Trudeau's resignation, a "new" virus, and clashes in Kurakhovo: Key highlights from January 6.

The Battle for Kurakhovo

The Russian Ministry of Defense announced the complete capture of the city of Kurakhovo in the Donetsk region. Ukrainian defenders reported ongoing Russian assaults in the urban area of the city.

As of the morning of January 6, the operational-strategic grouping of troops "Khortytsa" reported that Russian forces are conducting assault operations in the urban area of Kurakhovo, towards Petropavlivka and Dachne.

"Efforts to detect and eliminate enemy assault groups that are attempting to infiltrate our combat formations are ongoing," the "Khortytsa" report stated.

Trudeau Resigns

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau stepped down as leader of the Liberal Party and announced that he would resign as soon as a new head of the political force is found.

As previously reported by Reuters, Trudeau's resignation may occur against the backdrop of poll results indicating that the Liberals are significantly trailing behind the Conservatives in the elections scheduled to take place by the end of October 2025.

A New Virus in Ukraine?

The human metapneumovirus (HMPV), an outbreak of which is being recorded in China and other countries, is a "traditional virus" that circulates in Ukraine every epidemic season, according to the Center for Public Health.

Its symptoms resemble those of a cold or mild cases of influenza: runny nose, cough, fever. In comparison to influenza, metapneumovirus generally runs much milder and very rarely causes complications.

Why Does Ukraine Need the Kursk Region? The Response from the Office of the President

Control over part of the Kursk region of Russia could become a resource for territorial exchanges with areas occupied by Russia, stated the advisor to the head of the President's Office, Serhiy Leshchenko.

According to him, control over the Kursk region could expand in any direction, and after the start of new offensive actions by the Armed Forces of Ukraine, this territory has begun to increase towards the city of Kursk, which "is much more painful for Putin."

Gnezdilov's Detention Extended

The Pechersk District Court of Kyiv on January 6 extended the measure of restraint for serviceman Serhiy Gnezdilov of the 56th Brigade, who left his unit without permission in September. He will remain in custody until January 31.

Although the defendant's lawyer, Anastasia Burkovska, insisted that the court could set bail for the serviceman as an alternative, the judge decided to remand Gnezdilov without such an option.

Word of the Year in Ukraine

The word of 2024 in Ukraine became the term "busification." This neologism refers to forced mobilization through an expedited procedure.

Other popular words and phrases in 2024 included: SOCH, MSEC, quadber, Kursk operation, negotiations, fatigue, etc.