(Image by NEIVANMADE)
Russia’s drone swarm attacks last night did massive damage on civilian structures and caused civilian casualties across Ukraine last night. We’ll get to all of that after the jump.
Here is President Zelenskyy’s address from earlier today. Video below, English transcript after the jump.
I Instructed Government Officials to Provide a Report on Those American Support Programs That Are Currently Suspended – Address by the President
28 January 2025 – 21:12
I wish you health, fellow Ukrainians!
A few key points for today.
The Commander-in-Chief’s report on the frontlines – the Donetsk and Kharkiv regions, the operation in the Kursk region. I held a meeting of the Staff. Among the issues on the agenda was the formation of corps in the Armed Forces of Ukraine. There are concrete details on this matter. We will continue to strengthen our army. We are scaling up combat brigades and the right army experience. The first established brigades will serve as a basis for other systemic steps; the modernization of the army system has no alternatives. The Minister of Defense reported on communication with our partners. I also held a meeting with our diplomats – the team of the Office and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. We are planning our international activities for February – meetings and negotiations. The key objectives are ensuring the unity of our partners – which is the foundation of everything – and coordinating our efforts in the European direction. Everyone on the continent should remember: if global issues are resolved without Europe, it will leave Europe with decisions that most Europeans are certain not to like. This also applies to issues of war and peace – the war that Russia started and the peace that we must together impose on Russia. We must do more together both for defense and for economic growth. Today, I spoke with the Prime Minister of Israel – I expressed my condolences on the occasion of Remembrance Day, Holocaust Remembrance Day. It is vital that the world continues to remember what happened and who is responsible. With the Prime Minister of Israel, we discussed the international situation, our contacts with partners, particularly with America. And I am glad to see their progress in bringing back the hostages – people who have been in captivity for so long, now they are finally returning home.
And one more thing. Today, I instructed Government officials to provide a report on those American support programs that are currently suspended. These are humanitarian programs. Oleksii Kuleba and other Government officials are identifying which specific programs are currently in short supply; almost all of them were not channeled through the Government of Ukraine, but directly through our communities, through various organizations. There are many projects. We will determine which ones are critical and need immediate solutions. We can provide part of this funding through our state finances, and we will discuss some of them with Europeans and Americans. These include many areas – from communications and digitalization to support for veterans, schools, hospitals, and reconstruction. Of course, the details of the programs were not a state matter, but the Government officials will present everything to me; and the priorities, those that primarily concern Ukrainian children, our veterans, and programs to protect our infrastructure – we will certainly support priority things. I thank everyone who is helping Ukraine!
Glory to Ukraine!
Georgia:
⭕ Day 62. Rustaveli Avenue is still blocked by protesters. Since November 28, there hasn’t been a single day when Rustaveli wasn’t closed.
#GeorgiaProtests
— Publika.ge (@publikage.bsky.social) January 28, 2025 at 12:43 PM
Day 62 and exactly 2 months continuous, day 92 overall. New, free and fair elections; the release of the regime prisoners. #GeorgiaProtests
— Marika Mikiashvili 🇬🇪🇺🇦🇪🇺 (@marikamikiashvili.bsky.social) January 28, 2025 at 1:36 PM
“I will not accept the regime’s agenda. I am on hunger strike. The value of freedom is higher than life” — Today marks the 17th day of the hunger strike and unlawful arrest of Mzia Amaghlobeli, the head of Georgian regional media outlets Batumelebi and Netgazeti.
— Katie Shoshiashvili (@kshoshiashvili.bsky.social) January 28, 2025 at 4:22 AM
Europe does desperately need the freshness of Eastern enlargement.
We Georgians, Ukrainians, Moldovans and other brothers in struggle live under fear of death for our principled positions and are well aware of the importance of the truth vs bureaucracy and inertia that could eventually doom Europe.— Marika Mikiashvili 🇬🇪🇺🇦🇪🇺 (@marikamikiashvili.bsky.social) January 28, 2025 at 5:08 AM
The PACE resolution to be voted on Jan 29 calls on Georgia to:
▶ Launch an inclusive process with all stakeholders to address election issues and ensure a democratic environment for upcoming elections.
▶ Release all political prisoners by April 2025.#GeorgiaProtests
— Publika.ge (@publikage.bsky.social) January 28, 2025 at 12:35 PM
The US:
⚡️US transfers 90 Patriot missiles from Israel to Ukraine, Axios reports.
