Russian tanks open fire (Illustration: Skynews).
Russia expands control zone from Marinka
In the Marinka region, Russia launched an attack on the important Novomikhailovka from three sides last week. Ukraine put up fierce resistance and refused to abandon the settlement. By the end of the week, the intensity of fighting in the area had decreased. But this was clearly temporary.
Russia is trying to reach Georgievka, a key village on the way to Ukraine’s important center of Kurakhov, about 10km west of the city of Marinka. Ukraine has built up relatively strong defensive positions, so Russia may have a hard time.
Geroman Channel also confirmed that in Marinka, Russian forces are trying to develop an offensive along the lakes to force the Ukrainian army to withdraw from the stronghold west of the city. If successful, they will be able to open the door to advance along the main road to the south.
Map of the Ukrainian war in Marinka as of January 7. The red arrows show the direction of Russia's attack and the red dashed line is where they plan to try to gain control (Photo: Geroman).
Intensity of fighting in Avdiivka decreases
At Avdiivka, the Russians relatively slowed down the pace of their attacks, instead consolidating their gained positions.
However, on the northern flank, Ukrainian forces are facing serious tensions in the area of the coal and chemical plant and in the Ukrainian-controlled Novobakhmutovka area. Here too, the intensity of fighting has decreased compared to previous weeks, but could soon heat up again as Russia has deployed reinforcements to the area, both in terms of personnel and armor, as well as artillery and rocket artillery.
TobiAyodele channel said that in recent days, the Russian army has increased its activities around the city of Avdiivka, continuing to attack areas in and around the city.
According to various sources, Russian armed forces attacked in 20 different areas.
The next strategically important step after the Russians took Marinka was the struggle for control of Avdiivka. Their offensive activity has declined since the beginning of the year, but intense air and artillery strikes suggest that preparations for decisive ground operations in the area are still underway.
Since the beginning of January, the Russian military has carried out more than 40 major shellings on Avdiivka every day, significantly affecting the situation in the city.
At the same time, there is an increase in the number of troops and armored vehicles at the positions of Russian forces. Small detachments are actively reconnaissance, including in "difficult" areas of the city, such as the Avdiivka coal and chemical plant.
Map of the Ukrainian war in northern Avdiivka as of January 7. Russia controls the pink area and the red arrow shows the direction of their attack (Photo: TobiAyodele).
Russia wins tactical victory at Bakhmut
In the south of Bakhmut, Russian armed forces have advanced slightly to the Kurdyumovka area, which can be considered a tactical success.
At Andriivka and on the heights northwest of Kleshchiivka, the Russians did not achieve significant success, but north of Bakhmut they advanced in several areas at once: towards Ivanovsky (important, along the highway), from Khromovy and the Bogdanovka area.
Russia's key tactical target is Chasov Yar, a city located on high ground and where Ukrainian artillery is concentrated. In addition, major logistical routes also pass through this city.
Russia gains new position at strategic gateway in Kupyansk
Fierce fighting continues in the Serebryansky forest area. Russia has advanced somewhat towards Terny, where the main supply route for the Ukrainian group on the left bank of the Zherebets River runs through the village. Russia has also taken several new positions in the Sinkovka area, which is the gateway to Kupyansk, which is strategically important.
Alarming signal for Russia in Crimea
In the Kherson region, Ukraine continues to hold the bridgehead on the left bank of the Dnieper River in Krynki, but they are unable to expand the bridgehead or move equipment across the river. Perhaps that is why Russia assesses the situation in this area as not yet too tense to try to eliminate the enemy bridgehead in Krynki at any cost.
In contrast, Ukraine has stepped up its attacks on Crimea, using both air-to-ground missiles and drones. This is an alarming signal for Russia, given the geographical expansion of its attacks. Ukrainian missiles have reached far-flung areas in Crimea, not just the western coast of the peninsula.
In the Zaporizhia region , Russia managed to push the Ukrainian army back a little to the west of the village of Rabotino and the Novoprokopovka area, but there was no decisive attack. Ukraine not only defended itself, but also periodically counterattacked.
The front line in Ugledar is almost frozen. Russia is occasionally harassed by Ukrainian units on the ground west of Staromayorsky. Both sides are focusing on shelling each other.
9 Tu-95MS take off in Russia, Ukraine issues emergency alarm
Ukrainska Pravda reported that the Ukrainian Air Force issued an emergency air strike warning. At around 3:00 a.m. (7:00 a.m. Vietnam time) on January 8, 9 Tu-95MS aircraft left Russia's Olenya airport.
The Ukrainian Air Force's urgent warning reads: "The takeoff of 9 Tu-95MS aircraft from Olenya airport (Murmansk region) has been recorded. The approximate time for the aircraft to approach the cruise missile launch route is 5:00-5:30 (ie 9:00-9:30 Vietnam time). In case of missile threats and missile launches, we will notify you further."
In addition, the Ukrainian Air Force once again asked people not to ignore emergency warning signals.
Russian Tu-95MS strategic bomber carrying long-range cruise missiles (Photo: Aviation week).
Ukrainian General Staff: Russia focuses on attacking Avdiivka
According to a summary report of the General Staff of Ukraine on January 7, in the past 24 hours, in the direction of Avdiivka, the defense forces repelled 16 enemy attacks in a total of 29 clashes that took place on all fronts, Ukrainska Pravda reported.
