This is CBS Eye on the World. Here's John Batchelor.

Ukraine conflict, Russia and Ukraine in winter. Bill Rajo, Senior Fellow Foundation for the Defense of Democracy, my colleague and co-hosts,

and we're very pleased to welcome here in the New Year, John Hardy of the Foundation for

the Defense of Democracy, who helps us on the battlefield and in the potential of peace talks,

but we're going to begin in the battlefield.

The headlines out of London got my attention in these last hours.

For example, Ukraine launches new counterattack as top Russian general rush to the front lines.

For example, Russia claims key Ukrainian town as forces continue advanced subhead.

Moscow's defense ministry says units of its southern group of troops had, quote, liberated.

That's in quotes, industrial area after weeks of attack.

Remember, the story told to the Russian people is that this is a war with NATO that means to dominate Russia's borders and perhaps Russia itself.

This is a war between Brussels and Moscow, says Moscow to the Russian people.

John, a very good day to you.

The headline that I'm keen on right now is Ukraine launches new counterattack in the Kirsts Salient.

I'm looking at a map of the Kirsts Salient and where the fighting has been and where it is now.

What is your measure of this attack?

Is Ukraine using good stuff?

Is it evidencing an ambition?

Are they driving for something? Good evening to you, John.

Hey, John. Hey, Bill. Thanks for having you back on the show. So, yeah, yesterday morning, it seems Ukraine launched a fairly sizable attack, kind of in the northeastern part of the cursed salient.

Don't know exactly how many forces or what units.

According to the Russian MOD, it was involved 80th air assault brigades and one of Ukraine's better units.

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