Month: January 2025

Over the past 24 hours, from December 31 to January 1, Russian forces lost 1,250 soldiers, 13 armored combat vehicles, and 4 artillery systems, the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reports.

The total combat Russian losses from February 24, 2022, to January 1, 2024, are estimated to be:

• personnel – about 790,800 (+1,250) Russian troops were eliminated;
• tanks – 9,672 (+4);
• troop-carrying AFVs – 20,043 (+13);
• artillery systems – 21,532 (+4) ;
• MLRS – 1,256;
• anti-aircraft warfare systems – 1,032;
• aircraft – 369;
• helicopters – 329;
• UAV operational-tactical level – 21,131 (+50);
• cruise missiles – 3,003;
• warships/boats – 28;
• submarines – 1;
• vehicles and fuel tanks – 32,675 (+49);
• special equipment – 3,672 (+1).

Frontline situation and Russian shelling

According to the Institute for the Study of War (ISW), Ukraine’s Defense Forces have succeeded near Kreminna in the Luhansk region and the Kursk region. However, the Russians continue to press on five fronts.

On the night of December 31, the Ukrainian military shot down a Russian helicopter for the first time in history using a Magura V5 naval strike drone.

Head of Ukraine’s Defense Intelligence, Kyrylo Budanov, called the operation historic.

On the morning of January 1, explosions sounded in Kyiv. Ukraine’s air defense forces shot down Russian Shahed kamikaze drones.

On January 1, 2025, Ukraine becomes a full member of the International Criminal Court. Thus, 125 states are already parties to the Rome Statute of the ICC, Ukrinform reports.

As of today, Ukraine is a full member of the International Criminal Court, having previously ratified the Rome Statute. The ICC’s jurisdiction includes the most serious international crimes, including genocide, crimes of aggression, war crimes, and crimes against humanity.

The ICC spokesperson Fadi El Abdall said that Ukraine now has the right to vote when approving the budget, adopting changes, and amendments to the Rome Statute, electing judges, the future prosecutor and his deputies, etc.

When asked about a Ukrainian judge at the ICC, the spokesperson noted that it is quite possible that Ukraine, as a member, could nominate candidates. The decision will depend on the Assembly’s vote. He added that there are certain experience requirements for ICC judges, particularly in international or criminal law.

“Specific experience in terms of either international law or criminal law, and of course, being, qualified for the highest judicial positions in their own respective countries. And then, also there is every three years election of six judges at the ICC. So of course, we hope that Ukraine will be participating in all the various possibilities of cooperation and supporting the ICC, including with presenting candidates for judges and also with having more colleagues from Ukraine,” Fadi el-Abdall said.

Among the requirements for ICC judges is fluency in at least one of the two official languages – English or French.

The spokesperson emphasized that the ICC does not pursue cases against states, it is always about individual responsibility for crimes. Fadi El Abdallah explained that Ukraine does not need to launch a new investigation against Russian war criminals. He did not rule out that new cases and charges could be initiated.

Rome Statute ratification

The Rome Statute is an international treaty that established the International Criminal Court. It defines how the ICC operates and the crimes that fall under its jurisdiction.

In 2024, Ukraine ratified the Rome Statute. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy signed the relevant law on Independence Day, August 24.

This step allowed Ukraine to become a full member of the ICC. Read more about the ratification of the Rome Statute in RBC-Ukraine’s article.

Italy has announced the allocation of 13 million euros to restore Ukrainian energy infrastructure. And for the first time, the DIU destroyed a Russian Mi-8 helicopter using a Magura V5 maritime drone.
 

Read more about what happened on Tuesday, December 31.

Historic strike: Ukrainian intelligence destroys Russian Mi-8 helicopter with naval drone

Today, December 31, Ukrainian soldiers from the special unit of the Defense Intelligence of Ukraine (DIU) “Group 13” destroyed an aerial target for the first time in the world using a Magura V5 strike naval drone. The target was a Russian Mi-8 helicopter.

The unique operation took place in the Black Sea near Cape Tarkhankut in temporarily occupied Crimea.

Italy contributes €13 mln to restore Ukraine’s energy infrastructure

Italy has announced a contribution of €13 million to Ukraine’s Energy Support Fund. The aid is aimed at restoring the country’s energy infrastructure, which has been damaged by Russian attacks.

According to the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, this contribution is one of the largest among donor countries and aims to stabilize electricity supply for millions of Ukrainians enduring the hardships of war.

Russia strikes Sumy region with missiles, destroys infrastructure objects

On the morning of Tuesday, December 31, the Russian army once again attacked Ukraine on a large scale. Russia launched a missile attack on the infrastructure of the Shostka community.

As a result of the Russian strike, some infrastructure facilities were destroyed. 12 multi-story residential buildings, 2 educational institutions, and other social facilities were damaged. Emergency rescue units are working on the spot.

Ending war in Ukraine to be Türkiye’s priority in 2025, President Erdoğan

Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, President of Türkiye, has declared that ending the war in Ukraine is a top priority for Istanbul in 2025, the Turkish news agency TRT Haber reports, citing Erdoğan.

“Our priority remains to end the war between Russia and Ukraine, who are our neighbors on the Black Sea, with a just peace. We hope a new era will begin in our north in 2025,” Erdoğan stated.

Urban battles continue in Toretsk, enemy attempting to break through via Shcherbynivka – Ukraine’s Forces

Intensive urban battles continue in Toretsk, Donetsk region. The Russian troops are attempting to break through the village of Shcherbynivka and capture the refractory plant, according to the spokesperson of the Khortytsia Operational and Strategic Group of Troops, Viktor Trehubov, during a national marathon broadcast.

“Urban battles are a specific type of combat with very high intensity. In Toretsk, there are both urban battles and an attempt to break through through Shcherbynivka. Recently, the 3rd Assault Brigade repelled an enemy attack in Leonidivka and destroyed 9 enemy BMPs,” Trehubov said.