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

[Alex_Sor]

Ukrainian drones have attacked many of their intended targets in Russia over the past 24 hours.

As a report from the American Institute for the Study of War notes, this can be assumed based on the differences in reporting data. ISW recalled that on the night of December 30, the Ukrainian military carried out a large series of attacks on targets in Russia.

Western and Ukrainian media, citing Ukrainian security sources, reported that our troops launched more than 70 drones at Russian military infrastructure and military-industrial facilities near Moscow, Belgorod, Tula, Tver and Bryansk.

At the same time, the Ministry of Defense of the aggressor country announced the interception of 32 UAVs in the Bryansk, Oryol, Kursk and Moscow regions. Analysts say the discrepancy between Russian and Ukrainian figures may indicate that Ukrainian forces hit many of their intended targets.

Attack on Russian territory

As UNIAN previously reported, on the afternoon of Saturday, December 30, the Ukrainian Defense Forces launched a missile attack on military targets in the Russian city of Belgorod.

The destruction of Belgorod's civilian infrastructure occurred as a result of ineffective Russian air defense.

On the night of Saturday, December 30, our military carried out a combined attack on Russian military targets,

According to media reports, the targets of the drones, in particular, were the Bryansk Chemical Plant named after the 50th anniversary of the USSR, as well as Silicon El in Bryansk, where electronics for combat missile systems were produced. In addition, enemy military infrastructure facilities located in Moscow, Tver, Tula and Belgorod were attacked.

https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-december-30-2023

[Alex_Sor]

The total combat losses of the enemy from 24.02.22 to 31.12.23 were approximately:

 

Situation update as of 6 a.m., December 31, 2023

Glory to Ukraine! Day 676 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 30, there were 54x combat engagements. The enemy launched a total of 9x missile and 55x air strikes, 79x MLRS attacks at the positions of Ukrainian troops and various settlements. The russian occupiers attacked Ukraine yet again, firing Kh-59 guided missiles at the cities of Dnipro and Odesa, 1x Iskander missile at Zaporizhzhia, and S-300 anti-aircraft guided missiles at civilian targets in the central part of Kharkiv. Ukrainian air defense destroyed 1x Kh-59 guided missile. Unfortunately, the russian terrorist attacks have killed and wounded civilians. Private residences and multi-storey houses, a hotel, hospitals, and other civilian and industrial infrastructure were destroyed or damaged.

Last night, the russian occupants launched yet another attack on Ukraine, using Shahed-136/131 UAVs. The Ukrainian defenders destroyed 21x strike UAVs.

Air strikes hit Arkhypivka (Chernihiv oblast), Tovstodubove (Sumy oblast), Syn’kivka, Pishchane (Kharkiv oblast), Novoselivs’ke, Stel’makhivka, Nadiya, Bilohorivka (Luhansk oblast), Avdiivka, Novomykhailivka, Staromaiors’ke (Donetsk oblast), Tyahynka, and Kherson (Kherson oblast).

Around 150x 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 the settlement of Syn’kivka (Kharkiv oblast). The enemy made unsuccessful attempts to break through the defense of Ukrainian troops in that area.

Lyman axis: the Ukrainian Defense Forces repelled 2x attacks of the adversary near Makiivka (Luhansk oblast).

Bakhmut axis: the Ukrainian troops repelled 9x attacks of the occupiers near 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 and inflicting major losses on the invaders. For instance, the Ukrainian Defense Forces repelled 5x enemy attacks near Stepove, Avdiivka, and 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 vicinities of Krasnohorivka, Mar’inka, and Novomykhailivka (Donetsk oblast). The Ukrainian defenders repelled 8x attacks in that area.

Shakhrars’ke axis: the Ukrainian troops repelled 2x adversary attack near Pryyutne (Zaporizhzhia oblast).

Zaporizhzhia axis: the Ukrainian Defense Forces repelled 4x attacks of the occupiers west of Verbove and east of Kopani (Zaporizhzhia oblast).

Odesa operational-strategic group, Kherson axis: the Ukrainian troops 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.

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 30, Ukrainian Air Force launched air strikes on 11x concentrations of troops, weapons and military equipment, and 3x anti-aircraft missile systems of the adversary.

The Ukrainian missile troops hit 3x concentrations of troops, weapons and military equipment, 7x artillery systems, and 3x electronic warfare stations of the russian invaders.

