Newsletter 13/01/2025
A daily news digest covering important war, political, economic, and cultural topics in Ukraine
The consequences of the "russian world" in the Zaporizhzhia direction in the Orikhiv district




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Zelensky invites Fico to visit Kyiv on Friday
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has invited Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico to visit Kyiv on Friday, January 17.
“Ok. Come to Kyiv on Friday,” Zelensky responded succinctly to Fico's proposal to hold talks in Slovakia near the Slovak-Ukrainian border to discuss the issue of stopping Russian gas transit through Ukrainian territory.
The head of the Ukrainian state wrote this on social media platform X.
Zelensky: Ukraine ready to hand over DPRK POWs in exchange for Ukrainian soldiers held in Russia
“It’s only a matter of time before our troops manage to capture others. There should be no doubt left in the world that the Russian army is dependent on military assistance from North Korea,” Zelensky stated.
Zelensky noted that Russian President Putin started three years ago with ultimatums to NATO and attempts to rewrite history, but he cannot manage without military support from Pyongyang.
About 300 DPRK soldiers killed, 2,700 wounded in war against Ukraine - South Korean intel
At least 300 North Korean soldiers sent to participate in Moscow's war in Ukraine have been killed and about 2,700 others wounded.
South Korean National Intelligence Service (NIS) shared the information with lawmakers during a closed-door meeting by the parliamentary intelligence committee, according to Rep. Lee Seong-kweun of the ruling People Power Party.
The agency also said North Korea has stressed to its soldiers to kill themselves to avoid being captured alive by the Ukrainian military.
In the nearly three-minute footage released by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Sunday, one of the soldiers says he wants to remain in Ukraine when asked if he wishes to return home.
Germany hands Ukraine unique RCH 155 wheeled howitzer
Ukraine has become the first user of the new RCH 155 wheeled howitzer after Germany sent it their latest artillery system.
The RCH 155 wheeled howitzer is manufactured by the German company KNDS in Kassel. Ukraine will receive the new weapon system before the Bundeswehr.
War
Combat operation on the "Shahed" type strike UAV in the eastern direction
Special Operations Forces eliminate 18 North Koreans in Kursk region/Video
Occupiers setting up classrooms for drone repairs, net weaving in schools in Zaporizhzhia region
Ukraine’s Air Defense intercepts 400 Russian targets in past week
Police, SBU prevent terrorist attack on railway in Dnipro
General Staff: 94 clashes since beginning of day, battles raging in six sectors
Ukrainian forces shoot down 78 Russian drones, 31 more disappear from radar
Russians attempting to establish positions in villages near Pokrovsk – military spox
SBU detains сoordinator of Russian attack on Kyiv on Jan 1
The Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) has detained a female operative of Russia’s Main Intelligence Directorate (GRU), who provided coordinates for a drone strike on state institutions in Kyiv on January 1, 2025.
Russia prioritized administrative buildings and energy facilities in Ukraine.
The agent used GPS coordinates on her mobile phone and took photos of target locations to embed geolocation data in the file properties. These were sent to her Russian handler via an anonymous messaging app.
The spy also conducted reconnaissance near air defense positions near Kyiv.
It has been documented how she conducted reconnaissance near the location of the Ukrainian military radar station near the capital.
The agent was apprehended in her rented apartment in Kyiv while attempting to send another set of intelligence data to the GRU.
Politics
Ukraine is ready to help Transnistria - Zelensky
Ukraine is ready to help Transnistria overcome the energy vacuum, but sees no reaction from those who control the situation on the left bank of the Dniester.
Last week there, Zelensky spoke with his Moldovan counterpart Maia Sandu, discussing ways to overcome the humanitarian crisis in Transnistria.
“Due to deliberate actions by Russia, there is an energy resource vacuum there. People are suffering. This is a calculated move by Russia to undermine public sentiment in Moldova ahead of the elections,” Zelensky stressed.
He noted that Ukraine could help with coal supplies. However, he has not yet seen a response from those who “effectively control” the situation on the left bank of the Dniester.
Pistorius denies reports of Scholz blocking additional EUR 3B for Ukraine
UNSC at Arria meeting to discuss Russia's crimes against Ukrainian POWs
Ministry of Justice set to create "Pentagon for state registries" – minister
Expert on Waltz’s calls to lower draft age in Ukraine: Same kind of populism as in Biden’s team
Economy
EU provides new EUR 148M humanitarian aid package for Ukraine
The European Union has announced the allocation of a new humanitarian aid package worth EUR 148 million, which will be directed to humanitarian projects in Ukraine and neighboring Moldova to support Ukrainian citizens affected by the consequences of Russia's war.
Russia's war spending beyond budgetary capabilities, could collapse economy - expert