Month: January 2025

Specialists from the Defense Intelligence of Ukraine have attacked Russia’s oil sector, with the primary target being the services of the company Lukoil, according to RBC-Ukraine’s sources.

From December 30 to January 1, 2025, specialists from Ukraine’s DIU conducted another cyberattack on Russia’s oil sector. The main target was Lukoil’s digital resources. The oil company is involved in supplying the occupying forces of the Russian Federation.

As a result of the attack, the company’s digital resources were disrupted. Due to the cyberattack, the company’s clients were unable to make payments at gas stations via the mobile application. Additionally, the attack targeted the digital resources of the Evotor smart terminals (website, user personal accounts, mobile application, cash register payment system) and the unified digital goods labeling system Chestny Znak.

Sources clarified that the DDoS attack caused significant inconveniences and losses, as consumers were unable to purchase goods due to disruptions in payment systems.

“The level of dissatisfaction among consumers and service providers was heightened by the timing of the DDoS attack during the holiday period,” RBC-Ukraine sources noted.

Photo: Service disruptions at Lukoil

Other DIU cyberattacks

It is worth noting that in December 2024, DIU specialists attacked Russia’s MTS-Bank. This led to the blocking of its services, disruptions in the operation of online applications, and interruptions in payment systems.

This was not the first cyberattack on Russia’s financial sector. For example, in the summer, Ukrainian intelligence conducted a massive cyberattack on Russian banks and government resources. The attack lasted for a week.

The Defense Forces are recording attempts by Russian troops to cross the Oskil River in the Kharkiv region using inflatable boats. However, all attempts have been unsuccessful, according to Andrii Rubtsov, an officer from the communications department of the 116th Separate Mechanized Brigade, during a national telethon live broadcast.

“We are observing the enemy’s attempts to cross the Oskil River. They are using inflatable boats for this, but since our UAV pilots are actively working, these attempts remain unsuccessful,” Rubtsov stated.

He added that aerial reconnaissance identifies these enemy efforts, while drone pilots and bombers destroy the boats and Russian personnel.

Situation on the frontline

According to the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, 191 combat engagements were recorded on December 31. In the Kharkiv direction, the enemy launched one attack near the settlement of Vovchansk.

Ukrainian fighters have reported that Russian forces are trying to establish positions on the right-bank part of the Kherson region, making daily attempts to land on islands in the Dnipro Delta.

Additionally, the spokesperson for Ukraine’s State Border Guard Service, Andrii Demchenko, noted that the enemy is attempting to expand its zone of influence in the Kharkiv region. There have been attempts by enemy sabotage and reconnaissance groups to infiltrate the area, but their activity has decreased recently.

The warriors of the Spartan brigade targeted Russian positions in the Zaporizhzhia direction, destroying enemy satellite communications, according to the brigade’s Telegram channel.

The brigade reported that the strike eliminated Russian combat potential, both in manpower and equipment.

This time, the Spartan fighters focused on Russian Starlink satellite communication terminals.

“A few precise drops – and unauthorized (crossed out) high-speed internet, along with communication between the units of the occupying army, is no longer available,” the video caption reads.

Strike on Russian headquarters in Zaporizhzhia region

On December 27, the Defense Forces struck a Russian army base in the Zaporizhzhia region.

According to intelligence, the Ukrainian Armed Forces launched a precision HIMARS strike on a gathering of Russian officers immediately after the start of their field meeting.

In New Orleans (USA), a car plowed into a crowd during New Year’s celebrations. Local authorities suspect it was a terrorist attack, according to CNN and ABC News.

“We do know that the city of New Orleans was impacted by a terrorist attack,” said New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell.

She clarified that the investigation into the tragedy is ongoing.

At the same time, as reported by CNN, one of the FBI representatives told journalists that the incident was “not a terrorist event.”

Later, it was reported that FBI agents at the scene of the incident found homemade explosive devices.

“There were improvised explosive devices that was found, and we are working on confirming if it’s a viable device or not,” said Alethea Duncan, Assistant Special Agent in charge of the FBI’s New Orleans Division.

She did not specify how many homemade explosive devices were found.

Driver was shot dead

According to ABC News, police representatives stated that while the driver of a white pickup truck was attempting to run people over, he also fired a pistol. After the perpetrator exited the vehicle, he was shot dead.

Tragedy in New Orleans

It should be noted that today, January 1, it was reported that a pickup truck had plowed into a crowd of people celebrating the New Year in New Orleans. Ten people were killed, and 30 others were injured.

Initially, media reported that the driver responsible for the incident “had not yet been detained.”

Recently, a similar terrorist attack occurred in Germany, where a car drove into people at a Christmas market. Many were killed as a result.

The Security Service of Ukraine servicemen destroyed over 170 units of Russian equipment during the week. Losses of equipment reduce Russia’s offensive capabilities, according to the Security Service of Ukraine.

Over the past week, fighters from the Security Service of Ukraine’s Special Operations Center A used attack drones to destroy 174 Russian military vehicles.

“And without the supply of ammunition and reinforcements, the Russian’s offensive capabilities are significantly reduced,” the statement said.

As reported earlier by the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Russia has lost more than 790,000 soldiers since the beginning of the full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

Over the last day alone, Ukrainian defenders eliminated 1,250 Russian occupants and destroyed dozens of Russian vehicles. Among the destroyed equipment are tanks, armored personnel carriers, artillery systems, helicopters, and vehicles.

Situation at front

Russian occupation troops continue to advance on the frontline, focusing on the east of Ukraine. Almost 200 combat engagements were registered on the frontline over the past day.

Pokrovsk, Kurakhove, Vremivka, Lyman, Kursk, and Kramatorsk sectors remain the most difficult areas. According to the Ukrainian Defense Forces, fighting is taking place in Chasiv Yar and Toretsk within the city limits.

Read more about what to expect at the front in 2025 in the RBC-Ukraine article.