Lives Need Protection Here and Now in Ukraine, and Air Defense Systems Must Be Operational for This Purpose – Address by the President

4 January 2025 – 20:14

Dear Ukrainians!

Rescue operations are underway in Svesa, a town in the Sumy region, following Russian bomb strikes. A residential building was hit. An entire section was destroyed – apartments from the first to the fifth floors. Neighboring buildings were also damaged. Yet another Russian attack on the lives of ordinary Ukrainian families. Seven people were injured, including a child, a two-year-old girl. She’s currently in the hospital. All the victims are receiving the necessary assistance.

Today, there were also strikes with guided aerial bombs on other villages in our Sumy region – Myropillia and Vilna Sloboda – as well as on the Kharkiv region. Meanwhile, the rescue operation in Chernihiv has been completed following a missile strike there. More than forty buildings were destroyed or damaged. Sadly, there was one fatality in Chernihiv. My condolences.

The task remains unchanged – strengthening our air defense. We’re already preparing for the upcoming meeting in Ramstein, scheduled for this week. Dozens of partner countries will participate, including those capable of boosting our defense not only against missiles but also against guided bombs and Russian aircraft. We’ll be discussing this with them and working to persuade them. Lives need protection here and now in Ukraine, and air defense systems must be operational for this purpose. I want to thank all our partners who understand this and help us develop an air shield.

Today, Commander-in-Chief Syrskyi gave me a detailed briefing on our actions at the front. Fierce battles continue along the entire front line, with the hottest spot being near Pokrovsk. The occupier continues to waste an insane number of its people in assaults. And I thank each and every one of our units, all our brigades defending Ukrainian positions and eliminating the occupier.

The Commander-in-Chief also reported on the situation in the Kursk region. Specifically, in battles today and yesterday near just one village – Makhnovka in the Kursk region – the Russian army lost up to a battalion of infantry, including North Korean soldiers and Russian paratroopers. And that’s tangible.

I especially want to commend the professionalism and effectiveness of our Special Operations Forces and the 80th Separate Air Assault Brigade.

We must all remember – hostilities continue every single day. Russia carries out terrorist strikes every single day. Every day we have to support our army, all of our Defense and Security Forces, be active in our relations with partners – maintain relationships, build new connections, as well as ramp up our own defense production and secure the necessary defense assistance.

We need new results every week. Without a doubt, this year will involve a lot of diplomacy – and no one wants peace more than Ukraine. Real diplomacy – the kind we need – can only be built on our strong positions. Without a doubt, the strength of our army, our entire nation, and our state. Thank you to everyone who is strengthening Ukraine!

Glory to Ukraine!

Germany:

Roderich Kiesewetter, defense spokesperson for Germany’s Christian Democratic Union (CDU), said saidthat Chancellor Olaf Scholz could meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin before Germany’s parliamentary elections on Feb. 23.

kyivindependent.com/german-oppos…

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— The Kyiv Independent (@kyivindependent.com) January 4, 2025 at 5:10 PM

From The Kyiv Independent:

Roderich Kiesewetter, defense spokesperson for Germany’s Christian Democratic Union (CDU), said said that Chancellor Olaf Scholz could meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin before Germany’s parliamentary elections on Feb. 23.

“There are increasing indications that Chancellor Scholz will travel to Moscow and meet Putin before February 23,” Kiesewetter said on X. “For Ukraine, implementing the intended plans would mean, among other things, a suspension of the Paris Charter for 10 to 20 years. How the Ukrainian population or our neighbors react to all of this will be revealing.”

Kiesewetter criticized the potential meeting, warning that “Ukraine must not be the object or the victim. Russia is up to its neck in economic and social terms, but Ukraine, which is in much worse shape, should be accommodated—not Russia!” He also cautioned that any negotiations at this time “are at the expense of Ukraine and de facto mean submission.”

In his election campaign, Scholz has positioned himself as a “chancellor of peace,” advocating for both support for Ukraine and negotiations with Russia to end the war. However, Kiesewetter took aim at what he referred to as the “so-called ‘Moscow connection'” and called for greater clarity and resolve within Germany’s leadership.

The CDU is currently leading in pre-election polls, with party leader Friedrich Merz widely seen as the frontrunner to become Germany’s next chancellor.

It is standard procedure to go for your end of assignment review and evaluation before you out process and move on to your next assignment.

Georgia:

#GeorgiaProtests
Day 38

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— Publika.ge (@publikage.bsky.social) January 4, 2025 at 1:32 PM

On January 4, protesters in #Batumi chanted “Shame!” at Nutsa Buzaladze during a City Hall-funded concert. Buzaladze, who performed at a Moscow event in 2023, has received substantial public funds for her shows, including 18K GEL for a concert in Akhaltsikhe.
#GeorgiaProtests

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— Batumelebi&Netgazeti (@netgazeti.org) January 4, 2025 at 3:20 PM

“rotests are underway in Batumi too. Like in Tbilisi, people are protesting continuously in Batumi.

