Bob Homans January 3
20230103
Ukraine – 1/3 Sitrep
Compiled by: Robert Homans
January 3, 2023
Review of the Bidding
In the days and weeks leading up to February 24, 2022, it was hard for me and my Ukrainian family to turn on the American news. It was a time when all the pundits on the broadcast and cable networks stated authoritatively that my adopted country of Ukraine didn’t have a chance against a Russian invasion. Their statements reminded me of what some used to say about my father’s oldest sister, “she speaks in pronouncements.” Friends were consoling me. I was responding by quoting the famous football commentator Lee Corso, when he responded to predictions he didn’t agree with, “not so fast.” Indeed!
The night of February 23rd (morning of February 24th in Ukraine) was very hard for me and my family. I woke up on February 24th and contacted 2 people in Ukraine, my collaborator on these emails and my friend the female sniper. Both responded, without hesitation, “Ukraine will win.” The tone of their voices convinced me that it wasn’t bravado. If I had any doubts about Ukraine winning, they were dispelled after speaking with my two friends. Nothing since then has changed my conclusion.
Today, after 314 days (309 days longer than the predictions of Ukraine’s survival by the aforementioned pundits), the situation along the entire front appears to be as follows:
· Luhansk/Kharkiv – Reports I’ve seen say that Ukrainians and Russians are now fighting over control of the main north-south supply route from Russia toward Bakhmut, called the Svatove-Kremina Line. Cut off this route and Russia loses much of its ability to re-supply its troops fighting to take Bakhmut. Ukrainians are near the outskirts of Kremina and, according to the Latest Denys, in the last day Ukrainians destroyed a Russian ammunition dump inside Svatove. The weather forcast for Kharkiv is for much colder temperatures later this week, going down to +8F (-13C). Frozen ground is an advantage to Ukraine, giving them improved maneuverability.
· Bakhmut – “Reporting from Ukraine” describes recent Russian reversals in their effort to encircle Bakhmut. The Institute for the Study of War describes progressively weaker Russian offensive operations. Then there is the prospect of supply problems resulting from the possible loss of the supply route described earlier.
· Donetsk City – The big news is the complete destruction of a vocational college that served as a Russian troop concentration and, in the basement, an ammunition depot. At the stroke of midnight, on January 1st, 2023, the facility was destroyed by a HIMERS rocket. The official Russian account stated that 63 Russian servicemen were killed. Informal Russian and official Ukrainian accounts stated that anywhere from 200 to 600 Russian servicemen were killed and hundreds more wounded. Apparently, almost all the Russian soldiers came from one region, the area around Saratov and Volgograd. A Russian commentator interviewed on Times Radio predicted that the destruction of the school and the loss of life would not change Russian support for the war, but with one caveat. He said that if it turns out that all the dead were from a single region, as it appears to be the case, that it would have significant negative consequences in Russia.
· Zaporizhia/Southern Kherson Oblast – In response to an increasing Russian build-up “Reporting From Ukraine” describes continuing Ukrainian strikes against Russian troop concentrations and ammunition depots. He also describes resulting Russian desertions. He stated that combining the losses from the strikes in this area with the strike in Donetsk, Russia may have lost as many as 1,000 people (not including wounded and desertions).
· The Air War – Ukraine seems be enjoying substantially improved success in shooting down Russian cruise missiles and Russian/Iranian drones, benefitting from western antiaircraft systems supplied by the West, in the case of the former, and Ukrainian ingenuity in the case of the latter. The cruise missiles are becoming less effective because the Russian are moving their bombers away from bases near the border with Ukraine, after losing several to Ukrainian drone attacks. Additional losses have resulted from Russian antiaircraft systems shooting down their own missiles.
The drone attacks seem to be like a chess match. Russia changes its strategy and Ukraine responds. Recently, Russia started launching drones at night, making them harder to see. Ukraine has responded with anti-drone teams consisting of 2 pickup trucks. One has a powerful searchlight mounted in the truck bed; the other a machine gun mounted in the truck bed. These are complemented by servicemen with rifles. In the last 2 drone attacks on Kyiv, all the drones were shot down.
