**Ukraine Destroys Russian Telecommunication Facilities**
In the occupied part of Donetsk Oblast, Ukraine’s military intelligence (HUR) reported that four facilities housing telecommunication equipment for the illegal operator Phoenix were destroyed on December 29. The Phoenix is a telecommunications operator active in the Russian-occupied part of Donetsk Oblast since 2015.
**Russian Military Disrupted**
The HUR said that “disruptions to the Russian military’s logistics and communications are an important continuous process.” Without explicitly claiming responsibility, they suggested that these actions were intended to weaken Russian operational and logistical capabilities. This is not the first time Ukraine has targeted Russian infrastructure. Sabotage operations targeting Russian railways and other parts of infrastructure have been reported throughout the full-scale war.
**Other Attacks on Russian Infrastructure**
Fires melted cellular equipment in Russia’s Leningrad Oblast, and three railway relay cabinets were destroyed in Yaroslavl Oblast. However, The Kyiv Independent could not verify these claims. These coordinated attacks highlight Ukraine’s strategy to weaken Russian operational and logistical capabilities as the war continues.
**Russian Aerial Assault Escalates**
Russia has escalated its aerial assault on Ukraine, launching more than 280 KAB guided bombs, nearly 370 attack drones, and over 80 missiles in the past week. President Volodymyr Zelensky said that this is a clear indication of Russia’s intentions.
**Ukraine’s Defense Strategy**
The funds from international support will support the production of long-range drones, missiles, and artillery, which are critical to Ukraine’s defense strategy. This comes as child casualties in Ukraine during the first nine months of 2024 have exceeded the total for 2023, highlighting the devastating impact of the war on children.
**Other Developments**
The U.S. government has officially classified Marc Fogel, an American schoolteacher jailed in Russia on drug charges, as wrongfully detained. A number of major Russian news outlets had their Telegram channels blocked across several European Union countries on December 28.