Direct Translation via Google Translate. Edited. by Stanislav Stremidlovsky
[REGNUM] The year 2023 turned out to be a time of transformation for the Catholic Church of old challenges and the emergence of new ones. At the same time, internal problems worsened, becoming a bigger headache for the Holy See than international issues.
The year began for Catholics with the passing of retired Pope Benedict XVI. As one of the Western publications noted on this occasion, the late pontiff represented “a decisive element of stabilization and detente.” And his death could cause two opposite effects - either to reconcile the radical circles of the church, or, more possibly, “to cause greater instability, both in the Vatican and in the universal Church.”
Today we can already say that the negative forecast worked. The Holy See and Pope Francis tried to curb the so-called synodal process, simultaneously satisfying the demands of conservative circles and supporters of a revision of both church teaching and the administration of community life. However, this led to new conflicts.
The Catholic Church is seeing off the year 2023 with fierce controversy caused by the publication in December of the Dicastery of the Doctrine of Faith of the Declaration Fiducia supplicans. It gives Catholic clergy the opportunity to bless "non-standard couples", which among others refers to same-sex unions.
And although the dicastery specifically stipulated that the “ long-standing teaching ” of the Catholic Church about marriage as a union between a man and a woman does not change, many Catholics did not believe it. Opposition to the declaration arose almost immediately. The decision not to apply it was made by the conferences of the Catholic episcopate of Africa, Hungary, and Kazakhstan.
The pontificate of Pope Francis is actually being challenged, because the head of the dicastery for the doctrine of the faith, Cardinal Victor Fernandez, is considered a confidant of the pontiff. It is clear that divisions within the Catholic community, threatening to become schisms, will continue to escalate in 2024.
VISION OF A "JUST WORLD"
The start of a special military operation in Ukraine in February 2022 caused difficulties in the Vatican-Russian dialogue.
Some statements last year by Pope Francis, Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin and Secretary of State Relations Archbishop Paul Gallagher demonstrated an understanding of the underlying causes of the crisis.
However, other statements caused bewilderment and poisoned the atmosphere of trust that had developed during the reign of the Argentine pope.
These “fleas” also jumped into 2023, the first few months of which created the impression of the impotence of Vatican diplomacy and the narrowing of its maneuverability.
The reluctance of the main players of the international “casino” to use the capital of an experienced impartial intermediary, accumulated by the Holy See, was evident everywhere. It seemed that the Vatican Secretariat of State was running idle and stalling.
This feeling became especially noticeable on the anniversary of the special military operation. Then, during the Munich Security Conference, Archbishop Gallagher said that he “ does not see ” Russia being threatened before February 24, 2022.
According to him, it would be a “ mistake ” to believe that the West was determined to destroy Russia, although now “ the situation is completely different.” And a “ just peace ,” according to the archbishop, “ will mean that the Russians will leave the territory of Ukraine.”
CARDINAL PEACEMAKER
In this situation, Pope Francis made an intriguing move. He appointed the President of the Conference of the Catholic Episcopate of Italy, Cardinal Matteo Zuppi, as his special envoy to resolve the Ukrainian crisis.
Interestingly, in February of this year, Zuppi asked to take into account that the conflict did not begin on February 24, 2022. It was preceded by the failure of the Minsk agreements and the “ so-called low-intensity violence in Donbass ” that has lasted since 2014. He also called for thinking about the “ limit of military assistance ” - at what point does it develop from the “ right to self-defense ” into fueling escalation.
During the year, Zuppi made trips to Kyiv, Moscow, Washington and Beijing. Thus, he made it clear that, firstly, the Vatican sees these capitals as key to the settlement process. And secondly, for the Holy See the crisis itself is not limited to the Ukrainian-Russian framework, being a problem of global international security.
At first glance, Zuppi’s mission, the main goal of which was to stop armed clashes, was hopeless. However, there are certain nuances. Moscow generally welcomed the cardinal's activities, although it did not give him special advances.
But the Kremlin did not discredit the initiatives and role of the Holy See. In contrast to the Kiev regime, when Vladimir Zelensky, after a visit to the Vatican in May and a meeting with Pope Francis, stated that “ with all due respect to His Holiness, we do not need mediators, this is not a question of the Vatican, Latin America or China.”
Thus, Kyiv removed itself from the diplomatic equation that the Vatican was building, showing its lack of ability to play the long game and act independently. It became clear that the further fate of Zuppi’s mission would depend on the outcome of the “ counteroffensive ” announced by the Kiev regime. Apparently, this is what happened.
Today it is obvious that the “counteroffensive” not only ran out of steam, but also significantly undermined the capabilities of the Kyiv regime. “ Something is moving ,” the cardinal said in December. — We need peace, if necessary a creative peace, as was the case in Mozambique, where different parties were involved. There are different solutions. In Korea, a parallel was defined as the dividing line."
DIALOGUE WITH RUSSIA WILL CONTINUE
Traditionally, Vatican-Russian relations were built along two lines - church and state. Most often they were closely intertwined, but sometimes they diverged to the sides.
After the change in June of the chairman of the department for external church relations of the Moscow Patriarchate, contacts between the Holy See and the leadership of the Russian Orthodox Church intensified. The new head of the DECR, Metropolitan Anthony, made trips to the Vatican. The Moscow Patriarchate ignored the comments of those dissatisfied with communication with Catholics, and pushed some critics who crossed a certain line aside.
But after the publication of the declaration of Fiducia supplicans, opponents of dialogue with the Holy See received a second wind. After all, if even in the Catholic Church there are voices about “heresy,” then how can more conservative Orthodox Christians deal with the Vatican? This problem will cast its shadow on the attempts of the Holy See and the Moscow Patriarchate to restore the previous level of relations.
