Ukraine War Update NEWS: Pt 1 - Overnight & Other News
Table of Contents 📖
"They're busy destroying Ukraine's energy infrastructure and killing civilians instead of funding major repairs where needed. Russia spends huge amounts of money on missiles and drones that terrorise Ukrainian cities every day."
Hello Team
🎦 00:00-00:05⏩
Jonathan welcomes the audience and mentions he's been watching a random Chinese guy fill balloons with coloured water, pop them and film them explode in slow motion through sieves when he should have been doing the video.
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🪦 DISCLAIMER FOR GENERAL STAFF LOSSES DATA
- These are real people with real lives and real families who love them. Don’t let the numbers sap your humanity.
- These numbers probably aren’t accurate but they’re the best we have and we don’t need them to be accurate to be indicative of patterns of activity.
- All losses are estimates. Losses cannot be counted with accuracy because of the conditions on the ground.
- Both sides would see it to be of their advantage to minimize their own losses maximize the other side’s losses.
- Neither side releases their losses but we have enough transparency from the Ukrainian side to have confidence in they are indicative.
- Personnel losses are hard to count. If a soldier gets injured, heals up, and returns to the front line only to get injured again, is that one loss or two? Also, how to deal with losses from PMC’s or soldiers fighting with RF from occupied territories?
- Equipment losses are hard to count. If an AA complex involves several parts and one part gets disabled, is that a loss, or a fraction of a loss? If a tank gets disabled, repaired, back into the fight, then disabled again, is that one lost tank or two?
- All recorded losses are vulnerable to multiple reporting. We have already seen numerous cases of multiple drones in the air reporting the same loss from different angles as multiple engagements.
- Losses are not always reported on the same day they occurred. It is frequent that drone losses are reported at least 24 hours after other terrestrial equipment losses. Certain losses may not be reported for days or weeks for military intelligence reasons.
Ukrainian General Staff Figures for Russian Losses
🎦 00:06-00:21⏩
Jonathan presents the Ukrainian General Staff figures for Russian losses. Notable figures include 1,650 personnel, 14 tanks, 18 troop-carrying AFVs, 22 artillery systems, 1 anti-aircraft warfare system, 82 vehicles and fuel tanks, and 1 piece of special equipment. Jonathan notes the high number of personnel losses and the use of unarmoured vehicles in attacks. He notes that there is no Andrew Perpetual loss list today.
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Ukraine Reports 60,000 Citizens as Missing Persons
🎦 00:22-00:34⏩
Ukraine considers 60,000 citizens as missing persons, according to Dimitro Bohatiuk, head of the Interior Ministries Department of Missing Persons. The number includes cases stemming from war, occupation, and other disasters. Jonathan notes that this could include desertion and refugees, and that the number does not necessarily reflect the number of Ukrainian deaths.
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56,000 Unidentified Russian Bodies in Rostov
🎦 00:34-00:54⏩
An intercepted conversation by the GUR (Ukrainian Intelligence) reveals that a resident of the Belgorod region discusses the huge loss of occupiers in Ukraine, mentioning that 56,000 are still unidentified in the Rostov region. Jonathan speculates that there may be large morgues or warehouses where recovered bodies are stored, and that this may be related to the increase in requests for DNA tests in Russia.
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First Captured North Korean Soldier Dies of Wounds
🎦 00:54-01:05⏩
South Korea's National Intelligence Service confirmed that a North Korean soldier captured in Kursk Oblast has died from his wounds. He was captured three days after being wounded and died a day later.
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Three Russian Officers Eliminated in HIMARS Strike
🎦 01:05-01:29⏩
The GUR, SBU, SBS, and Tavria Special Operations Command conducted a special operation, eliminating three officers of the Russian 4th Guards Military Base. A high-precision HIMARS strike targeted a meeting of Russian officers, destroying five vehicles. The names of the three captains killed are: Captain Nagourney Dimitri, Captain Grigory Krokmalov, and Captain Yuri Fomin.
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Unverified Report of F-16 Shot Down Over Zaporizhzhia
🎦 01:29-01:47⏩
Russian channels, as reported by NOEL Reports, claim an F-16 was shot down over the Zaporizhzhia region. Jonathan expresses doubt about the report's veracity, as it is only reported by one source and originates from Russian channels. He states "I doubt it's true, but it could be true".
