Here is the situation on Monday, January 15, 2024.
1. Fighting
• The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine has reported persistent and intense hostilities on the front line, documenting 86 attacks on Sunday.
• The Institute for the Study of War, a Washington, DC-based think tank, posits that Russian forces are likely to continue localized offensive operations in eastern Ukraine, seeking to maintain or escalate these efforts regardless of prevailing weather conditions. The institute notes, however, that significant breakthroughs are deemed improbable.
• Oleg Gumenyuk, the former mayor of Vladivostok in Russia’s far eastern region, currently serving a 12-year sentence for corruption, has enlisted in the Ukrainian military and is actively engaged on the front line. Gumenyuk commenced his military duties on December 22.
• The governor of Russia’s Kursk region reported an incident in which a man sustained injuries following an alleged drone attack by Ukrainian forces on the village of Tetkino, situated along the border with Ukraine’s Sumy region.
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2. Politics and diplomacy
• . mission to Switzerland on Monday, seeking to garner support from international allies. Zelenskyy’s itinerary includes meetings with parliamentary leaders, party officials, and the President of Switzerland, along with participation in the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos, as outlined in an official statement from the Ukrainian President’s office.
• Andriy Yermak, the Chief of Staff for the Ukrainian presidency, emphasized the imperative of involving China in discussions aimed at resolving the ongoing conflict with Russia. Following a high-level diplomatic meeting centered on Kyiv’s 10-point peace formula ahead of the WEF, Yermak underscored the importance of Beijing’s presence at the negotiating table during subsequent deliberations on the plan. Notably, national security advisers from 83 countries participated in the latest talks.
• France and Germany have reaffirmed their unwavering support for Ukraine, with newly-appointed French Foreign Minister Stephane Sejourne expressing full agreement on the necessity of supporting Ukrainians for as long as required. His German counterpart, Annalena Baerbock, echoed this sentiment, asserting their commitment to stand by Ukraine until Russia withdraws from Ukrainian territory.
• North Korea’s Foreign Minister Choe Son Hui is currently in Moscow from January 15 to 17 at the invitation of Russia’s Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov. Accusations from the United States and other sources suggest Pyongyang’s involvement in transferring weapons to Moscow for potential use in Ukraine.
• Pope Francis has reiterated his stance that war is a “crime against humanity” and has called for peace in Ukraine and the Middle East. The pontiff emphasized the critical need for global efforts to achieve peace during his remarks following the weekly Angelus prayer.
• Yampil, an Asiatic black bear, was successfully rescued following the bombing of the zoo in Lyman, resulting in the tragic loss of most animals. The rescue effort was documented by the Five Sisters Zoo via AP Photo.
• Aleksiy Uminsky, a prominent liberal priest, faces potential expulsion from the Russian Orthodox Church for refusing to recite a prayer advocating for Russia’s victory over Ukraine. A church court has recommended his expulsion from holy orders, pending approval from Patriarch Kirill, the head of the Russian Orthodox Church known for his staunch support of President Vladimir Putin.
• Renowned Russian poet Lev Rubinstein, a significant figure in the Soviet underground literary scene, passed away days after being struck by a car in Moscow. Rubinstein, aged 76, had previously signed an open letter denouncing the invasion of Ukraine as a “criminal war” and accusing the Kremlin of falsehoods.
• Yampil, a 12-year-old Asiatic black bear rescued from a bombed-out zoo in Lyman, has found a new home in a zoo located outside the Scottish capital, Edinburgh.
3. Weapons
• The Swedish Defence Materiel Administration has formalized an agreement with the Nordic Ammunition Company to augment the production and distribution of 155mm artillery ammunition. This initiative is aimed at providing enhanced support to Ukraine in its defense efforts.
