Ukraine - Russia's perfidious attack, a chronicle of events

[Alex_Sor]

The total combat losses of the enemy from 24.02.22 to 26.12.23 were approximately:

 

 

Situation update as of 6 a.m., December 26, 2023

Day 671 of the russian full-scale military aggression against Ukraine has begun.

During the day of December 25, there were 98x combat engagements. The enemy launched a total of 1x missile and 42x air strikes, 56x MLRS attacks at the positions of Ukrainian troops and various settlements. Unfortunately, the russian terrorist attacks have killed and wounded civilians. Private residential buildings and other civilian infrastructure were destroyed or damaged.

During the day of December 25, the russian occupiers attacked Ukraine yet again, using 18x Shahed-136/131 UAVs. The Ukrainian air defense forces and means destroyed 12x strike UAVs.

Air strikes hit Serebryans’ke forestry (Luhansk oblast), Terny, Dibrova, Sivers’k, Vyimka, Spirne, Vesele, Novobakhmutivka, and Novomykhailivka (Donetsk oblast).

Around 100x settlements in Chernihiv, Sumy, Kharkiv, Luhansk, Donetsk, Zaporizhzhia, Kherson, and Mykolaiv oblasts came under artillery fire.

Pivnich operational-strategic group, Volyn and Polissya axes: no significant changes.

Sivershchyna and Slobozhanshchyna axes: the adversary maintains its military presence in the areas of russia bordering Ukraine. The enemy troops conduct active subversive activities in order to prevent the deployment of Ukrainian troops to threatened axes. The adversary increases the density of minefields along the state border in Belgorod oblast (russia).

Khortytsia operational-strategic group, Kup’yans’k axis: Ukrainian defenders repelled 6x enemy attacks near the settlement of Syn’kivka (Kharkiv oblast). The occupiers made unsuccessful attempts to break through the defense of Ukrainian troops in that area.

Lyman axis: the Ukrainian Defense Forces repelled 29x enemy attacks in the vicinity of Serebryans’ke forestry (Luhansk oblast) and Vesele (Donetsk oblast).

Bakhmut axis: the Ukrainian troops repelled 4x attacks of the adversary near the settlements of Bohdanivka (Donetsk oblast).

Tavria operational-strategic group, Avdiivka axis: the Ukrainian defenders continue to hold back the enemy who keeps trying to encircle Avdiivka. The Ukrainian soldiers are standing their ground and inflicting major losses on the invaders. For instance, the Ukrainian Defense Forces repelled 27x attacks of the occupiers east of Novobakhmutivka, Stepove, Avdiivka, as well as 13x more attacks near Pervomais’ke and Nevel’s’ke (Donetsk oblast).

Mar’inka axis: the Ukrainian Defense Forces continue to hold back the enemy in the vicinity of Novomykhailivka (Donetsk oblast). The Ukrainian defenders repelled 6x attacks in that area.

Shakhtars’ke axis: the Ukrainian troops repelled 3x attacks of the russian forces in the vicinity of Staromaiors’ke (Donetsk oblast).

Zaporizhzhia axis: the Ukrainian Defense Forces repelled 7x adversary attacks near Robotyne and west of Verbove (Zaporizhzhia oblast).

Odesa operational-strategic group, Kherson axis: the Ukrainian Defense Forces continue to expand the bridgehead. Despite significant losses, the enemy does not abandon its intention to dislodge Ukrainian troops from their positions. For instance, the adversary made 12x unsuccessful attempts to assault that were repelled and the invaders retreated.

At the same time, the Ukrainian Defense Forces continue their active operations to inflict losses in manpower and equipment on the occupation forces, and exhaust the enemy all along the front line.

During the day of December 25, the Ukrainian Air Force launched air strikes on 4x concentrations of troops, weapons, and military equipment of the adversary.

The Ukrainian missile troops hit 4x concentrations of troops, weapons, and military equipment, 2x ammunition depots, and 3x anti-aircraft missile systems of the russian invaders.

[Alex_Sor]

Everyone who was on board the landing ship of the Russian Black Sea Fleet "Novocherkassk" died. Yuri Ignat, a representative of the Air Force Command of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, stated this during a briefing.

In particular, he answered the question whether Novocherkassk, which the Ukrainian Armed Forces hit near the city of Feodosia in the temporarily occupied Crimea, could be restored.

     “There was only one “skeleton” left of this ship. Everything burned to the ground. After such an explosion, it is clear that not only the ship itself was destroyed. Perhaps some other port infrastructure, perhaps some support vessels that were nearby and precisely the crew of the ship..." said Ignat.

He added that the destruction of this ship and the invaders is a powerful event for the Ukrainian Armed Forces, which was achieved thanks to the joint work and coordinated actions of various units of the Ukrainian Armed Forces.

