Ukrainian sailors return home from Houthi captivity
The three sailors arrived in Odesa on Jan. 25, where they were greeted by relatives after 14 months in captivity.
Abbey Fenbert
Articles
Trump serious about annexing Greenland, aggressive with Danish PM, FT reports
Trump's territorial ambitions and disregard for international norms are "serious, and potentially very dangerous," a senior European Official told the Financial Times.
Russia's Ryazan oil refinery in flames after drone strike, reports say
The reported strike comes two nights after Ukrainian forces launched a joint attack against the refinery that allegedly damaged multiple on-site facilities.
Trump fires Defense, State department watchdogs in latest government purge
Inspectors general provide oversight of federal agencies, investigating cases of possible fraud, waste, and abuse of power. Defense Department watchdogs have played a role in tracking U.S. military aid to Ukraine throughout Russia's full-scale invasion.
Depends what 'deal' means — Kremlin responds to Trump's sanctions threats
"It's not merely the question of ending the war ... So we have to see what does the 'deal' mean in President Trump's understanding," Russia's Deputy U.N. Ambassador Dmitry Polyanskiy said in response to Trump's call for Moscow to make a deal or face sanctions.
Russian missile attack in Zaporizhzhia kills 1, injures at least 45, including infant
A 47-year-old man was killed in the attack, Governor Ivan Fedorov said.
Zelensky meets with Serbian, Argentine presidents at Davos forum
"You are a much-awaited guest in Ukraine," Zelensky told Argentine President Javier Milei on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum in Davos.
SBU conducts 150 special operations in 3 days in large-scale security crackdown
The SBU carried out 157 special operations from Jan. 18-20 in order to "counter crimes that pose a threat to state security." The actions resulted in 222 charges and 85 detentions, the agency said.
Nominee for US ambassador to UN says Trump needs 'maximum flexibility' to end Ukraine war
Elise Stefanik said during her confirmation hearing that she would "use this position at the United Nations to support (Trump's) strategy and give him maximum flexibility to bring this to a resolution."
Indian banks block Russian oil payments after new US sanctions
Following the new restrictions, financial institutions in India began blocking payments for Russian crude, Energy Intelligence reported. India is currently the leading importer of Russian oil.
Trump claims he urged China's Xi to help end Russia's war in Ukraine
"He's not done very much on that," Trump told reporters at the White House on Jan. 21. "He's got a lot of ... power, like we have a lot of power. I said, 'You ought to get it settled.' We did discuss it."
Ukraine's energy grid may suffer from Trump aid freeze, Politico reports
A freeze on USAID funds could affect Ukraine's ability to rebuild damaged energy infrastructure, conduct demining operations, and fund civil society programs, officials said.
Ukraine developing its own air defense system to combat Russia's 'Oreshnik,' Syrskyi says
"We have the capacities and capabilities to create, and we are working on creating, our own domestic air defense complex," Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrsky said on Jan. 19.
Ukraine's General Staff launches investigation into 156th Brigade
Recent inspections of the 156th Brigade revealed "a number of significant shortcomings," the military said. Solutions include replacing the brigade's leadership, appointing a commander with practical combat and command experience, and transferring combat-tested officers and sergeants into the unit.
Fico accuses Slovak opposition leader of 'kissing Zelensky's ring'
Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico accused opposition leader Michal Simecka of "kissing Zelensky's ring" during his recent visit to Kyiv and said the pro-Western MP wanted to stage a coup d'etat in Bratislava.
Germany may consider sending peacekeeping troops to Ukraine, defense minister says
"We're the largest NATO partner in Europe. We'll obviously have a role to play," German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius said on Jan. 18 when asked about the possibility of sending troops to monitor a ceasefire in Ukraine.
Students who fail military exam or refuse oath cannot continue higher ed, official says
"If students cannot pass the exam ... if they refuse to take the military oath, they will not be able to study in higher education institutions in the future," Deputy Defense Minister Serhii Melnyk said.
Ukrainian troops withdraw from, launch attack on Chasiv Yar refractory plant
Ukrainian forces launched an aerial attack against a Russian-occupied refractory plant in the embattled city of Chasiv Yar, confirming earlier reports that Ukraine had withdrawn from the site.
Dnipropetrovsk firm helped Russia build nuclear weapons labs, SBU says
The company allegedly shipped a large-scale batch of stainless steel profiles to Russia after the full-scale invasion. These products were used to outfit the Russian Institute for Nuclear Research, the SBU said.
SBU detains metro engineer who allegedly directed Russian missile strikes on Kyiv, Kharkiv
The engineer allegedly led a network of agents who tracked the movement and positions of Ukrainian troops in order to coordinate Russian aerial attacks, the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) said.
Russia used chemical weapons 434 times in December, Ukraine's General Staff says
These included K-51 and RG-VO munitions, anti-riot weapons that are prohibited for use in warfare, and ammunition loaded with chemicals of "unspecified type."
Russian hackers target WhatsApp in new tactic, Microsoft warns
The Russian hacker group Star Blizzard impersonated U.S. government officials in emails directing recipients to join a WhatsApp group that claimed to focus on "the latest non-governmental initiatives aimed at supporting Ukraine NGOs."
UK to play 'full part' in peacekeeping efforts in Ukraine, Starmer says
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer said he had discussed the possibility of deploying peacekeeping troops to Ukraine with President Volodymyr Zelensky during their meeting in Kyiv.
Zelensky, Italian Defense Minister discuss security guarantees at meeting in Kyiv
"Now is the moment — perhaps the most critical moment in the past three years — to increase support," Italian Defense Minister Guido Crosetto told the president.
Russian drone attack in Kyiv Oblast injures child
Falling wreckage from an intercepted drone caused a fire and injured a 12-year-old boy, the regional military administration reported. The boy is being treated for his injuries in the hospital.
Russia launches mass missile attack against Ukraine
Explosions were reported in Kharkiv, Khmelnytsky Oblast, and Ivano-Frankivsk Oblast.
US, Armenia sign strategic partnership agreement
The charter establishes a framework for expanded bilateral cooperation between the U.S. and Armenia in the areas of economic cooperation, security and defense, and democracy.
EU considering ban on Russian LNG, aluminum, Bloomberg reports
The phase-out of LNG could be enacted as a sanction or part of a road map presented by the European Commission next month. Restrictions on aluminum would be gradual, with a time frame yet to be determined, officials said.
Drone hits distillery in Russia's Tambov Oblast, local media reports
Local residents said a fire broke out at the distillery, which is located near a military training ground in the village of Novaya Lyada.
Zelensky announces new sanctions on Russian financial sector
President Volodymyr Zelensky signed a decree on Jan. 13 imposing new sanctions on the Russian financial sector. The sanctions target 140 distinct entities.
Bryansk chemical plant hit in aerial attack, Russian media says
The Bryansk chemical plant produces gunpowder and explosives and is a key enterprise of the Russian military, according to Andrii Kovalenko, head of Ukraine's counter-disinformation center.
'Ukrainians can help Americans protect lives' — Zelensky says Kyiv ready to send firefighters to California
"The situation there is extremely challenging, and Ukrainians can help Americans protect lives. This matter is being worked out... We already have 150 firefighters prepared."
Editors' Picks
‘Neither side wasted time' — Ukraine's economy minister on minerals deal negotiations with Trump’s ‘business-oriented’ administration
Russia increasingly targets Ukraine's cities with cluster munitions, raising civilian toll
As US aid to Ukraine dries up, new platform connects American investors with Ukrainian startups
