Storm Shadow cruise missile
American company Zone 5 Technologies has successfully conducted combat tests of the Rusty Dagger cruise missile for Ukraine. The cost of one unit is about $246,000, which is significantly cheaper than analogues.
The French Air and Space Force conducted exercises simulating an offensive operation against a high-tech adversary. A key element was the launch of SCALP cruise missiles from Rafale fighters in a scenario close to combat operations with Russia.
France opposes simplifying rules for Ukraine to purchase British Storm Shadow missiles, insisting on using EU funds exclusively within the bloc. Paris seeks EU strategic autonomy, which causes internal contradictions.
During December 25, 115 combat engagements, 50 air strikes, 4060 kamikaze drones, and 2792 shelling attacks were recorded. The highest intensity of fighting was in the Pokrovsk direction, where the enemy carried out 26 attacks.
On December 25, units of the Ukrainian Air Force successfully struck the Novoshakhtinsk oil refinery in the Rostov region with Storm Shadow cruise missiles. Numerous explosions were recorded, and the extent of the damage is being clarified.
The Ukrainian cruise missile FP-5 "Flamingo" has a flight range of up to 3,000 km, which is twice that of the American "Tomahawk. " Its main advantage is that Ukraine can use it without the permission of allies to strike Russian territory.
The UK has continued to supply Ukraine with Storm Shadow cruise missiles for long-range strikes against Russia. This will provide Ukraine with supplies ahead of the winter months and increase pressure on the Kremlin.
The Pentagon has approved providing Ukraine with long-range Tomahawk missiles, believing it will not affect American stockpiles. However, the final decision rests with President Donald Trump, who is hesitant due to the potential impact on relations with the US and Russia.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said that Ukraine is in a better position after new US sanctions against the Russian oil industry. These measures, along with the EU package, weaken Russia's economy and its ability to wage war.
The Trump administration has lifted a key ban on Ukraine's use of long-range Western missiles to strike Russia. This decision allows Ukraine to attack military targets deep within Russia, including with Storm Shadow missiles.
The commander of the Unmanned Systems Forces, Robert Brovdi, known as Madyar, commented on the night attack on the Bryansk chemical plant. He noted that this was a targeted strike on the logistical and technical capabilities of the Russian army, and not just an attack on an industrial facility.
Ukrainian intelligence confirmed the attack by the "Sargas" unit on the oil refinery in Makhachkala on October 22, where a key oil processing unit was damaged. The strike by Ukrainian-made drones caused a large-scale fire, hitting an object that supplied fuel to the Russian occupation forces.
The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine confirmed the strike on the Bryansk chemical plant in Russia on October 21, 2025. Ukrainian forces used Storm Shadow missiles against a strategic object of the military-industrial complex.
Ukrainian pilots spoke about a successful air operation using Western weapons. The use of ADM-160 MALD missiles as decoys allowed for high-precision strikes on enemy targets.
Andriy Kovalenko, head of the Center for Countering Disinformation, announced "jewelry work" on Russians in occupied Donetsk. Local Telegram channels report an attack on Donetsk, Horlivka, and Makiivka, including strikes, presumably by the Ukrainian Armed Forces, on a metallurgical plant, railway, and the headquarters of the 8th Combined Arms Army of the Russian Federation.
Explosions occurred in the occupied Donetsk region. Russian media report a possible Storm Shadow attack on Donetsk, but information about destruction is being clarified.
As a result of a massive UAV attack, tanks at the KSK grain terminal in Novorossiysk were damaged. A state of emergency has been declared in the city, and the consequences are being eliminated.
The US has prohibited Britain from sharing intelligence with Ukraine for targeting Storm Shadow missiles. This could significantly reduce the effectiveness of British cruise missiles for strikes against Russian targets.
The President outlined the priorities for Ukrainian diplomats in 2025. These include strengthening military support, integration into the EU and NATO, sanctions against Russia, and the launch of the e-Consul.
The first three Mirage 2000-5F fighters will be delivered to Ukraine by January 20, 2025. In total, the Ukrainian Armed Forces will receive about ten aircraft equipped with SCALP-EG and Storm Shadow missiles.
The French training program for Ukrainian pilots and mechanics on the Mirage 2000-5F has been completed in six months. Delivery of the fighters, armed with Scalp missiles and AASM bombs, is scheduled for the first quarter of 2025.
The President of Ukraine had a video conversation with Oleksandr Usyk on the eve of the fight for all the championship belts. The boxer spoke about his preparations and promised to “keep the Ukrainian spirit” during the fight.
The Russian Defense Ministry claims that it attacked the SBU and Luch design bureau facilities in response to the attack on the Kamensky plant. However, Ukrainian air defense shot down all 5 Iskander-M ballistic missiles fired at Kyiv.
The French president proposed deploying foreign troops in Ukraine prior to NATO membership. Experts are discussing various formats of presence - from police missions to combat contingents.
The President of Ukraine intends to contact Joe Biden to discuss a possible invitation to NATO. Zelenskyy emphasized that although Ukraine cannot currently be in the Alliance, the issue of the invitation remains relevant.
Nick Pope, the British Ministry of Defense's colishniy kerivnik, reported the UFO incident to Russia and China before the appearance of drones over RAF air bases. The incidents could have been caused by the launch of Storm Shadow missiles.
Russian sources report an attack on about 40 UAVs and missiles in Crimea, in particular on the Belbek airfield. In Sevastopol, smoke was observed and explosions were heard.
the FSB accused British diplomat Edward Pryor of providing false information and subversive intelligence work. The diplomat was ordered to leave Russia within two weeks, and the British ambassador was summoned to the Russian Foreign Ministry.
The United Kingdom has secretly delivered dozens of Storm Shadow cruise missiles to Ukraine before restrictions on their use are lifted. This is the first delivery of missiles under the premiership of Keir Starmer.
A missile strike on a sanatorium in the Kursk region killed 18 Russian servicemen, including Lt. Gen. Solodchuk. It is also reported that 33 Russian servicemen were wounded and 500 North Korean soldiers were killed.