UKRAINE WAR BRIEF DAILY DRAFT
For: 2024-01-09
Slava Ukraini! Since June 2023 I have provided a daily draft for the Ukraine War Brief Podcast collecting news from over 40 sources daily much of which ends up in the script. I will make this Draft available here for those who wish to keep up with events on a daily basis.
INSIDE UKRAINE
ALONG THE CONTACT LINE
GSAFU Morning Report
The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine in its situation update at 06:00 on Jan. 09 stated that it was The day 685 of large-scale invasion of the Russian Federation against Ukraine.
During the past day, 67 combat engagements took place. Over the past 24 hours, the enemy carried out a total of 55x missile and 22x air strikes, 35x MLRS attacks at the positions of Ukrainian troops and various settlements. Unfortunately, the russian terrorist attacks have killed and wounded civilians. Residential buildings and other civilian infrastructure were destroyed or damaged.
The Khortytsia operational-strategic group is responsible for the Kup’yans’k, Lyman, and Bakhmut axes, in the northeastern part of Ukraine.
Kupyansk axis: Ukrainian defenders repelled 5 enemy attacks in the vicinity of the settlements of Syn’kivka (Kharkiv oblast).
Russians persist in unsuccessful assaults on the Kupiansk Front
Oleksandr Syrskyi, Commander of the Ground Forces in an interview stated that Russian invaders continue to conduct active offensive operations in Kupiansk Forest and are trying to break through the defence of the Ukrainian Armed Forces and advance towards Kupiansk, while the defenders manage to destroy the offensive potential of the occupiers.
"The situation on the Kupiansk front remains difficult. The enemy continues to conduct active offensive operations in Kupiansk Forest, trying to break through the defences of our troops and advance towards the city. Intense combat actions in this area began in October 2023, and since then, the fierce struggle has not stopped.
The enemy storms settlements, shells them with artillery and uses aircraft every day. Now the enemy is storming our positions in the area of Synkivka to further block Kupiansk.
Our soldiers are giving a relevant response to the enemy and destroying its plans. There are constant escalations on this front, but our Defence Forces manage to destroy the enemy's offensive potential and inflict significant losses on them,"
— Oleksandr Syrskyi, Commander of the Ground Forces
Lyman axis: Ukrainian defenders repelled 2 attacks of occupiers east of Terniv (Donetsk oblast).
Bakhmut axis: Ukrainian troops repelled 2 attacks of the adversary near Klishchiivka and Andriivka (Donetsk oblast).
The Tavria operational-strategic group is responsible for the Avdiivka, Mar’inka, Shaktars’ke, and Zaporizhzhia axes, in the central-eastern and southeastern part of Ukraine.
Avdiivka axis: the Ukrainian defenders continue to hold back the enemy who keeps trying to encircle Avdiivka. The Ukrainian soldiers are standing their ground and inflicting major losses on the invaders. Ukrainian Defense Forces repelled 6 attacks of the adversary in the vicinities of Avdiivka, Sjeverne, Tonen’ke and 15 attacks near Pervomais’ke and Nevel’s’ke (Donetsk oblast)
Mar’inka axis: the Ukrainian defenders continue to hold back the enemy near Heorhiivka and Novomykhailivka (Donetsk oblast). Ukrainian troops repelled 12 attacks in that area.
Zaporizhzhia axis: Ukrainian Defense Forces repelled 7 attacks of the adversary west of Verbove, and north of Novoprokopivka. (Zaporizhzhia oblast).
The Odesa operational-strategic group is responsible for Kherson, Qırım, (also known as Crimea) and the Black Sea
Kherson axis: Ukrainian defenders continue to expand the bridgehead. Despite significant losses, the enemy does not abandon its attempts to dislodge Ukrainian troops from their positions. Russia made 12 unsuccessful attempts to assault the positions of the Ukrainian Defense Forces during the day of January 8.
TEMPORARILY OCCUPIED TERRITORIES
Russia deploys about 35,000 Russian guardsmen in occupied territories
The Ukrainian National Resistance Center (NRC) reported that according to data provided by the Ukrainian underground, as of January 2024, the Russian Federation concentrated about 35,000 Russian Guardsmen – Rosvgardia in the temporarily occupied territories (TOT)
Half of them are regular formations, which are divided into brigades, 5 battalion-tactical groups and 44 tactical groups.
The rest are more than 100 consolidated units, which are imported from the territory of the Russian Federation on a rotational basis. Combined units are formed from among employees of the riot police and SOBR (Special Rapid Response Unit)."