[Alex_Sor]

 

[Alex_Sor]

On New Year's Eve 2024, the enemy used a record number of "Shahed" type attack UAVs. The attack was carried out in waves from four directions: Cape Chauda, Balaklava - temporarily occupied Ukrainian Crimea; Kursk, Primorsko-Akhtarsk - Russian Federation.
A total of 90 enemy drones "Shahed-136/131" were launched. The enemy also struck with four S-300 anti-aircraft guided missiles in the Kharkiv region, three Kh-31P anti-radar missiles and one Kh-59 from the TOT of the Kherson and Zaporizhzhia regions.
In most regions of Ukraine, an air alert was announced along the route of the drones.
In fact, air defenses worked in all regions. The air attack was repulsed by mobile fire groups of the Defense Forces, fighter aircraft and anti-aircraft missile units of the Air Force.
On New Year's Eve, the defenders of the sky destroyed a record number of enemy attack UAVs - 87 out of 90 "Shahed-136/131".

 

[Alex_Sor]

The total combat losses of the enemy from 24.02.22 to 01.01.24 were approximately:

 

Situation update as of 6 a.m., January 1, 2024

Glory to Ukraine! Day 677 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 31, there were 55x combat engagements. The enemy launched a total of 13x missile and 127x air strikes, 181x MLRS attacks at the positions of Ukrainian troops and various settlements. Unfortunately, the russian terrorist attacks have killed and wounded civilians. Private residences and multi-storey houses, other civilian and industrial infrastructure were destroyed or damaged.

During the day of December 31, the russian occupiers attacked Ukraine yet again, using 96x Shahed-136/131 UAVs. The Ukrainian air defense forces and means shot down 66x strike UAVs.

Also, during the day of December 31, the invaders launched yet another air strike on Ukraine using 26x Shahed-136/131 UAVs. The Ukrainian defenders destroyed 21x enemy UAVs.

Air strikes hit Ivanivka (Kharkiv oblast), Serebryans’ke forestry (Luhansk oblast), Hryhorivka, Riznykivka, Zvanivka, Spirne, Pivnichne, Novomykhailivka (Donetsk oblast), Robotyne, Novodanylivka (Zaporizhzhia oblast), Kachkarivka, Chervonyi Mayak, Zmiivka, and Virivka (Kherson oblast).

Around 150x 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 11x enemy attacks near Syn’kivka and Petropavlivka (Kharkiv oblast). The adversary made unsuccessful attempts to break through the defense of Ukrainian troops in that area.

Lyman axis: the occupiers conducted unsuccessful offensives in the vicinity of Makiivka (Luhansk oblast).

Bakhmut axis: the Ukrainian soldiers repelled 10x adversary attacks 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 occupiers. For instance, the Ukrainian Defense Forces repelled 4x enemy attacks in the vicinities of Stepove, Avdiivka, and 14x 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 troops repelled 4x attacks in that area.

Shakhrars’ke axis: the Ukrainian Defense Forces repelled 1x attack of the adversary near Urozhaine (Zaporizhzhia oblast).

Zaporizhzhia axis: the Ukrainian troops repelled 5x enemy attacks near Robotyne and south of Novodarivka (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 13x unsuccessful attempts to assault the positions of the Ukrainian Defense Forces.

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

During the day of December 31, the Ukrainian Air Force launched air strikes on 11x concentrations of adversary troops.

The Ukrainian missile troops hit 9x concentrations of troops, weapons, and military equipment, 3x ammunition depots, and 1x command post of the russian invaders.

[Alex_Sor]

Ukraine's real power broker

Is Andriy Yermak, Zelensky's right-hand man, handing war-torn Ukraine over to the oligarchs?

https://www.businessinsider.com/ukraines-real-power-broker-yermak-zelensky-russia-war-biden-2023-12?IR=T

 

[Alex_Sor]

Anti-Shahed turret
https://www.facebook.com/61552830436538/videos/pcb.122120556572094347/1093415508511406

https://www.facebook.com/61552830436538/videos/pcb.122120556572094347/1057032388848932

https://www.facebook.com/61552830436538/videos/pcb.122120556572094347/923435218656281

 

[Alex_Sor]

72 out of 99 enemy missiles were destroyed, including 10 out of 10 "Daggers", - Zaluzhny

  On the night of January 2, 2024, the enemy repeated a mass attack with various types of air attack, as it happened a few days ago - on December 29, 2023.

This was announced on Facebook by the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Valery Zaluzhnyi, Censor.NET informs.

According to him, civilian and critical infrastructure, industrial and military facilities were attacked. The main direction of the attack is the capital of Ukraine.