However, it does not matter for the dialogue between the Vatican and the Kremlin. As Maria Zakharova, a representative of the Russian Foreign Ministry, noted the other day, “this is an internal church issue.” Difficulties may arise for other reasons.
Catholic publications periodically calculate the balance of power in the conclave of cardinals, finding out who currently has a great chance of becoming the new pontiff after Francis. But a new variable was added this year with speculation that the pontiff may not survive 2024.
In the event of a serious deterioration in the health of the pope, especially his death, the Vatican will plunge into the process of electing a new one. In this situation, the role of the State Secretariat and Cardinal Parolin will significantly increase. Will he take advantage of the developments of Zuppi’s mission or disavow the work of his “competitor”?
The answer to this question will determine how much Moscow can continue to count on the Holy See.
Direct Translation via Google Translate. Edited
[LB] The defenders also advanced in the direction of Zaporozhye.
by Iryna Lysohor
On January 2, a total of 57 combat clashes took place. In the Avdiivka direction, the defenders continue to restrain the enemy, who does not stop trying to surround Avdiivka . During the day, they repelled eight attacks by Russians in the districts of Novobakhmutivka, Berdychiv, and Avdiyivka, and another 16 attacks in the districts of Pervomaiskyi and Nevelskyi.
To the southeast of Novobakhmutivka, the defenders have improved their tactical position, said the spokesman of the General Staff, Dmytro Lykhova, on the air of the telethon. In the Kherson direction, the defenders maintain a bridgehead on the left bank of the Dnieper and continue measures to extend it.
"The enemy is suffering losses and does not stop trying to knock out our units from their occupied positions. Last day, they carried out nine assault actions, they were unsuccessful," he said.
In the Kupyansk direction, the defenders repelled seven attacks in the area of Synkivka and east of Petropavlivka. In the Bakhmut direction, defenders repelled six attacks in the Bohdanivka, Klishchiivka and Andriivka districts of the Donetsk region. At the same time, the Defense Forces continue to inflict losses on the enemy.
In Zaporizhzhia, the defenders repelled the enemy's attack in the Robotyno area, and advanced forward in the Verbovoi area, the enemy was forced to retreat from some positions.
In total, last day the Russians launched 89 missile and 72 air strikes, in particular by drones, and fired 48 salvo missile strikes against military and civilian positions.
Worth noting, korrespondent.net has compiled its Invasion of Ukraine series into separate months, beginning May 9th, 2023. Linked in the title.
[Korrespondent] 23:44 The Russian Army launched two strikes on Kharkov, first with S-300 missiles, said Oleg Sinegubov, head of the OVA. There is information about damage to civilian non-residential infrastructure in the central part of the city; according to preliminary data, no people were injured.
23:37 The White House will not be able to find funds for Ukraine from alternative sources if Congress does not agree on a request for new assistance to Kiev, said John Kirby, coordinator for strategic communications of the White House National Security Council. According to him, the arms package transferred in December without a decision from legislators could be the last.
22:59 The head of European diplomacy, Josep Borrell, said that he discussed military support for Ukraine with Polish Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski, they agreed on the need to strengthen it, including with long-range missiles.
22:28 On January 2, Russia for the first time used an Iskander-M missile to strike Kharkov, which flies at a speed of 7,500 meters per second along a ballistic trajectory, said the head of the Kharkov OVA Oleg Sinegubov.
21:56 The US State Department denies that it is seeking Ukraine to abandon its goal of complete victory in the war. As stated by State Department spokesman Matthew Miller, publications that the United States is pushing Ukraine to change its strategy and abandon the goal of complete victory in the war with Russia are incorrect.
21:00 The Russian army continues intensive offensive operations in the Kupyansky and Bakhmutsky directions. In particular, the invaders are trying to advance on the city of Chasov Yar in the Donetsk region. It is obvious that Russia’s main goal is to capture this settlement, then Konstantinovka and then reach the borders of the Donetsk region. About how realistic such a scenario is, see the material Russian Offensive on Chasov Yar .
20:33 The French Foreign Ministry, commenting on the shelling of Belgorod on December 30, stated that Russia is the aggressor, and Ukraine is acting in self-defense in accordance with Article 51 of the UN Charter. “Russia can put an end to this conflict and human tragedy - to do this, it must withdraw all its troops from the internationally recognized territory of Ukraine,” the French ministry emphasized.
20:26 The IAEA said that agency experts were recently for the first time prohibited from inspecting some reactor halls of the Zaporozhye NPP. So, over the past two weeks they have not entered the reactor halls of blocks 1, 2 and 6. The team will continue to request this access, said General Director Rafael Grossi. In addition, there are restrictions on access to some other parts of the Zaporizhia NPP. Experts are also still awaiting access to the roofs of the reactors, which was planned for December 19, but never took place “for security reasons.”
20:00 Zelensky said in an evening video message that there was a long pause in the prisoner exchanges, “but there was no pause in the negotiations” on the exchanges: “We are using every opportunity, trying all mediation options. At every international meeting that can be of help, "We are raising the issue of returning our prisoners. And we will continue to work to return all of our prisoners."
19:48 There will be no collapse in the energy system, even if Russia takes advantage of the cooling period and inflicts new massive attacks on energy facilities, said Vladimir Kudrytsky, Chairman of the Board of Ukrenergo. “We have already gone through this about 20 times. This, of course, will create additional problems for us. But I am sure that this will be a question of the duration of possible interruptions in power supply due to damage to any objects, but there will be no collapse in the energy system,” he assured He.
19:32 The Ukraine-NATO Council will hold an emergency meeting in response to massive Russian missile attacks on Ukrainian cities, Kuleba said. One of the key topics will be strengthening Ukraine's air defense.