#GeorgiaProtests
Day 38

📷 Ipn.ge

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— Publika.ge (@publikage.bsky.social) January 4, 2025 at 12:42 PM

Day 38. #NewElectionsforGeorgia #GeorgiaProtests #terrorinGeorgia

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— Marika Mikiashvili 🇬🇪🇺🇦🇪🇺 (@marikamikiashvili.bsky.social) January 4, 2025 at 12:21 PM

Irakli Rukhadze the main villain behind the propaganda media TV Imedi is a US citizen. There’s also British money behind Imedi through Hunnewell Partners. Rukhadze seems nervous over the possibility of various sanctions. I suppose he could be useful. We could try.

— Marika Mikiashvili 🇬🇪🇺🇦🇪🇺 (@marikamikiashvili.bsky.social) January 4, 2025 at 8:46 AM

I’m really curious who is funding him in the US.

JUST IN: Targeted beatings of female protesters began.
In the last two days, a couple of active women protesters were physically assaulted by regime thugs as they minded their daily business. Teacher and violinist Gvantsa Chkheidze, for example. #terrorinGeorgia #GeorgiaProtests

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— Marika Mikiashvili 🇬🇪🇺🇦🇪🇺 (@marikamikiashvili.bsky.social) January 4, 2025 at 8:10 AM

⭕ Today, January 4, violinist Gvantsa Chkhaidze, an active participant in the ongoing protests, wrote on Facebook that an unknown individual slammed her against a concrete wall.

#GeorgiaProtests
#TerrorinGeorgia

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— Publika.ge (@publikage.bsky.social) January 4, 2025 at 7:25 AM

⚠️ Yesterday, January 3, citizen Ia Gabunia reported that unknown individuals attacked her near her home and physically assaulted her. She linked the incident to the ongoing protests.

#GeorgiaProtests
#TerrorinGeorgia

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— Publika.ge (@publikage.bsky.social) January 4, 2025 at 7:25 AM

The Ministry of Internal Affairs announces that it is expelling 25 foreign nationals from Georgia who participated in protest rallies. According to the ministry, 10 of them have already left the country.

#GeorgiaProtests
#TerrorinGeorgia

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— Publika.ge (@publikage.bsky.social) January 4, 2025 at 3:35 AM

I hope the actual participation in the announced 3-hour January 15 will be large. These are all uncharted waters for Georgia. Never have we ever had to face such a regime in independent Georgia.

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— Marika Mikiashvili 🇬🇪🇺🇦🇪🇺 (@marikamikiashvili.bsky.social) January 4, 2025 at 8:18 AM

January 15 strike*

— Marika Mikiashvili 🇬🇪🇺🇦🇪🇺 (@marikamikiashvili.bsky.social) January 4, 2025 at 8:21 AM

Back to Ukraine.

Happy Birthday to the Ukrainian General with the irresistibly infectious smile!

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— Kate from Kharkiv (@kateinkharkiv.bsky.social) January 4, 2025 at 8:31 AM

He’s clearly very excited.

🎉😅 It turns out that Budanov celebrated his birthday and then immediately began to attack Russia en masse with drones, including military airfields.

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— MAKS 24 👀🇺🇦 (@maks23.bsky.social) January 4, 2025 at 5:36 PM

More on that at the bottom of the update.

Here is a long assessment from the Carnegie Endowment’s Michael Kofman:

A long thread on the war and the current situation. Although the worst-case scenarios didn’t materialize in 2024, it was the most difficult period since spring 2022. There were positive developments, and bright spots, but the current trajectory is negative. 1/

First, a brief retrospective. Last winter things looked bleak. Ukraine was dealing with a deficit of manpower, low supplies of ammunition, and was only starting to establish a network of fortifications. Russia held the initiative, and the materiel advantage going into 2024. 2/

Even though Avdiivka fell, by summer it became clear that a collapse of UA frontlines was unlikely. Russia’s Kharkiv offensive was unsuccessful, and they couldn’t capitalize on the strain imposed. Early results from UA mobilization in June-July seemed positive. 3/

It looked as though 2024 would be a difficult year, but the front could stabilize come winter, assuming sustained Western support, and Ukraine could address its manpower issues. Ukraine’s manpower, fortifications, and ammunition situation was improving. 4/

Unfortunately, while the critical shortages in ammunition were rectified, the more important positive trends on mobilization, and reconstitution were not sustained. Ukraine’s manning levels continued to decline, especially among infantry units holding the front lines. 5/

