After reportedly being pushed out a week ago, new footage confirms that Russian forces recaptured the Toretsk central market.

Ukraine still seems to be putting up a lot of resistance in Toretsk, despite nearly all of their strongholds being under Russian control.

A Ukrainian military observer has released a new update on the situation on the frontline. Here are their main points:

Kupyansk direction:
Russia's main efforts are probably still concentrated
on the Kruhlyakivka - Zahryzove line, as well as their tactical penetration towards Borivs'ka Andriivka along the Lozova-Zelenyi Hai line.
In the direction of Borova, Russia brought in units of
both the 3rd Motorised Rifle Division and units of the
25th Separate Motorised rifle Brigade, however only
limited progress has been made after 5 days of
fighting. The Russian command really wants to break through to Borova while also forcing the Oskil river near the village of Dvorichna.

Velyka Novosilka direction:
Russian advanced units from the 37th and 5th
separate motorised rifle brigades currently do not have the ability to begin an assault on the area of Neskuchne, Vremivka and Velyka Novosilka head-on without suffering significant losses at the same time.
Russia will probably try to solve the "problem" of Velyka Novosilka in some "not very expensive" way in the near future in a way that additional significant forces and resources are not involved.

Kurakhove direction:
Russia has brought in additional units of the 114th and 57th seperate motorised rifle brigades into the battle in the southern part of the Kurakhove salient, however, since December 19th, the pace of Russia's offensive in this part of the salient has significantly slowed.
Assault groups of the 5th Separate Motorised Rifle brigade also tried to break through west of Stary Terny, but were only able to capture a couple of treelines, while the neighboring village of Shevchenko remains under Ukrainian control.

Pokrovsk direction:
The Russian command has a clear task - to cut off two roads west of Pokrovsk: one to the town of Mezhova, Dnipropetrovsk Oblast, and the second - the E50 - to Pavlohrad. The other option is to put them under tight fire control.

Israeli forces have reportedly begun storming the Kamal Adwan Hospital in Northern Gaza after intense bombardment in its vicinity. At least 4 medical personnel have been killed in airstrikes, artillery shelling, and other attacks.

A short while ago, connection with medical and journalistic crews as well as the wounded inside the hospital had been lost.

The Kamal Adwan hospital is located in the city of Beit Lahiya and is the last partially functioning medical facility in Northern Gaza.

Local palestinian sources report that Israeli soldiers evacuated the staff and patients of the hospital, as well as the residents living near it, and forced them to move to Al-Fakhoura School, where they were detained in the school-yard.

Smoke is rising, reportedly from the Kamal Adwan hospital.

German President Steinmeier has dissolved parliament at the request of Chancellor Scholz. Federal elections are planned for February 2025.

A Ukrainian source reported that Russian forces advanced from Ukrainka, and reached the village of Yasenove from the north and east.

A Ukrainian source reported that Russian forces have advanced in Western Donetsk Oblast and captured half of Novojelyzavetivka.

Russian forces are also reportedly attacking towards Nadiivka from the northeast.

Russian forces appear to be continuing to rush through the fields towards Dnipropetrovsk Oblast. There is basically nothing in their way as Selydove was the last major town before they reached the border with Dnipropetrovsk.

The question is, will they continue their rapid advance, or will they slow down to consolidate and not over-extend themselves. I'm more inclined to believe the latter given the previous patterns I've observed in the Russian army. Nevertheless, I expect that Donetsk Oblast will be cut in two within 4-6 weeks.

Scenes from reportedly outside the Kamal Adwan hospital in northern Gaza which is currently being stormed and burned by the Israeli army.

Slovakia has purchased an Israeli Barak MX air defence system for 560 million Euros. This is the largest ever defence export deal between the two countries.

This air defence system is designed to deal with a variety of Aeriel targets, including ballistic missiles, at short, medium and long range. It also supports various types of radars and launches for coverage against combat aircraft, helicopters, UAVs, cruise missiles, ground-to-air missiles, and ground-to-ground missiles.

The Barak MRAD short-range interceptor has a range of up to 35 km. The Barak LRAD medium range interceptor has a range of up to 70 km. And the long-range Barak ER interceptor has a range of up to 150 kilometers.

Saudi Arabia has announced a $500 Million economic support package to the Southern Transitional Council in Aden, Yemen.

It consists of a $300 million deposit in the Central Bank of Yemen "to improve the economic and financial situation", and $200 million to "deal with the Yemeni Budget deficit" out of a total pledge of $1.2 billion.

The Saudi government stated that it reflects "the Kingdom's commitment to helping the Yemeni people achieve stability and development."

They also said that the financial support "seeks to help set the basis for economic, financial, and monetary stability in the Republic of Yemen, strengthen this country’s public finances, enhance the capacity of government institutions, and improve governance and transparency."

A new photo has been released showing Finnish special forces boarding the Russian "Eagle S" oil tanker, which is suspected of damaging the Estlink 2 undersea power cable.

Robin Lardot, director of the Finnish National Bureau of Investigation, previously stated that "from our side we are investigating grave sabotage," but that according to their understanding, "an anchor has caused the damage."

The Finnish customs service said it had seized the vessel's cargo and that the ship was believed to belong to Russia's shadow fleet of tankers that aim to evade sanctions on the sale of Russian oil.

A spokesperson for the U.S. national Security Council previously said that they are "coordinating closely with our allies and stand ready to support their investigations."

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte stated that "We are following investigations by Estonia and Finland, and we stand ready to provide further support".

Following the Ukrainian government announcing that Ukraine will cease to allow Russian gas to flow across its territory from January 1, 2025, Slovakian Prime Minister Robert Fico stated that Slovakia is considering halting back-up electricity supplies to Ukraine if the Ukrainian government goes through with this.

Alternative routes would reportedly "sharply" drive up costs and could cost the European Union an estimated 120 billion Euros in 2025-2026 from both the gas and electricity production from the fuel.

This shows a continuation in tensions between Ukraine and Slovakia, which began when Fico took power just over a year ago. Previously he stopped military aid to Ukraine and warmed relations with Russia.

Another factor that has contributed to tensions between the two nations was Fico meeting Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow, making him the third EU leader to do so since the outbreak of war in Ukraine on February 24, 2022.

BREAKING:

Unconfirmed reports state that the Taliban has launched a military operation into Pakistan as retaliation for airstrikes carried out by the Pakistani Air Force against Southeastern Afghanistan on Christmas Eve.

Initial reports state that Taliban forces have captured two Pakistani Military Outposts while causing significant casualties among Pakistani forces.

Taliban channels are suggesting that this is the beginning of the major conflict with Pakistan.

These are very early reports and there is a lot of fog surrounding the situation here. I will do my best to update you guys as information surfaces.

The reports have been confirmed by the Taliban.

Approximate vectors of attack according to sources that informed the Al-Mirsaad news agency.

There are unconfirmed reports that 19 Pakistani soldiers have been killed in the clashes so far.

Reportedly a video showing a Pakistani airstrike on Taliban soldiers. This could be old, however.