Drone attack on St. Petersburg refinery and Ukrainian-Russian military exchange - Wednesday brief

Ukrainian intelligence drone attacks oil refinery in St. Petersburg, source

Last night, January 31, a Ukrainian drone crashed on the territory of the Nevsky Oil Refinery in Russian St. Petersburg. According to a source in the special services, the operation was organized and conducted by the Defense Intelligence of Ukraine.

Although the praised Russian air defense systems were "working" as intended, the drone still managed to inflict damage on the enemy.

The source explained the Russians attempted to shoot down the Ukrainian UAV using the S-400 complex - the most powerful air defense system in the Russian arsenal. However, the interception proved ineffective, and the drone still fell on the territory of the Nevsky Oil Refinery.

207 Ukrainian defenders returned to Ukraine from Russian captivity

The military exchange took place between Ukraine and Russia. 207 Ukrainians returned home.

According to Andrii Yermak, the head of the Presidential Office, those who returned home are servicemen from the Armed Forces of Ukraine, the National Guard, the State Border Guard Service, and the National Police. Among the warriors were defenders of Mariupol who were on Azovstal, Snake Island, and those who fought on various fronts.

Germany provides new aid package to Ukraine, including helicopters, APCs, and missiles

Germany has handed over a new military aid package to Ukraine. It includes missiles for air defense, all-terrain vehicles, and armored personnel carriers, according to the German government.

The new military package includes:

• 24 armored personnel carriers;
• 4 Bandvagn 206 all-terrain vehicles;
• missiles for the IRIS-T SLS air defense system;
• 1 BIBER bridge paver with spare parts;
• 3 WISENT 1 demining tanks;
• 4 special devices for demining tanks;
• over a thousand 155 mm artillery rounds;
• a system against sea mines;
• Satcom video surveillance system;
• 4 vehicles for the Border Guard Service;
• 450 snow chains;
• 194 thousand individual dry rations.

The German government also notes that the new aid package includes six Sea King Mk41 multipurpose helicopters with spare parts. However, Berlin adds that for security reasons, the government is withholding details about the transportation and timing of the transfer of this equipment.

'As much in one year than previously in two': Borrell on EU aid to Ukraine in 2024

The European Union and its member states have already allocated €21 billion for military support to Ukraine this year, announces the head of the EU's diplomacy, Josep Borrell at a briefing.

He reminded that EU member states and European institutions have transferred military equipment worth 28 billion euros to Ukraine.

"I can say that, at least, it is going to be €21 billion being budgeted for 2024 for military assistance to Ukraine. You can see the acceleration," he said.

World record: Ukrainian sniper eliminates enemy from almost 4 kilometers away

Ukrainian sniper Viacheslav Kovalskyi set a world sniper record in November of last year, reports Operational Command North.

"In November 2023, using the Lord of the Horizon rifle with a caliber of 12.7×114 mm HL, Ukrainian sniper Viacheslav Kovalskyi set a world sniper record," reports the command.

According to military sources, the Ukrainian sniper eliminated a Russian officer at a distance of 3,800 meters.

U.S. GLSDB bombs en route to Ukrainian military, Nuland states

American GLSDB bombs are already heading to the front for use by Ukrainian forces. This is happening as part of the aid from the United States, according to a statement of Deputy Secretary of State Victoria Nuland at a briefing in Kyiv.

"...including new investments and new weapon systems, like the small diameter bomb (Ground Launched Small Diameter Bomb, GLSDB - Ed.), that is on its way to the front, and to support the regeneration of Ukraine's defense-industrial base and our own to ensure that we can continue to fight against those who want to steal our freedom," Nuland notes.