Ukraine updates in English

[US7IGN]

It's a strange feeling to wake up in a new year with the realization that you are still alive and need to continue the fight. There is a simple exercise for assessing the past - would you like to become who you were a year ago? I wouldn't. Despite everything, I have learned a lot and am ready to continue. Complete uncertainty on the one hand leaves no chance for a peaceful life, and on the other - gives more freedom in choosing what and how to do next.

It was easier for Kate to start her own path in ham radio because it was near and around her from birth. She saw and heard how I communicate with people, she helped me make antennas and solder something. So she was already completely ready to make the first QSO with her own call sign.

On the other hand, she admitted that without me she would not even know about ham radio and would not see anything attractive in it. This means that we should be a good example for others more often.

It was quiet in Kyiv, but the Odesa region and Volyn were attacked by the russians with two hundred drones and the energy there was damaged again. https://t.me/kpszsu/51312

As for Zelensky’s resignation, I don’t know what kind of reality bubble he lives in. Recently, he again stated that he is ready to leave at any moment. But he has said this before and did not leave. His legitimacy exists only in his imagination and the imagination of his supporters, from whose point of view he is doing everything right. On the other hand, until the last moment, former President Yanukovych was also confident in his legitimacy and that he was in control of the situation.

A good option for Ukraine would be a young and intelligent patriot, like Lee Kuan Yew became for Singapore. But society always chooses populists who are supported by oligarchs. So there are almost no good options for Ukraine, since its strengthening is now possible only from within, but nothing is being done for this. Corruption, incompetent management and an ineffective army remain. One could say that the army is holding on, but at the expense of what?

russia has also lost globally, but not to Ukraine and not even to the West, with which it is actually at war, but to China. On the other hand, thanks to nuclear weapons, it can remain a sovereign country for some time. At least for the current regime, there are no major threats. The middle class in russia, which is very small, has become afraid of losing what it has, while for the poor, on the contrary, things have become better - they have gained a sense of life and money - the situation is similar to Nazi Germany.

It all comes down to a war of ideologies and for the consciousness of people. It seems that dictatorial regimes work better. It also turns out that the motivation to seize something from those who have nothing is higher than the motivation to fight for property from those who have it.

[US7IGN]

For the first time in recent years, Ukrainians are discussing a war outside of Ukraine. The US attack on Venezuela https://www.bbc.com/news/live/c5yqygxe41pt reminded everyone of 2022, when russia launched hundreds of missiles at Ukraine at night with the aim of changing the regime. Unlike the russians, the US immediately captured President Maduro and his wife (as for the latter, at least here, no one understands why). Time will tell how the situation will develop further, but this will certainly give Trump the opportunity to show another victory and try to distract Americans from Ukraine.

Ukraine ready to consider Donbas demilitarized zone in concession to end war. Mykhailo Podolyak, an advisor to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, tells Le Monde that the zone would require Ukrainian and russian forces to both pull back from the front line. https://www.lemonde.fr/en/international/article/2025/12/11/ukraine-ready-to-accept-donbas-demilitarized-zone-in-concession-to-end-war_6748397_4.html?utm_source=chatgpt.com

The main news of the past few days in Ukraine was the appointment of former intelligence chief Kirill Budanov as head of the presidential office. https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cx2k0101enyo

On January 2, the russians hit a high-rise building in the center of Kharkiv with two missiles. https://hromadske.ua/rehiony/257280-udar-po-bahatopoverkhivtsi-v-kharkovi-kilkist-postrazdalykh-zrosla-do-30?traffic_source=ukr.net

Explosions were heard in Kyiv at night, but the consequences are still unknown. Heat, water, and heating are still available.

[N0TZU]

Now if only Trump could be so decisive to assist Ukraine.

As for Maduro’s wife: According to the NYT reporting 2 hours ago, she will be charged under US law:

[US Attorney General] "Ms. Bondi’s post on X said Mr. Maduro’s wife would also be charged, suggesting that a new indictment had been filed under seal.”

The previous paragraph in the article has background on the indictment for Maduro:

Mr. Maduro was indicted in Manhattan in 2020. With those charges pending, Secretary of State Marco Rubio referred to Mr. Maduro last year as a “fugitive from American justice". That indictment, based on an investigation by the federal Drug Enforcement Administration, accused Mr. Maduro and five others of narco-terrorism and conspiracy to import cocaine, among other charges.

