Zelenskyy asserts that Putin is unresponsive to dialogue, likening him to a destructive force rather than a rational actor. He contrasts Putin’s focus on violence with figures like Elon Musk, emphasizing the futility of attempting appeasement. Instead, Zelenskyy advocates for a position of strength, arguing that only demonstrable power can influence Putin’s actions and achieve peace. This approach, he suggests, aligns with the principle of “peace through strength,” rejecting attempts to engage with Putin on a subjective or personal level.
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Russia’s recent attacks on Ukraine utilized over 630 drones, guided bombs, and missiles containing more than 50,000 foreign-made components. These attacks resulted in significant infrastructure damage and civilian casualties. President Zelensky highlighted the inadequacy of current sanctions in preventing Russia’s acquisition of these components, emphasizing the need for stronger sanctions and increased support for Ukraine’s air defenses. He specifically called for bolstering Ukraine’s long-range capabilities. The attacks demonstrate Russia’s continued reliance on global supply chains for weapons production.
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Intense fighting continues across the Ukrainian front, particularly near Pokrovsk. In recent battles near Makhnovka, Kursk Oblast, Ukrainian forces inflicted significant losses on the Russian army. These losses included up to a full battalion of infantry, comprised of both Russian paratroopers and North Korean soldiers. Commander-in-Chief Syrskyi confirmed this substantial defeat to President Zelenskyy. The report highlights the heavy toll the conflict is taking on Russian forces.
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Zelenskiy’s recent report of significant losses suffered by both Russian and North Korean troops in the Kursk region deserves careful consideration. The claim of heavy North Korean casualties, specifically highlighting a lack of protection from their Russian counterparts and desperate measures taken by North Korean soldiers to avoid capture, paints a grim picture. This suggests a potential breakdown in coordination and morale among the allied forces.
The assertion that North Korean soldiers are facing execution for surrendering further underscores the high-stakes environment and the brutal realities these soldiers are enduring. This also points to a possible strategy employed by North Korea to ensure unwavering obedience, further emphasizing the gravity of the situation.… Continue reading
In 2024, Ukrainian forces lost over 3,600 sq km of territory, significantly exceeding the 540 sq km lost in 2023. The most substantial losses occurred in Donetsk and Kharkiv oblasts, with daily losses exceeding 20 sq km in November. Russian gains included significant advances in the Velyka Novosilka-Ocheretyne and Lyman-Kupiansk areas, as well as territory in Kherson and Zaporizhzhia oblasts. Despite some Ukrainian territorial gains elsewhere, including a brief incursion into Kursk Oblast, Militarnyi forecasts continued Russian pressure along multiple fronts.
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Intense fighting continued across multiple fronts in Ukraine, with 138 combat clashes reported in a single day. Russian forces launched 89 assaults primarily focused on the Pokrovsk, Kurakhove, and Vremivka fronts, while also engaging in 10 battles within Russia’s Kursk Oblast. Ukrainian forces successfully repelled numerous attacks across various sectors, inflicting significant losses on Russian personnel and equipment. The ongoing conflict remains highly active and concentrated along the eastern and southern fronts.
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A Russian drone strike on Kyiv on January 1, 2024, tragically killed prominent neurobiologist Ihor Zyma and his wife, biologist Olesia Sokur, both affiliated with Taras Shevchenko National University. The attack, which also resulted in injuries and further civilian deaths in other regions, underscores the devastating impact of the ongoing conflict. Ukrainian authorities reported numerous casualties across the country following a barrage of Russian drone attacks. The deaths of Zyma and Sokur represent a significant loss to the Ukrainian scientific community.
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Ryanair flight FR748, operating from Riga to Vienna, diverted to Brno, Czech Republic, due to a technical GPS issue compounded by low visibility at the intended destination. The airline attributed the diversion to a minor technical problem with the GPS system, while Austrian media reported GPS signal disruption over Poland, potentially linked to the Ukraine conflict. Passengers were subsequently transported to Vienna by bus. The affected aircraft was an Airbus A320 operating under the Lauda brand.
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In his New Year’s address, Ukrainian President Zelenskyy declared 2025 the year to end Russia’s invasion, emphasizing Ukraine’s commitment to securing peace through its own efforts and continued US support. This follows a year of significant Russian territorial gains—nearly 4,000 square kilometers in 2024 alone—and the termination of a key gas transit deal with Russia. A Russian drone strike on Kyiv on January 1st further underscored the ongoing conflict. The upcoming US presidential administration’s stance on aid to Ukraine remains a critical factor in the coming year.
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Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov announced Russia will end its self-imposed moratorium on deploying intermediate- and short-range nuclear missiles, citing the US’s global deployment of similar weapons. This decision follows a recent Russian missile test and is presented as a retaliatory measure to US and UK arms supplies to Ukraine. The US plans to deploy long-range missiles in Germany in 2026, a move defended by Germany but criticized by Russia as a significant threat. This escalation reverses decades of arms control agreements, raising concerns about a new arms race and global instability.
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John Q. Hosedrinker 
Matt Underwood