ICJ rejects key parts of Ukraine's 2017 case against Russia
Chief among the claims was a request to declare Russia responsible for the downing of MH17 in 2014, which killed 298 people, the majority of whom were Dutch citizens.
Nate Ostiller
Articles
Reuters: European Commission to begin talks on 13th Russian sanctions package
The European Commission aims to have the new sanctions package in place to mark the second anniversary of the full-scale invasion on Feb. 24, Reuters said.
Bloomberg: Umerov says Ukraine has increasingly 'critical' shortage of artillery shells
Ukraine is currently unable to fire more than 2,000 shells per day, around a third of Russia's average daily shell usage, said Defense Minister Rustem Umerov, according to Bloomberg.
Budanov hints at plan to increase strikes on Russian critical infrastructure
A "hypothetical" plan exists to increase the tempo of strikes in Russia, potentially including "all the major critical infrastructure facilities and military infrastructure facilities of the Russian Federation," said Kyrylo Budanov, chief of Ukraine's military intelligence.
Budanov says he's not worried about potential Trump victory
Former U.S. President Donald Trump "is an experienced person. He has fallen many times and gotten back up again. And this is a very serious trait," said Kyrylo Budanov, the head of Ukraine's military intelligence.
UK lawmakers criticize failure to use funds from Russian oligarch Abramovich's sale of Chelsea FC for Ukraine
The sale of Chelsea FC generated 2.5 million pounds ($3.2 billion), which Russian oligarch Roman Abramovich said he would donate to Ukraine.
Zelensky: 207 Ukrainian prisoners return home from Russian captivity, almost half of them Mariupol defenders
It was one of the largest groups of Ukrainian prisoners to be brought back from Russian captivity since the beginning of the full-scale war.
Germany hands over IRIS-T anti-air missiles, armored vehicles, other equipment in latest delivery to Ukraine
Germany's latest delivery of military equipment to Ukraine included an undisclosed number of IRIS-T missiles, 24 APCs, four tracked all-terrain armored vehicles, several thousand rounds of 155mm artillery ammunition, 14 mine plows, three mine-clearing tanks, a naval mine clearance system, a Satcom surveillance system, and other equipment.
Israeli opposition leader Lapid says Russia's siding with Hamas will be 'difficult to forgive'
While "states do not break off relations just like that, but they also do not forgive in the event of such an insult," Israeli opposition leader Yair Lapid said, referring to Russia's alliance with Iran.
Estonian general: Russia likely responsible for uptick in GPS jamming in Eastern Europe
"Russia has demonstrated its electronic warfare capabilities elsewhere, not just in Ukraine and the Baltic countries," said Martin Herem, the commander of the Estonian Defense Forces. "They’re definitely quite strong in this."
Russia reports 'incident' at St. Petersburg oil refinery, media claim potential drone strike
The Ukrainian media outlet RBC claimed that a drone had struck the Nevsky Mazut oil refinery in the city. Citing unnamed sources, RBC said that the strike was carried out by Ukraine's military intelligence (HUR).
Ukraine confirms China invited to discuss peace formula
Ukraine's ambassador to China, Pavlo Riabikin, did not comment on whether the Chinese side had accepted the invitation.
Polish foreign minister: Berlin within range of Russian missiles
When asked if Poland is in danger, Polish Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski said, "(Russian President Vladimir) Putin threatened Poland, Latvia and Finland. When he threatens a country, he is serious. Too often we have not taken him seriously."
Finnish court charges Russian neo-Nazi fighter with entering country illegally
Yan Petrovsky is a co-leader of Rusich, a Russian neo-Nazi paramilitary unit that has fought against Ukraine. He is accused by Ukraine, and now Finland, of committing war crimes during the Russian invasion of Donbas that started in 2014.
Governor: Lviv first oblast to complete decommunization process
Lviv Oblast Governor Maksym Kozytskyi said that 312 Soviet monuments were removed in 2023, with the final remaining structure taken down in the community of Lopatyn, located around 90 kilometers from the city of Lviv.
Media: Moscow, St. Petersburg to bear brunt of predicted Russian population decline
Moscow and Saint Petersburg are projected to lose more than almost 700,000 and close to 467,000 people over the next two decades, respectively. At the same time, the expected inflow of migrants will likely mean that the cities' total populations will remain similar.