[N0TZU]

Thomas Friedman’s opinion on the way the Trump administration is working for peace in Ukraine:

https://www.nytimes.com/2025/12/04/opinion/putin-russia-ukraine-trump.html?unlocked_article_code=1.B1A.4wce.pbim7hDnsg_7&smid=nytcore-ios-share

[US7IGN]

I still don't think Trump and company are fools, I think those who comment on them are trying to attribute their ideas to them. Maybe this is some kind of motivated reasoning. My opinion is that Trump and company don't care about Ukraine's interests at all, and they are pursuing exclusively their own interests. In any case, the situation looks completely different for them than it does for me or any journalist. I am also sure that they don`t considers Ukraine as a subject or an independent state, but exclusively as a territory with resources that should belong to them.

The night was quite noisy, but in my area there were no hits. On the night of January 5, russia attacked Ukraine with 65 drones and 9 ballistic missiles. A patient died in the destruction of a hospital in Kyiv, and there is also one dead man in Fastiv. The russian attack completely cut off power to the city of Slavutych and power outages returned to Kyiv. Because of this, Kate was conducting QSOs from a battery this afternoon. https://www.bbc.com/ukrainian/articles/c75xw73wvvpo

[N0TZU]

I certainly agree that most are not fools. But one doesn’t need to BE a complete fool in order to do foolish things, even for a long time, especially if guided by others or in pursuit of personal gratification.

Yes, there is a logic of parochial national interests as a large part of US action - or inaction - on Ukraine. The US 2025 National Security Policy and other documents describe that the US should follow a hemispheric influence policy and also a policy of “strength” through acquiring strategic assets and territories through force if necessary. Ukraine isn’t in the Western Hemisphere and also is in the Russian sphere (supposedly) and therefore one reason why US response under Trump to defend Ukraine has been tepid at best and supportive of Russia at worst.

[US7IGN]

Today Maryna and Kate left, but for me it was the best two weeks of the past year. I was pleasantly surprised by Kate's interest in amateur radio and how easily she managed to conduct the QSOs. Making almost three hundred QSOs in a week is a very good result in my opinion, considering our modest setup. There was also some negativity. The russians tried to call her and jam her frequency, but she wasn't upset and simply ignored their lame attempts. What surprised me even more was that she was really interested in it. In addition to communicating on the air, she received several emails and is now waiting for the QSL card.

Her English also exceeded my expectations and we lack words to express our gratitude to Guni for this. The radio gave us the opportunity to spend wonderful hours together. I listened to her conduct the QSO and answered all the questions she had. Honestly, I did not expect that this would become another common interest in our extremely limited communication.

We all got a good distraction from the sad reality, but it seems that everything will change again soon. And the matter is not only in the unpredictability of the war, but in the fact that we simply can no longer afford to rent an apartment in Poland and Kate will have to live in a dormitory to continue her studies in Poland, although she will only be 16 years old. Maryna is going to return to Ukraine and we will have to find a guardian for Kate, at least a formal one. Kate boldly says that she will cope, although it seems to me that she does not fully understand all the difficulties. But it seems that we have no other choice and we will again act according to the circumstances.

[N0TZU]

Im glad that your spirits were lifted by the time with Maryna and Kate.

At 16 it is indeed a big step for Kate to live in a dorm situation, even with a guardian. But she impressed me as a very intelligent and aware person so I think she will do well. Of course she still has two excellent parents to advise her!

[US7IGN]

Thanks Bob, but we don't have anyone in Poland to be sure of proper support. But we have a few months to resolve this issue.

One of the unexpected advantages that we (at least Kate and I) received from the forced changes in 2022 is a change in our worldview. If earlier we considered other countries exclusively as places for tourism, now we feel and consider both ourselves personally and events in Ukraine on a global scale. We remain patriots of Ukraine, but this certainly affects our perception of many things both inside and outside Ukraine.

