THE RUSSO-UKRAINE WAR BRIEF
For: 25-01-30
Slava Ukraini! In early 2022 I began a Telegram channel aggregating news from a number of sources daily on the war in Ukraine. In June 2023 I began providing a daily draft for the Ukraine War Brief Podcast collecting news from over 70 sources daily, which formed the basis of the script. While the Podcast no longer exists I have continued to make this Brief available for my followers here on Substack for those who wish to keep up with the news from the war.
All the latest news on the Russo-Ukraine War 6 days per week
ALONG THE CONTACT LINE
GSAFU Morning Report
The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine in its Operational Information update at 08:00 on Jan 30 stated that day 1072 of the full-scale invasion of the Russian Federation against Ukraine had begun.
The situation on the line of combat remains tense in some sectors. Ukrainian defenders continue to actively counteract the Russian aggressor, causing them significant losses in personnel, equipment and technology. Exhausting the enemy along the entire front line and continuing to disrupt the plans of Russian occupiers to advance deeper into the territory of Ukraine.
During the past day,158 combat engagements took place.
Over the past 24 hours, the enemy carried out 43 air strikes, used 2,100 drones and fired approximately 5,000 artillery shells across the positions of Ukrainian forces and civilians.
Air Force Daily Report
7 ENEMY UAVS SHOT DOWN 39 DRONES FAILED TO REACH THEIR TARGETS (LOCATIONALLY LOST)
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On the night of January 30, 2025 (from 19:00 on January 29), the enemy attacked with the 81st attack UAV of the “Shahed” type and simulator drones of various types from the directions: Kursk, Orel, Millerovo, Primorsko-Akhtarsk — Russian Federation.
The air attack was repelled by aviation, anti-aircraft missile troops, electronic warfare units, and mobile fire groups of the Air Force and Defense Forces of Ukraine.
As of 09:00, it has been confirmed that 37 Shahed attack UAVs and drones of other types have been shot down in Poltava, Sumy, Kyiv, Cherkasy, Kirovohrad, Zhytomyr, Khmelnytskyi, Dnipropetrovsk, Kherson and Odessa regions.
39 enemy drones-simulators - lost in location (without negative consequences).
The Chernihiv, Sumy, Odesa and Poltava regions were affected by the enemy attack. Industrial enterprises, private and apartment buildings, and vehicles were hit. An enemy strike UAV flew into a high-rise building in Sumy. Unfortunately, there are casualties, special services are eliminating the consequences, and assistance is being provided to the victims.
Combat Operations in the Kursk Sector, Russian Federation
The Institute for the Study of War (ISW), a US based think tank, in its Jan 29 Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment reported that Ukrainian forces recently marginally advanced in Kursk Oblast amid continued fighting in the Ukrainian salient on Jan 29. Geolocated footage published on Jan 27 indicates that Ukrainian forces recently marginally advanced along Novoselovka Street in northwestern Pogrebki (northwest of Sudzha). Russian milbloggers claimed on Jan 29 that Russian forces recently advanced along the windbreaks west of Plekhovo and north of Guyevo (both south of Sudzha). ISW has not observed confirmation of these claims, however. Russian milbloggers claimed that Russian forces attacked towards Russkoye Porechnoye (north of Sudzha) and near Sverdlikovo (west of Sudzha). A Russian milblogger claimed on Jan 29 that Ukrainian forces counterattacked near Nikolskiy (northwest of Sudzha). Geolocated footage published on Jan 28 shows that Ukrainian forces repelled a roughly platoon-sized Russian mechanized assault involving at least four armored vehicles west of Nikolskiy on Jan 19.
The Khortytsia operational-strategic group
(Responsible for the northeastern part of Ukraine. )
Kupyansk Sector: Russian forces continued attacking north of Kupyansk near Kutkivka, Dvorichna, and Kindrashivka, and northeast of Kupyansk near Novomlynsk and Petropavlivka on Jan 28 and 29, but did not advance. Elements of the Russian 25th Motorized Rifle Brigade (6th Combined Arms Army [CAA], Leningrad Military District [LMD]) are reportedly operating on the right bank of the Oskil River near Dvorichna and Zapadne.
Ukraine's Khortytsia Group of Forces reported on January 29 that Russian forces are using armored vehicles to support infantry assaults near Pishchane (southeast of Kupyansk).
Lyman Sector: Russian forces recently advanced in the Lyman direction amid continued offensive operations on Jan 29. The Ukrainian General Staff published a map on Jan 29 indicating that Russian forces recently advanced northwest of Novosadove and Novolyubivka (both northeast of Lyman).