The arrival of JDAMS from the United States will give Ukraine the ability to conduct stand-off bombing missions using fixed wing aircraft. As we saw last Summer, in attacks against bases in Crimea, Ukraine already can attack Russian positions from a distance, using HARMS missiles.
· The Cyber War – According to an article in today’s Wall St. Journal, and a previous column by David Ignatius in the Washington Post, Ukraine has succeeded in doing what the U.S. Defense Dept. has spent millions trying to do – digitally integrate Ukraine’s command and control structure, starting with small units on the ground. Bakhmut may look like your Great Grandfather’s WW-I trench warfare, but it includes the ability of Ukraine to detect Russia troop movements and almost instantaneously transmit all the data to Ukrainian artillery batteries.
Prediction for 2023
Considering the evidence listed above, I would not be surprised to see a Ukrainian battlefield victory by the end of the Winter/early Spring 2023. This would include all territory that Ukraine controlled at the end of February 2014, including all of Donbas.
Crimea is a question. Ukraine has an advantage in northern and central Crimea, as Russian logistics would be cut off, with the possible exception of the damaged Kerch Bridge, and much of the population in northern and central Crimea, perhaps ex Simferopol, consist of Ukrainians and Tatars. On the other side, Russia has bases throughout Crimea, including a concentration of air bases north of Simferopol, including the Simferopol Airport, and large population concentrations in and around Sevastopol. Turkey may be a wild card here. There are around 1.5 million Crimean Tatars living in Turkey, and next year is the Turkish Presidential Election.
I don’t see much of a possibility of a Russian attack against Kyiv, but Ukraine is right to prepare. Leaving the question of Russian manpower and dearth of equipment aside, there are too many physical barriers protecting Kyiv, as Russia found out last year.
The odds favoring Ukraine increase with continued and increased weapons deliveries from the west, combined with continuing Western ability to help Ukraine operate and maintain the equipment that Ukraine is already using to great effect. This might include, but not be limited to:
· ATACMS Missiles – What is the U.S. waiting for?
· Bradley Fighting Vehicles, and European/Australian counterparts – On their way? Bradleys will give Ukraine a bigger advantage in maneuverability along with more firepower.
· More antiaircraft systems of all kinds, including Hawks, IRIS-T, NASAMs. Everything.
· Saab Gripen Fighter – Among other things, they have the advantage of being able to operate from unimproved runways.
· Gunboats – I’m a “Former Naval Person,” so I cannot ignore the Navy. The use of gunboats like the Island Class gunboat that Ukraine already has will give Ukraine improved flexibility in operating along the Black Sea Coast, conducting attacks areas that Russia controls, escorting grain carriers, etc. The Island Class version that Ukraine has includes anti-submarine capabilities.
· Sea Drones – More of those, like those that were employed in Sevastopol Harbor.
Possibly avoid:
· Abrams Tanks – Apparently, they get 2 gallons/mile, at a time when Ukraine’s fuel inventory is limited, and they are likely difficult to operate and maintain.
· F-16s – May have limitations operating off unimproved runways.
I am leaving aside what might happen in Russia. I am not a Russia expert, and there is no lack of pundits willing and able to weigh in. I’m happy to leave the field to them.
However, sometimes Western policy seems to be trying to help Ukraine achieve a battlefield victory, while at the same time ensuring against regime change in Russia, or possibly a break-up of the Russian Federation. What we should’ve learned from 1917/18, or 1989 – 1991, what happens in Russia will happen, independent of the West. The West must support Ukraine’s victory, without any hesitation or backward glance at what might happen in Russia.
To those who doubted Ukraine, I’m not yet in the gloating mode. Let’s just say that I’m in the “pre-gloating” mode.