[Alex_Sor]

I myself looked at our new bill on mobilization, they propose to conscript Ukrainian disabled people of the 2nd and 3rd groups...
I was wondering: what diseases belong to group 3 disability?
Reading:
Disability group 3: diseases that give the right to receive it:
     absence of one eye;
     absence of one kidney;
     absence of one lung;
     unilateral mastectomy due to malignancy;
     persistent complete ptosis in one eye after all types of restorative treatment;
     blindness in one eye (visual acuity with transfer correction of 0.05 or lower or concentric narrowing of the visual field to ten degrees from the point of fixation);
     bilateral deafness;
     permanent tracheostomy;
     laryngeal stenosis of II-III degrees due to traumatic or infectious damage to the neuromuscular apparatus of the larynx with one- or two-sided paresis and persistent dysphonia;
     persistent aphonia of organic origin;
     defect of the jaw or hard palate, if prosthetics do not provide chewing;
     scars and defects that distort the face and cannot be corrected surgically and cosmetically;
     pituitary dwarfism. Osteochondropathy, osteochondrodystrophy with a height of less than 150 cm;
     moderate sensory aphasia;
     hand paralysis;
     paralysis or severe paresis of the upper or lower limb, accompanied by a significant limitation in the range of active movements in all joints and muscle wasting;
     a foreign body in the brain due to trauma, if it was accompanied by a brain abscess or meningoencephalitis;
     significant defect of the skull bones three square meters. cm or more, except in cases of its replacement with autologous bone, or in smaller sizes, if there is pulsation of the brain, or in the absence of pulsation in cases where the injury was accompanied by a complication, for example, an infectious-purulent process;
     absent hand and higher rate of upper limb amputation;
     false joint of the shoulder or both bones of the forearm;
     absence of all phalanges of four fingers of the hand, with the exception of the first;
     absence of three fingers, including the first;
     ankylosis or severe contracture of the same fingers in functional
     disadvantage;
     absence of the first and second fingers with corresponding metacarpal bones;
     absence of the first fingers of both hands;
     absence of three fingers of the hand with corresponding metacarpal bones;
     stump of the thigh or leg;
     foot stump at the level of the Lisfranc joint or at the highest level;
     bilateral foot stump with resection of the metatarsal heads behind Sharp;
     pronounced contracture or ankylosis of two racing joints;
     pronounced contracture or ankylosis of the racing joint with the foot in a functionally disadvantageous position;
     pronounced contracture or ankylosis of the hip or knee joint;
     congenital or acquired dislocation of one hip joint with significant impairment of function;
     deformation of the chest due to resection of four or more ribs in the presence of respiratory failure of degree I or more;
     false joint of the femur or both bones of the tibia or tibia if rehabilitation measures are ineffective after five years of observation;
     unstable knee or hip joint with severe impairment of limb function;
     shortening of the lower limb by seven centimeters or more;
     endoprosthesis of the knee or hip joint, or the diaphysis of large tubular bones;
     scoliosis of the III degree, kyphoscoliosis of the III degree with the presence of respiratory failure or scoliosis or kyphoscoliosis of the IV degree;
     ankylosis or pronounced contracture of the elbow joint in a functionally disadvantageous position;
     contracture of the forearm in a position of full pronation;
     ischemic contracture of the Volkmann forearm with severe functional impairment of the hand;
     gastric extirpation, total coloproctectomy, pancreatectomy with the presence of diabetes mellitus;
     total thyroidectomy with subcompensated or uncompensated hypothyroidism with adequate treatment;
     a foreign body in the heart muscle or pericardium due to trauma (wound), artificial heart valve, functioning pacemaker.
........................................
Deputies, have you completely lost your mind there???

[Alex_Sor]

 

[Alex_Sor]

The total combat losses of the enemy from 24.02.22 to 27.12.23 were approximately:

Situation update as of 6 a.m., December 27, 2023

Day 672 of the russian full-scale military aggression against Ukraine has begun.

During the day of December 26, there were 80x combat engagements. The enemy launched a total of 8x missile and 60x air strikes, 69x MLRS attacks at the positions of Ukrainian troops and various settlements. Unfortunately, the russian terrorist attacks have killed and wounded civilians. Private residential buildings and other civilian infrastructure were destroyed or damaged.

The russian occupants launched yet another attack on Ukraine, using 46x Shahed-136/131 UAVs last night. The Ukrainian air defense forces and means destroyed 32x strike UAVs.

Air strikes hit Hrem’yach (Chernihiv oblast), Varvarivka, Syn’kivka, Ivanivka, Kup’yans’k, Sobolivka (Kharkiv oblast), Serebryans’ke forestry, Bilohorivka (Luhansk oblast), Dibrova, Novobakhmutivka, Oleksandropil’, Novomykhailivka (Donetsk oblast), Zmiivka, and Krynky (Kherson oblast).