In the first wave, "shahedas" attacked from the south-eastern direction, with further movement in different regions of Ukraine.

Zaluzhny reminds that all 35 attack UAVs "Shahed-136/131" were destroyed by air defense, which was reported earlier.

In the morning, the enemy used strategic aviation - Tu-95MS bombers. 16 planes entered the launch line around 6:00 a.m. and launched at least 70 Kh-101/Kh-555/Kh-55 air-based cruise missiles.

Read on "Censor.NET": Consequences of massive shelling in Kyiv: An elderly woman died, 32 people were injured. PHOTO reportage

Starting at 07:30, the launch of ten Kh-47M2 "Kinjal" aeroballistic missiles from MiG-31K fighters was recorded.

The enemy also attacked from the sea with three Kalibr cruise missiles, and from the north - with 12 ballistic missiles of the Iskander-M/S-300/S-400 type.

Four Kh-31P anti-radar missiles were used from Su-35 tactical aircraft.

According to preliminary results, the enemy used 99 means of air attack - missiles of various types.

Read on "Censor.NET": Missile attack on Kyiv: Air defense forces destroyed all enemy "Shahedy", more than 60 cruise missiles and 10 Kh-47M2 "Kinjal" missiles, - KMVA

The forces and means of the Air Force, in cooperation with units of the Defense Forces of Ukraine, destroyed 72 air targets:

- 10 out of 10 Kh-47M2 "Kinzhal" aeroballistic missiles;

- 59 out of 70 Kh-101/Kh-555/Kh-55 cruise missiles;

- 3 out of 3 Kalibr cruise missiles.

"Thank you to our air defense soldiers for their work!" - wrote the commander-in-chief.

 

[Alex_Sor]

As a result of the massive rocket attack on Kharkiv, three fires occurred, numerous destructions of civil infrastructure were recorded, and people were injured.

 

[Alex_Sor]

Sniper from Ukrainian FPV drone
https://www.facebook.com/100002188662791/videos/786732629894725

 

[Alex_Sor]

monitorwarr

All in 2023 year:

 

[Alex_Sor]

 

Artificial intelligence painted a festive night in Ukraine.

 

 

[Alex_Sor]

ANNA MALYAR
Deputy Minister of Defense of Ukraine in 2021–2023

Russian culture is not Pushkin or Dostoevsky. They have this for export. We are fighting a hopelessly degraded medieval society

And their culture is the current case of “Ivleeva’s naked party.” A very symptomatic and revealing story about how the Russian regime is driving its flock into a stall.

Russian authorities have long and completely controlled representatives of Russian pop culture. This is an instrument for the formation and control of the moral and psychological state of society. The FSB makes idols, and then the stadiums cry and sing along with them songs about the “heroism” of Russians in Donbass. This works much more powerfully than convincing society of something. This works especially well if the society is uncivilized. In a word, it is necessary for the flock to be as close as possible in its level of culture to the Middle Ages.

In Russia, an entire army and a cult of various kinds of “stars” have been artificially created, shaping moods. And this entire army is controlled. For the intelligentsia - theater actors, for the general public - pop singers and various Volochkovs. But everyone has a common task. Immerse Russians in an artificial world and not allow them to mentally and emotionally leave it.

For example, they can film hundreds of episodes of talk shows about lovers, some illegitimate children of these stars, about their divorces, about who sleeps with whom. And the whole country is discussing it and watching. In our country, by the way, this is a non-rated topic - they have measured it many times, Ukrainians are not interested in this foreign underwear. Doesn't take off, as they say.

So, just like now, they have been plunged by the entire state into this nonsense with Ivleeva. This is a controlled process. They will now all be divided into pros and cons and will worry not about the war and their hopelessness, but about Ivleeva and the morality of their immoral singers. It's interesting to see how this is done technologically.

FSB-controlled “stars” are adding heat to the fire. Which are “for morality”. The Russian dictatorship wins. Some of the “stars” of Mordor, who were made immoral, will now work even more and harder for the FSB. They will now write and sing “to the glory” not only about Donbass. And the flock has once again massively degraded. The FSB tested its techniques for immersing itself in mass idiotic psychosis.

What do we get out of this? Probably not for us, but for our Western partners. The degeneration and degradation of a huge medieval society is very indicative. Because it is the West that is under illusions about the ability to speak and predict the actions of Russians.

When there is a war between such different cultures, rules and agreements will not work. Only weapons.