1/3 Sitrep
Russian Invasion of Ukraine 12:00 noon January 2 to 12:00 noon January 3, 2022
Abbreviations:
RMA = Regional Military Administration SBU = Security Service of Ukraine
RASHISTS = russian Facists/all russian invaders
INTERNATIONAL
January 3
08:00 DW: German Chancellor Olaf Scholz periodically communicates directly with Russian dictator Putin about Russia's full-scale military aggression against Ukraine. This was announced by Deputy Official Representative of the German Government Christiane Hoffmann.
00:51 ERR: The Estonian Ministry of Defense suggests that in the event of a new wave of official mobilization in Russia, the conscripted people will have even worse training than the reservists who got into the first wave.
· He noted that so far there is no official confirmation that Russia is preparing a second wave of mobilization and closure of borders, but the possibility of such steps in any case remains.
00:30: Biden announces the creation of a coalition of allies to respond to global challenges, including Russia's war against Ukraine.
· "At a time of serious global challenges - from global inflation, the climate crisis to Russia's brutal war against Ukraine - we are gathering the widest possible coalition of partners to achieve results," the US president wrote.
January 2
23:17 EU Ambassador to Ukraine: The volume of Ukrainian exports to the EU in 2022 increased compared to the previous year.
· "This is partly due to the full trade liberalization introduced by the EU in June, along with the suspension of trade protection measures for Ukrainian imports to the EU," Maasikas said.
22:47 Reuters: Britain will award grants for its own production of nuclear fuel to reduce its dependence on Russia.
· On January 2, the United Kingdom opened accepting applications for grants from the $75 million ($90.5 million) fund, which aims to increase domestic production of nuclear fuel for power plants and reduce dependence on uranium supplies from Russia.
17:46: Israel will resume direct contacts with Russia at the highest level, israel's new Foreign Minister Eli Cohen said.
· He also said that Israel would talk less publicly about the "Russian-Ukrainian issue."
17:30 ERR: Estonia intends to redirect Ukrainian refugees to Finland.
· Finland has declared its readiness to receive 50-100 people from Estonia every week, starting in January this year. Bus and ferry services will be organized for Ukrainian refugees.
14:57: For much of the global economy, 2023 will be a difficult year, said Kristalina Georgieva, managing director of the International Monetary Fund.
· "It will be difficult because the main drivers of global growth – the United States, Europe and China – are experiencing weakening activity," Georgieva said.
14:42: European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said during a phone call with Volodymyr Zelenskyy that the EU would support Ukraine as much as needed.
12:51 Finnish President: Both Russia and the Soviet Union made a gross mistake in believing they would quickly bring Ukraine and Finland to its knees.
· "The leaders of an authoritarian country, Stalin and Putin, did not take into account a significant factor. That in a free country, people have will and conviction. And that a people who act together is a great power."
· The President of Finland also stressed that the strong support for Ukraine from Finland, Europe and the West would continue this year.
NATIONAL
January 3
11:41: There are no small things to do in a great war. No unnecessary ones. Each of us is a wrestler. Each of us is a front. Each of us is the basis of defense. We fight as one team - the whole country, all our regions, - Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
11:10 Ukrenergo: As of 11:00 am on January 3, due to warm weather, consumption in Ukraine is reduced.
· Consumption restrictions until 14:00 do not apply.
· At the same time, a gradual increase in consumption is predicted for the evening. Therefore, the dispatch center of Ukrenergo proved consumption limits to all regions for the second half of the day.
10:31: In two days, Ukraine's air defense shot down all 84 UAVs. This is a 100% result," said Air Force spokesman Yuri Ignat.
· "We have never achieved such results before," Yurii Ignat.
09:21 British intelligence: Russian forces have reduced activity in the Bakhmut area as the Ukrainian Armed Forces in the area have received reinforcements. They will not be able to capture Bakhmut in the near future.
· "Russian offensive operations in the area at this time are probably carried out only at the platoon or branch level. It is unlikely that Russia will achieve a significant breakthrough near Bakhmut in the coming weeks," the British Ministry of Defense said in a statement.
08:58: Damage to the Ukrainian environment caused by the Russians is estimated at $35.3 billion, said the head of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine Reznikov.
