Senior Russian military and security officials advocate escalation of hostilities in Ukraine instead of negotiations. Despite significant losses, they are calling on Putin to intensify military efforts and hold partial conscriptions.
Donald Trump announced that he is preparing to meet with Vladimir Putin, without disclosing a specific date. Earlier, Putin rejected the peace plan being developed by the Trump team.
russian troops have begun using fiber-optic drones to counter Ukrainian electronic warfare systems. Such drones are slower and less maneuverable, but they effectively bypass electronic warfare systems.
Ben Hodges called it “impressive” that the Ukrainian Armed Forces have held a foothold in the Kursk region since August. According to him, this creates political pressure on Putin and demonstrates the growing capabilities of the Ukrainian army.
Russian troops have advanced into Toretsk and may attempt an offensive on Kostyantynivka. ISW analysts believe that without reinforcements from other parts of the frontline, the threat to the city will be insignificant.
The Ukrainian Armed Forces advanced south of Berdyn, Ruske Porichchya and Novosotnytske in the Kursk region. ISW reports a possible start of a coordinated Ukrainian operation in the region.
Chief of the GUR Budanov reported on a new threat - the massive use of fiber-optic drones by Russia. Ukraine is looking for a technological solution to combat them.
Russia is creating a legal framework for removing the Taliban and HTS from the list of terrorist organizations. This should facilitate political and economic rapprochement with Afghanistan and secure Russian bases in Syria.
The Alabuga plant produced 5,760 Shahed drones in 9 months of 2024, twice as many as in 2023. russia plans to produce 10,000 decoy drones by the end of the year to overcome Ukrainian air defense.
The head of the Ukrainian Security Center called mobilization and involvement of civilians in the army the main challenges of 2025. To counter Russian attacks, Ukraine needs a large-scale supply of anti-personnel weapons.
ISW reports on a change in russian tactics in Donbas, where Putin has ordered to focus on capturing territory instead of cities. Russian troops are 10 km from the border of Donetsk and Dnipropetrovsk regions.
Russian troops executed five Ukrainian prisoners of war in the area of Blahodatne. ISW claims that Russian commanders encourage or authorize such war crimes.
Seven Chinese nationals were arrested in Guam for trespassing near military installations during a US missile defense test. The detainees arrived on one boat from Saipan, four of whom were near a military base.
The Ukrainian military successfully attacked Russian positions near Liptsi using unmanned ground vehicles and FPV drones. Ukraine is also developing new types of EW-resistant drones.
Satellite images show increased activity at the Russian bases of Khmeimim and Tartus in Syria. A massive movement of military equipment and transport aircraft has been recorded, which may indicate a reduction in the Russian contingent.
The U. S. State Department did not record the deployment of new North Korean troops to Russia after the losses in Kursk. Russia is trying to hide the presence of the DPRK military in Ukraine by burning the faces of the dead.
Russia is trying to conceal the presence of North Korean troops in the battles in the Kursk region. The Kremlin is hiding this fact in order not to recognize the lack of personnel in its own army.
Due to communication problems between Russian and North Korean troops, there are cases of friendly fire. In the Kursk region, 200 people were killed as a result of ineffective coordination and attacks by Ukrainian drones.
Russia is trying to freeze Ukraine in the winter and force the West to limit arms supplies. During the latest attack, Russia fired 94 missiles and 193 drones at Ukrainian infrastructure.
The spokesperson for the Khortytsia military unit denied the information about the presence of Russian subversive reconnaissance groups in Pokrovsk and fighting on the outskirts of the city. Fierce fighting continues in the Pokrovsk sector, where the enemy is losing up to 400 troops daily.
Russian troops are near Pokrovsk and are constantly shelling the city. The enemy uses small group tactics to probe the defense, but suffers significant losses.
Russian troops have come within 6-10 kilometers of Pokrovsk in Donetsk region. Heavy fighting continues for the city, as it is an important logistical hub for the enemy.
ISW reports a critical reduction in Russia's financial reserves due to the war against Ukraine. Expenditures have exceeded $200 billion, and corruption in the country has increased by 30%.
Putin and Lukashenko have signed a new Union Treaty on security guarantees that allows the deployment of oreshnik ballistic missiles in Belarus. The treaty also provides for the use of tactical nuclear weapons in the event of aggression.
ISW: an increase in Russian military spending to 41% of the budget in 2025 does not guarantee an increase in military capabilities. A significant part of the funds will be spent on social payments, which may weaken the country's economy.
In the first 10 months of 2024, 60,000 desertion cases were opened, which is twice as many as in the previous two years. The main reasons are the lack of rotation and exhaustion of military personnel on the front line.
The President of Ukraine visited the location of the 25th Brigade in Pokrovsk and awarded the city's defenders. Ukrainian troops stopped 32 hostile attacks in the Pokrovsk sector over the last day.
The National Security and Defense Council's Center for Countering Disinformation denied information about the enemy's entrenchment in Kupyansk. The Russian landing force was destroyed and the situation is under control of the Defense Forces.
Russian authorities are negotiating a merger between Rosneft, Gazprom Neft and Lukoil. The goal is to strengthen its position in the energy market and obtain more favorable deals with China and India.
ISW reports that putin is creating the appearance of improving relations with Trump, but has no plans to make concessions. the kremlin continues to pursue its maximalist goals in Ukraine and on the international stage.