[Alex_Sor]

Russia used North Korean KN-23 missiles to attack Ukraine: what are they capable of?

The ballistic missiles that Russia received from North Korea are, at a minimum, KN-23. This was reported by Defense Express with reference to its own sources. The publication received confirmation that an analysis of the debris of one of the missiles, which was used against Kharkov on January 2, indicates this particular missile.

According to analysts, due to the absolute secrecy of the DPRK, all that is known about the KN-23 is statements by Pyongyang and radar monitoring data from South Korea during tests of any North Korean missile weapons. Thus, even such parameters as length, diameter and total weight are the result only of analysis based on available photographs.

     “The maximum recorded launch range of this solid-propellant missile is up to 690 km. This range was recorded on July 25, 2019 during the fourth known test launch, which began on May 4 of the same year. At the same time, a range of 690 km was achieved due to a smaller combat parts than 500 kg, which is most likely used in the 450 km version of this missile, which was demonstrated twice on June 6, 2019 in tests,” the material says.

At the same time, the dimensions of the KN-23 are estimated at 7.5 meters in length, 0.95 meters in diameter, and a total weight of 3415 kg.

     “At the same time, there is a reasonable opinion that the appearance of the KN-23 is associated with the receipt of technologies from the Russian Federation, because a number of KN-23 solutions are similar to the 9M723 Iskander OTRK missile. In particular, the quasi-ballistic flight trajectory with an apogee of up to 60 km coincides at a range of 240 km (tests on May 4, 2019) and at a stable 50 km at ranges of 420, 430 and 690 km (during other test launches).In addition, it is believed that the KN-23, like the 9M723, can maneuver at mid-flight and terminal sections due to rudders in the engine nozzle,” the publication writes.

According to military analysts, a number of successful launches during testing directly show North Korea’s use of already proven, ready-made technologies and solutions.

     “To launch a missile, a launcher on a wheeled chassis 8x8 is used, if in the first demonstrated version, like the Iskander launcher, it carried two missiles, then the number was reduced to one. It is believed that this chassis has much in common with the Belarusian MZKT-7930 , or even produced in Minsk. There is also a railway version of the KN-23 launcher," experts suggest.

In their opinion, the low accuracy "and possibly low invalidity of the KN-23" would presumably lead to its use by Russia solely for the purpose of striking cities.

“As for intercepting this missile, this is possible with air defense systems with missile defense capabilities, such as Patriot PAC 3 and SAMP/T,” the publication summarizes.

 

[Alex_Sor]

Ukraine is facing a new Russian offensive near Kharkov, probable dates are known - The Telegraph

Ukraine is preparing for a renewed Russian offensive near Kharkov as Russia intensifies its bombing of the region. The Telegraph writes about this with reference to a source in the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2024/01/04/ukraine-braces-for-russia-offensive-kharkiv-war/

The publication recalls that the day before the invaders attacked the city and 15 surrounding settlements using rockets, artillery and mortars. The targets included both civilian buildings and military positions in what is seen as preparation for a large-scale offensive in the coming weeks.

     "Local military intelligence units believe that Russian forces may be planning increased air attacks this weekend to coincide with the Russian Christmas holiday, which is celebrated on January 7. ... A ground offensive could begin shortly thereafter, with a possible start date of January 15." , says the article.

As is known, both Russian and Ukrainian troops are fighting for the best positions along the front line, which covers Kupyansk, Svatovo and Kremennaya, near the border of the Kharkov region. Moscow has concentrated its resources in this area, trying to advance on Ukrainian-controlled Kremennaya and Liman.

     Meanwhile, Moscow is increasingly targeting the center of Kharkov, a city it failed to occupy at the start of its invasion in February 2022. Ukraine's second-largest city has come under almost daily missile attacks, with targets including residential buildings and a five-star hotel being visited by journalists and humanitarian workers,” the publication writes.

 

 

[Alex_Sor]

The US Department of Defense formally has $4.2 billion to provide assistance to Ukraine. However, without Congressional action, the department will not be able to replenish these reserves.

"We have the authority to spend approximately $4.2 billion of existing funds, but we do not have the ability to replenish the stockpile," Pentagon Speaker Patrick Ryder said at a briefing.

According to him, without the consent of American legislators, the Pentagon cannot transfer funds to a warring country. As Ryder said, all funds allocated for assistance to Ukraine under the Presidential Development Program (PDA) have already been spent. The Department of Defense is now working with Congress on this issue and urges it not to delay.