07:09 Operational information from the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine:
· "During the past day, the enemy launched 6 missile and 52 air strikes, carried out 77 attacks from multiple launch rocket systems. All 6 missile, as well as 30 air strikes, the enemy inflicted on civilian infrastructure. In addition, all 27 UAVs "Shahed-136", which were used by the enemy, were shot down by the Defense Forces of Ukraine.
· Over the past day, units of the Defense Forces repulsed Russian attacks in the areas of settlements: Stelmakhivka, Makiivka, Ploshanka, Bilohorivka, Luhansk region; Rozdolivka, Soledar, Krasnaya Gora, Pidgorodne, Bakhmut, Klishchiivka, Kurdyumivka, Avdiivka, Marinka, Donetsk region.
· The fire damage by units of the Defense Forces of Ukraine on December 31 of manpower and military equipment of the Russian Federation in the area of the settlement of Chulakivka, Kherson region, - the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine was confirmed.
· The losses of the Russians amounted to about 500 servicemen wounded and killed.
· On January 1, 2023, units of the Defense Forces of Ukraine carried out fire damage to Russian personnel near the settlement of Fedorovka, Kherson region, the number of losses is being specified.
· During the past day, the aviation of the Defense Forces of Ukraine inflicted 13 strikes on areas of concentration of personnel, weapons and military equipment of the Russian Federation, as well as 5 strikes on the positions of anti-aircraft missile systems,
· During the past day, our defenders shot down an enemy helicopter Ka-52 and 3 reconnaissance UAVs of the "Orlan-10" type.
· Over the past day, units of the missile forces and artillery of the Defense Forces of Ukraine carried out a fire attack on the area of concentration of manpower and military equipment of the Russian Federation, as well as the Russian radar station.
January 2
23:02: BILD journalist Bjorn Stritzel, who covers Russia's war in Ukraine, was shrapnel wounded.
· "He's safe (as far as possible) and the injury isn't very serious. However, this is a reminder of the difficulties that reporters in Ukraine go through to tell the truth," the editor-in-chief wrote.
19:11: The Ukraine-EU summit will take place in Kyiv on February 3.
18:20 Operational information from the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine as of 18:00 January 2:
· "The enemy launched missile and 28 air strikes.
· It should be noted that the Russian occupiers launched 27 air strikes on civilian infrastructure using the Shahed-136 UAV. All these drones were shot down.
· The threat of further air and missile strikes remains throughout Ukraine."
· "On December 31, in the area of concentration in the settlement of Makiivka, Donetsk region, up to 10 units of enemy military equipment of various types were destroyed and damaged, the losses of the occupiers' personnel are being clarified."
· "Russian invaders continue to commit illegal actions against local residents in the temporarily occupied territory of the Kherson region.
· The occupiers collect information about persons engaged in entrepreneurial activity and seize road transport and goods from them."
· "During the day, Ukrainian aviation struck 10 strikes on the areas of concentration of the enemy and 5 - on the positions of its anti-aircraft missile systems."
17:10 TV espreso: Ukraine can return Crimea by the fall, provided that the promised weapons are received, and sanctions are maintained, says an American general.
· At this, the general is convinced that Ukraine can liberate the Crimea even earlier if the West provides it with high-precision long-range weapons.
16:28: Commander-in-Chief Valery Zaluzhny summed up the military results of 2022 for the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
· According to him, Ukrainian army managed to return 40% of the territories that came under the control of Russian troops after February 24.
· The total length of the land front line is almost 4 thousand kilometers, the active area is 1.5 thousand kilometers.
16:13 Head of the EU Delegation to Ukraine: By the end of 2022, the EU has radically reduced energy dependence on Russia. The European Union has stopped 90% of Russian oil supplies.
· "Sanctions are just one of the tools we use, but it is obvious that they cause serious damage to Russia. They affect the economy of the Russian Federation, depriving it of access to financial markets and advanced technological products," Maasikas said.
