trump on negotiations, though it remains unclear whether the President will rely on his counsel.
Kellogg’s appointment appears unconventional, given his lack of diplomatic expertise. While his military background might be significant for Trump as he shapes his stance on aid to Ukraine, former colleagues point out that Kellogg has no prior experience in diplomacy and is unlikely to participate in any direct negotiations with Russia.

Zelensky stated that Ukraine will not agree to a compromise that involves recognizing the occupied territories as part of Russia, even under pressure from all allies.

🇨🇿 The majority of Czech citizens show (www.eurointegration.com.ua/news/2025/01/21/7203062/) little interest in the situation in Ukraine, and nearly 60% of them disapprove of the Czech government’s actions in supporting Ukraine in its defense against full-scale Russian aggression, according to a survey by the Czech Public Opinion Research Center (CVVM)

Ukraine’s Air Defense Neutralizes 65 Out of 99 Enemy Drones
An additional 30 drones were lost locationally without causing any significant damage.

🤡Deputy Denis Bulanov from the Saratov regional parliament has proposed renaming the Black Sea to the “Russian Sea,” referencing its historical name from the 14th–16th centuries
The proposal has been officially submitted to the Federal Registration and Cartography Service.

Just watching the defence secretary giving a ministerial statement in the commons on this Russian spy vessel that has today been in UK waters mapping out undersea cables. They’re not even trying to be covert these days!

Meanwhile over on Truth Social....

"I’m not looking to hurt Russia. I love the Russian people, and always had a very good relationship with President Putin - and this despite the Radical Left’s Russia, Russia, Russia HOAX. We must never forget that Russia helped us win the Second World War, losing almost 60,000,000 lives in the process. All of that being said, I’m going to do Russia, whose Economy is failing, and President Putin, a very big FAVOR. Settle now, and STOP this ridiculous War! IT’S ONLY GOING TO GET WORSE. If we don’t make a “deal,” and soon, I have no other choice but to put high levels of Taxes, Tariffs, and Sanctions on anything being sold by Russia to the United States, and various other participating countries. Let’s get this war, which never would have started if I were President, over with! We can do it the easy way, or the hard way - and the easy way is always better. It’s time to “MAKE A DEAL.” NO MORE LIVES SHOULD BE LOST!!!"

Some of their trawlers that used to appear in UK and Scottish ports used to have some interesting aerial arrays that may or may not have had anything to do with fish finding..

Have to say the recent event you refer to highlights former UKGovs utter lunacy in gapping the Uks Maritime Patrol aircraft capability for around a decade….fortunately the RAF is back in that line of business with the Poseidon but sometimes some of what “the Donald” says about UK/Europe defence spending has been absolutely on the nose.

As with a stopped clock, I suppose he has to be right once or twice a day. He throws out so much garbage, some of it has to land appropriately.

The US military is acutely aware of the shortcomings in the UK's and Europe's defense capabilities because they impact our own military resource planning and deployment.

Patrolling the GIUK Gap was once largely the Royal Navy's responsibility; now, the US and others have had to take a more active role.

https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-january-21-2025

Key Takeaways:

• Ukrainian forces conducted a series of drone strikes against Russian defense industrial enterprises and oil refineries in Russia on the night of January 20 to 21 as part of an ongoing strike series aimed at degrading Russian military capacity.
• The Ukrainian General Staff reported that Ukrainian forces also continue to conduct strikes against Russian command posts in the Russian rear.
• Russian President Vladimir Putin and People's Republic of China (PRC) President Xi Jinping held a phone call on January 21 and emphasized deepening cooperation.
• Acting Kursk Oblast Governor Alexander Khinshtein's recent appointment has thus far failed to solve or distract from Russia's failure to adequately respond to Ukraine's incursion into Kursk Oblast.
• Russian forces recently advanced in Kursk Oblast and near Chasiv Yar, Pokrovsk, and Kurakhove. Ukrainian forces recently regained lost positions near Pokrovsk.
• Russian ultranationalist milbloggers renewed complaints against the Russian Ministry of Defense (MoD) for failing to hold the Russian military command accountable for military failures.