Mobilization rates dropped off considerably after the summer, and although AFU has been inflicting high casualties on Russian forces, it has also been taking significant casualties and dealing with increased numbers of troops AWOL. 6/

Despite the regular calls for more Western equipment, some units had to cannibalize their crews using said Western equipment to use as infantry, and in general, more equipment is unlikely to address the deficit of men at the front, or unwillingness to serve as infantry. 7/

The front is not imploding, but Russian forces have increased their rate of gain over July-December. The most problematic area is south of Pokrovsk. Following the fall of Avdiivka, then Vuhledar, RF forces have slowly taken important anchoring positions in Donetsk. 8/

Russian forces have not been able to convert their material advantage into operationally significant breakthroughs. This is partly due to force quality issues. They assault in a way that presses the front line, but is not conducive to achieving major breakthroughs. 9/

Attacks often employ small groups of dismounted infantry, along with light vehicle, and larger mechanized assaults. This is partly reduce equipment losses, but also due to a general inability to overcome prepared defenses, covered by pervasive reconnaissance, and strike UAS. 10/

These tactics yield incremental gains. Larger assaults have proven costly to Russian forces, which cannot afford sustained equipment losses of the kind seen earlier in Avdiivka, though company sized mechanized assaults were seen throughout the fall. 11/

Russia retains an advantage in airpower conducting standoff strikes. But Ukraine’s chief challenges include mobilization and training issues, force management, and how the force has been employed. It is not just insufficient men, or how they’re employed, but both. 12/

What’s different about the current dynamic? Russia lacks a decisive fires advantage, and there is parity in tactical strike drones. In some areas Ukraine is advantaged in UAS. Yet Russian progress has been increasing over the past six months. 13/

There is a visible slowdown in December, but weather is a significant factor. Russian forces advance south of Pokrovsk, flanking the city. AFU has lost more than 50% of the Kursk salient. Despite high RF/DPRK casualties there, Russian forces continue to press the pocket. 14/

The Kursk offensive forced a shift of some higher quality Russian forces, and RF airpower, to counterattack AFU units there, but it has not led to a change in the overall dynamic in this war and RF advances in Donetsk have only accelerated since August. 15/

Ukraine’s decision to make new brigades, instead of replacing losses at the front line among the best and most experienced units, had proven to be one of the more puzzling force management choices given the battlefield situation and problems with mobilization. 16/

Western countries did not promise UA 14 brigades of equipment, or even half that number. Expanding the force with new brigades, when men are desperately needed to replace losses among experienced formations deployed on the front lines, had visible tradeoffs. 17/

Not only are the new brigades inexperienced, lacking in good leadership, and generally combat ineffective, but they are also not being employed as brigades either. Instead, battalions are detached and sent piecemeal to reinforce other units. 18/

The scandal with the French trained 155th is just the most egregious case. As was seen in 2023, new formations perform poorly in offensive and defensive roles. Requiring considerable time to gain experience, cohesion, confidence, etc. 19/

Consequently, across the front units are being detached and attached to others short of men, leading to a steady fragmentation of the defensive effort and loss of cohesion. This patchwork groupings of forces must hold the front. 20/

UA still has to address longstanding issues with basic training, and command and control. Long overdue is a transition to corps from the current makeshift OSUV-OTU structure. Some existing brigades are already at or approaching the size of divisions. 21/

Meanwhile Ukrainian UAS units serve as essential force multipliers, employing remote mining, attriting Russian units before they’re able to make contact, and keeping Russian capabilities back in the critical 0-30km zone from the front line. 22/

However, tech innovation, tactical adaptation, and better integration are insufficient to compensate for failure to address the fundamentals. Russian gains may appear unimpressive, but UA needs to address manpower, training, and force management issues to sustain this fight. 23/

The air defense situation near the front line has improved, with Ukraine scaling successful use of FPV interceptors to take down Russian UAS behind the front lines. But air defense remains a major problem, especially for defending critical infrastructure. 24/

Russian long range drone strikes have increased significantly since the summer, with numbers at 5-6x compared to this spring. These attacks now employ a significant % of decoys, imitators, and other types of drones intended to exhaust air defense. 25/

Ukraine’s own long-range strike capacity has grown immensely, holding RF infrastructure at risk. As production of drones and ground launched cruise missile grows, in 2025 it will be far less dependent on Western strike capabilities, or dealing with associated restrictions. 26/

Yes, Russian losses are significant, but current RF contract rate is still providing replacements and enabling rotations. Russian payouts and bonuses have grown astronomically, raising questions on how long they can keep this up into 2025. Eventually, no amount of RUB will be enough. 27/

You could view the current situation positively: Ukraine is grinding down Russian forces. Russian gains are small relative to costs. There has been no collapse of the front. I find this narrative superficially appealing, but I think it obscures more than it enlightens. 28/