Also, the head of the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry said that he does not believe that the possible election of Trump as US President could negatively affect support for Ukraine. "Who sold the first American weapons to Ukraine? President Trump - Javelin. Who started the program of free transfer to Ukraine of the first naval vessels, Island and Mark-6 type boats? Trump. Who fought with Nord Stream 2 and imposed sanctions on the well-known, but already the forgotten ship Fortuna, which laid this pipeline? It was Trump... Therefore, Trump is a person with whom you can work, you just need to be able to work with him. There are a lot of “ifs,” but Ukraine should not be afraid of anything," he emphasized Kuleba.
18:51 In the Dneprovsky district of the Dnepropetrovsk region, two X-59 guided aircraft missiles were destroyed, the Air Command of Skhid reported.
18:19 The largest exchange of prisoners of war during the full-scale invasion took place: 230 Ukrainians were released , the Coordination Headquarters for the Treatment of Prisoners of War reported. Among them are representatives of the Armed Forces of Ukraine - 130 (including TrO - 14, Navy - 14), the National Guard - 55, the State Border Guard Service - 38, the National Police - one, as well as six civilians who were illegally deprived of their liberty.
Among those who were returned, 182 people had official prisoner of war status, another 48 military personnel were considered missing and had “search” status. The majority of those released are men (225), five are women. There are 213 privates and sergeants, 11 are officers. The headquarters expressed special gratitude to the UAE for its active participation in the implementation of this exchange.
In turn, the Russian Ministry of Defense reported that “as a result of a complex negotiation process” 248 Russian military personnel were returned from the territory of Ukraine.
18:00 Putin's United Russia party has acquired its own private army - the so-called Espanola PMC. The formation itself is not a new structure - it was created during the full-scale invasion and was part of the so-called Vostok battalion as a volunteer unit of Russian football hooligans. However, some members of the group have a large trail of war crimes in Ukraine since 2014. Read more in the article Counterweight to Azov .
17:26 The NATO procurement agency, on behalf of a coalition of several European countries, signed a contract for the production of 1000 Patriot missiles in Europe - for this purpose, production capacity will be expanded in Germany. Germany, the Netherlands, Romania and Spain are participating in the program. “Against the backdrop of the war in Ukraine and growing threats around the world, this is an urgent need,” said Dutch Defense Minister Kajsa Ollongren.
17:02 Ridiculing the Ukrainian language of a migrant from Skadovsk, Kherson region - this number was published in the New Year's Evening Quarter program and aroused the real anger of Ukrainians. Kvartal and 1+1 media have already apologized for the number and promise to remove it from YouTube. For more details, see the article The Quarter angered the Ukrainians .
15:54 Kiev did not ask Turkey to allow minesweepers transferred to Ukraine by Britain into the Black Sea, said Navy spokesman Dmitry Pletenchuk. He recalled that Turkey does not allow Russian ships to pass, because the country conscientiously observes the Montreux Convention, so there is no “harm”. Pletenchuk also said that the process of complete demining of the Black and Azov Seas after the end of active hostilities will last up to five years, and clearing the main sea routes will take 3-5 months.
15:11 The Russians fired four rockets at a residential area in Avdeevka, Donetsk region - one person was killed, one was wounded, the OVA reported.
14:47 The Russians shelled Novotyaginka, Kherson region, one person was killed, said the head of the OVA Alexander Prokudin. Another person died as a result of enemy shelling of the village of Sadovoye.
14:22 In Kiev, as a result of a missile attack on January 2, 54 people were injured and two were killed , the KGVA reported.
13:39 The European Union included in the list of sanctions the Russian group of companies Alrosa and its CEO Pavel Marinichev for helping Russia in the war against Ukraine. Alrosa is the leader in diamond mining in the world. Its main activities are concentrated in Yakutia, the Arkhangelsk region and Africa.
13:18 Norway will send two F-16 fighters to Denmark to contribute to the training of Ukrainian pilots, Defense Minister Bjorn Aril Gramm said. According to him, Norway has already sent ten instructors to Denmark to help train Ukrainian pilots.
13:10 Ukrainian manufacturer of tactical clothing M-TAC reported that the company's production facilities and warehouses in Kiev were damaged or destroyed as a result of yesterday's Russian missile attack. These clothes are worn, in particular, by the military and political leadership of Ukraine, including Zelensky and Zaluzhny.
12:21 British intelligence believes that Russia has at least temporarily changed its approach to striking Ukraine - instead of energy infrastructure, priority is given to attacks on the defense industry.
11:33 Russian public pages write about the murder of 17 Russian military personnel in Mariupol, among whom were two officers. They gathered in a private house to celebrate the holiday, but someone added a large dose of sleeping pills to the alcohol. When the Russian military fell asleep, they were allegedly all killed - strangled or stabbed to death.
11:12 Russian troops fired artillery at the town of Gornyak, Donetsk region, the prosecutor’s office reported. One of the shells hit a private house, wounding a 16-year-old teenager.
10:26 The Russian Army continues intensive offensive operations in the Kupyansky and Bakhmutsky directions and is regrouping in the Limansky direction, said Alexander Syrsky, commander of the Ground Forces of the Ukrainian Armed Forces. In particular, intense fighting continues in the Bakhmut direction near Bogdanovka, and the enemy is also trying to advance in the direction of the city of Chasov Yar.
In the Kupyansk direction, daily assaults by Russian troops continue near Sinkovka to create a bridgehead and subsequent attack on Kupyansk. In the Liman direction, Russian troops, after suffering losses, are regrouping and preparing for an offensive. Aviation is actively used to carry out strikes with controlled aerial bombs.
On the offensive axes, the Russians have increased the use of equipment with which they are trying to support the infantry. They use assault units formed from former prisoners - Storm Z and Storm V, and continue to transfer reserves from other directions. Ukrainian forces are holding the line and preventing the enemy from moving forward, Syrsky assured.