Chasiv Yar Sector: Russian forces recently advanced in the Chasiv Yar direction amid continued Russian offensive operations in the area on Jan 29. Geolocated footage published on Jan 28 shows Chechen “Akhmat” Spetsnaz forces assaulting Ukrainian positions near a waste heap south of Chasiv Yar, indicating that Russian forces recently advanced along the T-0504 Bakhmut-Kostyantynivka highway and westward over part of the waste heap south of Chasiv Yar.
The Ukrainian General Staff published a map on Jan 29 indicating that Russian forces also likely advanced along the O-0508 highway in southeastern Orikhovo-Vasylivka (north of Chasiv Yar) and in fields south of the settlement. Russian milbloggers claimed on Jan 29 that the Russian "Hispaniola” Volunteer Brigade (Russian Volunteer Corps) seized most or all of Pivnichnyi Microraion (northern Chasiv Yar) and most of Novopivnichnyi Microraion (northwestern Chasiv Yar) and advanced in fields south of the Tsentralnyi Pond (south of Chasiv Yar). Russian forces continued ground attacks near Chasiv Yar itself; north of Chasiv Yar near Novomarkove; and south of Chasiv Yar near Stupochky, Bila Hora, and Predtechyne on Jan 28 and 29.
Toretsk Sector: Ukrainian and Russian forces recently advanced in the Toretsk direction amid continued Russian offensive operations in the area on Jan 29. Geolocated footage published on Jan 28 and 29 indicates that Ukrainian forces recently advanced along Klymenka Street in northwestern Leonidivka (west of Toretsk) and along Darhomyzhskoho Street in northern Toretsk, respectively. Additional geolocated footage published on Jan 29 indicates that Russian forces marginally advanced in northwestern Pivnichne (east of Toretsk).
The Tavria operational-strategic group
(Responsible for the central-eastern and southeastern part of Ukraine.)
Pokrovsk Sector : Russian forces recently marginally advanced southwest of Pokrovsk amid ongoing offensive operations in the Pokrovsk direction on Jan 29. Geolocated footage published on Jan 29 indicates that Russian forces marginally advanced west of Kotlyne (southwest of Pokrovsk).
Ukrainian military observer Kostyantyn Mashovets stated that elements of the Russian 74th and 55th motorized rifle brigades (both of the 41st CAA, Central Military District [CMD]) advanced between Novovasylivka and Pishchane (both southwest of Pokrovsk) and are attacking Udachne.
Kurakhove Sector: Russian forces recently advanced west of Kurakhove amid ongoing offensive operations on January 29. Geolocated footage published on Jan 29 indicates that Russian forces advanced in southern Dachne (west of Kurakhove).
Velyka Novosilka Sector: Russian forces recently advanced northeast and southwest of Velyka Novosilka amid continued offensive operations in the area on Jan 29. The Ukrainian General Staff published a map on Jan 29 indicating that Russian forces likely recently advanced north of Rozdolne (northeast of Velyka Novosilka), southeast of Novodarivka (southwest of Velyka Novosilka), and east of Olhivske (southwest of Velyka Novosilka).
Orikhiv Sector: Russian forces recently advanced north of Robotyne amid continued offensive operations in the Zaporizhia direction on Jan 29. The Ukrainian General Staff published a map on Jan 29 indicating that Russian forces likely advanced southwest of Novodanylivka (north of Robotyne)
The Odesa operational-strategic group
(Responsible for Kherson, Qırım, (also known as Crimea) and the Black Sea.)
Dnipro Sector: Russian forces recently advanced in the Dnipro direction amid continued offensive operations in the area on Jan 28 and 29. Geolocated footage published on Jan 29 indicates that Russian forces recently advanced northward in the Dnipro River Delta and seized Nestryha Island (southwest of Kherson City).
TEMPORARILY OCCUPIED TERRITORIES
Nothing major to report.
THE HOME FRONT
Death toll in Sumy drone strike reaches 6.
The death toll from a Russian drone strike on a high-rise building in Sumy has risen to 6 people, State Emergency Services report.
Rescuers recovered the bodies of two more victims on the first floor. 10 people were injured, including a child.
Emergency and rescue operations are ongoing. To safely dismantle emergency structures, SES specialists are using special equipment, including a plasma cutter for cutting hard-to-reach metal elements.
A mobile "Point of Indestructibility" is operating at the scene of the tragedy, where residents can warm up, charge their phones, receive counseling and psychological support. Volunteers are providing the victims with hot meals.
Ukraine Seizes $50M of Russian Aluminum Tycoon Deripaska’s Raw Materials.
Ukraine has confiscated 2.11 billion hryvnia ($50.3 million) worth of Russian aluminum magnate Oleg Deripaska’s raw material assets two years after blocking their shipment, the Moscow Times reports citing an SBU security service announcement on Wednesday.