You won’t encounter these kinds of ‘positive vibes’ at the front line, or in Kyiv either. Ukraine is losing territory. The coldest part of the winter is yet ahead. The current theory of success is unclear, or what resources will be made available by the West in 2025. 29/

Given observed constraints, Russia can’t sustain this intensity of combat operations either, and faces significant headwinds in the latter half of 2025. But the current situation requires course correction. Spinning the prevailing dynamic as positive strikes me as unhelpful. 30/

Increased long-range strike capability alone is unlikely to compel Russia to negotiate as long as RF keeps making gains along the front, and increasing its own strike capacity. Stabilizing the front line is essential to buying time and forcing Moscow to reassess. 31/

AFU could attempt another offensive this winter, like the Kursk operation, seeking to shift the narrative and attain more Russian territory to bargain with. This may yield tactical successes, but will come at considerable risk to other parts of the front. 32/

The war is far from over and options remain for course correction. UA can still stabilize the front, raising the costs to Russia considerably in 2025. But the Trump administration is inheriting a weak hand, that won’t be easily rectified, lacking a common strategy with Kyiv. 33/

Ukraine and the West need to come together and form a coherent approach, tethered to the resources available, and an actual plan with steps both Kyiv and its allies must take. 34/

It will require a vision on how to stabilize the front, exhaust the RF offensive, and compel Russia into negotiations on favorable terms. Ukraine must also receive clarity on what security guarantees, and future support it can expect to deter another war.

Toretsk:

⚡️Russian soldiers near Toretsk disguise as civilians to bypass Ukrainian positions, military says.

The commander’s statement comes after reports on Russian forces starting to move toward the town of Toretsk.

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— The Kyiv Independent (@kyivindependent.com) January 4, 2025 at 9:50 AM

From The Kyiv Independent:

Russian troops are disguising themselves as civilians to bypass Ukrainian military positions in the Toretsk sector of the front line in Donetsk Oblast, commander of the mortar battery of the presidential brigade, call sign “Mozok” (“Brain”), told Suspilne on Jan. 3.

The commander’s statement comes after reports on Russian forces starting to move toward the town of Toretsk. Fighting with armored combat vehicles, motorcycles, and buggies took place in the village of Nelipivka, located south of Toretsk, in late December.

The soldier, whose name is undisclosed for security reasons, said that after passing Ukrainian positions, Russian soldiers disguised as civilians either wait for reinforcements or use anti-tank mines to attack Ukrainian positions.

“Some of the soldiers are former prisoners. They are tasked with smuggling anti-tank mines and throwing them into the area of our firing positions when the fighters cannot be knocked out during regular battles. They are trying to blow up buildings where our guys are located,” the soldier told Suspilne.

Small infantry groups are also trying to storm and bypass positions under the cover of fog, he added.

Toretsk has become one of the hottest spots in Donetsk Oblast in recent months as Russian troops continue advancing in Ukraine‘s east.

Throughout 2024, Ukraine has faced a challenging situation in its defense of the front line. Apart from Donetsk Oblast, Ukraine expects Russian forces to launch larger-scale attacks in Kherson and Zaporizhzhia oblasts.

Kyiv:

Such a lovely photo of a magical moon over Kyiv by Yevhen Kotenko, Ukrinform

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— Sofia (@sofiaukraini.bsky.social) January 4, 2025 at 12:16 AM

The photographer Yevhen is famous for this series of photos he has taken over a decade of people on this one bench in Kyiv
www.rferl.org/a/lifes-thea…

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— Sofia (@sofiaukraini.bsky.social) January 4, 2025 at 12:18 AM

Leningrad Oblast, Russia:

Imagine the damage to Russian port infrastructure Ukraine’s Armed Forces will do when the new generation longer-range and more powerful missile-drones go into serial production 😁

How to close the Northern Sea Route? Attack its terminal and transhipment port Ust-Luga. #CreativeDestruction

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— Andy Scollick (@andyscollick.bsky.social) January 4, 2025 at 8:02 AM

Smolensk Oblast, Russia:

Ukrainian drones overnight on Jan. 4 attacked Russia’s Avangard factory in Smolensk Oblast, which makes solid-fuel rocket motors, and missile transport and launch containers. Drones also reported in Bryansk, Smolensk, Belgorod and Pskov, and St. Petersburg airport was closed.

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— Euan MacDonald (@euanmacdonald.bsky.social) January 4, 2025 at 4:12 AM

Taganrog, Russia:

💥🔥 Rostov, Millerovo, Valuyki, Taganrog

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— MAKS 24 👀🇺🇦 (@maks23.bsky.social) January 4, 2025 at 5:20 PM

❗️

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— MAKS 24 👀🇺🇦 (@maks23.bsky.social) January 4, 2025 at 5:20 PM

💥

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— MAKS 24 👀🇺🇦 (@maks23.bsky.social) January 4, 2025 at 5:20 PM

That’s enough for tonight.