14:27 Speaker of the Air Force Command of the Armed Forces of Ukraine: "On Christmas Day, January 7, Russia can also hit Ukraine with missiles. We're preparing for that."
14:17 SBU press service: The SBU reported suspicion to the head of the Central Bank of the Russian Federation, which is introducing a "ruble zone" in the occupied regions of Ukraine.
· As a result of investigative and operational actions, the SBU collected evidence of the participation of the Head of the Central Bank of the Russian Federation Elvira Nabiullina in financing the military groups of the aggressor country.
· Also, the head of the Russian Central Bank assisted the local occupation administrations of the Russian Federation in blocking the circulation of the hryvnia.
12:40 Representative of the Defence Intelligence: The Defence Intelligence of Ukraine constantly monitors the nuclear component of the Russian Armed Forces.
· "We know all the storage locations, we know the number and location of nuclear weapons carriers of the tactical level. We constantly monitor all media movements."
12:59: Some media outlets have spread false information about the death of Mikhail Gavrylyuk known as "Kozak Gavrylyuk" near Bakhmut.
· Mikhail's relatives have already denied this information.
12:30 Navy of the Armed Forces of Ukraine: Up to 7 Russian ships are on alert in the Black Sea.
· As reported, the Russians have deployed 1 ship in the Sea of Azov, and 9 in the Mediterranean, of which 5 are carriers of Kalibr cruise missiles, the total volley of which is 72 missiles.
MORDOR (russia)
January 3
10:05: SBU announces first criminal charges for shelling of Ukrainian civilian targets: evidence has been collected on Russian general and admiral of the Russian fleet
· One of them is the commander of the long-range aviation of the aerospace forces of the RF Armed Forces, Colonel-General Sergei Kobylash. And the other is the former commander of the Black Sea Fleet of the Russian Federation, Admiral Igor Osipov.
· The maximum sanction of the articles provides for a penalty of life imprisonment.
09:49 Institute for the Study of War: Ukraine’s strike on the russian base in occupied Makiivchi works to undermine putin’s authority.
· Analysts note that the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation, although it recognized the losses, is trying to shift responsibility for them to puppets from the quasi-republic "DPR". Those, in turn, claim that the soldiers who used the phones were to blame for everything and thus allowed the Armed Forces to track the signals and clearly determine the coordinates for the attack.
00:14 Social Networks: Explosions are heard in Russian Voronezh.
00:37: russian shell explodes behind a French reporter who is live on a French TV broadcast from Donetsk region - TV channel TMC.
January 2
23:09 Social Networks: Explosions are heard in Kursk, Russia.
22:13: Russian-appointed governor of annexed Sevastopol, Mikhail Razvozhaev, said the drone attack over the city continued.
21:04 Social Networks: Explosions are heard in the temporarily occupied Simferopol.
20:53 Social Networks: Explosions are heard in the temporarily occupied Sevastopol.
15:26: 63 Russian soldiers died as a result of a strike in the area of the temporarily occupied Makiivka, according to the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation.
· The number of wounded is not indicated in the report.
14:06: Former FSB Officer and former defense minister of the so-called "DPR" Igor Strelkov-Girkin confirmed the mass destruction of the Russian military in occupied Makiivka, Donetsk region, and said that this could happen again.
· "Almost all military equipment that stood close to the building without the slightest sign of disguise was also destroyed," he added.
16:40 Eastern Group spokesman Serhiy Cherevatyi on the air of the Espresso TV channel:
· The enemy concentrated the largest number of personnel on the Bakhmut direction. During the day, the enemy carried out 224 attacks with various artillery systems and tanks, 34 combat missions took place. The enemy lost 213 people killed and 87 wounded.
· The enemy fails to break through the defenses of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. In the East, every day the enemy loses significant assets - fuel and lubricants, artillery depots, equipment and personnel.
KHARKIV
January 3
09:31 Kharkiv RMA: Last day, the border settlements of Kupyansk, Chuhuiv and Kharkiv districts were under Russian fire.