It is obvious that to assess the situation even within the country, it is necessary to take into account many factors that affect it and that are outside its borders and about which we know nothing. Given the events of the last (hundreds) of years, one can be sure of only one thing - no one cares about the weak and only strength matters. And this gives a hint - you cannot count on anyone and you need to do everything in your power to become stronger. It's like in the old joke about the bear. If a bear is chasing a group of tourists, you don't need to run away from it first, and most importantly not last. In addition, your knowledge and skills are the asset that is always with you wherever you go. But do not forget that the world is constantly changing and you need to change with it. What helped you achieve success in the past may become outdated and not help in the future. Your assessment of the situation based on previous experience may be wrong. Therefore, the main strategy for survival is constant development and flexibility, readiness for the unknown.

It is the lack of information about the real state of affairs and the intentions of the most powerful players in the world that does not allow me to relax and expect the collapse of russia, despite all its weakening, which seems to be a popular opinion among Western analysts. https://www.thecipherbrief.com/putin-ukraine-war-sink-russia

Its resources have not disappeared, its army has strengthened, its population has not significantly decreased, moreover, it is inclined to unite in the face of an external threat. Its alliances with China, India, Brazil and other countries remain strong, despite the loss of influence in South America and the Middle East. There is a saying in Ukraine - a thin person will die sooner than a fat person will lose weight. So remaining with the support of only Europe (and even then partially) makes me pessimistic about the future of Ukraine. Unless Trump's successes in Venezuela and perhaps soon in Greenland https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cwyg1jg8xkmo give hope that his greed for seizing the resources of other countries will create competition with russia in this issue and he will return to the resource agreement with Ukraine, establishing his power over it.


But for now over the past two weeks, there has been a significant increase in cases of shadow fleet vessels openly changing their flags to russian ones, with the number of such vessels reaching 11. https://x.com/TankerTrackers/status/2007437580699042235

The New York Times has followed the history of difficult relations between Ukraine and the United States over recent years. https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2025/12/30/world/europe/ukraine-war-us-russia.html

The new head of the presidential office, Kyrylo Budanov, maintained non-public contacts with the Trump administration, while his predecessor, Andriy Yermak, tried to block them, Ukrainian media write. Budanov himself has two significant advantages in the eyes of the Americans: a realistic view of the state of affairs in the war and the fact that he is not involved in high-profile corruption scandals. As a result, negotiations with him could be conducted adequately and without reputational risks. Moreover, Budanov is almost the only one in the country who also has direct working contacts with the russians, as he communicated with them about prisoner exchanges and held separate face-to-face negotiations in the UAE. The media emphasizes that for the new head of the presidential office, the external track was one of the main reasons for agreeing to this position. "Budanov, as head of the presidential office, will actually lead the negotiations on the end of the war, guarantees from the US and partners, and other security issues from the Ukrainian side," the material says. https://uainfo.org/blognews/1767614062-budanov-pidtrimuvav-nepublichni-kontakti-z-administratsieyu.html

Following the meeting of the "Coalition of the Willing" in Paris, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky signed a declaration of intent with the leaders of France and Great Britain to deploy a multinational military contingent in Ukraine after a ceasefire, Le Monde reports. The United States of America will also participate in this. https://www.lemonde.fr/international/live/2026/01/07/en-direct-guerre-en-ukraine-volodymyr-zelensky-dit-qu-il-n-a-pas-recu-de-reponse-claire-des-europeens-sur-leur-action-en-cas-de-nouvelle-attaque-russe_6660486_3210.html#id-2753958

Ukraine must ensure that its young people can find decent jobs in their own country, and not go to Germany, Poland or France. This is something we have already discussed in Brussels,” said German Chancellor Friedrich Merz. https://nv.ua/ukr/world/geopolitics/merc-zaklikav-ukrajinu-zabezpechiti-robochi-miscya-dlya-molodi-pidtrimka-nimechchini-50573760.html

Meanwhile, in Ukraine, checks are being carried out on students due to the increase in the number of men of draft age in educational institutions. Those who miss classes risk losing their student status. The postponement of mobilization also depends on this. https://24tv.ua/education/vidstrochka-vid-mobilizatsiyi-studentiv-vidrahovuyut-cherez-propuski_n2982564

It is no secret that in Ukraine there are many legal corruption schemes for evading mobilization, which the authorities are "fighting" instead of eliminating their causes. One of them is "studying" in educational institutions when someone becomes a "student" for a bribe and receives a deferment from mobilization. In order to eliminate this scheme, it is enough to exclude from the law such a basis for deferment, like many others, but for some reason this is not happening.