Your daily Patron!

There are no new Patron tweets or videos tonight.

Here is some adjacentish material:

Ukrainian railways together with Kyiv police officers created a fairy tale journey for children from displaced families, defenders, railway workers, police officers & rescuers. Young passengers will plunge into the world of Harry Potter magic on the steam locomotive with on board fun and games❤️

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— Sofia (@sofiaukraini.bsky.social) January 4, 2025 at 7:45 AM

On the facebook page, there was some criticism.
Valeriia asks… “Why only for those who have children? Adults love Harry Potter too” 😅

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— Sofia (@sofiaukraini.bsky.social) January 4, 2025 at 7:48 AM

Open thread!

Germany arrests several German/Russian nationals acting on orders of Russian intelligence to blow up trains and murder US military personnel in Europe.

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— SPRAVDI – Stratcom Centre (@stratcomcentre.bsky.social) January 2, 2025 at 4:34 AM

From Stars & Stripes:

GRAFENWOEHR, Germany — Three men have been charged with spying on U.S. military bases for Russia and plotting attacks on American personnel in retaliation for Western support of Ukraine, German prosecutors said.

The men, identified only as dual German-Russian nationals Dieter S., Alexander J. and Alex D., were charged Dec. 9 in the Munich Higher Regional Court with suspicion of working for a foreign intelligence agency, according to a statement Monday from the German federal prosecutor’s office.

Dieter S., who prosecutors say was the plot’s ringleader, was also charged with acting as a sabotage agent, conspiracy to cause an explosion and arson, declaring his willingness to interfere with rail traffic and endangering security by taking pictures of military installations.

The case first made headlines in April after Dieter S. and Alexander J. were arrested in Bayreuth, about 20 miles northwest of Tower Barracks in Grafenwoehr, the prosecutor’s office said at the time. Police raided the men’s homes and workplaces.

The pair surveilled U.S. military facilities, including the Army training area in Grafenwoehr, with the intention of disrupting NATO logistical support to Ukraine in its ongoing war with Russia, German news magazine Der Spiegel reported in April. Ukrainian forces receive combined-arms and weapons training there.

German law enforcement officials typically withhold the full identity of suspects due to the country’s strict privacy laws.

More at the link.

“the use of Cold War-era analogies—or even analogies from the war in Ukraine—might go out the window if the United States decided to deploy troops to defend Taiwan. There is no historical case of two nuclear-armed great powers engaged in direct combat” www.foreignaffairs.com/ukraine/real…

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— Shashank Joshi (@shashj.bsky.social) January 3, 2025 at 4:55 AM

Let’s see if you can spot the category error in the essay:

One major lesson to draw from the Biden administration’s Ukraine policy is that measuring success is more complicated than meets the eye. If the most important metric is providing Ukraine with the means to recapture all of its sovereign territory, Biden’s policy was a partial failure. Although Western aid has enabled Ukraine to put up significant resistance, the results remain indecisive. If the measure of success is whether the United States’ policy avoided starting another world war, however, the Biden administration’s approach fared better, although even here it is hard to know whether that same outcome could have been reached with more a rapid provision of aid.

At least once, if not multiple times a week, I include reporting in these updates about Russian attacks or plans to attack on the US, the EU and/or its member states, NATO and/or its member states, and on other non-EU and non-NATO US allies and partners. These attacks go back well over a decade. They begin somewhere between 2009 and 2011 and really begin to pick up speed in 2014 before going into overdrive in 2022. They include wetwork, cyberwarfare, influence operations and psychological warfare, special operations infiltration and attacks, sabotage, etc. The Biden administration didn’t prevent or avoid a new world war because we’ve been in one for a very, very long time. It is just a a world war where the character and characteristics of war are different from those of World War II just as World War II’s were different from World War I’s.

Finland:

👏 Finnish court upholds detention of shadow fleet tanker that damaged cables – Bloomberg

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— Ukrainska Pravda 🇺🇦 (@pravda.ua) January 3, 2025 at 1:01 PM

From Ukrainska Pravda:

Finland has been granted permission to continue detaining a tanker from the shadow fleet that damaged an energy cable and four communication cables in the Baltic Sea last week, a court ruled.

Source: Bloomberg

Details: The tanker Eagle S was detained by police on 28 December. Investigations of the seabed revealed multiple traces indicating the vessel had dragged its anchor during the incident.

This marks the third instance in just over a year where a ship’s anchor has caused damage to underwater infrastructure in the Baltic Sea.