This ties into something we reported on 2024-01-07 regarding the expansion and militarization of the Rosvgardia including incorporating former DNR militia members
Ukrainian forces destroy bridge in Dontesk, thwarting construction of new railway links from Russia
Petro Andriushchenko, Advisor to the Mayor of Mariupol reported that The Ukrainian forces have destroyed a railway bridge built by the Russians over the Kalmius River, which was intended to be part of the overland railway route from Russia to Russian-occupied Crimea.
The structure of a bridge located in the village of Hranitne near occupied Mariupol has been destroyed. Fuel tanks and engineering vehicles were also burned.
Andriushchenko noted that the bridge was part of the Russian railway that was supposed to connect Mariupol and the city of Dzhankoi (Crimea) with Russia's Rostov-on-Don and Taganrog. It was a "tie-in" to the Donetsk branch of the Mariupol-Aslanove-Kalchyk-Volnovakha railway.
The new route would have resolved the issues of military and civilian logistics and reduced dependence on the Crimean Bridge.
THE HOME FRONT
Hundreds of people hold Free Azov rally in Kyiv
Several hundred people gathered in the centre of Kyiv on Jan. 07 for the Free Azov rally, Ukrainska Pravda reported. They were there to raise awareness of the fact that Azovstal defenders are still in Russian captivity.
Ukrainians stood with placards reading "Bring my son back from captivity", "Don't be silent, captivity kills", and "While you are silent, my family is being tortured".
Russia again hits Kharkiv and oblast with missiles
Oleh Syniehubov, Head of Kharkiv Oblast Military Administration; stated that Russians attacked Kharkiv and the oblast on the night of 7-8 January. He reported that the Russians had launched 2 strikes on Kharkiv, presumably using S-300 missiles.
"Specialised services continue to inspect the areas." Syniehubov wrote. "the attack was close to residential houses in one of the city's districts." Early reports indicate no damage or casualties.
A social infrastructure building was reportedly hit in Vovchansk hromada,, according to Tamaz Gambarashvili, head of the Vovchansk Military Administration. There is no information about the dead and wounded.
Grumpy Analysis — The S-300 is an older surface to air missile designed for air defence, however the Russians have pressed it into service to bombard Ukrainian cities like Kharkiv. While inefficient in the surface to surface configuration, they are relatively fast and can be deadly when targeting densely populated cities like Kharkiv.
The fact that Kharkiv city and oblast are close to the border gives civilians little ability to relocate to bomb shelters and thereby causes the maximum number of civilian casualties.
Russians launch 51 missiles and 8 attack drones at Ukraine on Jan. 08
The Ukrainian Air Force reported that on Jan. 08 Russia attacked Ukraine with 59 aerial weapons – missiles of various types and Shahed attack drones; 18 missiles and all eight Shaheds have been shot down.
"The defenders of the sky have destroyed eight Shahed-136/131 attack UAVs and 18 Kh-101/Kh-555/Kh-55 cruise missiles. It should be added that not all the enemy missiles that were not shot down reached their targets."
— Ukrainian Air Force Spokesperson
It is reported that the Russians launched a large-scale attack on Ukraine on the night of Jan. 7-8. They hit different oblasts of Ukraine. In particular, ballistic missiles were fired into Kharkiv, Dnipropetrovsk, Zaporizhzhia and Khmelnytskyi oblasts.
The Russians targeted critical infrastructure, industrial, civilian and military facilities.
In all these were the weapons with which Russia struck at Ukraine:
8 Shahed-136/131 attack UAVs, launched from the area of Primorsko-Akhtarsk (Russia),
7 S-300/S-400 anti-aircraft guided missiles from Russia’s Belgorod Oblast,
4 Kh-47M2 Kinzhal aeroballistic missiles from four MiG-31K aircraft, launched from Ryazan and Tambov, Russia,
24 Kh-101/Kh-555/Kh-55 cruise missiles from 11 Tu-95MS strategic bombers, launched from Engels, Russia,
8 Kh-22 cruise missiles from Tu-22M3 bombers, launched from Russia’s Belgorod Oblast,
6 Iskander-M ballistic missiles, launched from Dzhankoi and Chauda in Crimea,
2 Kh-31P guided missiles from tactical aircraft, launched from Russia’s Belgorod Oblast.
THE RUSSIAN WORLD
Ukraine allegedly attack oil depot and energy facility in Russia's Oryol Oblast
Andrei Klychkov, the governor of Oryol Oblast reported that Drones attacked an oil depot and energy facility in the city of Oryol, Oryol Oblast of the Russian Federation.