 

[Alex_Sor]

The American publication Newsweek stated that the United States plans to dispose of hundreds of expired ATACMS instead of transferring them to Ukraine. The Pentagon denies this information.

"Yes, I have seen these reports in the press. They are not true. These reports are erroneous," Pentagon spokesman Gen. Patrick Ryder said at a briefing.

Let us note that earlier White House National Security Council Coordinator John Kirby also did not confirm the information that the United States intends to dispose of expired ATACMS missiles.

ATACMS disposal: what is known

Recently, information appeared in the media that the United States plans to dispose of hundreds of ATACMS systems and missiles for them produced by Lockheed Martin, which have expired. A number of experts criticized this decision, since the end of their service life does not mean that the missiles are unsuitable for use. It was noted that they could be used on the battlefield in Ukraine.

Former commander of US Army Europe, senior NATO logistics adviser, Lieutenant General Ben Hodges also spoke in favor of transferring expired ATACMS to Ukraine. According to him, the only thing that prevents the United States from providing these weapons to Kyiv is “our political will.” He called the question about the shelf life of missiles an “excuse.”

In the United States, about 1,100 ATACMS missiles of older types M39 and M39A are stored in warehouses, the shelf life of which is already expiring. Theoretically, they should be disposed of, but they could be useful to Ukraine. Military expert, development director of the information and consulting company Defense Express Valery Ryabykh spoke about this on Espresso.

“They should be gradually disposed of, but their disposal also requires money. And it is easier to transfer these missiles to Ukraine and carry out disposal on the battlefield, solving the problems that currently exist. These missiles could be used in a variety of tasks. This argument is already being put forward in information space. Discussion in the political environment will be in our favor," Ryabykh believes.

According to him, Ukraine previously received some of these missiles. This happened as part of the first ATACMS transmission, they were already in use. As Ryabykh says, these missiles are equipped with a powerful warhead (almost 900 kg) and can strike at a distance of up to 165 km.

“There is no doubt that most of them are suitable. Of course, different degrees of wear of the missiles are possible - it all depends on the engine charges and storage conditions. The Americans remove these missiles as planned in order to avoid reaching the edge when the missile may pose a threat to those who use them,” the expert said.

He added that the suitability of each missile should be determined by specialized specialists.

[Alex_Sor]

Russia is expected to step up its purchases of ballistic missiles from abroad. The occupiers regularly use short-range ballistic missiles to strike Ukrainian cities because these munitions better bypass air defenses.

According to a report from the Institute for the Study of War (ISW), the effectiveness of Russian ballistic missiles depends in part on the configuration of Ukrainian air defenses in the target area and the strike complex of which the missiles are part.

Analysts acknowledged that the occupiers have achieved "relative success" by attacking Ukraine with ballistic missiles combined with cruise missiles and UAVs. In their opinion, this may prompt the Russian Federation to increase purchases of foreign missiles.

ISW is convinced that the Russian defense industrial base is not capable of producing ballistic missiles on the scale required for regular massive strikes on Ukraine. This is another reason for increased procurement.

“Russia may intensify efforts to purchase ballistic missiles from abroad, since under certain circumstances these missiles turn out to be more effective at hitting targets in Ukraine,” the experts concluded.

https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-january-4-2024

[Alex_Sor]

The total combat losses of the enemy from 24.02.22 to 05.01.24 were approximately:

Situation update as of 6 a.m., January 5, 2024

Day 681 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 January 4, there were 59x combat engagements. The enemy launched a total of 7x missile and 36x air strikes, 37x MLRS attacks at the positions of Ukrainian troops and various settlements. Unfortunately, the russian terrorist attacks have killed and wounded civilians. Residential buildings and other civilian infrastructure were destroyed or damaged.

Last night, the russian occupants attacked Ukraine yet again with Shahed-136/131 strike UAVs. Ukraine’s Air Defense continues its combat operations using its forces and means. The update will be given later.

Air strikes hit Novomykhailivka, Heorhiivka (Donetsk oblast), Novodarivka, Orikhiv (Zaporizhzhia oblast), and Zmiivka (Kherson oblast).

Around 100x settlements in Chernihiv, Sumy, Kharkiv, Luhansk, Donetsk, Zaporizhzhia, Dnipropetrovsk, 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 4x attacks of the occupiers near Syn’kivka and east of Petropavlivka (Kharkiv oblast).