09:58 The new head of the Polish Foreign Ministry, Radoslaw Sikorski, called for the transfer of more long-range missiles to Ukraine in response to Russian missile attacks: “We must respond to the latest attack on Ukraine in a language that Putin understands: by tightening sanctions so that he cannot produce new weapons from smuggled components, and providing Kiev with long-range missiles that will allow it to destroy launch sites and command centers."
09:37 The death toll as a result of a missile attack on Kiev on December 29 has increased to 30 - one person died in hospital. Another 29 people were injured, KGVA reported.
09:19 Governor of the Kursk region of the Russian Federation Roman Starovoyt announced an air attack in the Zheleznogorsk region, a substation was damaged. Due to voltage and water hammer, 17 apartment buildings were left without heating.
08:56 As a result of a rocket attack on the center of Kharkov on January 2, one person was killed, 62 were injured , including six children, said Oleg Sinegubov, head of the OBA. Currently, 28 people remain in medical institutions, including four children. Two adults are in serious condition. In addition, on the afternoon of January 2, the Russians attacked Volchansk, Chuguevsky district, wounding one person.
08:50 The General Staff announced the estimated losses of the Russian Federation as of the morning of January 3:
personnel - about 361,500 (+680) people,
tanks - 5990 (+0),
armored combat vehicles - 11,107 (+7),
artillery systems - 8546 (+15),
MLRS - 945 (+0),
air defense systems - 629 (+3),
aircraft - 329 (+0),
helicopters - 324 (+0),
UAV of operational-tactical level - 6748 (+36),
cruise missiles - 1783 (+73),
ships/boats - 23 (+0),
submarines - 1 (+0),
automotive equipment and tank trucks - 11,391 (+26),
special equipment - 1298 (+14).
08:46 On January 2, the Russians shelled the village of Plavni, Zaporozhye region, with artillery, killing two people, said the head of the OVA, Yuriy Malashko.
08:37 In the Zaporozhye direction, the Defense Forces advanced forward in the Verbovoy area, forcing the enemy to abandon some positions. An enemy attack near Rabotino was also repulsed, the General Staff reported in its morning report . In addition, in the Avdeevsky direction, the Defense Forces improved the tactical position southeast of Novobakhmutovka, and also repelled eight enemy attacks near Novobakhmutovka, Berdychi, Avdeevka and another 16 attacks in the Pervomaiskoye and Nevelskoye areas of the Donetsk region.
In total, 57 military clashes took place at the front over the past 24 hours. In the Kupyansk direction, Ukrainian forces repelled seven attacks near Sinkovka and east of Petropavlovka, Kharkov region; on Bakhmutskoye - six attacks in the Bogdanovka, Kleshcheevka and Andreevka districts of the Donetsk region. In the Kherson direction, the Defense Forces continue to expand the bridgehead, and the enemy carried out nine unsuccessful assault operations.
08:20 Governor of the Belgorod region Vyacheslav Gladkov said that the Ukrainian military fired at Belgorod twice in the morning and called the situation in the city “tense.” The Russian Ministry of Defense claims that air defense systems allegedly destroyed six Tochka-U TRK missiles and six Vilkha MLRS missiles over the Belgorod region.
00:59 “Governor” of Sevastopol Mikhail Razvozhaev said that a missile was allegedly shot down over the sea, no damage to the infrastructure was recorded. Crimean public pages write that during the Ukrainian missile attack, residents of the surrounding villages of Fruktovoye and Verkhnesadovoye saw a bright flash in the area of the Belbek airfield.
Direct Translation via Google Translate. Edited.
[Korrespondent]
Defense forces continue to hold the enemy in the Georgievka and Novomikhailovka areas of the Donetsk region
The enemy tried unsuccessfully to restore the lost position in the Zaporozhye region, notes the General Staff.
Ukrainian soldiers continue to hold positions on the left bank of the Dnieper. The Ukrainian Armed Forces also repelled Russian attacks near the village of Rabotino in the Zaporozhye region and destroyed the enemy’s control post. This is stated in the evening report of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, published on Wednesday, January 3.
During the day, 47 clashes occurred. The enemy carried out 6 missile and 42 air strikes, carried out 18 attacks from multiple launch rocket systems on the positions of our troops and populated areas.
Seversky and Slobozhansky directions
The enemy carried out air strikes in the areas of the settlements of Morokhovets and Kolodeznoye, Kharkov region. More than 20 settlements were subjected to enemy artillery and mortar shelling, including Timonovichi, Arkhipovka, Leonovka, Kostobobrov, Gremyach in the Chernihiv region; Marchikhina Buda, Volfino, Konstantinovka, Miropolye, Popovka, Sumy region; Alisovka, Liptsy, Lukyantsy, Staritsa, Zybino, Otradnoye, Kharkov region.
Kupyansk direction
The enemy did not conduct offensive (assault) actions. Conducted air strikes near Petropavlovka, Kucherovka, Podolov, Berestovo in the Kharkov region and Novoyehorivka in the Lugansk region. About 10 settlements came under artillery and mortar fire, in particular Dvurechnaya, Sinkovka, Ivanovka, and Berestovo in the Kharkov region.
Liman direction
The occupiers did not conduct offensive (assault) actions. The enemy carried out air strikes in the Serebryansky forestry area of the Lugansk region and Ternov, Spornoye of the Donetsk region. More than 10 settlements were damaged by enemy artillery and mortar shelling, including Nevskoye, Belogorovka in the Lugansk region and Torskoye, Serebryanka, Verkhnekamennoye, Spornoye, Razdolevka in the Donetsk region.
Bakhmut direction
The defense forces repelled four attacks near Bogdanovka and Andreevka, Donetsk region, where the enemy unsuccessfully tried to improve the tactical situation. The enemy launched an air strike near the village of Pivnichnoe, Donetsk region. More than 10 settlements came under artillery and mortar fire, in particular Bogdanovka, Chasov Yar, Nikolaevka, Kleshchievka, Andreevka, New York in the Donetsk region.
