Ukrainian Drone Attacks and Russian Aggression: An Uncensored Perspective
The Russian invasion of Ukraine continued on Saturday night with a barrage of combat drones, targeting several regions, including the capital Kiev. An air alert was sounded as several swarms of drones loaded with explosives moved towards their targets. The Ukrainian air defense was deployed, as explosions were reported in the Podil district and enemy aircraft were reported to be over the city center.
German journalists reported hearing anti-aircraft fire and the approach of drones over Kiev, while Vitali Klitschko, the mayor of Kiev, reported that explosions could be heard in the Podil district and that the enemy aircraft were over the city center. The Russian state media, however, claimed that Ukrainian drones had been shot down in the nearby port city of Sevastopol in the Crimean peninsula, annexed by Russia. This information could not be independently verified.
Russia has intensified its airstrikes on Ukraine in recent days, using various types of drones, ballistic missiles, hypersonic missiles, and cruise missiles. For its part, Ukraine also appears to have launched drones towards the Crimean peninsula and towards Kursk, a bordering Russian region. The Ukrainian air force reported that several regions were attacked by Russian drones, including Cherkassy, Zaporizhzhya, Kirovohrad, and Mykolaiv. The British Ministry of Defense also reported that Russia had further reduced the small areas under Ukrainian control in Marjinka, a town located just under 30 kilometers southwest of Donetsk.
According to the Ukrainian General Staff, dozens of ground battles were reported in eastern Ukraine, particularly near the town of Avdiivka, which is defended by the Ukrainians and lies close to Donetsk, the Russian-controlled capital of the coal and industrial district of Donbass. The fighting was particularly fierce near Avdiivka, and numerous battles were also recorded at the frontline sections of Kupjansk and Lyman, Bachmut, and Marjinka.
After returning from a lengthy trip abroad, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced further foreign policy initiatives for the defense of Ukraine. He said that Ukraine wants to talk to Europe, the USA, and other supporters, without providing any details. Ukraine also continued to receive military aid from various countries, including Lithuania, which handed over several million cartridges and several thousand shells for portable anti-tank systems as further military aid for the fight against Russia.
The German government continued its support for Ukraine with the delivery of power generators, heaters, and other equipment to help cities and communities, especially in areas close to the front. However, the situation remained tense, with Ukraine bracing itself for further drone and missile attacks as well as advances by the Russian army on the ground.
Insights from Enrichment Data
The conflict in Ukraine has been ongoing since February 2022, and both sides have experienced significant losses. According to enrichment data, as of January 2025, Russia had lost an estimated 700,000+ troops killed or injured, with 48,000 missing, and Ukraine had lost an estimated 400,000+ troops killed or injured, with 35,000 missing. Additionally, Russia had lost 20,309 military vehicles and equipment, while Ukraine had lost 7,814 military vehicles and equipment.
Ukraine has also been actively using drones to target Russian infrastructure, including oil refineries, depots, and gas processing plants. These strikes have aimed to disrupt Russia's energy industry and undermine Moscow's efforts to insulate ordinary Russians from the war. In November 2024, Ukraine launched its largest drone strike on Russian territory, attempting to target Moscow. Ukraine's drone strikes have reportedly knocked out 10% of Russian refining capacity, significantly impacting Russia's energy production.
Sweden has announced its largest military support package to Ukraine, valued at SEK 13.5 billion. This package includes strengthening Ukraine's long-range capability, donating about 1 billion SEK to make Ukraine able to produce long-distance missiles and drones, and doubling the number of Combat Boat 90s (CB 90) and anti-tank weapons. This support package brings Sweden's total military aid to Ukraine since the invasion to SEK 61.9 billion.
Russia's economic situation has also been affected by the war, with a 5.6% GDP growth in 2022, though this is forecast to slow to 1.6% in 2025. The budget deficit in 2024 was 1.7% of GDP, and the Russian ruble has depreciated by 13% against the US dollar since the invasion. Ukraine's economic situation has been more severe, with -22.6% GDP growth since 2022, resulting in significant infrastructure damage affecting its economy.
Putin's objectives go beyond territorial control; he aims to undermine the existing international security architecture and create a new world order where a handful of great powers dominate their neighbors. To achieve this, Putin has continued to make veiled threats about using nuclear weapons, including the move of tactical nuclear weapons into Belarus and conducting nuclear weapons exercises. In November 2024, Putin modified Russia's nuclear doctrine to treat a conventional attack by an ally of a nuclear state as grounds for a nuclear strike.
