Ukraine’s inexpensive, heavy bomber drones, nicknamed “Baba Yagas,” are proving highly effective against Russian forces, inflicting substantial casualties despite underreporting due to verification challenges. These drones, including models like the Vampire and Kazhan, carry significant payloads and operate at ranges up to 12 miles, posing a significant threat despite facing countermeasures. Their success is evidenced by Russia’s repurposing of captured drones and the creation of a supply chain for their maintenance. The psychological impact on Russian soldiers is also considerable, with folklore surrounding the drones adding to their fearsome reputation.
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President Zelensky announced that Ukraine’s military now numbers 880,000 soldiers, surpassing Russia’s 600,000-strong force. While Russia concentrates its troops in specific areas, Ukraine’s forces are deployed nationwide. This significant increase from 2023’s reported 600,000 Ukrainian soldiers counters concerns of manpower shortages, potentially sustaining Ukraine’s war effort despite ongoing challenges. The size disparity highlights the contrasting situations of the two countries, with Russia relying heavily on its own and North Korean troops facing high casualty rates.
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Two captured North Korean soldiers, receiving medical treatment in Kyiv, have expressed differing desires regarding their future—one wishing to remain in Ukraine, the other to return home. President Zelenskyy suggested a potential prisoner exchange with Russia involving these soldiers and Ukrainian POWs. The ongoing conflict in the Kursk region sees Ukrainian forces battling both Russian and North Korean troops, with significant reported North Korean casualties. These developments highlight the unexpected involvement of North Korean soldiers in the war and the complex geopolitical ramifications.
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Following a series of large-scale Ukrainian drone and missile attacks on Russian territory, Russia vowed retaliation, claiming the strikes targeted multiple cities and industrial sites. These attacks, utilizing US and UK-supplied weaponry, hit regions including Saratov, Engels, Bryansk, Tula, and Tatarstan, causing damage and disruptions. Russia responded with further projectiles launched toward Ukraine, escalating the conflict amidst incoming US President Trump’s stated desire for a swift resolution.
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Ukraine captured two North Korean soldiers in the Kursk region, marking the first time Kyiv has taken North Korean POWs. President Zelensky offered to return these soldiers to Kim Jong Un in exchange for Ukrainian prisoners held by Russia. The Kremlin expressed interest in prisoner exchanges but remained noncommittal. Ukraine estimates thousands of North Korean troops are fighting alongside Russia in Ukraine, contributing to the ongoing conflict. Zelensky asserted that this exchange would further expose Russia’s reliance on North Korean military support.
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Overnight on January 14th, Ukraine launched a large-scale drone attack targeting Russian military and industrial infrastructure across multiple regions, extending as far as 1,100 kilometers from the border. Key targets included chemical plants, oil refineries, and the Engels airbase, significantly impacting Russia’s military production and supply chains. The attacks, confirmed by Ukrainian officials and supported by various reports, demonstrate a continued effort to disrupt Russia’s war effort by striking deep within its territory. These actions are part of a broader Ukrainian strategy to weaken Russia’s ability to wage war in Ukraine.
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In a recent interview, Ukrainian President Zelensky expressed his country’s desire to end the war with Russia in 2025, contingent upon securing international security guarantees to prevent future Russian aggression. This objective aligns with the incoming U.S. administration’s aim to resolve the conflict within 100 days of inauguration, though details of any peace plan remain undisclosed. Potential strategies under consideration include delaying Ukraine’s NATO membership in exchange for continued Western support and the deployment of European peacekeepers. Zelensky affirmed Ukraine’s need for increased international cooperation to achieve this goal.
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Intense fighting near Makhnivka in the Kursk region resulted in the elimination of a Russian battalion comprised of Russian paratroopers and up to an entire battalion of North Korean soldiers, according to Ukrainian President Zelenskyy. Ukrainian forces, specifically the Special Operations Forces and the 80th Separate Air Assault Brigade, are credited with inflicting these heavy casualties. These losses follow earlier reports of over 3,000 North Korean casualties in the region. Despite ongoing intense fighting across the front, Ukrainian forces are successfully repelling Russian assaults and maintaining their positions. This engagement highlights the significant human cost of the conflict and the continued North Korean support for Russia’s war effort.
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Since Ukraine’s August 6th incursion into Russia’s Kursk Oblast, over 38,000 Russian troops and 1,000 pieces of equipment have been lost, along with over 700 captured soldiers. Ukraine initially seized approximately 1,300 square kilometers, though intense fighting has reduced this control. The conflict also involves approximately 12,000 North Korean troops, with over 3,000 reported killed or wounded, highlighting the challenges of unfamiliar terrain and modern warfare. Ukraine intends to leverage the occupied territory in future negotiations.
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Ukraine’s military intelligence reported heavy losses and logistical problems, including water shortages, for North Korean troops fighting in Russia’s Kursk region, following Ukrainian strikes near Novoivanovka. President Zelenskyy estimated 3,000 North Korean casualties, while Russia continues its missile and drone attacks on Ukrainian infrastructure, including a Christmas morning barrage and attacks throughout the week. Amidst this ongoing conflict, Russia threatens further use of its Oreshnik hypersonic missiles, while Ukraine retaliated with drone strikes targeting Russian military production facilities.
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John Q. Hosedrinker