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

Bakhmut axis: the Ukrainian troops repelled 4x adversary attacks in the vicinities 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 and inflicting major losses on the invaders. For instance, the Ukrainian Defense Forces repelled 16x attacks near Novobakhmutivka, Stepove, Avdiivka, and 16x more 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 near Mar’inka and Novomykhailivka (Donetsk oblast). The Ukrainian defenders repelled 7x attacks in that area.

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

Zaporizhzhia axis: the Ukrainian Defense Forces repelled 8x adversary attacks in the vicinity of Robotyne and northwest of Verbove (Zaporizhzhia oblast).

Odesa operational-strategic group, Kherson axis: the Ukrainian troops continue to expand the bridgehead. Despite significant losses, the enemy does not abandon its intention to dislodge Ukrainian troops from their positions. During the day of January 4, the adversary made 6x unsuccessful attempts to assault.

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

During the day of January 4, the Ukrainian Air Force launched air strikes on 10x concentrations of troops and 2x command posts of the adversary.

The Ukrainian missile troops hit 1x air defense system, 1x concentration of troops, weapons and military equipment, 4x artillery systems, 2x electronic warfare stations, and 3x command posts of the russian invaders.

[Alex_Sor]

Missile stockpiles are rapidly depleting: US advantage is at risk - Bloomberg

The most obvious weakness of the United States is political polarization. Continued support for Ukraine in the war turned into party confrontation. However, the United States faces more than just political problems. Military dominance is also in question, Bloomberg writes.

https://www.bloomberg.com/opinion/articles/2024-01-05/us-preeminence-is-threatened-by-a-real-missile-gap

It notes that the invasion of Iraq and the overly long mission in Afghanistan were debilitating defeats that allowed rivals, particularly China, to strengthen their position. And with the beginning of the large-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine, the nature of armed conflicts changed. Drones and missiles have become powerful tools, and here the US and its allies are quickly exhausted.

Russia has launched hundreds of missiles and drones into Ukraine over the past two weeks, aiming both to destroy weapons production capacity and to deplete its limited stockpile of air defense missiles.

“Once they are over, Vladimir Putin will have good reason to believe that he will be able to break out of the current stalemate on the battlefield and achieve his original goal - to conquer Ukraine,” the publication writes.

At the same time, it is emphasized that Russia has more than doubled the production of cruise and ballistic missiles - to approximately 100 per month. It also began producing its own version of cheap Iranian shaheds. Shooting down all those missiles requires much more complex and expensive systems that could take years rather than weeks to produce. The USA and Europe do not have a sufficient number of such systems.

The need for American missile and air defense capabilities is growing in other theaters of war. Hamas attacks on Israel continue. Even the Israeli Iron Dome system will not be able to shoot down all these missiles. The US has said it is resupplying Israel with precision-guided missiles, artillery shells and spare parts, but supplies are limited.

US needs may increase even more if the situation in the Middle East worsens.

"The United States cannot control the actions of others. But key decisions about whether to give Ukraine what it really needs to stop Russia's autocratic expansion, or to increase production of the missiles and air defense systems needed to counter new military threats, must be made by Washington,” states the author of the article.

He adds that the war in Ukraine will last at least another year. To support Kyiv, not only funds will be needed, but also a significant increase in the number and range of missiles.

The US in the Middle East also needs a more proactive plan towards Israel and Iran, journalists say.

“The United States is still a great power. If it fails in Ukraine or the Middle East, if it allows alliances in Europe and the Far East to fall apart, it will be purely a matter of choice,” Bloomberg concluded.

[Alex_Sor]

The total combat losses of the enemy from 24.02.22 to 08.01.24 were approximately:

Situation update as of 6 a.m., January 8, 2024

Day 684 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 January 7, there were 35x combat engagements. The enemy launched a total of 11x missile and 69x air strikes, 53x MLRS attacks at the positions of Ukrainian troops and various settlements. Unfortunately, the russian terrorist attacks have killed and wounded civilians. Private residential and apartment buildings, other civilian infrastructure facilities were destroyed or damaged.

Last night, the russian occupants launched yet another attack on Ukraine, using 8x Shahed-136/131 strike UAVs. All of the enemy drones have been destroyed.

Air strikes hit Syn’kivka, Petropavlivka, Berestove (Kharkiv oblast), Serebryans’ke forestry (Luhansk oblast), Kolodyazi, Tors’ke, Dibrova, Druzhba, Avdiivka, Novomykhailivka, Heorhiivka, Krasnohorivka, Vodyane (Donetsk oblast), Krynky, Respublikanets’, Zmiivka, and Chervonyi Mayak (Kherson oblast).

