Month: January 2025

Over the past 24 hours, from December 31 to January 1, Russian forces lost 1,250 soldiers, 13 armored combat vehicles, and 4 artillery systems, the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reports.

The total combat Russian losses from February 24, 2022, to January 1, 2024, are estimated to be:

• personnel – about 790,800 (+1,250) Russian troops were eliminated;
• tanks – 9,672 (+4);
• troop-carrying AFVs – 20,043 (+13);
• artillery systems – 21,532 (+4) ;
• MLRS – 1,256;
• anti-aircraft warfare systems – 1,032;
• aircraft – 369;
• helicopters – 329;
• UAV operational-tactical level – 21,131 (+50);
• cruise missiles – 3,003;
• warships/boats – 28;
• submarines – 1;
• vehicles and fuel tanks – 32,675 (+49);
• special equipment – 3,672 (+1).

Frontline situation and Russian shelling

According to the Institute for the Study of War (ISW), Ukraine’s Defense Forces have succeeded near Kreminna in the Luhansk region and the Kursk region. However, the Russians continue to press on five fronts.

On the night of December 31, the Ukrainian military shot down a Russian helicopter for the first time in history using a Magura V5 naval strike drone.

Head of Ukraine’s Defense Intelligence, Kyrylo Budanov, called the operation historic.

On the morning of January 1, explosions sounded in Kyiv. Ukraine’s air defense forces shot down Russian Shahed kamikaze drones.

On January 1, 2025, Ukraine becomes a full member of the International Criminal Court. Thus, 125 states are already parties to the Rome Statute of the ICC, Ukrinform reports.

As of today, Ukraine is a full member of the International Criminal Court, having previously ratified the Rome Statute. The ICC’s jurisdiction includes the most serious international crimes, including genocide, crimes of aggression, war crimes, and crimes against humanity.

The ICC spokesperson Fadi El Abdall said that Ukraine now has the right to vote when approving the budget, adopting changes, and amendments to the Rome Statute, electing judges, the future prosecutor and his deputies, etc.

When asked about a Ukrainian judge at the ICC, the spokesperson noted that it is quite possible that Ukraine, as a member, could nominate candidates. The decision will depend on the Assembly’s vote. He added that there are certain experience requirements for ICC judges, particularly in international or criminal law.

“Specific experience in terms of either international law or criminal law, and of course, being, qualified for the highest judicial positions in their own respective countries. And then, also there is every three years election of six judges at the ICC. So of course, we hope that Ukraine will be participating in all the various possibilities of cooperation and supporting the ICC, including with presenting candidates for judges and also with having more colleagues from Ukraine,” Fadi el-Abdall said.

Among the requirements for ICC judges is fluency in at least one of the two official languages – English or French.

The spokesperson emphasized that the ICC does not pursue cases against states, it is always about individual responsibility for crimes. Fadi El Abdallah explained that Ukraine does not need to launch a new investigation against Russian war criminals. He did not rule out that new cases and charges could be initiated.

Rome Statute ratification

The Rome Statute is an international treaty that established the International Criminal Court. It defines how the ICC operates and the crimes that fall under its jurisdiction.

In 2024, Ukraine ratified the Rome Statute. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy signed the relevant law on Independence Day, August 24.

This step allowed Ukraine to become a full member of the ICC. Read more about the ratification of the Rome Statute in RBC-Ukraine’s article.

Italy has announced the allocation of 13 million euros to restore Ukrainian energy infrastructure. And for the first time, the DIU destroyed a Russian Mi-8 helicopter using a Magura V5 maritime drone.
 

Read more about what happened on Tuesday, December 31.

Historic strike: Ukrainian intelligence destroys Russian Mi-8 helicopter with naval drone

Today, December 31, Ukrainian soldiers from the special unit of the Defense Intelligence of Ukraine (DIU) “Group 13” destroyed an aerial target for the first time in the world using a Magura V5 strike naval drone. The target was a Russian Mi-8 helicopter.

The unique operation took place in the Black Sea near Cape Tarkhankut in temporarily occupied Crimea.

Italy contributes €13 mln to restore Ukraine’s energy infrastructure

Italy has announced a contribution of €13 million to Ukraine’s Energy Support Fund. The aid is aimed at restoring the country’s energy infrastructure, which has been damaged by Russian attacks.

According to the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, this contribution is one of the largest among donor countries and aims to stabilize electricity supply for millions of Ukrainians enduring the hardships of war.

Russia strikes Sumy region with missiles, destroys infrastructure objects

On the morning of Tuesday, December 31, the Russian army once again attacked Ukraine on a large scale. Russia launched a missile attack on the infrastructure of the Shostka community.

As a result of the Russian strike, some infrastructure facilities were destroyed. 12 multi-story residential buildings, 2 educational institutions, and other social facilities were damaged. Emergency rescue units are working on the spot.

Ending war in Ukraine to be Türkiye’s priority in 2025, President Erdoğan

Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, President of Türkiye, has declared that ending the war in Ukraine is a top priority for Istanbul in 2025, the Turkish news agency TRT Haber reports, citing Erdoğan.

“Our priority remains to end the war between Russia and Ukraine, who are our neighbors on the Black Sea, with a just peace. We hope a new era will begin in our north in 2025,” Erdoğan stated.