The General Staff said Russia launched six missiles and carried out 40 air strikes, and carried out 21 multiple rocket launcher attacks on Ukrainian military positions. Defense forces repelled most of the enemy attacks in Kupyansk, Liman, Bakhmut, Avdiivka, Marinka and Zaporizhia.
Meanwhile, Ukrainian forces continued to hold the bridgehead at Kherson and inflicted significant losses on the enemy.
Russia launched a series of UAVs to attack Ukraine at night
Russian forces also launched three S-300 missiles at Donetsk. The Ukrainian military did not specify whether the missiles were shot down or hit any targets.
The S-300 is a Soviet-era air defense missile system that has been modified by Russia to attack ground targets in Ukraine. Its main difference from other missiles is its lower accuracy.
In the past 24 hours, Russia lost 36 artillery systems and 22 armored vehicles.
Newsweek reported that in its latest daily combat report on Sunday, January 7, the Ukrainian military announced that Russian forces had lost dozens of artillery systems in just one day.
According to Ukrainian military estimates, Russian forces have so far lost more than 360,000 people in the conflict as well as lost countless military equipment.
Through its official Facebook page, the Ukrainian General Staff provides daily updates on what it says are Russian losses in the conflict. While these figures could not be independently verified by Newsweek and have not been commented on by the Kremlin, they do provide some glimpses into the conflict’s growing impact.
According to the latest report released on January 7, Russian forces are said to have suffered significant losses in weapons in the past 24 hours, including 36 artillery systems, 24 UAVs and 22 armored vehicles. The report also said that Russian forces lost four tanks in the same period.
Newsweek reached out to Russian officials via email for comment but has not yet received a response.
Russian armored vehicles destroyed by Ukraine in Vuhledar in early 2023 (Illustration: Raworldview).
Russian pontoon bridge drifts to Ukraine
Ukrainska Pravda reported that the Chernihiv region border guards spotted a suspicious large floating object drifting from Russia to Ukraine along the Desna River and followed it until it stopped near the shore on Ukrainian territory.
It turned out to be a pontoon bridge, which until recently had been used as a Russian overpass. Engineers confirmed that the discovered metal structure posed no threat.
President Zelensky names two main challenges for the world
Ukrainska Pravda reported that in an online conversation with participants of the annual Swedish national conference "Society and Defense", President Zelensky believes that the main challenges facing the world today in dealing with Moscow are the fight against Russian disinformation and preventing Russia from evading sanctions imposed on the country.
Answering the host's question, Mr. Zelensky noted that in the near future, global information policy will be of decisive importance.
"Unfortunately, today Russia controls a large proportion of the information space. And now I am not talking about Ukraine, but about social networks everywhere in the civilized world: Europe, the United States, Great Britain, the African continent and Latin American countries. Russia invests a lot of money in various media in other countries, as well as in social networks," he said.
Therefore, Mr. Zelensky is convinced that one of the most difficult challenges today is the fight against Russian disinformation in the world.
The second important challenge of our time, which Mr. Zelensky pointed out, is Russia's evasion of sanctions against it.
Japan grants $37 million to buy anti-UAV equipment for Ukraine
Kyiv Independent reported that Japanese Foreign Minister Yoko Kamikawa said at a press conference in Kiev with her Ukrainian counterpart Dmytro Kuleba on January 7 that Japan promised to provide $37 million to NATO funds to develop anti-drone equipment.
President Zelensky said after meeting with Ms. Kamikawa that they discussed the Conference on Reconstruction of Ukraine, the Peace Formula and the strengthening of sanctions against Russia.
"Japan is a very important and strong partner for us. I am grateful for the level of cooperation we have achieved, a truly strategic partnership," Zelensky said on social media.
"Japan is determined to continue to support Ukraine so that peace can return to Ukraine... I can feel how tense the situation in Ukraine is now," Ms. Kamikawa said, according to the Guardian .
Bild: "Strange" UAVs continuously appear on German military bases
German daily Bild , citing government sources, reported on January 7 that unidentified UAVs have been repeatedly spotted over German military bases where Ukrainian soldiers are training, raising concerns about possible espionage.
As of August 2023, at least 6,000 Ukrainian soldiers have been trained in Germany, with the goal of having 10,000 by the end of the year. The programs include general combat training as well as instruction on advanced equipment such as Patriot air defense systems and Abrams tanks provided by the United States.
Marcus Faber, a member of the German parliament, told Bild: "UAVs are regularly spotted over the Klietz training ground, where the Bundeswehr (German army) trains Ukrainians on Leopard 1 tanks."
Faber said he suspected Russia was behind the UAV incursions, but had no concrete evidence to back up the claim as none were intercepted.
Sweden: Main foreign policy in the coming years is to support Ukraine
The Guardian reported that Swedish Foreign Minister Tobias Billstrom told a defense conference that the main task of Sweden's foreign policy in the coming years will be to support Ukraine.
Additionally, Türkiye is likely to ratify Sweden's membership in NATO in the coming weeks, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said on Saturday, January 6.
Sweden applied to join NATO in 2022 after the outbreak of the Russia-Ukraine war, but Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan objected, accusing Stockholm of "protecting" those Ankara considers terrorists.
According to Newsweek, Guardian, Bild, Kyiv Independent, Ukrainska Pravda, Geroman, TobiAyodele
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