President Zelenskyy accused Putin of fearing negotiations, citing Putin’s refusal to speak directly with him. Simultaneously, Ukrainian drone strikes targeted Russian oil and power facilities, while the US reportedly transferred Patriot interceptors to Ukraine via Poland. Zelenskyy also announced that Ukraine would replace funding for humanitarian projects suspended due to a freeze in US aid under the Trump administration. Finally, a Ukrainian government dispute over arms procurement emerged, prompting an investigation and intervention calls from the G7.
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Despite a US push for peace, Ukraine faces a new challenge: an influx of North Korean troops fighting alongside Russia. Kyiv reports that approximately 11,000 North Korean soldiers have been deployed, suffering heavy initial casualties but adapting and improving their battlefield performance over time. However, these soldiers reportedly receive orders to avoid capture at all costs, leading to self-inflicted deaths and executions to conceal identities. The continued deployment of North Korean soldiers raises concerns about the expanding scope of the conflict and the need for further international involvement.
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Russia issues a new school textbook that portrays its invasion of Ukraine as a forced action, a narrative that’s jarring in its audacity and chilling in its implications for the future. The textbook, intended for 15-year-olds studying Russian military history, frames the war as a necessary response to external pressures, effectively rewriting the narrative of a brutal and unprovoked aggression.
This blatant attempt to sanitize history is deeply troubling. The claim of being “forced” to invade, to commit acts of violence, torture, and destruction, is a grotesque distortion of reality. It’s akin to saying someone was forced to commit a domestic assault, a statement that ignores the agency and culpability of the perpetrator.… Continue reading
A leaked document purportedly details former President Trump’s 100-day plan to end the Russia-Ukraine war, involving direct communication with Putin and Zelensky, a ceasefire by Easter, and territorial concessions from Ukraine. The plan, published by a Ukrainian outlet with ties to Russian propaganda, proposes Ukrainian neutrality, EU membership by 2030, and the lifting of some sanctions against Russia. Zelensky’s office has vehemently denied the plan’s authenticity, highlighting the potential for it to undermine Ukraine’s sovereignty and peace negotiations. The plan’s veracity remains unverified.
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The Russian Navy newspaper warned that relatives of Russian soldiers are inadvertently aiding Ukraine by sharing their loved ones’ locations online, leading to precision strikes. This information is reportedly compiled by Ukrainian intelligence and used to target Russian troops and training grounds. The warning, promoted by pro-war blogger Anastasia Kashevarova, calls for the prosecution of these women. The article notes Kashevarova’s ties to Russian militant groups and Ramzan Kadyrov, highlighting the context of this alarming message within a pro-war media landscape.
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Despite achieving key military objectives, including weakening the Ukrainian military and securing a land bridge to Crimea, President Putin is increasingly worried about the war’s negative economic consequences for Russia. High borrowing costs, intended to control inflation, have inadvertently hindered private investment, causing significant displeasure within the Kremlin. This economic strain has reportedly led some in Russia’s elite to push for negotiations to end the conflict. The war’s overall impact on Russia’s economy is now a major concern for Putin.
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Verified drone footage and multiple sources reveal that Russia is deploying injured soldiers, many requiring crutches, into front-line combat near Pokrovsk. These “crutch battalions,” part of the 20th Combined Arms Army, are used in infantry assaults deemed more effective than mechanized operations despite incurring heavy casualties from Ukrainian drone strikes. This practice underscores Russia’s severe manpower shortage and inability to replace combat losses, which reportedly reached 434,000 in 2024 alone, according to Ukrainian General Oleksandr Syrskyi. The Kremlin’s increasing reliance on visibly wounded soldiers highlights the failing regeneration of combat-effective units.
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Overnight on January 21st, Ukrainian forces launched a series of attacks targeting key Russian infrastructure. These strikes included the Liskinskaya oil depot (hit for a second time in a week), the Smolensk Aviation Plant, and a Russian command post in Donetsk Oblast. The Russian Defense Ministry reported intercepting numerous drones, while Ukraine’s General Staff confirmed successful strikes, causing fires and explosions at targeted locations. These actions underscore Ukraine’s ongoing efforts to disrupt Russia’s war effort through long-range drone attacks.
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Russia’s rapid rearmament, exceeding initial predictions, is fueling concerns about a potential attack on NATO. This accelerated military buildup, however, presents a complex picture, raising questions about the feasibility and likelihood of such a drastic escalation.
The claim that Russia is rearming faster than anticipated, potentially for a NATO attack, rests largely on reports citing increased weapons production and the acquisition of additional supplies from countries like Iran and North Korea. While these actions undeniably bolster Russia’s military capabilities, it’s crucial to consider the context. Russia’s current struggle in Ukraine, characterized by significant losses of personnel and equipment, suggests a considerable strain on its resources.… Continue reading
Amidst intensified Russian attacks on Ukrainian energy infrastructure, Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi announced Ukraine’s development of its own air defense system, leveraging existing Soviet-era expertise. This domestically produced system aims to rival the capabilities of U.S. Patriot defenses and counter the threat posed by Russia’s new Oreshnik missile. The initiative is driven by the limited availability of systems capable of intercepting the Oreshnik, motivating both domestic development and continued negotiations with allies for advanced technology. This development aligns with Ukraine’s planned record $35 billion investment in weapons production in 2025, partially supported by international partners like the U.K.
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John Q. Hosedrinker 
Matt Underwood