Ukraine War - Intel News

At the "Ramstein" meeting, the Biden administration announced its latest aid package for Ukraine. The $500 million package will include air defense missiles, air-to-ground missiles, ammunition, and equipment for F-16s, according to U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin.  During the meeting of the contact group, Zelensky criticized the allies over air defense supplies. 

"We are grateful for the air defense systems you have provided, but we need what you promised as well" said Zelensky.

Earlier, journalists reported that after allocating this $500 million package, approximately $3.8 billion will remain unused and be passed on to the Trump administration.

Hungarian Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó hinted that Budapest could block Ukraine’s path to the EU due to the suspension of energy transit. He pointed to Ukraine’s “obligations” under its association agreement with the EU, which include “contributing to the EU’s energy security by providing transport routes”.

“The reality is that EU member states collectively and unanimously decide on the admission of new members… Therefore, the closure of gas or oil routes is unacceptable and contradicts the expectations associated with EU integration” the Hungarian minister concluded.

Trump "is not trying to give anything to Putin or the Russians" but "is trying to save Ukraine and preserve its sovereignty" the president-elect's special representative Keith Kellogg said on Fox News.

"And he's going to make sure that it's fair and that it's honest. And he's talked about it repeatedly, both when Zelensky met with him at Trump Tower and when he talked about it at his press conference" Kellogg said.

He added that Trump would speak with both Zelensky and Putin, and set 100 days as the deadline for a possible agreement.

A state of emergency has been declared in Engels due to a fire at the oil depot of the airbase, which was attacked by Ukrainian drones. The decision was reportedly made amid the fire spreading further.

Zaporizhia, an air bomb has landed in an industrial zone.

German Rheinmetall confirms start of production and delivery of Lynx IFVs to Ukrainian Armed Forces. Thus, the first IFV for field trials was delivered to Ukraine at the end of 2024. In addition, it is reported that the German concern is building a plant in Ukraine to produce Lynx.

An oil depot in Engels, Russian Federation, is on fire after a Ukrainian UAV attack. There were about 25 strong explosions. In Engels there is an airfield where TU-95 bombers are based.

Belarus has increased its military presence along the Ukrainian border in 4 different locations, Stolin, Lelchitsy, Mozyr and Gomel. Ukrainian sources recorded a significant increase in movements and radio communication on the Belarusian side along the Gomel-Chernigov border

The Russian Armed Forces have broken through Ukrainian defenses in the Liman direction. The Russian soldiers are now advancing towards the village of Kolodyazi from Ivanovka.

Russia helped North Korea create the latest hypersonic missile, which has already been tested, Russian media reports. The warhead of the missile, launched on January 6, allegedly traveled 1,500 kilometers at a speed 12 times faster than the speed of sound and landed in a designated area in the Sea of ​​Japan.

The cessation of Russian gas transit by Ukraine on January 1 has led to a 20% increase in gas prices in Europe, Hungarian Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Economic Relations Peter Szijjártó said.

"The latest event that led to a price increase was Ukraine's cessation of Russian gas transit through its territory to Central Europe. Since it finally became clear in mid-December that Ukraine would block the transit route, natural gas prices have increased. European markets have increased by 20%" the minister said.

North Korean long-range 170-mm self-propelled artillery systems M1989 Koksan have reportedly reached the front lines. These artillery units, capable of firing conventional shells up to 40 kilometers and rocket-assisted projectiles up to 60 kilometers, were observed being transported in Russia. The deployment signifies a potential escalation in military support from North Korea to Russia amid ongoing conflicts, raising concerns about increased artillery capabilities on the battlefield.

South Korean officials report that North Korea is preparing to send an additional 10,000 soldiers to Russia. This follows the deployment of approximately 10,000 troops already involved in the conflict against Ukraine, with some stationed near the Ukrainian border in the Kursk region. South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff expressed concern over this potential increase in military support for Russia, highlighting the ongoing collaboration between Pyongyang and Moscow amid the war in Ukraine.

Russian President Vladimir Putin may agree to Ukraine joining NATO if certain conditions are met - Novinite. Among them is the US commitment to withdraw its military bases from Eastern European countries and the partial lifting of economic sanctions against Russia. They write that Trump may consider these conditions acceptable, but it is unclear whether the Eastern European countries will agree.

Trump’s special envoy for Ukraine, Keith Kellogg, has postponed his visit to Kiev until after the inauguration - Reuters. Kellogg had planned to visit Kiev to meet with Ukrainian leaders in early January. His team was also preparing meetings with officials in other European capitals, including Rome and Paris. However, the trip has been postponed, and Kellogg is now expected to visit Ukraine after Trump takes office, though the exact date has not yet been determined. The reason for the delay remains unclear.

The last Russian submarine Novorossiysk, has withdrawn from the Mediterranean Sea, marking the end of Russia's submarine presence in the region. This departure, confirmed by the Portuguese Navy on January 2, follows the collapse of the Bashar Assad regime in Syria, which resulted in the loss of Russia's naval base at Tartus. With no remaining Russian vessels in the Mediterranean, this withdrawal represents a significant setback for Russia's military operations and influence in the area.

Several unidentified drones have been spotted over Mildenhall and Lakenheath military bases in England, prompting authorities to place the facilities on high alert. These bases are key to U.S. and NATO operations.

Canada's Prime Minister Justin Trudeau officially resigns.

Ukraine will receive an additional 180,000 rounds for Gepard air defense systems. The German company Rheinmetall will produce the extra 35mm ammunition, funded by Germany.

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken believes Ukraine’s position in Russia’s Kursk oblast is crucial for any future negotiations - Barron's. President Joe Biden’s administration wants to ensure that “Ukraine holds the strongest card to play”. The Kursk operation began in August 2024. Since then, Russian losses have totaled 38,000 soldiers killed and wounded, along with over a thousand pieces of military equipment destroyed.