In 2025, the Office of the Commissioner for Human Rights of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine received approximately 6 thousand appeals regarding human rights violations by representatives of mobilization centers during mobilization activities, reported Ombudsman Dmytro Lubinets. The Ombudsman stated that the actions of state authorities undermined the motivation of citizens who in 2022-2023 consciously went to serve and sought to become part of the defense forces. According to him, a system has never been built in Ukraine that could adequately offer a person a place in the Armed Forces, clearly define the conditions of service and provide appropriate financial remuneration.

Instead, according to Lubinets, a “system of coercion” was created. Dmytro Lubinets reported on cases when representatives of mobilization centers forcibly kept people in their premises for weeks without the possibility of telephone communication. “Does Ukraine benefit from this? No. Did the Armed Forces of Ukraine benefit from this? No. All the military personnel I spoke with on the front line all say that we do not need “busified” military personnel. We need motivated, trained ones. Therefore, in my opinion, the system should be overhauled as quickly as possible,” the ombudsman noted. Among the key decisions, he named the creation of an effective recruiting system and the introduction of clear financial motivation for military personnel. https://sud.ua/uk/news/ukraine/350262-za-god-v-ttsk-postupilo-okolo-6-tysyach-zhalob-lubinets-prizval-peresmotret-sistemu-mobilizatsii

He also confirmed the existence of a problem in ensuring the constitutional right of a person to professional legal assistance in mobilization centers. Lubinets called the cases of illegal physical detention, illegal seizure of personal belongings, use of physical force, and deprivation of a person's right to legal assistance shameful. https://unba.org.ua/news/11106-problemu-porushennya-prava-lyudini-na-pravnichu-dopomogu-u-tck-viznav-ombudsman.html

[US7IGN]

The US Embassy in Ukraine warned yesterday about the preparation of a large-scale air attack and was not mistaken again. https://ua.usembassy.gov/security-alert-u-s-embassy-kyiv-ukraine-january-8-2026/

I spent almost the whole night in the corridor because from time to time the house shook strongly from the explosions nearby and the glass in the windows trembled.

A message came from Seva that a nuclear bomb had not yet fallen on them. Social networks wrote about strong explosions in Lviv and the region, where the russians attacked the gas and energy infrastructure with Oreshnik - their new ballistic missile with detachable warheads. The video shows the rapid fall of several "comets".
https://www.bbc.com/ukrainian/articles/cj9r2zl12nmo
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cgqe9kv9xxvo

There is very little information yet about the damage caused by this missile. One of the versions of why the russians used it near the border with Poland is to show that they have a reliable nuclear weapon carrier that can be used across Europe.

As of this morning, I have no heat or water, but I have electricity, which many others do not have.

In Kyiv, a CNN reporter said that the attack began around midnight, starting with multiple drone strikes on residential buildings. Streetlights flickered before large parts of the city were plunged into darkness, as a thick fog settled over the streets and temperatures plummeted to –5 degrees Celsius (23 degrees Fahrenheit). Four people were killed and 10 others wounded in the attack, according to the city’s mayor Vitali Klitschko, who said “critical infrastructure” had also been damaged. https://edition.cnn.com/2026/01/08/europe/russia-ballistic-missile-strikes-ukraine-intl-hnk

https://www.bbc.com/ukrainian/articles/cj9r2zl12nmo

According to the Ukrainian Air Force, the main direction of the strike is the Kyiv region. 18 out of 36 missiles and 226 out of 242 UAVs were shot down:

8 out of 13 ballistic Iskander-M and S-400.
10 out of 22 Kalibr cruise missiles.
0 out of 1 medium-range ballistic missile (from Kapustin Yar test site, Astrakhan region, russian Federation).