On Friday, 3 January, the Helsinki District Court rejected a petition from the shipping company Caravella LLC, based in the United Arab Emirates, to end the tanker’s detention, according to an electronic response to inquiries.

The vessel, sailing under the Cook Islands flag, has been identified as part of the so-called shadow fleet transporting Russian petroleum products. It remains detained in a port in southern Finland and is under investigation for suspected serious crimes, including causing significant property damage and interfering with communication systems.

The US:

🇺🇸 🙏 White House announces new security aid for Ukraine in coming days

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— Ukrainska Pravda 🇺🇦 (@pravda.ua) January 3, 2025 at 3:34 PM

Ukrainska Pravda has the details:

The United States will make additional announcements about security aid for Ukraine in the coming days.

Source: Voice of America; John Kirby, White House National Security Communications Advisor, at briefing on 3 January, as reported by European Pravda

Details: The advisor did not announce any other details.

Kirby also admitted the possibility of holding the next meeting to support Ukraine in the Ramstein meeting before President-elect Donald Trump’s inauguration on 20 January.

Background: 

• On 30 December, the United States announced a security aid package for Ukraine worth almost US$2.5 billion. It includes transferring US$1.25 billion worth of weapons and equipment from the Pentagon’s stockpile to Ukraine and placing orders for new weapons worth US$1.22 billion under the Security Assistance Initiative for Ukraine (USAI).
• Kirby said that this package would include air defence systems for Ukraine.

Well it’s a good thing that the Ukrainians have invented protective armor for US air defense systems!

⚡️Ukraine’s largest steelmaker launches production of Patriot system armor.

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— The Kyiv Independent (@kyivindependent.com) January 3, 2025 at 7:50 AM

“In a month and a half, we created a project from scratch and made a shield from Metinvest’s Ukrainian armor steel for the Patriot system crew, which guarantees protection against debris damage to both the defenders and the air defense control center,” said Oleksandr Myronenko, a COO of Metinvest.

— The Kyiv Independent (@kyivindependent.com) January 3, 2025 at 7:51 AM

From The Kyiv Independent:

Engineers of Metinvest, Ukraine’s largest steel producer, developed an armored protection for the control module of the Patriot air defense system, the company announced on Jan. 3.

Ukraine has received at least three Patriot systems from Germany, one from the U.S., and one from Romania. Other countries, like the Netherlands and Spain, delivered individual launchers or missiles.

Throughout the full-scale war, there were several reports of damage to Patriot systems during Russia’s aerial attacks. Ukraine also uses mock-ups to protect the Patriots.

“In a month and a half, we created a project from scratch and made a shield from Metinvest’s Ukrainian armor steel for the Patriot air defense system crew, which guarantees protection against debris damage to both the defenders and the air defense control center,” said Oleksandr Myronenko, a COO of Metinvest Group.

Weighing over 2.6 tons, the armor consists of nearly 200 elements, including armored steel plates up to 8 milimeters thick.

According to the company, the weight of the armor does not affect the system’s functionality or mobility.

The company is also producing steel shields for T-64 and T-72 tanks, U.S.-made M1 Abrams tanks, and Bradley infantry fighting vehicles, and is preparing to integrate shields into various Leopard 2 tank modifications.

The armor for the Ukrainian Patriot air defence system. Designed to protect the crew and the control center from shrapnel damage.

▪️Material: Ukrainian armor steel grade 30ХН2МА.
▪️Design: almost 200 elements of armor plates up to 8 mm.

More details: metinvestholding.com/ua/media/new…

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— 🦋Special Kherson Cat🐈🇺🇦 (@specialkhersoncat.bsky.social) January 3, 2025 at 7:35 AM

Russia:

Ah yes, we will definitely have problems finding these giant, non moveable oil refineries now! 😅
www.pravda.com.ua/eng/news/202…

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— Sofia (@sofiaukraini.bsky.social) January 3, 2025 at 11:42 AM

Obligatory.

Georgia:

Rustaveli Avenue is blocked again.

#GeorgiaProtests
Day 37

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— Publika.ge (@publikage.bsky.social) January 3, 2025 at 11:33 AM

Day 37. #NewElectionsforGeorgia #GeorgiaProtests #terrorinGeorgia

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— Marika Mikiashvili 🇬🇪🇺🇦🇪🇺 (@marikamikiashvili.bsky.social) January 3, 2025 at 1:29 PM

Repressions in the public sector continue, seemingly targeting middle management the most. The latest dictatorial laws make middle management recruitment fully arbitrary, and their dismissal automatic upon the ministerial dismissal, making the middle management loyal at every step. 1/2

— Marika Mikiashvili 🇬🇪🇺🇦🇪🇺 (@marikamikiashvili.bsky.social) January 3, 2025 at 8:15 AM

Their type of contract isn’t even mandate them being Georgian citizens or proficient in the Georgian language. #terrorinGeorgia #GeorgiaProtests #NewElectionsforGeorgia 2/2.

