Units of the 14th Mechanized Brigade successfully repelled another Russian offensive on the Kupyansk axis.

Mobile fire teams are working through the night, firing to take down Shaheds.

🇺🇦 Special Operations Forces report capturing a village in Russia's Kursk region. “Rangers from the 6th Regiment of Ukraine’s SOF launched an offensive operation, capturing and clearing a settlement in Kursk Oblast after artillery strikes paved the way. It turned out that alongside Russian troops, North Korean forces were also present in the village.”

🔥 "482, I'M HIT, GOING DOWN!" — intercepted Russian radio chatter during the downing of a Mi-8 helicopter by Ukraine's Magura V5 naval drone.

The intercepted communication reveals the pilot describing the damage to the helicopter and the events leading up to it:

"There was an explosion — I got hit. The launch came from the water. Then there was another flash. I didn't see where it went, but the first one hit me directly and exploded nearby — I felt it on the helicopter. Some systems have failed."

Ukraine's Air Force reports on a missile and drone attack overnight and during the morning.

Shot down:
1/1 Kh-47M2 Kinzhal aeroballistic missile
5/6 Kh-69 cruise missiles
0/8 Kh-22 cruise missiles
0/6 Iskander-M/KN-23 ballistic missiles
40/40 Shahed drones (16 regular air defense, 24 by electronic warfare)

After Z-propagandists started spreading information that the Ukrainian Armed Forces are preparing a new offensive, Russian milblogger Romanov now also shared similar expectations.

"By 07.01.2025, the enemy will strike at the junction of Kursk and Belgorod regions. The enemy has amassed a force of up to 20,000 troops, including those trained in the West and redeployed from the Donetsk region. Really hoping the Belgorod sector has been reinforced."

🇮🇹 Italy has allocated €13 million for the restoration of Ukraine's energy sector, according to the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

⚡️ Ukraine now produces 96% of the drones needed for the frontline, says PM Denys Shmyhal. During a government session, Shmyhal stated that Ukraine’s defense industry capacity has increased sixfold, with over 800 state and private companies involved.

https://www.rbc.ua/rus/news/ukrayina-vzhe-vigotovlyae-96-droniv-frontu-1735642017.html

🇹🇷 Turkey’s priority in 2025 will be ending the war in Ukraine, says President Erdoğan. In his New Year’s message, Erdoğan emphasized that Turkey aims to bring a fair peace to the conflict between Russia and Ukraine, neighbors on the Black Sea.

https://www.trthaber.com/haber/gundem/cumhurbaskani-erdogan-terorsuz-turkiye-icin-yeni-mujdeler-yolda-893247.html

Russia has begun reducing gas supplies to Europe via Ukraine on the last day of the transit agreement, reports Reuters.

Gas prices in Europe have risen slightly as a result.

https://www.reuters.com/business/energy/russia-reduces-gas-flow-via-ukraine-europe-last-day-expiring-deal-2024-12-31/

2025 will be better for Ukraine than 2024, while Russia will face tough decisions, says Budanov.

“I hope 2025 will bring many positive events that will finally give us what we’ve all been waiting for,” said the head of Ukraine’s intelligence.

https://www.pravda.com.ua/news/2024/12/31/7491522/

Official: Ukraine struck the Russian “Yartsevskaya” oil depot in Smolensk region, reports the General Staff. The site is engulfed in powerful explosions and fire, with heavy smoke visible. Fuel storage tanks are reportedly still burning.

Zelensky

--

Our 2024. Every day of it was won by our soldiers, all our people, each and every one who protects, who works, who strengthens and helps.

Labor and courage, humanity and principle of the entire people filled this year. And also - care, development and love, the desire to change reality for the better despite everything.

We, Ukrainians, know what it is like - not to wait for what tomorrow will bring, but to fight for every day and every year of freedom. And 2024 became just that - won and free. Another step towards justice, towards an honest peace, towards our victory, towards a life without war.

Strength to us all in the new year, unity, inspiration. Happy new year of life and freedom, happy our year!

I want to wish everyone a great, beautiful and peaceful 2025 in advance. May everyone's wishes and dreams come true.

Thanks for following me, and I hope to see you again next year.

🇩🇪 German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, in his New Year’s address, vowed continued support for Ukraine against Russian aggression while ensuring the war doesn’t spread.

"We will not leave Ukraine in trouble and will support it like no one else in Europe," Scholz said, as quoted by Zeit.

https://www.zeit.de/politik/deutschland/2024-12/bundeskanzler-olaf-scholz-neujahrsansprache-zusammenhalt

🇺🇦🇪🇺 Ukraine has officially begun pre-accession talks with the European Union, Prime Minister Shmyhal announced. The process includes external screening of Ukrainian legislation to assess its alignment with EU standards—a key early step toward full European integration.

This is my last post in 2024. Soon we will celebrate the start of 2025, a new year full of hope.

I wish you all a great new year's celebration. Followers, supporters and everyone else. Stay safe, and we will see each other tomorrow morning with a new SitRep.

🍾🥂

HAPPY NEW YEAR 🎊