Around 100x settlements in Chernihiv, Sumy, Kharkiv, Luhansk, Donetsk, Zaporizhzhia, Dnipropetrovsk, 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: the Ukrainian defenders repelled 2x enemy attacks in the vicinities of settlements of Syn’kivka and Ivanivka (Kharkiv oblast).

Lyman axis: the Ukrainian defenders repelled 4x attacks of the occupiers east of Terny (Donetsk oblast).

Bakhmut axis: the Ukrainian troops repelled 3x attacks of the adversary near 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 and inflicting major losses on the invaders. For instance, the Ukrainian Defense Forces repelled 6x attacks of the adversary near Novobakhmutivka, Avdiivka, and 15x more attacks near Pervomais’ke and Nevel’s’ke (Donetsk oblast) during the day of January 7.

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 troops repelled 3x attacks in that area.

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

Zaporizhzhia axis: the Ukrainian Defense Forces repelled 1x enemy attack west of Verbove (Zaporizhzhia oblast).

Odesa operational-strategic group, Kherson axis: the Ukrainian soldiers continue to expand the bridgehead. Dispite significant losses, the enemy does not abandon its attempts to dislodge Ukrainian troops from their positions. During the day of January 7, the adversary made 3x unsuccessful assaults on the positions of the Ukrainian Defense Forces.

At the same time, the Ukrainian defenders 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 January 7, the Ukrainian Air Force launched air strikes on 4x concentrations of enemy troops. Also, the Ukrainian Air Defense forces and means destroyed 1x Kh-59 air-launched guided missile.

The Ukrainian missile troops hit 1x command post, 2x ammunition depots, and 2x artillery systems of the russian invaders.

[Alex_Sor]

 

 

On the night of January 8, 2024, the enemy launched a massive attack on Ukraine, using cruise, aviation, ballistic, anti-aircraft guided missiles and attack UAVs.
A total of 59 means of enemy air attack were recorded:
- 8 shock UAVs of the "Shahed-136/131" type from the Primorsko-Akhtarsk region - Russian Federation;
- 7 S-300/S-400 anti-aircraft guided missiles from the Belgorod Region;
- 4 Kh-47M2 "Kinjal" aeroballistic missiles from four MiG-31K aircraft (launch area - Ryazan, Tambov);
- 24 Kh-101/Kh-555/Kh-55 cruise missiles from 11 Tu-95MS strategic bombers (launch area – Engels – Russian Federation);
- 8 Kh-22 cruise missiles from Tu-22M3 bombers from the Belgorod region. - Russian Federation;
- 6 "Iskander-M" ballistic missiles from the Dzhankoy, Chauda districts - Crimea;
- 2 Kh-31P guided air missiles from tactical aircraft (launch area – Belgorod region).
Critical, civil infrastructure, industrial and military facilities were attacked.
This time the enemy attacked different regions of Ukraine. In particular, he directed ballistic missiles at Kharkiv, Dnipropetrovsk, Zaporizhzhia and Khmelnytskyi regions.
As a result, the defenders of the sky destroyed:
- 8 "Shahed-136/131" attack UAVs;
- 18 Kh-101/Kh-555/Kh-55 cruise missiles.

[Alex_Sor]

President Biden will not run for re-election during a tumultuous year that will see parts of the country suffer rolling blackouts, the release of an inhaled COVID vaccine and a boycott over driverless cars, a top JPMorgan Chase strategist predicted.

Michael Cembalest, who heads the market and investment strategy unit in the Wall Street bank’s asset management division, made the shocking forecasts in his list of ‘Ten Surprises’ for 2024 over the weekend.

Tops among the budding Nostradamus’ prophesies was that 81-year-old Biden will drop out of the race “sometime between Super Tuesday and the November election, citing health concerns.”

https://nypost.com/2024/01/08/business/joe-biden-will-drop-out-of-2024-presidential-race-top-jpmorgan-strategist-predicts/

[Alex_Sor]

Chinese shipments to Russia of an important class of advanced machine tools have grown tenfold since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, and the country's manufacturers now dominate trade in high-precision computer numerical control devices vital to Russia's military industry, the Financial Times reports.

https://www.ft.com/content/d16c688d-9579-4f1d-a84f-ca29ca2f0bc0

 

It is noted that the rapid growth in supplies of machines that allow extremely precise milling of metal is causing great concern among Ukraine’s allies.