Around 100x settlements in Chernihiv, Sumy, Kharkiv, Luhansk, Donetsk, Zaporizhzhia, Kherson, and Mykolaiv oblasts came under artillery fire.

Pivnich operational-strategic group, Volyn and Polissya axes: no significant changes.

Sivershchyna and Slobozhanshchyna axes: the adversary maintains its military presence in the areas of russia bordering Ukraine. The enemy troops conduct active subversive activities in order to prevent the deployment of Ukrainian troops to threatened axes. The adversary increases the density of minefields along the state border in Belgorod oblast (russia).

Khortytsia operational-strategic group, Kup’yans’k axis: Ukrainian defenders repelled 8x enemy attacks in the vicinities of Syn’kivka and northeast of Petropavlivka (Kharkiv oblast). The adversary attempted to break through the defense of Ukrainian troops in that area.

Lyman axis: the Ukrainian Defense Forces repelled 11x enemy attacks in the vicinities of Serebryans’ke forestry (Luhansk oblast) and Vesele (Donetsk oblast).

Bakhmut axis: the Ukrainian troops repelled 8x attacks of the adversary near the settlements of Bohdanivka, Klishchiivka, and Andriivka (Donetsk oblast).

Tavria operational-strategic group, Avdiivka axis: the Ukrainian defenders continue to hold back the enemy who keeps trying to encircle Avdiivka. The Ukrainian soldiers are standing their ground as they inflict major losses on the enemy. For instance, the Ukrainian Defense Forces repelled 13x enemy attacks east of Novobakhmutivka, Avdiivka, and 16x attacks near Pervomais’ke and Nevel’s’ke (Donetsk oblast).

Mar’inka axis: the Ukrainian Defense Forces continue to hold back the enemy in the vicinities of Mar’inka and Pobjeda (Donetsk oblast). The Ukrainian defenders repelled 7x attacks in that area.

Shakhtars’ke axis: the enemy did not conduct any offensive (assault) operations.

Zaporizhzhia axis: the Ukrainian Defense Forces repelled 9x adversary attacks in the vicinity of Robotyne and west of Verbove (Zaporizhzhia oblast).

Odesa operational-strategic group, Kherson axis: the Ukrainian defenders continue to expand the bridgehead. Despite significant losses, the enemy does not abandon its intention to dislodge Ukrainian troops from their positions. For instance, the adversary made 14x unsuccessful attempts to assault that were repelled and the invaders retreated.

At the same time, the Ukrainian Defense Forces continue their active operations to inflict losses in manpower and equipment on the occupation forces, and exhaust the enemy all along the front line.

During the day of December 26, Ukrainian Air Force launched air strikes on 17x concentrations of troops, weapons and military equipment, and 5x anti-aircraft missile systems of the adversary. Also, the air defense of Ukraine destroyed 2x Kh-59 air-launched guided missiles and 1x reconnaissance UAV of the enemy. Also, the tactical aviation of the Ukrainian Air Force successfully attacked 1x large landing ship of the russian Black Sea Fleet – the Novocherkassk.

The Ukrainian missile troops hit 3x concentrations of troops, weapons, and military equipment, 1x command post, 2x artillery systems, and 3x other important targets of the russian invaders.

[Alex_Sor]

“De-occupation of territories is a false representation of victory”: NYT called on Ukraine to make concessions to the Russian Federation

A member of the editorial board of The New York Times is convinced that leaving the war now is more profitable for Ukraine than fighting until complete victory.

Ukraine should not ignore the opportunity to make peace with Russia on the current line of contact, because victory in the war is determined not only by territorial gains and losses. This opinion was published on the pages of The New York Times by the famous publicist and political commentator, member of the editorial board of this newspaper, Serge Schmemann.

Commenting on the recent high-profile publication by The New York Times itself about the Kremlin’s signals of readiness for a peace agreement, Schmemann carefully notes that these signals are both “suspicious and seductive.” He acknowledges that hypothetical peace talks could be a trap for Putin, but calls for a look at the possible benefits.

“If Mr. Putin turns out to be serious [in his intentions to make peace], Ukraine should not lose the opportunity to stop the bloodshed. The conquered territory is not the only indicator of victory in this war,” the observer writes.

Schmemann notes that the war is depleting Ukrainian resources, while there are no prospects for its military end. He in particular refers to problems with American assistance to Ukraine and to a high-profile article by the commander-in-chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Valery Zaluzhny, in which he recognized a “stalemate situation” at the front.

“The conflict could still take an unexpected turn, as it did before. But at this stage the prospect is a long war of attrition that will cause even more damage to Ukraine, take even more lives and spread instability in Europe,” the journalist said.

He cites the opinion of another publicist, Michael Kimmage, who warns that the endless conflict will deepen Russia's alienation from the West, entrench Putinism in Russia and delay Ukraine's integration into Europe. This is why Schmemann considers the deoccupation of all territories of Ukraine to be a “wrong” idea of the best outcome of the war for Kyiv.

