Victorious news of the 314th day of war: launch of Ukrainian satellites, destruction of Russian base in Tokmak and plans of Ukraine to join the "rich countries club"

SpaceX launches a Ukrainian nanosatellite into orbit

On January 3, 2023, at 4:55 p.m. Kyiv time, Elon Musk's SpaceX company launched from Cape Canaveral the PolyITAN-HP-30 nanosatellite, which was developed by Igor Sikorsky Kyiv Polytechnic Institute researchers in dedication to the 30th anniversary of Ukraine's Independence. After launching into the planned orbit, the nanosatellite will be part of a scientific experiment to study the functioning effectiveness of the heat pipes with various designs as the main element of spacecraft thermal stabilization systems.

SpaceX also launched the Ukrainian commercial satellite EOS SAT-1. This is the first satellite of its own constellation, which is created by EOSDA (a global provider of satellite image analytics based on artificial intelligence).

Ukrainian Armed Forces destroy Russian base in Tokmak

Ukrainian artillery destroyed a Russian base in the temporarily occupied Tokmak, Zaporizhzhia region. The base was set up in a local tuberculosis hospital. Immediately after the strike, ambulances, firefighters and equipment arrived at the destroyed building to dismantle the rubble. Locals on social media claim that the bodies of Russian soldiers were taken away by KamAZ trucks. 

According to the General Staff of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, units of the missile troops and artillery of the Ukrainian Defense Forces struck 2 control points and 4 concentrations of Russian manpower and military equipment. Another 4 strikes on concentrations of Russian personnel, weapons and military equipment were carried out by the aviation of the Ukrainian Defense Forces. 

Fire at a military facility in Belgorod region, Russia

A large-scale fire started in Novy Oskol, Belgorod region. Local Telegram channels publish videos with huge plumes of smoke and report a fire at a military facility. They also write about the sounds of ammunition detonation.

Russia is setting up the ground for withdrawal of its troops from Bakhmut

Military analyst, veteran of the Russian-Ukrainian war Oleksiy Hetman assumes that Russia will withdraw its troops from Bakhmut and stop assaults on the town.

"Because they repeat the same operations a hundred times and, accordingly, constantly get the same result. That is, they had to admit and finally recognize it," Hetman noted.

According to the expert, Russia’s intention to withdraw troops from Bakhmut is evidenced by the words of Prigozhin, who is speaking on the lack of forces and says they cannot achieve results in the Bakhmut direction because of the Ukrainian Armed Forces.

Ukraine plans to join the "rich countries club"

Ukraine intends to become an associate member of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development in 2023. This was stated by the Chairman of the State Regulatory Service Oleksiy Kucher. According to him, the OECD is one of the most prestigious international economic organizations, which includes 38 leading world countries.

"Ukraine's accession to it is no less important than to the EU," the official said. According to Kucher, the integration is going on at a rapid pace, so Ukraine’s State Regulatory Service is doing everything possible to ensure that Ukraine becomes an associate member this year.