In this digest, you will learn about the latest news in Ukraine, key events shaping the world order, and the support provided by international partners to strengthen Ukraine’s economy and defense capabilities. We will tell you about global and local events that are changing the world and affecting our future.
Ukraine to receive 180 thousand rounds for Gepard air defense systems
The Ministry of Defense of Ukraine has instructed the German concern Rheinmetall to supply additional 35-mm ammunition for Gepard self-propelled air defense systems – 180,000 units. The cost of the order will be financed by Germany. This was reported by the Rheinmetall press service.
The Ukrainian military will be able to use the new ammunition to combat various air targets, such as drones. The shells will be produced at the Rheinmetall plant in Unterlüs, which reopened its production line in the spring of 2023.
Germany has already handed over 55 Gepard anti-aircraft systems to Ukraine, which the military uses as part of its air defense system.
3 Ukrainian prisoners of war shot by Russians near Neskuchne in Donetsk region
The Russian military allegedly shot three Ukrainian prisoners of war. It happened on January 3 near the village of Neskuchne, Volnovakha district, Donetsk region.
This was reported by Ombudsman Dmytro Lubinets on Telegram on January 6.
According to the Geneva Conventions, prisoners of war are under special protection, and no country has the right to torture, abuse or deprive them of their lives, – Dmytro Lubinets said in a statement.
Lubinets appealed to the International Committee of the Red Cross and the UN.
According to DeepState, which appeared on Telegram on January 6, Russian soldiers tied their hands and shot them in the back of the head.
China launched 2.4 million cyberattacks per day against Taiwan in 2024
During 2024, Taiwanese government departments experienced an average of 2.4 million cyberattacks per day. China was behind most of them. This was reported by the National Security Bureau of Taiwan.
The number of last year’s cyberattacks on the government network was twice as high as the average daily rate of 1.2 million attacks in 2023. Chinese hackers usually targeted telecommunications, transportation, and defense.
China regularly denies involvement in hacking attacks, but it is often accused of them by foreign governments, including the United States, which last week said that Chinese hackers had stolen documents from the US Treasury Department.
A Taiwanese report said that China conducted some of the cyberattacks at the same time as Chinese military exercises around the island. The hackers carried out DDoS attacks to disrupt access to the websites of Taiwan’s transportation and financial institutions. Taiwanese officials believe that all this was intended to “increase the effect of harassment and military intimidation”.
40 Czech citizens received permission to fight in Ukraine on the side of the Armed Forces during the year
In 2024, Czech President Petr Pavel granted 40 permits to participate in the war with Russia on the side of Ukraine, while 74 requests were rejected, Czech broadcaster iROZHLAS reports.
In total, the head of state reviewed 114 requests over the year, three of which came from women, who were allowed to participate in Ukraine’s defense. Five people applied again.
The Czech law prohibits citizens from serving in foreign armed forces, so the only way to join another country’s army is to get a special permit from the president.
Most often, applicants were denied based on the conclusions of the Czech Ministry of Defense, Ministry of the Interior, and Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Convicts and law enforcement officers are not allowed to fight in Ukraine. Instead, those who have dual citizenship or want to serve in one of the NATO armies can get permission.