Avdeevskoe direction
Our defenders repelled nine enemy attacks in the areas of Novobakhmutovka, Avdeevka and another 19 near Pivnichny, Pervomaisky and Nevelsky in the Donetsk region. Here the invaders, with the support of aviation, tried unsuccessfully to improve the tactical situation. The enemy also launched an air strike near Alexandropol, Donetsk region. The enemy fired artillery and mortars at about 10 settlements, including Keramik, Novokalinovo, Berdich, Semyonovka, Avdeevka, Nevelskoye, Donetsk region.
Maryinsky direction
Defense forces continue to contain the enemy in the Georgievka and Novomikhailovka areas of the Donetsk region, where the enemy, with the support of aviation, unsuccessfully tried 11 times to improve the tactical situation. Alexandropol, Krasnogorovka, Georgievka, Pobeda, Novomikhailovka, Elizavetovka, Ekaterinivka found themselves under artillery and mortar fire from the invaders.
Shakhmirskoye direction
The enemy did not conduct offensive (assault) actions. He fired artillery and mortars at about 10 settlements, including Vodyanoye, Ugledar, Prechistovka, Zolotaya Niva, Blagodatnoye, Staromayorskoye, Donetsk region.
Zaporozhye direction
The defense forces repelled an enemy attack near Rabotino, Zaporozhye region, where the enemy unsuccessfully tried to restore the lost position. The occupiers launched an air strike in the area of the settlement of Novodarovka, Zaporozhye region. More than 15 settlements were subjected to artillery and mortar shelling, including Levadne, Gulyaypole, Volshebnoye, Malaya Tokmachka, Malye Shcherbaki, Pyatikhatki in the Zaporozhye region.
Kherson direction
In the area of responsibility of the OSGV Odessa, Tomarino, Novotyaginka, Sadovoe, Kherson, Chernobaevka and Kizomis of the Kherson region were subjected to enemy artillery shelling. The enemy does not abandon his intention to dislodge our units from the bridgeheads on the left bank of the Dnieper. During the day, the enemy carried out eight unsuccessful assault operations, but Ukrainian soldiers still held their positions and inflicted significant losses on the enemy.
Enemy losses
During the day, Defense Forces aircraft carried out strikes on 12 areas where enemy personnel were concentrated. The missile force units hit three air defense systems, three artillery weapons, an electronic warfare station and an enemy control center.
As we already wrote, on December 31, two Russian air defense systems were destroyed . Another 780 occupiers, as well as more than 150 pieces of equipment, were also removed.
Earlier, Russian media confirmed the liquidation of five more senior officers of the Russian Army in Ukraine . In total, it was possible to confirm the deaths of at least 1,175 Russians in two weeks.
Direct Translation via Google Translate. Edited.
[Korrespondent] Ukrainian Armed Forces hold the defense on the eastern front
The Russian military is trying to advance on Chasov Yar. To do this, they have increased the amount of equipment and are transferring reserves, says Syrsky.
The Russian army continues intensive offensive operations in the Kupyansky and Bakhmutsky directions. In particular, the invaders are trying to advance on the city of Chasov Yar in the Donetsk region. Colonel General Alexander Syrsky, Commander of the Ground Forces of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, announced this on Wednesday, January 3.
It is obvious that Russia’s main goal is to capture this settlement, then Konstantinovka and then reach the borders of the Donetsk region. Read the story to see if this scenario is real.
Situation on the front line
Syrsky confirmed today that intense fighting near Bogdanovka continues in the Bakhmut direction, where Chasov Yar is located.
“In this direction, the enemy is actively using aviation to strike with guided bombs,” the general wrote on Telegram.
According to him, the Russian army has increased the use of equipment and is transferring reserves from other directions. Units formed from former prisoners are involved in assaults in the Russian army.
“In the offensive directions, the aggressor has increased the use of equipment with which it is trying to support infantry assault operations. Also, to continue the assaults, the enemy uses units formed from former criminals “Storm Z” and “Storm V”. Our soldiers, despite difficult conditions, courageously they hold the line and do not allow the enemy to advance,” said Syrsky.
He also noted that in the Kupyansk direction, the Russians conduct assaults near Sinkovka every day to create a bridgehead and subsequent attack on Kupyansk. And in the Liman direction, the Russian occupiers, after suffering losses, are regrouping for a further offensive.
Klin north of Bakhmut
Deputy commander of the assault battalion of the 5th separate assault brigade of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, senior lieutenant Alexey Tarasenko, previously noted that the fighting itself continues at very distant approaches to Chasovy Yar, and the city is very strongly fortified.
According to him, the opponents mainly tried to drive a wedge north of Bakhmut - near the village of Bogdanovka from the village of Khromovo.
“Now, as far as I know, because this is the zone of responsibility of another brigade, there... the front line has also stabilized, plus or minus, in the outskirts of Bogdanovka. The armed forces are conducting heavy defensive battles, but, of course, the enemy has no hope at the moment “ maybe,” the officer said on the FREEDOM TV channel.
This position is shared by experts from the American Institute for the Study of War. Analysts note that since mid-December, Russian sources began to characterize the localized offensive operation of the Russian Federation around Bakhmut as an operation to encircle Chasovoy Yar.
ISW believes that it will be difficult for the Russian army to encircle this population center due to the large Ukrainian fortifications and the city's location at a tactical height. By mid-December, analysts estimated that the occupying forces were at least nine kilometers from Chasovoy Yar.
Specific threats
At the same time, Ukrainian military expert Alexey Getman believes that while the enemy is advancing, threats cannot be neglected. Although he notes that Russian publics have already announced, for example, the capture of Khromov in the Donetsk region.
