Russia unleashed a massive drone assault on Ukraine, deploying 267 drones—the largest single attack since the full-scale invasion began. Ukrainian air defenses intercepted 138 drones, but widespread damage resulted, including casualties in Kryvyi Rih and Odesa Oblast. The attacks, which also included missile strikes, caused significant damage to civilian infrastructure across the country, particularly in Kyiv and Zaporizhzhia. One fatality and numerous injuries were reported, highlighting the ongoing brutality of the conflict.
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A Ukrainian MiG-29 jet successfully struck a Russian drone team operating near the border in Kursk Oblast, destroying their position with a salvo of precision bombs. The target, a platoon from the 60th Motor Rifle Brigade, was launching drones that had been harassing Ukrainian forces in Sumy Oblast. This attack may represent a broader Ukrainian strategy to proactively target drone operators, particularly as Russia deploys more difficult-to-counter fiber-optic drones. The continued success of such raids, however, hinges on the ongoing supply of Western-made munitions, which faces uncertainty amid potential geopolitical shifts.
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A Russian drone strike on a Sumy apartment building resulted in at least nine deaths and thirteen injuries, prompting President Zelenskyy to denounce the attack as a “terrible tragedy” and a war crime. The attack, part of a larger overnight barrage of 81 drones across Ukraine, also damaged infrastructure including a grain warehouse and hospital in Odesa. Simultaneously, Russia announced terrorism charges against a captured British fighter, while a U.S. foreign aid freeze impacts Ukrainian aid groups. Zelenskyy, while assuring continued military aid, expressed concern over the funding pause.
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North Korean units deployed near Kursk have retreated from the front lines in northeastern Ukraine after suffering significant casualties, estimated by British intelligence to include at least 1,000 deaths. Ukrainian reports indicate these troops, while well-equipped, employed poorly coordinated, large-scale attacks, rendering them vulnerable to Ukrainian forces. Communication difficulties between North Korean and Russian units, leading to friendly fire incidents, further hampered their effectiveness. Despite these setbacks, the commander anticipates their imminent return to the conflict.
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In a briefing to lawmakers, South Korea’s National Intelligence Service reported that over 300 North Korean soldiers have perished and more than 2,700 have been wounded while fighting in Ukraine alongside Russia. These troops have reportedly received orders to commit suicide rather than be captured. The assessment suggests significant North Korean casualties in the conflict.
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On January 11, 2024, a Russian airstrike on a nursing home in Sudzha, Kursk Oblast, resulted in one fatality and significant damage to the facility, leaving approximately 70 elderly and disabled residents displaced. The attack, confirmed by Ukrainian military spokesperson Oleksii Dmytrashkivskyi, occurred amidst renewed Ukrainian offensive operations in the region and follows reports of captured North Korean soldiers fighting alongside Russian forces. The incident highlights the vulnerability of civilians in the conflict zone and the challenges of relocating vulnerable populations. This attack occurred in an area previously visited by media on Ukrainian military-organized press tours.
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IDF operations in Jabalya and Beit Hanun uncovered significant Hamas weaponry, including rockets, RPGs, and explosives, hidden in civilian structures, such as a school and a child’s bedroom. Simultaneous operations by the Givati and Nahal Brigades neutralized terrorists, destroyed explosive devices, and dismantled underground infrastructure, including tunnel shafts. Drone reconnaissance played a crucial role in identifying threats and enabling precision strikes. The discoveries highlight the extent of Hamas’s hidden military capabilities within civilian areas.
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Pakistani airstrikes in Afghanistan’s Paktika province killed at least 46 civilians, mostly women and children, prompting a strong protest from the Afghan Taliban government, which vowed retaliation. The strikes, reportedly targeting a Pakistani Taliban (TTP) camp, followed a TTP attack in Pakistan. Afghanistan’s foreign office summoned Pakistan’s envoy to lodge a formal complaint, citing a violation of international principles. The incident further exacerbates already tense relations between the neighboring countries.
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Israeli airstrikes targeted Sanaa and Hodeida in Yemen, injuring a WHO crew member and causing damage to Sanaa airport. The strikes, claimed by Israel as targeting Houthi military infrastructure, resulted in multiple casualties according to various reports. These actions followed recent Houthi attacks on Israel and occurred amidst escalating regional conflict. Simultaneously, an Israeli strike in Gaza killed five Palestinians, identified by Israel as militants but by Palestinian officials as journalists.
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Pakistani airstrikes in eastern Afghanistan killed at least 46 people, predominantly women and children, according to a Taliban official, sparking strong condemnation from the Afghan government. These strikes, targeting a purported insurgent training facility, followed a recent increase in attacks by the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) within Pakistan. Afghanistan summoned the Pakistani envoy, protesting the violation of its sovereignty and threatening consequences. While Pakistan hasn’t officially commented on the strikes, its military reported a separate operation killing insurgents within its own territory.
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John Q. Hosedrinker