Kyiv Independent Telegram Highlights

⚡️ Russia lacks manpower (kyivindependent.com/russia-lacks-manpower-for-major-breakthrough-in-ukraine-top-nato-general-says/) for major breakthrough in Ukraine, top NATO general says.
"I'm not worried that Ukraine could suddenly lose. I don't see the potential for a massive (Russian) breakthrough," NATO's Supreme Allied Commander in Europe, General Christopher Cavoli, said during a discussion on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum in Davos on Jan. 21.

⚡️Russia could challenge EU's defense readiness (kyivindependent.com/russia-could-test-eus-readiness-to-defend-itself-in-3-to-5-years-time-kallas-says/) within 5 years, Kallas says.

What Trump’s 90-day pause (kyivindependent.com/trump-orders-90-day-pause-in-us-foreign-development-assistance-is-ukraines-aid-at-risk/) on US foreign development assistance means for Ukraine

⚡️ Zelensky meets (kyivindependent.com/zelensky-meets-german-opposition-leader-israeli-president-in-davos/) German opposition leader, Israeli president at Davos forum.

⚡️Zelensky meets with Serbian, Argentine presidents (kyivindependent.com/zelensky-meets-with-serbian-argentine-presidents-at-davos-forum/) at Davos forum.

⚡️North Korea to send artillery units (kyivindependent.com/north-korea-to-send-artillery-units-150-ballistic-missiles-to-aid-russias-war-budanov-says/), 150 more ballistic missiles to aid Russia’s war, Budanov says.
North Korea is expected to send reinforcements to Russia’s Kursk Oblast, mainly gun and rocket artillery units, Ukraine’s military intelligence chief Kyrylo Budanov said in an interview with The War Zone magazine published on Jan. 23.

⚡️EU to allocate $36 billion of financial support (kyivindependent.com/eu-to-allocate-36-billion-of-financial-support-to-ukraine/) to Ukraine.
The European Union will provide 35 billion euros ($36 billion) in financial assistance to Ukraine in 2025 through the G7 ERA credit initiative and the Ukraine Facility program, European Commission's vice-president and trade commissioner announced on Jan. 22.

⚡️ Russia issued ultimatum to Ukraine in 2022 to replace Zelensky with Medvedchuk, president says. (kyivindependent.com/russia-issued-ultimatum-in-2022-to-force-out-zelensky-install-medvedchuk-president-says/)
According to President Volodymyr Zelensky, the ultimatum also demanded Ukraine recognize Russian occupation authorities in Donbas, change its constitution to commit to "neutrality," shrink its army to 50,000 troops, give up much of its weapon arsenal, and recognize the Russian language as an official language of Ukraine.

Prigozhin’s Wagner Group accused of plotting attacks on Chevron, cooperating with Al Qaeda, leaked emails show (kyivindependent.com/prigozhins-wagner-group-accused-of-plotting-attacks-on-chevron-cooperating-with-al-qaeda-leaked-emails-show/)
The late Russian warlord Yevgeny Prigozhin's Wagner mercenary force has been accused of plotting attacks against Western infrastructure in Africa, including U.S. oil company Chevron's pipelines, according to the leaked correspondence of Prigozhin's Concord Group obtained by Ukraine's 24 Channel.
Another accusation is that Wagner mercenaries have allegedly cooperated with terrorists, including Al Qaeda, in Africa.

⚡️ Ukraine's Special Forces say they killed 21 North Korean soldiers, show combat footage. (https://kyivindependent.com/ukraines-special-forces-say-they-killed-21-north-korean-soldiers-show-combat-footage/)

Ukraine's largest private energy company, DTEK, announced plans on Jan. 22 to invest 450 million euros ($468 million) in expanding the Tyligulska Wind Power Plant near the Black Sea coast.
https://kyivindependent.com/ukrainian-energy-giant-to-invest-468-million-in-expanding-black-sea-wind-power-plant/

⚡️Scandal-hit 155th Ukrainian Brigade commander in custody with $2.1 million bail (kyivindependent.com/commander-of-scandal-hit-155th-ukrainian-brigade-detained-with-2-1-million-bail-media-reports/), media reports.
The former commander of the scandal-hit Ukrainian 155th "Anne of Kyiv" Brigade has been remanded in custody with a bail of Hr 90 million ($2.1 million), Hromadske reported on Jan. 22.

