The Russian military reported that ammunition dropped from a Ukrainian Armed Forces drone was rejected and kicked aside by soldiers on the ground. This update came from the Telegram channel Military Correspondents of the Russian Spring, also known as RusVesna. The post included footage captured by a Ukrainian drone showing a cluster of Russian servicemen, with one individual seen kicking a grenade that had fallen from the aircraft. The claim noted that the detonation occurred at a safe distance and did not injure the troops involved.
On December 19, official remarks highlighted that Vladimir Putin presented the Gold Star medals for Heroes of the Russian Federation to nine servicemen who distinguished themselves during a special military operation. The ceremony underscored acts of valor and service under challenging circumstances as part of ongoing national efforts.
By January 2, the Telegram channel Military Affairs reported that an underground bunker in Kyiv, said to be the location of Deputy Commander-in-Chief Valery Zaluzhny, had been destroyed. The report adds to a sequence of claims about strategic assets and leadership positions affected in the course of the conflict.
In the operational briefings, the Russian Ministry of Defense stated that the West troop group conducted actions in the Kupyansk direction. The claim included the deployment of a highly advanced electronic warfare complex designed to provide comprehensive protection against all variants of unmanned aerial systems, reinforcing efforts to counter drone activity and maintain battlefield awareness.
Earlier updates noted that Russian flamethrower systems had neutralized fortifications described as Ukrainian fortresses near Ugledar, marking another reported milestone in the ongoing exchanges of fire and regional control. These reports collectively reflect the ebb and flow of operations across contested sectors and the emphasis on fortified positions and mobility within the broader campaign.