— Marika Mikiashvili 🇬🇪🇺🇦🇪🇺 (@marikamikiashvili.bsky.social) January 3, 2025 at 8:15 AM

Back to Ukraine.

The reason:

The return of loved ones in Russian captivity, an end to Russian missile atracks, the ability to see family currently trapped in Russian occupied areas..

These are the heartfelt New Year’s wishes from the people of Ukraine.

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— SPRAVDI – Stratcom Centre (@stratcomcentre.bsky.social) December 31, 2024 at 9:45 AM

⚡️ Ukraine investigating French-trained brigade after reports of desertions, mismanagement.

Ukraine’s State Bureau of Investigation has launched a probe into suspected desertion and abuse of authority in the French-trained 155th “Anne of Kyiv” Mechanized Brigade, the bureau confirmed for Suspilne.

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— The Kyiv Independent (@kyivindependent.com) January 3, 2025 at 4:49 AM

From The Kyiv Independent:

Ukraine’s State Bureau of Investigation has launched a probe into suspected desertion and abuse of authority in the French-trained 155th “Anne of Kyiv” Mechanized Brigade, the bureau confirmed for Suspilne on Jan. 2.

The statement comes following a media investigation that claimed that soldiers of the unit, now deployed near Pokrovsk, have suffered losses and went AWOL (absent without leave) in large numbers due to poor command and organization on Ukraine‘s side.

The brigade is a flagship project under which Kyiv’s partners will help train new Ukrainian military formations and provide heavy equipment. The training of the 155th Brigade, named after an 11th-century Kyiv Rus princess and spouse to French King Henry I, was announced by French President Emmanuel Macron in June.

The unit has about 5,800 troops, fewer than 2,000 of whom have undergone training in France. It is armed with French AMX10 armored vehicles, Caesar howitzers, and German Leopard 2A4 tanks, among other weapons.

France fulfilled its obligations regarding training and arms, said Yurii Butusov, the chief editor of the Censor.net outlet, in the media investigation, putting the blame for the unit’s problems on top Ukrainian military and political leadership.

According to the journalist, the unit’s founding was an “organizational chaos” since the very beginning. Even before the training in France began, 2,500 service members were reportedly sent to other units, thus removing many of the most qualified personnel from the brigade.

Of the 1,924 soldiers eventually sent to France, only 51 had more than a year of military service, while 1,414 had served for less than two months, Butusov wrote.

The unit was also plagued by large numbers of soldiers going AWOL — about 50 deserted in France, in addition to hundreds who left their posts even before the unit was deployed at the front, according to the journalist.

Between March and November, over 1,700 soldiers had gone AWOL, Butusov claimed without providing evidence. Though the unit was replenished with new recruits, these often did not undergo “proper selection process,” the journalist added.

The military laid the blame for desertions in France on the brigade’s commander, Dmytro Riumshin, who was dismissed in early December alongside several other top officers. The new commanders were unaware of the problems plaguing the unit, adding to the confusion, Butusov wrote.

The 155th Brigade did not reportedly receive drones or electronic warfare equipment from the Ukrainian command. This, in addition to poor organization and insufficient training, is said to have contributed to the losses the unit suffered once deployed in combat in November.

The Kyiv Independent could not verify the claims.

The French Defense Ministry declined to comment on the investigation when approached by the media.

“The investigation is ongoing. It is too early to talk about any preliminary results,” the State Bureau of Investigation told Suspilne.

The news comes amid growing calls for reform in the Ukrainian military leadership as Kyiv finds itself increasingly on the back foot in the war with Russia.

The Kyiv Independent is also reporting on the related issues that have promoted an investigation of Ukraine’s Ground Forces Command.

Ukraine is to carry out a comprehensive review of the Ground Forces command, Defense Minister Rustem Umerov announced on Jan. 2, to be conducted by the Defense Ministry’s Main Inspectorate.

“Victory requires a deep analysis of experience, and an honest understanding of mistakes,” Umerov said.

The review aims to evaluate management structures, processes, and compliance with legislation to support reforms and enhance battlefield effectiveness.

The announcement comes after newly appointed Ground Forces Commander General Mykhailo Drapatyi unveiled plans on Dec. 12 for fundamental reforms to strengthen the branch.

Umerov said that the analysis would provide Drapatyi with a full picture of the state of affairs in the Ground Forces.

“Events in the Ground Forces directly affect the situation on the front,” Umerov said, underscoring the strategic importance of the reforms.

Based on the findings, the Defense Ministry plans to introduce reforms in personnel policies, optimize management processes, and improve combat capabilities with new training approaches.

