Day: January 2, 2025

The Ministry of Defense’s Main Inspectorate will conduct a thorough review of the Ukrainian Ground Forces Command, focusing on the efficiency of management processes, according to Ukrainian Defense Minister Rustem Umerov.

Umerov believes that victory requires a deep analysis of experience and an honest understanding of mistakes, especially within the Ground Forces, Ukraine’s largest and most strategically significant military branch.

“Events within the Ground Forces directly impact the situation on the frontline. That is why I support the need for the new Ground Forces Commander, Major General Mykhailo Drapatyi, to have a complete picture of the current state of affairs,” Umerov explained.

The inspection will include:

• Analysis of the organizational structure and responsibilities.
• Evaluation of the effectiveness of management processes.
• Compliance checks with legal regulations.

Based on the findings, reforms will be implemented in management systems and personnel policies. Operational processes will be optimized, and combat readiness will be enhanced through new approaches to training.

Scandals in the Ukrainian Armed Forces

Recently, the media reported on mistreatment by officers of the 211th Pontoon-Bridge Brigade of the Support Forces of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, including an incident where a soldier was reportedly tied to a wooden cross.

In response, the brigade’s commander, Oleh Poberezhniuk, has been charged with abuse of power.

Defense Minister Rustem Umerov stated that the Ministry of Defense’s Main Inspectorate will investigate these incidents. He also announced plans to establish the position of a military ombudsman to safeguard the rights of military personnel.

The Russian Federation has recruited up to 180,000 prisoners to participate in the war since the start of the full-scale invasion of Ukraine. They receive lower payments than other Russian soldiers, according to the Foreign Intelligence Service.

According to intelligence data, as of November 2024, the Russian Federation has recruited between 140,000 and 180,000 individuals who were serving sentences for crimes in Russian prisons to participate in the Russian-Ukrainian war.

At the same time, it is known that there were about 300,000-350,000 prisoners in Russian colonies and prisons as of 2024. This is half the number compared to 2014. The reason for this decrease is their involvement in the war.

Intelligence officials revealed that previously prisoners received a one-time payment of $1,718 under their contracts. However, in July 2024, this payment was increased to $3,524. However, prisoners and their families are deprived of several benefits and allowances received by members of volunteer formations. Additionally, the salary of these individuals is two to four times lower than that of other soldiers.

At the end of December 2024, Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin signed a decree to cancel the one-time payments for prisoners. Those who have signed contracts with the Russian Ministry of Defense will not receive these payments.

Mobilization of prisoners in Russia

The recruitment of prisoners in Russia has become a common practice during the war against Ukraine. Since the middle of 2022, the Russian government, with the assistance of private military companies such as the Wagner Group, has been involving prisoners in combat operations, offering them amnesty, financial payments, and other privileges.

This initiative has been condemned by human rights organizations, which emphasize the violations of human rights and the lack of transparency regarding the conditions for the prisoners. Many of them have died due to insufficient training, and the promised benefits often remained unfulfilled.

Additionally, we have reported that Russia also plans to form assault units from prisoners infected with hepatitis B and C.

Russian forces continue to assault the positions of Ukrainian defenders. The Ukrainian Defense Forces are disrupting the enemy’s plans, inflicting significant losses in manpower and equipment, according to the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

According to military officials, there have been 72 combat engagements since the start of the day.

“Border settlements continue to suffer from cynical shelling from the territory of the Russian Federation, including Bachivsk and Porozok in the Sumy region, as well as Tymofiivka in the Kharkiv region. The enemy also launched airstrikes using guided bombs on the areas of Taratutyne and Pokrovka in the Sumy region,” the General Staff explained.

Frontline situation

In the Kharkiv direction, Ukrainian forces repelled two attacks near Vovchansk.

In the Kupiansk direction, the enemy conducted three assaults near Zapadne, Dvorichna, and Kruhliakivka. One clash has ended, while two others are ongoing. Guided bomb airstrikes targeted Pishchane and Ivanivka.

In the Lyman direction, the enemy launched ten attacks near Nadiia, Makiivka, Terny, Hryhorivka, and the Serebrianskyi Forest. Seven attacks were repelled, and three battles are still underway.

In the Siversk direction, the enemy aviation struck Dronivka, Pazeno, and Siversk, using four guided aerial bombs.

In the Kramatorsk direction, Ukrainian defenders are successfully countering attempts by Russian forces to advance near Chasiv Yar and toward Stupochky.

In the Toretsk direction, the enemy launched four attacks near Toretsk and Shcherbynivka. Two assaults ended unsuccessfully for the Russian army, while two battles are ongoing. Kostiantynivka was struck by three guided aerial bombs.

In the Pokrovsk direction since the start of the day, Russian forces have attempted 20 assaults to dislodge Ukrainian defenders from positions near Myroliubivka, Lysivka, Novyi Trud, Pishchane, Shevchenko, Uspenivka, Solone, and Novovasylivka.

Ukrainian forces repelled 18 attacks, while two clashes are underway. Yablunivka was hit by an airstrike.

In the Kurakhove direction, Russian troops attacked 13 times near Kurakhove and Shevchenko. 11 battles have been completed, and two more are still ongoing.

In the Vremivka direction, the enemy unsuccessfully attacked Ukrainian positions 13 times near Yantarne, as well as in the directions of Kostiantynopil and Novosilka. Airstrikes were launched in the areas of Ulakly, Andriivka, and Novopil, using four guided bombs and unguided air-to-surface missiles.

In the Orikhiv direction, Russian forces continued shelling Ukrainian positions and civilian infrastructure. Airstrikes with unguided air-to-surface missiles targeted Mali Shcherbaky and Piatykhatky.

In the Prydniprovskyi direction, Russian forces launched two unsuccessful assaults on Ukrainian positions. The situation remains under control.

In the Kursk region, Ukrainian defenders repelled one enemy attack, with two additional engagements ongoing. Meanwhile, Russian forces conducted five airstrikes on their own territory, deploying five guided bombs.

Russia’s losses

On January 1, Russian forces suffered significant losses on the battlefield. Ukrainian defenders eliminated 1,370 enemy personnel, four tanks, 13 armored vehicles, 20 artillery systems, 69 tactical UAVs, 54 vehicles, and three units of specialized equipment.

Additionally, the missile forces and artillery units of the Ukrainian Defense Forces struck four areas of enemy troop and equipment concentrations, as well as two Russian air defense systems.