On the 1040th day of war, the Ukrainian air defense neutralized nine out of the ten drones launched by Russia overnight. Russian troops attacked the positions of the Ukrainian army in the Russian region of Kursk and the Ukrainian region of Sumy with missiles. These were not annihilated, and the effects of the strikes are currently being evaluated.
Over half a million residents of the Kharkiv region were left without heating this week following Russian army attacks on the energy infrastructure. Specialists continue to work on fixing the malfunctions.
The Federal Security Service of Russia (FSB) announced that it thwarted a plot by Ukraine to kill a high-ranking Russian officer and a pro-Russian war blogger with a bomb hidden in a portable music speaker.
Meanwhile, Putin signed a decree approving a new strategy to combat extremism in Russia. The document mentions Ukraine as one of the „main sources of extremism” and introduces the concept of „Russophobia” for the first time.
In turn, Volodymyr Zelensky announced that his team is preparing some important personnel decisions that will be announced soon.
And Ukraine received its first shipment of liquefied natural gas from the United States.
For more information, you can visit the following link: [Day 1039: Ukraine risks losing all territory controlled in Kursk, North Korean troops face mass casualties](https://spotmedia.ro/stiri/eveniment/ziua-1039-ucraina-risca-sa-piarda-tot-teritoriul-controlat-in-kursk-trupele-nord-coreene-se-confrunta-cu-victime-in-masa)
### Situation on the Front
– **Downed Drones** – The air defense neutralized nine out of the ten drones launched by Russia overnight, announced the [Ukrainian Air Forces](https://t.me/kpszsu/25747). All enemy drones were launched from Crimea and downed in the Nikolaev region. Russian troops also attacked the positions of the Ukrainian army in the Russian region of Kursk and the Ukrainian region of Sumy with S-300/S-400 missiles. These were not annihilated, and the effects of the strikes are currently being evaluated, as reported by [Ukrainska Pravda](https://www.pravda.com.ua/eng/news/2024/12/29/7491193/).
– **No Heating in Kharkiv** – Over 500,000 residents of the Kharkiv region were left without heating this week due to Russian army attacks on the energy infrastructure, announced the military administration of the region. Specialists continue to work on fixing the malfunctions. The number of residents without heating has increased in recent days – after a massive attack on Wednesday, 300,000 people were in this situation, notes [Ukrainska Pravda](https://www.pravda.com.ua/eng/news/2024/12/29/7491191/).
### What’s Happening in Russia
– **FSB Finds Bomb Hidden in Audio Box** – The Federal Security Service of Russia (FSB) announced on Saturday that it thwarted a plot by Ukraine to kill a high-ranking Russian officer and a pro-Russian war blogger with a bomb hidden in a portable music speaker, as reported by Reuters. FSB stated that a Russian citizen established contact with an officer from the Ukrainian military intelligence agency GUR via the messaging app Telegram. Following the instructions of the Ukrainian intelligence officer, the Russian citizen then retrieved a bomb from a hiding place in Moscow. The bomb, equivalent to 1.5 kg of TNT and packed with ball bearings, was hidden in a portable music speaker, specified FSB. FSB did not disclose the names of the officer or blogger targeted in the plot.
– **Putin Signs New Decree** – Vladimir Putin signed a decree on Saturday approving the „Strategy for Combating Extremism in the Russian Federation.” The document mentions Ukraine as one of the „main sources of extremism” and introduces the concept of „Russophobia” for the first time. Russia’s previous anti-extremism strategy, approved by Putin in 2020, did not include this term nor identify Ukraine as a threat, as reported by [The Kyiv Independent](https://kyivindependent.com/putin-names-ukraine-main-source-of-extremism-in-new-decree/). The latest version of the document warns of „serious threats” from Ukraine and repeats Russian propaganda claims about the rise of neo-Nazi activities among Ukrainians. It alleges that radical armed groups receive support „from external forces that encourage criminal acts on Russian territory.”
### Other Relevant Information
– **Zelensky Teases Important Personnel Decisions Soon** – Volodymyr Zelensky stated on Saturday that his team is „preparing some important personnel decisions” to be announced soon, without providing further details. The Ukrainian president made the statement following meetings with Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal and Energy Minister Herman Halushchenko, as reported by [The Kyiv Independent](https://kyivindependent.com/zelensky-teases-multiple-important-personnel-decisions-coming-soon/). Earlier this year, Zelensky initiated a major government reshuffle, replacing key ministers and appointing new advisers and deputies. In February, he also replaced the top military leadership in Ukraine, dismissing former Chief of Staff Valerii Zaluzhnyi and appointing Oleksandr Sirskyi in his place. Ukrainian media reported in the fall of 2024 that Zelensky is considering dismissing Defense Minister Rustem Umerov and Military Intelligence Chief Kyrylo Budanov, but the president denied these reports.
– **Ukraine Receives American Gas** – Ukraine received its first shipment of liquefied natural gas from the United States, announced the chief of staff to the Ukrainian president, Andrii Yermak. „This is more than just a shipment – it is a strategic step. Despite Russia’s attempts to destroy our energy system during the war, we have achieved another victory on the energy front,” stated Yermak, according to Sky News. Ukraine, which was partially dependent on Russian gas, has not purchased gas directly from Moscow since 2015, after the annexation of Crimea and support for separatist militants in eastern Ukraine. The shipment, which came through Greece, was received by DTEK, the largest private energy company in Ukraine.
– **Berlin Keeps an Eye on Russia’s „Phantom Fleet”** – German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock expressed concerns about Russia’s „phantom fleet” following multiple incidents of damaging underwater cables in European waters. In a Saturday interview, Baerbock highlighted the suspicious activities of crews on ships in the Baltic Sea, including dragging anchors on the seabed, which often damages cables in the process. She emphasized that these repeated incidents cannot be accidental, underscoring the essential role of underwater cables in global communication and calling for tougher sanctions against Russia. Baerbock explained that this fleet is crucial for funding Russia’s illegal war in Ukraine. Furthermore, the EU has sanctioned over 50 ships from this fleet.
– **Greece Provides Missiles to Ukraine** – Athens has agreed to supply Ukraine with 24 Sea Sparrow missiles, as reported by the Greek newspaper [Kathimerini](https://www.ekathimerini.com/politics/foreign-policy/1257256/greece-to-send-sea-sparrows-to-ukraine/). The missiles come from Greece’s naval and air stocks and are considered non-operational according to the country’s military standards. Sea Sparrow is a short-range anti-aircraft weapon manufactured in the USA, and Ukraine already possesses the launchers necessary for using the missiles.