European Commission delivers $4.8 billion to Ukraine in first tranche of macro-financial assistance

11:39 PM

EU plans to eliminate Russian fossil fuels, aims to end gas imports.

Gas deliveries from Russia to Europe persist despite the EU's efforts, and Brussels is determined to halt this, Anna-Kaisa Itkonen, the EU’s spokesperson for energy and housing, said on Jan. 20.

10:23 PM

War update

Ukraine war latest: Ammunition used by Russians halved following Ukrainian strikes, Syrskyi says

9:57 PM

China’s support for Russia falls short in replacing Western materials, media reports.

China has emerged as Russia's largest supplier of goods, but Chinese imports have failed to fully replace Western equipment and raw materials lost due to sanctions, The Moscow Times reported on Jan. 20, citing data from the Gaidar Institute.

9:25 PM

Arms procurement head should keep post, supervisory board says.

Defense Minister Rustem Umerov planned to merge the Defense Procurement Agency (DPA) and the State Logistics Operator (DOT) into one agency but changed his mind after a NATO statement said that the two agencies should be kept separate and two separate supervisory boards should be established.

8:03 PM

'False story' — Denmark denies Russian claims of F-16 instructor killed in Kryvyi Rih strike.

"This is a false story being spread by the Russian media — probably with the aim of discrediting Denmark," Danish Defense Minister Troels Lund Poulsen said.

7:12 PM

Cybersecurity

Massive Russian hack on government database shows cracks in Ukraine's digitalization drive

7:02 PM

Trump sworn in as 47th US president, says he's taking back Panama Canal; doesn't mention Ukraine.

"Golden age of America begins right now," U.S. President Donald Trump said.

6:53 PM

Lithuania sends drones, thermal imagers, loaders in new Ukraine aid package, Defense Ministry says.

"Keeping Ukraine safe means taking care of our security. We have as much time as Ukraine has," Lithuanian Defense Minister Dovile Sakaliene said.

5:00 PM

Glide Bomb

Russia's primitive glide bombs are still outmatching Ukraine's air defenses, killing more civilians

4:50 PM

Putin congratulates Trump amid inauguration, signals readiness for talks.

This comes as reported peace proposals, including freezing the front lines, have been publicly rejected by Russia. Russian President Vladimir Putin previously stated that his country would begin peace negotiations if Kyiv agreed to withdraw from the four Ukrainian regions Moscow partly controls.

4:11 PM

Commander of scandal-hit Ukrainian brigade detained, accused of failing to report desertions.

The State Bureau of Investigation launched an investigation into the 155th "Anne of Kyiv" Brigade on Jan. 3.

3:50 PM

Opinion

Trump sees peace in Ukraine as a deal but refuses to play his winning hand

3:42 PM

China imports record amount of Russian crude oil in 2024, Reuters reports.

In 2024, 108.5 million metric tons were imported from Russia, including through pipelines and sea deliveries.

2:18 PM

'I didn't know who I'd be fighting' — North Korean soldier captured by Ukraine speaks in new footage.

The POW said he arrived in Russia on a cargo ferry with over 100 other North Korean soldiers.

1:13 PM

Russian attacks across Ukraine kill 2, injure 5 over past day.

Russian forces launched 141 drones at Ukraine overnight from the Russian cities of Bryansk, Kursk, Orel, Millerovo, and Primosk-Akhtarsk, according to Ukraine's Air Force.

12:50 PM

Russia launched nearly 550 drones, 60 missiles, over 660 aerial bombs against Ukraine in a week, Zelensky says.

"More Patriot (air defenses) for Ukraine means more protection of life," President Volodymyr Zelensky said.

11:41 AM

Trump instructs aides to arrange call with Putin 'in coming days' after inauguration, CNN reports.

President-elect Donald Trump has previously said he wants to meet with Putin "very quickly" after his inauguration.

11:06 AM

Ukraine's Svitolina defeats Russian opponent to reach Australian Open quarterfinals.

"I’m really pleased with the performance throughout this tournament," Elina Svitolina said after the match.

8:42 AM

Ukraine Air Force specialists safe from transfer to infantry but mobilization issues remain, Syrskyi says.

Reports last week indicated that since 2024, thousands of Air Force soldiers have been transferred to the Ground Forces.

8:10 AM

General Staff: Russia has lost 820,430 troops in Ukraine since Feb. 24, 2022.

This number includes 1,690 casualties Russian forces suffered just over the past day.

5:41 AM  (Updated:  January 20, 2025 7:16 am)

Fire reported near aviation plant in Russia's Tatarstan amid drone attack.

A fire erupted in the city of Kazan in Russia's Tatarstan republic overnight on Jan. 20 amid a Ukrainian drone attack on the city, Russian Telegram channels reported.

2:31 AM

150,000 Russian soldiers killed fighting Ukraine in 2024, Syrskyi says.

Russian forces suffered their heaviest losses last year since the start of the full-scale war, with total military losses reaching 434,000 soldiers, including approximately 150,000 killed in combat during 2024, Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi said in a Jan. 19 interview with the Ukrainian news outlet TSN.

1:13 AM

Ammunition used by Russians halved following Ukrainian strikes, Syrskyi says.

"For several months now, the artillery ammunition expenditure rates in the Russian army have practically halved. If previously the figure reached up to 40,000 rounds per day, it is now significantly lower," Commander-in-Chief Syrskyi said on Jan. 19.

11:39 PM

Zelensky, first lady visit wounded soldiers, pledge to address accessibility issues.

"Every front is important, and you served on the most challenging ones. You are our heroes, and we are deeply grateful to each of you," the president said.

10:16 PM

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.