(Image by NEIVANMADE)
At 7:25 PM EST/2:25 AM local time in Ukraine, air raid alerts are up over all of eastern and central Ukraine, as well as part of western Ukraine for drone swarms.
Here is President Zelenskyy’s address from earlier today. Video below, English transcript after the jump.
There Must Be More of Our Own and European Engagement so that We Can Support Our People while a New American Policy Is Being Formulated – Address by the President
29 January 2025 – 20:59
I wish you health, fellow Ukrainians!
Today an initial report was given by Government officials and team of the Office – Oleksii Kuleba and Viktor Mykyta – on critical programs that are now suspended and were previously funded by American support. I have already instructed them to do some key things at our internal expense, as well as to communicate with the Europeans. Energy sector – there were programs for distributed generation, other resilience programs for Ukrainian communities, for cities and villages. The second issue is veteran projects, which were, are, and will continue to be numerous in our regions and communities. Veteran hubs, support lines, assistance in setting up veterans’ private businesses. And the third – border crossing points – is something that was developed in cooperation with partners. The new modern crossing points are intended to accelerate economic activity and increase the transparency of customs officers’ work. In particular, these are projects in ports. Indeed, it is about economic security. We will seek a greater internal resource for this. There are certain issues related to the Ministry of Health, as well as to cybersecurity. We are dealing with all of this. I have also given instructions to continue the audit of the suspended areas of assistance from the United States; and there must be more of our own and European engagement, especially in the humanitarian, security, and social areas. So that we can support our people now, while a new American policy is being formulated.
Today, there was a report by the Minister of Energy. Regarding the work of our energy system – its restoration and development. I am grateful to every person in the energy sector who is doing everything to ensure that Ukraine can live. And when it comes to our work with the European Union, with our EU neighbors: it is important that we maintain our position – always constructive – that we can help our partners, those who really need it, and we are grateful to everyone who is helping us, who is helping Ukraine. Europeans need this feeling – that the joint energy market, joint systems, and projects really benefit Europeans. Only through unity is this possible. I spoke with the Prime Minister of Denmark, Mette Frederiksen, about both global and European challenges. I thanked Denmark for its support of Ukraine – for everything it does for us. We really appreciate it. We will develop our bilateral cooperation, which makes Europe stronger.
And today, Ukraine traditionally honors the memory of the heroes of Kruty and of all our heroes. I visited Askold’s Grave today. I honored “Juice,” “Da Vinci,” Pavlo Petrychenko, Mark Paslavskyi, Oleksandr Klitynskyi, and every Ukrainian warrior who gave his or her life for our independence. We must always remember them. And the young men and women who are now being educated in our military educational institutions – Ukrainian cadets, Ukrainian lyceum students, I met with them today – they must also realize this truth: Ukraine exists as long as there are people willing to fight for it. We absolutely must prevail – achieve our goals.
Glory to Ukraine!
Georgia:
Protesters gathered in front of the Public Broadcaster on Kostava Street marched to Rustaveli Avenue.
#GeorgiaProtests
Day 63
— Publika.ge (@publikage.bsky.social) January 29, 2025 at 2:04 PM
Day 63 large-scale, continuous. Day 93 overall. In parallel to Georgia scoring a major victory in the Council of Europe, things seem on the rise again in Tbilisi as well! ✊🏻🇬🇪🇪🇺 #GeorgiaProtests
— Marika Mikiashvili 🇬🇪🇺🇦🇪🇺 (@marikamikiashvili.bsky.social) January 29, 2025 at 1:10 PM
#Georgia: Journalist Mzia Amaglobeli, co-founder and director of Batumelebi and @netgazeti.org, has been on hunger strike since 12 January after being abused while held in detention. We urge Georgia’s authorities to release Amaglobeli immediately. @abellanger.bsky.social
SOS! “Mzia Amaglobeli has been trying to send out the letter for nearly a week, but it remains stuck somewhere in the system. Most likely, they will shift the blame to the postal service, just as they did with her appeal, which supposedly “arrived late” at the court of appeals. 1/
— Marika Mikiashvili 🇬🇪🇺🇦🇪🇺 (@marikamikiashvili.bsky.social) January 29, 2025 at 9:17 AM
Today marks the 18th day of her hunger strike against injustice. Meanwhile, the man who degraded her during her detention still holds his position as the Batumi police chief.”