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Russia Shifts to Mechanized Assaults Near Kupyansk
🎦 01:47-02:09⏩
Euromaidan Press reports that Russia has shifted tactics near Kupyansk, transitioning to mechanized assaults as poor weather conditions hinder Ukrainian drone operations. The poor weather reduces visibility for Ukrainian drones, giving the Russians an opportunity to intensify ground offensives. The 5th Assault Brigade successfully repelled an armed assault near Ivanovska and Klishivka, destroying Russian tanks, BMPs, and other armoured vehicles.
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Russians Struggling for Troops South of Kharkiv
🎦 02:09-02:43⏩
Andrew Perpetua reports that the Russians are struggling for troops south of Kharkiv, up to Hanivka and Upensivka. They are lacking in troops and personnel, whereas south of Pokrovsk they have more troops. Jonathan mentions that when Russians take land, it doesn't always require many troops, and that not every tree line or field is stacked with Ukrainians or assaulted by hordes of Russians. Sometimes, small numbers of troops can secure positions due to a lack of defenders or attackers.
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Analysis of Russian Ural "Mad Max" Truck Used for Assaults
🎦 02:43-04:07⏩
Jonathan discusses a Russian Ural "Mad Max" truck used for assaults. He questions whether it is the most optimal vehicle compared to an APC, considering its capacity, protection, and ability to counter FPV drones. He acknowledges that it has a functional use but questions whether it's the best option or if its use reflects a lack of better alternatives. Jonathan compares this to the "arms race" in biological evolution, where species adapt and evolve in response to each other's advancements.
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Two Electric Buses Burn Down in Moscow
🎦 04:07-04:25⏩
Two electric buses have burned down in Moscow in one day, according to Max24. Jonathan is unsure whether this is a mistake or sabotage but notes that many things are getting burned down in Russia.
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Russian Propaganda Video Shows Santa Claus Being Shot Down
🎦 04:25-05:14⏩
Russian propaganda released a video showing the shooting down of a NATO Santa Claus delivering missiles and weapons. Jonathan criticizes the tasteless parody and its timing, coming just after the shooting down of an Azerbaijani plane. In the video, the Russian Santa Claus says, "We don't need anything foreign in our skies."
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Russian Tanker from "Shadow Fleet" Disabled in Bosporus Strait
🎦 05:14-05:45⏩
A tanker from the Kremlin's "Shadow Fleet," the Cordelia Moon, is paralyzed in the Bosporus Strait area due to an engine failure. This is the fourth Russian vessel to have gone out of order in the Black Sea in the past two weeks. The vessel had previously made numerous voyages between Russia and India and was attacked by the Houthis in the Red Sea, mistaken for a British ship.
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Ukrainian Air Defence Neutralises 24 Russian Drones
🎦 05:45-06:17⏩
Ukrainian air defence shot down 24 Russian drones, including 13 by air defence and 11 by electronic warfare. Two missiles struck a factory in Zaporizhzhia, but no casualties were reported. Jonathan wonders whether the smaller waves of attacks are due to Alibuga being affected, stockpiling for larger attacks, or running out of drones.
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Possible Ukrainian Strikes on Engels Air Base
🎦 06:17-06:41⏩
Sarin reports that Engels Air Base in Saratov, Russia, was targeted by Ukrainians, with flashing lights of explosions around the base. However, Jonathan notes that this is only reported by one source, so it should not be counted on.
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Strelkov and Prigozhin Silenced for Acknowledging Reality of War
🎦 06:41-07:10⏩
As reported by "A_Strider," the Russians are beginning to understand the gravity of their situation and the futility of the special military operation. Predictions are being made about a soft capitulation by Moscow or the collapse of its military machine. Strelkov and Prigozhin were the only two voices unafraid to acknowledge the reality of the war situation, but both were silenced by the Putin regime.
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Igor Strelkov's View of the Situation from Prison
🎦 07:10-08:36⏩
Igor Strelkov, also known as "evil Girkin," in prison, states that Ukraine demonstrates readiness to fight a total war until complete victory. He notes that terrorist attacks are happening daily in Russian cities and that strikes target only industrial enterprises and infrastructure. He claims that the bulk of weapons and ammunition continue to flow into the Ukrainian armed forces and that the Russian armed forces cannot disrupt the supply. Strelkov believes that Moscow is not ready for such a total war and that the Ministry of Defence acts autonomously. He suggests that Ukraine is pressuring Moscow to force a type of overburdening, which could lead to a soft capitulation or internal exhaustion. Jonathan finds it interesting that Strelkov sees that Ukrainians have stepped up strikes on Russia and believes that there are strikes taking place that are not publicly known.
