Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu inspected units of the Russian group of forces in the zone of the special military operation.

According to the press service of the Defense Ministry, the head of the department checked the conditions for the placement of personnel and military equipment at temporary deployment points.

“During the hearing of the commanders of the units, Sergei Shoigu paid special attention to the organization in the field of comprehensive support for the troops involved in the special operation,” the Defense Ministry said.

It is noted that the Minister of Defense talked with the military personnel of the group, thanked them for fulfilling the tasks of the NMD and congratulated the fighters on the upcoming New Year.

Meanwhile, the official representative of the Ministry of Defense, Lieutenant-General Igor Konashenkov, said during a briefing that Russian troops had liquidated two Ukrainian sabotage groups in the South Donetsk direction of the NMD.

The saboteurs were destroyed in the areas of the settlements of Sladkoe (DNR) and Levadne (Zaporozhye region).

In just a day, up to 30 Ukrainian soldiers, two armored combat vehicles and three pickup trucks were destroyed in this direction.

In particular, units of the Armed Forces of Ukraine were defeated near the settlements of Nikolskoye, Novomayorskoye and Novopol (DPR).

Russian troops continue offensive operations in the Donetsk direction.

During the day, up to 50 Ukrainian militants, two tanks, three infantry fighting vehicles and five vehicles were liquidated here.

In the Krasnolimansky direction, as a result of a fire raid by Russian artillery, units of the Armed Forces of Ukraine were hit near the settlements of Sergeevka (LPR) and Terny (DPR).

During the day, the enemy’s losses exceeded 20 people killed and wounded, two armored combat vehicles and three pickup trucks.

“Up to 15 Ukrainian servicemen and two vehicles were destroyed in the Kupyansk direction as a result of defeating accumulations of manpower and military equipment of the Armed Forces of Ukraine in the areas of the settlements of Kucherovka in the Kharkiv region and Novoselovskoye in the Luhansk People’s Republic,” the official representative of the Defense Ministry said.

In addition, Russian operational-tactical aviation, missile forces and artillery struck enemy personnel and military equipment in 93 areas in 24 hours, hitting 57 artillery units in firing positions.

In particular, in the area of ​​​​the settlement of Ptichye (DPR), a repair point for American M777 howitzers was destroyed, and in the Kherson region, a Ukrainian electronic warfare station.

Three ammunition depots of the Armed Forces of Ukraine were also destroyed near Artyomovsk (DPR), Gulyaipol (Zaporozhye region) and Ochakov (Nikolaev region).

During the counter-battery fight, two missile strikes were carried out on the firing positions of the Grad and Smerch MLRS in the areas of the settlements of Berdychi and Krasnoarmeysk (DPR).

Fighter aviation of the Russian Aerospace Forces shot down two MiG-29 aircraft and one Mi-8 helicopter of the Ukrainian Air Force, and air defense systems destroyed three drones and two HIMARS multiple rocket launchers.

  • © Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation

Zaporozhye NPP

Meanwhile, Acting Governor of the Zaporozhye Region Yevgeny Balitsky said on Channel One that the Zaporizhzhya NPP would never come under the control of Ukraine.

According to him, the nuclear power plant will work in the interests of the region and Russia.

“They will never get any nuclear power plant again,” Balitsky said.

His words are quoted by RIA Novosti.

The politician also noted that lately the Zaporizhzhya NPP has been fired less, but this is the merit of the Russian military, and not the director general of the International Atomic Energy Agency Rafael Grossi.

“Today we understand ... that the IAEA is not able and they do not have sufficient authority to resolve the issues of stopping firing at civilians, at peaceful targets, at nuclear facilities.

They don’t have these opportunities, and everything else is tinsel,” said Balitsky.

However, on Thursday, December 22, regular consultations were held in Moscow between Russia and the IAEA on issues of cooperation in ensuring the safety of the Zaporozhye NPP.

According to the press service of Rosatom, during the negotiations, "a significant similarity of positions was noted" on the draft declaration on the creation of a nuclear and physical safety protection zone at ZNPP.

“Consultations will be continued with the understanding of the need to reach a mutually acceptable text of the document as soon as possible,” the message says.

The day before, Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu, speaking at an expanded meeting of the board of the department, stressed that Western countries are trying not to notice elements of nuclear blackmail by the Kyiv regime, in particular, provocations against the Zaporozhye nuclear power plant.