According to Ukraine’s Security Service (SBU), long-range strikes over the past year have damaged or destroyed approximately $4 billion worth of Russian air defense systems, including S-300, S-350, and S-400 systems, as well as several others. The SBU stated that these attacks have opened corridors in Russia’s air defense, allowing Ukrainian drones to penetrate deeper into enemy territory, targeting military bases, warehouses, and airfields. The SBU’s claims also include damage to radar reconnaissance and guidance systems, as well as strikes on a large drone factory in Taganrog, where the Molniya drone was produced. Moscow has yet to respond to the SBU’s claims, which are difficult to independently verify.
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Russian tax revenues from oil and gas are projected to plummet by 46% in January 2024, hitting approximately 420 billion rubles, the lowest level since August 2020. This decline is attributed to a stronger ruble and low global oil prices. The market has become oversaturated due to factors such as reduced demand from major economies and the U.S. trade war with China. Western sanctions, including those imposed by the EU and the Trump administration, are further impacting Russia’s energy revenues, especially with reduced European imports and the need to offer discounted oil to new markets.
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Amidst the ongoing winter freeze and Russian attacks targeting Ukrainian infrastructure, a fundraising campaign in Poland has successfully raised over 3 million zloty to support Ukrainians. The funds will be used to purchase power generators, sleeping bags, and fuel for those suffering in the cold. The initiative, launched by the Stand With Ukraine Foundation, has seen an overwhelming response from Polish citizens, with over 25,000 donors contributing and expressing solidarity. While the response has been positive, recent polls show a shift in public sentiment, with increasing opposition to accepting Ukrainian refugees in Poland.
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The Russian government is surprisingly supportive of Donald Trump’s interest in Greenland, with a state-run newspaper praising his efforts to annex the island. This is a stark contrast to the criticism aimed at European leaders who oppose the potential US takeover. Moscow views the situation as beneficial, as Trump’s actions are straining the transatlantic alliance and creating divisions within NATO. Ultimately, Russia sees this discord as a positive development, weakening the Western alliance and potentially aiding its own geopolitical goals, including its ongoing efforts in Ukraine.
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French President Emmanuel Macron announced that France is now supplying Ukraine with two-thirds of its intelligence, surpassing the United States in this capacity. This shift suggests a change in the dynamics of Western support for Ukraine, potentially indicating a scaled-back U.S. military relationship. The exact scope of Macron’s claim and the specifics of the intelligence being provided remain unclear, as neither the French government, the Pentagon, nor Ukrainian intelligence agencies have commented further. Macron’s statement aligns with his broader goal of positioning France as a leading regional military power, especially given the context of potential shifts in U.S. foreign policy.
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Ukrainian forces are successfully repelling a new wave of Russian assaults across the front lines, as stated by President Volodymyr Zelensky. Despite facing numerically superior and heavily armed Russian forces in harsh conditions, Ukrainian troops, supported by drone swarms, mortars, and artillery, are holding their ground and inflicting significant casualties. Successful defensive actions were reported in multiple sectors, including Hulyaipole, Kupyansk, and Orikhiv. The AFU General Staff reported intense combat with numerous engagements, while Ukrainian units such as the 414th Unmanned Systems Forces Brigade “Madyar’s Birds” successfully repelled Russian attacks.
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President Zelenskyy announced that Ukrainian intelligence suggests Russia is planning new large-scale attacks. He emphasized the importance of air defense systems and urged partners to expedite and increase their supply. Zelenskyy also mentioned that the Ministry of Defence of Ukraine is working on the issue and warned citizens to heed air-raid warnings. This follows a previous warning on January 8th and recent attacks on Lviv and Kyiv regions.
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Amid heightened US interest in acquiring Greenland, Russia has declared the island to be part of Denmark, directly opposing any potential US takeover. Moscow views the situation as a demonstration of Western hypocrisy and a failure of the “rules-based international order,” criticizing Denmark’s subordination to the US. Simultaneously, Denmark’s NATO allies, including France and Germany, have deployed troops to Greenland in a symbolic show of support, although these deployments are largely symbolic rather than a significant military deterrent. The actions follow discussions between Danish and Greenlandic representatives and US officials, revealing a fundamental disagreement in perspectives on the island’s future.
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According to President Emmanuel Macron, France has become Ukraine’s primary provider of intelligence, supplying two-thirds of the country’s needs in the war against Russia. Macron made these remarks during his New Year’s address to the French military, highlighting a shift from Ukraine’s previous reliance on U.S. intelligence capabilities. Furthermore, Macron acknowledged the financial support provided to Ukraine by the Coalition of the Willing, covering “100 percent” of Kyiv’s resource needs. While the U.S. previously suspended intelligence sharing, France’s support has reportedly grown, though no confirmation was provided by Ukrainian officials.
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John Q. Hosedrinker