Day: January 2, 2025

The past year was the most challenging for Ukraine’s energy system since the start of the full-scale war. In 2024, the enemy began shelling as early as March, RBC-Ukraine reports, citing German Galushchenko, Minister of Energy of Ukraine.
 

“This was indeed the most difficult year (2024 – ed.). Because, if we even analyze the strikes that took place in 2022 and 2023, for example, Russia began massive strikes on October 10. In 2024, they started much earlier, as early as March,” Galushchenko said.

According to the Minister, the destruction caused by the attacks on the energy sector was significant and much larger overall than in previous years. In particular, the nature of the strikes, their complexity, and the weapons used by the enemy have changed.

Attacks on Ukraine’s energy sector

Today, Ukraine’s energy system continues to recover after 13 massive Russian shellings in 2024. Emergency recovery work on energy facilities is ongoing. Due to Russian attacks in the fall and early winter, scheduled power outages were reintroduced in several regions.

Meanwhile, the enemy continues to carry out aerial attacks against Ukraine. For instance, on the night of January 2, Russia launched 72 drones against Ukraine. Ukraine’s air defense managed to destroy 47 of them.

The number of combat engagements on the frontline decreased from almost 200 to 140 over the day of January 1. Russia continues to attack the Pokrovsk sector the most, according to the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

Most difficult areas

Over the last day, 140 combat engagements were registered. Russian occupants attacked the Pokrovsk sector the most.

“In the Pokrovsk sector, Ukrainian defenders stopped 38 Russian assaults and offensive actions,” the statement said.

In particular, Russian invaders stormed the areas of Vozdvyzhenka, Myroliubivka, Lysivka, Novyi Trud, Solone, Kotlyne, Pishchane, Pokrovsk, Novoyelyzavetivka, Promin, Zelene, Novoolenivka, Shevchenko, Dachne and Novovasylivka.

Other areas

7 Russian attacks took place in the Kupiansk sector yesterday. Ukrainian Defense Forces repelled Russia’s assault near Kolisnykivka, Zahryzove, Lozova, and Nova Kruhliakivka.

Russians attacked 16 times in the Lyman sector. They tried to advance near Novoserhiivka, Tverdokhlibove, Kopanky, Makiivka, Ivanivka, Zelenyi Hai, Torske, Terny, and Serebryanskyi forest.

In the Siversk sector, Russia attacked Ukrainian positions near Serebrianka.

In the Kramatorsk sector, 14 firefights were registered in the vicinity of Chasiv Yar, Stupochky, and Predtechyne.

In the Toretsk sector, Russia, with the support of aviation, carried out 7 attacks near Toretsk, Dyliivka, and in the direction of Shcherbynivka.

In the Kurakhove sector, the Ukrainian Defense Forces repelled 26 Russian attacks on Ukrainian positions near Ukrainka, Petropavlivka, and Kurakhove.

In the Vremivka sector, Russia carried out 19 offensives against the positions of Ukrainian units in the areas of Dachne, Kostiantynopol, Yantarne, Novosilka, Rozlyv, and Novyi Komar.

Despite Russia’s active use of bomber aircraft in the Orikhiv sector, the Ukrainian Armed Forces successfully repelled a Russian attack near Novoandriivka.

In the Prydniprovskyi sector, Russian invaders stormed the positions of Ukrainian units near Zabych Island twice without success.

In the operational zone in the Kursk region, Ukrainian Defense Forces repelled 5 Russian attacks over the past day. In addition, Russia launched one missile and 24 air strikes, using 7 missiles and 32 guided aerial bombs, and fired 356 artillery shells at the positions of Ukrainian troops and settlements.

Russia did not conduct any assault operations in the Kharkiv and Huliaipole sectors yesterday.

In the Volyn and Polissia sectors, no signs of Russian offensive groups were detected.

On the border with Chernihiv and Sumy regions, Russians are using artillery and aviation in the areas of Ukrainian settlements from the territory of Russia, conducting reconnaissance.

Russia’s losses in Ukraine

Over the past day, January 1, Russia lost 1,370 troops at the front. Ukrainian soldiers also neutralized 4 Russian tanks, 13 armored combat vehicles, 20 artillery systems, 69 operational and tactical drones, 54 vehicles, and 3 units of special equipment.

In addition, over the past day, missile troops and artillery of the Ukrainian Defense Forces hit four areas of concentration of personnel and equipment, as well as 2 Russian air defense facilities.

US police are investigating whether the Tesla Cybertruck explosion in Las Vegas is connected to the terror attack in New Orleans. Both incidents occurred just hours after the start of the new year, CNN reports.

“We are absolutely investigating any connectivity to what happened in New Orleans as well as other attacks that have been occurring around the world,” said Las Vegas Police Department Sheriff Kevin McMahill.

He also noted that law enforcement is working to determine whether the explosion near the Trump Las Vegas hotel is linked to ISIS. However, according to the sheriff, there is “any indication of that here in Las Vegas.”

The FBI believes the Cybertruck explosion was a separate incident.

The vehicles involved in both incidents were rented through Turo, a platform that allows owners to rent out their cars.

Tesla Cybertruck explosion

On Wednesday, January 1, a Cybertruck exploded near the Trump Las Vegas hotel entrance. The vehicle was developed by Tesla, a company owned by billionaire Elon Musk.

Initially, both the police and Elon Musk stated that they were not ruling out the possibility of a terrorist attack. It is known that the explosion resulted in one fatality and several injuries.

The incident is also linked to the terror attack that occurred in New Orleans on January 1. There, a vehicle drove into a crowd, followed by a shooting. Reports indicate 15 fatalities and dozens of injuries.

A flag of the ISIS terrorist group was found in the possession of the driver involved in the New Orleans attack. According to US President Joe Biden, the FBI is investigating the incident as a terrorist act.