Drone hits Russian Mi-8 helicopter, Italy pledges €13M for Ukrainian energy infrastructure – Tuesday brief

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.