Ukraine War 15/1: Kiev determined to stop Russian troops from advancing to Chasov Yar

Ukrainian soldiers in an underground bunker (Illustration: Skynews).

Ukraine's northeastern border heats up

In the direction of Slobozhanskoe, Russian armed forces continued to attack Ukrainian positions and suppress artillery in the border area. Ukrainian facilities in Volchansk were shelled several times during the day.

In turn, Ukraine carried out a drone strike on the border village of Tetkino in the Kursk region. In addition, on the night of January 14-15, Russian air defense systems were active in the area.

In the Belgorod region, local authorities continue to take measures to ensure the safety of civilians in case of a renewed Ukrainian offensive. In addition to strengthening public transport checkpoints, the first concrete shelters have begun to appear on the streets of Belgorod.

In the Liman direction, battles for positions are taking place in the Torskoe and Serebryansky areas, where Russia has repelled attacks by Ukrainian assault groups. Numerous artillery battles are taking place along the entire front line. In general, no significant changes are observed on the front line.

In the Seversk direction, in the absence of success in the disputed area, Russia developed an offensive in the Veseloe area. According to preliminary information, the Russian advance detachments entered the village from the east and south, forcing the enemy to retreat to the northern outskirts.

Map of the Ukrainian war in the Liman region as of January 14. Russia controls the brown area, the red arrow shows the direction of their attack (Photo: Rybar).

Ukraine determined to stop Russia from advancing to Chasov Yar

The Russian offensive continues near Bakhmut towards the village of Chasov Yar, where their forces are attempting to create a corridor on the outskirts of the city. There are reports of Russian forces expanding their control in the Khromovo area. Fierce fighting continues on the southern flank at Kleshchiivka and Andriivka. During an attempted counterattack, a Ukrainian group was killed near Kleshchiivka.

In the direction of Avdiivka, the sides are fighting in Ocheretino and Stepovoe. At the same time, Ukrainian forces are still present west of Stepovoe and are sending reinforcements to Berdychi with the aim not of defending the village for a long time, but of inflicting maximum damage on Russia.

Meanwhile, Russian troops are fighting in the southwestern region near Pervomaiskoe. Fierce fighting continues in the area of the sewage treatment plant and the Ivushka and Ivushka-2 gardening cooperatives. Artillery is actively engaged on both sides.

West of Marinka, the Russian offensive towards Kurakhovo continued. There was fierce fighting at Georgievka, where Russian air power and artillery pounded enemy positions.

In the Ugledar direction, fierce battles are taking place at Novomikhailovka. According to Ukrainian media, the Russian flanking force in this area has changed its direction of operations and is attacking Vodyanoe. In addition, Russia continues its offensive in the forest belt near Konstantinovka.

Map of the Ukrainian war in Bakhmut as of January 14. Russia controls the brown area and the red arrows show the direction of their attack, the blue arrows are the direction of Ukraine's counterattack (Photo: Rybar).

Russia tries to improve offensive position in Zaporizhia and Kherson

In the direction of Zaporizhia, fighting continues near Rabotino, where Russian units are trying to improve the tactical situation southwest of the settlement. According to some reports, Russian troops have captured previously abandoned positions west of Verbovoe.

On the afternoon of January 14, Ukraine launched a fire attack on settlements in the Russian-controlled Zaporizhia region, air defenses were activated in Melitopol, there were no reports of casualties or damage.

There have been no significant changes in the Kherson direction. Fighting continues on the islands and in the village of Krynki. The situation for Ukraine in this area continues to worsen every day due to bad weather. The frozen Dnieper Canal prevents Ukraine from delivering supplies and re-arranging troops on time.

At the same time, it is reported that Ukraine has partially solved the problem of resupply by helicopter, and therefore reports of its forces withdrawing from Krynki are still premature.

Ukraine General Staff: Russia focuses attacks on 3 directions

According to a summary report of the General Staff of Ukraine on January 14, 86 clashes took place on the front during the past day, with Kiev forces repelling 22 Russian attacks in Avdiivka, 15 attacks in the direction of Marinka and 14 attacks in the direction of Liman, Ukrainska Pravda reported.

The General Staff of Ukraine said that Russia launched 3 missiles, carried out 60 air strikes and 45 attacks with artillery and multiple rocket launchers on the positions of the Ukrainian army. The defense forces repelled most of the enemy's attacks in Kupyansk, Sinkovka and Petropavlovka in the Kharkiv region, Liman, Bakhmut, Avdiivka, Marinka, Zaporizhia.

Ukrainian forces continue to hold the bridgehead on the left bank of the Dnieper River after repelling six Russian attacks and inflicting significant losses on the enemy, the report said.