The SBU said it seized almost 500,000 metric tons of bauxite and alumina that were stored at the Mykolaiv Alumina Plant, which Ukraine nationalized alongside other Deripaska-owned factories following Russia’s full-scale invasion.
The ore was produced in Ukraine before Russia launched its invasion in February 2022, according to the SBU.
The agency said Ukrainian law enforcement authorities had “exposed and blocked” plans to ship out the bauxite and alumina in early 2023.
Deripaska’s ownership of the seized materials was established through a Europe-registered company that is a formal customer of the Mykolaiv plant, the SBU said.
The agency also noted that Deripaska’s factories produce components for Russia’s Iskander ballistic missiles, combat drones and radar systems.
Ukraine has accused Deripaska of crimes including funding Russia’s war.
Deripaska, a billionaire who is under Western sanctions, is among the few members of Russia’s business elite to have spoken critically of the Kremlin’s war on Ukraine, though he has largely framed his criticisms in economic terms.
RUSSIAN WORLD
Russian oligarch held stake in Musk's SpaceX through trust despite sanctions.
Russian billionaire and politician Suleyman Kerimov held at least a 1% stake in SpaceX through a trust, even after the U.S. sanctioned him in 2018 for aiding President Vladimir Putin's policies, Bloomberg reported on Jan. 30, citing undisclosed sources.
Kerimov, whose estimated fortune is $9.84 billion, ranks 290th on Bloomberg's Billionaires Index and 17th among Russian billionaires. The Dagestani senator was subject to additional EU sanctions for allegedly supporting Russian actions that violated Ukraine's sovereignty.
Kerimov's investment in SpaceX reportedly began in 2017 through Heritage Trust, a financial structure managed by Citigroup. SpaceX was valued at $21 billion at the time, meaning his 1% stake could have been worth around $210 million.
Elon Musk, the richest person in the world and a close associate of U.S. President Donald Trump, is the founder and CEO of SpaceX.
Despite the sanctions imposed on Kerimov by the first Trump administration, Citigroup continued managing Heritage Trust, reportedly seeking the Treasury Department's guidance and concluding there was no requirement to block the trust.
Following the outbreak of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, the U.S. seized Kerimov's $300 million superyacht Amadea in April 2022 and sanctioned his family and associates later that year. The Treasury, at the time run by the Biden administration, froze the trust in June 2022 after investigators found it was structured to obscure Kerimov as its primary beneficiary.
By December 2024, SpaceX's valuation had surged to $350 billion, meaning the lost stake would be worth approximately $3.5 billion today.
In November 2024, reports emerged that the U.S. Justice Department, the Federal Investigation Bureau (FBI), and the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) were investigating Citigroup's handling of Heritage Trust.
Ukrainian Drones Strike Key Russian Military Targets in Tver Region and Baltic Pipeline System.
Ukrainian drones, operated by the Security Service of Ukraine and Special Operations Forces, targeted and struck the 23rd missile arsenal of Russia's Ministry of Defense in the Tver region, triggering around 20 explosions, Defense Express reports.
The drones hit the storage facility directly, as well as three buildings at the military base. Local residents shared on social media reports of at least two dozen explosions and the evacuation of civilians from the area.
The SBU, alongside Ukraine's Defense Forces, continues to strike military and logistical targets across enemy territory, weakening Russia's ability to wage war on Ukraine. The effectiveness of these drone operations is evident, and they will remain a key part of Ukraine's strategy.
In addition to the missile arsenal, drones also attacked the Andreapol oil pumping station, an essential part of the Baltic Pipeline System-2.
The strike caused damage to the station’s filtration and pumping site, with tanks containing additives being hit, resulting in an oil spill and a fire. Consequently, Russian authorities had to shut down the main pipeline that supplies oil to the Ust-Luga terminal in the Leningrad region.
INTERNATIONAL NEWS
Germany's budget committee wants to approve 3 billion euros for Ukraine
Germany's budget committee has called Finance Minister Joerg Kukies to approve an additional 3 billion euros ($3.13 billion) in military aid for Ukraine, Reuters reported on Jan 29 citing sources familiar with the situation on Wednesday.
The request was approved in the budget committee of parliament with the votes of the opposition conservatives of the CDU and the Free Democrats (FDP), with the abstention of the governing Social Democrats (SPD) and the Greens, according to committee members.
The committee cannot decide on additional aid for Ukraine without approval from the finance minister. However, in practice, the ministry usually complies with the requests approved by the committee.
Budget committee members from the CDU and FDP said there are enough funds in the budget for the request.
Chancellor Olaf Scholz, from the SPD, is also in favour of additional military aid but he had so far insisted that this could only be financed with an exception to the debt brake to allow for additional borrowing.