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Ukraine's Need to Negotiate Before Trump's Potential Inauguration
🎦 08:36-09:37⏩
Jonathan discusses the need for Ukraine to achieve as much as possible before Trump's potential inauguration on January 20th, both in terms of negotiating a good position and Russia doing the same on the front lines. He believes Ukraine will focus on deep strikes into Russian territory and hopes the Biden administration can put Ukraine in the best possible position, although it may be too late. Jonathan mentions talks about strict sanctions coming in and questions why they didn't take place before, possibly due to a new energy infrastructure and potential knock-on effects to the US.
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Reactions to Azerbaijani Plane Crash
🎦 09:37-10:33⏩
Jonathan discusses reactions to the Azerbaijani plane crash, with a preliminary investigation confirming a Russian missile caused it. He anticipates Russia will obfuscate the results and demand access to the investigation. Michael Burnett suggests that denying the pilot's request to land and jamming their GPS makes it worse than an accidental shoot-down. The head of the Russian Federal Air Transport Agency stated that dense fog forced the pilot to abort two landing attempts, but Jonathan questions this explanation given the shrapnel found on the fuselage. Azerbaijanis are certain that it was the Russians who shot down the plane and want an apology. Some airlines have pulled out of servicing Russia as a result.
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Russian Gas Tanker Unable to Find Buyer Due to US Sanctions
🎦 10:33-10:53⏩
According to Bloomberg, a Russian gas tanker has travelled halfway around the world in four months but has not found a buyer. The tanker spent over four months looking for a customer willing to circumvent US restrictions. Jonathan notes that this is exactly how sanctions should work.
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Estonian Navy Launches Operation to Protect Undersea Electric Cable
🎦 10:53-11:47⏩
Estonia's Navy has launched a maritime operation in the Gulf of Finland to protect the S-Link-1 undersea electric cable after its twin, S-Link-2, was damaged in an act of sabotage. NATO and Finnish forces are also preparing a response. The Estonian Navy has been sent to defend and secure the energy connection with Finland. NATO will increase its military presence in the Baltic Sea due to possible sabotage of submarine cables. Jonathan believes that Russian and Chinese ships should be banned from sailing near these cables and that there should be robust ramifications for Russia's actions.
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Ukraine to Face Years of Power Outages Due to Russian Strikes
🎦 11:47-12:25⏩
Ukraine is to face several years of power outages as it rebuilds infrastructure damaged by Russian strikes, according to Alexander Karchenko. Since October 2022, Russia has targeted Ukraine's power facilities, aiming to disrupt civilian life. Jonathan notes that these issues can be cumulative, building up over time until a tipping point is reached, and it could take time for Ukraine's energy infrastructure to recover while Russia continues to try and destroy it.
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Fuel Oil Spill in Kerch Strait Causes Ecological Disaster in Crimea
🎦 12:25-13:26⏩
Russian authorities declared a federal emergency in occupied Crimea and Russia's Krasnodar Krai following a major fuel oil spill in the Kerch Strait. Warming temperatures are causing the fuel oil to rise from the seabed and wash up on beaches. Two tankers carrying approximately 8,600 tonnes of fuel oil wrecked during a storm on December 15th. A local activist warned that Feodosia has limited resources to remove the fuel oil, which will impact next year's tourism season. Oil-affected birds are being found, but Feodosia lacks qualified veterinarians and ornithologists to provide care. Jonathan notes that neither Crimea nor Russia is able to deal with the ecological disaster.
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Large-Scale Heating System Failure in Novosibirsk, Russia
🎦 13:26-13:51⏩
A large-scale failure in the heating system has occurred in the Russian city of Novosibirsk, leaving more than 120 buildings without heating at a temperature of minus 16 degrees Celsius. Jonathan notes that this is the first such incident he's heard of this winter, but it has been evident in a number of places the last couple of winters.
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Wrap up
🎦 13:51-14:12⏩
Jonathan thanks the audience for listening and reminds them about the ongoing "Trucks under the Christmas tree" campaign. He expresses pride in the fundraising efforts, which have reached almost £41,000, and encourages people to help out other campaigns under the larger umbrella campaign from Car for Ukraine. The overall campaign has reached £112,000, 75% of the £150,000 goal. Jonathan thanks everyone for their support and says he will speak to them soon.
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