In preparation for the transfer, U.S. Air Force cargo planes recently transported the interceptors from an air base in southern Israel to Rzeszów, Poland, a key logistics hub for military aid to Ukraine.
— The Kyiv Independent (@kyivindependent.com) January 28, 2025 at 6:27 PM
From The Kyiv Independent:
The United States has transferred around 90 Patriot air defense interceptors from storage in Israel to Poland for delivery to Ukraine, sources familiar with the operation told Axios.
The transfer comes as part of efforts by the Pentagon to bolster Ukraine’s air defense capabilities against Russian attacks on critical infrastructure. This marks the most significant delivery of weapons involving Israel to Ukraine since the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion nearly three years ago.
The Patriot air defense system was officially decommissioned by the Israeli Air Force in April 2023, over three decades after it was first provided to Israel during the Gulf War. With Israel now relying on its own advanced air defense technologies, such as the Iron Dome, the Patriot system had been relegated to training or storage.
Following its retirement, Ukrainian officials approached both the U.S. and Israel with a proposal to return the missiles to the U.S. for refurbishment and subsequent delivery to Ukraine, Axios reports.
Despite the plan, Israel initially delayed its decision due to concerns that Russia might retaliate by supplying advanced weaponry to Iran. According to a Ukrainian official, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu refused to engage in discussions about the proposal for weeks. However, Netanyahu reportedly approved the transfer in late September.
The Ukrainian official alleged that Netanyahu sought a concession from President Volodymyr Zelensky regarding an annual pilgrimage of ultra-Orthodox Israelis to Uman, Ukraine, before agreeing to the Patriot deal. Netanyahu’s office has denied any connection between the two issues.
In preparation for the transfer, U.S. Air Force C-17 cargo planes recently transported the interceptors from an air base in southern Israel to Rzeszów, Poland, a key logistics hub for military aid to Ukraine. Along with the interceptors, additional equipment, such as radars, will be sent to the U.S. for refurbishment before final delivery to Ukraine. The interceptors are compatible with the Patriot batteries already operational in Ukraine.
An Israeli official said that Russia was informed in advance of the transfer, emphasizing that Israel was merely returning the Patriots to the U.S. rather than directly supplying weapons to Ukraine. The official compared the move to a prior U.S. decision to transfer artillery shells from storage in Israel to Ukraine. A spokesperson for Netanyahu’s office confirmed that the Patriot system had been returned to the U.S. but said they had no knowledge of whether the interceptors had been sent to Ukraine.
Canada:
Canada showed how Ukrainian soldiers are sent off from training to the war.
— WarTranslated (Dmitri) (@wartranslated.bsky.social) January 28, 2025 at 6:43 AM
NATO:
NATO: Russian sabotage campaign included train derailments, arson, and assassination plots targeting figures like Rheinmetall’s CEO. So, what’s the response?
— Maria Avdeeva (@mariainkharkiv.bsky.social) January 28, 2025 at 11:18 AM
From The Kyiv Independent:
Sabotage acts in NATO countries in recent years have included threats to assassinate weapons industry leaders, particularly the German arms maker Rheinmetall’s CEO Armin Papperger, NATO’s Deputy Assistant Secretary-General James Appathurai said on Jan. 28.
Since the beginning of Russia’s full-scale invasion, Russian hybrid operations aimed at destabilizing the situation in the countries that support Ukraine have intensified.
Speaking at the European Parliament, Appathurai confirmed the threats against Papperger, which had previously been circulating only in the media, Reuters reported.
In July 2024, U.S. and German intelligence discovered a Russian-linked plot to assassinate Papperger, according to CNN. Following the incident, Germany provided Papperger with the same top-level security as Chancellor Olaf Scholz.
In April 2024, supporters of the left-wing extremist RAF movement announced that they had burned down Papperger’s garden house, accusing him of “profiting” from arms sales.
Appathurai also said that the West had sometimes succeeded in stopping Russia from committing acts of sabotage by setting red lines at the highest level. One example is when incendiary devices destined for DHL flights were detected in a German warehouse.
According to Appathurai, the sabotage campaign included “derailment of trains, acts of arson, attacks on politicians’ property, threats to plot to assassinate industry leaders like, publicly, the head of Rheinmetall, but there were other plots as well.”
Appathurai added that NATO characterizes the current level of sabotage as a “record high.”