“This is not entirely true, Khromovo is still in the gray zone. The village is only a hundred meters from the western outskirts of Bakhmut, and Chasovoy Yar is several kilometers away. Of course, they are striving to reach Chasovoy Yar. Will they be able to? Let’s hope not,” said it is for RBC-Ukraine.
Military expert Alexander Kovalenko, in turn, believes that the occupiers are unlikely to be capable of a rapid breakthrough. The enemy, according to him, can overcome somewhere between 50-100 meters a day, but even with such advance there is a “swing”.
“Today they advanced, and tomorrow they were knocked out of their positions. In general, the advance from Bakhmut is very dangerous for them because of our defense lines. Can we say that they will quickly reach the goal from the exit to Chasov Yar and impose battles in the very city?" No. This is a difficult task and may take several months to complete,” the expert noted.
Article Linked To Is Available Only Via VPN
[EngMilRu] The Armed Forces of the Russian Federation continue the special military operation.
In Kupyansk direction, units of the Zapad Group of Forces supported by artillery repelled one attack of assault groups of the AFU 115th Mechanised Brigade close to Sinkovka (Kharkov region).
In addition, strikes were delivered at AFU manpower near Ivanovka and Sinkovka (Kharkov region).
The enemy's losses amounted to more than 35 Ukrainian troops, three motor vehicles, and one Polish-made Krab self-propelled artillery system.
In Krasny Liman direction, the Tsentr Group of Forces' units and artillery hit clusters of AFU manpower and hardware near Chervonaya Dibrova (Lugansk People's Republic), and Serebryansky forest.
The enemy has lost up to 40 Ukrainian troops, two motor vehicles, as well as one 122mm D-30 howitzer.
In Donetsk direction, units of the Yug Group of Forces supported by operational-tactical aviation and artillery inflicted fire damage on AFU manpower and hardware near Bogdanovka, Krasnoye, Kleshcheyevka Andreyevka, and Kurdyumovka (Donetsk People's Republic).
The enemy losses in this direction amounted to more than 310 Ukrainian military personnel, one tank, two U.S.-made Bradley infantry fighting vehicles, three armoured fighting vehicles, nine motor vehicles, one 152mm Msta-B howitzer, one 152mm D-20 and one 122mm D-30 howitzers, as well as one electronic warfare station.
In South Donetsk direction, the Vostok Group of Forces' units, aviation, and artillery repelled three attacks of assault groups of the AFU 127th Territorial Defence Brigade close to Priyutnoye (Zaporozhye region).
In addition, enemy manpower and hardware have been hit near Novomikhailovka and Urozhaynoye (Donetsk People's Republic).
Up to 115 Ukrainian troops, two armoured fighting vehicles, three pick-up trucks, and one 122mm Gvozdika self-propelled artillery system have been eliminated.
In Zaporozhye direction, units of the Russian Group of Forces supported by artillery inflicted losses on manpower of AFU 65th, 118th Mechanised, 128th Mountain Assault brigades close to Rabotino, Verbovoye, and Lukyanovskoye (Zaporozhye region).
The enemy losses amounted to up to 55 Ukrainian troops, three armoured fighting vehicles, and two motor vehicles.
In Kherson direction, units of the Russian Group of Forces supported by artillery inflicted losses on AFU manpower one the right bank of the Dnepr River near Tyaginka, Ivanovka, Sadovoye, and Tokarevka(Kherson region).
Up to 50 Ukrainian troops, two armoured fighting vehicles, three motor vehicles, one Buk-M1 anti-aircraft missile launcher, and one 152mm D-20 howitzer were destroyed.
Missile Troops and Artillery, as well as UAVs of the Russian Group of Forces have engaged one hangar with aircraft munitions, one ST-68 radar station for detecting and tracking low-altitude targets, deployment points of foreign mercenaries and the Kharkovshchyna national formation close to Kharkov, 89 artillery units in firing positions, manpower, and military hardware in 134 areas.
Air defence forces have intercepted eight Tochka-U missiles, two S-200 anti-aircraft missiles converted to hit ground targets, as well as 34 HIMARS, Ol'kha, and Vampire MLRS projectiles during the day.
In addition, 15 Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicles were shot down close to Energodar, Mirnoye (Zaporozhye region), Zolotaryovka (Lugansk People's Republic), Gorlovka, Peski, Spornoye (Donetsk People's Republic), and Novaya Kakhovka (Kherson region).
In total, 565 airplanes and 263 helicopters, 10,367 unmanned aerial vehicles, 446 air defence missile systems, 14,447 tanks and other armoured fighting vehicles, 1,194 combat vehicles equipped with MRLS, 7,618 field artillery cannons and mortars, as well as 17,040 units of special military equipment have been destroyed during the special military operation.
Direct Translation via Google Translate. Edited.
[NewsFront] 23:58 Official summary of the DPR Representative Office in the JCCC from 00:00 01/03/2023 to 00:00 01/04/2024
?Over the past 24 hours, the Representative Office has recorded 75 cases of firing by the Ukrainian Federal Unitary Unit.
Information was received about the injury of two civilians in the Kirovsky district of Donetsk, Yasinovataya.
Eight residential buildings were damaged in the Kuibyshevsky district of Donetsk, Yelenovka, Tsentralno-Gorodsky, Nikitovsky districts of Gorlovka, as well as three civil infrastructure facilities.
Areas of five settlements of the Republic were under enemy fire: Gorlovka (Tsentralno-Gorodskoy, Nikitovsky districts), Yasinovatsky district, the capital city of Donetsk (Kievsky, Kuibyshevsky, Kirovsky, Petrovsky districts), Makeevka (Kirovsky, Chervonogvardeysky districts), Yelenovka.
In the Donetsk direction, the enemy carried out 42 attacks from MLRS and 155mm artillery, incl. with a cassette warhead.