How Ukraine lost faith in the Red Cross and UN (kyivindependent.com/how-ukraine-lost-faith-in-red-cross-and-un/)
With the start of the Russian full-scale war, Ukraine seems to have lost faith in major international bodies like the ICRC and the United Nations (U.N.)

⚡️SBU conducts 150 special operations in 3 days (kyivindependent.com/sbu-conducts-150-special-operations-in-3-days-in-large-scale-security-crackdown/) in large-scale security crackdown.

⚡️ One-fifth of Ukrainians would move abroad if travel restrictions were lifted, survey shows. (kyivindependent.com/one-fifth-of-ukrainians-would-move-abroad-if-borders-open-survey-shows/)
Some 21% of Ukrainians would want to move abroad if all travel restrictions were lifted, according to a survey by the Ilko Kucheriv "Democratic Initiatives" Foundation and the Razumkov Center published on Jan. 21.

Ukraine is failing the mobilization test (kyivindependent.com/ukraine-is-failing-the-mobilization-test/)
“Ukrainian society largely does not want to mobilize. Nearly 6 million Ukrainian men have not updated their information in military enlistment centers, and most of them likely don’t have grounds for a deferment or exemption. Forced mobilization of these men is categorically opposed by society. Rosy-cheeked aunts gather and shout ‘shame’ at military enlistment officers tasked with searching for draft dodgers… One can talk endlessly about drone warfare and a shortage of equipment and artillery, but it’s the infantry that holds the front line,” writes Illia Krotenko, a sergeant with the Ukrainian Ground Forces, in his op-ed.

⚡️Ukraine's OnlyFans content creators declare (https://kyivindependent.com/ukrainians-on-onlyfans-declared-7-76-million-amid-legal-ambiguities-media-reports/) more than $7 million in income.

In photos: Grinding war in Donetsk Oblast (kyivindependent.com/in-photos-grinding-war-in-donetsk-oblast-through-the-lens-of-journalist-turned-military-photographer/)through the lens of photojournalist-turned-soldier

⚡️ Kyiv announces release (kyivindependent.com/ukraine-secures-release-of-3-ukrainian-sailors-from-houthi-captivity/) of 3 Ukrainian sailors from Houthi captivity.

⚡️Update: 45 injured (kyivindependent.com/russian-attack-in-zaporizhzhia-injures-at-least-16/) in Russian attack on Zaporizhzhia.

⚡️ Russian attacks (kyivindependent.com/attacks-120/) against Ukraine kill 2, injure 46 over past day.

‪Ragnar Bjartur Gudmundsson 🇺🇦‬ - JAN 23, 2025
■ Combat engagements & casualties below 7-day average
■ Artillery losses at a record level for the year so far
■ Fewer 🇷🇺 MLRS & 🇺🇦 strikes, 🇷🇺 airstrikes above long-term average See dashboard for further data

UNITED24 Media Telegram Highlights

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte held a phone conversation with newly appointed U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio.

The European Union is bracing for a potential standoff with Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán over his resistance to extending sanctions against Russia, as reported by Bloomberg. The current sanctions regime, which targets Moscow over its invasion of Ukraine, is set to expire on January 31 and requires unanimous approval from all 27 EU member states for renewal.

