The report came days after Ukraine reportedly launched renewed offensive operations in Kursk Oblast, which is seen as a crucial bargaining chip for potential peace negotiations. Almost 50 Russian ground assaults were repelled in Kursk Oblast over the past day, the General Staff said.

Russia and Ukraine traded attacks in the Kursk region this week as Moscow looks to continue clawing back its territory. Meanwhile, Russian forces appear to have taken the eastern city of Kurakhove but failed to encircle the Ukrainian forces there.

Russia deployed "a huge number of soldiers," with Ukrainian forces killing 45 troops and injuring 53, Ukraine's 47th Mechanized Brigade claimed.

A total of 144 combat clashes have occurred on the battlefield since the start of 9 January, with most of the fighting taking place on the Pokrovsk, Kursk and Kurakhove fronts. Source: General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine on Facebook,

The Ukrainian Armed Forces conducted a high-precision strike on a Russian command post located in Maryino, Kursk Oblast. This operation is part of Ukraine's ongoing efforts to disrupt Russian military command and control structures in the region.

During Russia's attempts to seize the Ukrainian Armed Forces' position in the Kursk region in assaults with tanks and armored vehicles, the Ukrainian Defense Forces inflicted losses on Russian troops in both equipment and personnel.

Russia has launched a new offensive on Kyiv, the Ukrainian military reported late Wednesday (Jan 8). Of the 64 Shahed-type drones, Ukraine air defence has reportedly shot down 41 with 22 enemy decoy drones lost locally.