18 missiles and 16 strike UAVs were recorded at 19 locations.

russia struck the energy infrastructure on January 7, causing the Dnipropetrovsk and Zaporizhzhia regions to be almost completely without electricity.
https://24tv.ua/dnipropetrovska-zaporizka-oblasti-mayzhe-povnistyu-znestrumleni_n2984908
https://www.obozrevatel.com/ukr/ekonomika-glavnaya/communalka/u-dnipri-prolunali-vibuhi-v-rajoni-tets-u-bagatoh-rajonah-zniklo-elektropostachannya.htm

[US7IGN]

After massive russian shelling last night, half of Kyiv's apartment buildings are currently without heat due to damaged critical infrastructure. Heat will be restored to some buildings this evening, the capital's mayor, Vitaliy Klitschko, said. https://ukranews.com/ua/news/1127496-najbilsha-ataka-na-kyyiv-klychko-rozpoviv-koly-vidnovlyat-podachu-tepla-ta-vody

In the evening, my radiators stay cold, but it's not very cold in the apartment, considering it's -8C outside. Instead, after lunch, water and optimism returned.

Ukrainian troops have built a large-scale system of fortifications in Donbas to protect settlements not yet occupied by the enemy. And if such lines were in place in 2022, the situation on the ground could be radically different, but American-led peace proposals threaten to hand it to russia, writes The Economist. https://www.economist.com/europe/2026/01/07/ukraine-now-has-the-fortress-belt-it-wishes-it-had-in-2022

The European Weightlifting Federation (EWF) has stripped Poland of the rights to host the 2026 European Junior and Under-23 Championships, Przeglad Sportowy reports. "This decision was made after the host country failed to provide the necessary visa access guarantees for athletes from russia and Belarus," the EWF said in an official statement.

Poland was categorically against allowing representatives of russia and Belarus to enter its territory - the Poles do not want to see them in their country due to the invasion of the russian army in Ukraine.

Poland has already suffered from the European Weightlifting Federation because of its position towards russians and Belarusians. In 2024, the EWF stripped the country of the right to host the European Under-15 and Under-17 Championships. Then the right to the tournaments went to Spain. This year, Poland will be replaced by Albania. https://przegladsportowy.onet.pl/podnoszenie-ciezarow/polska-traci-mistrzostwa-europy-wszystko-przez-rosje-decyzja-zapadla/v6l7bm8?fbclid=IwY2xjawPMb_dleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETFwc0xNNHhYbzFOQ2tjM3dic3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHuiBk9JjxKP2J4stDxwR_lYj3XvgLVzWatNl_i68wRjdzpP-ACvsllttIi5O_aem_CT4WEAvWSG6-uetA3hkzDw

Germany is taking measures to reduce the migration flow in 2026 and is calling on Ukraine to change its legislation to make it more difficult for young men to leave for the European Union, German Foreign Minister Alexander Dobrindt said in an interview with Deutsche Welle. https://glavcom.ua/world/world-politics/berlin-zaklikaje-kijiv-zminiti-zakonodavstvo-shchob-skorotiti-vidtik-ukrajinskikh-cholovikiv-do-jes-1096980.html

There is an opinion that support for Ukraine will last as long as Europe needs to prepare for defense against russia and will close the borders with Ukraine as soon as it is no longer needed.

The Ternopil Mobilization Center has launched an investigation into a video of their serviceman threatening a civilian. https://censor.net/ua/n3594466

In the Mykolaiv region, police have opened criminal proceedings following a complaint from a 40-year-old man who claims he was beaten and held for almost two weeks at a local mobilization center. https://sud.ua/uk/news/ukraine/350376-v-nikolaevskoy-oblasti-muzhchina-zayavil-ob-izbienii-i-dvukhnedelnom-soderzhanii-v-ttsk-politsiya-otkryla-delo

I can't help but draw an analogy with a case that recently occurred in the USA where tensions flare after deadly ICE shooting in Minneapolis. https://edition.cnn.com/us/live-news/minneapolis-ice-shooting-immigration-crackdown-01-09-26

I also remembered the Civil War, a 2024 dystopian action thriller film https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Civil_War_(film)

In my opinion, when illiterate and uncultured people gain the power to persecute other people and use force/weapons against them under the guise of protecting national interests, it will not lead to anything good. This may not be enough for a civil war, but it will in any case reduce the attractiveness and effectiveness of such a society and leads to its split.

