**Key Developments on Dec. 31**
Ukraine made significant gains against Russia in the final hours of 2023.
**First Strike by Ukrainian Sea Drone**
In a historic moment, Ukraine’s naval strike drone, Magura V5, downed a Russian helicopter with an anti-air missile for the first time. The attack occurred in the Black Sea off the western tip of occupied Crimea. A video from the battle shows the moment the missiles locked onto the helicopter before it exploded and crashed into the sea.
**Russian Attacks on Kyiv and Sumy Oblasts**
Russia launched a barrage of 21 missiles, including six Iskander ballistic missiles and one Kinzhal aeroballistic missile, and 40 drones overnight on Dec. 30-31. The attacks damaged homes and infrastructure in Kyiv and Sumy oblasts, injuring at least one person. Ukraine’s Air Force downed six missiles and 16 drones.
**Ukraine Strikes Oil Depot in Russia**
In a coordinated operation, Ukraine struck an oil depot in the Yartsevo district of Smolensk Oblast, igniting the facility’s oil reserves. The General Staff of Ukraine’s Armed Forces confirmed the strike on Dec. 31.
**Russia Trained Officers for Attacks on Japan and South Korea**
According to a report by the Financial Times, Russia developed offensive plans targeting civilian and military sites in Japan and South Korea in the event of a war with NATO. The leaked plans, drawn up between 2008 and 2014, are reportedly still considered “relevant to Russian strategy” today.
Read More @ kyivindependent.com