Irma Dimitradze, @netgazeti.org journalist. 2/2.
#terrorinGeorgia
#GeorgiaProtests— Marika Mikiashvili 🇬🇪🇺🇦🇪🇺 (@marikamikiashvili.bsky.social) January 29, 2025 at 9:17 AM
The illegitimate, violent, Kremlin-backed, pro-CCP, pro-Iranian regime in Georgia pushes people to the extreme. #terrorinGeorgia #GeorgiaProtests
— Marika Mikiashvili 🇬🇪🇺🇦🇪🇺 (@marikamikiashvili.bsky.social) January 29, 2025 at 6:06 PM
After PACE adopted a resolution calling on Georgian Dream to organize new elections and release political prisoners, Tea Tsulukiani announced that, by the GD’s decision, they are ceasing work in the assembly.
— Publika.ge (@publikage.bsky.social) January 29, 2025 at 2:03 PM
Tsulukiani said that these conditions are unacceptable for Georgian Dream.
— Publika.ge (@publikage.bsky.social) January 29, 2025 at 2:07 PM
In April 2025, during its next session, PACE will review the issue of credentials, and if the demands outlined in the resolution are not met, the revocation of credentials may be considered.
— Publika.ge (@publikage.bsky.social) January 29, 2025 at 2:05 PM
Germany:
“Back then, Hitler tried to kill me because I was Jewish, and now Putin is trying to kill me because I am Ukrainian.” – In the German Bundestag, on the anniversary of the Holocaust, 90-year-old Roman Schwarzman gave a speech.
— WarTranslated (Dmitri) (@wartranslated.bsky.social) January 29, 2025 at 12:37 PM
Australia:
Australian volunteer Oscar Jenkins, who fought on the side of Ukraine and was considered dead, is alive and held in Russian captivity.
Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong stated that Russia must treat him according to international humanitarian law.
www.theguardian.com/australia-ne…— WarTranslated (Dmitri) (@wartranslated.bsky.social) January 29, 2025 at 8:47 AM
Back to Ukraine.
The Chief of the Defence Intelligence of Ukraine Kyrylo Budanov commented on rumors of “possible threats to Ukraine’s existence”.
youtu.be/yZrVYD3b0iM?…— WarTranslated (Dmitri) (@wartranslated.bsky.social) January 29, 2025 at 9:37 AM
Nemesis unit continues to bombard Russian air defense systems. This time we have a night chase with Russian TOR ADS. t.me/nemesis_412/…
— 🦋Special Kherson Cat🐈🇺🇦 (@specialkhersoncat.bsky.social) January 29, 2025 at 4:31 PM
Ukrainian tank engages in close night combat with Russian BMD. t.me/official24om…
— 🦋Special Kherson Cat🐈🇺🇦 (@specialkhersoncat.bsky.social) January 29, 2025 at 2:11 PM
Kupiansk, Kharkiv Oblast:
Russia’s war crimes have become so routine, they barely make headlines. But let’s be clear: today in Kupiansk, they targeted an ambulance. Three medics injured. Terror is russia’s strategy.
— Iryna Voichuk (@irynavoichuk.bsky.social) January 29, 2025 at 12:47 PM
Sumy:
Russian drone struck an apartment building in Sumy, killing at least one person‼️
— Kate from Kharkiv (@kateinkharkiv.bsky.social) January 29, 2025 at 7:02 PM
The Dnipro River near Kherson:
Mining of the Dnipro river channels near Kherson using river mines and the subsequent detonation of a Russian assault group.
