Sources in the Defence Forces have confirmed the resumption of offensive operations in Russia’s Kursk Region, describing it as an attempt to regain the initiative, at least at the operational level.
Meanwhile, Russia continues its strategic offensives in Ukraine’s northeastern, eastern, and southeastern regions. Its main objectives include reaching the administrative borders of Donetsk and Luhansk Regions, expanding the occupation zone in Kharkiv Region, and advancing in the south. Additionally, Russian forces are conducting operations to repel the Ukrainian Armed Forces in Kursk Region. Simultaneously, daily missile and bombing attacks target civilian infrastructure, aiming to destabilise Ukraine’s socio-political situation.
Between 29 December and 4 January, Ukrainian forces carried out multiple strikes on Russian targets in occupied territories and within Russia. Key actions included drone attacks on the Druzhba oil pipeline in Bryansk Region on 29 December and an oil depot in Smolensk Region on the night of 30 December. On 31 December, Ukrainian cyber specialists targeted Lukoil’s resources, and on 2 January, Defence Forces struck a Russian command post in Kursk Region.
Sources in the Defence Forces expect Russia to continue targeting regional centres and critical infrastructure over the coming week.
“The enemy has renewed its readiness for another massive air strike, with its launch depending on an appropriate political decision,” the sources added.