Russian Volunteer Corps commander found alive, Russia launches massive strike on Volyn - Thursday brief
RBC-Ukraine collage
The commander of the Russian Volunteer Corps, Denis Kapustin, did not actually die. Meanwhile, Russian troops launched a massive attack on Volyn.
For more details on what happened on Thursday, January 1, see the report on RBC-Ukraine.
Russian Volunteer Corps leader alive as Russian assassination plot collapses
The commander of the Russian Volunteer Corps, Denis Kapustin, is alive, and the money allocated for his assassination will be used to strengthen special units of Ukraine’s Main Intelligence Directorate, according to the Defense Intelligence of Ukraine (HUR)
The assassination of the RVC commander — a unit fighting against Russian forces as part of HUR’s Tymur Special Unit — was ordered by Russian special services, which allocated $500,000 for the operation.
Russian drone attack hits Ukraine's Volyn region on New Year's night, over 100,000 without power
Russian forces attacked Ukraine's Volyn region throughout the night. As a result of strikes on energy facilities, more than 103,000 subscribers were left without electricity, Volyn Regional Military Administration head Ivan Rudnytskyi reported.
According to him, air defense forces managed to shoot down some of the Russian Shahed drones. At the same time, hits were recorded, resulting in fires. Blazes occurred in particular in Lutsk and the Kovel district, and efforts to extinguish them are ongoing.
Ukrainian forces strike Ilsky oil refinery in Russia and targets in Donetsk region
Ukraine's Defense Forces struck the Ilsky oil refinery in Russia's Krasnodar region overnight on January 1, as well as several Russian targets in the temporarily occupied territories of the Donetsk region, the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported.
In particular, the Ilsky oil refinery in Russia's Krasnodar region was hit. Strikes by attack drones were recorded, followed by a fire on the facility's premises.
Stubb allows that part of peace agreement could be unfair to Ukraine
Some provisions of a potential peace agreement between Ukraine and Russia may not align with notions of justice, Finnish President Alexander Stubb said in his New Year’s address.
Stubb’s address was built around three main points, one of which was peace in Europe.
The president also confirmed that peace in Europe is now closer than at any time since 2022. However, he said the West cannot be certain "whether Russia is ready for peace."
US urges China to stop military pressure on Taiwan
China has launched large-scale military drills near Taiwan, raising regional tensions. The United States is urging Beijing to show restraint and engage in open dialogue to preserve peace, according to Thomas Pigott, principal deputy spokesperson for the US Department of State.
The US reaffirmed its commitment to peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait and said it opposes any "unilateral changes to the status quo" by force or coercion.
