Day: December 28, 2024

This morning, December 28, one Russian military ship, which has been deployed for combat duty in the Black Sea, has been observed. The vessel is a carrier of Kalibr cruise missiles, according to the Ukrainian Navy.

At the same time, the military clarified that there were no missiles on board this enemy ship in the Black Sea.

Additionally, according to the Ukrainian Navy, enemy ships are currently absent in the Azov Sea.

“In the Mediterranean Sea, there are 8 enemy ships, 3 of which are carriers of Kalibr cruise missiles, with a total salvo of up to 26 missiles,” the military added.

According to the Ukrainian Navy, over the past 24 hours, the following movements were observed in the Kerch Strait for the benefit of Russia:

• to the Black Sea – 5 ships, 4 of which continued towards the Bosporus Strait;
• to the Azov Sea – 1 ship, which was moving from the Bosporus Strait.

Earlier, it was reported that during a massive combined attack on December 26, Russian forces also used Kalibr missiles, launching them from the Black Sea. At that time, the occupiers deployed 4 missile carriers with a total salvo of up to 28 Kalibrs.

Additionally, yesterday, Ukrainian Navy spokesperson Dmytro Pletenchuk stated that the military has not yet observed preparations by Russia for a missile strike from the Black Sea. However, he noted that a full assessment requires aerial analysis.

Russia has not yet overcome the limitations in its ability to produce and use Shahed drones. The aggressor country is likely to continue struggling with these limitations in 2025, reports the American Institute for the Study of War (ISW).

The Institute has previously noted signs that Western sanctions are complicating Russia’s ability to obtain high-quality components for Shahed drones, and the aggressor is increasingly relying on low-quality Chinese engines to power these types of drones.

At the same time, Ukrainian innovations in the field of electronic warfare are also allowing the Ukrainian Armed Forces to more effectively repel attacks from heavy Shahed drones.

The ISW predicts that Russian forces will likely continue to adjust their strike packages throughout the winter of 2024-2025 to cause significant damage to Ukraine’s energy system and critical infrastructure.

“Russia likely intends to further increase its production and use of Shahed drones following the anticipated signing of the Russian-Iranian Comprehensive Strategic Partnership Agreement in January 2025,” the Institute for the Study of War notes.

Russia increases the production of Shahed drones

According to CNN, a Russian Shahed drone production plant in the special economic zone Alabuga (Tatarstan) doubled the number of drones produced between January and September this year, compared to the same period in 2023.

Meanwhile, the serial numbers on the bodies of downed Shahed drones have reached 12,000.

According to American media, ahead of Donald Trump’s inauguration, Russia and Iran may sign a new Strategic Partnership Agreement.

Around a quarter of all weapon supplies from Iran to Russia are provided by Iranian businessman Hossein Shamkhani.