Orban says he is willing to compromise on $54 billion Ukraine aid package
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban said Hungary had sent a compromise offer. The counter-proposal, which Orban considered to be the result of EU "blackmail," would require the aid package to be reviewed on a yearly basis.
Bloomberg: Russian government forming its own mercenary group in Africa
With much of Wagner's network and business interests still in place in Africa, the Russian government has sought to capitalize on existing relationships with countries in the Sahel.
Military: Ukraine downs Russian Su-34 jet over Luhansk Oblast
The downing of the jet brings the total of Russian military aircraft lost since the beginning of the full-scale invasion to 332 as of Jan. 30.
Russia, Belarus to create joint state media outlet
The announcement was made by Maksut Shadaev, the head of Russia's Digital Development Ministry, and initially reported by the Russian state-run media outlet TASS.
Latvian member of European Parliament accused of spying officially under investigation
European Parliament President Roberta Metsola "takes these allegations very seriously and is referring the case to the Advisory Committee on the Code of Conduct," a parliamentary spokesperson said.
ISW: Russia exploiting far-right nationalism in Europe against Ukraine
Russian President Vladimir Putin has also explicitly invoked the various territorial claims that irredentist movements in countries neighboring Ukraine have made.
Media: Putin plans to visit Turkey in February to discuss Ukraine
Russian President Vladimir Putin's international visits have been curtailed since the International Criminal Court (ICC) issued an arrest warrant in March 2023 for his role in the deportations of Ukrainian children. Turkey is not party to the ICC's Rome Statute, meaning it is under no obligation to detain Putin.
Borrell says Central Asia must strengthen cooperation on Russian sanctions circumvention
"In order for these sanctions to be effective, we need full cooperation from our partners," said the EU's top diplomat, Josep Borrell.
Media: Ruling Georgian Dream party chair Kobakhidze to take over as Georgian PM
The news, which is expected to be formally announced later this week, came a month after Georgian Dream party founder and former Prime Minister Bidzina Ivanishvili said he was returning to politics as the party's "honorary chair."
Yermak: Kyiv, Budapest take 'powerful step' toward meeting between Zelensky, Orban
Negotiations with Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto proved the mutual desire of Kyiv and Budapest to hold a bilateral meeting of the two countries' leaders, Ukraine's Presidential Office head Andriy Yermak said on Jan. 29, as cited by European Pravda.
Putin officially registers as candidate in presidential election
The news was announced after Russian President Vladimir Putin surpassed the threshold of required signatures to be registered as a candidate. Putin is widely expected to win the election and secure a fifth term in office.
Zelensky: Europe cannot support Ukraine alone without US
President Volodymyr Zelensky's fears have been echoed by other Ukrainian leaders, such as Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba, who said earlier in January that there is no "plan B" if U.S. aid ends.
NATO general: Alliance must be prepared for potential 'Russian missile strikes in Europe'
Lieutenant General Alexander Sollfrank and other NATO generals cautioned that a direct military confrontation with Russia could occur as soon as within the next three years.
Investigation: Latvian member of European Parliament allegedly Russian agent
Citing interviews and communications it obtained, The Insider claimed that Tatjana Zdanoka was primarily motivated by ideology rather than material gain.
FT: Russia's proposed gas pipeline to China hindered by construction delays
Mongolian Prime Minister Luvsannamsrain Oyun-Erdene said that China and Russia have not yet agreed on some of the crucial details of the planned 3,550-kilometer pipeline.
Russian attacks in Kherson Oblast injure 2, including 89-year-old woman
The Jan. 28 attacks came after Russian forces killed one person and injured two more over the previous day.
Three years of reporting, funded by our readers.
Millions read the Kyiv Independent, but only one in 10,000 readers makes a financial contribution. For our third birthday this November, we're looking for 1,000 new members to fund our mission and to help us prepare for what 2025 might bring. We’re relying on you.
Help us get 1,000 new members!
Editors' Picks
Kremlin finds new enemies to target — Russians without kids
With Scholz's government in shambles, conservative rival touts more decisive Ukraine strategy
Ukraine reacts warily to Trump appointments as Russia’s war rages on
