4:38 PM

War analysis

Transfer of Air Force personnel to infantry continues despite scandal

Soldiers, who spoke to the Kyiv Independent on conditions of anonymity, say that nothing has changed, and the transfers are set to continue.

3:37 PM

Ukrainian troops avoid encirclement in Velyka Novosilka, military says.

Ukrainian troops successfully withdrew from some areas to avoid being encircled but fighting is ongoing around the village, which lies around 15 kilometers east of the neighboring Dnipropetrovsk Oblast.

1:36 PM

Russia bombs itself with 'smart bomb,' Astra reports.

The bomb, a UMPB-250, was found in a village in Belgorod Oblast, but there were no casualties or damage.

11:53 AM

War analysis

Potential encirclement in Velyka Novosilka prompts questions about last-ditch withdrawal strategy

9:40 AM

General Staff: Russia has lost 830,190 troops in Ukraine since Feb 24, 2022.

This number includes 1,720 casualties Russian forces suffered just over the past day.

6:41 AM

Donetsk Oblast to forcibly evacuate children from over 20 settlements.

Due to the increased threat to civilian lives, authorities will begin mandatory forced evacuations of children in several settlements in the Komar and Kryvorizhzhia communities, Governor Vadim Filashkin said.

10:30 PM  (Updated:  January 26, 2025 5:43 am)

US diplomats push for exemption on Ukraine aid amid 90-day freeze, Zelensky says military aid has not stopped.

Senior diplomats in the State Department’s Bureau of European and Eurasian Affairs requested a full waiver to exclude U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) operations in Ukraine from a 90-day foreign aid freeze, the Financial Times reports.

5:25 AM

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.

4:25 AM

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.

2:16 AM  (Updated:  January 26, 2025 3:07 am)

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.

1:06 AM

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.

12:09 AM

Zelensky believes Trump can end war in Ukraine, must include Kyiv in talks.

While the specifics of a potential agreement under U.S. President Donald Trump remain unclear, Zelensky emphasized that Vladimir Putin has no interest in ending the war.

11:15 PM

Zelensky offers Ukraine as transit hub for Azerbaijani gas to Europe.

President Volodymyr Zelensky emphasized that Azerbaijan has significant export capacity, with the ability to send up to 25 billion cubic meters of gas, and that Ukraine can provide the necessary infrastructure to transport it.

8:47 PM

Zelensky backs Slovak protests as Fico criticizes opposition, organizers.

"Bratislava is not Moscow, Slovakia is Europe," President Volodymyr Zelensky wrote on X on Jan. 25, voicing support for protests against Slovakia's government.

6:42 PM

US suspends programs for entry of migrants, including Ukrainians, NYT reports.

Donald Trump previously pledged to impose harsher legislation on migrants and launch the "largest deportation program in U.S. history."

6:28 PM

Parliament committee head calls for defense minister's resignation as defense procurement scandal escalates.

Umerov has been lambasted by pro-reform MPs and anti-corruption activists for what they see as his efforts to destroy the independence of the Defense Procurement Agency. Anti-corruption watchdogs have also argued that Umerov's actions jeopardize Western military aid for Ukraine.

4:47 PM  (Updated:  January 25, 2025 5:33 pm)

Zelensky, Sandu say they are ready to meet Transnistria's energy needs.

Earlier in the day, Maia Sandu arrived in Kyiv on an official visit to meet with Volodymyr Zelensky and discuss several issues, including the energy crisis.

3:35 PM  (Updated:  January 25, 2025 5:16 pm)

Russia launches four drone strikes in Kharkiv during day.

Russia targeted the Shevchenkivskyi, Kyivskyi, and Kholodnohirskyi districts, Kharkiv Mayor Ihor Terekhov reported.

2:21 PM

US considers buying weapons for Ukraine using frozen Russian assets, Kellogg says.

The approach can be part of a comprehensive solution that will support Ukraine in its war against Russia and strengthen the American defense industry, Keith Kellogg said.

1:06 PM

Russian attacks across Ukraine injure 10 over past day.

Russian forces launched 61 drones and two Kh-59/69 cruise missiles at Ukraine overnight.

11:42 AM

Moldovan President Sandu arrives in Kyiv to meet Zelensky.

"I bring a strong message of support for Ukraine and its people. Their courage secures our peace," Maia Sandu wrote on X.

9:15 AM

General Staff: Russia has lost 828,470 troops in Ukraine since Feb. 24, 2022.

This number includes 1,650 casualties Russian forces suffered just over the past day.

7:30 AM

Pete Hegseth confirmed as US Secretary of Defense in tie-breaking vote.

The U.S. Senate confirmed Pete Hegseth as Secretary of Defense on Jan. 24 in a tie-breaking vote.

6:47 AM

SBU foils Russian missile plot on Ukrainian military institute, arrests cadet collaborating with FSB.

An 18-year-old military cadet has been charged with treason for allegedly aiding Russian special services, the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) reported on Jan. 24.

5:15 AM

Foreign Ministry rejects Slovak PM's unfounded Ukrainian cyberattack claim.

The Foreign Ministry denied Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico's claim that Ukraine is connected to a cyberattack on Slovakia's national insurance company, according to a statement on the Ministry’s website on Jan. 24.