Defense Minister Rustem Umerov has appointed Oleksandr Kubrakov, a former minister, as his advisor. Kubrakov had headed the Infrastructure Ministry since 2021 before being dismissed in 2024.
Kubrakov’s experience is seen as useful for improving supply and logistics in the Armed Forces. The appointment comes amid calls for military reforms as Ukraine struggles against Russia.
Umerov announced a review of the Ground Forces Command to evaluate management structures, processes, and compliance with legislation. Kubrakov’s experience will help improve supply and logistics, Umerov said.
Russia has been launching drones against Ukraine. On January 6, Russia launched 38 Shahed-type attack drones and unidentified dummy drones. Twenty-eight drones were shot down, and 10 were lost in the airspace, according to the Air Force.
Small Russian units are trying to advance around Pokrovsk in Donetsk Oblast, but the town itself is not threatened at the moment, a Ukrainian military spokesperson said.
Russia has suffered over 1,970 casualties just over the past day. President Volodymyr Zelensky said Ukraine “continues to maintain a buffer zone on Russian territory, actively destroying Russian military potential there.”
Ukraine’s ombudsman said that if Russia keeps its word about returning prisoners, Ukrainian society will notice. The man killed in an incident was identified as Volodymyr Shum, 50.
Mykhailo Drapatyi, commander of Ukraine’s Ground Forces, acknowledged challenges within the French-trained 155th “Anne of Kyiv” Mechanized Brigade, including high desertion rates and poor organization.
The Trudeau government has faced pressure from its party after the abrupt resignation of Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland. The Moldovan government spokesperson said Russian propaganda is trying to create a crisis in Moldova.
A European Commission spokesperson said there are no security supply issues or concerns for the European Union following the end of gas transit. Two Russian airliners were forced to return to their departure airports due to engine failures shortly after takeoff, The Moscow Times reported.
Russian troops allegedly killed three Ukrainian prisoners of war in Donetsk Oblast’s Volnovakha District, Ukraine’s ombudsman wrote on his Telegram channel on January 6.