Month: January 2025

Russians massively attacked Stepnohirsk in the Zaporizhzhia region, and killed a man, according to the head of the Zaporizhzhia Regional Military Administration Ivan Fedorov.

According to Fedorov, Russia struck Stepnohirsk, Vasylivka district, with multiple rocket launchers 11 times.

As a result of a Russian attack, a five-story building was destroyed, and a man was killed. Rescuers removed his body from the rubble of the destroyed building.

The search and rescue operation at the site of the attack lasted more than five hours.

Photo: Russians massively attacked Stepnohirsk with multiple rocket launchers (t.me/ivan_fedorov_zp)

Russian shelling of Ukraine on January 2

On the night of January 2, Russians again attacked Ukraine with drones. Russia launched 72 drones. Ukrainian air defense forces destroyed 47 Russian drones, and another 24 Russian imitator drones were lost in the area.

Ukrainian air defense system was operating in the Kyiv region, as well as in Poltava, Sumy, Kharkiv, Chernihiv, Cherkasy, Kirovohrad, Dnipropetrovsk, Odesa, Kherson, and Mykolaiv regions.

On New Year’s Eve, the Russians launched 111 drones at Ukraine. Debris fell in Kyiv, killing 2 people. Read more about the aftermath of the attack in RBC-Ukraine’s report.

During the first day of the new year, Russia lost 1,370 soldiers at the front. In addition, the Armed Forces of Ukraine (AFU) deprived the occupiers of four tanks and 20 artillery systems, reports the General Staff of the AFU.

The total combat Russian losses from February 24, 2022, to January 2, 2024, are estimated to be:

• personnel – about 792,170 (+1,370) Russian troops were eliminated;
• tanks – 9,676 (+4);
• armored personnel vehicle – 20,056 (+13);
• artillery systems – 21,552 (+20);
• MLRS – 1,256;
• anti-aircraft warfare systems – 1,032;
• airplanes – 369;
• helicopters – 330;
• UAV operational-tactical level – 21,200 (+69);
• cruise missiles – 3,003;
• warships/boats – 28;
• submarines – 1;
• vehicles and fuel tanks – 32,729 (+54);
• special equipment – 3,675 (+3).

Situation on frontline

As of the evening of January 1, 125 combat clashes took place on the front. The hottest situation remains in the Pokrovsk direction, where 35 enemy attacks were recorded. In particular, the Ukrainian military showed how they are destroying the enemy in Pokrovsk, the Donetsk region. Fighting is taking place in the city’s private sector.

In addition, Russian troops attacked the positions of Ukraine’s Defense Forces in Chasiv Yar and Toretsk, the Donetsk region. As a result of the fighting, some positions were destroyed.

Furthermore, almost 200 enemy attacks took place on the front on New Year’s Day, and in the Pokrovsk direction, the Armed Forces of Ukraine stopped 57 Russian assaults toward 16 settlements.

Chinese government hackers have hacked into the highly secretive Treasury Department office that imposes economic sanctions on countries and groups. This is one of the most powerful tools at the disposal of the United States to achieve national security goals, The Washington Post reports.

Citing unnamed US officials, the Washington Post reported that hackers had breached the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) and the Financial Research Administration, and attacked the office of US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen.

According to the agency, the attack reflects Beijing’s determination to obtain intelligence on its most significant rival in the global struggle for power and influence.

Officials said that the main area of interest of the Chinese government is Chinese organizations against which the US government may consider imposing financial sanctions.

Earlier this week, the Treasury Department reported in a letter to Congress that hackers had stolen unclassified documents in a major incident. It did not specify which users or departments were affected.

A letter from the US Treasury Department stated that the hackers had breached a third-party cybersecurity provider, BeyondTrust.

Chinese firms, individuals, and organizations are often targeted by US sanctions, which Washington uses as a key tool in its foreign policy toward Beijing.

The United States considers China to be its biggest foreign policy challenge, and last month Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen said that Washington is not ruling out sanctions against Chinese banks as it seeks to cut Russia’s oil revenues and limit access to foreign supplies to fuel its war against Ukraine.

Meanwhile, relations between the United States and China remain tense as President-elect Donald Trump prepares to return to the White House, threatening Beijing with even harsher tariffs than those he imposed in his first term. During his campaign last year, he proposed to impose tariffs of 60% or more on all imports from China, which could trigger a global trade war.

January is the perfect month to watch TV shows: cozy evenings at home, hot tea, and a warm blanket create a great atmosphere for new stories. In 2025, many fresh premieres will be added to your must-watch list.

From thrilling thrillers to romantic dramas, RBC-Ukraine offers a selection of the 7 best series of January that will give you unforgettable emotions and vivid impressions!

