Ukraine War - Intel News

Ukraine launches an offensive in the Kursk region towards Sudzha. Russians saying they are actively working to halt the offensive.

Olaf Scholz has dismissed rumors about a possible visit to Putin, calling the speculation “deeply indecent”.

“This is a false claim. You can’t do something like that” said the German Chancellor.

The statement comes after Roderich Kiesewetter, an opposition CDU party MP, claimed that Scholz might “go to Moscow or meet with Putin” before Germany’s elections on February 23. The head of Scholz’s SPD parliamentary group called the claims fabricated, with several other politicians demanding a retraction and an apology from Kiesewetter. The government spokesperson also announced a legal complaint.

NATO will urge London to significantly increase spending on air and missile defense due to vulnerabilities in the current system amid challenges posed by the conflict in Ukraine, The Times reported, citing sources. The formal request is expected this year, as the alliance plans to provide updated requirements to all members, highlighting areas they should prioritize to strengthen collective defense.

"A number of NATO countries have expressed frustration that Britain is not doing enough to protect Europe from long-range missile attacks. Russia's missile strikes in Ukraine have prompted other European nations to boost their air defense capabilities, while London lacks sufficient ground-based anti-aircraft systems to protect critical infrastructure" the report states.

At the moment, loud explosions were heard in Kursk.

The Armed Forces of Ukraine went on the offensive in the Kursk region — Russian media. There was no official information.

Ukrainian drones hit Taganrog. Locals report an attack on a Russian military airfield.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken in an interview with the New York Times:

The US began secretly supplying Ukraine with weapons long before the war began.

In particular, Washington supplied Kiev with Stinger and Javelin systems.

20 unknown drones spotted near Denmark's capital Copenhagen - Associated Press. The incident is being investigated amid growing security concerns in Europe over Russian hybrid attacks and the war in Ukraine.

Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic stated that in the second half of January, he intends to request a conversation with Putin regarding possible U.S. sanctions against the Russian-Serbian oil company NIS. This was reported by the Tanjug agency, citing a statement made at a government meeting.  The day before, he mentioned that after discussions with the American side about the sanctions, there were no good news.

The Russian Federation closed the airspace in St. Petersburg - there is information about a UAV attack on a large commercial sea port and a gas processing plant, where there were hits. RosZMI writes that most of the drones that attacked the Leningrad Region were shot down over the Novatrans LLC terminal on the territory of the Ust-Luga commercial sea port. It is known that this port has become the second largest in the Russian Federation - after Novorossiysk.

The first batch of French Mirage 2000-5F fighters will arrive in Ukraine by the end of January.

At night, Ukrainian drones attacked a rocket engine manufacturing plant in the Smolensk oblast of Russia. The attack on the town of Safonovo was confirmed by the local governor. Local telegram channels report that the target of the attack may have been the “Avangard” plant, which is part of one of Russia’s largest missile-building holdings. The plant is involved in the serial production of transport and launch containers, solid rocket motor casings, armor and radiation protection elements for armored vehicles, and radio-transparent shelters.

The unloading of the next shipment of military weapons and equipment for Ukraine has been completed at the Gdynia maritime port in Poland. This operation is part of ongoing support for the Ukrainian Armed Forces, with various military supplies being transported through Polish ports to aid in their defense efforts. The recent deliveries underscore Poland's strategic role in facilitating military assistance to Ukraine amid ongoing conflict

Ukrainian officials believe that Russia tested a new missile in Ukraine some hours ago. The missiles reportedly traveled at a speed of 8,000+ KM/Hr.

Moldova's breakaway region of Transnistria has cut off heating and hot water to households after Russia blocked gas supplies through Ukraine - Reuters. A statement on the national energy company's website said the heating cuts came into effect at 7 a.m. local time on January 1, but some facilities such as hospitals were exempted. The statement urged residents to dress warmly, gather family members together in one room, hang blankets or thick curtains on windows and balcony doors, and use electric heaters.

Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova commented on Baerbock's statement about the closure of the Russian military bases in Syria.

"And this is said by the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the country where the US military bases are located. My question is: isn't it time, from the point of view of the head of the German Foreign Ministry, for her to say something similar to Washington? Zakharova said.

Beijing warns Taiwan about the dangers of pursuing independence, stated China’s ambassador to Russia, Zhang Hanhui. In his article for RIA Novosti, he emphasized that Taiwan has never been a country and never will be, calling the ideas of Taiwan's administration leader, Lai Ching-te, absurd. The so-called "new two-state theory" proposed by Lai Ching-te is nothing more than "old wine in a new bottle," representing his stubborn separatist stance on "Taiwan independence." This theory undermines the One-China principle, which is highly deceptive, misleading, and provocative. The ambassador also urged the United States to stop playing the "Taiwan card" and destabilizing the region, warning that Washington, when faced with China's strength, will face defeat.

German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock, who arrived in Damascus:

It's time for Russia to leave its military bases in Syria.

Ukraine prepares to strike Moscow with its own Trembita missiles - The Telegraph.

Iranian sources claim that the first photo shows launchers of Fath-360 (also known as BM-120) missiles and the Arman (or Ababil) air defense/missile defense system with transport and loading vehicles in the port of Bandar Anzali on the Caspian Sea. As Iranian channels suggest, these missile systems are prepared for delivery to Russia. Earlier, Western publications reported several times about the transfer of Fath-360 and Ababil systems to the Russian Armed Forces, but these reports were not confirmed.