Key developments on Jan. 7:
- Ukraine hits Russia's infantry brigade command put up in Kursk Oblast, army claims
- In historic document, Ukrainian F-16 pilot downs 6 cruise missiles in single mission, Air Power claims
- Trump blames Biden for frightening Russia's conflict by supporting Ukraine's NATO aspirations
- Ukraine says it holds Kurakhove's western outskirts regardless of Russia's declare of seize
Ukrainian troopers struck on Jan. 7 the command put up of Russia's 810th Guards Naval Infantry Brigade close to the village of Belaya in Russia's Kursk Oblast, Ukraine's Common Employees claimed.
The report got here days after Ukraine reportedly launched renewed offensive operations in Kursk Oblast, which is seen as a vital bargaining chip for potential peace negotiations. Nearly 100 Russian floor assaults were repelled in Kursk Oblast over the previous day, the Common Employees stated.
"Such hearth harm is an integral a part of fight operations of Ukraine's Protection Forces models, that are engaged in fight operations on the territory of the Russian Federation," the assertion read.
No additional particulars on the assault and the extent of the harm had been disclosed. The Russian army has not commented on Ukraine's declare.
One other Russian command post got here below Ukraine's assault in Maryino, Kursk Oblast, on Jan. 2, based on the army.
The Kyiv Impartial couldn’t confirm these claims.
The Russian Protection Ministry alleged on Jan. 6 that the Ukrainian advance was halted and that Ukraine's main models had been destroyed close to Berdin, a settlement alongside a street main northeast to the town of Kursk.
Ukrainian forces launched a large-scale operation in Kursk Oblast in early August, allegedly capturing as much as 1,300 sq. kilometers (500 sq. miles) of Russian soil.
Since then, Russia has deployed reinforcements — together with North Korean troopers — within the space and reportedly retook round half of the misplaced territory.
The Kyiv IndependentBoldizsar Gyori
In historic document, Ukrainian F-16 pilot downs 6 cruise missiles in single mission, Air Power claims
For the primary time within the historical past of the F-16 Preventing Falcon, a Ukrainian-operated jet shot down six Russian cruise missiles throughout a single mission in December, together with two with the plane cannon, the Air Power claimed on Jan. 7.
The interception reportedly came about throughout a mass Russian aerial strike on the morning of Dec. 13, 2024, which noticed Russia deploy nearly 200 drones and 94 missiles.
"For the primary time within the historical past of the Preventing Falcon, an F-16 fighter jet destroyed six Russian cruise missiles in a single fight mission," the Air Force Command stated on social media.
Ukraine has obtained a variety of U.S.-made F-16 fighter jets from the Netherlands and Denmark, deploying them multiple times in air protection roles throughout Russian mass strikes on cities and infrastructure.
"They are saying that even Individuals couldn't consider you probably did it," Air Power Command spokesperson Yurii Ihnat stated in an interview with the pilot, whose identification was not revealed.
The aviator stated that he approached a gaggle of cruise missiles and, regardless of their digital warfare countermeasures, managed to lock on to targets. The F-16 reportedly shot down one pair of Russian projectiles with medium-range missiles after which one other pair with short-range missiles.
Ukrainian F-16s are equipped with 4 air-to-air medium-range and short-range missiles.
With out missiles and low on gas, the pilot was then recalled from the world however noticed one other missile heading towards Kyiv. He moved to intercept it and opened hearth from his plane cannon towards the projectile, which was flying over 650 kilometers per hour, a tough and dangerous maneuver, the Air Power stated.
"A number of bursts from the cannon — and an explosion… then one other one! 'A secondary detonation,' I assumed, however, because it turned out, there have been two missiles," the pilot stated, including he did all the pieces as taught by U.S. instructors.
In line with the Air Power Command, Ukrainian pilots have discovered the way to shoot down missiles with plane cannons in simulators within the U.S. however have by no means tried it throughout precise fight earlier than.
The Kyiv Impartial couldn’t confirm the claims.
The F-16 Preventing Falcon entered into service in late 1978, and its numerous variations have been utilized by over two dozen international locations, together with the U.S. and its European allies. Greater than 4,600 F-16s have been built, and the platform has been deployed in a number of conflicts worldwide.