· As a result of the shelling, private households were damaged and fires occurred. During the extinguishing of fires, the personnel of the State Emergency Service twice came under repeated shelling - in the villages of Dvorochnaya and in Vovchansk. Fortunately, no one was injured by shelling during the day.
LUHANSK
January 3
10:59 Luhansk RMA: Near Svatove and Kreminna, the Armed Forces are gradually moving forward.
· "The invaders passed the New Year holidays with "cotton" - due to constant explosions of warehouses, they are forced to bring ammunition by trucks directly from Luhansk each time to new places, and only then to positions. Our artillerymen have made logistics much more difficult for the Russians."
January 2
23:50 Luhansk RMA: In Svatove, an ammunition depot of Russian troops was destroyed.
· "For almost two weeks, the Armed Forces of Ukraine observed and recorded the number of Urals that entered the base," the press service of the Strategic Communications Department of the Armed Forces of Ukraine was quoted as saying.
DONETSK
January 3
11:57 Social Networks: Explosions reported in Sloviansk, Donetsk region.
10:14 Donetsk RMA: Druzhkivka, remote from the front, suffered three blows: the Ice Arena was destroyed, the buildings of the Academy of Sciences, the bus station, the church, a residential building and utility buildings were damaged.
· 1 person is wounded. Another 1 person was wounded in Kramatorsk and a shell hit the courtyard of a private house.
· In the Gorlovka direction, 1 person died in Bakhmut.
· In Ivanovsky, Blagodatne, Torsk, Seversk, Ostrovsky – damage to houses.
09:56 Donetsk RMA: On January 2, Russians killed 1 civilian in the Donetsk region in Bakhmut.
· Another 1 person in the area was injured.
00:05: The general director of the Donbass hockey club Fedor Illienko announced a blow to the Ice Arena in Druzhkivka, Donetsk region.
January 2
23:52: The City Council of Kramatorsk, Donetsk region, confirmed the explosions in the city and reported a new shelling.
23:25 President's Office: There are two missile strikes in Druzhkivka, Donetsk region, the OP said.
· One rocket struck in the city itself, it is known about 2 wounded. Another rocket struck the village of Yakovlivka.
22:30 Social Networks: Explosions are heard in Kramatorsk, Donetsk region.
22:20 Social Networks: Explosions are heard in Druzhkivka, Donetsk region.
23:07 Social Networks: Explosions are heard in Nikopol.
20:35 Social Networks: Explosions are heard in Kramatorsk, Donetsk region.
16:07 Social Networks: Explosions are heard in the center of the temporarily occupied Donetsk.
12:09: Bakhmut continues his defense. The fighting does not subside for a minute, but no one is going to retreat, the Ukrainian military said.
ZAPORIZHIA
January 2
13:07 Social Networks: Explosions are heard in the temporarily occupied Berdyansk, a column of smoke is visible in the sky.
DNIPRO
January 3
07:53 Dnipro RMA: Shelling of the Nikopol region does not subside. Twice overnight, the area was attacked by Russian Hurricanes and heavy artillery.
· More than 20 shells arrived in Nikopol and Pokrovska community. People weren't hurt.
KHERSON
January 3
09:05 Kherson RMA: Russians shelled the territory of Kherson region 79 times.
· Kherson Russian army attacked 32 times. Due to Russian shelling, 2 people were killed, 9 residents of the Kherson region were injured of varying severity.
January 2
21:53 Social Networks: Reports of repeated explosions in Kherson.
21:25 press officer of the commandant's office of the defense of Kherson: Less than 70 thousand people remain in Kherson. residents out of 330 thousand. pre-war.
· According to him, among those who remained are low-mobility and socially vulnerable citizens.
18:58 Social Networks: Explosions are heard in Kherson.
17:16 Kherson Regional Prosecutor's Office: Russians are holding prisoners of almost 500 residents of Kherson region.
· Since February 24, the Russian military has kidnapped 1100 residents of the region, managed to free 638 people. Among the abducted and missing are city leaders, village heads, deputies, law enforcement officers, clerics and others.
