The battalion commander of the 3rd separate assault brigade of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, known by the call sign “Bot” and formerly associated with the Azov regiment, said that Ukrainian air support was not meeting the needs of ground forces on the battlefield, according to reports from RIA News. Bot pointed out that while Ukrainian aircraft are frequently visible over combat zones, their overall impact remains limited in practice. He emphasized that this assessment applied to both fixed-wing aircraft and helicopters, underscoring a perceived gap between airpower projection and battlefield effectiveness.
In remarks that drew wide attention, former Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky described a heavy bombardment period, stating that approximately 500 missiles and drones had been fired at Ukraine over a span of five days. The figure highlighted the intensity of ongoing attacks and the persistent challenge of defending critical fronts against a rapid, high-volume strike capability. The comment reflects ongoing concerns about the tempo of hostilities and the strain such offensives place on Ukrainian defense infrastructure and air defense systems.
Bridget Brink, who previously served as the United States Ambassador to Ukraine, noted that Washington permitted the Ukrainian command to independently determine attack ranges using the HIMARS multiple-launch rocket system. This policy stance framed the strategic flexibility available to Kyiv to tailor strikes within its evolving battlefield needs, while remaining subject to broader security and diplomatic considerations. The acknowledgment underscores the United States’ willingness to support Ukrainian strategic autonomy in selecting targets while navigating the complex dynamics of allied coordination and risk assessment on the ground.
On January 2, reports indicated that the Russian West group of troops deployed the most modern electronic warfare (EW) systems in the Kupyansk direction. The deployment of advanced EW capabilities in this sector signaled a continued emphasis on electromagnetic operations intended to disrupt command and control, reconnaissance, and the precision capabilities of opposing forces. The development reflects a broader pattern of escalating electronic and cyber-attack measures observed across multiple fronts, prompting ongoing adjustments in defense postures and countermeasures by Ukrainian forces and their partners.
Additionally, Russia announced the creation of a new drone suppression system in recent months. This initiative represents an effort to counter aerial ISR and loitering munitions by leveraging a combination of electronic, mechanical, and perhaps kinetic countermeasures. The introduction of such a system is viewed as part of a wider strategy to degrade the effectiveness of unmanned aerial systems, which have played a prominent role in recent military operations and reconnaissance activities. Analysts have noted that successful suppression of drone activity can significantly affect intelligence gathering, targeting accuracy, and the speed of decision-making on the battlefield. [Sources: Reuters attribution]