The New York Times reports that North Korea plans to send a new group of soldiers to join the war in Ukraine within the next two months.
In Russia’s Kursk region, North Korean troops fighting for Moscow are assigned specific tasks, often advancing without armored support. Unlike Russian forces, they rarely regroup or retreat under heavy fire. Ukrainian soldiers and U.S. officials have noted that North Korean units move through minefields and launch waves of 40 or more soldiers during assaults.
If they seize a position, they do not hold it but hand it over to Russian reinforcements and then retreat to prepare for another attack.
North Korean forces employ unique tactics, including sending a soldier as a decoy during drone encounters. Soldiers who are gravely wounded are instructed to detonate a grenade to avoid capture, holding it in position as Ukrainian forces approach.
Oleksandr Syrsky, the commander-in-chief of Ukraine’s armed forces, stated that North Korean casualties are high, with nearly half of those deployed being killed or wounded. U.S. defense officials expect new reinforcements from North Korea within two months.

North Korea continues to supply weapons to Russia—new footage shows another batch of Koksan self-propelled guns and unknown equipment covered with a tarpaulin moving by rail somewhere in Russia

⚡️ U.S. President Donald Trump has urged Russia to “make a deal” to end the war in Ukraine, warning of increased sanctions and tariffs against Moscow if it refuses.

President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy had a meeting with top managers and owners of major companies, as well as the Prime Minister of Belgium Alexandre De Croo and France's Minister of Europe and Foreign Affairs Jean-Noël Barrot, during the World Economic Forum in Davos.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy discussed military assistance and strengthening sanctions against Russia with Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy held a meeting with Dutch Prime Minister Dick Schoof at the World Economic Forum in Davos, expressing gratitude for the Netherlands’ unwavering support for Ukraine.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy met with Azerbaijani leader Ilham Aliyev. During the meeting, Zelenskyy urged Aliyev to increase pressure on Russia concerning the downing of the Azerbaijan Airlines plane.

A two-month-old boy injured in the Russian strike on Zaporizhzhia has been hospitalized in moderate condition.
“Diagnosis: explosive trauma, closed head injury, abrasions to the scalp. The child is in the general surgery department, and there is currently no threat to his life,” reported the head of the regional military administration, Fedorov.
The number of injured from the attack has risen to 46.

"Russia says it remains "ready for an equal dialogue, a mutually respectful dialogue", reacting to US President Donald Trump's threat to impose sanctions against Moscow if it did not "stop this ridiculous war" in Ukraine.
"We're waiting for signals that are yet to arrive," says President Vladimir Putin's spokesman, Dmitry Peskov." - from BBC

How good of them 🙄

Kyiv Post Telegram Highlights

Loopholes in anti-Russian sanctions and weak enforcement allow US companies to dodge restrictions meant to cripple Russia’s economy.
The result? Moscow’s war machine stays alive.
www.kyivpost.com/post/45820

Royal Navy’s top-secret submarine tracks Russian spy vessel — the Russian ship Yantar was forced out of British waters last November, but it has made a return.
www.kyivpost.com/post/45921

The ‘Poseidon’ unmanned aviation complex is now part of Ukraine’s arsenal.
Equipped with electric engines and a modern navigation system, Poseidon can operate in temperatures ranging from -20°C to +45°C and performs effectively even in strong winds.

WEAPON SWAP: Israel offers Ukraine seized Russian arms from Hezbollah raids – teaming up to take on shared enemies.
https://www.kyivpost.com/post/45859

Zelensky urges the US to send peacekeepers to Ukraine, directly appealing to Trump, — Bloomberg
“Ending the war should be Trump’s victory, not Putin’s,” he said. He added that Europe lacks the troops to deter Putin, and any move risks fracturing NATO.

Senior British officers oppose Trump’s promise of a quick end to the war in Ukraine, — The Times
“Clearly, as soon as the guns fall silent in Ukraine, we will see Russia’s resurgence, its recovery, and a new pact with a new axis of aggressors” they warn.

A Russian soldier shot his own commander in occupied Zaporizhzhia.
Reports reveal constant brutal torture, intimidation, and theft of salary cards by Russia’s military leaders.
www.kyivpost.com/post/45887

Live: Ukraine Telegram Highlights

Pro-Russian Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico convened an emergency meeting of Slovakia’s Security Council due to an alleged threat to overthrow his government by “experts” from abroad.

