Newsletter 16/01/2025
A daily news digest covering important war, political, economic, and cultural topics in Ukraine
TOP
Zelensky, Starmer sign 100-year partnership agreement
"Today is a truly historic day. Relations between Ukraine and the United Kingdom are closer than ever. We have reached a new level — this is more than a strategic partnership. We have signed a 100-year partnership agreement,” President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky stated.
The agreement aims to deepen bilateral relations in the defense sphere and outlines continued military assistance to Ukraine.
Ukraine will not accept Russia's demands to reduce army – Zelensky
When asked about the possibilities of strengthening Ukraine to achieve peace, Zelensky replied: "Peace through strength. All this is described in detail in our Victory Plan. This is not empty talk. This is a strong Ukraine. This is the kind of Ukraine that can defend its independence and protect its people. It contains all this, including a package of weapons to strengthen us on the battlefield, taking into account our army, not to reduce it by several times, as the enemy wants. In any diplomacy, defense is the most important issue for us (which includes - ed.) maintaining the size of the army we have today".
The head of the Ukrainian state said this during a joint press conference with UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer
Russia reports drone attacks, oil depot fire in Voronezh region/Video
The governor of the Voronezh region, Roman Gusev, stated that more than 10 UAVs attacked the territory of three districts, with the majority of strikes on the oil depot in the Liskinsky district. The drones successfully breached the protective mesh surrounding the tanks.
“Dozens of vehicles and two fire trains are currently fighting the fire at several tanks. Additional forces have been deployed from two neighboring regions,” the governor said.
He stated that no injuries or threats to the population were reported.
AFU General Staff confirms strike on Liskinskaya oil depot in Russia’s Voronezh region
Anti-aircraft gunners shoot down rare Russian reconnaissance drone “Merlin-BP”/Video
Soldiers of the unmanned systems battalion of the 63rd separate mechanized brigade “Steel Lions” of the Armed Forces of Ukraine showed how they destroyed a rare experimental reconnaissance drone of the Russians “Merlin-BP”.
The brigade noted that this drone can climb 5 km into the sky and spend 10 hours there, which is many times longer than Supercam and ZALA.
Two crews of FPV drones were hunting for this Merlin at once. The one who did not manage to destroy the drone filmed the explosion and the flying debris in the sky.
Ukraine to receive 15 Gravehawk air defense systems from UK this year
The United Kingdom has successfully tested two prototypes of the new Gravehawk air defense system in Ukraine, which was developed specifically for Ukraine's needs and is being co-financed by Denmark, and 15 more will be delivered this year.
War
Defense forces stop convoy of Russian vehicles moving toward Ukrainian border
Border guards, together with the Defense Forces, stopped a convoy of Russian vehicles moving toward the state border of Ukraine in one of the areas of active hostilities.
Russians changed tactics of using tanks in eastern directions - AFU
“The use of armored vehicles and tanks in our areas has been greatly reduced. Tanks are no longer used as breakthrough vehicles or even as fire support vehicles, but rather as transport, so the picture of the entire battle has completely changed in two years,” said the spokesman for the Khortytsia OSGT Viktor Tregubov.
He noted that the invaders have run out of modern tanks and are forced to use the Soviet reserve.
“The Russians have run out of modern tanks, and it's no secret. They are left with third-rate defects. Even the Soviet reserve, which was aimed at a war with the entire NATO, has been very much exhausted,” the spokesman added.
War update: fierce fighting on six fronts, Pokrovsk being hottest spot
Partisans discover new occupants positions in Crimea: preparing fire points, EW systems/Photos
Enemy trying to penetrate deep into Chasiv Yar under cover of fog - AFU
State Protection Department lacks armored vehicles – DSPU Head
Russian attacks leave three civilians killed, ten others injured in Kherson region
Ukrainian forces shoot down 34 enemy drones, another 18 disappear from radar
Crimes against environment: 24 criminal cases opened against Russian military in Kherson region
"From February 24, 2022, to January 14, 2025, prosecutors from the Specialized Environmental Prosecutor's Office (SEPO) under the Kherson Regional Prosecutor's Office have conducted procedural oversight in 24 criminal cases involving 91 criminal offenses against peace, security, and international order," Nikitin said.
The offenses covered under Articles 438 and 441 of Ukraine’s Criminal Code include environmental harm caused by indiscriminate shelling, theft of animals from nature reserves to Crimea and Russia, illegal exploitation of natural resources, and eco-terrorism.
To quantify the damages to nature reserves and ecosystems in Kherson region, specialists from the State Environmental Inspectorate of the Southern District and National Parks have conducted preliminary assessments. Court-ordered environmental engineering examinations are being carried out by the SEPO.
Defense
Germany hands over nearly 100 vehicles to Ukraine’s National Guard and National Police
Britain to send 150 artillery barrels, new mobile air defense system to Ukraine
Politics
UK’s Keir Starmer makes unannounced visit to Ukraine
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer has arrived in Ukraine for an unannounced visit, where he is set to meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky for the first time since assuming office.
Poland to facilitate launch of Ukraine's first EU membership cluster