NATO allies clearly understand that they “need to be more robust” in responding to recurring incidents, particularly in the Baltic Sea, he added.
NATO aims to agree on a strategy for tackling hybrid threats before the alliance’s summit in The Hague at the end of June, according to Reuters.
Rheinmetall provides weapons and equipment to Ukraine under contracts with the German government, such as Leopard 1 tanks, mortar shells, and drone surveillance systems, among other weapons.
In late July, Rheinmetall announced that it had received an order from the Ukrainian government to begin the construction of an ammunition factory in Ukraine. The company previously said it planned to open at least four factories in the country.
This is NATO confirmation of what we’ve been covering as it was reported for almost a year.
Back to Ukraine.
“How to be a Ukrainian,” rule # 23848:
– Waking up to the buzz of Shahed engines over one’s town and saying “Fuck it” to oneself and getting back to snoring. Then not waking up at all to a distant blast that makes one’s windows rattle.
— Illia Ponomarenko (@ioponomarenko.bsky.social) January 28, 2025 at 7:45 AM
Here’s how the destruction of Russian “cans” unfolded during the attack last night.
The Air Force showcased combat operations within the area of responsibility of the “East” Command.— WarTranslated (Dmitri) (@wartranslated.bsky.social) January 28, 2025 at 5:33 AM
⚡️Defense Minister Umerov under investigation for possible abuse of power, office position, media reports.
According to Ukrainian law, if officials have abused their power or position in a manner leading to “serious consequences,” they are punishable by imprisonment for three to six years.
— The Kyiv Independent (@kyivindependent.com) January 28, 2025 at 4:21 PM
The Kyiv Independent has the details:
The National Anti-Corruption Bureau (NABU) has launched a criminal investigation into the potential abuse of power, as well as office position by Defense Minister Rustem Umerov, Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty reported on Jan. 28, citing NABU’s statement.
On Jan. 23, the Defense Procurement Agency’s (DPA) supervisory board voted unanimously to extend current director Maryna Bezrukova’s contract for another year.
Defense Minister Rustem Umerov however overruled the board’s decision on Jan. 24, saying he would not renew Bezrukova’s contract as head of the DPA. He cited allegedly unsatisfactory results as the reason and appointed Rustem Zhmadilov, who also manages the State Logistics Operator (DOT).
Umerov also dismissed two agency supervisory board members, Taras Chmut and Yuriy Dzhyhyr.
Following Umerov’s move, the Anti-Corruption Action Center filed a complaint with NABU to open an investigation against Umerov on suspicion of alleged abuse of power.
Proceedings against Umerov opened at the request of the Anti-Corruption Action Center, NABU said.
According to Ukrainian law, if officials have abused their power or position in a manner leading to “serious consequences,”they are punishable by imprisonment for three to six years and disqualification from holding certain positions or engaging in certain activities for up to three years.
They must also pay a fine, ranging from Hr 757,000 ($18,000) to Hr 1,514,000 ($36,000).
According to Ukrainian law, supervisory boards have the authority to hire and fire the heads of state enterprises unilaterally. This means that legally, after the board’s vote, Bezrukova should take over the Defense Procurement Agency for another year.
However, due to amendments recently made to the agency’s charter by the Defense Ministry, which oversees the DPA, the ministry can reverse the supervisory board’s decisions.
Anti-corruption activists and lawmakers say the amendments and Umerov’s decision are unlawful.
Following Umerov’s move, DPA declared that it continues to operate under Bezrukova’s leadership. Bezrukova took over the agency in January 2024, and her contract expires at the end of January 2025.
Equipment of the 13th Khartiia Brigade of Ukraine: dog drones, ground drones, flying drones. t.me/TyskNIP/14841
— 🦋Special Kherson Cat🐈🇺🇦 (@specialkhersoncat.bsky.social) January 28, 2025 at 3:37 PM
Mykolaiv:
Russian missile strike on Mykolaiv destroyed a food processing plant, reducing it to rubble and killing two workers trapped beneath the debris.
— Iryna Voichuk (@irynavoichuk.bsky.social) January 28, 2025 at 4:38 PM
Two women are killed as the result of the russian missile strike on Mykolaiv
— Kate from Kharkiv (@kateinkharkiv.bsky.social) January 28, 2025 at 5:04 PM
Odesa:
Odesa after the latest russian drone attack on the city
— Kate from Kharkiv (@kateinkharkiv.bsky.social) January 28, 2025 at 7:23 AM
Kharkiv:
Tonight, Russia struck Kharkiv with a “Shahed” drone, injuring two people and destroying a woodworking shop.