Sherlock & Daughter

Release date: January 1

The story revolves around Sherlock Holmes, who, after many years of loneliness, suddenly learns about his adult daughter’s existence. She inherited her father’s sharp mind, observation, and love of mysteries, but she has her own style and approach to solving cases.

Together, they form a unique tandem, investigating complex crimes in today’s London.

Poster for the movie Sherlock & Daughter

Missing You

Release date: January 1

They say that during a breakup you should cut all ties, but the past often comes back, especially when everything in your life is going well. That’s exactly what happens to detective Kat Donovan (Rosalind Eleazar), who unexpectedly finds the profile of her missing fiancé Josh (Ashley Walters) on a dating app. This is 11 years after his disappearance.

The series, based on the bestseller by Harlan Coben, who also produced the project, will awaken technophobia in even the most ardent fans of online dating.

Lockerbie: A search for truth

Release date: January 2

On December 21, 1988, a Pan American flight from London to New York never reached its destination. The wreckage of the plane was found near the Scottish city of Lockerbie. Investigators suggested that Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi could have organized the attack. However, due to the lack of convincing evidence, charges were brought against Abdelbaset Ali Mohmed Al Megrahi.

Not satisfied with the official version, the father of one of the dead passengers, English doctor Jim Swire, decides to conduct his investigation to find out the truth.

Playing Nice

Release date: January 2

Imagine a situation where your biological child is being raised by another family, and you are taking care of someone else’s. Does it sound like a plot of an Indian melodrama? Not at all! This time, the events are based on real facts.

In the series Playing Nice, the authors have rewritten the names of the characters and offered their view of how the story might end. The events gain momentum when all the characters decide to live together, and one of the couples begins to blackmail the other, pursuing their interests.

Mayfair Witches

Release date: January 5

In the second season of The Witches of Mayfair, Alexandra Daddario reprises her role as Rowan Fielding, who has paranormal powers. If she used to doubt the existence of black magic, now she has to use her powers to protect her child, who has become the embodiment of the demon Lasher. For fans of classic films such as Omen and Rosemary’s Baby, this series is a must-see.

Severance, season 2

Release date: January 17

The continuation of a corporate dystopia in which the protagonist is part of an experiment – one of his personalities works non-stop, while the other is lazy. When the personalities of Lumon Industries employee Mark (Adam Scott) begin to conflict with each other, many of the organization’s secrets come out.

Mythic Quest, season 4

Release date: January 29

The series follows a team of video game developers who create new worlds, develop characters, and invent exciting stories. However, the most intense confrontations take place not in virtual universes, but in a real office.

Earlier, we made a selection of 5 drama series that will make you forget about sleep.

In addition, we have recently released a selection that includes a series with a twisted plot.

In the Kharkiv region, the cities of Izium and Balakliia are being prepared for circular defense. In particular, the construction of fortifications continues, which is part of planned measures, RBC-Ukraine reports, citing Head of the Kharkiv Regional Military Administration Oleh Synehubov.
 

In particular, Synehubov explained that the measures to strengthen the region’s defense, including in the settlements of Izium and Balakliia, are part of planned actions to bolster the Kharkiv region’s defense capabilities.

“Again, these are, so to speak, planned measures being implemented now to account for the actual frontline, possible changes in the enemy’s direction of movement, and, in principle, its priorities along the front line. Therefore, of course, the priority is the construction of fortifications and circular defense for the city of Balakliia and the city of Izium,” the Head of the Kharkiv Regional Military Administration said.

Syniehubov noted that he cannot currently disclose information about the stage of construction of the fortifications. At the same time, he emphasized that the administration fulfills all the tasks assigned to it.

The Head of the Kharkiv Regional Military Administration also mentioned that part of the work is being carried out directly by military personnel. According to him, the process proceeds according to an approved plan and is under complete military control.

Yesterday, Andrii Rubtsov, an officer of the communications department of the 116th Separate Mechanized Brigade, stated that the Armed Forces of Ukraine had recorded attempts by the Russians to cross the Oskil River in the Kharkiv region. The enemy is using inflatable boats, but all attempts are unsuccessful.

US President-elect Donald Trump will hold an event similar to a rally on January 19, just one day before his inauguration, reports CBS News.

According to multiple sources familiar with the event plan, the rally will take place at the Capital One Arena in Washington, D.C. The arena, home to the Washington Wizards basketball team and the Washington Capitals hockey team, can accommodate around 20,000 spectators.

According to a registration link from the Trump-Vance Inaugural Committee, the “Make America Great Again Victory Rally” event is scheduled to begin at 3:00 p.m. Eastern Time.

It should be noted that the newly elected US President, Donald Trump, is set to take the oath of office for his second term on January 20.

While Trump won the election on November 5, 2024, his victory was officially confirmed only on December 17. On that day, Texas electors gathered in Austin to award the Republican 40 electoral votes, bringing him to the required 270 votes and solidifying his position as the 47th President of the US.