At Gorlivske there were 25 artillery attacks from 152 and 155mm artillery, incl. with a cassette warhead.
At Yasinovatsky there were eight artillery attacks from 155mm artillery.
A total of 257 units of various ammunition were fired.
In the previous day, 51 artillery attacks were recorded from the AFU.
22:10 Front bird broadcasts: Sumy region. Arrival. 03.01 22:00
Local telegram channels report an explosion in an industrial area.
The Russian Aerospace Forces continues to destroy enemy military infrastructure.
20:40 Blank cartridges and wooden grenades: captured Ukrainian soldier told about training in the UK
Prisoner of war Yevgeny Kirillov was trained in Great Britain. There, servicemen of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, as Kirillov said, were trained in clearing trenches as part of small assault groups and in medicine, but the training was mainly carried out using blank cartridges and wooden grenades.
“They didn’t teach normal shooting ranges or defense,” said the prisoner of war
Kirillov said that during the battle, during which his group was captured, the servicemen requested permission from the command to retreat, but they were ordered to take up a perimeter defense and wait for reinforcements. However, no one came to help. The Ukrainian Armed Forces group found itself surrounded by Russian troops and decided to surrender.
19:40 Front bird broadcasts: Kharkov region 03.01
A second explosion was reported in the eastern part of the region.
The air raid warning did not sound.
Our rocketeers performed preliminary training by using a high-precision missile against an enemy fortified area and an armed forces workshop.
18:40 Front bird broadcasts: Kupyansk direction. district settlement Sin'kovka 03.01
Front-line aviation units struck deep into the enemy's rear positions.
It is reported that an enemy stronghold and an artillery crew of the Ukrainian Armed Forces have been hit.
With the forces of our two assault companies, we managed to occupy several enemy defensive fortifications.
17:40 Frontline reports: in the Krasnolimansky direction, the Russian Armed Forces established a foothold in forest plantations east of the village of Makeevka.
16:40 Frontline reports: Most of the NATO garbage “leopards” in Hochland are no longer combat-ready.
15:40 Telegram channel «Fisherman» about the night attack of the Ukrainian Armed Forces on Crimea
That night, loud pops of air defense operations were heard throughout Sevastopol. Exactly after a massive strike by the Russian Armed Forces, Ukrainian forces tried to strike back at the peninsula.
Two S-200 anti-aircraft missiles were fired from the vicinity of the Alibey test site in the Odessa region. One of them was shot down on approach to Sevastopol, and the second fell in the area of Mount Kara-Boba without causing any damage.
Apparently, the Ukrainian Armed Forces again tried to attack the warehouses and infrastructure of the Black Sea Fleet on the northern side of Sevastopol and in the vicinity of Inkerman.
At the same time, units of the 31st Air Force and Air Defense Divisions marked up to six air targets. Presumably, two more S-200s fell into the water west of Cape Fiolent, before reaching Crimea.
And two more missiles (based on the speed and flight path we can conclude that these were anti-ship Neptunes) flew past Sevastopol and their signal was lost in the direction of Novorossiysk.
Apparently, the Ukrainian Armed Forces were aiming at some other objects, but the missiles, either due to a failure in the system or due to the active operation of electronic warfare, strayed from the trajectory and subsequently fell into the water.
As a result, the enemy attack failed. And, looking at the nature of its conduct, it seems that the Ukrainians were in a hurry, trying to interrupt the information feed, but to no avail. However, repeated attempts are possible in the coming days, including with the use of cruise missiles.
13:40 Front bird broadcasts: Khar'kov direction 03.02 13:30
Aviation of the Russian Aerospace Forces attacked the enemy with several UVAB 250 and UVAB 500 aircraft.
Powerful explosions were heard and seen.
12:30 Front bird broadcasts: Avdeevskoe direction. district settlement Krasnogorovka 03.01
Assault units of the Russian Armed Forces smoke out the enemy from their positions.
Early in the morning we processed the identified enemy points using AGS and 82mm. mortar.
11:40 Front bird broadcasts: Sumy region 03.01
By tradition, local telegram channels report the sound of an explosion in the southern part of the region.
There were no reports of enemy air defense operations.
Apparently our tactical aviation has worked.
10:20 Criminal Kyiv regimecontinuesto fire at the civilian infrastructure of settlements on the left bank of the Kherson region, yesterday during the day the Ukrainian Armed Forces fired from cannon artillery:
-- n.p. Krynki 27 rounds;
-- n.p. Kazachi Lagery five rounds;
-- n.p. Alyosha nine rounds;
-- n.p. Novaya Mayachka three rounds;
-- n.p. Obryvka of four rounds;
-- n.p. Dnepryan four rounds;
-- n.p. Podlesnoe three rounds;
-- n.p. Korsunka two rounds.
During the night, the Kiev regime continued to shell civilian infrastructure in the village. Krynki, n.p. Podstepnoye, n.p. Korsunka, n.p. Aleshki, n.p. Dnepryany, n.p. Golaya Pristan, firing a total of 33 rounds from cannon artillery.
Civilian casualties and destruction of infrastructure are being determined.
09:40 Telegram channel Fisherman: chronicle of a special military operation: events of December 29, 2023 – January 2, 2024
Russian troops launched a series of combined strikes against targets in the territory of so-called Ukraine. In the Lviv region, the house-museum of the odious German collaborator Roman Shukhevych was destroyed.
In Khar'kov, industrial enterprises, warehouses and a tram depot were hit. At the same time, objects on the territory of the Malyshev tank plant received significant damage.
The enemy's targets in the Ukrainian capital were subjected to the most massive attack. One of the targets hit was the Mayak plant, which produces firearms.
Ukrainian forces responded by launching missile attacks on crowded areas in the center of Belgorod. Civilian objects were damaged, 24 people were killed and 131 civilians were injured.