— Kate from Kharkiv (@kateinkharkiv.bsky.social) January 27, 2025 at 8:48 PM
Several fires broke out in Kharkiv overnight due to a russian drone attack on the city, affecting civilian enterprise and houses. Four people were injured.
— Iryna Voichuk (@irynavoichuk.bsky.social) January 28, 2025 at 3:08 AM
In Kharkiv, firefighters extinguished a 1,500-square-meter fire at an industrial facility caused by a russian drone strike.
— Kate from Kharkiv (@kateinkharkiv.bsky.social) January 28, 2025 at 7:06 AM
Kherson:
The overview of “human safari” in Kherson, Sumy, Kharkiv region, and Nikopol with @TVPWorld_com and @DonArleth
Ran out of time so more is forthcoming.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=mAq2…
⬇️
— Zarina Zabrisky (@zarinazabrisky.bsky.social) January 28, 2025 at 6:28 PM
Pokrovsk:
“On the Pokrovsk direction, a Leopard tank destroyed a column of 5 enemy armored vehicles.” – Operational Command “Khortytsia.” Combat work of the tankers from the 33rd Separate Mechanized Brigade.
t.me/c/1377735387…— WarTranslated (Dmitri) (@wartranslated.bsky.social) January 28, 2025 at 10:05 AM
Here’s the video as a standalone:
Kstovo Oblast, Russia:
🛢️/1. Just now. Russian oil refinery in Kstovo, region of Russia, was targeted by Ukrainian kamikaze drones. The oil refinery is located 800km from the frontline.
The oil refinery in Kstovo is the 4th most powerful in Russia. With a processing capacity of 17 million tons per year.
— 🦋Special Kherson Cat🐈🇺🇦 (@specialkhersoncat.bsky.social) January 28, 2025 at 5:38 PM
/2. Kstovo oil refinery location
— 🦋Special Kherson Cat🐈🇺🇦 (@specialkhersoncat.bsky.social) January 28, 2025 at 5:39 PM
Nizhny Novgorod, Russia:
The Lukoil refinery in Nizhny Novgorod, russia, is on fire due to mysterious reasons.🔥
— Kate from Kharkiv (@kateinkharkiv.bsky.social) January 28, 2025 at 5:57 PM
Lipny, Oryol Oblast, Russia:
Locals report a large number of buzzing UFOs spotted over the city of Lipny in the Oryol region of Russia. The target of the attack could be the local oil refinery. This is not the first time drones have been observed in the city—in 2024, drones have repeatedly flown over and struck various targets.
— WarTranslated (Dmitri) (@wartranslated.bsky.social) January 28, 2025 at 4:18 PM
That’s enough for tonight.
Your daily Patron!
There are no new Patron skeets or videos today. Here is some adjacent material.
🦁🇺🇦 Odesa Zoo showed a day in the life of its pets – white lions.
These are extremely rare animals listed in the Red Book. There are only about 300 of these predators in the world, and several of them are “Odessans” 🥰— Vitalis Viva (@vitalisviva.bsky.social) January 12, 2025 at 9:36 AM
Open thread!
MomSense
Thank you, Adam for providing us with this invaluable service. I can only imagine the toll it takes to bear witness to this ongoing atrocity.
Adam L Silverman
@MomSense: You’re most welcome.
Jay
Thank you, Adam.
wombat probability cloud
Painful that Umerov is under investigation. I have absolutely no idea if the siren’s song of financial enrichment infects even someone like him, or if this is the result of the churn of paranoia that Ukraine must be in. Hellish.
Jay
@wombat probability cloud:
It’s less about financial corruption, and more about corrupting institutional rules to accumulate power and authority.
funlady75
thanks Adam.
AlaskaReader
Thanks Adam
lashonharangue
Thanks Adam. It seems like Ukraine thinks Russia’s oil refineries are the center of gravity in this war. Maybe they could teach how to figure this out to our national security professionals. Or maybe our people knew this all along and that’s why they didn’t want Ukraine using our missiles.
way2blue
A bit off topic again. Part of a recent email from “HR” (Office of Personnel Management, OPM). A kludge of ‘patriotic’ buzz words & malice. Fun times ahead: