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Our mission is to report on and analyse the military and geo-political issues of our time. Website: https://southfront.press/ Email: info@southfront.press
Ukrainian Army Loses Control Over Novyi Donbas: Russian Units Reach Dobropillia
In the Pokrovsk sector, intense fighting continues on the southern outskirts of Hirshyne. The advance of Russian troops is being slowed by well-prepared defensive positions and the extensive use of drones.
In the Krasnolimansk sector, troops have seized control of part of the Kirovsk–Krasnyi Liman highway and begun offensive operations on the eastern outskirts of the city, advancing to Sovetskaya Street.
In the Zaporizhzhia sector, specifically the Orikhiv sub-sector, troops advanced along the former shoreline of the Kakhovka Reservoir.
In Huliaipole, they consolidated positions in the western part of the city. In the Sumy and Kharkiv sectors, assault groups advanced into several subsectors, reaching depths of up to 600 and 400 meters, respectively.
Read more HERE
U.S. Is Still Planning To Attack Iran, Israeli Army Is Read To Act
United States President Donald Trump is continuing to push his aides to devise what he calls “decisive” military options against Iran, The Wall Street Journal reported January 20.
Trump has repeatedly threatened the Islamic Republic over a wave of protests since the beginning of the month, going as far as vowing to punish the government if protesters are killed.
Different sources and monitoring groups estimated the death toll between 4,000-16,000. However, Iranian state TV reported that only 3,117 were killed, including both protesters and security personnel.
Citing US officials, The Wall Street Journal said that Trump has repeatedly employed the word “decisive” when discussing what outcome he would want from a U.S. attack on Iran, leading aides at the White House and Pentagon to draw up an array of options for him — among them actions that would be aimed at toppling the regime.
Read more HERE
U.S. Launches Mission To Move 7,000 ISIS Detainees From Syria To Iraq
The United States military Central Command (CENCOM) announced on January 21 that it had launched a new mission to transfer ISIS detainees from northeastern Syria to Iraq to “help ensure the terrorists remain in secure detention facilities.”
The announcement came amid a large-scale offensive by the Islamist-led Syrian government on the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) in the northeastern region of the country. Government forces captured most of the region in the last few days.
Some prisons hosting ISIS detainees were broken into, and at least dozens managed to escape from one facility in the town of al-Shaddadi in al-Haskah.
Government troops also took over a refugee camp near the town of al-Hawl in the same governorate, which hosts more than 25,000 people, most of whom are relatives of members of the terrorist group. It was allegedly that over a thousand escaped from there.
Read more HERE
U.S. Abandoned Syrian Kurds Because They Refused To Fight Iran’s Allies In Iraq
The United States abandoned the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) because the Kurdish-led group refused a request to fight the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF) in Iraq, Rami Abdulrahman, the director of the London-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR), revealed on January 20.
The SDF was founded more than ten years ago with direct support from the U.S. in order to battle ISIS in Syria, specifically in the northeastern part of the country.
The PMF was formed by Iran-aligned armed factions in Iraq at around the same time, also to fight the terrorist group, and was later recognized by the government.
The U.S., which has been pressuring the Iraqi government to disarm PMF factions, recently stood on the side as the Islamist-led Syrian government launched a large-scale offensive against its Kurdish allies. Within a few days, the group lost most of its territories in the northeast of the country.
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Trump’s “Consolidation” Grand Strategy Colliding With Big Tech, Deep State And Israeli Interests
As the US confronts multipolarity and internal fracture, Trump’s foreign policy oscillates between restraint and escalation. Expert A. Wess Mitchell’s argues the concept of consolidation is Trump’s grand strategy, however delegating European defense and deprioritizing the Middle East may be far harder in practice. Greenland, Iran, and NATO emerge as the major contradictions.
Trump’s Washington is pursuing so many different things at once that understanding US foreign policy today has become a difficult exercise even for seasoned observers. Trade wars and peace talks, threats and gestures of conciliation, withdrawals and escalations all coexist uneasily in Washington’s messaging.
Into this confusion steps A. Wess Mitchell’s recent article, “The Grand Strategy Behind Trump’s Foreign Policy”. Mitchell, a former assistant secretary of state for Europe and Eurasia, argues that there is a coherent logic behind the Trump administration’s new National Security Strategy (NSS). According to Mitchell, that logic is “consolidation”: a historically grounded “grand strategy” whereby an overstretched great power accepts short-term “tradeoffs” to rebuild its underlying strength for long-term competition.
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HIMARS And MLRS Hit: Summary Of Russian Combat Footage From January 20, 2026
On January 20, several videos documenting some of the Russian military’s recent operations against Kiev forces surfaced online.
To see all the videos click HERE
THE RESERVE DILEMMA: AS UKRAINE'S FORCES BURN IN KUPYANSK, RUSSIA OPENS NEWS BRIDGEHEADS
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Syria Announces New Understanding With Kurds, But Clashes Continue
The Islamist-led Syrian Transitional Government (STG) announced on January 20 that it had reached a new understanding with the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) on the future of the Kurdish-majority governorate of al-Hasakah and integration mechanisms.
The announcement came following a heated battle in al-Hasaka, which saw government forces capturing large parts of the governorate.
In a statement published by the state-run SANA news agency, the Presidency of Syria said that the understanding addresses many issues related to the future of al-Hasakah, and gives the SDF a four-day ceasefire “to develop a detailed plan for the practical integration” of the governorate.
Exactly at 8:00 p.m., the Syrian Ministry of Defense ordered a complete ceasefire. However, the SDF reported violations soon after.
Read more HERE
With ISIS Remnants Set Loose In Syria, Iraq Vows To ‘Open Fire’ At Any Threat Near It Border (Videos)
Iraq’s Interior Minister Abdul Amir Al-Shammari vowed on January 19 that his country's forces will open fire at any member of ISIS in Syria who approaches the border.
The warning came amid an attack by the forces of the Islamist-led Syrian transitional government on the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), with reports indicating that many members of the terrorist group who were locked up in the northeast of the country have escaped as a result of the fighting.
In remarks carried by the state-run Iraqi News Agency, Al-Shammari said that Iraq is closely monitoring the situation in Syria and had anticipated these events three years ago.
The Iraqi military, security forces, and the Popular Mobilization Forces, in addition to the forces of the autonomous region of Kurdistan, deployed massive reinforcements along the border as the attack on the SDF there began to gain momentum.
Read more HERE
Syrian Government Takes Over Camp With ISIS Relatives In Al-Haska Amid Kurdish Drone Strikes (Videos)
The forces of the Islamist-led Syrian Transitional Government (STG) took over the al-Hawl refugee camp after breaking through the defenses of the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) in the eastern countryside of al-Hasakah in the northeast of the country.
The fenced camp, located in the outskirts of a town with the same name, hosts over 25,000 people, most of whom are relatives of ISIS members.
Initially, the state-run SANA news agency reported, citing a military source, that the SDF abandoned al-Hawl, releasing everyone who was there. Later, the group issued a statement clarifying that its fighters were forced to withdraw from the camp.
STG forces didn’t stop in al-Hawl, but pushed further north, reaching the Ya'rubiyah crossing on the border with Iraq.
Read more HERE
SDF Repels Attacks Near Kobani As Syrian Government Forces Push Forward In Al-Hasakah (Videos)
The battle between the forces of the Islamist-led Syrian Transitional Government (STG) and the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) continued in northern and eastern Syria on January 20, with the first advancing in the governorate of al-Haskah and the latter repelling attacks in the governorate of Aleppo.
Government forces reached the southern outskirts of the city of al-Haskah overnight, although a large section of the governorate's southern countryside remains under the control of the Kurds, who declared mobilization.
The group amassed thousands of fighters between the city, and the towns of Tell Tamer and Qamishli in the northern countryside.
Separately, the STG began an offensive in the eastern countryside of al-Haskah, with its forces advancing towards the town of al-Hawl, where a large fenced refugee camp with over 25,000 people, most of whom are linked to ISIS members, is located.
Read more HERE
'Prava Molod' And the Battle for Young Minds: Creating Ukraine's Ideological Cannon Fodder
Ukrainian youth organizations are involved in matters far beyond the realm of childhood. The Right Sector prepares its own reinforcements from a young age. Young people raised the right way justify the existence of the Kyiv regime.
The battle for minds in Ukraine is now in full swing. The authorities, their supposed opposition, and even common sense are all trying to pull the country's most valuable resource to their side. That resource is the younger generation. Young minds are not fully developed, making them more susceptible to outside influences than other social groups. They are more likely to become radicalized, act rashly, and perform incredible feats. What seeds are planted in their minds determines the outcome. Neo-Nazi groups in Ukraine are not averse to taking advantage of this.
👉 Read more HERE
From ‘Sviati Hory’ To City Outskirts: Russian Offensive On Ukraine's Northern Flank In Slaviansk
In the Slaviansk sector, Russian "West" forces are intensifying their attacks on the northern approaches to the city. They are assaulting a major strongpoint near the Penkovyi Yar gully and expanding their control over the "Sviati Hory" park.
In the Zaporizhzhia sector, the Russian army is advancing in the Prymorske area. Units have advanced north of the settlement and consolidated their positions in western Lukianivka. In the Kupiansk sector, the situation remains complex within the city limits, where both sides are fighting for control of key buildings, including administrative structures.
