News from Ukraine, Eastern Europe

A White House official told the Kyiv Independent that the Board could play a role in different situations, without ruling out engagement on Russia's war in Ukraine.

"Just last year, here in Davos, I ended my speech by saying Europe needs to know how to defend itself. A year has passed, and nothing has changed," Zelensky said.

"We will not tolerate any violation," Emmanuel Macron said. "We are determined to uphold international law and to ensure the effective enforcement of sanctions."

The cities of Dnipro and Kryvyi Rih in Dnipropetrovsk Oblast came under attack in the afternoon on Jan. 22, according to Ukraine's Air Force.

Ukraine reported additional strikes on military targets in Russian-occupied regions, including Crimea, Kherson and Donetsk oblasts.

Law enforcement sources confirmed to the Kyiv Independent that the official involved is Serhiy Deineko, who headed the State Border Guard from 2019 to Jan. 4, 2026.

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte told Reuters that the deal would hinge on NATO allies doing more to strengthen Arctic security.

The Kyiv Independent is launching a new "Through darkness, I stand with Ukraine" collection to help those suffering as a result of the escalating crisis caused by Russia's relentless attacks on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure.

Heating was restored to 227 buildings overnight for the second time in two weeks after two massive Russian attacks targeted the Ukrainian capital, according to the mayor.

"Given the special relationship with the Palestinian people, Russia could direct $1 billion from Russian assets frozen under the previous U.S. administration to the Board of Peace," Putin said, referring to Trump's indications that a $1 billion payment would secure a permanent seat on the board.

An oil terminal near the village of Volna in Russia's Krasnodar Krai was struck, sparking a blaze, killing three people and injuring eight others, Governor Veniamin Kondratyev and independent media reported late on Jan. 21.