Meanwhile, in the Northern Military District zone, fierce fighting continues along the entire line of contact. In the Svatovsky direction, Russian troops hit several Leopard 2A5 tanks east of the village of Terny.
In the Donetsk direction, Russian troops continue the operation to cover the Avdeevsky fortified area. In recent days, units of the Russian Armed Forces have managed to slightly expand the zone of control in the direction of Ocheretino and Novokalinovo.
In the Orekhovsky sector, Russian troops resumed their offensive at the Rabotino-Verbovoye line. In recent days, servicemen of the Russian Armed Forces have managed to occupy most of the Krivaya ravine.
09:10 Official summary of Representative offices of the DPR in the JCCC from 00:00 01/02/2023 to 00:00 01/03/2024
Over the past 24 hours, the Representation has recorded 51 incidents of firing from the AFU.
There were no reports of civilian casualties.
No damage to residential buildings and civil infrastructure was recorded.
The areas of four settlements of the Republic were under enemy fire: Gorlovka (Nikitovsky district), Yasinovatsky district, the capital city of Donetsk (Kuibyshevsky, Petrovsky districts), Makeevka (Chervonogvardeysky district).
In the Donetsk direction, the enemy carried out 29 attacks from 155mm artillery, incl. with a cassette warhead.
On Gorlovsky there were 21 artillery attacks from 152mm and 155mm artillery.
On Yasinovatsky one artillery attack from 155mm artillery.
In total, 160 units of various ammunition were fired.
In the previous day, 58 artillery attacks were recorded from the Ukrainian forces.
Direct Translation via Google Translate. Edited.
[Regnum] The Russian Navy will be replenished in 2024 by the small missile ship “Burya” and the submarine “Kronstadt”. The press service of the Russian Ministry of Defense reported this on January 3.
It is noted that this year the Russian Navy will continue the planned increase in its strength.
“One of the first to join its combat formation will be the small missile ship Burya and the submarine Kronstadt, which underwent a test program in the Baltic Sea in 2023,” the statement says.
It is specified that the Baltic, Pacific and Black Sea fleets will be strengthened by several small missile and patrol ships, as well as sea minesweepers.
The press service explained that after the completion of state tests, the naval flag will be raised on the Yasen-M nuclear submarine missile cruiser Arkhangelsk, which is intended for the submarine forces of the Northern Fleet.
It is noted that in 2024, the next nuclear-powered strategic missile submarine of the Borei-A project, Prince Pozharsky, the Project 20 385 corvette Provorny, the fourth frigate of Project 22 350 Admiral of the Fleet of the Soviet Union Isakov, and sea minesweepers will be launched project 12 700, small missile ships of projects 21 631 and 22 800, patrol ships and a large submarine of project 636.3 "Yakutsk" and some other ships, boats and support vessels that are currently on the stocks of Russian shipyards.
As Regnum reported, on December 25, Russian President Vladimir Putin said that five frigates, eight corvettes, 13 small missile ships and more than 50 other ships of various classes are currently in various stages of readiness at Russian shipyards. At the flag-raising ceremony on the frigate Admiral Golovko, the small missile ship Naro-Fominsk and the minesweeper Lev Chernavin, which are entering service with the Navy, the president said that Russian shipbuilding has entered a new important stage - serial production of warships of various classes.
This indicates that the shipbuilding industry in the country is on the rise, the president noted, adding that Russia has taken the most important and fundamental step to revive and develop shipbuilding.
The President also said that the country will strengthen its naval power in all strategic directions and will implement all plans for the construction of ships. The head of state thanked the workforce of the enterprises for their professionalism and high dedication, and wished the ship crews worthy service for the benefit of Russia.
It is worth noting the Russians don't assigned a mountain designation to a military unit unless it plans military operations in mountainous regions.
[Regnum] Russian President Vladimir Putin signed decrees on assigning honorary names to two regiments and one brigade, the official legal information portal reported on January 3.
Thus, the head of state decided to assign the honorary name “Guards” to the 10th radiation, chemical and biological protection regiment and the 40th engineer and sapper regiment. The 55th Separate Motorized Rifle Mountain Brigade also received the honorary name “Guards”.
The presidential decrees note that the names were awarded for mass heroism and courage, fortitude and courage shown by the personnel of the regiments and brigades in military operations to protect the Fatherland and state interests in armed conflicts.
As Regnum reported, in November 2023, Vladimir Putin also assigned honorary names to three brigades of the Russian Armed Forces. For mass heroism and courage, perseverance and courage shown by the personnel of the brigades, the honorary name “Guards” was awarded to the 297th Anti-Aircraft Missile Brigade, the 16th Separate Khingan Radiation, Chemical and Biological Defense Brigade, as well as the 35th Tallinn Order of the Red Star management team.
Also in November 2023, the president awarded the rank of general to 44 officers of the internal affairs bodies and the armed forces. The ranks of lieutenant general of police were awarded to six officers, major general of police - to 21 employees of internal affairs bodies, major general of internal service and major general - to one employee each.
During the 2023 Ukrainian counteroffensive, the army was observed to be in the process of a slow redeployment from Luhansk to southern Ukraine in August as fighting intensified there.[11]
A multi-volume chronology and reference guide set detailing three years of the Mexican Drug War between 2010 and 2012.
Rantburg.com and borderlandbeat.com correspondent and author Chris Covert presents his first non-fiction work detailing
the drug and gang related violence in Mexico.
Chris gives us Mexican press dispatches of drug and gang war violence
over three years, presented in a multi volume set intended to chronicle the death, violence and mayhem which has
dominated Mexico for six years.
Rantburg was assembled from recycled algorithms in the United States of America. No
trees were destroyed in the production of this weblog. We did hurt some, though. Sorry.
