Shelling of Bakhmut, situation at frontline, Budanov's forecast for Ukrainian offensive: today's highlights

Situation at the frontline

Russian occupation forces are focusing their efforts on conducting an offensive at the Lyman, Bakhmut, and Avdiivka directions and are trying to improve the tactical situation in the Kupiansk direction. This was reported by the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine on the evening of January 4.

Russians continue to move personnel, weapons, military hardware, and ammunition to the combat areas. For this purpose, they use railway transportation, military transport, and civil aviation.

Within the last day, occupants launched 3 missile attacks on civilian facilities in Kostiantynivka, Donetsk Oblast, and carried out 9 air strikes and 14 attacks from multiple rocket launchers.

Russians shelled Bakhmut

Today, on January 4, at noon, the Russian occupation forces shelled Bakhmut, Donetsk Oblast, with artillery. One of the shells hit the road. As a result, two elderly women died. This was reported by the press service of the regional department of the National Police.

The police note that the women were in an extremely dangerous area and did not have the strength to quickly hide from the shelling.

Ukraine is planning a major offensive for spring

The Head of the Main Intelligence Directorate of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine Kyrylo Budanov said that Ukraine is planning a major offensive for spring, and the fiercest battles are expected in March. He said this in an interview with ABC News.

Budanov said that further attacks will take place “deeper and deeper” inside Russia, but did not claim Ukraine's responsibility for this. He promised to announce the details after the end of the war.

The head of intelligence said that Russia's weapons are being depleted, forcing the country to resort to “cheaper” solutions, such as Iranian-made Shaheds.

“This [will be] the liberation of territories and the final defeat of the Russian Federation. This will happen throughout Ukraine — from Crimea to Donbas,” he said.

Other news

• A lieutenant colonel of the State Emergency Service died during demining in Izium Raion, Kharkiv Oblast, the State Emergency Service reported.
• France will transfer AMX-10 RC infantry fighting vehicles and ACMAT Bastion armored personnel carriers to Ukraine, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy reports.
• Currently, all islands in Kherson Oblast are in the “gray zone” — neither Ukrainian troops nor the occupiers fully control them, said the head of the Joint Press Center of the Tavria Defense Forces Yevhen Yerin.
• Ukrainian defense forces in the Bakhmut sector advanced by 300 meters and consolidated their positions after an unsuccessful assault by the occupiers, the State Border Guard Service of Ukraine reported.