🇪🇺🇭🇺 Due to Viktor Orbán’s opposition, the European Union may miss the deadline to extend sanctions against Russia.
The current EU sanctions are set to expire on January 31. To extend them, all member states must unanimously agree. However, the Hungarian Prime Minister claims that the sanctions are allegedly harming Europe’s economy.
Several diplomats told Bloomberg that there is no “Plan B” for extending the sanctions if Orbán continues to block them. The issue will be discussed this week and on January 27, during a meeting of EU foreign ministers in Brussels.

On December 20, the former Commander-in-Chief of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, now Ukraine’s ambassador to the United Kingdom, Valerii Zaluzhnyi, announced the release of his autobiography “My War”. The book is intended to be the first part of a trilogy; the two subsequent parts will be titled “Our War” and “Their War”.

The first book focuses on Zaluzhnyi’s pre-war life. He promises to discuss Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in the following volumes but already touches upon it in the first. Ukrainian media outlets have highlighted several (suspilne.media/925625-moa-vijna-pro-so-persa-kniga-z-trilogii-valeria-zaluznogo/) key (babel.ua/texts/113979-poputnicya-zazirnula-v-ochi-kursantu-valeriyu-zaluzhnomu-y-naprorokuvala-veliku-viynu-de-vin-bude-golovnim-rozpovidaye-vin-sam-u-knizi-moya-viyna-publikuyemo-z-neji-urivok) facts (www.pravda.com.ua/rus/articles/2025/01/21/7494512/) from the book.
◾️A Prophetic Encounter: In the spring of 1997, while studying at the Odessa Institute of Ground Forces, Zaluzhnyi and his fellow cadets met a woman on a train who offered to tell their fortunes. Although skeptical, Zaluzhnyi recalls her predicting a “terrible war” in Ukraine in which he would be “the most important figure.” He remembered this moment vividly in late February 2022 under the “unbearable weight of responsibility and harrowing thoughts.” He writes, “No, I wasn’t afraid of what was happening; I was afraid of losing the strength to endure it all.”

◾️The State of Ukraine’s Army Post-USSR: Following the collapse of the Soviet Union, the Ukrainian army remained in a dire state for years. In the late 1990s, Zaluzhnyi went months without pay, and his family relied solely on his officer’s rations. According to him, the worst period was in 2011, when the 51st Separate Mechanized Brigade he commanded had its personnel halved within two years, and monthly fuel allocations were limited to 20 liters. Meaningful reforms only began after Crimea’s annexation and the outbreak of fighting in Donbas.
◾️Anticipating the Invasion: In 2021, Zaluzhnyi sensed the looming threat of a large-scale war. He was struck by the military’s lack of preparedness to counter multi-front attacks. Ukraine’s army faced shortages of weapons and equipment, but the most alarming issue was the almost complete lack of readiness of the missile defense system, which he described as being “practically nonexistent.”
◾️Challenges During the 2023 Counteroffensive: The counteroffensive strained Ukraine’s relations with its allies. Zaluzhnyi was troubled by the army’s inadequate supplies and the “insistent pressure to advance.” At the time, The Washington Post had obtained information about the training of Ukrainian troops on NATO ranges. Ukraine’s Ministry of Defense tried to prevent these details from being leaked and promised the newspaper an interview with Zaluzhnyi in exchange. He used the interview to emphasize that the counteroffensive was “not a show for the world to watch, place bets on, or anything of the sort. Every day, every meter is won with blood.”
The initial print run of the book was 20,000 copies, with over 4,500 sold on the first day. However, the books are being shipped in batches; as of one month after the release, the publishing house “Babylon Library” had dispatched only 6,500 copies. The next shipment is expected at the end of January.
Interest in the book is fueled by Zaluzhnyi’s high approval ratings in some sociological surveys among Ukrainians, where he outpaces President Volodymyr Zelensky. Despite his popularity, Zaluzhnyi rarely communicates with the press and has stated that he does not intend to enter politics.

Ukrainian Air Defense Forces shot down 57 Russian drones out of 92, 27 UAVs were lost locationally, 3 more drones are in the air, combat operations continue.
Additionally, Russian forces launched 4 ballistic missiles (“Iskander-M”/KN-23) targeting the city of Zaporizhzhia.