"The real victory for Ukraine is to rise from the hell of war as a strong, independent, prosperous and secure state, with a strong hold on the West. This would be exactly what Mr. Putin feared most from a neighboring state with deep historical ties to Russia." - the observer is convinced.

[Alex_Sor]

As ISW analysts report in their report, the Ukrainian Armed Forces’ operations on the eastern shore of the Kherson region in October pulled Russian forces away from other directions. They would have had a similar or even better effect at the beginning of the counteroffensive in June, but the situation was affected by the destruction of the Kakhovskaya hydroelectric power station.

It is noted that the Ukrainian military special forces recently said in an interview with the Associated Press that they were preparing to cross the Dnieper at the end of May 2023. The destruction of the hydroelectric dam and subsequent flooding in the region delayed these plans.

Our military made limited crossing attempts in July, August and September, but the operation to create a bridgehead did not begin until October. This helped to pull the invaders away from other sectors of the front. In particular, the Russian Federation transferred units of the 7th Airborne Division (Airborne Division) from the Kherson region after the destruction of the hydroelectric station and relied on them as critical elements of its defense in the western part of the Zaporozhye region and in the area of the administrative border between the Donetsk and Zaporozhye regions.

Analysts explain that the Russian command would be unlikely to transfer these elements away from Kherson in the event of a Ukrainian crossing in June 2023.

"Significant Ukrainian ground operations on the left bank of the Kherson region, coordinated with Ukrainian counter-offensive operations in southern Ukraine and near Bakhmut, would put greater pressure on Russian forces and would likely limit the ability of the Russian military to balance the requirements for manpower and equipment for defensive operations in four directions,” the report added.

Thus, the destruction of the hydroelectric power station played a role as a result of the Ukrainian counter-offensive.

https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-december-27-2023

[Alex_Sor]

In the Rabotino area, the invaders recaptured positions from the Ukrainian Armed Forces: ISW spoke about the consequences

Analysts also voiced a forecast of what will happen if the West does not give weapons to Ukraine.

The Russian occupiers advanced into the western part of the Zaporozhye region and recaptured the positions that the Ukrainian Armed Forces occupied during the counter-offensive in the summer.

As stated in a recent report from the Institute for the Study of War (ISW), this probably happened after the Ukrainian Armed Forces withdrew for the winter to more protected positions near Robotino.

Geo-referenced footage shows that the Russian occupiers have advanced west of Verbovoy (9 km east of Robotino). According to ISW, Ukraine's capture of these positions in August of this year was tactically significant, as it could allow the Ukrainian Armed Forces to begin operating past the densest Russian minefields and subsequent Russian defensive barriers. At the same time, analysts do not believe that the transfer of these positions to the Russian occupiers is particularly important or significant at the present time.

"Recent Russian offensives in the western Zaporozhye region, however, confirm the ISW assessment that the current trench warfare in Ukraine is not a stalemate, since the balance can be upset in either direction by decisions made in the West or in the Russian Federation, and limited Russian achievements could become significant, especially if the West stops military assistance to Ukraine,” analysts stated.

https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-december-27-2023

 

 

[Alex_Sor]

Using Ukrainian Armed Forces soldiers as a “human shield”: the ombudsman criticized the reaction of the UN and the Red Cross

The behavior of international authorities has become systemic.

Verkhovna Rada Commissioner for Human Rights Dmitry Lubinets said that Ukraine handed over verified video footage of the latest Russian war crime to representatives of the International Committee of the Red Cross and the United Nations. It shows that the Russian occupiers used Ukrainian prisoners of war as “human shields” on the contact line.

As Lubinets reported, international institutions ignored this information, although Ukraine managed to establish that these shots were not edited, but real. It is also known where and who recorded it.

“Preliminarily, we even have assumptions about which of the servicemen of the Russian Armed Forces committed this crime,” the ombudsman said.

Thus, a blatant violation of the Geneva Conventions remained without reaction from the Red Cross and the UN. According to Lubinets, this reaction of international institutions to the facts of war crimes by Russian troops in Ukraine has recently been systemic.

“Again we report war crimes, and again there is no response,” he said indignantly.

[Alex_Sor]

 

[Alex_Sor]

The Russian Army launched missiles at Ukraine on the morning of December 29. According to preliminary data, the enemy entered the shopping center in the city of Dnepr.

Updated 09:27 Prime Minister of Ukraine Denis Shmygal confirmed in the morning that Russia hit a shopping center in the Dnieper.

     “I ended up in a maternity hospital and a shopping center in the Dnepropetrovsk region,” he emphasized.

The official also thanked the air defense forces for their work today.

