12/29-1/1/23 Ukrainian General Update LanguageLearner

12/29/23-1/1/24 Update, day 674-677 of Russian invasion.


Belarus/Western Border:

Overnight Lviv was targeted by drones, destroying a museum and damaging a university for forestry management. This was part of a larger drone attack across Ukraine, comprising of over 90 Shahed UAV's. The vast majority were reportedly intercepted, 87/90, showing the disparity between air defense in cities and in the front line towns.

During the massive RU missile attack on 12/29, an RU missile apparently entered Polish airspace for approx 3 minutes to a depth of 40km, before leaving. The Polish government searched the border area and found no sign of debris, but issued a statement condemning the act.

RU is reportedly carrying out a disinformation campaign in Moldova, positioning itself as defending Russian-speaking citizens who are being threatened by the Moldovan government's refusal to recognize RU as the state language.

Over 500k anti-tank mines have been emplaced in northern Ukraine along the border regions, to dissuade any RU activity.

Poland purchased excess energy from the UA power grid, approximately 600MWh. Generally, UA imports approximately 4000 MWh from Slovakia, Romania, and Moldova per day.

The UA Commissioner for Human Rights in their parliament is seeking clarification from the border service on why there is such and increase in border controls on UA citizens, and has expressed concern about rights violations following extended queues to leave.


Kyiv/ West Ukraine:

RU launched a massive missile attack across Ukraine on December 29th, comprised of
36x Shahed UAV
90x Kh-101 air launched cruise missiles
8x Kh-22 cruise missiles
5x Khinzal air launched ballistic missiles
14x ground launched ballistic missiles
4x Kh-31 Anti-radar missiles
1x Kh-59 missile

At least 39 people were killed across ukraine and 160 injured. The cost of the RU attack is estimated at over $1.2 billion USD. Of note, there were no sea-launched missiles in this barrage.

Per the UA Air Force, 15 Khinzal hypersonics have been destroyed thus far, and 1709 missiles have been intercepted overall.

Kh-101/555/55: 1360 fired-1045 destroyed; 76.8%
Kaliber: 834 fired- 397 were destroyed; 47.6%
Iskander-K: 154 Fired-62 destroyed; 40.3%
Shahed attack drones: fired— 3,940, destroyed — 3,095; 78.6%

Per UA Air defense commander, the current intercept rate of both missiles and UAV's is approximately 85%.

Since 2022, the UA air force has conducted some 16,000 sorties. Approximately 45% are offensive, and 55% are for fighter air coverage.

Zaluzhny fired an assistant consultant, after she made a statement that "Parents should not panic if their children die in the war, as we all die eventually and its better to die with dignity then via a random accident".

Zelensky expressed his frustration with Western hesitation, as well as the fact many Ukrainians appear to have lost their sense of this war being an existential threat. He referred to the draft mobilization laws, stating that "we must mobilize all our efforts, whether or not we are at the front line" and lamented a return to "domestic politics".


Sumy/Chernihiv/Kharkiv city region:

UA targeted military facilities with a large drone attack in Belgorod, Kursk, and Bryansk.

What is believed to be either RU failed A2A launches or shot down UA drones impacted various locations around the city of Belgorod. RU claimed it was a direct attack via UA MLRS systems, despite the fact Belgorod is considerably out of range of such platforms.

24 people were killed and over 100 injured from the blasts.

RU shelled downtown Kharkiv, severely damaging the Palace Hotel with an Iskander M cruise missile. Its a site frequently used by foreign correspondents and dignitaries in Kharkiv, and 34 rooms were occupied at the time of the blast.

Other civilian infrastructure was targeted by S-300s, and 90 homes were damaged in Kharkiv over the weekend, as well as a sewage pipeline.


Kupyansk/East Kharkiv/Kreminna:

RU forces continue assaults towards Synkivka, supported by air power, yet are unsuccessful thus far. 11 assaults were repelled over the last 24 hours in this region.

RU fired S300 missiles into downtown kupyansk overnight, damaging an apartment building.

RU forces made additional gains W of Kreminna, pushing towards Terny and the Zherebets river valley highway, as well as continuing to skirmish SW of Kreminna in the forests near Dibrova.


Kramatorsk/Bakhmut:

RU made no advances from NW Bakhmut over the weekend, as UA forces ranged artillery to the NW of the city, near Bohdanivka.