15:13 Prosecutor General's Office: Three representatives of the occupying authorities of Kherson region will be tried for state council and collaboration,
· Prosecutors of the Kherson Regional Prosecutor's Office sent to court indictments against the occupying "head of the military-civil administration of the Kherson region", his deputy and the so-called "head of the Kherson city administration".
1:28 Mayor: Russians continue shelling Beryslav. With a shell, probably a tank, the Russian army hit a five-story building. There is serious destruction.
· "Of the five injured, three people are in serious condition. Now they are being evacuated to Kherson, where doctors will provide the necessary medical care," Tolokonnikov said.
13:09 Social Networks: Explosions are heard in Kherson.
MYKOLAIV
January 2
16:57 mayor of the city: Pumping stations resumed operation in Mykolaiv
· Within 12 hours, the water supply to the residents' homes will be resumed.
12:16 Social Networks: Explosions are heard in the Mykolaiv region.
KYIV
January 3
10:23 Kyiv RMA: The sounds of explosions that residents of the Kyiv region can hear today are sappers training.
January 2
21:15: The organizer of the abduction of Banksy graffiti in Gostomel was informed of the suspicion, Kyiv region police chief Andriy Nebitov said.
· Graffiti was estimated to cost 9 million hryvnias, and the suspect faces up to 12 years in prison.
20:46 Kyiv RMA: Kyiv region is fully supplied with electricity.
· "We do not have emergency and planned outages, that is, people are constantly with electricity," Kuleba said.
SUMY
January 3
10:40 Sumy RMA: During the night and morning, the Russians shelled the Krasnopilska, Seredno-Budska and Shalyhynska communities.
· "Yesterday, the Russians struck 120 mm caliber mortars on the border village of Slavgorod. There were 4 arrivals that damaged the homes of local residents.
· And that night, the Russians shelled the village of Krasnopillya from the ACS. Projectile ruptures damaged the power lines. People were not injured", - Dmitry Zhivitsky.
January 2
22:32 Sumy RMA: 70 strikes were carried out by the Russians on the border with various types of weapons.
· The Russian army shelled Krasnopilska, Shalyginsk, Velykopysarivska and Bilopilska communities.
VINNYTSIA
JANUARY 2
19:27 National Police: The attacker on the priest of the UOC in Vinnytsia is registered in a psychoneurological dispensary.
· Law enforcement officers also clarified that he inflicted injuries on the priest not with a knife, but with a dangerous razor.
13:54 press service of the UOC-MP: The priest of the Vinnytsia diocese of the UOC-MP, Archpriest Antony Kovtonyuk, was attacked with a knife this morning, he is in intensive care.
· The attacker resisted during the arrest. Police wounded him in the leg. The motives of the criminal are established by the investigation.
LVIV
JANUARY 2
13:39: Lviv Mayor Andriy Sadovyi said that a message had been received about the mining of the City Hall building. Evacuation continues.
12:19 SBU press service: The SBU detained a Russian agent in the Lviv region who was collecting intelligence for the occupiers.
· It turned out to be a resident of Donetsk region, who, after the start of a full-scale invasion, transmitted information to a representative of a terrorist organization.
· Since the beginning of the war, he has been collecting intelligence on the locations and movements of units of the Defense Forces of Ukraine in the Liman direction. And later he moved to the Lviv region, where he continued intelligence and subversive activities.
CHERKASY
JANUARY 2
13:16 Cherkasy RMA: The sounds of explosions in the Cherkasy region, which were heard during the air alarm, are the planned destruction of enemy ammunition.
Comparing Soviet invasion of Afghanistan to Russian invasion of Ukraine using Wikipedia and Ukraine Ministry of Defense Daily Bulletins. Soviet and Russian military losses not including captured equipment.
SOURCES
https://www.pravda.com.ua/eng/
https://euromaidanpress.com/
https://cutt.ly/Blyskavka
www.ubn.news