— 🦋Special Kherson Cat🐈🇺🇦 (@specialkhersoncat.bsky.social) January 29, 2025 at 10:08 AM
Chasiv Yar:
Chasiv Yar. Go ahead and zoom in to see the so-called Russian ‘liberation’ with your own eyes.
— Kate from Kharkiv (@kateinkharkiv.bsky.social) January 29, 2025 at 5:34 AM
Hola Prystan, Kherson Oblast:
Very rare footage of M712 Copperhead guided munition precision strike on Russian fortifications. Kherson region, Hola Prystan. t.me/stanislav_os…
— 🦋Special Kherson Cat🐈🇺🇦 (@specialkhersoncat.bsky.social) January 29, 2025 at 8:21 AM
Pokrovsk:
⚡️ Russian assault intensity declines, focus on Pokrovsk sector, monitoring group reports.
Despite suffering heavy losses, Russian forces have reportedly been able to replenish their combat strength.
— The Kyiv Independent (@kyivindependent.com) January 29, 2025 at 9:04 AM
From The Kyiv Independent:
The intensity of Russian assault operations in Ukraine is declining but remains high, according to an analysis by the monitoring group DeepState, published on Jan. 28.
Russian forces have concentrated 44% of their attacks in the Pokrovsk sector, a crucial logistics hub for Ukrainian troops in Donetsk Oblast.
The peak intensity of Russian offensives was recorded in the second half of December, following a surge in attacks that began in late November.
Although the pace has slowed somewhat since the New Year, DeepState recorded the following attack numbers: 5,205 in November, 6,247 in December, and 4,304 in January as of Jan. 27.
Despite suffering heavy losses, Russian forces have reportedly been able to replenish their combat strength, allowing them to sustain attacks across multiple front-line sectors.
As part of this effort, Russia has intensified assaults near Pokrovsk, deploying small groups in an attempt to encircle Ukrainian troops, Viktor Trehubov, spokesperson for Ukraine’s Khortytsia group of forces, said on Jan. 27.
The town of Kurakhove has also been a target. Russia’s Defense Ministry claimed on Jan. 6 that its forces had fully captured the settlement, though Ukraine has not confirmed this.
Russian forces also claimed on Jan. 26 to have captured Velyka Novosilka, a strategically significant settlement in the western part of Donetsk Oblast. Ukraine’s 110th Mechanized Brigade acknowledged withdrawing from parts of the village to avoid encirclement.
The Kursk sector accounted for 13% of assaults, while 10% occurred in the Lyman sector.
Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi in November described the ongoing offensive as “one of the most powerful” since Russia’s full-scale invasion began in February 2022.
Ukraine’s General Staff reported continued Russian offensives along multiple axes, including Lyman, Siversk, Kramatorsk, Toretsk, and Kurakhove.
Throughout the autumn, Russian forces made operational gains in southern Donetsk Oblast, particularly near Chasiv Yar and Kupiansk.
Despite their persistent offensives, Russian forces have not achieved a major breakthrough, while Ukrainian defenses remain under constant pressure across multiple front-line sectors.
Murmansk Oblast, Russia:
Russian Ministry of Defense reported an attack/interception of a drone over the territory of the Murmansk region.
The border of the Murmansk region is 1,560km from the front line at the closest point.
— 🦋Special Kherson Cat🐈🇺🇦 (@specialkhersoncat.bsky.social) January 29, 2025 at 8:37 AM
That’s enough for tonight.
Your daily Patron!
There are no new Patron skeets or videos tonight. Here is some adjacent material.
💙😻 The best navigator in the world that always points the right way!
Good luck guys!— Vitalis Viva (@vitalisviva.bsky.social) December 30, 2024 at 6:44 AM
Open thread!
funlady75
thanks Adam.
Jay
Thank you, Adam.
Adam L Silverman
@funlady75: You’re welcome.
Adam L Silverman
@Jay: You’re welcome too.
Adam L Silverman
I’m going to get cleaned up and rack out.
Everyone have a great night/morning depending on where you are.
And, as always, everyone is most welcome.
Jay
Graphic at link.
AlaskaReader
Thanks Adam