 

The air raid warning in Ukraine is still ongoing. According to the Kyiv City Military Administration, five Ukrainians were injured. A fire was also recorded in warehouses in the Podolsk district of the capital and falling debris in the Svyatoshinsky district. In addition, the building of the Lukyanovskaya metro station was damaged, said Mayor Klitschko.

A residential building was hit in Lviv

 

[Alex_Sor]

The Russian occupiers launched a massive attack on Kharkov on the morning of December 29. The occupiers carried out more than 20 strikes, initially with S-300 missiles.

“As a result of two waves of enemy strikes, destruction and damage to warehouse and production buildings, a transport depot, and an enterprise were recorded. In one of the medical institutions, the roof and windows were damaged by the blast wave. Fragments of a Russian missile were found nearby,” the head of the Kharkov Regional State Administration Oleg Sinegubov said in a statement.

It is noted that an ambulance was damaged during enemy shelling. At the same time, as a result of the attacks, one person died - a man about 35 years old, and another 11 people were injured.

It is also reported that more than 15 settlements of the Kharkov region were damaged by enemy artillery and mortar shelling: Udi, Bogodukhovsky district; Volchansk, Malaya Volcha, Budarki, Chuguevsky district; Two-year-old, Sinkovka, Petropavlovka, Ivanovka, Berestovo, Kupyansky district.

In addition, the Russians carried out air strikes in the Petropavlovka and Glushkovka areas of the Kupyansky district. The Ukrainian Armed Forces repulsed 24 enemy attacks near Sinkovka, Kupyansky district, within 24 hours

“Over the course of 24 hours, in the Kharkov region, teams of explosives experts cleared 6.1 hectares of landmines and destroyed 335 mines. Demining continues,” the official concluded.

[Alex_Sor]

During a massive attack on Kyiv on the morning of December 29, the building of the Lukyanovskaya metro station was damaged by an explosion. Seven victims are known, and people are also under the rubble.

“The station works as a shelter. Trains pass through the station without stopping,” said the mayor of the capital, Vitaliy Klitschko, on Telegram.

In addition, five casualties are known in the capital.

“In the Podolsk district, doctors provided assistance to two men on the spot. One victim was hospitalized in the Svyatoshinsky district and two in the Shevchenkivskyi district,” the city mayor said.

According to the Kyiv City Military Administration, in the Shevchenkovsky district there is preliminary damage to a residential building. There is also a fire in the garage area.

A fire was recorded in a residential multi-storey building in Svyatoshinsky. At another location there is a fire in parked cars. Preliminarily one casualty.

"In the Podolsk region there is a fire on the territory of warehouses. There are many casualties. The information is being updated and clarified," the message says.

Also in the Podolsk region there is destruction on the territory of non-residential buildings. Information about the victims is being clarified.

In the Darnitsky district - damage to a residential building. Preliminarily, there were no injuries or fire, the KMVA reported.

In addition, it is reported that approximately three people are under the rubble of a warehouse damaged by rocket debris in the Shevchenko district. Three people were caught. The search and rescue operation continues.

At the moment, seven victims are known.

[Alex_Sor]

From war to war: when the world fails to draw conclusions, dictatorships flourish
(c) Alexander Olshansky

The key words for 2023 are war and corruption. It is obvious that these two phenomena are somehow connected. But how exactly? The first thing that comes to mind is that corruption systematically weakens Ukraine in war. This is probably true in many cases. However, there is something else that everyone forgets.

What is the highest level of corruption? Obviously, this is political corruption when political decisions are made under the influence of “arguments” of personal benefit. But what type of political corruption is at the top of this pyramid? The top of the corruption pyramid is corruption in foreign policy decision-making. In fact, we are talking about a betrayal of long-term, in particular national interests. Namely, long-term interests are a system of values...

     Unfortunately, all this is very reminiscent of the situation between the First and Second World Wars

Both wars, about which there was a lot of information at the end of the year - both in Ukraine and in Israel - became not only possible, but even inevitable, due to the betrayal by the political elites of the free world of the values of this very free world. Moreover, the betrayal did not happen suddenly, but continued for several decades and was systemic in nature.

Unfortunately, all this is very reminiscent of the situation between the First and Second World Wars (although, rather, it was one war in two stages with a truce in the middle).

Then, in the 20-30s of the last century (and also after the victory in the Cold War), the free world began to “sell out”, turn a blind eye to the strengthening of various dictatorships: the rearmament of Germany and Japan, the aggression of Italy, Germany, Japan in against weaker neighbors. 30 years later, the elites of the free world had to pay for this highest level of political corruption in the blood of soldiers.

     The awakening came only in the late forties, when the world realized the scale of the tragedy

But even during the “second stage” of this great war, politicians continued to betray the values on which their world was based - they closed their countries to Jews fleeing the Holocaust, bought “dirty gold” and much more...