The Kyiv IndependentMartin Fornusek
Trump blames Biden for frightening Russia's conflict by supporting Ukraine's NATO aspirations
Throughout a Jan. 7 press convention, U.S. President-elect Donald Trump blamed President Joe Biden for frightening Russia’s full-scale invasion by supporting Ukraine’s NATO membership aspirations.
Trump argued that Ukraine’s potential NATO membership has lengthy been a serious concern for Moscow. "That’s been like written in stone. And Biden stated, 'No, they need to have the ability to be a part of NATO.' Then Russia has any individual proper on their doorstep. I may perceive their [Russia's] emotions about that."
A report by The Wall Avenue Journal has beforehand prompt that Trump’s crew was exploring a plan to delay Ukraine’s NATO membership by not less than 20 years in alternate for Western arms provides and European peacekeepers to watch a possible ceasefire with Russia.
Trump additionally criticized Biden’s overseas coverage selections, together with the withdrawal from Afghanistan, repeating his claims that they contributed to Russian President Vladimir Putin's determination to launch a full-scale conflict towards Ukraine.
When requested about potential negotiations with Putin, Trump stated he would wait till after his Jan. 20 inauguration to carry talks.
"I don’t suppose it’s applicable that I meet till after Jan. 20, which I hate as a result of you recognize day by day persons are being — many, many younger persons are being killed — troopers," he stated.
On Dec. 19, Putin reiterated his willingness to engage in dialogue with Trump however upheld Moscow’s calls for, together with the need to fully occupy 4 Ukrainian areas — Luhansk, Donetsk, Zaporizhzhia, and Kherson — and a rejection of Ukraine’s NATO membership.
Trump has pledged in the course of the election marketing campaign to convey a swift end to the conflict however has not outlined concrete steps for attaining peace.
Russian Overseas Minister Sergey Lavrov expressed dissatisfaction with Trump’s reported peace deal proposals on Dec. 29, saying that Moscow rejects any plan that fails to fulfill its calls for.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky expressed cautious optimism about working with the incoming U.S. administration, reiterating Ukraine’s dedication to a diplomatic decision by 2025.
The Kyiv IndependentFrancis Farrell
Ukraine says it holds Kurakhove's western outskirts regardless of Russia's declare of seize
Ukrainian forces proceed to carry positions within the western outskirts of Kurakhove in Donetsk Oblast and a neighborhood energy plant, however the scenario within the city is "tough," a army spokesperson stated on Jan. 7.
"The scenario in Kurakhove is actually fairly tough proper now as a result of a big a part of the town has been destroyed," Khortytsia group of forces spokesperson Viktor Trehubov stated on nationwide tv on Jan. 7, solely a day after Russia claimed to have full management over the city.
Kurakhove has turn out to be one of many focal factors of the Russian offensive in Donetsk Oblast over the previous few months, turning the city into one of many hottest sectors of the entrance.
The city lies over 20 kilometers (over 10 miles) north of Russian-occupied Vuhledar and over 30 kilometers (nearly 20 miles) south of the important thing front-line city of Pokrovsk.
"Ukrainian troops are holding on the western a part of the city, its western outskirts. They’re additionally holding onto an influence plant positioned within the city," Trehubov added. In line with the spokesperson, Russian forces try to raze Kurakhove constructing by constructing, destroying any potential defenses for Ukrainian troopers.
This methodology mirrors Russian techniques utilized in different front-line cities like Toretsk, the place there are reportedly "no intact buildings left" after Moscow's onslaught.
In its Jan. 7 report, the General Staff of Ukraine's Armed Forces reported warding off 26 Russian assaults within the Kurakhove sector, together with within the space of the city itself.
The DeepState monitoring group exhibits Kurakhove nearly fully in Russian fingers, save for small areas within the west.
If taken, Kurakhove could be the primary important city to fall into Russian fingers in 2025 after Russia took Avdiivka and Vuhledar final yr. Moscow's troops now focus their efforts on Pokrovsk, an necessary logistics hub, as a part of their general aim to seize your complete Donetsk Oblast.
The Kyiv IndependentBoldizsar Gyori