RU forces continue attempts to dislodge UA troops in the hills W of Klischiivka, but have made zero successful gains in the last week.

RU shelled Konstantinivka overnight with long range Uragan MLRS.


Avdiivka:

RU continues efforts to push further NW of avdiivka, having made no apparent progress towards N Avdiivka's industrial park directly, or the village of Stepove. Despite heavy losses, RU apparently advanced further NW of stepove as they seek to  go around the defenders. UA forces in this region continue to destroy RU armored pushes with FPV drones and M2 Bradley fire, apparently.

Zelensky visited the 110th brigade in Avdiivka, similar to his behavior in visiting besieged defenders of Bakhmut. He recorded a video message a few short KM from the front lines, near the Coke plant.

RU advanced somewhat from Vodyane towards SW Avdiivka.


Donetsk/Luhansk occupied regions:

UA artillery fired into downtown Donetsk, damaging the Donbas Palace Hotel. Reportedly there was an RU new years eve celebration there featuring Moscow natives watching Putin's address, and RU channels are bemoaning that a military officer was killed in the strike. UA claims 4 targets were killed, and a dozen injured.

RU has reportedly created a list of over 100k UA citizens in the occupied regions suspected of "disloyalty" and is rolling it out to checkpoints and FSB staff.


Zaporizhia/Southern Axis:

RU forces appear to have retaken territory around Verbove, as drone and missile attacks occur across the front lines. 3 assaults were repelled today on the southern front.

The situation around the frontlines in the south remains broadly positional with no major change, as RU drone strikes continue to propagate behind the frontlines.

Over the last 24 hours, RU carried out 159 strikes on 25 villages across the southern front.

RU is planning to create a new media organization for the occupied part of Zaporizhia, as an RU government arm.


Kherson:

RU forces assaulted UA positions in Krynky 18 times over the past day, including with TOS-1 thermobaric rockets. RU forces in the region complained about being sent on a politically motivated mission to wipe out the UA beachhead for the new year, which failed.

RU did target and destroy a 152mm SPG across the river, as UA airstrikes reached past Oleshky sands and destroyed a long range 203mm Pion system.

RU shelled Kherson over 640 times in december, killing 17 people and wounding 73 more. RU increased its volume of fire by 150% in December compared to november.

RU continues to shell from the Kinburn peninsula into Ochakiv.


Odessa/Black Sea/Crimea:

Overnight RU launched an extensive drone attack across Ukraine, with over 70 targeted towards Odesa and southern Ukraine. A number of these drones hit residential buildings, killing at least one teenager and wounding several more civilians.

Reportedly 74 RU sailors and port staff were killed in the sinking of the Novocherkasky, and another 27 injured in the blast.

UA naval drone footage appears to show the "Sea Baby" suicide naval drone also equipped and launching short range MLRS rockets. Zelensky reiterated that UA will focus on the black sea and Crimea over the next year.

Allegedy RU is dropping Guided Bomb Units near the Grain corridor route, as a sort of remotely triggered mine.


Russia:

RU stated that 130,000 soldiers had been drafted in the autumn conscription cycle.

The UA IT army stated they managed to hack and disable the largest RU digital payment terminal (like Square in the US).

RU Oil exports to India fell to their lowest level in 2023 due to payment processing issues as they seek to evade sanctions. Currently some 6 tankers are idled off India's coast, and may instead attempt sale to China.

Putin's annual new year address omitted any mention of the war in Ukraine, speaking instead about RU ideology in general terms.


General:

Over the last day UA forces conducted 11 airstrikes and RU forces conducted 81 air strikes (including drones) and 37 missile strikes.

Yesterday Ukrainian forces eliminated:
780x troops (360,010 in total)
17x APC
6x Tank
2x Air defense
18x Artillery (0xMLRS)
0x Aircraft
38x vehicles
66x UAV


Overseas:

The UK transferred a large quantity of AA missiles following the massive RU missile attack.

Per the UK MoD, RU's considerable losses would required 5-10 years to replenish professional and experienced units as of now. RU losses increased by approximately 300/day compared to 2022. Its anticipated RU will have over 500k losses by end of 2024.

German Bank KfW allocated 24 Million euros in repairs for electrical substations. Germany

Norway has approved direct sale of weaponry and defensive items to Ukraine, although export licenses will be determined on a case by case basis.