American podcaster Lex Fridman, who previously interviewed President Zelensky, has announced his intention to travel to Russia to conduct an interview with Putin

A piece in The Times today about Trump's intervention in the russian war of aggression.

End Game
Notably absent from Donald Trump's inaugural speech on Monday was Ukraine. Given that the war is the most pressing foreign policy issue in the new president's in-tray his uncharacteristic reticence on the subject suggests a growing realisation that ending it will be more difficult than originally envisaged. President Trump, it will be remembered, promised to end the war in a day, once in office.
That deadline has already passed and a rather less ambitious commitment, to end it in several months, has replaced it. This more realistic timetable recognises the fact that even American power has its limits in a conflict in which the ­opposing parties have so much to lose. Neither Ukraine nor Russia are simply going to roll over after such egregious losses simply because there is a new man in the White House. Mr Trump must deftly employ carrot and stick to secure peace.
The president's first public foray on the subject since entering the Oval Office was on his social media platform, Truth Social, on Wednesday. The post contained both ingredients, beginning with ­carrot. “I'm not looking to hurt Russia,” wrote Mr Trump. “I love the Russian people, and always had a very good relationship with President Putin.” Then the stick: if no deal on Ukraine then more sanctions on Russiaa_ and other “participating countries”.
That could include Russia's biggest source of sanctions-busting goods, China, and India, a major recipient of Russian energy exports. To sanctions would be added the threat of vastly increased military aid to Ukraine if Mr Putin fails to come to the negotiating table. This possibility was raised on Tuesday by Robert Wilkie, a Trump adviser, who warned also that the new administration was prepared to flood the global natural gas and oil markets with cheap American exports to collapse the income derived from Russia's (and Iran's) energy exports.
Already hemmed in by western sanctions and with its overseas investments frozen, Russia's vulnerability to more economic warfare is uncertain. But there is no doubt that its economy is under severe pressure, with false official data failing to conceal real inflation of between 16 and 30 per cent and huge strain on the public finances, betrayed by cuts in benefits to war veterans. Interest rates, meanwhile, are running at 20 per cent.
More US weapons would be welcome in Kyiv, which has complained about the West's grudging approach to military aid. However, that promise is accompanied by a US demand that Ukraine extend conscription to include men aged 18 to 25. For President Zelensky that would cross a red line. He has protected his country's youngest men from a conflict that is draining its limited manpower. Draft dodging is rife as war-weariness takes hold. Extending the call-up could be politically fatal.
A Trumpian peace will involve territorial concessions. For Ukraine it could mean the de facto, though not de jure, surrender of a fifth of its land, a bitter pill hopefully sweetened by a western guarantee safeguarding the rest. To be durable, that should involve the deployment to Ukraine of American and European forces. For Mr Putin, who gambled on a swift victory producing a vassal regime in Kyiv, the survival of an independent rump Ukraine would be a strategic defeat, but one that could be painted as a victory given his land grab. However, the­re would be no return to normal relations for a gangster state. But it might help preserve that for which he cares most: himself.

Is it wrong that although I can't bear Trump I am hoping he can bring peace to Ukraine? It's becoming clear that Ukraine is going to lose some of its land to the aggressor in the pursuit of peace, and Putin clings to his maximalist aims. (Although Kaja Kallas warned us early doors that this was a classic russian negotiating tactic to ensure that they get 'one third or even one half of something that was never theirs to begin with'.)
I just hope Ukraine can join NATO or failing that have an absolutely cast iron guarantee of military intervention from other countries to ensure what is left of the country is safe from future russian invasion.

Trump speaking in Davos is really something.

He’s just said negotiations between Russia and Ukraine should now be under way.

In the space of 5 mins we’ve gone through Gaza, Ukraine, the anniversary of America’s independence, the World Cup and the Olympics. It’s quite a whirlwind!

I admire those of you who have the patience and resilience to listen to a speech of Trump's.

I don't recommend it for a relaxing pastime 😂