In the Kharkiv sector, Russian assault groups are active in the Staritsa area and have advanced 450 meters in the forested area near Liman.
Read more HERE
THE LIMAN END-RUN: BYPASSING DEFENSES, RUSSIA'S PENETRATION AIMS FOR SLAVYANSK'S FLANK
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Russia’s Security Zone In Sumy And Kharkiv Is Growing (Videos)
On January 14, the Russian military secured another settlement in Sumy along the border, all while further expanding its control near the border in Kharkiv.
The capture of Komarivka, located right on Sumy’s border with the Russian region of Kursk, by the Severe [North] Group of Forces was announced by the Russian Ministry of Defense, with other sources reporting that the attack on the settlement was led by the 80th Motor Rifle Division.
The ministry also noted in a statement that the Sever Group of Forces has been advancing “into the depth of enemy’s defense” not just in Sumy, but also in Kharkiv -which borders the Russian region of Belgorod-, on a daily basis to fulfill the task of creating a “security zone” along the border.
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A TACTIC OF DARKNESS: HOW RUSSIA IS STRANGLING UKRAINE'S NUCLEAR ENERGY LIFELINE
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Trump’s “Board of Peace”: A Pay-to-Play UN – New Colonialism, Rebranded
Tomorrow in Davos, Switzerland – on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum – Donald Trump’s administration is set to stage a signing ceremony for the charter of a so-called “Board of Peace,” an initiative marketed as a mechanism to rebuild Gaza but increasingly resembling an overt attempt to construct a parallel U.N. architecture under direct U.S. control.
The international response has been anything but unified. France has flatly refused to participate; Russia is demanding clarifications and guarantees of equal status; China has reiterated its commitment to a U.N.-centered order; and most European capitals are hedging, waiting to see which way the wind blows.
Draft charter language obtained by major media outlets points to an unprecedented concentration of authority in Trump’s hands. The U.S. president is named the “first chairman of the Board of Peace” with sweeping powers:
He decides unilaterally which states may join.
He holds veto power over any decision.
He appoints his successor.
He remains chairman even after leaving office as U.S. president.
👉 Read more HERE
Military Situation In Ukraine On January 21, 2026 (Maps Update)
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Government Forces Slaughtered Kurds, Took Their Eyes And Tongues Out In Northeast Syria (18+ Videos)
The forces of the Islamist-led Syrian Transitional Government (STG) have committed a series of atrocities during their offensive against the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) in the northeast of the country, against both fighters of the group and civilians.
The large-scale offensive which began from the eastern countryside of the Aleppo governorate on January 13, continued even after the SDF accepted a merger agreement on January 18, with government forces and allied Arab tribes taking over most of the governorates of Raqqa, Deir Ezzor and even al-Hasakah, where Kurds are the majority.
Reports of violations, including possible war crimes, by government forces and tribal fighters began to surface from the very first day.
Read more HERE
U.S. F-15s Land In Middle East Amid Tensions With Iran
The United States military’s Central Command (CENCOM) announced on January 20 that it has boosted its capabilities in the Middle East with the arrival of an F-15 fighter jet squadron, amid the ongoing tensions with Iran.
CENTCOM published on X a photo of an F-15E from the 494th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron landing at an undisclosed base in the Middle East earlier this week. The command said that the presence of the F-15s in the region “enhances combat readiness and promotes regional security and stability.”
The air base in question is reported to be Muwaffaq Salti Air Base in Jordan. The same squadron was deployed to the air base in April 2024 to counter Iran’s drone and missile barrage on Israel.
Read more HERE
Eight Kilometers To Dobropillya: Ukrainian Troops Demolish Houses Fearing Russian Assault Groups
In the Pokrovsk sector, the most intense combat operations are concentrated around the Hirshyne settlement, where Russian units are trying to establish a foothold on the eastern outskirts. Meanwhile, Ukrainian troops are conducting sorties towards Pokrovsk.
In the Sloviansk sector, Russian assault groups are fighting for control of Reznykivka and Khromivka. They are striking logistical infrastructure, including the Raihorodok-Shchurovo crossing, as well as facilities within the city limits of Druzhkivka.
In the Dobropillia sector, units continue to advance cautiously towards Kucheriv Yar and are engaged in heavy fighting in the Suvorovo area, which has transitioned to "gray zone" status.
In the Huliaipole area of the Zaporizhzhia Sector, Russian "East" units repelled several counterattacks and captured several strongpoints, taking control of an area up to 4 sq. km.