Drapatyi’s proposed changes include revamping the recruitment system, which will have zero tolerance for corruption, enhanced front-line training, and integration of advanced technology into operations.

The reforms come amid reported personnel shortages, with slow mobilization efforts leaving some front-line units undermanned.

Drapatyi has highlighted the need to reform training curricula and prioritize social support for service members to prepare for modern warfare effectively.

Tatarigami has a new assessment on this issue published by Euromaidan Press:

To fully understand the current state of the war, it’s not enough to focus on arrows and units on a map. The real story lies in the deeper, systemic challenges. In an analytical piece for @euromaidanpress.bsky.social, I offer more comprehensive assessment:

euromaidanpress.com/2025/01/03/w…

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— Tatarigami (@tatarigami.bsky.social) January 3, 2025 at 3:06 PM

Here are some excerpts:

“A small Soviet army cannot defeat a big Soviet army.” Once a cautionary tale, this phrase now rings prophetic. Of course, calling Ukraine’s army a “small Soviet army” oversimplifies the issue – neither Russia’s nor Ukrainian military is truly Soviet in the broad sense, but both have inherited the Soviet military’s systemic flaws.

For Ukraine, decades of neglect, underfunding, lack of military prestige, and compounding socio-economic problems have exacerbated these problems. Only a large-scale demanding society-wide mobilization has laid these issues bare.

As the war dragged on, minor issues in 2022 became glaring problems by 2025. Ukraine’s professional military core eroded, replaced by mobilized teachers, drivers, farmers, and IT workers. The military’s rapid expansion brought problems initially dismissed as “growing pains.” Three years later, these issues expose systemic failures to adapt, not mere growing pains.

A recent damning report on the 155th Anne of Kyiv Brigade exposes deep underlying issues in Ukraine’s military. Despite receiving training in France, the brigade allegedly suffered from high AWOL rates and inadequate initial preparation. It was fragmented and attached to other frontline units — symptomatic of broader systemic problems — ultimately leading to severe underperformance.

These demand attention. Blaming everything on a lack of Western weapons is simplistic and misleading — the brigade was trained in France and wielded Western arms.

Ukraine’s major manpower issues are often misread as mere unwillingness to fight, assuming frontline reluctance stems from a lack of will. Such oversimplification ignores critical structural problems.

Honest discussion about these issues is essential, without downplaying or ignoring their existence. History shows existential, conventional, and industrial-scale wars like this require drafts and mobilization. World War II proved large wars can’t be won by motivated volunteers alone: success depends on the state efficiently generating and deploying mobilized resources.

When undermanned brigades lose positions, it’s not always due to insufficient recruitment. Poor organizational decisions, such as funneling new draftees into new units rather than reinforcing depleted, veteran brigades, are often to blame. The window of opportunity to address these identified issues is closing fast – inaction is not an option.

There is much more at the link,

At first glance, I honestly thought this was an incelcamino:

The Unequal Battle of a Russian Tank Against a Pothole

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— 🦋Special Kherson Cat🐈🇺🇦 (@specialkhersoncat.bsky.social) January 3, 2025 at 3:16 PM

Touch not the cat bot a glove:

Cat intercepts civilian FPV in mid-air.

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— 🦋Special Kherson Cat🐈🇺🇦 (@specialkhersoncat.bsky.social) January 3, 2025 at 7:29 AM

Kherson:

In Kherson, the occupiers struck the Lithuanian consulate.

“Such cruelty and destruction must stop. We must provide Ukraine with more air defense systems and other capabilities it needs to win.” – said Lithuanian Foreign Minister Kęstutis Budrys.

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— WarTranslated (Dmitri) (@wartranslated.bsky.social) January 3, 2025 at 1:23 PM

Would you look at that, another attack on a NATO member state.

Kharkiv:

Air raid alert and ballistic missiles threat in Kharkiv ⚠️
I’m feeling slightly russophobic right now

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— Kate from Kharkiv (@kateinkharkiv.bsky.social) January 3, 2025 at 9:24 AM

Kyiv:

In Kyiv, efforts to eliminate the aftermath of the January 1 attack continue.

The State Emergency Service (SES) reports that 50 rescuers, heavy emergency response equipment, municipal services, and volunteers are working on-site.

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— WarTranslated (Dmitri) (@wartranslated.bsky.social) January 3, 2025 at 5:33 AM

That’s enough for tonight.

Your daily Patron!

Here’s some adjacent material from Georgia:

I just petted a fella at the #GeorgiaProtests!

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— Marika Mikiashvili 🇬🇪🇺🇦🇪🇺 (@marikamikiashvili.bsky.social) January 3, 2025 at 1:46 PM

Open thread!