This dispute over spending led to the collapse of Germany's government, as Scholz wanted to suspend the debt brake citing special circumstances, and former Finance Minister Christian Lindner refused, asking for cuts instead of new borrowing.
The Ministry of Finance, now headed by the SPD, was initially unavailable for comment.
The funds are in addition to 8 billion euros budgeted for Ukraine in 2024. German aid to Ukraine was cut to 4 billion euros in 2025, as the country hopes Ukraine will be able to meet the bulk of its military needs with the $50 billion in loans approved by the Group of Seven.
EU considers ban on Xbox and PlayStation console exports to Russia.
The European Union may ban the export of gaming consoles to Russia, according to EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas, who suggested that the bloc’s new sanctions against Moscow could include Sony’s PlayStation and Microsoft’s Xbox. Telegram channels have previously reported that both the Russian and Ukrainian armies have been using Steam Decks to control military hardware. The Insider reports.
“We are really looking into all the types of things that help Russia to wage this war [in order] to put them on the sanctions list. Even the consoles for video games, because apparently these are the ones that they operate drones with,” Kallas was cited by the Financial Times as saying.
Many of the world’s largest console manufacturers — including U.S.-headquartered Microsoft and Japan’s Sony and Nintendo — stopped shipping their products to Russia in early March 2022, shortly after the start of Moscow’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. The new ban would extend to retailers in EU member states that supply gaming consoles to Russia — including second-hand sellers.
Defense analyst Kirill Mikhailov told The Insider that gaming console controllers can theoretically be used to control drones, though this task could also be achieved with any computer or even a smartphone.
Mikhailov added that the Ukrainian army has previously been known to use SteamDeck consoles for remotely operating turrets. The Telegram channel Mash — widely believed to be affiliated with the Russian authorities — reported in October 2024 that the Russian military planned to use Steam Deck devices to remotely control thermal imaging cameras.
“I’m not aware of the widespread use of gaming consoles as controllers, but as the example of Steam Deck shows, such a possibility exists in theory,” Mikhailov noted.
Gaming consoles are expected to be included in the new sanctions package, timed to coincide with the third anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine on Feb. 24, according to the Financial Times.
Kallas also noted that chemicals “needed for the Russian military industry” would be included in the sanctions package, along with restrictions on imports of Russian liquefied natural gas (LNG). While the EU has banned nearly all pipeline gas and oil imports from Russia following the start of the full-scale war, its purchases of Russian LNG have surged as a result, hitting a record high in 2024.
MILITARY & TECH
Ukrainian intelligence hackers attack Russia's Gazprom
Cyber specialists from the Defense Intelligence of Ukraine attacked the infrastructure of the Russian companies Gazprom and Gazpromneft. The operation was dedicated to the memory of the Remembrance Day of Kruty Heroes, the source says.
RBC-Ukraine reports, a cyber group of the Defense Intelligence of Ukraine launched a DDOS attack on the digital infrastructure of the Russian companies Gazprom and Gazpromneft. In particular, the online services of enterprises that support the activities of the Russian occupation army were cyberattacked.
Thus, since January 28, the companies' clients have been unable to use their accounts, use the company's online services, pay for fuel using fuel cards, write off or accumulate bonuses to their accounts, etc.
At the same time, Gazprom representatives responded to customer complaints by saying that there was a temporary technical failure but did not explain the reasons or the weapon used.
Russian companies did not say when online services might be restored.
Ukraine Discloses New Method To Defeat Russian Fiber-Optic-Controlled FPV Drones.
A Ukrainian military drone unit said it has developed a way to counter an increasingly deadly weapon — Russian first-person view (FPV) drones that use fiber optic cables instead of radio waves to connect with their controllers, making them impervious to jamming and other forms of electronic warfare. The Warzone reports.
The Magyar Birds Brigade claims it has devised a system using mobile radars to provide early warning for incoming FPV drones several kilometers away. Once they detect the threat, the unit then launches its own drones to intercept the Russian ones before they can reach their targets.
“… the first options for [the] detection and destruction [of Russian FPV fiber optic guided drones] exist and are already being used” by the brigade, claimed its commander, Robert Brovdi, who uses the callsign “Magyar.”
Brovdi posted a video on his Telegram channel purporting to show one of his drones destroying a Russian fiber-optic-guided FPV drone. Notable is the large spool on the back of the Russian drone. It contains an extremely thin but strong wire linking the drone with its controller. This capability has turned an already fearsome weapon into something much harder to defeat. Because their communications are not degraded when flying very low to the ground or even in structures, they can also hunt just feet off the ground and into enclosed areas as long as their data cable stays intact.
That’s it for today’s Brief folks if you would like to keep up with events in Ukraine daily please consider subscribing, it’s free!