The awakening came only in the late forties, when the world realized the scale of the tragedy. And then Churchill, with his Fulton speech, turned out to be a visionary. (In this speech we talked about changing the fascist enemy to a communist one and the “Iron Curtain” running across Europe - from the Baltic to the Adriatic - UNIAN). Subsequently, the rhetoric of the people who actually won the Cold War, such as Reagan and Thatcher, differed little from the rhetoric of the Fulton speech, since the same values were at the core...

At the moment, we, unfortunately, are seeing a repetition of the situation with the interim 30-year truce, when Western elites forgot about values, seemingly justifying themselves by state interests, and dictatorships were gaining strength for revenge.

[Alex_Sor]

The total combat losses of the enemy from 24.02.22 to 28.12.23 were approximately:

 

Situation update as of 6 a.m., December 29, 2023

Day 674 of the russian full-scale military aggression against Ukraine has begun.

The adversary continues to ignore the laws and customs of warfare, using the terror tactics, launching missile and air strikes, and firing multiple launch rocket systems not only at the military, but also at numerous civilian targets across Ukraine.

During the day of December 28, there were 53x combat engagements. The enemy launched a total of 4x missile and 86x air strikes, 55x MLRS attacks at the positions of Ukrainian troops and various settlements. Unfortunately, the russian terrorist attacks have wounded civilians. Private residential buildings and other civilian infrastructure were destroyed or damaged.

During the day of December 28, the russian occupiers attacked Ukraine yet again, using 22x Shahed-136/131 UAVs. The Ukrainian air defense destroyed 18x strike UAVs. Also, during the day of December 29, the russian occupiers launched missile and air strike on Ukraine. The aftermath of the attack is being clarified.

Air strikes hit Petropavlivka, Hlushkivka (Kharkiv oblast), Nevs’ke, Novolyubivka, Serebryans’ke forestry (Luhansk oblast), Terny, Kolodyazi, Yampolivka, Sivers’k, Spirne, Pereizne, Novobakhmutivka, Staromaiors’ke (Donetsk oblast), and Novodarivka (Zaporizhzhia oblast).

Around 110x settlements in Chernihiv, Sumy, Kharkiv, Luhansk, Donetsk, Zaporizhzhia, Kherson, and Mykolaiv oblasts came under artillery fire.

Pivnich operational-strategic group, Volyn and Polissya axes: no significant changes.

Sivershchyna and Slobozhanshchyna axes: the adversary maintains its military presence in the areas of russia bordering Ukraine. The enemy troops conduct active subversive activities in order to prevent the deployment of Ukrainian troops to threatened axes. The adversary increases the density of minefields along the state border in Belgorod oblast (russia).

Khortytsia operational-strategic group, Kup’yans’k axis: Ukrainian defenders repelled 12x enemy attacks in the vicinity of the settlement of Syn’kivka (Kharkiv oblast).

Lyman axis: the enemy did not conduct any offensive (assault) operations.

Bakhmut axis: the Ukrainian defenders repelled 3x attacks of the adversary near Bohdanivka and Andriivka (Donetsk oblast).

Tavria operational-strategic group, Avdiivka axis: the Ukrainian defenders continue to hold back the enemy who keeps trying to encircle Avdiivka. The Ukrainian soldiers are standing their ground and inflicting major losses on the invaders. For instance, the Ukrainian Defense Forces repelled 14x attacks east of Novobakhmutivka, Avdiivka, and 12x attacks in the vicinities of Pervomais’ke and Nevel’s’ke (Donetsk oblast).

Mar’inka axis: the Ukrainian Defense Forces continue to hold back the enemy in the vicinities of Mar’inka and Novomykhailivka (Donetsk oblast). The Ukrainian defenders repelled 6x attacks in that area.

Shakhtars’ke axis: the adversary did not conduct any offensive (assault) operations.

Zaporizhzhia axis: the Ukrainian Defense Forces repelled 4x attacks south of Novodarivka, west of Verbove and Robotyne (Zaporizhzhia oblast).

Odesa operational-strategic group, Kherson axis: the Ukrainian defenders continue to expand the bridgehead. Despite significant losses, the enemy does not abandon its intention to dislodge Ukrainian troops from their positions. For instance, the adversary made 13x unsuccessful attempts to assault the positions of the Ukrainian Defense Forces. The attempts were repelled and the invaders retreated.

At the same time, the Ukrainian Defense Forces continue their active operations to inflict losses in manpower and equipment on the occupation forces, and exhaust the enemy all along the front line.

During the day of December 28, Ukrainian Air Force launched air strikes on 17x concentrations of troops, weapons and military equipment, and 2x anti-aircraft missile systems of the adversary.

The Ukrainian missile troops hit 2x concentration of troops, weapons and military equipment, 11x artillery systems, 2x command posts, 2x electronic warfare stations, 2x anti-aircraft missile systems, and 6x ammunition depots of the russian invaders.

 

[Alex_Sor]

Russia’s massive strike on Ukraine on December 29 could have cost the occupiers $1.273 billion, the EP writes, citing an estimate of the cost of Russian shells based on open data and from Forbes.

Let us recall, as reported by the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Valery Zaluzhny, according to preliminary data, Russian troops used 158 air attack weapons against Ukraine:

     36 attack UAVs Shahed-136/131;
     eight Kh-22/Kh-32 cruise missiles;
     about 90 Kh-101/Kh-555/Kh-55 cruise missiles;
     14 S-300/S-400/Iskander-M missiles;
     five Kh-47M2 Kinzhal aeroballistic missiles;
     four Kh-31P anti-radar missiles;
     one X-59 missile.

It is noted that the Kh-47 Kinzhal hypersonic missile can cost $10 million or more. And Shahed-136/131 drones cost from $20 thousand to $50 thousand per unit. The cost of one X-101 missile is $13 million, the total cost of the missiles launched is $1.17 billion.

 

[Alex_Sor]

Russian missile strike provoked US ambassador: “Ukraine needs funding now”

US Ambassador Bridget Brink spoke out about the Russian Federation, and diplomats from other countries also did not remain silent.

Russia, with its cynical massive missile launch against Ukraine, provoked US Ambassador Bridget Brink to make a harsh statement regarding the provision of financial assistance to Kyiv in 2024.

Brink reported this on the X network (Tiwtter), showing a screenshot of morning air raid alerts in the capital.

     “Millions of men, women and children are in bomb shelters because Russia is firing missiles at the entire country. Ukraine needs funding now to continue the fight for freedom from such horror in 2024,” the US Ambassador emphasized.

At the same time, British Ambassador to Ukraine Martin Harris noted on social networks:

     "Again, Russia's cowardly attacks on Ukraine this morning. A maternity hospital, residential buildings, shopping centers and train stations are reported to have been damaged, all during the holiday season. Attacking civilian infrastructure is a war crime."

In addition, the Estonian Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that it condemns Russia’s inhumane attacks on Ukraine, which resulted in the destruction of maternity hospitals, schools and people’s homes. "The world must support Ukraine's victory and authorize a special tribunal to hold Moscow accountable for its crimes in Ukraine," the statement said.

Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda stressed that Ukraine must be provided with all the necessary support to defeat the aggressor. “For everyone who talks about war fatigue in Ukraine, this is a reminder from terrorist Russia that there are no limits to its cruelty and thirst for blood,” Nauseda emphasized.

In addition, the Japanese Embassy in Ukraine strongly condemns Russia's massive air attack on Ukrainian cities. "In the face of a brutal enemy, Japan's support for Ukraine is unwavering," the statement said.

In turn, German Ambassador to Ukraine Martin Jäger noted that at night and in the morning Ukraine became the target of one of the most powerful Russian airstrikes since the beginning of the war. “Many people died or were injured. Civilian infrastructure was destroyed, they ended up in a maternity hospital. My thoughts are with all the affected families,” Yeger said.

Molodiv President Maia Sandu said she was deeply concerned about Russia's massive air attack on Ukrainian cities. “Today’s aggression underscores the urgent need to strengthen Ukraine’s air defense capabilities to protect lives,” Sandu said.

 

[Alex_Sor]

X-22 or X-101: a Russian missile could have flown into Poland, - Polsat News

It is reported that the missile flew along the border and violated Polish airspace.

According to unofficial data, the unidentified object that entered Polish territory on the morning of December 29 was most likely a Russian Kh-22 or Kh-101 cruise missile. This was reported by the Polish TV channel Polsat News, citing its sources.

     “According to unofficial information from military sources, the missile allegedly flew along the border and violated our airspace. After changing its trajectory, it was supposed to return to the territory of Ukraine and was probably shot down there by the Ukrainian air defense system,” the report says.

It became known that an unidentified object entered Polish airspace on the morning of December 29 from Ukraine, because of this, its leader Andrzej Duda convened an urgent meeting with the military. The command of the country's Armed Forces reported the crossing into Polish airspace.

“In the morning, an unidentified airborne object entered the airspace of the Republic of Poland from the side of the border with Ukraine and from the moment it crossed the border until the signal disappeared, it was observed by the radars of the country’s air defense system,” the message said.

The command added that, in accordance with the current procedure, the operational commander of the Armed Forces “mobilized available forces and means.”

[Alex_Sor]

 

 

[Alex_Sor]

 

[Alex_Sor]

Russian strike on December 29: Defense Minister Umerov made an alarming statement and showed a video of the consequences

Russia has once again demonstrated that it has no other goal than the genocide of Ukrainians, the minister noted.

The terrorist country, the Russian Federation, has sufficient stocks of various types of missiles to continue terror against peaceful cities and the civilian population of Ukraine. Ukrainian Defense Minister Rustem Umerov announced this on the social network Facebook.