Urban battles continue in Toretsk, enemy attempting to break through via Shcherbynivka – Ukraine’s Forces

Intensive urban battles continue in Toretsk, Donetsk region. The Russian troops are attempting to break through the village of Shcherbynivka and capture the refractory plant, according to the spokesperson of the Khortytsia Operational and Strategic Group of Troops, Viktor Trehubov, during a national marathon broadcast.

“Urban battles are a specific type of combat with very high intensity. In Toretsk, there are both urban battles and an attempt to break through through Shcherbynivka. Recently, the 3rd Assault Brigade repelled an enemy attack in Leonidivka and destroyed 9 enemy BMPs,” Trehubov said.

In Transnistria, a Russian-occupied region of Moldova, heating and hot water were shut off following the cessation of gas transit through Ukraine and Moscow’s refusal to supply gas via alternative routes, the heating energy supplier Tyrasteploenerho reports.

“Due to the temporary suspension of gas supply to the company’s heat-generating facilities, from 7:00 a.m. on January 1, 2025, the provision of thermal energy for heating and hot water supply to residents, budgetary institutions, and organizations of all forms of ownership is suspended, except for healthcare facilities with inpatient care,” the statement says.

Residents are strongly advised to dress warmly, gather family members in one room, hang blankets or heavy curtains on windows and balcony doors, and use electric heaters.

“It is strictly prohibited to use gas or electric stoves to heat apartments,” the company emphasized.

End of gas supplies from Moscow

Transnistria had been receiving Russian gas via Ukraine, but this supply route was closed on January 1 due to the expiration of the transit agreement.

Technically, it is possible to supply gas to Transnistria that is purchased in Europe, but it would be more expensive. “The main issue lies in ensuring payment for gas in the Transnistrian region, as the population there is accustomed to very low tariffs that do not come close to covering the actual cost of gas,” Moldova’s Ministry of Energy noted.

Moldova itself may face electricity shortages as a result. Currently, Moldova’s state district power plant in Transnistria, which used Russian gas, has stockpiled coal and fuel oil. Meanwhile, Chișinău has secured gas reserves for several months and hopes for assistance from Romania in supplying electricity if Moldova’s state district power plant cannot meet the country’s needs.

Transnistria is a region of Moldova that Russia occupied following the 1992 war. Russian troops remain stationed in the region to this day.

Even on New Year’s Eve, Russia was concerned only with how to hurt Ukraine. As a result of a Russian drone attack on January 1, one person was killed, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated.

“Even on New Year’s Eve, Russia cared only about how to hurt Ukraine. One hundred and eleven strike drones targeted our cities. Most of them failed to reach their targets thanks to our air defense systems, mobile fire groups, and electronic warfare systems. However, unfortunately, it is currently known that one person was killed,” the head of state said.

Zelenskyy expressed condolences to the family of the deceased. The President also thanked those defending Ukraine and its citizens.

“Our army, which holds back assaults. The rescuers are ready to help at any point in Ukraine. All emergency services, our medics, and everyone whose work is to save lives. Thank you,” Zelenskyy emphasized.

Drone Attack on Kyiv

On New Year’s Eve, Russian occupiers launched 111 drones at Ukraine. Out of these, 63 were shot down. Another 46 enemy drones, which were decoys, were lost in locational tracking. Two drones flew back to Russia and Belarus.

By morning, enemy drones reached Kyiv. Air defense was active in the capital.

In two districts of Kyiv—Sviatoshynskyi and Pecherskyi—drone debris fell, causing fires. In Pecherskyi, debris partially destroyed two floors of a residential building. The body of the victim was found under the rubble.

Additionally, drone debris caused a fire on the roof of a National Bank building in the Pecherskyi district.

For more details on the aftermath of the attack on Kyiv, see the report by RBC-Ukraine.

A Russian drone attack on Kyiv on January 1 kills a woman. The number of victims increased to 7, according to Kyiv City Military Administration, Office of the Prosecutor General.

“A killed woman was found in a residential building in the Pechersk district, which suffered as a result of a morning attack by Russian UAVs, during the rubble removal work,” the Kyiv City Military Administration said in a statement.

7 injured

In addition, the number of victims has increased to 7 people.

“Among them are 2 pregnant women,” the Prosecutor General’s Office said.

According to the Kyiv police, the wounded include men and women aged 29 to 79 years. Doctors diagnosed most of them with multiple shrapnel wounds, bruises on the body, and an acute stress reaction.

The rescue operation is currently underway.

Russian attack on Kyiv

On the night of January 1, Russian troops launched 111 drones into Ukraine, and although air defense shot down most of them, the fallen debris from the UAVs caused damage and injuries.

In particular, in Kyiv, explosions were heard around 7 a.m. Kyiv time and air defense was operating in the region. Fires broke out in the capital, in particular, the roof of the National Bank building was on fire due to the Shahed attack.

Initially, one woman was reported injured, but the number of victims continued to grow. Earlier, 6 people were reported injured in Kyiv due to the Russian attack, including a pregnant woman.

Read more about the consequences of Russia’s attack on Kyiv on January 1 in RBC-Ukraine’s report.