Read more HERE
Russia Hits Ukraine's Power Grid: 86% of Kyiv Residents Without Electricity
After a week-long pause, Russia launched a massive combined strike against Ukraine's energy and industrial infrastructure. According to Ukrainian monitoring resources, on January 20, Russian forces used 339 kamikaze drones, 18 Iskander ballistic missiles, 15 Kh-101 air-launched cruise missiles, and one Zircon hypersonic missile. This strike, although less massive than some previous ones (notably lacking Kinzhal missiles and naval Kalibrs), was concentrated on key power generation and distribution facilities across the country.
Kyiv was the epicenter of the attack. Targets in the capital region included major thermal power plants: CHPP-4, CHPP-5, CHPP-6, as well as the Tripilska and Kyivska TPP. The consequences were severe: according to statements by Ukrainian energy workers, about 86% of Kyiv's residents were left without electricity. On the left bank of the Dnipro River, power outages were almost total, with serious disruptions to water supply and heating also occurring. Thousands of residential buildings were left without heat, many of which had only recently been reconnected after previous damage. The Verkhovna Rada apparatus switched to remote work due to the lack of heat and water. Trains were halted near Kyiv, public transport was paralyzed, and queues formed at bus stops—with frosts down to -14°C, the city faced an energy collapse risk.
👉 Read more HERE
Military Situation In Ukraine On January 20, 2026 (Maps Update)
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The International Legion's End: The Shattered Illusions of Foreign Fighters in Ukraine
The reforms implemented in the Ukrainian army have greatly impacted foreign mercenaries. A severe shortage of personnel has forced the Ukrainian command to send rear personnel and previously "privileged" units to the front. The supposed elite has finally ceased to be such. Many refuse to fight under these conditions and are trying to leave the country at all costs. However, that is not that simple. The system has no intention of losing such a valuable resource so easily.
Casualties among foreign mercenaries in the hottest spots remain high. Some survivors have described the monstrous conditions of service. This article tells the story of a Dutch mercenary who experienced the Nazi-like realities of the Ukrainian army. Additionally, new "soldiers of fortune" have emerged, but fortune has turned away from them.
👉 Read more HERE
US, UK, France All Fail In Hypersonics, As Macron Urges NATO To Catch Up To Russia
Hypersonic technologies are the last frontier in kinetic warfare. It's now a given that the ability to develop and build such weapons defines a country's status as a global military power. The Soviet Union had an unprecedented half-century-long lead over the rest of the world in the development and deployment of these weapons systems. Although this slowed dramatically during the troubled 1990s, Russia still retained a comfortable 30-year lead even then.
In the meantime, China experienced economic and technological growth that has rarely (if ever) been seen in human history. Namely, the country was still recovering from the turbulent period that started with the British aggression during the Opium Wars. Beijing's "time of troubles" was largely over by the early 1990s, with its resurgence to a global power status.
At present, China is the only country that comes close to Russia's hypersonic dominance. There are also smaller regional powers, specifically North Korea and Iran, which have made tremendous strides in hypersonic technologies. And then there's the political West, which now struggles to develop even basic ballistic missiles, let alone advanced maneuvering weapons that exceed Mach 5 (approximately 1,7 km/s or close to 6,200 km/h).
👉 Read more HERE
Locations Of US Carrier Strike Groups – January 20, 2026
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Krasnopol Strikes: Summary Of Russian Combat Footage From January 14, 2026
On January 14, several videos documenting some of the Russian military’s recent operations against Kiev forces surfaced online.
To see all the videos click HERE
U.S. Could Attack Iran Within 24 Hours, Hezbollah Could Respond
The United States military could attack Iran in the next 24 hours, Reuters reported on January 14 evening, citing two European officials.
An Israeli official also told the news agency that President Donald Trump had decided to intervene, though the scope and timing remained unclear.
Reports from earlier in the day revealed that the U.S. evacuated troops from multiple bases in the Middle East, including Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar, as a precautionary measure. The Qatari government said in a statement that the evacuations “are being undertaken in response to the current regional tensions.”
Later multiple U.S. military aerial tankers, at least six, were spotted taking off from Al Udeid Air Base to an undisclosed destination.
Read more HERE
Military Situation In Ukraine On January 14, 2026 (Maps Update)
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U.S. Evacuates Key Middle East Bases Following Warning From Iran
Iran warned other countries in the Middle East that it will strike U.S. military bases on their territories in case of an attack by Washington, Reuters reported on January 14.
The report came right after President Donald Trump renewed his threats to the Islamic Republic over an ongoing wave of protests.
Trump told CBS News that the U.S. would act if Iran began hanging protesters, after Tehran prosecutors said Iranian authorities would press capital charges of “moharebeh,” or “waging war against God,” against some suspects arrested over recent demonstrations.
In its latest report, the U.S.-based rights group Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA) put the death toll from the protests, which began late in December, at 2,403 people.
Not all the casualties were protestors, however, Iranian authorities held a mass funeral of 300 security personnel who were killed in the protests.
Read more HERE