Scenes from north of the besieged Sudanese city of Al-Fashir, where fierce fighting has erupted between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) once again.

Last night there was an armed attack in capital of Chad, N'djamena, where ~25 gunmen from the Islamist jihadist organisation Boko Haram, stormed the country's presidential palace. According to Chad's government, 19 gunmen were killed, and 6 others arrested.

Shortly afterwards, Foreign Affairs Minister Abderaman Koulamallah stated that “The situation is completely under control, there is no fear." and that “We are here to defend our president."

This comes as France withdrew its troops from Chad following the end of the military cooperation agreement between the two countries. Additionally, last week, the nation held parliamentary elections that were supposed to "help restore democracy," however the main opposition party boycotted them. Results are yet to be announced; however, President Mahamat Deby Itno is likely to consolidate his grip on power.

Earlier today, the Turkish armed forces were put on alert amid a reported troop build-up along the Kurdish SDF-controlled part northern border with Syria.

This comes as yesterday, Turkish foreign minister Hakan Fidan issued an ultimatum to Kurdish forces in Syria, appealing to the SDF to lay down their arms and leave the territory of Syria. It was said that if these appeals were ignored, a military operation by Turkish and Syrian troops (Presumably SNA) "could become relevant."

Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdogan earlier made threats against the Kurdish forces in Syria saying that they need to lay down their arms or be destroyed.

It's looking more and more likely that a Turkish invasion of Kurdish-controlled Syria is imminent.

1 Russian Su-34 is airborne in southern Zaporizhzhia Oblast. There is a threat of KAB glide bomb or Kh-59/69 cruise missile launches for the southern regions of Ukraine. Keep in mind, there are two Orlan-10 reconnaissance drones active near Chornomorsk, Odesa Oblast, which could suggest that Kh-59/69 cruise misiles will be launched at/near the city in the near future. I will monitor the situation and update you if anything changes.

No missiles. It is launching KAB glide bombs at Kherson.

The frontlines in the northwestern part of the Kursk salient around Malaya Loknya are falling apart.

Meanwhile, Ukraine's "offensive" has completely bogged down.

Over the past hour, clashes in the West Bank city of Jenin have significantly intensified. Palestinian authority forces are reportedly once again firing RPGs at fighters from the Jenin camp battalion, while they respond with small-arms fire.

A Russian Geran-2 drone struck a high-rise building in Kyiv. According to some sources, the drone was partially struck by air defence, causing it to crash.

In Kursk Oblast, fighting has significantly intensified. Ukrainian forces have reportedly brought in even more reserves and are attempting to counterattack.

The main fighting is ongoing in two directions: Makhnovka (southeast of Sudzha) and Malaya Loknya.

In Makhnovka, Ukrainian forces re-entered the village, but it is unclear if they have secured any positions. Fierce fighting is ongoing, and Russian forces are still trying to advance north of the village and gain a foothold in Zamoste, however Ukraine is putting up a lot of resistance, repelling Russian attempts to enter the village. Heavy fighting is also underway for the small settlement of Dmitriukov.

Meanwhile in the Malaya Loknya direction, Russian forces have advanced (proper map update for this will come later), however Ukraine is counterattacking in this area, presumably in Nikolaevka, attempting to knock out the Russian foothold there.

U.S. President-Elect Donald Trump says that Putin wants to meet him and that a meeting is being set up.

Geolocated footage and recent map updates by the Ukrainian source "Deepstate" indicate that Russian forces continue to make progress in the northwestern part of the Kursk salient, collapsing the southwestern defences of Malaya Loknya.

Russia was able to advance in three main directions here, the first was south down a treeline, where infantry took up positions in a perpendicular treeline. The second was from the village of Leonidovo into the two-house settlement of Aleksandriya, which - along with the surrounding forests - Russia captured.

The third was from Zelenyi Shlyakh, where Russian forces reached the Struga river and captured a treeline.

+ ~16.5km² in favour of Russia.

A recent map update by the Ukrainian source "Deepstate" indicates that Russian forces significantly expanded their bridgehead on the western bank of the Oskil river.

This was done with two main advances. In the north, Russian forces advanced in Dvorichna, outflanking the town centre by crossing the Nyzhnya Dvorichna river and taking up positions in the Dibrivka neighbourhood.

Further south, Russian forces captured another forest, and spearheaded an advance to an electrical substation, which also came under their control.

+ ~4.83km² in favour of Russia.

The U.S. Department of Defence (DoD) announced a new military aid package for Ukraine with an estimated value of $500 million.

This package includes:
- AIM-7, RIM-7, and AIM-9M missiles for air defense
- Air-to-ground munitions
- Support equipment for F-16s
- Armored bridging systems
- Secure communications equipment
- Small arms and ammunition; and
- Spare parts, ancillary equipment, services, training,
and transportation.

This is the Biden Administration's 74th aid package and it could well be the last.

Geolocated footage indicates that Russian forces advanced south of Chasiv Yar, and crossed the Siversky Donets Canal.

After Ukraine counterattacked, and pushed Russia from the forest to the north, Russian forces began attacking to the south of that forest, probably in an attempt to bypass the Ukrainian positions there and force a withdrawal. They were able to take up trench positions in the forest plantations.

This advance also pushed the nearby chalk mines into the grey zone, although it is possible that Russia has recaptured them.

+ ~1.11km² in favour of Russia.

Geolocated footage indicates that Russian forces marginally advanced in western Luhansk Oblast.

Russia advanced from positions in the forest plantations west of Makiivka, down a treeline, reaching the other side of the tactical heights. Additionally, Russian forces were able to advance down another treeline further north, also from positions west of Makiivka.

This will allow Russia to increase their presence on the tactical heights west of Makiivka, allowing for further assault operations west into eastern Kharkiv Oblast.

+ ~0.53km² in favour of Russia.