Meanwhile, the world's attention is focused on events in Iran, where protests against the regime are developing. Iranians have had their internet shut down, but I'm sure the protest organizers are being provided with starlinks and other necessary support. Hard times are coming in yet another resource-cursed country. https://edition.cnn.com/world/live-news/iran-protests-01-09-26

[KD8ZM-Brady]

Everyone has been watching the power outage in Berlin caused by a leftwing enviro-nut group, and how much suffering it has caused. Then I think of how it must be to have dealt with this and worse things for the past almost four years! Our prayers are with you and your family, Wlad.

[US7IGN]

In any case, all the difficulties behind the front line are in no way comparable to what the soldiers are having to endure in the trenches. I consider it a miracle that the Armed Forces of Ukraine and the Ukrainian people have managed to resist the russians for four years despite the ineffective and unprofessional work of the authorities, corruption, etc.

As it turned out, I was lucky that the heat and water were restored in my house, and the electricity was not turned off all day. In other districts of Kyiv, there is something missing, and some people have nothing at all for the second day. The generator in the supermarket did not work today and people without cash were unable to buy anything. What will happen to the products is also unknown. I bought some more canned food and water.

It seems that this time the missile attack caused more damage and each time it will only get worse, and this is only the beginning of January. The mayor of Kyiv called on the residents of the capital to go to other places, but did not say where.

The governor of russia's Belgorod region, which borders Ukraine, said on Saturday that 600,000 residents were without electricity, heating and water after a Ukrainian missile strike. Belgorod region, which adjoins Ukraine's Kharkiv region and had a pre-war population of 1.5 million, has come under regular attack from Kyiv's forces since russia ordered tens of thousands of troops into Ukraine in February 2022. https://www.reuters.com/world/governor-russias-belgorod-region-says-600000-without-power-heat-or-water-after-2026-01-10/

Ukrainian drone also hit house in Voronezh, russia. https://www.stroimdom.com.ua/uploads/monthly_2026_01/1878062819_.mp4.a4d80d40e0c1f12667cb2fd39a54df08.mp4

This should somehow affect the russians, but in my opinion these attacks are too few and they started too late.

Ukraine and the United States are planning to sign a “prosperity” deal to rebuild the country at a gathering of world leaders in Davos. Volodymyr Zelensky and Donald Trump are heading to the Swiss mountain resort, where they are expected to meet and finalise the agreement, Western officials have told The Telegraph. The Ukrainian president had hoped to travel to the White House next week to conclude both the economic prosperity plan and a deal on post-war security guarantees. But his European backers in the “coalition of the willing” advised against the trip, and instead suggested the World Economic Forum as a more suitable alternative at which to meet Mr Trump. The prosperity plan is aimed at bringing in around $800bn (£600bn) over a decade to rebuild Ukraine and kick-start its economy, Ukrainian officials say. https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/01/09/us-ukraine-sign-800bn-reconstruction-deal-trump-zelensky/

Corruption in the system of mobilization centers, as well as cases of unauthorized abandonment of units in the army, negatively affect the defense capability of Ukraine, said the newly appointed head of the President's Office, Kyrylo Budanov. "Abuse of official duties and undermining of military discipline are unacceptable. We are studying the problems of these issues and preparing clear and effective solutions," Budanov said. https://www.rbc.ua/rus/news/budanov-anonsuvav-kroki-shchodo-borotbi-koruptsieyu-1768046299.html

Well, let's see what these solutions will be and whether the causes of these problems will be eliminated or they will blame the evaders for everything again and introduce even greater restrictions.

The federal agent who shot and killed a driver in Minneapolis is an Iraq War veteran who has served for nearly two decades in the Border Patrol and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, according to records obtained Thursday by The Associated Press. https://apnews.com/article/minnesota-ice-shooting-immigration-842b1d92cb93f2326171f139686e8b0f
https://www.wbur.org/news/2026/01/09/johnathan-ross-ice-killing-renee-good-minneapolis-background

Again, I draw an analogy with Ukraine and consider it a mistake to send former military personnel with PTSD to catch people.