Journalists cite Russian customs reports that show Chinese manufacturers shipped $68 million worth of such tools in July, up from $6.5 million in February 2022.

"China and Russia have the same political interest, which is to challenge and oppose the United States. The fact is that Russia has been cut off from importing European equipment and has no choice but to rely on China," he said Associate Professor at the Singapore School of International Studies Michael Raska.

It is indicated that Russian imports of machine tools from the EU have decreased sharply due to tightening sanctions. Customs declarations show that devices of Chinese origin accounted for 57% of Russian imports by value in July, up from 12% before the war. Moscow also continues to import significant volumes of such instruments made in Taiwan and South Korea.

According to the author of the article, Chinese companies that continue to trade with Russian importers risk US actions that could jeopardize their ability to trade in other markets.

At the same time, Beijing insists it does not supply lethal weapons to Moscow and denies supporting its neighbor's military efforts, but also rejects the use of sanctions. However, annual trade turnover between the two countries has reached a “historic high” of almost $200 billion.

“Analysis by the Bank of Finland’s Institute for Emerging Economies shows that the average price for Russia for a basket of Chinese goods that could support its war effort rose by 78% from 2021 to 2023. The price of Chinese exports of the same goods to other countries increased by only 12 %,” the publication writes.

According to Allen Maggard, an analyst at the Washington-based conflict analysis organization C4ADS, CNC machines can "quickly produce complex components from metal and other rigid materials with a consistent degree of precision and accuracy. These qualities make them especially valuable for defense manufacturing."

"It is unclear how Russia is using the Chinese CNC machines it has imported." Maggard said he believes Russian defense plants are just "beginning to use Chinese CNC machines. The machines pictured are still from European, Taiwanese, Korean or Japanese suppliers," the publication said.

Thus, Elena Yurchenko, an analyst at the research and human rights organization Economic Security Council of Ukraine, pointed out that it would be “almost impossible” to use a Chinese CNC machine in a factory that built its production processes on tools from another manufacturer with different characteristics.

 

[Alex_Sor]

The total combat losses of the enemy from 24.02.22 to 09.01.24 were approximately:

 

Situation update as of 6 a.m., January 9, 2024

Glory to Ukraine! Day 685 of the russian full-scale military aggression against Ukraine has begun.

The russian federation 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 January 8, there were 67x combat engagements. The enemy launched a total of 55x missile and 22x air strikes, 35x MLRS attacks at the positions of Ukrainian troops and various settlements. Unfortunately, the russian terrorist attacks have killed and wounded civilians. Residential buildings and other civilian infrastructure were destroyed or damaged.

Air strikes hit Petropavlivka, Ivanivka, Kyslivka, Tabaivka, Pishchane, Berestove (Kharkiv oblast), Serebryans’ke forestry (Luhansk oblast), and Novoselivka (Donetsk oblast).

Around 130x settlements in Chernihiv, Sumy, Kharkiv, Luhansk, Donetsk, Zaporizhzhia, Dnipropetrovsk, 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 5x enemy attacks near Syn’kivka (Kharkiv oblast).

Lyman axis: the Ukrainian defenders repelled 2x attacks of the occupiers east of Terny (Donetsk oblast).

Bakhmut axis: the Ukrainian troops repelled 2x adversary attacks in the vicinities of 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 and inflicting major losses on the occupiers. For instance, the Ukrainian Defense Forces repelled 3x attacks of the adversary near Avdiivka, Sjeverne, Tonen’ke, and 15x more attacks near Pervomais’ke and Nevel’s’ke (Donetsk oblast) during the day of January 8.

Mar’inka axis: the Ukrainian Defense Forces continue to hold back the invaders in the vicinities of Heorhiivka and Novomykhailivka (Donetsk oblast). The Ukrainian troops repelled 12x attacks in that area.

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

Zaporizhzhia axis: the Ukrainian Defense Forces repelled 7x attacks of the adversary south of Chervone, west of Verbove, and north of Novoprokopivka.

Odesa operational-strategic group, Kherson axis: the Ukrainian defenders continue to expand the bridgehead. Despite significant losses, the enemy does not abandon its attempts to dislodge Ukrainian troops from their positions. For instance, the adversary made 12x unsuccessful attempts to assault the positions of the Ukrainian Defense Forces during the day of January 8.

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

The Ukrainian Air Defense forces and means destroyed 18x Kh-101 / Kh-555 / Kh-55 guided missiles.

The Ukrainian missile troops hit 2x ammunition depots of the russian invaders.