Newsletter 03/01/2025
A daily news digest covering important war, political, economic, and cultural topics in Ukraine
For the second year in a row, a Christmas tree made of spent ammunition is being installed in the capital. The materials were collected by Ukrainian military personnel in the Zaporizhzhia direction in November 2023. The tree reminds us of reality, even during the holiday season.
TOP
Zelensky: We thwarted Russian plans to occupy Kharkiv, Sumy, Zaporizhzhia
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has said that a major achievement of the past year was successfully preventing Russian forces from occupying Kharkiv, Sumy, and Zaporizhzhia.
He stated this in an interview with the United News telethon.
"One of the most important [achievements in the past year] -- autumn and winter of 2024 -- was the thwarting of three Russian operations to occupy Kharkiv, Sumy, and Zaporizhzhia. Well done to everyone involved, especially our soldiers," Zelensky said.
He emphasized that Kharkiv, Sumy and Zaporizhzhia are Ukrainian cities.
"I would like to thank the people who live there. They have endured a serious test," Zelensky said.
Kursk operation a 'strong trump card' in all negotiations – Zelensky
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has described the Kursk operation as a significant advantage in Ukraine's diplomatic efforts, particularly with nations in the Global South.
"Kursk is a very strong trump card in all negotiations, especially with countries that are very important to us, particularly those in the Global South. I never anticipated it would have such a significant influence, as these nations had been under the sway of 'invincible Russia'," He said this in an interview with the United News telethon, alongside First Lady Olena Zelenska
Next Ramstein meeting to be held in Germany Jan 9
The next meeting of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group in the Ramstein format will be held in Germany at the U.S. air base of the same name on January 9, chaired by U.S. Secretary Lloyd Austin of Defense.
PM Shmyhal outlines 10 government priorities for 2025
During the first meeting of the Cabinet of Ministers in 2025, Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal identified 10 priorities of government’s work throughout the year.
"We have a record budget to provide for our Army and strengthen the defense industry. In total, UAH 2.230 trillion has been allocated for defense and security. Every hryvnia of taxpayers from the state budget will again be directed to these needs," he noted.
The prime minister added that expenditures on armaments and military equipment will amount to at least UAH 739 billion.
Ukraine, partners to investigate use of Chinese antennas in Russian drones
Ukraine has informed its international partners that Russia is employing Chinese-made antennas in its Shahed-136 strike drones, with the aim of tracing the logistics supply chain and imposing sanctions to restrict the Kremlin's access to such technologies.
War
Partisans sabotage railway near strategic missile arsenals in Russia
"Agents of the ATESH movement successfully carried out a sabotage operation on the railway near the settlement of Stara Toropa in Tver region. This section of the railway is used to supply ammunition to the frontlines from the 23rd and 107th GRAU arsenals, which are strategically important facilities for Russia's military infrastructure," ATESH reported.
According to activists, the 107th arsenal of the Main Rocket-Artillery Directorate (GRAU) of the Russian Ministry of Defense, located in Toropets and covering an area of approximately five square kilometers, stores: Iskander ballistic missiles, Tochka-U missiles, large-caliber artillery shells, ammunition for multiple-launch rocket systems (Smerch and Grad).
Russians destroyed a 100-year-old building in Kramatorsk overnight
The shelling caused the ancient building to catch fire, destroying several upper floors. Fortunately, there were no injuries.
Repeaters, armored vehicles, electronic warfare equipment - another loot for the FPV masters of the HUR
Ukrainian fighters destroy four Russian T-62 tanks near Chasiv Yar/Video
Russian subversive reconnaissance groups' activity in northern sector decreased - military
Enemy focusing main efforts on Pokrovsk direction - AFU
AFU shoot down 60 Russian drones overnight, another 26 are lost in area
Russian forces launch 302 strikes on Zaporizhzhia region in past 24 hours
Russians strike at Bohodukhiv in Kharkiv region in morning - fire broke out at enterprise
One killed, four injured in Russian drone attack on Kyiv region
Russians dropped explosives from drone on resident of Kherson - he was hospitalized
In Crimea, activists locate Russian Pantsir air defense systems
In the temporarily occupied Crimea, activists have identified the locations of Russia’s Pantsir air defense systems.
"One of the air defense systems is on duty on Zelena Mount in Inkerman. Periodically, the system’s radar is in stowed. Our observers tracked the relevant periodicity. The crew of this particular Pantsir was notable for shooting down its own Su-27 in March 2024 as the fighter jet scrambled to engage Ukrainian drones," the post says.
Defense
Ukraine’s Army accepts for service almost 60 models of ground robots in past year
"The defense ministry has codified nearly 60 samples of ground robotic complexes (GRC) over 2024. This is four times more than in previous years since Russia’s large-scale invasion," This was reported on Facebook by the Main Department for Armaments and Hardware Lifecycle Support at the Ministry of Defense.
It is noted that the list of codified GRC models includes robots performing a wide range of combat tasks. These include logistical support of frontline positions, medevac, serving as platforms for combat modules, etc. Most of the codified samples are already in active use by Ukrainian Army units.
In the second decade of December, near the settlement of Lyptsi, Kharkiv region, units of Ukraine’s Defense Forces conducted the first-ever combat operation involving exclusively robotic systems. Those were ground robotic complexes fitted with machine guns, ground kamikaze drones tasked with blowing up obstacles or enemy dugouts, and GRC sappers who plant or remove mines, ArsenalInform reported.
Politics
Explaining: Stopping Russian gas transit, defense operation in Kursk region, Ukraine’s economic development
Russia seeks to use "Yalta Conference" reference to promote spheres of influence – Ukraine’s ex-foreign minister
"The telecast on the occasion of the Yalta Conference anniversary is only the first step. The next, biggest and loudest, will be on May 9, when Russia will pompously celebrate the 80th anniversary of victory, as they say, in the Great Patriotic War. This is obvious and understandable, because for this mad, sick wannabe-Führer, the topic of returning to the ‘Yalta’, to the division of spheres of influence, to the theory of dividing the world in line with the will of the ‘strong’, etc. is close, because this is what he grew up on during the Cold War," said former Foreign Minister, head of the Center for Russian Studies Volodymyr Ohryzko.
Poland warns of fake mobilization summonses for Ukrainians
Poland’s Office for Foreigners’ Affairs (UDSC) has refuted authorship of fake mobilization summonses sent in Polish to Ukrainians residing in the country.
"Regarding the reports of a falsified summons sent to a citizen of Ukraine, the Office for Foreigners explains that it does not release conscription summonses," the report says.
The case in question concerns a letter allegedly sent by Poland’s UDSC, which contains a call to join military service with the Ukrainian Army and a threat of legal liability and extradition.
“The Office for Foreigners’ Affairs emphasizes that it is not the author of such summonses,” the report emphasizes.
The attached photocopy of the “summons” of December 12 refers to an alleged “re-call for military service”. The fake letter states that UDSC representatives will come to the specified person’s place of residence on December 17-31, 2024, to “deliver the person to the mobilization point in connection with the obligation to perform military service with the Armed Forces of Ukraine.” In another paragraph of the falsified letter, the specified person is urged to immediately report to the mobilization point, otherwise, in case of refusal, this “will entail legal liability, including arrest and further cooperation with the Ukrainian authorities.” It also states that evading military service will threaten extradition to Ukraine.
Economy
UCAB: Ukraine’s agricultural exports reach 5.5M tonnes in Dec 2024
EU becomes largest donor of financial assistance to Ukraine in 2024
Syria interested in flour, oil, sugar and meat supplies from Ukraine – Koval