Russians storming Soledar, Russian oil price drops below $40: highlights of the day

Assault on Soledar

Deputy Defense Minister of Ukraine Hanna Malyar said that the Russian occupation troops launched a new powerful assault on Soledar in Donetsk Oblast. According to her, the occupying forces regrouped, restored losses, deployed additional assault units and changed tactics after an unsuccessful attempt to capture the city and subsequent retreat.

The occupiers are massively using artillery, multiple rocket launchers and mortars. They also attracted many assault groups formed from the best reserves of the Wagner PMC, Malyar said.

Strikes on Ukraine

Russian troops launched a missile attack on Ochakiv in Mykolaiv Oblast on the afternoon of January 9. At least 15 people were injured, including a two-year-old child. The hospital and more than 100 houses were damaged in the town.

The head of the Luhansk Oblast Military Administration Serhiy Hayday said that Russians are also constantly shelling the de-occupied settlements of the region. On January 9, two civilians were killed in Nevske and two more were wounded.

There are also two dead and five wounded as a result of a strike on the market in Shevchenkove village, Kharkiv Oblast, as well as one dead due to shelling of Kherson.

Changes at airfield near Engels

There are fewer combat-ready bombers and protective barriers at the strategic aviation airfield near the Russian city of Engels, Saratov Oblast, according to the satellite images published by "Skhemy" investigative project.

Now there are six bombers at the airfield: four Tu-95 and two Tu-160. Back on December 6, there were about 20 planes there. Also on the latest images you can see a semi-disassembled Tu-95, transport aircraft IL-76 or IL-78 and passenger aircraft Tu-154.

Losses of occupiers

The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine calculated that the Defense Forces destroyed 590 Russian troops, 11 tanks, 17 armored combat vehicles, four artillery systems and other equipment on January 8. In total, Russia lost 111,760 of its soldiers during the full-scale war.

Exposure of Party of Shariy

The Security Service of Ukraine said that in Dnipro its employees exposed an underground cell of the banned Party of Shariy, which was preparing to organize mass riots in the region.

During searches in the premises of this cell, law enforcement officers found instructions with an algorithm of actions to provoke mass riots during public events. The perpetrators were also preparing to hold street actions in support of Russian troops in case of their approaching the front line or occupation of the region, the SBU claims.

Cheaper Russian oil

The cost of Russian Urals oil on January 9 stood at $37.8 per barrel. This is significantly less than the established price ceiling for Russian oil of $60. Also, this cost is less than half the price of the benchmark Brent crude, which costs $78.57.