Ukraine successfully destroys Russian ammo depots, command posts. Serhiy Zgurets' column

Strike on Russian ammunition depot in Rostov region

On the night of January 10, the SBU and Ukrainian Navy carried out a strike to destroy an ammunition and drone storage depot near the village of Chaltyr in the Rostov region. According to several Ukrainian media outlets citing the SBU, the attack followed a well-established protocol. First, SBU drones targeted the facility, activating Russia's air defense system, and then, after depleting it, a strike was launched using Neptune cruise missiles. 

Ukrainian Navy divisions operated these missiles. The distance from this location in the Rostov region to Ukrainian territory is over 260 km, but Ukraine's Neptune missiles have a much longer range. It is confirmed that multiple Neptune missiles were used in the strike. Social media reports indicate numerous explosions near the village, suggesting secondary detonation of ammunition. Sources in the SBU cited by Ukrainian media claim that a high-priority target was hit, which will certainly affect the situation on the front lines.

This was not the only good news. On December 9, the General Staff reported a strike on the command post of the Third Army Corps of the Russian Armed Forces located in Svitlodarsk, Donetsk region. A few days ago, Ukrainian Defense Forces also struck the command post of the 8th Combined Arms Army of the Russian Armed Forces. This command post was located in the city of Khartsyzsk. All of this together affects the effectiveness of the Russian actions.

Situation in Zaporizhzhia sector: Russian army is actively reconnoitering Ukraine's first line of defense

Captain Artem Sholudko, officer of the 4th operational battalion of the Spartan Brigade, spoke about combat operations in the Zaporizhzhya direction. According to him, the brigade's units are using all possible means to stop and destroy the Russian occupier. He emphasized that over the past week, reconnaissance activities along the front line have been actively conducted in the brigade's area of responsibility. For reconnaissance, the Russians use equipment without infantry, or vice versa - infantry without equipment. In this way, they are trying to identify Ukrainian units' firing positions.

Artem Sholudko explained that the Russians have reduced the intensity of their assault operations. Previously, they used combined assault operations and various tactics of warfare. However, such attempts led to large-scale Russian losses in both equipment and personnel. Now, the invaders have allocated more time to conduct detailed reconnaissance and try to identify weaknesses in the Ukrainian defense.

Artem Sholudko also shared details about the new equipment that the Spartan Brigade is receiving. According to the officer, new models of equipment require more time to prepare and study its technical characteristics. However, such training and exercises take place directly in combat conditions due to limited time. The captain also added that the equipment in this war is developing very rapidly. Today, fiber-optic drones, which are not sensitive to electronic warfare, are already actively operating on the battlefield.

Intensity of Russian offensive in Kurakhove direction does not decrease

The General Staff reported that over the past day, the Ukrainian Defense Forces repelled 29 Russian attacks in the Kurakhove direction. In particular, the General Staff report mentions Andriivka, Petropavlivka, Kurakhove and Dachne. After Ukrainian forces withdrew from the Kurakhove thermal power plant and Kurakhove pipe plant, the Russians attacked Dachne. Fighting continues on the outskirts of this settlement. The Russian forces are now active along the Vovcha River, north of Kurakhove. In particular, near Slovianka, Petropavlivka and Shevchenkove. The enemy is aiming to reach the Andriivka and Kostiantynopil highway. These two settlements are located above the Zaporizhzhia-Kurakhove-Donetsk highway. The invaders are trying to move towards Andriivka from the north.

Map of fighting in Kurakhove sector, January 10, 2025, Photo: Espreso

Situation in Kurakhove direction is extremely unstable: Ukrainian army holding back overwhelming Russian forces

Nazar Voitenkov, acting press officer of the 33rd Separate Mechanized Brigade, said that the situation in the Kurakhove direction is very unstable. The Russians have numerous unmanned systems that complicate logistics in this area for the Defense Forces. However, according to Voitenkov, Ukrainian Armed Forces units continue to perform tasks near Kurakhove. He added that it is often very difficult to go to the positions, as the Russian troops use many UAVs to attack Ukrainian units. These attacks are non-stop.

For their part, according to the press officer, the Ukrainian military are actively using electronic warfare and armored vehicles to safely transport personnel to combat missions. Combat engagements in the Kurakhove direction often take place while the troops are moving. The Russians try to move through fields and forests, where they are tracked down and destroyed by drones and artillery. Voitenkov said that Russians hardly ever use armored vehicles for assault operations. In particular, in January, Ukrainian forces managed to destroy 100 Russian troops in their direction. This trend continues today. The Russians are constantly trying to break through, advancing day and night. During the day, the Defense Forces destroy the enemy with FPV drones, and at night, heavy bomber drones are actively used.

The spokesman also said that the Ukrainian Armed Forces are actively and effectively using Leopard tanks. In particular, these tanks have shells in their arsenal that are very good at breaking down their fortifications and dugouts.

Nazar Voitenkov also shared details about the mining of the front line. According to him, the main difficulty for the Ukrainian Defense Forces in the Kurakhove direction is logistics. To mine the territories, the Ukrainian Armed Forces make trips at night. The Russians are actively trying to plant “petals” (landmines - ed.) at the access points, which makes the process of mining very difficult. If the occupying Russian forces track down the Ukrainian military crew that has left to conduct mining, they can attack Ukrainian soldiers with 4-6 drones.