     “It is obvious that with such reserves of missiles that the aggressor state has, they can and will continue such attacks,” Umerov emphasized.

The head of the defense department noted that the Ukrainian authorities continue to work with the governments of partner countries to “provide Ukraine with sufficient air defense systems to protect our people from the mortal danger of future attacks.”

He stressed that with today's massive shelling, "again and again Russia demonstrates to the whole world that it has no other goal than terror, than murder, than the genocide of Ukrainians."

“As a result of the attack, two Odessa residents were killed. 15 people were injured, including two children - 6 and 8 years old. All victims are currently receiving assistance in medical institutions of the city. Two wounded are in serious condition. All relevant services are working on the spot,” - the official emphasized.

Updated 12:00. Later it became known that the number of wounded had increased to 22 people, among them a pregnant woman. A 26-year-old girl is also in serious condition, and doctors are doing everything possible to save her. 18 victims remain in city hospitals; the rest continue treatment at home after receiving help.

[Alex_Sor]

Kiev now///

 

[Alex_Sor]

[Alex_Sor]

On February 24, Russia launched a large-scale invasion of Ukraine.

Russian troops are shelling and destroying key infrastructure facilities,

conducting massive shelling of residential areas of Ukrainian cities and villages.

I am in the capital of Ukraine, the city of Kyiv.
I do not leave the city, I follow what is happening here, reassure my family and friends, explain the situation and follow the press reports.

A lot of panic messages, a lot of fake news from Russian propaganda.
I select only the information that has confirmation.
As a former military man (in the distant past), I have a good understanding of how hostilities are conducted and what weapons are used.

I will answer all your questions.
I could do some remote work for you, for example, consultations on distillation issues, selection and operation of equipment, etc.

Since February 24, Russia has attacked Ukraine, many cities of Ukraine have been destroyed.

Because of the war, I lost my business in Ukraine, if you want to help me and my family, my Paypal is: Alex.Sor.2022@gmail.com

[Alex_Sor]

The Leopard 2A6 tanks that Ukraine received earlier this year may be the only ones it will ever receive.

Ukraine received only 21 German-made Leopard 2A6 tanks: 18 from Germany and three from Portugal.

A Ukrainian armored battalion usually has 31 tanks. With just 21 of the 69-ton, four-seat tanks - arguably the best tanks in Russia's 22-month war with Ukraine - the Ukrainian army could man no more than two companies of 10 vehicles each, Forbes writes.

Therefore, it is logical that the Ukrainians initially equipped the Leopard 2A6 to only one unit: the 47th Army Mechanized Brigade.

But now it looks like the second brigade is using the tanks. More and more photographs and videos show Leopard 2A6s in service with the Army's 21st Mechanized Brigade, which also operated all 10 Strv 122 tanks (improved Leopard 2A5s) that Sweden donated to Ukraine.

The strange thing is that the 47th brigade is fighting in the most dangerous sector of the front - in the area of \u200b\u200bthe eastern city of Avdeevka. For 10 weeks, Russian regiments and brigades unsuccessfully tried to encircle and cut off the Ukrainian garrison of Avdiivka. But the garrison, supported by Leopard 2A6 tanks of the 47th Brigade and American-made M-2 combat vehicles, held out. The 47th brigade, with its tanks and combat vehicles, even managed to counterattack north of Avdeevka.

The city's defenders need every tank they can get. And the 47th Division lost at least four, and possibly more, of its 21 Leopard 2A6 tanks, sending the rest to Lithuania for repairs.

"The 21st had no more than nine Strv 122s left after losing one in battle. Did the 47th Division move enough Leopard 2A6s to restore the 21st Division's only armored company to 10 tanks? Or did the two brigades even out their reserves, with each "the brigade took on a reinforced company of about 13 tanks?" - it is said in the material.

It's a mystery, and it highlights how few of the best Leopard 2 tanks Ukraine received from its allies. Nobody promised more Strv 122, Leopard 2A5 or A6. The 31 of these tanks that Ukraine received earlier this year may be the only ones it will ever receive.

The German-Dutch-Danish consortium is sending about 200 Leopard 1A5 tanks, but many of these weakly protected tanks are already in service with the 5th Tank Brigade and the 44th Mechanized Brigade.

Meanwhile, the United States delivered 31 M-1A1s. They have been on the front lines in the east for several weeks now. For the 47th Brigade, whose main equipment is former American M-2 combat vehicles, it would make sense to take the M-1 and transfer the remaining 2A6 Leopards to the 21st Brigade.

This exchange will be delicate as both brigades are in the thick of the fighting. If indeed the 47th Division adopts the M-1 and gets rid of the Leopard 2A6 (and to be clear, there is no evidence that this is the case), then it could be a gradual replacement.