“Two unmanned aerial vehicles crashed into a fuel and energy facility in the city of Oryol. The fire was quickly contained, and the necessary assistance is being provided."
— Andrei Klychkov, the governor of Oryol Oblast
According to Ukrainska Pravdaʼs source, this operation was carried out by Ukraine's Defence Intelligence with the assistance of the Ministry of Digital Transformation and the Come Back Alive Foundation.
NEWS WORLDWIDE
Japan will supply batch of large-scale energy equipment to Ukraine
The Minister of Energy of Ukraine reported that the Japanese government will supply Ukraine with seven high-voltage autotransformers and five gas turbines.
The ministry specifies that the purchase and supply of equipment were announced by the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Japan, Yōko Kamikawa, during a meeting with the Minister of Energy of Ukraine, Herman Halushchenko.
"The autotransformers were purchased specifically with funds from the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, and thanks to the efforts of Japan and the UN Development Programme in Ukraine (UNDP), this large-scale power equipment will be supplied to Ukraine.
The gas turbines, acquired by Japan, will be obtained by Ukraine through the mediation and substantial support of the UNDP and the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA)."
— Ukraine's Ministry of Energy
The Ministry of Energy reports that the equipment provided by Japan will ensure uninterrupted power supply to over 6 million Ukrainians, especially in areas affected by targeted Russian attacks on energy infrastructure.
Kamikawa noted that Japan plans to "soon announce the provision of two additional auto transformers through UNDP for the effective and uninterrupted operation of the power grid. "
Ukraine to receive two medical armoured vehicles from Spain
José Manuel Albares, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Spain, stated that the Spanish Agency for International Cooperation and Development (AECID) will send two armoured vehicles for providing medical treatment and evacuation of patients for Ukraine. They were adapted for medical needs before being transported to Ukraine.
Albares stated the armoured vehicles were adapted for medical needs before being sent to Ukraine.
According to the statement by AECID, the amount of Spanish humanitarian aid for Ukraine has exceeded €46 million in the last two years which is Madrid’s largest scale of aid for a single country.
Spain is also conducting training of a new group of Ukrainian soldiers with Hawk anti-aircraft systems.
MILITARY & TECH
Ukrainian forces destroy Russian orbital satellite jamming system
Ukraine’s Special Operations Forces reported on Jan. 8 that a Russian Tirada-2 electronic warfare system was reportedly discovered by operators from the 3rd Separate Regiment of the Special Operations Forces in the course of reconnaissance operations on the Donetsk front.
The system is designed to disable communications satellites. The Russians completed its development in the autumn of 2018, and by spring 2019, Tіrada-2 was observed in occupied Luhansk Oblast.
Having determined the coordinates of the target, operators from the Special Operations Forces fired on it using a rocket unit of the Armed Forces. It is noted that due to the precision of the strike, the electronic warfare system was completely destroyed.
German weapons to be repaired in West of Ukraine
Marcus Faber, member of the committee for the Defence of Germany and member of Bundestag reported that The German defence company Flensburger Fahrzeugbau GmbH is constructing a repair centre in the west of Ukraine. The centre will focus on restoring a number of samples of German armament and military equipment which are in service in the Defence Forces of Ukraine. By this summer Ukraine is expected to have nearly 200 Leopard 1 tanks in service donated from several sources.
"The FFG company – Flensburger Fahrzeugbaugesellschaft – is building a repair centre for armoured equipment which is in need of repairs, mainly that which was provided by Germany, in the west of Ukraine.
For Ukraine it means a huge increase of efficiency since there will be no need for costly and long-lasting transportation of the equipment abroad, and the Armed Forces will be able to teach their mechanics on site."
— Marcus Faber, German politician
Ukraine contracts ShaBlia innovative bulletproof combat module for machine guns
Mykhailo Fedorov, Ukraine's Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Digital Transformation, reported that ShaBlia, a bulletproof automated system for machine guns that helps soldiers remotely engage the adversary troops, has evolved from a startup into a sustainable project contracted by the Ukrainian government.
The official said the turret's remote operation saves the lives and health of machine gunners.
Fedorov further noted that the mass production of ShaBlia turrets had become possible as part of the Brave1 cluster of support for defence technology developments in Ukraine.
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