German newspaper: NATO prepares for risk of war with Russia

According to the German newspaper Bild , the Bundeswehr (German army) is preparing for a joint Russian attack on NATO's eastern flank in February this year.

Based on a review of secret Bundeswehr documents, Bild notes that an escalation between NATO and Russia could happen as early as February this year.

In the document, the German Defense Ministry details a possible “Path to Conflict” between Russia and NATO. The actions of Russia and the West are charted month after month, culminating in the deployment of hundreds of thousands of NATO troops and the inevitable outbreak of war in the summer of 2025.

Neither the German nor Russian Defense Ministries have commented on the information published by Bild.

President Zelensky: We are capable of winning

“The first two weeks of this year have given Ukraine strength and opportunity,” he said. “There are new support packages for our soldiers. There are much-needed agreements on joint production of weapons, artillery shells, a particularly sensitive issue: drones. There will be more drones.”

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky (Photo: AFP).

Swiss diplomat : China needs to help end fighting in Ukraine

China needs to join efforts to end the conflict in Ukraine, Swiss Federal Councilor Ignazio Cassis said at a press conference in Davos on January 14, Kyiv Independent reported.

China did not attend the national security adviser's meetings on the Ukrainian Peace Formula in Davos.

"China has a crucial role to play. We must find ways to work with China on this," Mr Cassis said after a meeting with top diplomats. "A peace for the Ukrainian people is urgently needed… We must do everything we can to end this war."

Russia attacks Ukrainian cities

Kyiv Independent reported that Russia used 37 missiles, including 6 Kinzhal hypersonic missiles, and 3 attack drones against areas across Ukraine in a mass attack on the morning of January 13. One civilian was reported injured.

The Ukrainian Air Force believes that Russia launched up to 12 Kh-101 missiles and four Kh-59 missiles.

The attack is part of a series of other large-scale attacks across Ukraine. Since December 2023, Russia has launched hundreds of missiles and bombed multiple locations, targeting Ukraine’s critical infrastructure and industrial, civilian and military facilities.

Head of Ukrainian army visits frontline positions

The Kyiv Independent reported that General Valery Zaluzhny, head of the Ukrainian army, spent several days with senior commanders visiting positions near the front lines in the south and east to discuss future operations.

On January 14, Mr. Zaluzhny worked with brigade commanders in the Tavria and Odessa force groups. According to the report, the generals and commanders calculated steps to maximize the effectiveness of the troops based on the available resources. They also discussed the situation in the Black Sea, where Ukraine continues its campaign against Russia’s Black Sea Fleet.

Earlier, Mr. Zaluzhny, together with Defense Minister Rustem Umerov, visited Ukrainian military positions near Kupyansk in the Kharkiv region on January 9. Kupyansk has become the focal point for the new Russian offensive, as the city serves as a key logistics hub for a potential attack further south or west.

Chief of the General Staff of Ukraine Valery Zaluzhny (left) and Defense Minister Rustem Umerov on December 18, 2023 (Photo: Getty Images).

Paris and Berlin will support Ukraine "as long as necessary"

The European Union (EU) is scheduled to hold a meeting on February 1 to discuss a 50 billion euro ($54.8 billion) aid package for Ukraine, which was vetoed by Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, the Kyiv Post reported.

The new French Foreign Minister and his German counterpart said on Sunday, January 14, that they will continue to support Ukraine for as long as necessary.

"We absolutely agree that we must support the Ukrainians, for as long as necessary," French Foreign Minister Stephane Sejourne said at a press conference alongside German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock.

Ms Baerbock said Berlin would "stand by Ukraine as long as necessary, until Russia withdraws" from Ukrainian territory, warning that Russian President Vladimir Putin "does not want to stop" the conflict.

Denmark allocates new aid package worth over $21 million to Ukraine

Denmark will allocate a new aid package to Ukraine worth more than $21 million to help restore the city of Nikolaev in southern Ukraine, the Guardian reported. The package includes, among other things, projects to clear minefields from farmland and rebuild dormitories at the Nikolaev Regional Agricultural University.

"Denmark is one of our most committed partners in the recovery process. In the spring of 2023, the country took over the Nikolaev city and Nikolaev region as a sponsor. Since then, we have made progress in restoring the city, most of the projects of previous aid packages have been completed or are progressing successfully," said Alexander Kubrakov, Minister of Community, Territorial and Infrastructure Development of Ukraine.

Earlier, Denmark and Sweden jointly announced a new military aid package for Ukraine worth about 240 million euros ($263 million), including infantry fighting vehicles, BBC reported.

Source: https://dantri.com.vn/the-gioi/chien-su-ukraine-151-kiev-quyet-chan-quan-nga-tien-toi-chasov-yar-20240115093519654.htm