The Republican member of the US House of Representatives, Anna Paulina Luna, said that she received a letter from "members of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, as well as members of the government" - Oleksandr Dubinsky, Artem Dmytruk, and Oleksandr Kunytsky - which allegedly stated that the number of political prisoners in Ukraine had exceeded 42 thousand, and 400 thousand men who refused to go to war were "subject to criminal prosecution." So Luna warned that she would appeal to the Vatican and the State Department because of our country's "persecution of Ukrainian Orthodox Christians." https://x.com/RepLuna/status/2009479927893049430

We have over 30,000 registered religious organizations, many of which cannot operate in russia. Only the one with ties to Moscow speaks about persecutions. In the entire Ukrainian penitentiary system, there are around 34,600 inmates. There are no political prisoners, Stefanishyna writes. https://x.com/StefanishynaO/status/2009709204081139954

It is interesting that the indicated deputies were elected to parliament in the pro-government party "Servant of the People", but then their relationship deteriorated and they are persecuted by the authorities. I do not know what relation the Vatican has to Ukrainian Orthodox churches, but apparently they meant cases of conviction of believers who refused to serve due to religious beliefs. As for political prisoners, my colleagues lawyers who deal with criminal cases also told me that many detainees consider themselves political prisoners, but there is no such term in Ukrainian legislation and this can be manipulated.

In any case, such posts do not improve the reputation of Ukraine. As well as an interview, for example, with the Deputy Prime Minister for Recovery - Minister of Community Development Oleksiy Kuleba, who skillfully shifts responsibility onto everyone else, not answering uncomfortable questions and denying even his own words from previous interviews. https://epravda.com.ua/interview/kuleba-pro-zahist-energetiki-hto-vidpovidaye-ta-logika-vidbudovi-pid-chas-viyni-816214/

[US7IGN]

The air temperature at night drops to almost -20C, and although I have heat, water, and electricity, my blood pressure is jumping and my heart is aching. Sergiy UT3UFD has had no heat at home for four days now, and electricity is intermittent. It's also cold at his work, so he warms himself at home with a gas stove, refusing to move in with me because of his plants, which will die from the cold without him. Moreover, his banana has sprouted a baby for the first time in many years, and the young cacti he grew from seeds have also sprouted.

Every night, air raids are repeated and explosions can be heard both in Kyiv and throughout the country. Recently, the russians have been paying special attention to the railway, which has been damaged by the blockades. Trains throughout the country are delayed or not running at all. https://ua.news/ua/war-vs-rf/rosiia-znovu-atakuvala-zaliznitsiu-v-ukrayini

There are also emergency power outages across the country. https://unn.ua/news/nichna-ataka-rf-tymchasovo-znestrumyla-dniprovshchynu-ta-zaporizhzhia-u-kyievi-ta-trokh-oblastiakh-avariini-vidkliuchennia-minenerho

On Monday, January 12, due to difficult weather conditions, temporary traffic restrictions were even introduced in Kyiv on certain electric transport routes. https://sud.ua/uk/news/ukraine/350673-u-kiyevi-cherez-skladni-pogodni-umovi-ne-khodit-elektrotransport-yaki-marshruti

russia’s shadow war with us is just starting – be ready for trouble. The head of MI6 has warned that for russia ‘the front line is everywhere’. We need to wake up to the dangers of a new wave of clandestine attacks, writes Independent. https://www.independent.co.uk/voices/russia-putin-ukraine-war-b2897569.html

[KD8ZM-Brady]

Bob, I had missed your early January message in reply to mine on political comments; my apologies. Both of us being Americans, yes I would think that we would find much to be in agreement on. Obviously I voted for Trump and you did not, but I'm sure you weren't happy with everything that Harris represented and said, just as I object to many things that Trump does and says (although on major policies, I agree with him, or I would have voted differently). Just this morning I was quite frustrated with his DOJ's legal attack on Jerome Powell, done for rather obvious reasons, as the latest example. But I would have been much more frustrated with a President Harris, I suspect. All I can say is, we don't get very good choices as voters!


Wlad, what you said about not hiring PTSD sufferers as law enforcement strikes me as being a very good point. I think the person who was shot in Minneapolis should have known that interfering with law enforcement is, by its nature, a high-risk pastime. But, seeing as how the policeman probably was traumatized by having a near-death experience with a criminal using an automobile only six months ago, in combination with his previous wartime experience, made the situation even more volatile. Setting aside who's to blame, the whole thing is a terrible tragedy.